The Event Debrief

EventsAir

4.7 (3)
Marketing
Updated Monthly

The Event Debrief (by EventsAir) is a podcast community for event planners and event professionals focused on learning, sharing ideas, and growing better events together. Each episode features conversations with event experts and stories from peers about on event strategy, marketing, technology, AI and operations. From emerging trends to case studies, attendee experience to event ROI - join The Event Debrief Community today!

4 days ago

What If the Future of Event Tech Was… Less Tech? | The Event Debrief

Event planners didn't get into events because they love learning new software. But for years, doing the job well has meant wrestling with a fragmented stack – registration platforms, spreadsheets and apps that were never built to talk to each other. In this episode of The Event Debrief, host Charlotte Cailleaux is joined by Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush and one of the event industry's most influential voices, and Mehdi Khalili, EventsAir's Chief AI & Technology Officer, to ask a bold question: what if the future of event tech is actually less tech? They unpack why the traditional event tech stack became so hard to manage, the real difference between embedding AI into a platform versus connecting it through MCP (Model Context Protocol), and the privacy and compliance pitfalls planners need to understand before putting attendee data anywhere near a consumer-grade AI license. They explore: Why the traditional event tech stack has been "a nightmare to manage" – and what's finally changing Embedded AI vs MCP: the two paths event tech companies are taking to bring AI into the platform The data residency and GDPR risks of processing attendee data on consumer-grade AI licenses Why hyper-personalized agendas and matchmaking are becoming the baseline, not a nice-to-have What a planner's day-to-day could look like 12 months from now, with AI agents handling the busywork Why sponsor ROI is the missing piece of the AI conversation in events Whether you're evaluating your own event tech stack, weighing up AI tools for your team, or just curious what "less tech" could mean for your next event, this episode gives you a grounded look at where the industry is headed – and what to ask your vendors before you get there. Guests: Julius Solaris — Founder, Boldpush (linkedin.com/in/juliussolaris) Mehdi Khalili — Chief AI & Technology Officer, EventsAir Hosted by: Charlotte Cailleaux, EventsAir Important links from the episode: 🔗 Connect with Julius Solaris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliussolaris/ 🔗 Visit Boldpush: https://boldpush.com/ #EventTech #EventProfs #TheEventDebrief (00:00) Intro & Meet the Guests(01:47) What Do Planners Actually Expect from Event Tech?(02:49) The Fragmented Legacy Tech Stack, Explained(05:14) The 5 Core Components of Event Tech Spend(06:48) Why Event Tech Should Disappear, Not Distract(07:10) The Planner's Hidden Part-Time Jobs(08:11) Where AI Still Falls Short Today(09:34) AI-Powered Session Search & Matchmaking(11:56) Cognitive Dissonance: Why Isn't AI Delivering Yet?(12:24) Echoes of the COVID-Era Virtual Events Boom(13:28) Attendee Expectations & Hyper-Personalization(15:11) The Rise of DIY Event Tech Entrepreneurs(16:22) Why Event Tech Feels Outdated to Younger Attendees(18:18) The Two Real Time-Sinks for Planners(19:59) The Shift to Conversational Interfaces(21:20) What Planners Should Demand From Their Platforms(23:39) Tokens, Usage Limits & Rising AI Costs(25:07) Embedded AI vs MCP: Two Approaches Explained(28:10) The Risks of Early-Stage MCP(31:24) Who's Actually Using AI (Survey Data)(34:18) Data Privacy & Security Risks of AI in Event Tech(36:09) US vs Europe: Different Risk Appetites(40:15) Practical Data Privacy Advice for Planners(42:29) The Licensing Trap: Consumer AI Plans Aren't Safe(47:12) Keep Learning, Demand More From Your Platform(49:46) 12 Months From Now: The Planner's Role Reimagined(53:41) Two Personas: Planners and Attendees in the AI Era(56:07) Agents Across the Event Lifecycle(58:14) The Missing Persona: Sponsors & Sponsorship ROI(1:02:00) Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Julius and Midi
20 Aug

The Invisible Pressure Event Planners Face — And How to Use It | The Event Debrief

