In this episode, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Katie Wengenroth, Founder of KVT Events, to explore the mindset, structure and strategy behind building high-impact events. With 15+ years across agencies and SaaS giants — HubSpot, LogMeIn, Outreach — Katie breaks down how intentional planning, strong relationships and clear goals shape better outcomes long before production begins. From producing HubSpot’s early Inbound Conferences to designing Outreach’s Women in Sales Summit in ...
Events are full of powerful moments — but only the teams who capture them intentionally turn those moments into long-term value. In this episode, Chris Dunn sits down with co-host and guest Brendon Hamlin, Founder of Hamlin Creative, to break down how brands can transform trade shows, conferences, activations, and corporate events into content engines that live far beyond show days. Brendon shares lessons from his early career in TV promo production all the way to leading content teams at lar...
Episode 47 of Event Marketer’s Toolbox is a clear, practical breakdown of what it really takes to exhibit across the U.S. trade show landscape. Guest Bill Watson, who leads labor operations for Lime IND, joins hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito to unpack the biggest challenges exhibitors face: labor rules, union jurisdictions, venue restrictions, scheduling pressures, and the realities behind rising costs. Many exhibitors assume labor works the same everywhere—but Bill explains why every city...
How IPME Is Redefining Event Design Through Sustainable Innovation In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Craig Rapoza, President of Built Rite and Co-Founder of IPME, to explore how shipping containers are transforming the way brands build, move, and scale experiential environments. From high-impact activations for Audi and Volkswagen to the World Cup 2026 and CES, Craig shares how IPME’s modular, container-based structures deliver sust...
In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Stephen Benedetti, International Business Development Director at Heilmayer Messe Design in Munich, Germany, to discuss what it really takes for American exhibitors to succeed in Europe. Stephen has lived and worked on both sides of the Atlantic, helping brands translate their trade show strategies for an entirely different landscape. From construction rules and costs to design philosophy and cultura...
On this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with speaker, author, and Engagify CEO, Anders Boulanger, to break down how attention becomes connection—and connection becomes real pipeline—at trade shows. From the “engagement gap” model to practical booth layout fixes, Anders shares how to give attendees a reason to stop, a reason to listen, and a reason to buy. Expect tactics you can use at your next show: building micro-crowds, placing aisle-view pr...
In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Matt Williams, the creator of the Plant Grow Harvest framework - a simple, honest approach to social selling that helps sales and marketing teams stop lurking and start connecting. Matt brings years of experience bridging sales and marketing through authentic relationship building — online and in person. Together, the three dive deep into how LinkedIn and trade shows work hand-in-hand to drive meaningful ...
In this week’s episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with industry historian, author, and advocate Bob McGlincy to uncover the incredible scope, history, and impact of the global trade show industry — a trillion-dollar force that too often goes unseen. Bob shares insights from his book The Invisible Industry and his decades of experience leading operations and teams in live events. From ancient marketplaces to the Crystal Palace and today’s internati...
In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Rachel Weeks, a marketing executive with two decades of experience leading growth, transformation, and culture-first teams. Together, they explore how recognition and appreciation are more than just good leadership — they’re strategic business levers that drive retention, engagement, and real performance. Rachel shares lessons learned from her time at Reward Gateway and other HR tech companies, ...
In Episode 40 of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with MK Granados, Director of Sponsorships at Informa Markets, to challenge one of the most overlooked areas of event strategy: sponsorships. MK brings a career spanning New York Comic Con, Gartner, PAX, and Informa Markets — and she’s here with a bold message: sponsorships don’t have to be cookie-cutter logo placements. Done right, they can transform an event, elevate brands, and create experiences attend...
The events industry is at a turning point—and sustainability is no longer optional. In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and co-host Dana Esposito welcome Jim Obermeyer, Regional VP at Bray Leino Events and co-chair of the EDPA/ESCA Sustainability Committee. With more than 40 years of industry experience, Jim shares how a once-small committee has grown into a passionate 28-person task force reshaping the way events are planned, built, and measured. This episode dives into t...
This episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox dives deep into the art and science of micro events—those intentionally small, connection-focused gatherings that break through the noise of traditional B2B experiences. Guest Emily Dilbeck of Unbound shares her practical five-step micro event playbook and explains how “backyard party” philosophy creates stronger emotional bonds, higher ROI, and more memorable attendee experiences. From LEGO figurine check-ins to wizard-themed sidecar events, Emily off...
In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sat down with Mitchell Mauk, Principal of Mauk Design, to discuss how storytelling, metaphor, and simplification can transform exhibits into memorable, engaging, and effective experiences. Mitchell, whose work spans NASA, Google, McDonald’s, AT&T, and O.C. Tanner, shared his insights on how exhibits can communicate complex ideas simply, captivate audiences, and reinforce brand messaging. Even for those who wer...
In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn sat down with Jakob Eliason, co-founder of Pickleball Pop-Ups, to explore how pickleball has evolved into a powerful experiential marketing tool. Jakob shared how the sport engages audiences across corporate events, tradeshows, festivals, and community programs, and why it’s become a go-to activity for brand activations and corporate wellness initiatives. During the conversation, listeners learned: Pickleball as an engagement tool:...
On this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Brandon Lee, founder of Fist Bump, to explore how trust and reputation drive revenue at events and tradeshows. Brandon shares insights on creating credible booth experiences, building advocacy, and aligning sales and event teams to convert leads into long-term relationships. Whether you’re a first-time event marketer or a seasoned professional, this episode provides actionable tools and strategies for bui...
In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Finn Yonkers, EVP Creative at BlueHive Exhibits, to explore the art and science behind creating memorable exhibits and experiences. With over 30 years of experience spanning exhibit design, multimedia, and interactive experiences for brands like Amgen, Bose, Intel, Biogen, and Adobe, Finn shares insights on designing for impact, translating abstract ideas into reality, and leveraging brand DNA to create un...
In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox Live, Chris Dunn sits down with Dana Esposito to share insights from her 30+ years in exhibit design and event strategy. Dana dives into the lessons she’s learned, career transitions, and the practical strategies that help professionals grow, engage, and make an impact in the events industry. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or event professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration for taking your career and even...
In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox Live, Chris Dunn sits down with Bob Hanson and Nick Sal to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in the events industry: How can in-person and virtual events work together seamlessly? For years, event professionals have treated in-person and virtual events as competitors. But the truth is—they can be powerful partners, amplifying each other’s strengths and driving greater ROI. In this episode, Bob and Nick share how to bridge the gap bet...
In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito chat with Chris Griffin, President of the EDPA and Owner of Crew XP. Chris shares valuable insights on leadership, industry advocacy, and the importance of building strong relationships in the events sector. Chris discussed the crucial role of advocacy for the future of the industry, especially in his time at Legislative Action Day in Washington, D.C., where industry leaders lobbied for important policies. As Chri...
In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn is joined by Caitlyn Correa, President & CEO of BlueHive Exhibits and Continental Woodcraft. Caitlyn, a third-generation business owner, shares her journey of balancing family life with leading a growing business in the ever-evolving events industry. She talks about the challenges, rewards, and the flexibility needed to thrive in today’s business environment. Caitlyn dives into: Running a Family Business: Navigating the demands of ma...