Gathergeeks By Bizbash

Host: David Adler Guest: Kudzi Chikumbu, Brian Feit In this episode of GatherGeeks, we're bringing you another live conversation that took place at BizBash's recent conference in Las Vegas. BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sat down with Kudzi Chikumbu, the director of creator community at TikTok, and Brian Feit, founder of New York-based creative marketing agency BMF. The pair has partnered over the last year to discover what the next generation of attendees and users really want, and they shared their insights during this captivating session. They also share case studies of TikTok events they've produced, why authenticity is everything, why music is so powerful in event creation, how TikTok has impacted event engagement and much more. Sponsored by Ticketbud. 

Host: David Adler Guest: Dawn Penfold In this episode of GatherGeeks, we're bringing you a live conversation that took place at BizBash's recent conference in Las Vegas, held in late May. BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sat down with event and meeting hiring guru Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs. The pair discusses the event industry's job landscape post-COVID, sharing tips for both job-seekers and employers about the most in-demand roles right now, the skillsets and personality traits most needed, best practices for virtual interviews and more. Penfold also explains where and how employers can find good talent right now, the challenges businesses are facing in terms of hiring, her predictions for the future and much more. Running time: 29:49. Sponsored by iVent.

Host: David Adler Guest: Sam Kolbert-Hyle In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Sam Kolbert-Hyle, the president and CEO of Brandlive, who shares how his company has helped major corporations add the right polish to their live and virtual presentations. He explains how his team has developed the sense of a high-end television studio in a very accessible Greenroom product, and also shares a wide variety of tech and engagement tips for virtual events—including why you should over-prepare for big production moments, why you should never start your event on time, what the most important part of a virtual event is, how he stays calm during high-stress moments and more. An added bonus? Listen for some fun, behind-the-scenes insights from Brandlive’s work on the Biden campaign in 2020.  Running time: 51:29

Hosts: David Adler, RD Whitney Guests: Liz Irving, Paul Treanor This episode of GatherGeeks is a collaborative show between BizBash, the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and Event Relief 2021, Dan Assor’s 24-hour vodcast that raised funds for the nonprofit EventWell in March. BizBash chairman and founder David Adler teams up with RD Whitney, the founder of 365 Media, to host an event producers’ roundtable featuring Liz Irving, executive vice president and head of marketing at Clarion Events North America, and Paul Treanor, senior manager of content and community at Informa. The group of industry veterans discusses the evolving world of virtual and hybrid events, sharing the unvarnished truth about what they’ve learned about events and exhibitions over the last 13 months. They also share why event producers should consider themselves community-builders, discussing how to understand your customer’s needs and motivators, ways to foster connections online or in-person, what works and what doesn’t wor

Host: David Adler Guest: Nir Eyal In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with behavioral design and time management expert Nir Eyal, the author of the books Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. The duo discusses why event professionals are masters of designing distractions, especially when trying to monetize events, and give some insights into the science of distraction both for personal growth and professional use. Eyal shares tips for fighting attendee distraction at events and trade shows, why focus is not the opposite of distraction, how speakers can grab attention (and why they should always ask audiences for feedback), the future of events in a post-pandemic world and much more.

Host: David Adler Guest: Glenn Haussman In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Glenn Haussman, a 25-year hotel industry veteran, professional speaker and the host of popular hospitality podcast "No Vacancy." During this high-energy conversation, the duo discusses all things hospitality and events, including what they both miss and don’t miss from in-person gatherings, the good and bad of virtual, tips for training speakers and exciting changes that have been accelerated by the pandemic. Haussman also shares what he’s hearing from hotel organizers about the future, including labor shortages and automation tools, and gives some behind-the-scenes details from his new book, The Adapters. Sponsored by Brandlive. Running time: 44:35.

Hosts: David Adler, Ashton Pike Guests: Dan Cormany, Latoya Lewis, Lynn Minnaert, John Niser, Briana Stewart, Aruzhan Toleubay In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editorial director Ashton Pike chat with a diverse group of students and professors in the event and hospitality industry. Hosted during Dan Assor’s 24-hour vodcast to benefit EventWell, the conversation features Briana Stewart and Aruzhan Toleubay, two students finding their way in the industry during COVID-19, as well as Florida International University professor Dan Cormany, New York University professor Lynn Minnaert, Farleigh Dickinson University professor John Niser and EnventU founder Latoya Lewis. The group discusses how COVID-19 has reshaped the industry, outlining what works now and how the next generation can face the challenges of today. This vodcast is a must-watch for anyone trying to adapt and thrive in this ever-changing industry.

