Building Event Success Beyond Tech with Smart Event Academy

Creating Sensory-Friendly Event Spaces with Calm Nest Collective

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore speaks with Nika Brunet, founder of Calm Nest Collective, about designing sensory-friendly, inclusive event spaces. Nika shares how her background in social work and IT led her to address the lack of wellbeing and neurodiversity support in the events industry. She explains how sensory rooms and quiet spaces help attendees and event professionals regulate, recharge, and stay engaged. The conversation also covers practical ways event organizers can incorporate inclusive design; from creating calm environments to offering thoughtful alternatives like non-alcoholic options. Nika emphasizes the importance of listening to attendee needs, collaborating with communities, and starting small. By prioritizing wellbeing and accessibility, event professionals can improve engagement, retention, and the overall event experience. What you'll learn * Why sensory-friendly event spaces support both attendees and event professionals * How quiet rooms and refuge spaces improve engagement and wellbeing * Practical ways to design inclusive events that support neurodiversity * Why listening to your audience leads to more effective event experiences For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/calm-nest-collective-sensory-friendly-events [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/calm-nest-collective-sensory-friendly-events]

How Brella Is Shaping Virtual 2.0 Events

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Mark Mallchok, event experience strategist and co-founder of Brella. With over 30 years in the industry, Mark shares how events have evolved from traditional in-person formats to what he calls the "Virtual 2.0" era, where engagement, production quality, and accessibility take center stage. He challenges common assumptions, including the belief that in-person events are always more effective and that virtual events inevitably lead to Zoom fatigue. Instead, Mark explains how virtual experiences have expanded access, enabling participation across geographies and budgets in ways that weren't previously possible. The conversation explores how event planners can create more compelling digital experiences by prioritizing audience engagement over content volume. Mark encourages planners to think like broadcasters, focusing on storytelling, pacing, and production value, while also drawing inspiration from creators outside the events industry. He also addresses the role of AI in event production, noting that while technology can enhance execution, human connection and storytelling remain at the core of memorable experiences. This episode is packed with practical insights for planners looking to adapt, experiment, and elevate their virtual events in a rapidly changing landscape. What you'll learn: * Why virtual events can be more inclusive and scalable than in-person experiences * How to design engaging virtual sessions that avoid fatigue and hold attention * Why treating virtual events like broadcast productions leads to better results For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: https://www.bizzabo.com/brella-virtual-event-strategy

Building Event Success Beyond Tech with Smart Event Academy

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Jen Santos, Founder of Smart Event Academy, to unpack what truly drives successful events beyond just technology. Drawing on her background in IT consulting and event tech, Jen explains why operational readiness is the foundation of every high-performing event. From detailed planning and documentation to pre- and post-event analysis, she shares how structured processes create the stability teams need to stay agile onsite. The conversation also highlights the importance of building a collaborative culture across teams and vendors. Jen emphasizes that alignment, open communication, and shared goals are what prevent silos and keep events running smoothly, especially when challenges arise. Importantly, Jen reframes how event professionals should think about ROI. Rather than focusing solely on financial outcomes, she encourages a broader view that includes time, energy, and attendee experience, ensuring every investment contributes to meaningful impact. She also challenges common misconceptions about event technology, noting that most issues stem from people and processes, not the tools themselves. By adopting a mindset of curiosity and leveraging frameworks like Smart Event 360, event professionals can continuously improve and elevate their approach. This episode is packed with practical strategies to help you strengthen operations, foster collaboration, and measure success in more meaningful ways. For transcriptions, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/event-readiness-smart-event-academy [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/event-readiness-smart-event-academy]

How On Sale Group Markets Events in the Attention Economy

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore speaks with Dawn Farrow, founder of On Sale Group, about the realities of marketing live experiences in today's attention economy. Dawn shares her unconventional path from performer to agency founder and the lessons she learned building a marketing agency dedicated to live events. The conversation explores what makes event marketing uniquely challenging, convincing audiences to spend time and money on experiences they don't technically "need." Rachel and Dawn also discuss how marketers are navigating major shifts in advertising, ticketing legislation, and emerging technologies like AI. In today's landscape, event marketers must go far beyond creative execution; they analyze data, adapt quickly to uncertainty, and often forecast trends to keep campaigns effective. Dawn also highlights the importance of community within the event marketing profession. She encourages marketers to build strong peer networks through industry groups and in-person events. She also shares how her WhatsApp community, newsletter, and the Global Institute of Experience Marketing help support professionals working in the fast-evolving experience economy. What you'll learn * Why marketing live experiences is uniquely difficult in the attention economy, and why audiences must be convinced to buy something they don't strictly need. * How event marketers adapt to constant changes in advertising technology, algorithms, and consumer behavior while managing limited budgets. * Why community, peer learning, and in-person networking are essential for growth in the event marketing industry. For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/on-sale-group-marketing-events-attention-economy [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/on-sale-group-marketing-events-attention-economy]

How Devex Uses Events to Shape Brand Reputation and Drive Change

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Margaret Richardson, Chief of Staff and Senior Director of External Relations at Devex, to explore how events can shape brand reputation and drive meaningful change. Margaret shares how Devex bridges journalism, business, and global development through strategic partnerships and thoughtfully designed events. She explains why events should be treated as relationship infrastructure, not just marketing moments, especially during times of uncertainty and rapid change. The conversation dives into the power of intentional storytelling, authentic audience engagement, and experience-led reputation management. Margaret also challenges event professionals to "think like editors," designing programs with layered narratives, multiple audience perspectives, and formats built for today's shorter attention spans. From shortening panels to rethinking how success is measured, this episode offers a practical framework for creating events that spark real conversations (both in-person and online) and strengthen brand trust. What you'll learn * How to use events as a strategic tool for brand reputation management * Why event planners should think like editors when designing experiences * How to create layered storytelling that resonates across audiences * Why shorter, more dynamic sessions drive deeper engagement * How to measure event success beyond attendance and social impressions For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/devex-events-brand-reputation [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/devex-events-brand-reputation]