Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Experience Builders

Claim This Podcast

by Khalil Benalioulhaj

5.0(10 reviews)

75 episodes

Updated Weekly

Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors

Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality58

Social0

YouTube76

Engagement60

Learn more

Podcast Overview

Exhibitors and experiential design agencies just want to put on amazing events for their clients. We know that events always present challenges, but one many of us didn’t see coming was the pandemic. We started this podcast to share processes and systems to help you bounce back and future-proof your business against storms we may face down the road. We cover topics like how to access capital and funding, why and how to outsource, why and how to build a brand, creating a strong company culture, and much more. With more knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be able to put on powerful events and build a strong business that can weather any storm.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

10/3/2022

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

Instant mention tracking

Perfect fit!

Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report

See how your podcast performs across key metrics

Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality58

Social0

YouTube76

Engagement60

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

41 minutes

Performing excellently!

needs improvement

Publishing Consistency

Every 18 days

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

+16 More Metrics

Unlock comprehensive insights including:

• YouTube presence analysis
• Social media reach metrics
• RSS compliance scoring
• Podcast 2.0 features
• Technical standards

What's Included in Your Full Report

Detailed Analytics

Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
Personalized recommendations for each metric
Industry benchmarks and comparisons
Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring

Growth Strategies

Step-by-step action plans for improvement
Quick wins to boost your score immediately
Pro tips from successful podcasters

Get your free podcast insights report

See how your show performs across every key metric

Instant delivery

No spam

Attract Better Guests

High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.

Secure Sponsorships

Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.

Grow Your Audience

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.

Reach the team behind Experience Builders

Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.

Recent Episodes

June 19, 2026

072 - Is the Events Industry Right for You? with Noelle Webster

Thinking about a career in the events industry? Maybe you've watched the festivals and brand activations come together and wondered what it actually takes to build one, or whether this industry is even for you. Chris and Khalil welcome back Noelle Webster, a program manager who's spent a decade producing everything from million-square-foot convention takeovers to intimate whiskey tastings. She gets honest about the unglamorous side, the long hours and high-pressure builds, and why the payoff still makes it all worth it. If you're weighing whether this work fits you, how to break in without a formal background, or what really separates the people who keep getting asked back, this conversation lays it out. Key Topics & Timestamps<ul><li>00:50 - Welcome Back, Noelle!</li><li>03:06 - Loving The Event Life</li><li>04:18 - Building The Blank Canvas</li><li>08:28 - Is Events For Everyone</li><li>13:06 - How Noelle Got Here</li><li>15:02 - Choosing Employers And Teams</li><li>33:45 - Biggest Wow Moments</li></ul> Memorable Quotes<ul><li>"A lot of the times I say we do the impossible because we quite literally do." — Noelle</li><li>"It was the greatest accident that ever happened." — Noelle</li><li>"At the end of the day, we're judged as one." — Chris</li><li>"If you work hard in this industry, you build those relationships, and people want you back." — Noelle</li><li>"There is something for everyone in this industry, and you can capitalize on it and build a career." — Noelle</li></ul> Key Takeaways<ol><li>You'll know fast whether this industry fits you. The people who thrive love the work itself, not just the finished event, and most figure out within about six months whether the long hours and high-pressure builds are worth it.</li><li>Treat event production like training for a marathon. The months of pre-planning are where the real work happens, the show itself is race day, and the payoff is stepping back to see what your team pulled off together.</li><li>You don't need an events degree to break in. Noelle fell into the industry on a professor's suggestion and built a career through an internship, mentors, and saying yes to hands-on opportunities.</li><li>The real skill is managing people. Producing an event means pulling specialized crews out of their silos toward one shared outcome, because if one person fails, the whole event can fail.</li><li>When you choose an employer, look for a culture that throws you in the deep end but won't let you drown. Developmental teams and authentic, people-first leadership matter more than a formal training program.</li><li>How you treat people decides whether you get asked back. The freelancers and partners who get rehired treat the person cleaning the floor the same as the executive walking the keynote stage.</li></ol> Connect With UsReady to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders navigating their busiest season. Resources<ul><li>Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with <a href="https://www.crewxp.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠CrewXP⁠</a></li><li>Watch On <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjGJnWAwW30vp73QOuSm3Q" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠YouTube⁠</a></li><li>Follow Us On Social: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ts-crew/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠LinkedIn⁠</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Your.Trade.Show.Partner" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Facebook⁠</a></li><li>Have Questions? <a href="cgriffin@crewxp.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Email us⁠</a></li></ul> More from Noelle Webster<ul><li>Noelle Webster on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelle-webster-b0366359/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠LinkedIn⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://willwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Willwork Global Event Services</a></li></ul> More from Chris<ul><li><a href="https://www.crewxp.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠CrewXP⁠</a></li><li><a href="mailto:cgriffin@crewxp.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Email Chris⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgriffin407/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Chris on LinkedIn⁠</a></li></ul> More from Khalil<ul><li><a href="http://benali.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠benali.com⁠</a></li><li><a href="mailto:khalil@benali.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Email Khalil⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilbenali/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠LinkedIn⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hirebenali/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Instagram⁠</a></li></ul> Connect With UsReady to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders navigating their busiest season.

