Event Engine Podcast

What would it take to achieve a completely net zero event? Is that even possible amidst the flights, builds and waste streams inherent to large conferences and expos? I brought those questions to Nick Westerman of NHS Confederation. Nick oversees sustainability initiatives for NHS Confed's massive annual expo in the UK. With thousands gathering each year, he's constantly searching for ways to lower the event's environmental impact. He was candid about the obstacles they face and the reality of reaching carbon goals. Nick and the team behind NHS Confed take a holistic approach. From public transport incentives to recycled venue materials, Nick shares the incremental changes making their large event noticeably greener. If you feel overwhelmed on event sustainability, don't miss Nick's pragmatic vision. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/33

Running events can feel like a risky business at times. Between tight budgets, high partner expectations, and strong competition, the odds often seem stacked against us as event organizers. We're forced to pull off minor miracles at times on a strained budget. My guest in this episode, Mads Kjer, bootstrapped Ticketbutler starting with just an idea and sheer determination. We learn how he went from "moonlighting side-hustler" to leading a thriving event ticketing and badge printing company armed only with hustle, smarts and an unwavering commitment to customer experience. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to turn your idea into profit, you need to hear Mads' story. From leveraging side incomes to laser-focusing on customer pain points with his ticket builder software and portable badge printer hardware, he shares the tactics that allowed Ticketbutler to constantly punch above its weight class despite limited resources, and a lot of competition. So whether you're looking to bootstrap your own event tech startup or simply take your existing event business to the next level without going into debt, don't miss the key lessons from Mads' journey on how he beat the odds through resilience, agility, and customer obsession to turn his passion project into a global reaching operation with just the power of bootstrapping. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/32

Event Tech Live has grown from niche website to global industry phenom in just over a decade. So how’d they do it? This week I talk with Adam Parry. He pulls back the curtain on Event Tech Live's origin story and growth. From kickstarting with an awards program to the first leap into organising... Adam keeps it real about their against-the-odds journey to heavy-hitter status. Along the way, he drops serious knowledge for fellow event organisers looking to step up their game. Like why getting creative on your exhibition stand trumps waiting for serendipity. How to leverage content to drive sustainable growth. And the key factors that gave his team the confidence to bring their formula to Las Vegas! Full show notes: https://eecast.com/31

Face to face or screen to screen? Which leaves you feeling more connected? In this episode Lisa and I discuss recent research showing that in-person interactions trigger increased neural activity compared to virtual interactions. We explore a study analysing the differences in brain activity and eye contact when people interacted live versus through video chat. The results indicate our minds are wired to be more engaged with physical proximity - but why is that so? Lisa and I unpack the limitations of current virtual platforms, including how camera angles and lack of body language cues play a role. If a picture speaks a thousand words, being in the same room conveys infinitely more. But could webcam capabilities ever replicate the nuances of sharing physical space? With insights from neuroscience and psychology, we get to the heart of what builds bonds between humans. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/30

As event organisers, finding partners we can trust is crucial yet daunting. Between flashy marketing and empty promises, how can we cut through the noise to assess what solutions will truly support our event vision? In this revealing episode, I roleplay an event organiser grilling a potential event technology supplier. My guest? Max from Canapii - an all-in-one event management platform. With a conversational approach, I put Max in the hot seat with questions we as organisers need answered before even considering a demo. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/29

What if trying to build an engaged, year-round event community was actually detrimental to your event's success? Event organisers are aften advised to create 365 communities around their events, nurturing relationships long after an event wraps. But event strategy expert Dax Callner argues most organisers lack the skills and bandwidth for ongoing community management. In this episode, Dax asserts that overextending resources to force year-round conversations does a disservice to both organizers and attendees. Rather than community, he believes events should prioritise delivering incredible experiences, which lead attendees to naturally return, year after year. Join Dax and host Lee as they challenge enduring community-building advice. You’ll reconsider assumptions about the best ways to invest time and energy to make your events thrive for the long haul. Rethink what matters most. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/28

Would building a year-round community around your event allow you to offer more value? In this episode, I interview Neil Thompson from Delegate Wranglers. He shares his journey growing a Facebook community that exceeded any expectations. We learn how he grew and monetised his platform, starting with just a simple newsletter and expanding to customised campaigns working with global brands. Neil also shares the amazing value he could add during the tough times of the pandemic, quickly pivoting to online content and community support. As you listen, consider what a thriving year-round gathering place could do for your attendees, community, industry and bottom line. Neil shares how he cultivated an engaged, supportive culture that became the foundation of Delegate Wranglers' runaway success. Neil's story illustrates how listening to your community and continually evolving to meet needs can help transform a simple idea into a thriving member ecosystem. If you’re looking for inspiration and a model to emulate, this in-depth chat with a true community leader is a must listen. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/27

How do you create unforgettable events that spark meaningful connections and delight attendees year after year? One company has spent decades perfecting their recipe. Since the 1970s, VOK DAMS has pioneered corporate events that spark lasting buzz. In this episode, we trace how current CEO Colija Dams and his family built VOK DAMS' legacy across 50 years of event innovation. From analog to digital transformations, Colija shares insights spanning generations of leadership in creating unforgettable experiences. Join us as Colija peels back the story behind the scenes - how his family built an iconic event company spanning decades by keeping curious and interweaving innovation with heart. Full show notes: https://eecast.com/26

