Events Forward

About Events Forward

This podcast series is focused on moving Events Forward. As an event management professional, you’ll hear real-world, practical, and actionable advice from our industry leaders and subject matter experts on new health and safety developments, what to anticipate, and how your organization can best prepare for the return of “live” in-person events. As an event strategist, you'll learn how to reimagine events of the future to design, execute and deliver amazing experiences.

Publisher

Jeff Naue

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jun 2020

Latest episode

28 Jul 2021

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Jul 2021

   Adding Podcasts to your Event Marketing and Promotional Mix

   Organizations and associations can leverage podcasts as part of their overall event marketing strategy. Every successful event starts with a great story that entices attendees. When people come to an event, they are committing their time, money, and effort, so they want to know what they are receiving in return. And there’s probably no better way to tell your event’s story than using a podcast. Podcasts are a very efficient and cost-effective option to promote your event content, increase the value for your sponsors or partners, and extend the experience for your attendees. Last year, M&IW launched its very own branded podcast focused on the meetings and events industry called Events > Forward. It’s increasingly important to be well-informed about current issues facing the meetings and events industry. The M&IW podcast was a longtime dream come true for Jeff Naue, our Special Projects Marketing Lead. As this marks our 1-year anniversary of the Events > Forward post, we wanted to turn the table. In this special episode, Marie Johnson, CMP, the Director of Marketing and Strategy for M&IW puts Jeff in the hot seat to learn more about how he got started in podcasting, perfected his craft, and what we can expect from him and the Events > Forward podcast in the future. Tune in to our conversation with Marie Johnson and Jeff Naue to hear more and see if launching a “podcast series” might be a good fit for your next event! Podcasting has been around for well over a decade but it’s probably not the first thing event planners think of when they’re building their marketing plan. Adding podcasts to your promotional mix can be just what your event needs to grow excitement and audiences. Podcast listeners already care about your message — they’ve tuned in specifically to hear what you have to say and help your event reach beyond the walls of the convention center. For more information visit us at www.meetings-incentives.com (http://www.meetings-incentives.com/) or contact our team at marketing@meetings-incentives.com (mailto:marketing@meetings-incentives.com).

2. 

   25 Jun 2021

   Using a Contest Marketing Strategy to Drive Performance

   An effective 'contest marketing strategy' is a critical driver to the success of your sales incentive campaign. To put it simply, the goal of the campaign is to drive greater returns through the qualification period by communicating to and motivating the contest participants. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, connects with Anne Zambrano on the very interesting topic of incentive contests and marketing strategies around them. A good contest is always aligned with the growth objectives of the organization or department. So, ultimately the objectives of the campaign are to keep the contest top of mind, “move the middle” as we like to say, and drive performance. Anne Zambrano is the Marketing & Communications Lead for M&IW. In her position, Anne partners with our sales, marketing, and incentive travel teams to develop impactful marketing communications, incentives contests, and sales campaigns for our client programs. Tune in to our interview with Anne Zambrano to hear why organizations need to develop a 'contest marketing strategy' and the role that marketing campaigns play in delivering investment returns. For more information: We have written several blogs on this topic that can be found at www.meetings-incentives.com. Additionally, our team is always available for a conversation to discover and present a variety of ideas that can impact the marketing and communications of your sales incentive contest. Finally, we are releasing an Incentive Contest Marketing Guidebook in the near future, so make sure you are subscribed to our communications to receive the guidebook when it is released.

3. 

   27 May 2021

   Why You Need an Event Technology Strategy

   As we ready our organizations for the return of in-person events, many in a hybrid environment, we talked with Jessica Menzer a few weeks back on what it takes to build a powerhouse hybrid events team. If you missed that episode, she shared how events of the future will be more dynamic with blended audiences and customized content. In this interview, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, continues the conversation with Missy Peterson around hybrid events, and more specifically, the role that event technology strategy plays in the design, planning, and production of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Missy is the Sr. Director of Event Technology Strategy for M&IW. This role was created in quick response to the pandemic and the need to shift client events from in-person to virtual. In her position, Missy provides consulting, guidance, and training on both virtual and hybrid strategies. However, even before the pandemic, event technology was a hot topic with event planners and the options not always easy to navigate. Tune in to our interview with Missy Peterson to learn why, especially now, you need to develop an event technology strategy for all your events. And, what you need to consider as your move forward. Also, if you are interested in working with M&IW, visit meetings-incentives.com.

4. 

   22 Apr 2021

   Adding Discovery for Sourcing In-Person Meetings Part II

   The initial discovery process for sourcing in-person meetings has changed since pre-pandemic. Having open and honest conversations will lead to a more comprehensive and transparent sourcing process to ensure the personal safety and security of all your participants. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, catches up with Kristen Allan, Manager of Hotel Procurement. Kristen joined M&IW in 2019. Her career and background have been centered on hospitality and meeting planning for the past 21 years. She started in convention services, spanning into meeting planning and hotel sourcing and procurement. This is the second part of this episode when Kristen shares insight about 2022 being referenced as the “come back year” for in-person meetings. She recently conducted a site visit in Orlando and will reveal what she experienced and how that will shape her sourcing process in the future. While momentum is building and confidence growing, we are still in constant change when it comes to sourcing meetings and events. Event stakeholders and planners need to ask more and different questions before determining the best destination and hotel venue for their event. The RFP questions go well beyond confirming if your event is in-person or hybrid. Tune in for our interview with Kristen Allan to make sure you are armed with the information needed to safely source your next event. Also, if you are interested in working with M&IW, visit meetings-incentives.com.

