Designing Human-Centered Events in an AI-First Era

Staying Steady When Everything Moves Fast: Lessons from the EA Seat

In high-pressure environments, staying calm is a leadership skill. In this episode of Fresh Takes: Events Unscripted, we sit down with Kristi Graham, a career executive assistant whose work spans finance, tech, higher education, and complex global organizations. Kristi has spent nearly three decades supporting leaders where pressure concentrates; executive calendars, major events, constant change, and always-on expectations. She’s known for staying steady when things move fast. In this conversation, she breaks down what “Captain Calm” looks like in real life: trust built through curiosity, boundaries tested by modern work culture, and adaptability as a core leadership skill. We explore how the executive assistant role has evolved alongside remote work, Slack culture, and AI tools, and why emotional intelligence and perspective often matter more than speed or industry expertise. A grounded listen for executive assistants, operations leaders, event professionals, and anyone working behind the scenes to keep organizations running.

Designing Human-Centered Events in an AI-First Era

What role do live events play in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Fresh Takes: Events Unscripted, Kieran DiEmidio, Founder of 301 Walsh Events, shares why human-centered event design matters more as automation accelerates. With nearly 20 years of experience across tech, SaaS, and education, Kieran breaks down how intentional events create real connection, support sales alignment, and drive business impact. From flagship conferences to micro-events, she explains how teams can design experiences that people remember — and act on. We cover: • Why events are becoming the antidote to AI-driven marketing • How intentional design creates stronger human connection • When micro-events outperform large-scale experiences • How events support pipeline and long-term growth • What it takes to manage chaos calmly behind the scenes This episode is for event professionals, marketers, founders, and teams rethinking the role of live experiences in modern business strategy.

From Strategy to Feeling: The Work Behind Great Experiences

In this episode of Fresh Takes: Events Unscripted, I chat with Pashara Black, the Director of Event Marketing at Fidelity Charitable. Pashara shares her unique journey from the Peace Corps to the forefront of event marketing, emphasizing the importance of empathy and creativity in creating meaningful connections. We discuss how her experiences have shaped her leadership style and the role of community engagement in her work. Pashara reveals how to balance strategic goals with heartfelt purpose in event design and the transformative power of in-person experiences. Tune in to discover how events can drive social impact while achieving business objectives, and hear Pashara's insights on fostering collaboration and community through impactful gatherings.

Beyond the Booth: What Makes an Experience Stick with Jay Menashe

The Business of Memorable Exhibits: What Actually Works Trade shows have never been louder - yet the moments people remember are usually the quiet and intentional ones. In this episode, Jay Menashe unpacks what separates a booth from a real experience. We explore the shift toward emotion-led design, smarter ROI conversations, the chaos of load-ins, and how AI is shaping the future of experiential marketing. Jay brings two decades of perspective: the wins, the missteps, and the lessons that sharpen teams who want to build events that matter. If you care about audience engagement, event strategy, or creating experiences people carry with them long after the badge comes off, then this one’s worth a listen.

Emotional Event ROI: Are You Measuring the Right Success Metrics?

What if the real power of your event isn’t hiding in your spreadsheets… but in your attendees’ feelings? In this episode of Fresh Take: Events Unscripted, Jen sits down with the incomparable Liz Lathan - co-founder of Club Ichi, master gatherer, and the undisputed “What-If” queen of experiential marketing. And together, they flip the industry’s favorite question on its head: how do we measure success when the metrics we’ve been using don’t tell the full story? Liz breaks down her groundbreaking Return on Emotion framework - a research-backed system revealing the five emotional states that predict whether people will do business after an event: hopeful, active, accepted, adventurous, and motivated. Yes, ROI still matters… but ROE might be the difference between a forgettable program and a career-defining one. From: • building community when there’s no rulebook • reimagining panels that put audiences to sleep • “secret family reunion” trips that drop attendees into Tuscany • inflatable-unicorn think tanks on Croatian yachts • AI hackathons that rethink the future of planning • and audacious pitches (private-jet dinner party, anyone?) …Liz invites us into the wild, strategic, deeply human world of events done right. If you're an event pro who’s tired of vanilla, allergic to performative networking, or just craving a smarter way to connect impact with intention, then this conversation will hit you right in the marketing cortex. Tap in, take notes, and maybe ask yourself Liz’s favorite question: “What if we made this unforgettable… on purpose?”