Ever feel like once your event ends, so does your connection with attendees? Learn how to cultivate attendee loyalty that lasts in this eye-opening chat with Cvent’s Felicia Asiedu. Discover strategic ways to nurture post-event communities through thoughtful content plans, small meetups, and meaningful digital touchpoints. You’ll gain insights on the role marketers and event planners each play in driving ongoing engagement. Uncover the common mistakes companies make that fail to support community building. Whether you want to boost brand affinity, foster peer connections beyond events, or simply stay top of mind all year, this conversation provides a blueprint for converting one-and-done attendees into enthusiastic community members over the long-term. But how can you build these lasting connections? Full show notes: https://eecast.com/25

Struggling to choose social platforms and create content that sells tickets for your event? In this practical episode, host I chat with marketing veteran Rachael Dines to share social media marketing tactics to boost your next event. Learn how to select platforms strategically based on where your target audience spends time. Get tips on creating engaging content like speaker videos, event teasers, and more. Discover how to educate and collaborate with sponsors to mutually promote participation. Whether you are new to social media marketing or looking to improve your strategy, Rachael lays out tangible tips to help you focus your efforts for greater impact. Expect to come away with clarity on where to devote time and resources to drive real ticket sales. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/social-media-for-event-marketers

Does sustainability feel daunting? Are you overwhelmed when trying to work out the most eco friendly way to deliver your in-person event? The good news is you don't have to do everything at once! Starting with a few small wins, you can easily build up to an event that reduces it's impact on the environment, and maximises the experience of your attendees creating memories that will last a lifetime. In this episode, Lee Hird, expert in sustainable event management, shares how to take the first steps on your sustainability journey. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/small-changes-more-sustainable-event/

Struggling to get the word out about your event? Tired of expensive video productions that feel out of touch? What if the secret to selling your next event was already in your attendees' pockets? In this episode, Dan Gable shares how smartphone videos filmed by attendees could provide authentic, cost-effective event promotion. Discover new techniques to capture organic event moments that professional shoots often miss. Learn how Dan's platform Shout Out makes it easy to share real-time videos that spark FOMO. Whether you want to showcase speaker reactions, spread excitement, or give virtual attendees a taste of the experience, you’ll learn how tapping into this content can boost engagement on a budget. Attendee videos just might be the marketing secret weapon you’ve been overlooking. Tune in to uncover the power of leveraging your existing event advocates and moments. You’ll come away with insight that could seriously impact how you promote and sell your next event! Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/sell-your-next-event-with-attendee-videos

Artificial intelligence is transforming marketing across industries, and event marketing is no exception. But between the hype and fear, what is the real impact? In this episode, host Lee is joined by Alex, founder of digital media agency Clickmakers, to peel back the curtain on how AI and machine learning are enhancing creativity, strategy, and results for event marketers. Alex shares fascinating real-world examples of how AI is automating tedious tasks while actually unleashing more human ingenuity, but also cautions against letting AI run unchecked. Tune in to hear insights on the present and future of AI in event marketing, including predictions that may surprise you. With a balanced perspective, this episode will equip any event marketer to maximise this powerful technology while avoiding pitfalls. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/ai-impact-event-marketing

In the ever-evolving world of event management, creating lasting memories for attendees is the ultimate goal. But how can we achieve this while also making sustainable choices that are not only good for the planet but also enhance the brand of the event? In this episode of Event Martech, host Lee Matthew Jackson and guest Mads Kjer of Ticketbutler, a seasoned professional in the event industry, delve into this very topic... Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/building-memories-sustainably

Attending an event can be an amazing experience, but it's not always easy to ensure that everyone feels included and valued. In this episode Lee explores why promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial, what creating a welcoming space for all attendees entails, and shares actionable strategies to ensure everyone feels included. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/diversity-inclusion-creating-welcoming-spaces

Choosing between in-person or virtual events? Explore key advantages of both formats in this episode to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals, engages your audience, and fits your budget. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/in-person-or-virtual/

As the world faces environmental challenges like climate change and plastic pollution, event planners have the power to make a positive impact and create events that align with attendees' values. Discover how prioritising sustainability can connect you with like-minded sponsors, boost your brand's reputation, and leave a lasting legacy. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/five-sustainable-event-strategies

Tired of technical glitches and frustrated attendees during your virtual events? Look no further! In this episode we're revealing the secret sauce to hosting successful digital events that keep participants engaged and coming back for more. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/digital-event-best-practices

Struggling to drive traffic to your website in order to sell tickets? With so much competition out there, it can be tough to stand out in search engine results. In this episode, we're joined by Daniel Hutt, head of content for ZeroToMastery, to explore one of the easiest ways to increase traffic to your event website: schema markup. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/boost-event-website-traffic/

Ready to create an unforgettable experience for your attendees? Say goodbye to the mundane and hello to the extraordinary as we explore the world of unconventional event venues in this episode of the Event Martech Podcast. Lee gets personal as he shares his experience organizing an international conference at a local community church. He goes beyond his story and provides insights into the benefits and challenges of hosting events in non-traditional spaces. But that's not all! Lee also dishes out practical tips to help you plan and execute successful events in new locations, and shares unique venue ideas to spark your creativity. Whether you're thinking of hosting your event in a museum, art gallery, industrial space, or historic building, Lee's got you covered. Full show notes: https://eventmartech.com/unconventional-venues/