This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino , chief experience officer at House of Attention; Chelsey Lavere , senior sales manager of meetings and conventions at Turning Stone Resort Casino; and Mary Giuliani , founder and CEO of Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. The panel discusses why and how the catering experience is the final frontier in ev...
Mar 20, 2024•37 min
This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jennifer Savica , head of corporate events at New York Life Insurance Company, and Michael Weiss , co-founder of Ai4, to discuss the future of events. Adler calls them two of the brightest minds shaping our industry, and their conversation touches on not only event trends for 2024 but what's on the "trash heap" of event ...
Mar 12, 2024•28 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with David Allison , author of The Death of Demographics and a globally recognized researcher known for coining the term "valuegraphics." This data-informed strategy seeks to unpack human behavior by spotlighting shared human values over outward demographic characteristics. Major companies like Lulu Lemon, PayPal, Google, and the United Nations Foundation have embraced this concept, and here Allison breaks down ho...
Jan 02, 2024•51 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two of the best in the event lighting biz: Billy Butchkavitz of Billy Butchkavitz Design and Curt Stahl of Images by Lighting . Based in Los Angeles, this duo is at the forefront of transforming event spaces into mesmerizing experiences. Here, they discuss various facets of event lighting, how lighting has evolved, its pivotal role in setting the stage, and considerations for different event scenarios. This e...
Dec 12, 2023•43 min
Welcome to part two of our podcast with Head Table Talks. (Missed part one? Listen here .) In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrand of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the event industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. In part two, t...
Nov 28, 2023•53 min
In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrend of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the events industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. At this particular Head Table Talk, held in late October at Dauphine's, Adler brings his Jeffersonian-st...
Nov 21, 2023•41 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Kelly Roe , the brand-new executive creative director at global experiential powerhouse Jack Morton. At the time of this recording, she’s been at the helm just three weeks. During their enlightening conversation, Adler and Roe discuss her time at The Kitchen, the in-house creative agency at Kraft Heinz; the evolving world of influencers; the art of inspiring teams and extracting their full potential; and the ...
Nov 13, 2023•40 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer , who served as the White House social secretary for the last two years of the Obama administration. Here she recounts the meticulous planning that went into the Pope’s visit, navigating unexpected situations with poise, and how her time as social secretary informed her understanding of the intricate interplay between politics, social customs...
Sep 26, 2023•30 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Schaiman , CEO of creative technology studio GenCity Labs . Schaiman is a powerhouse of knowledge on everything digital. From shaping trailblazing digital experiences to spearheading impactful strategies, his prowess is certain to bring a fresh perspective to our listeners. In this episode, Adler and Schaiman chat about the latter's recent work w...
Sep 12, 2023•28 min
It's likely you've seen the news from over the weekend: Thousands were trapped at Burning Man—the psychedelic art and music festival that pops up every year in the Nevada desert—after days of torrential rainfall . In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Bentley Meeker , a legendary lighting artist and Burning Man attendee for the last 14 years. Meeker takes us through what happened this year and how he got out (trekking through three miles of mud), his...
Sep 06, 2023•42 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Anika Grant, Cara Kleinhaut, Dan Mannix Welcome to part two of our exploration of the event and experiential agency world. (Missed part one? Listen here .) Last week, these three agency leaders— Anika Grant of Idlewild Experiential , Cara Kleinhaut of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing , and Dan Mannix of underdog venture team —gave us their insights on the pulse of the industry. This week, they'll discuss their own journeys navigating the waves of experiential mark...
Aug 22, 2023•24 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has assembled a powerhouse panel of experiential agency leaders to get the pulse of what's happening in the world of experiential marketing—what do clients want now? He's joined by Anika Grant , the founder and CEO of Idlewild Experiential ; Cara Kleinhaut , the founder and CEO of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing ; and Dan Mannix , the co-founder of underdog venture team . Join them as they navigate the intricate labo...
Aug 14, 2023•25 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Christopher Felts, Wayne Fernandez If you’re looking to geek out on venues, budgeting, and AV, this episode is for you. Joining BizBash chairman and founder David Adler this week are two experts who understand the intricacies of how having great venue partners can make or break you: Christopher Felts , director of operations for AES NYC, and Wayne Fernandez , the general manager of Magic Box Event Center in Los Angeles. Although located on different coasts, these venues...
Jul 18, 2023•51 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Michael Cirino In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino , the mastermind behind the 100-Course Meal and founder of creative studio House of Attention . Cirino knows that events have the power to evoke emotions and leave lasting impressions, and his storytelling prowess is sure to leave you inspired. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind that groundbreaking dinner event, discusses the inner workings of ...
Jun 12, 2023•46 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Chris Detert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris Detert , chief communications officer for Influential , dubbed as the largest influencer marketing company in the world. The company recently wrapped work for Possible, a new marketing conference that brought brands and tech and media companies—plus big-name speakers like A-Rod, Elon Musk, and LL Cool J—to Miami last month. In this lively convo, Detert discusses Inf...
May 22, 2023•44 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Meera Somji, Andrew Carney In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Meera Somji and Andrew Carney , the co-founders of Clusivity , a consultancy that helps organizations take a data-driven approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The duo recently gave a presentation at the 2023 SISO CEO Summit in Las Vegas and used a powerful storytelling style that masterfully combined hard facts and compelling narratives. In this can...
