<![CDATA[Event Experience Experts]]>Event Experience Experts is a conversation-driven podcast for senior event leaders and marketers who want to evolve, not just execute. Each episode features candid conversations with creatives, strategists, and visionaries who are raising the bar on what live brand experiences can do.

 

Most events are forgettable because the people running them are optimizing for logistics instead of memory. This show is for the people who refuse to accept that.

Hosted by Jay Menashe, Senior Director, Strategy & Growth at Exhibitus. Episodes are released weekly on Wednesday's at 9am ET.

]]>www.exhibitus.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:08:17 GMTFri, 31 Jul 2026 19:47:29 GMT60Jay Menashe<p>Event Experience Experts is a conversation-driven podcast for senior event leaders and marketers who want to evolve, not just execute. Each episode features candid conversations with creatives, strategists, and visionaries who are raising the bar on what live brand experiences can do.</p><p> </p><p>Most events are forgettable because the people running them are optimizing for logistics instead of memory. This show is for the people who refuse to accept that.</p><p></p><p>Hosted by Jay Menashe, Senior Director, Strategy &amp; Growth at Exhibitus. Episodes are released weekly on Wednesday's at 9am ET.</p>episodicJay Menashejason.menashe@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Episode 6: Strategy Beats Tradition]]>In this episode, Evan Babins shares insights on strategic event planning, measuring success, and adapting to industry changes, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, data, and innovation in creating memorable experiences.

Keywords

event planning, experiential marketing, event strategy, data-driven events, industry innovation, eventprofs

key topics

  • The importance of strategy and data in event planning
  • How to communicate event value to stakeholders
  • The attendee journey and engagement strategies
  • The role of AI and technology in future events
  • Creating moments that are memorable and talked about
]]>70abeb97-69da-441b-9de2-8185061713d7Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Evan Babins shares insights on strategic event planning, measuring success, and adapting to industry changes, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, data, and innovation in creating memorable experiences.</p><p></p><p><b>Keywords</b></p><p>event planning, experiential marketing, event strategy, data-driven events, industry innovation, eventprofs</p><p></p><p><b>key topics</b></p><ul><li>The importance of strategy and data in event planning</li><li>How to communicate event value to stakeholders</li><li>The attendee journey and engagement strategies</li><li>The role of AI and technology in future events</li><li>Creating moments that are memorable and talked about</li></ul>no00:46:0016Episode 6: Strategy Beats Traditionfull<![CDATA[Episode 5: Purpose-Driven Events]]>In this episode, Nicola Kastner shares her insights on creating memorable event experiences, leveraging AI in event planning, and building communities of senior event leaders. Discover practical strategies for elevating your event game and the future of event technology.

keywords

event marketing, event strategy, AI in events, community building, experiential marketing, event technology, hospitality, event leadership

Key topics

  • The importance of memory over logistics in events
  • Nicola Kastner's career transition from SAP to advisory and community leadership
  • The concept of unreasonable hospitality and its application in events
  • Using AI to enhance event planning and attendee experience
  • Strategies for creating purposeful and memorable event moments
  • Building trust and community among senior event leaders
  • Innovative uses of technology like digital twins in events
  • The role of purposeful swag and experiential touches in events
  • The business case for exclusive communities like ELX
  • Future trends in event technology and leadership
]]>41b49b74-665e-4492-becd-b88b21d080f9Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Nicola Kastner shares her insights on creating memorable event experiences, leveraging AI in event planning, and building communities of senior event leaders. Discover practical strategies for elevating your event game and the future of event technology.</p><p></p><p> keywords</p><p>event marketing, event strategy, AI in events, community building, experiential marketing, event technology, hospitality, event leadership</p><p></p><p><b>Key topics</b></p><ul><li>The importance of memory over logistics in events</li><li>Nicola Kastner's career transition from SAP to advisory and community leadership</li><li>The concept of unreasonable hospitality and its application in events</li><li>Using AI to enhance event planning and attendee experience</li><li>Strategies for creating purposeful and memorable event moments</li><li>Building trust and community among senior event leaders</li><li>Innovative uses of technology like digital twins in events</li><li>The role of purposeful swag and experiential touches in events</li><li>The business case for exclusive communities like ELX</li><li>Future trends in event technology and leadership</li></ul>no00:47:0115Episode 5: Purpose-Driven Eventsfull<![CDATA[Episode 4: Events Need Better Strategy]]>In this episode, Aaron Kaufman, a leading figure in live event production, shares insights on industry awards, the true essence of live experiences, budget management, and how to create memorable events that resonate long after they happen.

