EVENT ABOUT IT: Event Marketing, Strategy & Business Growth

It was the last day of RISKWORLD 2023. The show had been the best one yet. Danica Patrick was about to take the stage for the closing keynote.Then Stuart Ruff-Lyon got pulled from the show floor and walked, without explanation, to a room where the Chief of Police of Atlanta was waiting.Two miles away, there was an active shooter on the loose. Four hotels on lockdown. Two shuttle routes stopped. Nine thousand attendees in the building.In this Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin and Stuart Ruff-Lyon go through the whole story, minute by minute, from the walk down that hallway to the decision to cancel the finale, to what RIMS did publicly afterward that the entire events industry should study and copy.But this episode is bigger than one incident. It is the full behind-the-scenes career of the person who turned a 60-year-old conference into a global brand, survived a ransomware attack on the morning of a show, led his professional association through a pandemic as board chair, and now oversees events, sales, and marketing for one of the most recognized societies in the world.This is what it looks like to go wide from the inside.What You'll Learn:What was happening in the RISKWORLD command center in Atlanta that 9,000 attendees never sawWhy RIMS made their entire crisis after-action review public and what that decision cost them and gave themHow Stuart went from Director of Meetings and Events to Chief Commercial Officer at the same organization and what he had to learn that no job description ever mentionsThe real story behind rebranding a 60-year-old conference, from the research and outside firms to the board conversation and the pandemic delay that almost derailed the launchWhat RIMS' 365-day strategy actually looks like in practice, from selling next year's show before this year's show closes to building community beyond the four days on the floorHow RIMS thinks about event revenue as a percentage of total association income and what that accountability looks like for an event teamWhat event professionals fundamentally misunderstand about the business they are actually inThe one metric this industry is obsessed with that Stuart thinks tells us almost nothing (it is the room block and the reason will change how you think about destination ROI)What association leaders say behind closed doors about events that never makes it into the conference presentationResources Mentioned:RIMS Active Shooter Resources and After Action Review — the full report Stuart references about the 2023 Atlanta incident, including the minute-by-minute after action review and RIMS' security enhancementsComprehensive Risk Management Guide: https://www.asaecenter.org/about-us/news_releases/2024-news-releases/asae-collaborates-with-industry-leaders-to-produce-comprehensive-risk-and-crisis-management-toolkit-for-associationshttps://associationsnow.com/2023/05/how-one-association-handled-an-active-shooter-incident-in-conference-city/Adam Grant — Think Again — the book Megan references in conversation with Stuart about rethinking assumptionsConnect with Megan Martin: LinkedIn | msquareddynamics.com | @M2Dynamics on social mediaConnect with Stuart Ruff-Lyon: LinkedIn | RIMS.orgHave an event story or a Vent of the Week worth sharing? Submit it at eventaboutitpodcast.com for a chance to be featured on a future episode.Until next time, stay curious.

