Event Everything by Eventastic

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Event Everything by Eventastic is a quick, question-driven podcast for event marketers and organizers. Each episode answers one real event question from the community—then caps it with one ridiculous question for a little chaos. Get practical tips on follow-up, engagement, surveys, and more from the people who run events every day. Subscribe and learn more at eventastic.com.

  1. What Makes an Event Community Stick (with Ksenija Polla, CMP, CICE) | Ep. 13

    6 DAYS AGO

    What Makes an Event Community Stick (with Ksenija Polla, CMP, CICE) | Ep. 13

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ 🔗 Links / Resources Mentioned Ksenija (Martinec) Polla, CMP, CICE on LinkedInTalley WebsiteEventasticKristin Nagle on LinkedIn ㅤ What makes a global event community actually stick? Host Kristin Nagle asks exactly that to kick things off. Creating a space where people want to connect requires more than just launching a platform. Listeners will find out why forcing engagement never works and what organizers should do instead to build loyalty. ㅤ Ksenija (Martinec) Polla, CMP, CICE, brings over three decades of international event experience to the conversation. She explains the essential elements required to build a group that lasts. Ksenija shares why associations are in a great position to facilitate knowledge sharing. She also details the importance of setting basic rules of engagement to keep digital and physical spaces respectful. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Ksenija (Martinec) Polla, CMP, CICE, is the Director of International Development at Talley, an association management company and professional congress organizer. She holds nearly 30 years of global event experience. Ksenija started her career at a convention bureau in Croatia before spending 27 years with the International Congress and Convention Association in Amsterdam. She specializes in strategic partnerships, multicultural event management, and building long-lasting association communities globally. ㅤ ✅ The Event Question Host Kristin Nagle asks: "You've been a major part of building global event communities. What do you think makes a community actually stick?" ㅤ 📌 What You'll Learn Fill a specific gap: A community only survives when it solves a distinct problem or meets an actual need for its members.Leverage association strengths: Use your organization's unique position to bring peers together for shared experiences and knowledge.Let growth happen organically: Avoid forcing engagement or creating portals before there is a natural, member-driven demand.Keep the barrier to entry low: Make it incredibly easy for members to join, participate, and interact with one another.Set clear guardrails: Establish simple rules of engagement early on to ensure all interactions remain respectful and peaceful. ㅤ 🎭 The Ridiculous Question Question: "If you could live in any TV show or movie, what would it be?" Answer: Ksenija chose the crime thriller The Blacklist because she is currently binge-watching it with her son, noting that the show's ridiculous premise makes it highly entertaining.

    7 min
  2. Creating Event Activations For Pets (with David Adler) | 12

    25 MAR

    Creating Event Activations For Pets (with David Adler) | 12

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay What is one event activation that every brand should be doing? Host Kristin Nagle asks this exact question to find out how to grab an audience's attention. David Adler shares a historical example involving a high society party designed exclusively for dogs. He explains why bringing pets into the picture creates the ultimate democratizing experience with massive retention rates. Kristin and David also discuss the neuroscience behind event music. They explore why combining a DJ with a live drummer wakes up the brain and brings energy to a room. Finally, they cover the logistics of event food, including David's strict rules for hors d'oeuvres and his thoughts on the mashed potato bar. 👤 Guest BioDavid Adler is the Chairman and Founder of BizBash, the largest business-to-business media property for event professionals. He started the platform in 2000 to give event organizers a central hub for commerce, content, and community. Before his landmark venture into the event space, David held significant corporate communications roles at Primedia and Macmillan Inc. Today, he operates as an independent observer, keynote speaker, and the curator in chief of GatheringPoint.news. Connect with David on LinkedIn. Check out the ‘People’ section from Small Bite Architecture to see some of your favorite Event Pros personalized as hors d'oeuvres! https://smallbitearchitectutr.lovable.app/people The Event QuestionKristin Nagle asks: "What is one event activation you have seen recently that made you stop and say every brand should be doing this?" 📌 What You'll LearnCreate activations that feature pets to instantly boost engagement and retention rates.Design events that function like a dog park to democratize the networking experience.Bring live music onto the stage to wake up the audience using neuroscience.Combine a DJ with a live musician, like a drummer, to bring a different element of energy.Focus on delivering goosebumps through great conversations, music, and human connection.Serve classic comfort foods like pigs in a blanket to satisfy guests.Follow the "one bite, two chews" rule for hors d'oeuvres so attendees can eat without interrupting their conversations. The Ridiculous QuestionKristin asks: "If you had a theme song for your career or your life, what would it be?" David says his song is "Life on the Other End of a Toothpick," a custom track he is writing on Suno. He also notes that his stage walk-on song would be "Eye of the Tiger." 🔗 Links / Resources MentionedDavid Adler LinkedInBizBashGatheringPoint.newsSmall Bite ArchitectureSunoEventastic: https://www.eventastic.com

