UPS redesigned its routes to eliminate left turns which saved time, fuel and money. Event leaders can do the same by removing friction points that slow teams down and drain resources. Small operational shifts can create big gains.

If event leaders could ask for anything this season it would be clarity support and tools that help events perform as true strategic assets. This wish list highlights what matters most to the people behind the scenes.

Event leaders are, at their core, entrepreneurs. They navigate risk, allocate resources, and build experiences that function as true business assets - each with its own strategy, revenue potential, and return on investment. This post explores how shifting your mindset from “planner” to “entrepreneur” changes everything: from how you define success to how you structure teams, budgets, and decisions.

In the high-stakes world of events, it’s easy to rush past the reasons we do this work. This Thanksgiving, we’re pausing to recognize the colleagues, partners, and attendees who make impact possible - and the privilege of shaping experiences that matter.

Event location decisions often say more about organizational culture than strategy. Too often driven by politics or habit, they miss the opportunity to align purpose, audience, and impact. This post explores who really decides where events happen - and how to turn that choice into a strategic advantage.

We want our sponsors to succeed - not just with visibility, but with impact. The best partnerships aren’t transactional; they’re intentional, collaborative, and built around the audience experience. When sponsors show up with purpose, they don’t just buy access - they shape moments that matter. This post explores what we wish every sponsor understood about creating value, building trust, and turning sponsorships into meaningful partnerships where everyone wins - the attendee, the sponsor, and the event.

When someone says, “That’s not how business works,” it’s often because they haven’t seen how our business works. Event leaders operate at the intersection of experience, strategy, and impact - but too often, we’re seen as executors instead of decision-makers. This post explores why calm is a strategy, consistency builds credibility, and courageous authenticity earns trust - and how bringing a business lens to your events earns you a real seat at the strategy table.

What separates events attendees endure from those they can't wait to return to? It's not just your agenda - it's your culture. In our latest article, we explore why the atmosphere, connections, and emotions your attendees experience matter more than you think, and how small, intentional touches can transform your event from a series of sessions into an unforgettable experience that drives loyalty and buzz. Learn practical strategies to assess and elevate your event culture, plus a surprising engagement idea that became the talk of our conference.

Virtual sponsorships didn’t fail - we stopped evolving them. As digital platforms mature, sponsorship value depends less on visibility and more on imagination. Discover how rethinking design, engagement, and longevity can turn virtual partnerships into powerful, revenue-driving experiences.

AI isn’t replacing event planners - it’s redefining their value. From predictive analytics to personalized attendee experiences, artificial intelligence is transforming how events are designed, delivered, and measured. The result isn’t smaller teams or simpler plans - it’s smarter strategy. Discover how event leaders are using AI to make faster decisions, personalize engagement, and turn data into a true competitive advantage.

Keynotes set the tone for your entire event—yet too often they’re chosen for the wrong reasons. A high-profile speaker may draw attention, but if their message doesn’t align with your audience or strategy, the keynote risks becoming a missed opportunity.

Recent research underscores the point: only about 1% of attendees say they prioritize name recognition, while the overwhelming majority value relevant, content-rich presentations. The most impactful keynotes don’t rely on star power—they deliver clarity, spark ideas, and give attendees something they can apply long after they’ve left the room.

Turnover is no longer the exception in the events world - it’s the rule. This post offers a strategic blueprint for preparing your team, processes, and event strategy for inevitable staffing changes. Learn how to design for continuity, protect your strategic vision, empower new hires quickly, and keep vendor and partner relationships strong - even when the team looks different than it did a month ago. Real-world insights, including a personal leadership story, show how to survive - and thrive - through turnover.

Too many partnerships feel like obligations instead of opportunities. This post explores how to evaluate, manage, and elevate event partnerships so they align with your strategic goals. Learn to identify red flags, foster win-win collaboration, and say no without burning bridges—so you can lead with confidence and get results that actually matter.

Change is hard—but necessary. In this post, we explore how to lead transformational shifts in your event strategy with clarity, empathy, and purpose. From stakeholder resistance to hidden opportunities, discover how to turn friction into forward momentum and build true buy-in across your organization.

Post-event debriefs are one of the most overlooked tools in event strategy—and that’s a problem. Too many teams skip them, rush them, or keep them siloed. This blog challenges that norm and reframes the debrief as a powerful strategic lever for improvement, alignment, and evolution. Drawing on fresh insights from the Freeman 2024 Trends Report and leadership principles from Simon Sinek, we explore how to design debriefs that drive clarity, connect to purpose, and inform future decisions. If your team is still treating the debrief like a formality, it’s time to rethink the routine—and unlock its full potential.

Behind every seamless event is a team that’s running plays under pressure, adapting in real time, and carrying the emotional and physical weight of the game. From early mornings and long days on your feet to last-minute changes and high-stakes decisions—event work demands the stamina of an athlete, the instincts of a coach, and the unity of a championship team. In this post, we explore why events aren't just strategic—they're competitive, intense, and undeniably full contact.

Everyone has a “killer idea” for your next event. And that’s not a bad thing — if you know how to channel it. This post explores how to collaborate without chaos.

Too often, events are seen as logistics. But when used well, events are strategic platforms—for revenue, visibility, retention, and influence. Here’s how to shift the conversation.

Moneyball Your Events: Why Gut Feel Isn’t a Strategy
The Oakland A’s didn’t change the economics of baseball—but they changed how decisions are made. It’s time event leaders did the same. This post explores how data-driven decision-making can help you move beyond gut instinct to build smarter, more strategic events.

Your instincts matter—but strategy needs insight. Discover how event professionals are using AI to move from gut feel to confident, data-driven decisions that shape better outcomes before the event even begins.