Everyone says celebrity keynotes are out. Data says audiences want practitioners, not personalities. So why is RISKWORLD, the world's largest gathering of global risk professionals, doubling down on names like Adam Grant and Michael Strahan?Because sometimes the data is right and your audience is the exception. And knowing the difference is exactly what separates an event operator from a Chief Commercial Officer.In this episode of Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Chief Commercial Officer at RIMS, the risk management society, to talk about what actually happens when you stop measuring the wrong things and start asking better questions of your event.They play The Debrief, a game where Stuart gives the one question every event leader should be asking in their post-show report but almost never does. From flat sponsor revenue to a 92% say-they'll-return survey rate, Stuart flips the script on the metrics this industry treats as wins.Plus, Stuart shares the story of the morning a hacker held every single PowerPoint and video from RISKWORLD's 150-session education program for ransom. The first day of the show. Before the first session opened.And yes, they got it all back.What You'll Learn:The one question hiding behind every post-event metric that nobody is askingWhy cutting your closing reception to save $200K might be your most expensive decisionHow to think about social media engagement after your conference without counting selfies as a strategyWhat cybersecurity risk actually looks like for a large-scale conference and what RIMS did about itWhy the data says ditch celebrity keynotes — and when to ignore that data entirelyConnect with Stuart Ruff-Lyon: LinkedIn | RIMS.orgRISKWORLD 2026: May 3-6 | Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia Register and learn moreResources Mentioned:RIMS Active Shooter Resources and After Action Review — the full report Stuart references about the 2023 Atlanta incident, including the minute-by-minute after action review and RIMS' security enhancementsComprehensive Risk Management Guide: https://www.asaecenter.org/about-us/news_releases/2024-news-releases/asae-collaborates-with-industry-leaders-to-produce-comprehensive-risk-and-crisis-management-toolkit-for-associationshttps://associationsnow.com/2023/05/how-one-association-handled-an-active-shooter-incident-in-conference-city/Adam Grant — Think Again — the book Megan references in conversation with Stuart about rethinking assumptionsConnect with Megan Martin: LinkedIn | msquareddynamics.com | @M2Dynamics on social mediaGot a Vent of the Week or an event story worth sharing? Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to submit yours and get featured on a future episode.Don't miss the Dynamic Dialogue After Show with Stuart, where we go deeper on the RISKWORLD rebrand, the Atlanta active shooter incident, and what association event leaders say behind closed doors that never makes it into the conference presentation. Join the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com for access to every After Show episode and exclusive bonus content.Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who still thinks 92% say they'd attend again is a good metric.

You asked your speaker to show up. They did. You offered them exposure. They smiled and said thank you.And then nothing happened for either of you.In this Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin and media strategist Beth Nydick pull back the curtain on the unspoken agreement between event organizers and speakers that nobody is formalizing, the myth of exposure as compensation, and what it actually looks like to build a media strategy around your event that works for the other 362 days of the year.Beth brings her TV producer lens to the events industry and what she sees is not a logistics problem. It is a media problem. Events are the most powerful content machine in the world and most organizations have absolutely no plan for what happens after the carpet gets rolled up.They also get into BravoCon as the event strategy blueprint the B2B world refuses to study, why micro niche creators with 8,000 followers will outperform your celebrity keynote, and why the conversation you need to be having with your speakers starts the day they get booked, not the day they hit the stage.Plus a full Bravo break because they are both Bravo girls and they earned it.In this after show you will learn:Why "you'll get great exposure" is BS and what organizers should offer speakers insteadHow to apply the Mic to Millions framework to a live event before, during, and afterWhy your event content strategy needs to power 365 days not just 72 hours post showWhat BravoCon is doing right that every B2B conference organizer should be studyingWhy micro niche creators drive more engagement than big name celebrities at your eventHow to move your attendees from passive consumers to active participants in your event storyWhat the unwritten contract between speakers and organizers should actually includeThis episode is essential listening for event organizers, conference producers, event marketers, speakers, and anyone responsible for making events drive real business growth beyond the show floor.Connect with Beth Nydick Website: https://bethnydick.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethnydick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethnydickBeth's Mic to Millions System https://bethnydick.comClean Cocktails: Righteous Recipes for the Modern Mixologist by Beth Nydick https://a.co/d/07IK3eQvBravoCon https://www.bravotv.com/bravoconGiggly Squad Podcast https://www.giggly.comCEO School on Prime Video https://www.amazon.com/CEO-School/dp/B0CXYZConnect with Megan MartinWebsite: https://msquareddynamics.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/M2Dynamicshttps://www.instagram.com/EventAboutItLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MeganMartinCMP Subscribe to The Step and Repeat Newsletter https://msquareddynamics.com/stepandrepeatsignupGot a vent or an event story worth sharing? Head to https://eventaboutitpodcast.com to submit yours for a chance to be featured in a future episode.Until next time. Stay Curious.

