Download our new free ebook on event-data personalization: https://l.swapcard.com/event-personalization-with-data/    In the first half of this show our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, (https://powersof.marketing/) discussed meeting and event industry news with Swapcard Senior Data Scientist, Vincent Kurta.    Megan and Vincent discussed the recent move by Marriott to take on Airbnb. Airbnb has disrupted the meetings and event industry, and this is a way for Marriott to try and compete, even on a small scale. This CNN article (https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/business/marriott-stephanie-linnartz-risk-takers/index.html) is worth a read (or watch!).   Also discussed in the news is the emergence of 5G, and how it’s going to affect the events industry. Brandt Krueger and Will Curran did a session on it at PCMA Convening Leaders in mid-January. We aren’t there yet, but we will get there… and could potentially have the same issues we have now because the use will increase.  Our guest Stephan Forseilles is Head of Technology and Digital Transformation with EasyFairs (https://www.easyfairsgroup.com/). EasyFairs prides themselves on focusing on the future. Their Website says “Let’s visit the future together! What will your life and business look like in the future? Our aim is to take you there. With a perfect mix of information, education, entertainment, and networking opportunities.” They love tech, but they are also ALL about the human touch, and focusing on the customer’s needs. We discuss many aspects of AI and how technology is being used to personalize events--which puts a focus on the customer but also helps the organizations that use it for their events. We are at a sort of turning point with apps and there is a difference between B2B and B2C shows… We would love to hear what you think about using tech to personalize events! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Inside Events Podcast, hosted by Megan Powers; Episode #6 - “The Present & Future of Event Technology" with Adam Parry of Event Industry News and Brian Fanzo. In the first half of this show our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, (https://powersof.marketing/) discussed news with millennial pager-wearing keynote speaker and tech evangelist Brian Fanzo of iSocialFanz (https://www.isocialfanz.com/).    Megan and Brian discussed the growth of meetings and events, particularly growth that was discussed and made evident at IBTM World (https://www.ibtmworld.com/) in Barcelona last month. At a time where the potential for virtual events is more possible than ever before, the demand to meet in person is very strong… partially sparked by newer generations.  Also discussed in news was a retail show called Shoptalk, which is making the move to have every session speaker and keynote be a WOMAN at their 2020 show. This isn’t a permanent move, but makes a statement that more women need to be at the front of the room, and it shouldn’t be an afterthought, but purposeful.  Megan and Brian round-out news discussing two very innovative technologies that can be used to help both event organizers and exhibitors to be more successful. Our guest Adam Parry has strongly put event technology in the UK and beyond at the forefront in the meetings and events industry. Not only is he a co-founder of a media company, but also of the only technology show dedicated to event tech in that part of the world. We discussed the evolution of the Event Tech Awards and Event Tech Live… and how innovation in technology has slowed - what Megan refers to the “elephant in the room.” Adam has very interesting insights as to why event tech is in a slow-down, and what that means for attendees and the industry at-large.  Adam and Brian are kindred spirits on the tech front, which makes for an incredibly thought-provoking conversation. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Inside Events Podcast, hosted by Megan Powers; Episode #5 - “Understanding Sustainability in the Industry with Informa’s Ben Weilgus,” with guests Ben Weilgus & Elizabeth Glau. In the first half of this show our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, (https://powersof.marketing/) discussed news with industry colleague Elizabeth Glau.  Megan and Elizabeth also talked about an article from Skift (https://skift.com/2019/10/29/airlines-care-less-about-the-environment-than-they-lead-you-to-believe/) in which the airline industry was called out for not being as eco-friendly as they purport. This was a perfect precursor to the discussion on sustainability in the second half of the show. Our guest Ben Wielgus has been in the meetings and events industry for less than four years, but he worked in sustainability for a dozen years before that. He brings a ton of experience from his years of working with KPMG, and he’s made a concerted effort to learn from industry pros like Jeff Chase. There’s a “big, hairy, audacious goal” that Ben talks about towards the end -- make sure to listen all the way through for the final nuggets!   Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Inside Events Podcast, hosted by Megan Powers; Episode #4 - “Changing Leadership & Futurecasting the Industry with Michael Dominguez,” with guests Michael Dominguez & Shannon DeSouza. In our first half our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, (https://powersof.marketing/) discussed news with event technology industry colleague Shannon DeSouza. Initially they discuss how climate change is actually an opportunity for making money. The importance of providing some relief for the planet (our industry is one of the biggest offenders of waste and affecting the planet as a result, which we will talk about in episode 5) can not be overstated, but money talks! We also discuss how “highjacking” our attendees phones in the sessions at our meetings is a way to get them more engaged, and all that goes with that (resistance included). In the second half of the show our very “in demand” guest Michael Dominguez does not predict all of the future, but gives great insights for where our industry is currently, and what to consider moving forward (it’s actually a very tough time to make “predictions,” as he explains). He’s in a new role at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI (https://www.alhi.com/)), so he explains why he made the BIG switch from MGM to ALHI, and shares a bit about how the independent hotel experience (brands) is different from the rest of the hotel industry. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Inside Events Podcast, hosted by Megan Powers; Episode #3 - “The State of the Meetings & Events Industry with a Key Leader,” with guests Christy Lamagna & Annette Gregg.   In our first half our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, discussed the news with Christy Lamagna. Some big news was announced during IMEX America, including Event Manager Blog being acquired by Skift, and Annette Gregg (guest for the show) having started in a new position at MPI Global as Senior VP of Experience that week. MeetingsNet came out with a great article on how we can use neuroscience-based tips to improve your attendees' learning, which tied into a session Megan attended on Smart Monday at IMEX.   In the second half, our guest is Annette Gregg, Senior Vice President of Experience with Meeting Professionals International. Her many years of experience designing events, and educating event professionals positioned her perfectly for this position with  MPI. Annette joined Megan and Christy onsite at IMEX in talking about Annette’s transition from being Chair-Elect (volunteer) to being staff now. We also talk through the state of the industry, the role technology plays in these experiences we create, and about the priority being placed on “women in events.” *****************************************************************************     Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our first half our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, (https://powersof.marketing/) discussed news with Swapcard CEO Baptiste Boulard. Boulard and Megan discussed a couple of developments within the event industry with regard to exhibitor satisfaction and data theft. In the second half our guest is Simon Foster, CEO of Comexposium. He joined Megan and Baptiste in talking about marketing and sales, and the use of data the industry.  Two excellent Exhibition News article (https://exhibitionnews.uk/en-meets-comexposiums-simon-foster/) quotes from guest Simon Foster: “I think marketers often get underestimated.”  “I don’t know how many years the exhibition industry spent debating whether digital was a threat,” Foster tells EN. “It’s obviously an opportunity.” We discuss the blurred lines (and opportunities) between marketing and sales, and quite a bit about DATA. The discussion between Baptiste and Simon flows with some agreement and differing opinions, and one thing is for sure - event professionals will benefit from listening to this show!  *******************************************************************************    Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This podcast is dedicated to the event industry, with the aim to save meeting and event professionals time learning about the latest news and key personalities in the industry. In our first half our host Megan Powers, from Powers of Marketing, discussed the news with Nick Borelli from Borelli Strategies. Borelli gave his opinions on the latest developments in the event industry. In our second half, we brought in a star guest Julius Solaris from Event Manager Blog. He joined the co-hosts in talking about ongoing projects and the prospects of the industry. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.