    8 min
  3. Email BOUNCE Database Is GOLD | Ep. 11

    18 MAR

    Email BOUNCE Database Is GOLD | Ep. 11

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ Your email bounce database is actually gold, and ignoring it is a big mistake. Jay Schwedelson shares why bounced emails are not just contacts to remove, but a signal that a company still sees value in your event, even if the person behind that address is gone. The move is to take your bounce database, pull the domains and companies, and turn them into a targeting file for paid social media, prospect email, and direct mail campaigns. For sponsorships and exhibits, bounced addresses should go straight to your salespeople, BDRs, and SDRs so they can find who took that spot and who needs to be contacted now. ㅤ 📌 What You’ll Learn Why “do nothing” and removing bounced emails from the list is a big mistakeHow to treat your email bounce database as a targeting file using domains and companiesWhere to use the bounce company list: paid social media campaigns, prospect email campaigns, direct mail campaignsWhy bounced addresses matter for sponsorships and exhibitsWho should get the bounced sponsor and exhibit emails: salespeople, BDRs, SDRsPriority number one: find who took their spot and who you need to be talking to nowWhy starting with the last 90 days, 6 months, or a year is the right motion

    6 min
  4. Surviving Event Disasters Through Trusted Partnerships (with Sara Rassi) | Ep. 10

    11 MAR

    Surviving Event Disasters Through Trusted Partnerships (with Sara Rassi) | Ep. 10

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ Links / Resources Mentioned Yes& Agency: yesandagency.com Have you ever experienced an event disaster and what did it teach you? Kristin Nagle asks this core question to uncover how professionals manage unexpected crises on site. You will learn the importance of having backup plans and trusting your creative partners when things go wrong. Sara Rassi shares a personal story about a vacuuming accident that destroyed a 50-foot projection screen right before rehearsals ended. She explains how staying calm and relying on a trusted team helped her resolve a major issue quickly. Guest Bio Sara Rassi is the Vice President of Event Management at Yes& Agency. She collaborates closely with the Guru team and the Eventastic team to make creative ideas possible for her clients. Her expertise includes managing on-site production, troubleshooting equipment issues, and working with audiovisual partners. Outside of events, she is a passionate animal lover and dog owner. The Event Question Kristin Nagle asks: Have you ever experienced an event disaster and what did it teach you? What You'll Learn Develop a plan A, B, C, and Z for your on-site production needs.Prepare backups for smaller equipment like graphics machines, video players, and microphones.Trust your audiovisual partners to troubleshoot and resolve major equipment failures creatively.Remain calm when unexpected accidents happen to prevent panic among your crew.Realize that some large replacement items might be cost prohibitive to have as immediate backups.Roll with the punches and adjust your activation when elements like the weather ruin your plans. The Ridiculous Question Kristin Nagle asks: What is the last thing that you Googled? Sara Rassi explains that she Googled a time zone translation to figure out the time difference for her upcoming trip to Phoenix.