5. 

   25 Mar 2021

   Adding Discovery When Sourcing In-Person Events

   The initial discovery process for sourcing in-person meetings has changed since pre-pandemic. Event stakeholders and planners need to ask more and different questions before determining the best destination and hotel venue for their event. The RFP questions go well beyond confirming if your event is in-person or hybrid. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, catches up with Vicki Schmitz, Senior Manager of Procurement, to discuss the changes that event managers and meeting stakeholders should consider as part of their sourcing and contracting process to be sure the goals of the event can be met while also ensuring the personal safety and security for all of their participants. Back in July of 2020, we did an episode called Before Your Source Your Next Event and interviewed Denise Farrell, Director of Procurement, and Vicki the Senior Manager of Procurement to discuss the changes that event managers and meeting stakeholders should consider as part of their sourcing process. Well, that episode did so great that we decided to do a follow-up episode. This is the first of a two-part episode where I'll first interview Vicki and then be interviewing Kristen Allen, Manager of Procurement. Tune in to our interview with Vicki Walsh to learn what you need to consider before sourcing your next in-person or hybrid event. Also, if you are interested in working with M&IW, visit meetings-incentives.com.

6. 

   24 Feb 2021

   Building a Powerhouse Hybrid Events Team

   When the pandemic hit in March of 2020 and in-person gatherings came to halt, M&IW was thrust into the virtual world. Fortunately, they were able to leverage event planning tools and technologies to produce almost 1,000 virtual events for their clients. Around that same time, they launched the Events > Forward Task Force to focus on the safe return of LIVE in-person events and how the pandemic would reshape events in the future. Now, with the vaccines rolling out, optimism is returning. M&IW knows they still need to adhere to not only local guidelines but also client meeting and travel policies. They know health and safety will continue to be top of mind even past the pandemic. More importantly, they know the expectations of their clients and event attendees have changed. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, talks with Jessica Menzer, a Strategic Account Manager within Global Enterprise Solutions at Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, on how events of the future will be more dynamic with blended online and offline audiences. As the project lead for a new initiative called Events Reminagined, she reminds us that you can't just smash together an in-person format and virtual format and call it a hybrid event. The strategy and approach should be thoughtful to create an impactful and unique experience for both audiences. It is important to consult with event owners and guide them through all of the new options and considerations to design and produce a successful hybrid event. Before all else, you need to have the right team in place to design and produce a successful hybrid event for your organization. A hybrid team includes many of the individuals from your in-person events planning team, but now you also need to factor in new roles to blend and engage your online and offline audiences. Tune in for our interview with Jessica Menzer to learn what it takes to build a powerhouse hybrid events team. Or, if you are interested in working with M&IW, visit meetings-incentives.com.

7. 

   12 Jan 2021

   Developing an Emergency Response Plan for Events

   You may not be able to predict when emergencies will strike, but you can plan for them by having an Emergency Response Plan. In fact, detailing emergency preparedness procedures is one of the most important strategic decisions a business can make. Knowing how to manage risk and navigate uncertainty is essential for event planners to keep attendees safe. Historically, emergency management has been reactive. However, there has been an evolution in the development of emergency preparedness for events as a result of increased weather catastrophes, heightened security risks, technology breaches, and newly identified health threats such as COVID. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, talks with Connie Nau, CMP, CRP, our Senior Director of Talent Engagement of Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In Connie’s experience, most organizations have not updated their emergency preparedness plans recently to account for all the different scenarios that can and most likely will, occur on-site. “Our primary goal is to prevent incidents before they happen. But, if one does occur, the actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. Preparedness is the process of turning awareness into action to improve your event team’s capability to respond and recover,” says Connie. Truth be told, it can be time-consuming and intimidating to formulate a comprehensive emergency response plan that prepares your organization for the extreme or unknown. Understanding that no two events are the same, you might wonder how you even begin to develop a plan for the safety of all event attendees? Or, maybe you do have an emergency response plan, but wonder if it is comprehensive enough to mitigate your risk and equip your team. Tune in for our interview with Connie Nau to learn more about what’s involved in developing and updating your Emergency Preparedness Plan for events. Or, if you are interested in working with M&IW, please visit https://meetings-incentives.com.

8. 