What do you do when someone steals your mic, your camera, and your clicker right before you walk out to a standing room only crowd?You scream. Literally.In this episode of Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with Beth Nydick, former TV producer turned media strategist and creator of the Mic to Millions system, to talk about what actually happens when event speakers show up prepared and the event is not. Beth takes us inside the most chaotic speaker moment of her career and what it taught her about performing under pressure, building audience connection in real time, and why the events industry is leaving its most powerful content asset completely untouched.They also play The Upfronts, a game where real event content strategies get pitched like TV season lineups and Beth decides what gets a full season pickup, what becomes a limited series, and what gets canceled before it ever airs. Spoiler: most of what your team is doing right now is getting canceled.In this episode you will learn:Why celebrities at TRL were terrified before going on live TV and what that teaches us about event speakersWhat event content strategies are dead on arrival and which ones actually have legsWhy a dedicated hashtag with no social strategy is a wasted opportunity and what to do insteadHow to think about your event like a TV producer before the doors ever openWhat the difference is between being known and being famous and why it matters for your event brandThis is a must listen for event professionals, conference organizers, event marketers, speakers, and anyone trying to make their event work harder than the three days it lives.Connect with Beth Nydick Website: https://bethnydick.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethnydick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethnydickBeth's Mic to Millions System https://bethnydick.comClean Cocktails: Righteous Recipes for the Modern Mixologist by Beth Nydick https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Cocktails-Righteous-Recipes-Mixologist/dp/1624143059Alt Summit https://altsummit.comConnect with Megan Martin Website: https://msquareddynamics.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/M2Dynamicshttps://www.instagram.com/EventAboutItLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MeganMartinCMPSubscribe to The Step and Repeat Newsletter https://msquareddynamics.com/stepandrepeatsignupGot a vent or an event story worth sharing? Head to https://eventaboutitpodcast.com to submit yours for a chance to be featured in a future episode.Don't miss the Dynamic Dialogue After Show where Beth and Megan get into why great exposure is the biggest lie in events, what a real media strategy for your event looks like, and the thing nobody inside this industry has the guts to say out loud.Until next time. Keep growing, keep laughing, and keep eventing about it.

The Attribution Conversation Event Teams Need to Have with Their CMOMost event reports are a PDF nobody reads. What if your post-event data told you exactly which VP-level executives engaged with your sponsor's content — by name, by title, and by intent signal?In this Event About It Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin and Florentin Ngabitsinze go deep on what event attribution actually looks like when it's done right — and why most organizations are measuring the wrong things, at the wrong time, with the wrong data.Florentin breaks down how his team at Uchop tracks identity-level engagement data — not vanity impressions, but real signals: who reposted, who shared internally, which executives engaged, and how that data connects directly to sponsor renewals and audience pipeline for the following year.They also unpack:Stakeholder activation — what it means and why it's more powerful than "content creation"When to measure: the 48-hour, 7-day, and 30-day attribution windows that matter mostOrganic vs. paid: how real-time event content builds the organic signal that makes paid advertising actually convertUGC and IP ownership: who owns the content, who controls the message, and how smart event teams are navigating bothPre-purposing content: using last year's speaker highlights to build attendance momentum for this year's eventWhy attendees who post about your event are a pipeline signal — and should live in a CRM of their ownWhat it will take for events to finally be treated as infrastructure, not a line-item expenseThis is the conversation CMOs, event directors, and sponsorship teams need to have before they build next year's event strategy.🎧 Find this episode and all after shows ateventaboutitpodcast.comConnect with Florentin Ngabitsinze: linkedin.com/in/florentin-ngabitsinzeLearn more about Uchop: linkedin.com/company/uchopConnect with Megan Martin: msquareddynamics.comJoin the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com for access to bonus content, after show episodes, and the conversations that don't make the main stage.Until next time — stay curious.event attribution, sponsor ROI events, event measurement strategy, B2B event data, stakeholder activation, event content distribution, sponsor renewal data, identity-level engagement, event pipeline, UGC event strategy, event media strategy, conference ROI, event about it after show, Florentin Ngabitsinze, Uchop, event marketing metrics, CMO event strategy