    9 min
  5. The Most Underrated Sponsor Perk (with Dahlia El Gazzar) | Ep. 9

    4 MAR

    The Most Underrated Sponsor Perk (with Dahlia El Gazzar) | Ep. 9

    DAHLIA+Agency Website (Take the Vibe Score Quiz)Email Dahlia: dahlia@dahliaplus.comText Dahlia: 617-470-2655Dahlia El Gazzar LinkedIn ㅤ EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤㅤ Victoria from Washington, DC wants to know the most underrated item to add to a sponsor package. Dahlia El Gazzar joins host Kristin Nagle to explain why access to attendee intelligence is the answer. Dahlia breaks down how to curate small groups for sponsors to gain insights rather than just leads. She shares why this isn't a hosted buyer meeting and why adding food or drinks is non-negotiable for success. Dahlia also touches on her role as a "Netweaver" who loves connecting cool people in the industry. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Dahlia El Gazzar is the founder of DAHLIA+Agency and a self-described "Chief Ruckusmaker." She rejects "vanilla" marketing and focuses on helping event professionals break the status quo. Through her concept of "Vibe Eventing," she designs tech-powered experiences that prioritize human connection and energy. She specializes in helping teams overcome "tech paralysis" and use digital tools to stand out. ㅤ ✅ The Event Question Victoria from Washington, DC asks: "What is the most underrated perk or deliverable you can include in a sponsor package right now?" ㅤ 📌 What You’ll Learn Offer intelligence, not just leads: Give sponsors access to attendee insights before the event begins.Target startups and newbies: This strategy works best for sponsors who are "building the plane while flying it" and need market feedback.Curate the crowd: Handpick specific attendees who can provide the exact data points or intel the sponsor needs.Format matters: Facilitate these interactions through intimate breakfasts, dinners, or huddles.Separate from sales: Do not treat this like a hosted buyer program or a matchmaking session. It is about knowledge exchange.Include hospitality: Always include food or drinks, or the "cool people" will not show up. ㅤ 🎭 The Ridiculous Question "If your dog could speak, what would it roast you for the most?" Dahlia admits her late dog, Piper, would roast her for having so many browser tabs open that she can't even find where the sound is coming from.

    6 min
  6. Do Event Ads Work Better With Content? (with Brandt Krueger) | Ep. 8

    25 FEB

    Do Event Ads Work Better With Content? (with Brandt Krueger) | Ep. 8

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ 🔗 Links & Resources Brandt Krueger on LinkedIn ㅤ Should your event advertisements send people directly to a registration form? Host Kristin Nagle asks industry veteran Brandt Krueger to weigh in on this common debate. Brandt breaks down why "cold" traffic often bounces when hit with an immediate ask and explains his strategy for warming up potential attendees first. ㅤ They discuss the difference between injected ads versus host-read endorsements and why the "vibe" of an event matters before a user clicks buy. Later, things get controversial when Brandt explains why he would kill Spotify in a round of "Kiss, Marry, Kill." ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Brandt Krueger is a technical producer and educator with over 20 years of experience in the meetings and events industry. He is a globally recognized voice in event technology, advocating for a "human-first" approach to production. Brandt co-hosts the Event Tech Podcast and teaches the "Virtual Event and Meeting Management" certificate course for PCMA and the Event Leadership Institute. ㅤ ✅ The Event Question Stacy from North Carolina asks: "Should event ads lead directly to registration or to content first, like a highlight reel or agenda teaser?" ㅤ 📌 What You’ll Learn Avoid cold asks: Do not send ad traffic straight to a registration form unless the user is already very familiar with the event.Massage the decision: Use content to "warm up" the audience before asking for a commitment.Focus on the funnel: Recognize that ad clicks are usually top-of-funnel actions where the user is just curious, not ready to buy.Leverage personal influence: Host-read ads or personal endorsements often carry more weight than generic injected ads.Provide context: Give potential attendees a chance to understand the "vibe" and details of the association or event before forcing a sign-up. ㅤ 🎭 The Ridiculous Question The Question: "Kiss, Marry, Kill: Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube." The Answer: Brandt kills Spotify (he prefers owning his music and dislikes their AI stance), kisses Netflix (it’s a flirtatious, dip-in-and-out relationship), and marries YouTube (for the utility and learning content).

