What One Thing? A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Top of the Events World

Send us Fan Mail With nearly 4,000 exhibitors, hundreds of education sessions and nonstop networking, making the most of IMEX America starts with a plan. IMEX CEO Carina Bauer joins JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings, to preview IMEX America 2026 and share how attendees can design a successful week in Las Vegas. Bauer also explores place leadership, sustainability, wellness and practical ideas planners can bring back to their own events.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings Vice President and Editorial Director JT Long talks with Tahira Endean, head of programming at IMEX, about what attendees can expect at IMEX America 2026, Oct. 13-15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with Smart Monday, powered by MPI, on Oct. 12. Under the new Design Matters talking point, the show's education program is moving to a more prominent home in the Inspiration Hub and expanding across 12 tracks. Endean previews session...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you bet on yourself, embrace what makes you different and leave a little room for the unexpected? On this episode of What One Thing?, host Devon Montgomery Pasha sits down with keynote speaker, entrepreneur and fundraising powerhouse Layne the Auctionista to talk about finding a new career at 47, building a life around joy and human connection, and raising more than $70 million for charitable organizations. Layne shares lessons on belonging, authenticity and...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when achievement, people-pleasing and resilience become ways of proving that we are worthy? Megan Miller, founder and CEO of Unleashed Leadership, joins What One Thing host JT Long to explore the small, often unnoticed ways people abandon themselves in pursuit of approval. Miller explains how those patterns can appear through performing, pleasing or protecting, and why awareness is the first step toward changing them. She also shares how intentional morning ritua...

Send us Fan Mail Fred Stein has produced nearly 3,000 major events, including Philadelphia’s 300th anniversary, the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia and two Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parades. Stein is managing a health condition that affects his speech, so listeners may notice pauses or vocal difficulties during the conversation. He appreciates your patience during the recording. In this episode of What One Thing, Stein joins host Devin Montgomer...