Why Your B2B Event Content Disappears — and What to Do InsteadYou spend months planning the event. You fill the room. You film everything. And then... it all just fades.In this episode of Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with Florentin Ngabitsinze, co-founder of Uchop, to unpack one of the biggest missed opportunities in B2B event marketing: what happens to all that content after the lights go off.Florentin's team operates like a live sports studio inside B2B conferences — delivering real-time personalized video highlights to speakers, sponsors, and attendees before they've even left the building. The result? Sponsor renewals. Measurable attribution. And events that function like the media engines they were always meant to be.They play Applause or Attribution — a fast-paced game where every event tactic gets sorted into what actually drives business outcomes versus what just makes people clap. (Spoiler: the logo on the step-and-repeat wall did not fare well.)What You'll Learn:Why event content dies — and how real-time distribution changes everythingWhat "personalized content" actually means when 90% of speakers will share itWhy sponsors who get personalized highlights renew at dramatically higher ratesThe difference between applause metrics and attribution metrics — and which ones your CMO actually cares aboutWhy your event speakers are your most underutilized content distribution channelWhat "phygital" event strategy means and how it expands audience reach without losing the human experienceWhether you're running a flagship conference or sponsoring a trade show, this episode reframes the event from a budget line to a media infrastructure investment.🎧 Catch the After Show at eventaboutitpodcast.com — where Florentin and Megan go deeper on stakeholder activation, attribution models, and how identity-level engagement data is changing the renewal conversation.Connect with Florentin Ngabitsinze: linkedin.com/in/florentin-ngabitsinzeLearn more about Uchop: linkedin.com/company/uchopConnect with Megan Martin: msquareddynamics.comGot an event vent or a story worth sharing?Submit it at eventaboutitpodcast.com and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, after shows, and exclusive guest access.Until next time — keep growing, keep laughing, and keep eventing about it.event content strategy, B2B event marketing, event ROI, sponsor attribution, real-time event content, event media engine, event content repurposing, sponsor renewal strategy, event video highlights, phygital events, stakeholder activation, event measurement, conference content strategy, B2B conference marketing, event about it podcast

Why do CEOs keep asking for content that doesn’t work?In the Event About It after show, Megan Martin, CMP and Devin Bramhall go deeper into the leadership side of content and event strategy—specifically the questions executives ask that unintentionally lead teams into busywork instead of growth.This conversation reframes content not as a marketing output, but as a business decision—and challenges leaders to rethink how they evaluate success from events, campaigns, and marketing teams.In this after show, we explore:The most common mistake CEOs make with content strategyWhy “we need more content” is usually the wrong questionHow leadership decisions shape event and marketing outcomesWhat content is actually supposed to do for a growing businessHow events, marketing, and growth get misaligned at the topThis after show is essential listening for CEOs, CMOs, event leaders, and marketers who are accountable for growth—not just activity.👉 Follow Event About It for more episodes and after shows:Megan Martin, CMP — https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmartincmpSubscribe and Review and Follow: EventAboutItPodcast.comConnect with the Guest:https://www.devinbramhall.com/

Why does event content fail to deliver real business growth—especially in B2B?In this episode of Event About It, host Megan Martin, CMP sits down with Devin Bramhall, a longtime B2B marketing leader, to unpack why so much event content misses the mark and why the issue isn’t volume, platforms, or distribution.It’s context.As brands invest more in events, activations, and content creation, many teams find themselves producing more assets—but seeing less impact. This conversation breaks down why “we need more content” has become the default ask, how that thinking disconnects events from growth, and what actually makes event marketing work.In this episode, we discuss:Why event content often fails to generate ROIThe difference between content creation and business outcomesHow B2B event marketing loses effectiveness without contextWhy marketing activity gets prioritized over growth strategyWhat actually drives growth from events, content, and marketingIf you’re responsible for event strategy, marketing performance, or growth—and you’re questioning why your content isn’t landing—this episode provides clarity, language, and a better framework to move forward.Subscribe and Review and Follow: EventAboutItPodcast.com👉 Follow Event About It on LinkedIn: Megan Martin, CMP — https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmartincmp🎧 Don’t miss the after show for a deeper conversation on leadership, content strategy, and the questions CEOs should be asking instead.Connect with the Guest:https://www.devinbramhall.com/