    7 min
  7. STOP Wasting Time on Recaps! (with Stania Antoine) | Ep. 7

    18 FEB

    STOP Wasting Time on Recaps! (with Stania Antoine) | Ep. 7

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ 🔗 Links / Resources Mentioned Connect with Stania Antoine on LinkedInEventastic (Next event coming June 2026)GURU Conference ㅤ Post-event communication often feels like an afterthought. You spend months planning the main show, but the follow-up strategy determines if attendees stick around. Host Kristin Nagle sits down with Stania Antoine to answer a critical question from Azi in Los Angeles: is writing that recap email actually worth the effort? ㅤ Stania reveals why the clock starts ticking the second your event ends. She shares specific timing strategies to hit the inbox while positive vibes are high. You will learn why these emails often outperform your best promotional campaigns and how to structure them for maximum impact. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Stania Antoine is the Conference Director at GURU Media Hub. She oversees the production of some of the world's largest virtual marketing events, including the GURU Conference. With a background in integrated media and account management at Worldata and Outcome Media, Stania focuses on creating high-energy, data-driven event experiences that prioritize actionable advice over fluff. ㅤ ✅ The Event Question Azi from Los Angeles, California, asks: "Do people still read post-event recap emails, or is that effort wasted?" ㅤ 📌 What You’ll Learn The 30-minute rule: Send your first post-event email within 30 minutes of the event ending to ensure it sits at the top of the inbox when attendees check their phones.Pre-planning is mandatory: Draft your follow-up content before the event starts. The window of attention is too short to write copy after the fact.Leverage high engagement: Post-event emails can see up to a 25% higher open rate than your final promotional email. Use this attention wisely.Drive the next action: Do not just say thank you. Use the positive momentum to tell attendees exactly what is coming up next or what they should do now.Understand the journey: View the recap as a continuation of the attendee journey rather than a separate administrative task. ㅤ 🎭 The Ridiculous Question Q: What is a skill that you are weirdly elite at that has nothing to do with your job? A: Stania picks up new languages very quickly and has a hidden talent for drawing (and singing, according to Kristin).

    5 min
  8. Do QR Codes Actually Improve Engagement (with Adam Parry from Event Tech Live) | Ep. 6

    10 FEB

    Do QR Codes Actually Improve Engagement (with Adam Parry from Event Tech Live) | Ep. 6

    EVENTASTIC Conference registration is now OPEN! The world's largest event about EVENTS! Free + Virtual! Save your spot! https://www.eventastic.com/ Check out more at Cvent.com or visit https://utm.io/cvent-ems-online-demo for a demo. ㅤ MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Cvent!! Cvent is an event marketing and management platform designed to help you plan, promote, and measure your events all in one place - whether they’re virtual, in-person, or hybrid. Regardless of your size, check out Cvent today to get the tools you need to run smarter, more effective events. Check out more at cvent.com/Jay ㅤ 🔗 Links / Resources Mentioned Adam Parry LinkedInEvent Tech LiveConfex (UK Event) ㅤ When trade show booths get busy, exhibitors often lose potential leads who are not willing to wait ten or fifteen minutes to speak to a staff member. Host Kristin Nagle discusses this missed opportunity with Adam Parry, the founder of Event Tech Live. They address a specific listener's question about whether QR codes are effective tools for engagement or merely a "techie" aesthetic choice. ㅤ Adam argues that while many people use them incorrectly, they are vital for capturing the attention of passersby. He explains why linking a code to a generic homepage is a waste of time and proposes a better strategy using curated content. Listeners will learn how to use digital tools to act as a safety net for engagement when the booth is crowded. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Adam Parry is the co-founder of Event Tech Live (ETL) and the editor of Event Industry News (EIN). With over 15 years of experience in the sector, he moved from print media to become a leading voice on digital innovation. Adam also co-founded the Event Technology Awards and Event Sustainability Live, working to connect organizers with technology providers to support the "long game" of ROI and relationship building. ㅤ ✅ The Event Question Felicia from Las Vegas asks: "Have QR codes actually improved booth engagement or do they just look techie?" ㅤ 📌 What You’ll Learn Why a busy booth is often a missed opportunity for attendees who want quick answers.How to use QR codes to provide immediate value without requiring a staff conversation.The major mistake exhibitors make is linking codes to general websites or landing pages.Examples of "curated valuable content" to offer, such as industry reports or cheat sheets.How to use high-value incentives like holiday sweepstakes to encourage a scan.Strategies to capture attendee data and build a pipeline through digital forms, even when staff are occupied. ㅤ 🎭 The Ridiculous Question Question: What is your favorite controversial food opinion? Answer: Adam puts salt and vinegar on his pancakes, a savory twist on the traditional British style.

    6 min
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About

Event Everything by Eventastic is a quick, question-driven podcast for event marketers and organizers. Each episode answers one real event question from the community—then caps it with one ridiculous question for a little chaos. Get practical tips on follow-up, engagement, surveys, and more from the people who run events every day. Subscribe and learn more at eventastic.com.

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