How Talking Purpose Turns E-Commerce Events Into Sales Funnels

DMA Events On AI-Powered Trade Show Activations

Richard Foltys, founder of DMA Events, has produced more than 1,500 brand activations for companies like Red Bull, Disney, Barbie, and FIFA. In this episode of Event Experience Podcast, he joins host Rachel Moore to break down which AI-powered trade show activations are working right now, from personalized trading cards to AI-generated photo experiences, and why booth staffing and signage often decide whether an activation draws a crowd or gets crickets. Foltys also unpacks the 18 month novelty window he sees with robotics, how QR code based activations scale lead capture without extra booth space, and his prediction that augmented reality glasses will reshape how attendees interact with a booth. A practical listen for anyone planning next year's trade show presence. For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/rich-foltis-dmaevents-ai-trade-show-activations

Wired Production Group On Nonprofit Event Storytelling

Nonprofit event storytelling runs on a different clock than corporate keynotes, and Ron Rausch has spent 25 years working out where the two meet. Ron, owner of Wired Production Group and The Ark Collaborative, joins host Rachel Moore to explain why the traditional gala format built around back-to-back leadership speeches is losing its grip on donor audiences, and why editing a story down to three to five minutes beats giving the president the whole room. Ron shares real campaign work from Wheaton College, the University of Memphis, and the University of Arizona, and gets candid about where AI actually helps event production and where it can't replace human connection. A must-listen for event professionals building the case for donor and employee engagement. Subscribe for new episodes of Event Experience every week, and find full transcripts and takeaways at www.bizzabo.com/podcast [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast]

How Talking Purpose Turns E-Commerce Events Into Sales Funnels

E-commerce events give online brands something no ad campaign can: the chance to put a product directly into a customer's hands. In this episode, host Rachel Moore talks with Katie Kung, founder of Talking Purpose, who previously led social entrepreneurship at Shopify. Katie explains how in-person events take an e-commerce brand from 2D to 3D, why event ROI extends far beyond on-site sales, and how influencer invitations turn a single pop-up into weeks of free content. You'll also learn the two biggest post-event funnel leaks, skipping follow-up and sending excited attendees to a website that undercuts the event experience, plus where founders should focus first for growth in 30 days. Find transcripts and key takeaways at www.bizzabo.com/podcast/ecommerce-events-sales-funnel-katie-kung [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/ecommerce-events-sales-funnel-katie-kung]

SentinelOne's Approach to Event Networking, Budget, and AI

Only 15% of event organizers say networking is effective in 2026, down from nearly 50% the year prior, according to Bizzabo's 2026 Benchmarks Report [https://welcome.bizzabo.com/state-of-events-2026]. Bethany Murphy, Senior Director of Global Strategic Events at SentinelOne, returns to Event Experience to explain why — and what to do about it. With 20+ years in the tech sector, Bethany covers how to design networking that actually works, why high-performing teams treat their events calendar as a portfolio, where AI creates real operational value, and how to manage budget ROI when show services costs are rising 10 to 15% year over year. For transcripts, quotes, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/sentinelone-event-networking-budget-roi-ai

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment on Building a Multi-Venue Ecosystem

Sean Saadeh, Chief Programming Officer at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, shares how he transformed the Prudential Center from 22 concerts a year to 65-plus, and what it takes to build a multi-venue entertainment strategy that actually scales. You'll hear how Sean repositioned Prudential Center as a New Jersey destination rather than a New York competitor, why programming diversification tied to real market demographics is the foundation of sustainable growth, and how HBSE's growing portfolio of venues (from a 45,000-seat stadium to a 4,000-seat theater) functions as an interconnected ecosystem rather than a collection of separate businesses. In this episode: * Repositioning a venue in a saturated market (the New York DMA) * How Latin music, K-pop, country, and comedy drove 3x concert growth * Building agent and promoter relationships that compound across venues * Northwest Stadium's record-breaking summer series: +20% attendance, +12% ticket sales * Why meaningful venue transformation takes a minimum of four years * Creating an artist development pathway through tiered venue capacity Whether you work in venue management, event programming, or live entertainment strategy, this conversation offers a practical framework grounded in nearly 30 years of experience. For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/sean-saadeh-hbse-multi-venue-entertainment-strategy [https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/sean-saadeh-hbse-multi-venue-entertainment-strategy] Enjoyed this content? Subscribe to our newsletter [https://welcome.bizzabo.com/email-signup?utm_source=website&utm_medium=podcast-page&utm_campaign=always-on-email-signup] and get insights like these delivered straight to your inbox.