Apr 17, 2023•32 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Chris and Jill Drury In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris and Jill Drury , the husband-and-wife team behind event agency Drury Design . The two are involved in just about every aspect of group dynamics for both virtual and in-person events. They are the go-to couple for updates on what’s really going on in the world of large corporate events. They collaborate on all aspects of their business—whether it’s with clie...
Apr 10, 2023•42 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Jonathan Steffert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jonathan Steffert , the cultural attaché of public diplomacy and public affairs for the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, D.C. Steffert represents a new generation of diplomats who understand the importance of developing soft power in ways that engage and promote the values of their country. He's a great believer in using storytelling in every part of his job, espec...
Mar 20, 2023•39 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Richard Waddington In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Richard Waddington , one of the most creative players on the international event scene. He is the co-founder and former CEO of event agency First Protocol, which is now known as FIRST . And he’s been in the news recently as part of PCMA’s acquisition of the U.K.-based Event Marketing Association (following its acquisition of another event marketing body, CEMA, in 20...
Mar 13, 2023•42 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Hugh Forrest, Cindy Lo In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two key event profs behind South by Southwest (SXSW), the buzzy annual festival in Austin that attracts emerging talent, iconic performances, and groundbreaking ideas in the realms of music, TV/film, tech, and culture. We first hear from Hugh Forrest , SXSW’s co-president and chief programming officer, who delves into the festival’s 30-plus-year history, how it...
Feb 27, 2023•40 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Luigi Romaniello In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Luigi Romaniello , the new managing director of New York’s iconic The Plaza Hotel . Like the famous book series Eloise , the 30-year industry veteran actually lives at The Plaza where he oversees all aspects of the luxury hotel, including daily operations, guest experiences, and continued growth strategies. He comes to New York after years managing other iconic proper...
Feb 20, 2023•40 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Paul Bulencea, Claus Raasted, Tahira Endean In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder sits down with the founders of the College of Extraordinary Experiences , a five-day conference held inside a 13th-century Polish castle that uses an immersive education method to study experience design. We also hear from “graduates” of the conference—including IMEX's head of programming Tahira Endean —on the life-changing learning that impacts how they plan events ...
Feb 13, 2023•38 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Carla Ruben, Chap Gage, Dawn Penfold, Vanessa Cominsky In this episode of GatherGeeks, along with the main interviews, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has added two new “Ask the Expert” features. One is with career and hiring pro Dawn Penfold , president of Meetingjobs, who will discuss salary transparency and where the job market is today. Our second expert is Vanessa Cominsky , wine and spirits specialist for Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co., who will touch ...
Jan 16, 2023•58 min
In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with BizBash’s editorial team—interim editorial director Shannon Thaler , managing editor Sarah Kloepple , and senior contributing editor Claire Hoffman —to discuss how events fared in 2022. The trio answer questions about what gave them “goosebump moments” this year, their favorite BizBash stories they worked on in 2022, and what they predict is in store for the industry in 2023....
Dec 27, 2022•46 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Deesha Dyer Imagine orchestrating a visit from the pope and a Chinese state dinner… within days of each other. In this episode of GatherGeeks, recorded live at Connect Winter Marketplace in Washington, D.C, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer , who served as the White House social secretary—the person responsible for planning and coordinating official social events at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.—for the last two years of the Obama administratio...
Dec 21, 2022•52 min
Host: David Adler Guests: Tony Wagner, Sara Meyer Meeting professionals are constantly multitasking. The last thing they want to do is spend time on manual, tedious processes that should just be easy—including cross-checking spreadsheets to track down commissions and payments. This is where Onyx CenterSource’s GroupPay™ can help. This holistic solution is an industry-first payments automation platform that provides hotels and meeting professionals with unparalleled transparency and efficiency to...
Oct 17, 2022•42 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Amy Calvert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Amy Calvert , CEO of the Events Industry Council (EIC), which oversees more than 30 member organizations in the events industry. The EIC is a global champion of event profs and event industry excellence, offering professional standards and recognition and certification programs that take the industry to new heights. In this podcast, Calvert divulges what keeps her up at ni...
Oct 03, 2022•35 min
Host: David Adler Guest: Doug Emslie In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Doug Emslie , CEO of Tarsus Group (one of the largest exhibition companies in the world), to get a global perspective on trade shows and exhibitions. How have things changed since the pandemic? How do they differ culturally between markets like Europe, the Middle East, and North America? Emslie also discusses how to bring back attendees each year, how the global structure ...
Sep 26, 2022•37 min
Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Vaibhav Jain In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Vaibhav Jain, CEO of event technology solution Hubilo, to discuss how he took the company from a local in-person event solution to a global behemoth. He also touches on how he realized events could be life-changing, how he raised money and ...
Aug 01, 2022•23 min
Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Damien Baines In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Damien Baines, the experiential marketing lead at Instagram. They go behind the scenes at Meta Beach where, for the first time, the company has used Meta branding at the festival. Baines also discusses what inspired many of the elements fo...
Aug 01, 2022•31 min
