Event Ceo

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the events industry in ways we never imagined. And while live events have either been cancelled or postponed, maintaining human connection remains incredibly important. As the events industry pivots, new ways of convening virtually are unveiled each day. So, what can we do as events professionals to adapt to this new normal?

Today, Linda joins guest host Megan Cumming to discuss how the landscape of event security has changed since 9/11 and explain why it’s crucial for every event to have a health and safety plan in place. She walks us through the questions we should be asking to assess an event’s unique security risk, sharing the components of an effective health and safety plan and the best way to communicate that plan to the venue, local law enforcement, contract staff and volunteers. Linda also describes the role attendees and vendors play in making an event safe and the value of sequential timelines for loading in AND out. Listen in for Linda’s insight into the tech tools we can use to ensure health and safety at events and get her list of free resources for designing an effective security plan!

Everybody in the events industry is talking about storytelling, but very few are doing it well. So, how do you go about developing the right messaging for your event? Where does the conversation begin? How do you develop a story that connects personally with your audience and inspires engagement?

On any given Friday or Saturday night, in any major city, there are seven to ten nonprofit galas. For each organization, the event is their biggest night of the year. And all represent very worthy causes. In such a crowded marketplace, what can you do to make sure YOUR event gets media coverage? 

The Value Prop for Chefs, Sponsors & Attendees at Food – Centered Events—ECEO0053 David Hagedorn Part 2 As event professionals, we know the best events provide a phenomenal experience for attendees, sponsors and vendors alike. So, how does an event like Chefs for Equality offer a strong value prop for its participating chefs, sponsors and guests? What can we learn […]

Hosting Extraordinary Cause-Oriented Events—ECEO0052 David Hagedorn Part 1 What does it take to put on a successful cause-oriented event? David Hagedorn argues that it’s much like hosting a successful dinner party or running a successful restaurant. Whether he’s having a small group of friends over for dinner or organizing the annual Chefs for Equality event to raise money for LGBTQ […]

Creating Consistent Communication Strategy at Events—ECEO051 Carrie Fox, Founder and CEO of Mission Partners “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”      –George Bernard Shaw  To produce an impactful event, you need to start with the end in mind. What are the organization’s desired outcomes? Without a clearly defined call-to-action, they cannot develop the communication strategy necessary […]

Making the Shift from Order Taker to Trusted Advisor—Part 1 ECEO048 Howard Givner, Executive Director of the Event Leadership Institute If you aspire to be an Event CEO, but you feel more like an order taker, changing the way your clients see you may seem insurmountable. The fact is, you CAN transition from subordinate event planner to trusted adviser by providing strategic […]

Community Partnerships & Social Consciousness in the Event Space—ECEO047 Dr. Erinn Tucker, Faculty Director of Global Hospitality Leadership at Georgetown University What obligation do organizers have to the communities where their events take place? How might event marketing and planning professionals build partnerships with local restaurants and small businesses, demonstrating social responsibility and promoting the host city to event attendees? What can we do as Event CEOs to […]

Global Trends and Innovation in Events — ECEO046 Michelle Crowley, VP of Global Growth and Innovation, PMCA As event production and promotion professionals, we know the pressure to keep innovating, to make continuous improvements to the customer experience and to design environments that cater to many different learning styles. We feel compelled to incorporate new technologies and make corrections to processes […]

Enhancing the Event Experience with Art and Design — ECEO045 Maggie O’Neill, Artist and Co-Founder of SWATCHROOM There is something intoxicating about watching someone create.  Inviting an artist to be a part of your event and do live painting, for example, makes for a powerful experience. But there are a number of other ways we can leverage art and design […]

Adapting Your Work Style to Any Type of Boss—ECEO044 Mary Abbajay, President of Careerstone Group You may not be able to choose your bosses or clients, but you CAN choose the way you interact with them. Rather than letting ego get in the way and communicating the way YOU prefer, it’s in your best interest to gain an understanding of […]

Re-framing Events as the Beginning of the Relationship — ECEO043 Michael Akin, President of Link Strategic Partners Too often, organizations see their annual signature event as a finish line. Traditional nonprofits spend a significant portion of their year planning for a big gala, for example, and tend to view the event as a culmination of their efforts. But what if […]

Interaction, Movement, and Deep Experiences—ECEO042 Mo Edjlali, President of Mindful Leader Mo Edjlali’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Tapping into your body’s wisdom via physical movement Integrating social media into the conversation happening at an event Creating a deep, profound experience for your customers < Back to Podcast Homepage Mo Edjlali   Mo Edjlali […]

Designing Events to Promote Compassionate Leadership—ECEO041 Mo Edjlali, President of Mindful Leader Something is broken in our workplace culture. According to a survey referenced in Forbes magazine, 65% of employees would rather replace their boss than receive a salary increase. The current high-pressure climate is not sustainable long-term, which means it is up to corporate leadership to strike a balance—to […]

Putting a Face to the Twitter Handle Via Interpersonal Interaction with William Griggs — ECEO040 William Griggs’ quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Using real-world smells and feelings to complement the VR experience Opportunities around Smart nametags and projection mapping The value of knowledge transfer and interpersonal interaction at events Mentioned in this podcast: […]

Leveraging VR for a Customized Event Experience—ECEO039 William Griggs, CEO of Virtual Reality Rental Imagine taking your event audience to the see the wells that a non-profit is drilling in Africa. Or providing potential investors in an oil company with an inside look at the production process. Or even giving employees the opportunity to hone their team-building skills by working […]

ECEO035 Kate Goodall, CEO of Halcyon Kate Goodall’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Unforgettable moments (e.g.: dinner with R2-D2) Technology that empowers human connection Getting your message out in a deep, meaningful way CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Kate Goodall As CEO of Halcyon, Kate Goodall is the driving strategic […]

Talking Social Challenges with the Power of Creativity —ECEO035 Kate Goodall, CEO of Halcyon The Greek myth of Halcyon tells the story of two lovers turned into birds, who had two weeks to get their fledglings up and out of the nest—in the midst of a violent winter storm. These themes of optimism and hope in the face of difficult […]

Connect in Real Ways (and Virtual Ones Too) —ECEO034 John Gomperts, President + CEO of America’s Promise Alliance John Gomperts’ quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Powerful intellectual and emotional experiences Investing in social media Enhancing connections through provocative events CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage John Gomperts John Gomperts became President […]