The Events Experience

Welcome to The Events Experience brought to you by the event planner’s at Bishop-McCann, an agency devoted to creating JOY through meetings, incentives, and events. On this podcast, we take a deep dive into everything event planning, and our experts will discuss the latest tips and trends for virtual, live, and hybrid events to keep you up to date on the events industry.

The JOY Index™: The Future of Event Measurement

What if JOY could be measured? Join Bishop-McCann’s CEO and Partner, Rob Adams, and VP of Event Technology, Todd Moritz, as they discuss The JOY Index™ — a groundbreaking innovation that blends AI, neuroscience, and data to quantify event impact. Discover how this new approach is transforming the way event success is defined and experienced. Topics include: The inspiration behind measuring JOY at eventsHow AI and neuroscience come together through the JOY IndexTurning emotional responses into...

11-12
15:07

Planning with Purpose: Incentive Travel in a New Era with Padraic Gilligan

What’s shaping the future of incentive travel? Join Bishop-McCann’s Justin Myers as he speaks with Padraic Gilligan, former Chief Marketing Officer at SITE, to explore how the incentive travel landscape is evolving. With their shared passion for incentive travel, this episode dives into what's driving decisions in 2025 and beyond. Topics include: The mindset needed to navigate the current state of the industryImportance of hard and soft benefits for incentive travel's value propositionT...

05-01
39:29

Navigating the Future of Meetings: Insights from GDP’s Pulse Survey

Catherine Chaulet, President and CEO of Global DMC Partners, joins Bishop-McCann’s Amber Heintz to discuss the findings from the latest Meetings & Events Pulse survey. This insightful episode highlights how event planners can stay ahead of emerging trends and leverage cutting-edge tools to create exceptional experiences. Topics include: AI adoption and its impact on event planningTop challenges faced by event planners and their solutionsKey strategies for event professionals to util...

11-21
25:59

Creating JOY Through Incentive Travel: Key Strategies and Trends

With more than 15 years of experience leading incentive travel programs, Justin Myers discusses the evolving incentives landscape. Utilizing insights from our strategic partnership with SITE and his own knowledge, Justin explains how to create personalized, transformational travel experiences. Topics include: Bishop-McCann's partnership with SITEBenefits of leveraging incentive travel for corporate successChallenges, solutions, and strategies for incentive tripsIncentive travel trends a...

06-04
18:57

Event Tech Trends and Insights

Join us as we dive into the dynamic world of event technology with our new Vice President of Event Technology, Todd Moritz. With more than 20 years of experience in the events industry, Todd shares his insights and innovative approach to event tech, discussing how you can explore and navigate the event tech landscape. Topics include: The latest event tech trendsAI's influence and how to utilize AI safelyNew tech toolsThe future of event techSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create...

05-07
09:26

Empowering Women with a Unique Employee Benefit, Leva

To celebrate Women's History Month, this episode highlights a unique benefit that Bishop-McCann offers our female associates to help them thrive in their lives and careers. Our VP of Talent and Culture, Melanie Maddock, interviewed Founder and CEO of Leva, Vanessa Jupe. Leva was founded to ensure women are successful both personally and professionally, and we delve deeper into this benefit. Topics include: Why Leva was founded to empower womenBenefits of investing in and supporting women in y...

03-06
19:11

2024 Events Industry Outlook and Insights

Dive into the dynamics of the events industry in 2024 with Bishop-McCann's President and Co-Owner, Rob Adams, during this podcast episode. Gain valuable perspectives as he explores the industry's shifts and emerging trends that will define this year and beyond. Join us as we uncover key insights, analyze the economic landscape, and so much more. Topics include: Lessons learned in 2023Analysis of the current economyKey 2024 event trendsOverall event industry outlook beyond 2024Subscribe to The...

01-24
20:51

The Art of Hospitality with John O'Sullivan of Four Seasons

In this episode, our VP of Client Development and Marketing, Justin Myers, interviews our special guest, John O’Sullivan, the Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Tune in to hear Justin and John discuss how to master the art of hospitality and the importance it plays in the client experience. Topics include: How team morale impacts a guest’s experienceWhy personalization is key to incentive programsHow to create memorable experiences and del...