Key topics

  • Industry awards and their relevance
  • Defining live experience and its impact
  • Budget management and waste reduction
  • Creating memorable moments that last
  • Using industry trends and tools for innovation
  • Building credibility and differentiation in the industry
]]>bdbce4ca-9412-4cea-ac34-306ea74d7981Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:55:44 GMT<p>In this episode, Aaron Kaufman, a leading figure in live event production, shares insights on industry awards, the true essence of live experiences, budget management, and how to create memorable events that resonate long after they happen.</p><p></p><p><b>Key topics</b></p><ul><li>Industry awards and their relevance</li><li>Defining live experience and its impact</li><li>Budget management and waste reduction</li><li>Creating memorable moments that last</li><li>Using industry trends and tools for innovation</li><li>Building credibility and differentiation in the industry</li></ul>no00:44:4114Episode 4: Events Need Better Strategyfull<![CDATA[Episode 3: Nobody Remembers Your Water Bottle]]>In this episode, Alexandra Panukina shares her insights on how to leverage events as strategic tools for relationship building and revenue growth. We explore the importance of attendee experience, creative budgeting, and evolving event strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.

Key topics

  • Events as relationship builders and revenue drivers
  • Balancing creativity and budget constraints
  • The importance of attendee experience and emotional connection
  • Starting with a clean slate each year in event planning
  • Holistic approach to event design and experience
]]>75c49349-d3cd-4318-9716-00bd6ba75beaFri, 31 Jul 2026 19:54:15 GMT<p>In this episode, Alexandra Panukina shares her insights on how to leverage events as strategic tools for relationship building and revenue growth. We explore the importance of attendee experience, creative budgeting, and evolving event strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.</p><p></p><p><b>Key topics</b></p><ul><li>Events as relationship builders and revenue drivers</li><li>Balancing creativity and budget constraints</li><li>The importance of attendee experience and emotional connection</li><li>Starting with a clean slate each year in event planning</li><li>Holistic approach to event design and experience</li></ul>no00:41:1013Episode 3: Nobody Remembers Your Water Bottlefull<![CDATA[Episode 2: Events Run On People]]>In this episode, Melissa Vilders shares her insights on the power of human connection in events, how to measure success in real-time, and the importance of empathy and relationships in event planning.

Key topics

  • The importance of human connection in events
  • Real-time indicators of event success
  • Building trust with vendors and behind-the-scenes teams
  • Handling stakeholder input and final decision-making
  • The role of empathy in leadership and event planning

Takeaways

  • Events create environments for genuine human connection that surpass digital interactions.
  • Energy and social media activity are key indicators of an event's success in the moment.
  • Trust and clear communication with vendors and stakeholders are crucial for smooth execution.
  • Empathy and understanding the unseen struggles of attendees and team members enhance the experience.
  • Confidence and relationship-building are more valuable than perfection in career growth.
]]>36935593-aa6d-4231-9913-df4152fdda38Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:51:45 GMT<p>In this episode, Melissa Vilders shares her insights on the power of human connection in events, how to measure success in real-time, and the importance of empathy and relationships in event planning.</p><p></p><p><b>Key topics</b></p><ul><li>The importance of human connection in events</li><li>Real-time indicators of event success</li><li>Building trust with vendors and behind-the-scenes teams</li><li>Handling stakeholder input and final decision-making</li><li>The role of empathy in leadership and event planning</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Takeaways</b></p><ul><li>Events create environments for genuine human connection that surpass digital interactions.</li><li>Energy and social media activity are key indicators of an event's success in the moment.</li><li>Trust and clear communication with vendors and stakeholders are crucial for smooth execution.</li><li>Empathy and understanding the unseen struggles of attendees and team members enhance the experience.</li><li>Confidence and relationship-building are more valuable than perfection in career growth.</li></ul>no00:31:4912Episode 2: Events Run On Peoplefull<![CDATA[Episode 1 - The Art of Memorable Live Experiences]]>In this episode, Richard Sears, VP of Experiential at X Studios, shares insights on creating impactful live experiences, the role of storytelling, and the future of event technology. Discover how to craft memorable activations that truly connect with audiences.

Key topics

  • The importance of emotional connection in activations
  • Designing for both crowd and individual impact
  • Surviving contact with reality in event production
  • The role of technology like AR and generative AI
  • Challenges of working in unique venues like Sphere

Takeaways

  • Emotional storytelling is key to memorable activations.
  • Collaboration and trust are crucial in creative processes.
  • Remote work can hinder spontaneous idea generation.
  • Budget waste often occurs in concepting and decision-making.
  • Emerging tech like AR and AI hold untapped potential.
]]>51b2375d-f319-4fc9-ad83-f09567741f9bFri, 31 Jul 2026 19:50:04 GMT<p>In this episode, Richard Sears, VP of Experiential at X Studios, shares insights on creating impactful live experiences, the role of storytelling, and the future of event technology. Discover how to craft memorable activations that truly connect with audiences.</p><p></p><p><b>Key topics</b></p><ul><li>The importance of emotional connection in activations</li><li>Designing for both crowd and individual impact</li><li>Surviving contact with reality in event production</li><li>The role of technology like AR and generative AI</li><li>Challenges of working in unique venues like Sphere</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Takeaways</b></p><ul><li>Emotional storytelling is key to memorable activations.</li><li>Collaboration and trust are crucial in creative processes.</li><li>Remote work can hinder spontaneous idea generation.</li><li>Budget waste often occurs in concepting and decision-making.</li><li>Emerging tech like AR and AI hold untapped potential.</li></ul>no00:35:3511Episode 1 - The Art of Memorable Live Experiencesfull