May 1, 2026

071 - How BlueHive Structures Account Managers and Project Managers with Chris Dunn

If account management and project management really are two separate skill sets, what does that actually look like inside an exhibit house that's still scaling? Chris and Khalil bring Chris Dunn, VP of Sales and Business Development at BlueHive Exhibits, onto the show to unpack how a three-pronged team of account executives, account managers, and project managers actually runs. Chris walks through BlueHive's flexible pool of eight AEs, eight AMs, and four PMs, why they merged the estimator and project manager roles, who really owns the client relationship after the sale, and how to measure capacity now that hybrid and rental booths build from scratch every time. Key Topics & Timestamps<ul><li>00:56 - Episode Intro</li><li>02:29 - Meet Chris Dunn</li><li>05:50 - AM vs PM Split</li><li>08:30 - Hunters, Farmers, Trappers</li><li>11:00 - When AM Makes Sense</li><li>13:03 - BlueHive Team Structure</li><li>14:50 - Pooling And Bandwidth</li><li>17:49 - Client Journey Workflow</li><li>25:06 - Handoff And Role Duties</li><li>30:17 - AM vs PM Responsibilities</li><li>30:58 - AE Staying in the Loop</li><li>32:02 - Meeting Mix and Overwatch</li><li>33:27 - AM-PM Friction and Culture</li><li>35:55 - Capacity and Scaling Roles</li><li>37:38 - Small Company to Three Roles</li><li>40:10 - Estimating and Proposal Workflow</li><li>41:55 - Client Touchpoints and Expectations</li><li>52:54 - Good Cop Bad Cop Deadlines</li><li>57:46 - Wrap Up and Key Takeaways</li></ul> Memorable Quotes<ul><li>"Account managers are forward-facing, customer-facing. They're the voice of the customer inside the org." — Chris Dunn</li><li>"That account manager has been through that entire process. They were in discovery, they were in the pitch. They heard the client go, “I freaking hate that color.” — Chris Dunn</li><li>"You're either the hunter, or you're the farmer, the nurturer. The hybrids really are what I would call the trappers." — Chris Griffin</li><li>"As you grow, what ends up happening is that there's drift in the context. That's really what you're trying to solve with your three-pronged model." — Khalil</li></ul> Key Takeaways<ol><li>Account management and project management have become two distinct skill sets, even at smaller exhibit houses. Where one person used to cover both for repeat exhibits, hybrid and rental builds now make every project closer to starting from scratch.</li><li>BlueHive runs a three-pronged team. The AE leads the sale, the AM owns the client relationship as the voice of the customer inside the org, and the PM runs vendors, labor, trucking, and shop production.</li><li>AMs and PMs work from a flexible pool, not fixed pairs. The Director of Client Services watches bandwidth and matches AMs to AEs based on availability, industry fit, and client continuity.</li><li>Merging the estimator and project manager into a single role keeps pricing context with the person who runs the project. When BlueHive split those roles, gaps opened up between the proposal and the build.</li><li>Capacity is no longer measured in dollars. With more hybrid and rental booths in the mix, BlueHive tracks volume of projects per month per AM rather than the old monetary benchmark.</li><li>Setting expectations on day one keeps the relationship clean. The client knows the AE introduces the work, the AM owns the day-to-day, and the PM stays mostly internal during production.</li></ol> More from Chris Dunn<ul><li><a href="https://www.blue-hive.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">BlueHive Exhibits</a></li><li><a href="https://eventmarketerstoolbox.buzzsprout.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Event Marketer Toolbox podcast</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjdunn1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Chris Dunn on LinkedIn</a></li></ul> Resources<ul><li>Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with <a href="https://www.crewxp.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">CrewXP</a></li><li>Watch On <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjGJnWAwW30vp73QOuSm3Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">YouTube</a></li><li>Follow Us On Social: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ts-crew/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Your.Trade.Show.Partner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Facebook</a></li><li>Have Questions? <a href="cgriffin@crewxp.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Email us</a></li></ul>More from Chris<ul><li><a href="https://www.crewxp.com/">CrewXP</a></li><li><a href="mailto:cgriffin@crewxp.com">Email Chris</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgriffin407/">Chris on LinkedIn</a></li></ul>More from Khalil<ul><li><a href="http://benali.com">benali.com</a></li><li><a href="mailto:khalil@benali.com">Email Khalil</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilbenali/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hirebenali/">Instagram</a></li></ul> Connect With UsReady to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders navigating their busiest season.