09-07
24:48

Dan Nilsen on Pride Month: Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

For this Pride Month episode of The Events Experience, we spoke with our Founder and Owner, Dan Nilsen, about the importance of Pride Month for our agency and how we ensure everyone feels welcomed and included. Topics include: Why inclusion is one of our core valuesHow Dan founded the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of CommerceDan’s personal story regarding prideHow other organizations can support the LGBTQ+ communitySubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

06-08
16:27

Pharmaceutical Events: Navigating the Unique Landscape

From telling you how to overcome pharma programs' unique challenges to explaining how to stay up to date on compliance changes, Strategic Account Director, Shelley Huez, covers various pharmaceutical event insights in this podcast. Topics include: Types of pharma programs we planUnique challenges of pharmaceutical eventsHow to stay on top of regulations and compliance requirementsTrends to watch for in pharma eventsSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

05-18
11:33

Celebrating International Women's Day

In this episode, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day with our talent and culture team's Melanie Maddock and Shea Paredes! As a 90% female company in a female-dominated industry, we discuss what this day means to us and how we empower the women at our agency. Topics include: What International Women’s Day means to usHow we promote women’s empowermentWhy inclusion is one of our values and how we foster inclusivityAmazing female accomplishments achieved by Bishop-McCann womenSubscr...

03-08
08:05

2023 Event Trends and Industry Outlook

With the new year just beginning, we discuss what’s to come in 2023 in the meetings and events landscape and what event industry trends to watch for with Amber Heintz, Vice President of Program Operations at Bishop-McCann. Topics include: Key lessons learned in 2022How economic conditions will affect our industryNew event trends to watch for in 2023Challenges and opportunities for event planners this yearSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

01-17
17:57

Events Environment for Freelancers & Independent Talent

Joined by Bishop-McCann’s President and Owner, Rob Adams, and Soundings’ Founder and CEO, Tracy Judge, this episode covers issues relating to independent talent in the events industry, along with trends and the future of events. Topics include: How the US Department of Labor defines independent contractorsTrends relating to independent talentShort-term and long-term outlook for our industryWhat attracts freelancers when choosing employersSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wher...

12-19
15:22

Giving Back Through Project JOY

With the season of giving right around the corner, we’re discussing our community relations program, Project JOY. Our guests are our Founder and Owner, Dan Nilsen, who created our program, and our Business Manager, Megan Barton, who has relaunched the program. Topics include: Why Dan started our community relations programWhy we rebranded the program as Project JOYHow Project JOY worksFavorite memories from giving backSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

11-29
09:47

Events Industry Outlook and Innovations with Michael Dominguez

During this interview, Rob Adams speaks with Michael Dominguez, President & CEO at ALHI and event industry expert. Discussing the industry's outlook, innovations, and much more, the pair have an in-depth conversation covering various topics affecting our industry today. Topics include: Current economic conditions and their effect on the event industryIncrease in mergers and acquisitionsInnovation in meetings and eventsOutlook on virtual and hybrid eventsSubscribe to The Events Exper...

09-15
36:06

Why You Should Plan an Incentive Program

Talking with Justin Myers, Head of Commercial and Hospitality Client Group, we discuss everything incentive travel. From the trends being seen for incentive trips to the value of planning these kinds of events, we cover all the reasons why you should be planning an incentive program. Topics include: Benefits of incentive programs during the Great ResignationCurrent trends and important elements of a successful incentive tripTop destinations for incentive tripsHow incentive programs offe...

07-25
14:43

Planning Successful Franchise Meetings and Events

Joining this episode is our sales director, Rameka Jennings, who has over ten years of experience working in franchise meetings and events. We discuss our franchise and retail vertical, along with how our agency goes about planning programs for this type of event. Topics include: Types of franchise events we planWhat makes franchise meetings uniqueHow to incorporate engaging elements in these eventsMost important elements to consider for franchise conferencesSubscribe to The Events Expe...

05-26
07:56

President and Owner's Sabbatical Experience

At Bishop-McCann, we have the amazing benefit of a month-long sabbatical every five years for our associates. In this episode of The Events Experience, listen in to hear our President and Owner, Rob Adams’, experience during his sabbatical. Topics include: Explanation of our sabbatical programThe importance of our sabbatical program for event professionals Adams’ goals for his sabbatical and the journey to achieve those goalsKey lessons learned during his sabbaticalSubscribe to The...

04-13
25:19

The Importance of Event Apps

In this episode, two of our lead attendee experience managers, Libby Zito and Monica Korte, discuss everything event apps and dive into why you should be utilizing an app at your next meeting or event. Topics include: Importance of apps for virtual, live, and hybrid eventsHow to encourage event app downloadsWhat event app features are most importantHow to boost attendee engagement through appsSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

03-17
17:22

Talent and Culture in the Events Industry

Joined by Melanie Maddock, we discuss her role as Vice President of Talent and Culture for Bishop-McCann and how she is able to infuse JOY into our company culture for our event professionals. Topics include: How to create strong work-life balanceWays to show appreciation for our associatesUnique benefits for our teamHow to foster a strong company cultureSubscribe to The Events Experience, and create JOY wherever you go!

02-16
11:23

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