Event planners sit in one of the most demanding positions in any organization — accountable for high-visibility, high-investment experiences, but rarely in control of all the moving parts.In this episode of The Event Debrief, Alex Urquhart speaks with Sally Foley-Lewis, middle manager leadership expert and author of The Middle Matters, about the invisible pressure of leading from the middle — and how event professionals can turn that position into genuine strategic influence.Drawing on 20+ years developing managers across Australia, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Sally unpacks how to influence stakeholders when expectations become unrealistic, negotiate competing priorities without damaging relationships, and build long-term career momentum from a role that often feels like the meat in the sandwich.They explore:🟪 What "leading from the middle" actually looks like in event environments🟪 Practical ways to influence stakeholders without formal authority🟪 How to reset unrealistic executive expectations before they become a delivery problem🟪 Language and decision frameworks that build credibility with senior leaders🟪 How to negotiate competing priorities without burning relationships🟪 Strategies to protect your team's mental load during crunch time🟪 Turning operational delivery into strategic influence and career momentumWhether you run conferences, exhibitions, association events, corporate meetings or leadership forums, this episode offers practical tools for managing up, protecting your team, and building the kind of influence that outlasts any single event.Guest: Sally Foley-Lewis — Middle Manager Leadership Expert, Speaker & AuthorHosted by: Alex Urquhart, EventsAirFollow the podcast for more conversations on event strategy, leadership, attendee engagement, event technology, and the future of events.Important links from the episode:🔗 Sally Foley-Lewis website: https://www.sallyfoleylewis.com/🔗 Connect with Sally on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyfoleylewis/#EventPlanning #EventProfs #leadershipdevelopment 00:00 Intro00:22 The pressure nobody sees01:28 Sally's background — and what she learned shadowing a PCO03:45 What the "invisible pressure layer" actually is04:13 Accountability without authority05:11 Turning the client's vision into execution06:13 The trap of the seamless illusion08:05 Why naming the pressure is the first step09:07 "Slow is fast" — five seconds now saves hours later11:16 Pushing back without damaging the relationship13:41 The exact words to use when you need clarification15:15 When everything is priority number one17:58 Using the client's desired outcome as ground zero20:29 Psychological safety — and why it isn't cotton wool25:05 The money groupthink leaves on the table27:12 The three big takeaways29:11 Breathe, know your triggers, build the relationship31:38 Where to find Sally
21 July

AI Readiness for Event Teams: A Practical Framework for Adoption

Most event teams know AI is coming — they just don’t know where to start. In this episode of The Event Debrief, Alex Urquhart speaks with David Watt, CEO of CI Group, about what it actually takes for event teams to become AI-ready. After surveying 380+ event planners worldwide, EventsAir found that 62%+ still struggle to adopt AI with confidence — this conversation is built to close that gap. David breaks down CI Group’s EASE Framework — a practical, four-part model for moving from AI curiosity to confident, scalable adoption — and explains why nearly 85% of AI pilots fail before they ever deliver value. They explore: Why most AI pilots fail (and what “boiling the ocean” means) The EASE Framework: Educate, Adopt, Secure, Enrol Where event teams should run their first AI pilots The security risks planners underestimate — shadow IT and free AI tools How to embed AI into everyday workflows without overwhelming staff Real examples of AI pilots that worked, from proposals to client chatbots The one practical step to take if you feel behind on AI Whether you run conferences, exhibitions, corporate events or association meetings, this episode gives you a clear, jargon-free starting point for AI adoption that actually sticks. Guest: David Watt — CEO, CI Group Hosted by: Alex Urquhart, EventsAir Follow the podcast for more conversations on AI adoption, event technology, and the future of events. Important links from the episode: 🔗 Find out more about CI Group’s EASE Framework here: https://www.cigroup.co.uk/ai_sami/ 🔗 Connect with David Watt on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-watt/
17 June