Host: David Adler Guests: Steve Gottlieb, Natalie Jones In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Steve Gottlieb, founder and CEO of the virtual event platform Shindig, and Natalie Jones, the senior vice president of external affairs and diplomatic engagement for the nonpartisan diplomacy center Meridian House. The group discusses the challenges of—and best practices for—emulating high-touch events like the G-8 world leader summit virtually, and how other tools of diplomacy can work in the digital world. They also talk about the importance of making technology almost invisible during online events, as well as the future of hybrid, whether on-demand conversation hubs like Clubhouse will have an impact on traditional events, the future of collaboration and much more.  Sponsored by Shindig. Running time 41:42.

Host: David Adler Guests: Denzil Rankine, Marco Giberti In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Denzil Rankine, founder of AMR International, and Marco Giberti, founder of Vesuvio Ventures, to discuss their new book, Reinventing Live: The Always-On Future of Live Events. The duo dives into their thought process behind the book, which focuses on the shift from one-off, in-person events to year-round marketing strategies. They also discuss ways to be a strong entrepreneur and leader in times of crisis, why event organizers should consider themselves community catalysts, the best ways to learn what the customer wants, how to balance gut instinct with data, the winners and losers of this new world, the future of the exhibition and trade show industry, and much more.  Sponsored by Brandlive. Running time: 51:21

Hosts: David Adler, Christian Conner Guest: Daniel Johnnes In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and writer Christian Conner explore the world of high-end wine tastings with Daniel Johnnes, the proprietor of the weeklong wine event La Paulée Mondiale. It’s been described as the “world’s greatest wine event,” with ticket prices as high as $10,000. Here, Johnnes describes the event’s shift to virtual this year, discussing what aspects of the online event did and didn’t work and what will carry over into future in-person gatherings. He also shares the history of the event, discussing how it has grown over two decades, how ticket prices are set, why choosing the right winemakers is crucial and much more. 

Host: David Adler Guests: Jennifer Kellogg, Debbie Seabloom In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Debbie Seabloom, vice president of strategic accounts for Type A Events, and Jennifer Kellogg, executive director of MeetingPlay. The group discusses the biggest challenges and solutions to keeping attendees engaged online, sharing tips on what works and what doesn't work. They also examine the new style of partnerships between the end client, the agency and the virtual platform, plus the importance of teamwork in this new era, what makes a successful event today, their predictions for the future of virtual and hybrid events, and much more. Sponsored by MeetingPlay. Running time: 37:14

Host: David Adler Guest: Joe Schwinger In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Joe Schwinger, the co-founder and CEO of MeetingPlay, a virtual and hybrid platform that powers some of the largest virtual events in the world for clients like Marriott, Slack, PepsiCo and many more. Adler and Schwinger preview BizBash's upcoming Event Style Awards, a virtual event powered by MeetingPlay that's taking place Feb. 17, and chat about best practices for hosting a virtual award show. They also dive deep into other aspects of our new virtual and hybrid world, discussing why you should gamify your swag store, why content is more important than ever, why analyzing analytics is key to creating an effective gathering and more. 

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Jim Louderback In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and BizBash executive editor Claire Hoffman chat with Jim Louderback, the general manager of VidCon, a massive trade show for digital creators. The group discusses how the show shifted to virtual this year, including what worked and what didn't, his favorite tech platforms, why he stretched it into a summerlong event series, and future plans. He also discusses how to engage the next generation of event attendees, the power of influencer marketing, why he takes an editorial approach to programming content, his predictions for hybrid events and much more.

Host: David Adler Guests: Rebecca de Freitas, Danny Hardman On this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Rebecca de Freitas—an event producer who recently completed a master’s degree with a thesis on Esports—and Danny Hardman, director of business development for PRG and a lifelong gamer. The group discusses the world of Esports from an event and marketing perspective, sharing why event producers should care, how these gamified hybrid events are uniquely positioned to reach younger generations, and how brands can use Esports to engage their communities in effective ways. They also dissect the challenges and logistics of planning an Esports tournament, ways gaming can help build brand loyalty, how venues are getting business from gaming tournaments, tips for learning the ins and outs of the industry, what to expect in the future, and much more.