April 16, 2026

070 - Account Manager vs. Project Manager: When One Person Can't Do Both

What happens when the same person managing your biggest client relationships is also buried in project deliverables? If you run an experiential agency, you've probably lived that tension firsthand. Chris and Khalil break down what separates account management from project management, why those roles demand different skill sets, and how to recognize when your team is stretched too thin to do both well. Using real examples, they get specific about what great account managers actually do, how they're measured differently than project managers, and the warning signs that tell you it's time to split the roles. Whether you're a one-person shop wearing both hats or managing a team that's outgrowing the dual-role setup, this conversation gives you a practical framework for deciding when and how to make the change. Key Topics & Timestamps<ul><li>00:43 - Catching Up with Chris!</li><li>02:58 - What Makes a Great Account Manager?</li><li>04:08 - A Real-World Example: The HubSpot Account Manager</li><li>06:59 - Account Manager vs. Project Manager</li><li>10:17 - The Point Guard Analogy: Mastering the Handoff</li><li>13:41 - When One Person Does Both Roles</li><li>16:01 - When to Separate the Roles</li><li>22:29 - Account Management in Action: The Insurance Story</li><li>26:58 - What Our Best Partners Say About Great AMs</li><li>30:01 - Signs Your People Are Stretched Too Thin</li><li>33:17 - Friction Between Account Managers and Project Managers</li><li>35:37 - Key Takeaways</li><li>40:06 - Wrap-Up & What's Next</li></ul> Memorable Quotes<ul><li>"Clients can forgive you for problems. They don't forgive you for surprises or for silence." — Chris</li><li>"An account manager has to be the master of the handoff." — Khalil</li><li>"Magic Johnson wasn't a point guard. He was an account manager." — Chris</li><li>"People don't leave companies, they leave people." — Chris</li><li>"The account manager is maximizing the lifetime value of that client." — Khalil</li></ul> Key Takeaways<ul><li>Account managers own the relationship and focus on long-term retention and growth; project managers own execution and focus on timelines, budgets, and deliverables.</li><li>Great account managers put the relationship first, listen beyond what's said, lean into accountability, and serve as the client's internal advocate.</li><li>Look for warning signs that your team is stretched: project-side delays and defects, clients using competitors for services you offer, and missed upsell opportunities.</li><li>Before hiring a dedicated account manager, forecast what that role would recover in revenue and retention to justify the expense.</li><li>The tension between process-oriented PMs and relationship-oriented AMs is natural; the key is making exceptions transparently so clients know when you're going above and beyond.</li><li>Invest in multi-layered relationships with clients (executive, account management, and field operations) so no single departure risks the account.</li></ul> Resources<ul><li>Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.crewxp.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ </a></li><li>Watch On <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjGJnWAwW30vp73QOuSm3Q" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li>Follow Us On Social: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ts-crew/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Your.Trade.Show.Partner" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li>Have Questions? <a href="mailto:cgriffin@crewxp.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul> More from Chris<ul><li><a href="https://www.crewxp.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> </li><li><a href="mailto:cgriffin@crewxp.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgriffin407/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul><ul><ul> </ul></ul>More from Khalil<ul><li><a href="https://bit.ly/benaliconstructyoursuccess" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="mailto:khalil@benalimarketing.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://bit.ly/meet-khalil" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://bit.ly/Khalil-Benalioulhaj-LinkedIn" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://bit.ly/benali-facebook" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://bit.ly/benali-instagram" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul> Connect With UsReady to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders navigating their busiest season.

75 total episodes available

Deep-dive analytics for Experience Builders

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Experience Builders?: Exhibitors and experiential design agencies just want to put on amazing events for their clients. We know that events always present challenges, but one many of us didn’t see coming was the pandemic.

We started this podcast to share processes and systems to help you bounce back and future-proof your business against storms we may face down the road. We cover topics like how to access capital and funding, why and how to outsource, why and how to build a brand, creating a strong company culture, and much more.

With more knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be able to put on powerful events and build a strong business that can weather any storm.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.