   30 Nov 2020

   Understanding Cvent’s Access Portals

   Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, interviews Lisa Palmeri, Vice President and Principal Consultant of Intent Strategy Group. Intent Strategy Group (ISG) is a division of Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. Their team of consultants helps clients develop and implement their SMM strategy, manage large scale SMM and technology implementations, and find the best solutions for their enterprise event strategy needs. During this episode, we take a deep dive into Cvent Access Portals. With the pivot to virtual and hybrid events, the SMM workflow needs to support new data capture and process requirements. Also, migrating to Access Portals usually requires system downtime so organizations are taking advantage of the current situation when meeting volume is down, and the migration will cause less disruption. Lisa Palmeri is an impassioned leader with 20 years’ experience establishing consulting and professional service organizations (PSOs). She is dedicated to advancing the Meetings & Event (M&E) industry. She joined M&IW in 2015. You can also follow her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapalmeri/). To learn more about Intent Strategy Group (ISG), our consulting services, or request a demo of Cvent Access portals, visit www.meetings-incentives.com (https://www.meetings-incentives.com).

9. 

   17 Nov 2020

   Event Technologists are Transforming the Industry

   Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, connects with Chip Begley, our Director of Event Technology. When our clients had to quickly pivot from in-person events to “live” virtual and digital experiences, it redefined and magnified the role of the event technologist. As an innovative company and early adopters of technology, our event technologists have always played an important role in the planning process with registration websites, mobile apps, on-demand badges, onsite event technology, vetting new technologies, and more. But, with the increase in virtual and hybrid, the event technologist is now critical to the success of events. Chip Begley is the Director of Event Technology for Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. Chip joined the company in 2011 as a Senior Web Designer, has held various positions over the years, and currently manages a team of 20 event technology experts. Chip earned his Event Professional Advanced Certification from Cvent. To learn more about our Event Technology and Virtual/Hybrid Solutions, visit www.meetings-incentives.com.

10. 

    29 Sept 2020

    Is your Incentives and Recognition Program Future Ready?

    Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, catches up with our Incentives and Recognition experts Tracy Norum, CMP, CIS, CITP and Sandy Fenili, CIS. Many of our clients are curious on how to best recognize employees and reward performance during a challenging time. While the first reaction may be to turn to cash incentives, you’ll hear more on why that may not be your best bet. Tracy details how group incentive trips are being reshaped by the pandemic and Sandy shares actionable insights on how to optimize your incentives and recognition program. Be sure to tune in to learn more. Tracy is the Senior Director, Incentive Strategies at Meetings & Incentives Worldwide and a strategic, innovative leader and world traveler who delivers proven solutions. In her role, she helps generate increased sales, foster teamwork, drive loyalty, reward employees, engage participants, and improve performance. Sandy is the Director, Insights and Strategy, Incentives & Recognition at Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. Sandy brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to her role in developing and implementing innovative sales incentives and employee recognition reward programs (travel events and non-travel programs) to help grow revenue, connect people, and maximize the employee experience. To learn more about our Incentives and Recognition Services or connect with a team member, visit www.meetings-incentives.com (http://www.meetings-incentives.com/).

11. 

    25 Aug 2020

    Reimagining Event Design and Why It's Important

    Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, interviews our award-winning Event Design Manager, Alexander deHilster, on reimagining events and creating experiences. Hear how Alexander’s aha! moment reshaped his perspective of event design for future in-person events as he takes us through the changing role and value of a professional event designer. Join us for this 10-minute conversation on what you need to know before you host your next in-person event. For more information on our Event Design and/or EventVisualizer Services (physical distancing design), visit www.meetings-incentives.com (http://www.meetings-incentives.com/).

12. 

    19 Jul 2020

    Before You Source Your Next Event

    Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. In this episode, our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, catches up with both Denise Farrell, Director of Procurement and Vicki Schmitz, Senior Manager of Procurement, to discuss the changes that event managers and meeting stakeholders need to consider as part of the sourcing and contracting process to be sure the goals of the event can be met while also ensuring the personal safety and security for all participants. Join us for a 15-minute chat to learn what questions you need to ask when it comes to sourcing your next event. For more information on our hotel sourcing and contracting services, visit www.meetings-incentives.com

13. 

    7 Jul 2020

    Safely Returning to the Skies

    Welcome to the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. Our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, and Samantha Gerhke, Senior Manager of Group Travel, talk about safety protocols, travel updates, and need-to-know information as our client groups consider safely return to the skies. This is very uncharted territory for both the airlines and our customers. All airlines are taking extra sanitization and cleaning measures. However, when it comes to travel policies and traveler safety practices, there is inconsistency and variation across carriers. Join us for a 10-minute chat to hear what you should consider when it comes to booking your next group and moving your events forward. For more information, visit www.meetings-incentives.com

14. 

    29 Jun 2020

    Prepare for the Return of Live In-Person Events

    Welcome to the first episode of the Events > Forward Podcast by Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. Our host, Jeff Naue, Special Projects Marketing Lead, and Mae Ibe, CMP, Director of Conferences and Tradeshows, talk about the development of the Events > Forward Task Force and initiatives underway to better prepare organizations for the safe return of their live "in-person" events during a pandemic. As circumstances change, you'll definitely want to stay up-to-date with timely, relevant, and accurate information. Join us for a short, but impactful conversation on actions you can take to move your events forward. For more information, visit us at www.meetings-incentives.com.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

15 ratings