Host: David Adler Guests: Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, GES Events; Betty Bergeron, Executive Producer, GES Events In part three of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with GES Events' Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, and Betty Bergeron, Executive Producer. The group dives into the myths and realities of planning and budgeting for hybrid events—and how the process has changed from previous in-person events. They take us step-by-step through their budget-planning process, sharing how they stay organized for virtual versus in-person components, the most important places to spend your money, and other smart insights and strategies. To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

Host: David Adler Guests: John Woo, SVP Creative and Design, GES Events; Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, GES Events In part two of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with GES Events’ John Woo, SVP Creative and Design, and Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations. The trio discusses how to most effectively craft the attendee journey for hybrid events, from initial marketing strategies to post-event engagement. They also discuss ways to identify and engage your target demographic, how to facilitate effective networking and education, how speakers should be approaching hybrid events, the power of face-to-face connections, and much more.  To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

Host: David Adler Guests: Dan Hilbert, EVP GES Events Worldwide; Jen Beindorf, VP Global Strategy, GES Events In part one of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler is joined by Dan Hilbert, EVP of GES Events Worldwide, and Jen Beindorf, VP Global Strategy for GES Events, for a big-picture conversation on what hybrid events can and should look like in the future. The group discusses best practices for structure, strategy, and execution, diving into how hybrid differs from virtual, how to make it feel like one cohesive event, creating a-ha moments in a digital space, and more. They also discuss why content is more crucial than ever, the pros and cons of pre-recorded videos, strategies for keeping attendees engaged and interested, how long events should last, and how to create human connections at a hybrid event. To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

Hosts: David Adler, BizBash & Stephanie Cheung, Marketing Challenges International Guests: Oscar Nobre, McVeigh Global Meetings and Events; Juri Seo, Korea Tourism Organization; Dora An, Goyang CVB; David Ko, Jeju Island CVB; Minji Kang, Busan CVB In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash Chairman and Founder David Adler once again teams up with Stephanie Cheung, Director of Strategy and Insights at Marketing Challenges International, to explore Korea from a business events perspective. First, Oscar Nobre, Senior Project Manager at McVeigh Global Meetings and Events, shares why he chose to host a 700-person conference in Korea and what he learned in the sourcing process with Juri Seo, Manager of Meetings and Incentives at Korea Tourism Organization. The two discuss everything from contract negotiations to local traditions to appropriate speaker gifts. Then, representatives from three different cities around the country—Goyang, Jeju, and Busan—highlight the culture, people, and customs that

Since March 2020, the business of events has been rattled like never before, and the disruption of the pandemic has changed the industry forever. As we adapt and evolve, everyone wants to know: What strategies and solutions are helping event professionals survive, and for some, even thrive in this challenging time? What can event producers count on as they prepare their event budgets and design their plans for 2021? What best practices will help us safely reopen venues for in-person and hybrid experiences? Join David Adler, chairman and founder of BizBash, as he sits down with Amber Guild of The New York Times and David Macy and Philip Himberg of MacDowell for interviews about how these two iconic organizations are reimagining their in-person gatherings. Then, Adler welcomes Fred Dixon of NYC & Company and Kelly Easterling of Quantum Creative Studios and #WeMakeEvents, as well as Carmen Jones of ESSENCE Communications, Glenn Rabbach of Duggal Visual Solutions, and Shaun Roberts of Great Performances for p

Host: David Adler Guests: John Knightly, Amanda Segar In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with John Knightly and Amanda Segar, the chief marketing officer and the director of global field marketing and events, respectively, for BlueJeans by Verizon. The group discusses how the video conferencing platform has expanded to accommodate events of all types, offering high-quality, scalable experiences for groups of all sizes. They share how BlueJeans makes the process easy for attendees, presenters, and moderators; ways that live polling, hand raising, and other smart features can increase audience engagement; how the technology can evoke emotion and bring together attendees from around the world; and much more. Finally, the team discusses unique ways event organizers have used the platform, from 20,000-person festivals to trade shows and exhibits to corporate events and marketing activations.