Top Event Manager Podcast Episodes of 2022

Welcome to the top episodes of 2022 of the Event Manager Podcast by Skift Meetings. The podcast is a must-listen for event professionals and features interviews with leading meetings-industry innovators.

In these top episodes, you’ll get insights and strategies to succeed in the ever-evolving world of events. The Event Manager Podcast has everything from technology and sustainability to marketing and networking.

Whether you’re just starting in the meetings industry or a seasoned professional, you’ll find valuable takeaways in these episodes.

So sit back, relax, and get ready to take your meetings to the next level by learning from some of the best on the Event Manager Podcast.

Nothing Matters More Than Connecting People

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Fiona Bruder, president, Americas at GPJ, discusses the importance of human connection in the events industry and how to foster a sense of community. She also touches on the role of culture in communication and leadership and the importance of preparation and innovation in the events industry. In addition, Bruder shares her experiences of pivoting to virtual events during the Covid pandemic and discusses her involvement in the OPEN resource group, which focuses on inclusivity and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community within GPJ. This episode is a must-listen for meeting professionals looking to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their attendees.

Impactful Events Are Successful Events

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Alon Alroy, co-founder of Bizzabo, talks about his recently launched book Event Success – Maximizing the Business Impact of In-person, Virtual, and Hybrid Experiences. He discusses the importance of hybrid events in today’s climate, the value of data in event planning, and the need for a hybrid event strategy in the face of uncertainty. Alroy also delves into what successful future events look like, highlighting the importance of creating unique experiences for every participant. This episode is essential for meeting professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in the industry.

The Rollercoaster Ride of Virtual Event Tech

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Tony Kula, CEO of meetyoo, explores the state of the virtual event tech world. Kula shares his thoughts on hybrid events, the impact of the pandemic on his client base, and the role of sustainability in the event industry. He also discusses the differences between in-person and virtual events and what he would like to change about virtual events. This episode is highly recommended for meeting professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in the virtual events space.

From Events to Communities

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Mathijs Vleeming, online community evangelist & strategy consultant at Open Social, discuss the value of associations in connecting people. He explores the benefits of being community-focused and the importance of focusing on the needs of community members. Furthermore, Vleeming emphasizes the importance of bottom-up communities and the need for organizations to let go of control to facilitate their success. He also delves into the importance of creating a culture of dialogue and the mindset shift required to do so. This episode is a must-listen for meeting professionals looking to build and foster strong communities within their organizations.

The True Value of Smaller Events

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Eric Holmen, the CEO of Splash, discusses the value of smaller events in event marketing and the importance of small-scale meetings for business. Holmen shares his insights on the design elements that differentiate great events and the importance of impressing guests with great design. He also talks about the challenges of building a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business in the events industry and how Splash focuses on small to medium-sized events hosted by larger organizations. Finally, Holmen discusses the value of virtual events for smaller firms and shares data showing that smaller events outperform larger ones in attendee numbers. This episode is essential listening for meeting professionals looking to understand business strategies for event technology companies better.

Passionate Strategy

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), shares his insights on the importance of passion in building a successful business strategy. In addition, he highlights the value of developing relationships and knowledge outside of the meetings industry and discusses some challenges of attracting younger generations to the sector. Finally, Gopinath emphasizes the need to focus on collaboration and sustainability so that policymakers can understand the industry’s work and its value. This episode is highly recommended for meeting professionals who want to understand better the role of industry associations in supporting the sector.

Deep Dive Into Hybrid Events

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Gerrit Heijkoop, executive partner at LiveOnlineEvents, discusses the ins and outs of hybrid events. He believes that virtual events will continue to be a part of the event landscape moving forward. Heijkoop thinks that the event industry should embrace virtual events and find ways to make them more interactive and engaging for attendees rather than viewing them as a necessary evil. He also believes that hybrid events offer a unique opportunity for organizations to reach a wider audience and expose their brand to a global market. Heijkoop highlights the benefits of the hybrid format for content sharing and how sponsors can benefit. He also recommends considering the audience experience and the potential for repurposing event content. This episode is indispensable for meeting professionals who want an in-depth understanding of hybrid event strategy and design.

Fashion, Food, and the Secrets of Building Personal Connection

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Sofia Crokos, founder and creative director of Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle, discusses her love of fashion, food, and the value of building personal connections. She believes that the key to taking an event from good to great is to have the right people and an alignment with the client. She also predicts that immersive acts will trend in the meetings industry. This episode is vital for meeting professionals looking to build their brand and expand their business network.

The Evolution of Event Tech

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, Merijn van Buuren, CEO of Event Mender, shares why he started a company that helps event professionals find and use the right platforms to create and deliver successful virtual events. The company’s origins come from being asked to switch an in-person event to a virtual one during the COVID-19 pandemic and realizing the need for a tool to help event professionals navigate the rapidly evolving event tech landscape. Van Buuren believes personalization is key to creating a tremendous virtual event experience. Listening to event professionals with years of experience can help build a product that meets their needs. He also believes that the event industry needs to break out of its “bubbles” and increase cross-collaboration and innovation to continue growing and evolving. This episode is required listening for meeting professionals looking to understand the process of selecting the most suitable event tech platforms.

Designing Meetings Around Human Needs

This special episode of the Event Manager Podcast features two sessions recorded live at the Skift Meetings Event Design Summit, which focuses on designing events for connection. In the first conversation, panelists Liz Lathan, co-founder at The Community Factory, Megan Henshall, global events strategic solutions lead at Google, and Naomi Clare Crellin, CEO and founder at Storycraft Lab, discuss the importance of strategy in creating events. The discussion revolves around finding a balance between meeting the needs of event owners and sponsors while also ensuring an outstanding participant experience. The panelists also talk about the role of orchestrated serendipity and the importance of a carefully considered user journey. In the second conversation, Jesse Gainer, director of growth strategy at C2 International, discusses the importance of connecting people, creating immersive experiences, and the role of content in creating meaningful experiences. This episode is crucial for meeting professionals looking to further develop their knowledge of meeting design.