Trade shows aren’t failing.Trade show strategy is.In this Event About It After Show, Megan Martin and Martin Fretwell go deeper — specifically into the world of B2B trade shows, booths, budgets, and why so many teams walk away feeling busy… but disappointed.This is the conversation that usually happens after the event:When the leads don’t convertWhen leadership asks hard ROI questionsWhen teams realize nothing from the last show carried forwardMartin breaks down the hidden reason trade shows underperform, even when:Booth traffic is highThe team is energizedThe budget was significant“Everything went according to plan”Spoiler: the problem isn’t foot traffic, badge scans, or booth design.In this after show, we unpack:Why trade shows feel expensive but fragileThe strategic mistake that resets momentum after every showHow most B2B teams accidentally sabotage trade show ROIWhat successful trade show teams do differently before, during, and after the eventHow to stop treating trade shows like isolated campaignsWhat it actually takes to make trade shows compound over timeThis episode is especially relevant for:Trade show managersField marketing teamsEvent ownersRevenue leaders questioning booth spendAnyone responsible for proving trade show ROIIf you’ve ever walked off a show floor thinking,“Now what?” This episode answers that question.🎙️ Host: Megan Martin🎙️ Guest: Martin Fretwell🔗 Learn more about Event Driven Growth: https://www.eventdrivengrowth.com🔗 Listen to more After Shows: https://www.eventaboutitpodcast.com🔗 Follow Megan Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MeganMartinCMP🔗 Follow Martin Fretwell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dontfretguys/📣 Share this episode with the teammate who always says, “We just need one more trade show.”

Most B2B companies are running events like one-night stands.They show up. They spend the budget. They tear down the booth. And then… they start from scratch all over again.In this episode of Event About It, Megan Martin sits down with Martin Fretwell, founder of Event Driven Growth, to unpack the single biggest event strategy mistake B2B teams keep repeating: treating events as isolated moments instead of compounding growth assets.This conversation challenges the way most organizations think about:Trade showsConferencesField marketingEvent ROI“Successful” event metricsMartin explains why the best events don’t just perform once — they stack, making every future event easier, stronger, and more valuable.If you’ve ever said:“That show went well, but…”“We’ll fix it next year”“Leadership doesn’t see the ROI”“Why does every event feel like starting over?”This episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:The core event strategy mistake killing long-term ROIWhy most B2B events never compound (and how to change that)The difference between one-hit wonder events and greatest hits strategiesHow to turn events into repeatable growth enginesWhat event-led growth actually looks like in practiceWhy “doing more events” isn’t the answerThis is a must-listen for:Event marketersField marketersDemand gen leadersCMOsRevenue teamsAnyone tired of defending event budgets every year🎙️ Host: Megan Martin🎙️ Guest: Martin Fretwell, Founder of Event Driven Growth🔗 Learn more about Martin: https://www.eventdrivengrowth.com🔗 Explore the show: https://www.eventaboutitpodcast.com🔗 Follow Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/MeganMartinCMP📌 Subscribe, rate, and review if this episode made you rethink your event strategy.

Do you have rungs or do you have range? This week on the Dynamic Dialogue After Show, host Megan Martin and the legendary Kati Quigley keep the mics hot after the meeting ends to discuss the "quiet power" required to lead in a very loud industry.This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing, and event professionals.Kati pulls back the curtain on the "Introvert’s Advantage" in the events industry. While everyone else is fighting for the loudest voice in the room, Kati breaks down how quiet leadership, active listening, and "reading the room" became her secret weapons for event strategy. They discuss the vulnerability of moving into roles where you aren't the subject matter expert, the importance of treating partners with the same respect as executives, and the "Closed Door Truth" about what it really takes to lead a world-class team.Key Takeaways:The Introvert’s Secret Weapon: How to use quiet observation and listening to dominate event marketing strategy sessions.The "Closed Door Truth": Kati shares what she hopes people say about her leadership when she’s not in the room.Leading Without Being the Expert: Navigating the discomfort of managing teams whose technical skills (like Social or Content) exceed your own.Respect as a Strategy: Why the way you treat your hotel partners and A/V crews is the ultimate reflection of your professional brand.The Power of Relationship Building: Why authentic connections—not just networking—are the foundation of event led growth.About the Guest: Kati Quigley is the Vice President of Portfolio and Brand Marketing at BMC Software. A veteran marketing leader and executive coach at heart, she has led global teams for Microsoft and Smartsheet and has spent her career proving that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most influential.Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiquigley/