How to lose your audience in 5 ways: Lessons from 600+ events

Audience engagement doesn't disappear by accident — it's often lost through a series of small decisions that seem insignificant in the moment. In this episode of The Event Debrief, Alex Urquhart speaks with Luke Hannan, Professional Conference MC and facilitator, about the five most common ways event teams lose an audience and what can be done to prevent it. Drawing on experience from more than 600 conferences, leadership forums, and live events, Luke shares practical lessons from the front of the room — including the warning signs of disengagement, the hidden factors that impact audience energy, and why event success depends on much more than great speakers and a good venue. They explore: • The five fastest ways event teams lose audience attention• Why attendee engagement is the biggest predictor of event success• The small production details that have a surprisingly large impact• How AV teams, speakers, venues, and organisers influence event flow• The risks of unprepared sponsors and senior leaders taking the stage• Why breaks, catering, timing, and audience movement matter more than you think• The value professional MCs bring to event outcomes• Practical ways to maintain energy, momentum, and participation throughout an event Whether you run conferences, exhibitions, association events, corporate meetings, or leadership forums, this episode provides actionable insights into creating experiences that keep audiences engaged from start to finish. Guest: Luke Hannan — Professional Conference MC & Facilitator, Luke Hannan MC Hosted by: Alex Urquhart, EventsAir Follow the podcast for more conversations on event strategy, event technology, attendee engagement, and the future of events. Important links from the episode: 🔗 Find out more about Luke Hannan here: https://lukehannan.com.au/ 🔗 Connect with Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukehannan/ 📩 5 essentials to keep your audience engaged: 5 essentials to keep your audience engaged.pdf
14 May

Death of the Annual Conference

The traditional annual conference model is under pressure — and many event professionals know it. In this episode of The Event Debrief, Alex Urquhart speaks with Rob Eveleigh, Managing Director of Brightelm, about why traditional conferences are losing relevance and what modern event leaders are doing instead. From hyper-personalisation and audience-led sessions to redesigning networking experiences and improving attendee engagement, Rob breaks down the biggest shifts shaping the future of conferences, association events, and B2B experiences. They explore: Why “speaker-heavy” conferences are fadingThe future of networking and human connection at eventsHow AI and event tech enable personalised experiencesWhy Q&A often delivers more value than presentationsThe hidden problem with “safe” conference agendasHow to measure engagement, sentiment, and event ROIPractical steps for modernising your event strategyWhether you run conferences, exhibitions, association events, or corporate meetings, this episode delivers practical insights into creating events people actually want to attend. Guest: Rob Eveleigh — Managing Director, Brightelm Hosted by: Alex Urquhart, EventsAir Follow the podcast for more conversations on event strategy, event technology, attendee engagement, and the future of events. Important links from the episode: 🔗 Find out more about The Evolve Community here. 🔗 Find out more about Brightelm here.
28 Apr

The Future of Event Exhibitions: What’s emerging and what’s no longer acceptable?

Exhibitions have long been treated as a necessary add-on to events… but that model is starting to break. In this episode, we sit down with Belinda Meredith (Outstanding Displays) to explore why traditional exhibition setups are underdelivering — and what event managers can do instead. This conversation challenges the “sell more booths” mindset and focuses on designing exhibition experiences that actually work for attendees, exhibitors, and organizers. 🎯 What You’ll Learn:→ Why traditional exhibition models are losing impact→ Practical alternatives to standard booth and floor layouts→ How to design exhibition spaces people want to engage with→ Ways to integrate exhibitors into the attendee journey→ How to shift exhibitions from revenue streams to value drivers 💡 Key Takeaway:The future of exhibitions isn’t about selling harder — it’s about designing better experiences. 👤 About the Guest:Belinda Meredith is the founder of Outstanding Displays, bringing years of hands-on experience helping event teams rethink and redesign exhibition spaces to deliver stronger engagement and better outcomes. 📥 Want More?Check out more from EventsAir here: https://www.eventsair.com/
22 Mar