Some people climb ladders and some people build rooms. Ultimately, real growth isn't about rungs—it's about range. This week on Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with the powerhouse who didn't just climb the corporate ladder, she expanded the building: Kati Quigley.This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing, and event professionals.Kati takes us through her legendary career evolution, from leading the charge at PCMA to building the first-ever Event Center of Excellence at Microsoft. We’re breaking down the high-stakes shift from association life to the corporate tech world, where events aren't just logistics—they are the ultimate leverage for marketing. Kati spills the tea on why your career shouldn't be a "ladder" but a "floor plan," and how she successfully transitioned from being "the event girl" to leading global event marketing for some of the biggest names in tech.Key Takeaways:The Floor Plan Career: Why building "range" and lateral skills is more powerful than just climbing rungs.The Center of Excellence: A masterclass in how Kati built a centralized event strategy at Microsoft to drive global consistency and event led growth.Events as Leverage: Shifting the mindset from "executing a meeting" to "leveraging an event" as a strategic marketing tool.The Corporate Transition: How to translate association experience into the language of corporate ROI and demand generation.About the Guest: Kati Quigley is the Vice President of Portfolio and Brand Marketing at BMC Software. A veteran marketing leader and executive coach at heart, she has led global teams for Microsoft and Smartsheet and has spent her career proving that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most influential.Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiquigley/

Have you built an identity around work you genuinely love — and still find yourself questioning "what’s next?" This week on the Dynamic Dialogue After Show, host Megan Martin and the ultimate “Trade Show Girly,” Carly Heideger, keep the mics hot after the show floor goes dark to spill the tea on the side of the industry the brochures don’t cover.This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing, and event professionals.Carly breaks down the “Land Deck” lifestyle—the realization that being an event pro is essentially being a “yachtie” on Below Deck, just replace the ocean with a concrete convention center. We’re diving into the reality of event marketing at the senior level, including Carly’s secret weapon for professional development: a Goodreads goal of 30 books a year. They discuss navigating Imposter Syndrome, career transitions, leading revenue teams, and knowing when to prioritize "logos over ego" to fund the mission.Key Takeaways:The "Land Deck" Life: Why the event industry is basically Below Deck on land and how to survive the "charter season" of major trade shows.The 30-Book Blueprint: How reading business memoirs and hospitality manifestos fuels a more creative event strategy.The Imposter Syndrome Trap: Real talk on the "Post-it" mantras and mindset shifts required to lead multi-million dollar revenue teams when you feel like a "fraud."Logos vs. Ego: A candid look at event led growth and why sometimes you have to discount the sponsorship to pay for the "big ideas."The Career "What's Next": How to navigate the senior-level plateau when you aren't unhappy, but you're ready for the next iteration of your professional journey.About the Guest: Carly Heideger is a veteran senior revenue leader and the self-proclaimed "Trade Show Girly" who has spent her career managing the high-pressure intersection of multi-million dollar sponsorship sales and complex event operations.Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ ⁠Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyheideger/