A Practical Guide to Getting Started with AI in Events

AI can transform an event — but where do planners even start? In this episode, we cut through the hype and focus on practical AI use cases for events, conferences, and event professionals that you can apply immediately. Joining the conversation is Grant Whitehead (Co-Founder of Wallfly), who shares simple yet highly valuable use cases of how AI is already being used across event planning, event marketing, and event operations to save time, reduce manual work, and improve attendee experience. This episode tackles one of the biggest challenges in the events industry right now: understanding AI is important — but not knowing how to implement it in real event workflows. If you’re an event planner, conference organiser, or event marketer looking to get started with AI in events, this episode gives you a clear, practical starting point. What we will discuss in this episode: How to identify AI opportunities in event planning workflows2 practical AI use cases for events you can apply immediatelyUsing AI to automate event emails and attendee communicationsHow to reduce manual admin and repetitive event tasksUsing AI to generate test data for event platforms and appsHow AI improves attendee experience through better communicationWhy most AI tools feel overwhelming (and how to simplify them)How AI is changing the role of event planners and event teamsWhere AI delivers the most value in conferences and live eventsKey takeaway: AI in events isn’t about replacing event planners — it’s about removing repetitive tasks so you can focus on delivering better conferences, experiences, and outcomes. About the guest: Grant Whitehead is Co-Founder of Wallfly (https://www.wallf.ly/) and an event technology expert with a background in AV production, web development, and event delivery. He works with event teams to implement practical AI solutions that improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance event experiences. For more information on how EventsAir supports better event planning and event delivery, visit ⁠https://www.eventsair.com/ ⁠for more info.
10 Feb

AI in Events in 2026: Separating the Hype from Real Value

Everyone’s talking about AI in events - but few are talking about what’s actually working. In this episode, we cut through the hype and get practical about what AI will actually deliver for event professionals by 2026. Joining the discussion are three event tech leaders: Cam MacIntosh (Google Cloud), Mehdi Khalili (EventsAir), and Brandon Wernli (BW Events Tech). We unpack what’s working right now, what’s overhyped, and where AI is making measurable impact across attendee experience, sponsorship ROI, and planner efficiency. If you’re trying to figure out where to invest (and what to ignore), this episode is your shortcut. What we will discuss in this episode: Why so many AI projects still deliver little to no ROI — and what that means for events The current state of AI in events (2025): what teams are actually doing today The biggest misconception about AI in the event industry right now Real AI use cases improving attendee experience (personalisation, matchmaking, content curation) How AI can drive better sponsorship ROI (lead scoring, behavioural insights, smarter reporting) Where AI is already boosting planner efficiency (automation, scheduling, reporting, decision support) What’s still too early, too risky, or simply marketing fluff The human factor: privacy, trust, change resistance, and leadership buy-in What skills event teams should start building to stay relevant through 2026 Practical takeaways: realistic AI actions planners can implement in Q1 2026 For more information on how EventsAir supports better event delivery, visit https://www.eventsair.com/ for more info.
10 Feb

How 1% Improvements Can Transform Your Delegate Experience

Unforgettable delegate experiences don’t come from blockbuster ideas — they come from small, compounding improvements that add up. In this episode, we break down how marginal gains — tweaks as small as 1% — across the event lifecycle can dramatically boost attendee satisfaction, engagement and ROI. In this episode we walk through practical strategies you can apply at every stage — from pre-event communication and smoother registration, to real-time onsite enhancements and post-event feedback loops. Whether you’re a seasoned planner or scaling your first hybrid event, this episode gives you actionable tips without the overwhelm. What we’ll discuss in this episode Why delegate experience is the thing that separates “fine” events from "unforgettable" ones The “1% improvements” mindset — and why it works so well for event planning How the delegate journey starts before the event even begins Quick wins for better registration, check-in, and attendee onboarding How to use event tech to remove friction (not create it) Onsite improvements that make events feel smoother and more premium Simple ways to increase engagement and participation during sessions How to create better networking moments without forcing awkward icebreakers Using live feedback to improve the experience in real time Post-event follow-up strategies that keep the value going long after the event Listen in and find out how thoughtful, targeted enhancements make events feel effortless and memorable.

9 Episodes

4.7

out of 5

3 Ratings

The Event Debrief (by EventsAir) is a podcast community for event planners and event professionals focused on learning, sharing ideas, and growing better events together. Each episode features conversations with event experts and stories from peers about on event strategy, marketing, technology, AI and operations. From emerging trends to case studies, attendee experience to event ROI - join The Event Debrief Community today!

Creator

EventsAir
Years Active

2026
Episodes

9
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© EventsAir
Show Website

The Event Debrief

Comedy

Comedy

Updated Weekly