Is your event contingency plan a real strategy or just a dusty file? This week on Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with the ultimate "Trade Show Girly," Carly Heideger, to spill the tea on what happens when the hypothetical becomes a nightmare.This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing and event professionals.Carly takes us inside a high-stakes aviation event in Geneva where active protestors didn't just stand outside—they forced a total event shutdown. We’re breaking down why every event organizer must read the security plan before the "Super Bowl" of their industry begins. From $80 million private jets to registration managers jumping over tables with bolt cutters during a flash flood, this episode is a masterclass in crisis management and operational input.We’re also getting real about the "Gen Alpha" paradox. Everyone in the events industry is asking what the next generation wants, but nobody is actually inviting them to the room to experience the current iteration. Are we overthinking innovation while gatekeeping the very people we’re trying to attract?Key Takeaways:The Geneva Shutdown: A play-by-play of the aviation event takeover and why your contingency plan needs to be more than just "if it rains."The Gen Alpha Gap: Why we need to stop the future of events panels and start letting the next generation actually attend.Operational Reality: Why the registration manager and the A/V team are your best friends when a crisis hits.Boardroom vs. Show Floor: Balancing event revenue goals with the reality of sponsorship fatigue.About the Guest: Carly Heideger is a veteran senior revenue leader and the self-proclaimed "Trade Show Girly" who has spent her career managing the high-pressure intersection of multi-million dollar sponsorship sales and complex event operations.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit⁠Work with Megan Martin⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/⁠Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyheideger/

AI in every session title. Wellness lounges next to espresso bars. Puppies that are cute … but don’t close deals.If you’re an event professional or event marketer trying to separate what’s trendy from what actually works, this live episode of Event About It is for you.Recorded in front of a studio audience at the Club Ichi Telethon, this episode is loud, unfiltered, and packed with real opinions from people who’ve seen events go very right — and very wrong.Together, we debate today’s biggest event trends, share real behind-the-scenes failures, and break down how smarter event strategy leads to stronger business growth.This is Event Growth Unfiltered — live.🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:Which event trends deserve a hard mute — and which ones still deliver ROIHow misaligned content, wellness messaging, and logistics hurt attendee trustWhat real event pros do when production fails, power goes out, or plans unravel live🎤 Live panel guests:Seth Weiner — Your Rocktioneer® | The Fundraising Producer Benefit Auctioneer | Emcee | Game Show Host | CAI, BASDavid T. Stevens — Co-Founder, Olympian MeetingAntwone Stigall — Owner & Chief Event Officer, Planner ApprovedIf you plan, market, or produce events — and want fewer gimmicks and better results — you’re in the right place.🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes focused on event marketing, event strategy, and business growth 👉 Your backstage pass to event success.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit⁠Work with Megan Martin⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/

When you go from coordinating guest speakers with the secret service to a sabbatical on a farm, there's a LOT to unpack. This Dynamic Dialogue After Show feels like stepping out of the ballroom and into a deep exhale. Host Megan Martin and Morgan Prewitt, CMP go full truth-teller about bringing new ideas to events and how they've both learned that experience does not equal years.In the After Show:• Morgan’s post-DNC sabbatical • Farming, goats, and finding joy that isn’t tied to deadlines• How to create main-character confidence in events• Why women in events need strong mentors and the courage to say "no"• How to ditching stale event formats• And yes… the Secret Service moment that proves political events are their own Bravo franchiseGuest Bio:Morgan Prewitt, CMP is a seasoned event strategist with deep experience across tech, venue management, associations, and large-scale political programming.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media @eventaboutithttps://www.instagram.com/eventaboutitWork with Megan Martinhttps://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-prewitt-cmp/ 

When your speakers go rogue and the weather tries to destroy your show, you need proof that even the best planners survive pure chaos with style. Host Megan Martin sits down with Morgan Prewitt, CMP, the calm-in-the-storm strategist behind major corporate, tech, and political programs. She’s here to break down the moments that would make any event pro clutch their headset.What you’ll learn in this episode: • You’ll hear some truly unhinged speaker “ideas”• Vent of the Week: events practicing faux sustainability • Why being transparent is the key to surviving any event disaster • How she rebuilt a full closing reception in under five hours (pizza included)• What sixteen hour days taught her about loving this industryPlus: An Event About It moment where Morgan proves no gig is ever as “handled” as your client thinks it is.Guest Bio:Morgan Prewitt, CMP is an accomplished event strategist known for leading large scale corporate, tech, and political programs with precision and heart.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media @eventaboutithttps://www.instagram.com/eventaboutitWork with Megan Martinhttps://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-prewitt-cmp/

Ever feel like your event is perfectly planned but something still isn’t landing with your attendees? This Dynamic Dialogue After Show goes deeper into the psychology behind the why. Megan Martin and guest Dr. Kristin Malek unpack the brain science, behavior patterns, and real transformation strategies event planners desperately need.What You’ll Learn• Planning for the next generation who want events that matter• Practical ways to create safe learning environments• The real secret to building agendas that stack learning• Why rest is an amplifier for creativity and not a luxury• The one habit Dr. K would break in the events industry• The surprising place she says event design should begin: email campaignsDr. Kristin explains why “the brain doesn’t care if you’re miserable, it cares if you’re familiar” and she reveals how curiosity and fear battle for the same real estate in your mind. Plus how knowing all this can be a game changer for your events.Guest Bio: Dr. Kristin Malek is an internationally known behavior change expert whose frameworks help leaders, planners, and creators rewire identity, spark momentum, and create transformation that lasts.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media @eventaboutithttps://www.instagram.com/eventaboutitWork with Megan Martinhttps://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drkevents/ 

Have you ever poured your soul into an event and still wondered… did anyone actually learn anything? If that question feels too real, this episode is a must listen. Megan Martin sits down with Dr. Kristin Malek, the architect of curiosity who mixes neuroscience with name badges to design events that shift hearts, minds, and behavior.From her Las Vegas executive director days to the moment she realized event agendas were “RSVPing no” to her brain, Dr. K comes in blazing with alliteration, improv energy, and lines like, “You cannot spreadsheet serotonin.”They play a round of Science or Schedule, where Megan tosses out industry dilemmas and Dr. Kristin fires back with gems including, “A ninety minute keynote is our parents lifetime,” and “Sending the PowerPoint is like sending a grocery list and calling it dinner.”What You’ll Learn:• Why adult attention spans tap out at twelve minutes • Why overstuffed agendas kill transformation • “You cannot hashtag oxytocin” and other truths about your event• A Lego story that changed a community• How good design thinking shapes experiences far beyond eventsAnd her Vent of the Week story about eight board members having emotional breakthroughs with Legos. Iconic.Guest Bio: Dr. Kristin Malek is an internationally recognized designer and educator specializing in mindset and behavior change, known for blending neuroscience, psychology, and experience design to create measurable transformation.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media @eventaboutithttps://www.instagram.com/eventaboutitWork with Megan Martinhttps://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drkevents/⁠

If you’ve ever wondered how your early event jobs shaped the way you plan today, this one’s for you. In this “Dynamic Dialogue After Show”, host Megan Martin and guest Jessie Smith rewind to where it all began. Starting on the venue side, learning the ropes from restaurant sales offices to full-scale corporate programs, and how those “learn-it-on-the-fly” lessons built a 20-year career in events for Jessie.Jessie opens up about what earning two degrees in event management really taught her, and how living at a slower pace has reshaped her approach to work, leadership, and burnout. From hospitality roots to managing high-stakes global programs, this “After Show” is a refreshing reminder that success looks different for everyone. It’s okay to define it on your own terms.🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:How starting on the venue side shapes the way planners thinkWhy formal education in event management still mattersThe difference between big-city hustle and small-town balanceWhether earning your CMP is truly worth it — and what it actually changesHow Jessie defines “success” after two decades in eventsAbout the Guest:Jessie Smith is an Event Manager at Enterprise Events Group and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Virtual Event Producer, and Event Strategist. She’s an industry enthusiast who brings heart, humor, and hands-on experience to every production she manages.Have a Vent of the Week?Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!Connect with Us!Follow the show on social media @eventaboutithttps://www.instagram.com/eventaboutitWork with Megan Martinhttps://msquareddynamics.com/Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jesssmith1031/