Event Engine Podcast Lee Jackson

What would it take to achieve a completely net zero event? Is that even possible amidst the flights, builds and waste streams inherent to large conferences and expos? I brought those questions to Nick Westerman of NHS Confederation.


Nick oversees sustainability initiatives for NHS Confed's massive annual expo in the UK. With thousands gathering each year, he's constantly searching for ways to lower the event's environmental impact. He was candid about the obstacles they face and the reality of reaching carbon goals.


Nick and the team behind NHS Confed take a holistic approach. From public transport incentives to recycled venue materials, Nick shares the incremental changes making their large event noticeably greener.


If you feel overwhelmed on event sustainability, don't miss Nick's pragmatic vision.


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/33

Running events can feel like a risky business at times. Between tight budgets, high partner expectations, and strong competition, the odds often seem stacked against us as event organizers. We're forced to pull off minor miracles at times on a strained budget.


My guest in this episode, Mads Kjer, bootstrapped Ticketbutler starting with just an idea and sheer determination. We learn how he went from "moonlighting side-hustler" to leading a thriving event ticketing and badge printing company armed only with hustle, smarts and an unwavering commitment to customer experience.


If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to turn your idea into profit, you need to hear Mads' story. From leveraging side incomes to laser-focusing on customer pain points with his ticket builder software and portable badge printer hardware, he shares the tactics that allowed Ticketbutler to constantly punch above its weight class despite limited resources, and a lot of competition.


So whether you're looking to bootstrap your own event tech startup or simply take your existing event business to the next level without going into debt, don't miss the key lessons from Mads' journey on how he beat the odds through resilience, agility, and customer obsession to turn his passion project into a global reaching operation with just the power of bootstrapping.


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/32

Event Tech Live has grown from niche website to global industry phenom in just over a decade.


So how’d they do it?


This week I talk with Adam Parry. He pulls back the curtain on Event Tech Live's origin story and growth. From kickstarting with an awards program to the first leap into organising... Adam keeps it real about their against-the-odds journey to heavy-hitter status.


Along the way, he drops serious knowledge for fellow event organisers looking to step up their game. Like why getting creative on your exhibition stand trumps waiting for serendipity. How to leverage content to drive sustainable growth. And the key factors that gave his team the confidence to bring their formula to Las Vegas!


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/31

Face to face or screen to screen? Which leaves you feeling more connected? In this episode Lisa and I discuss recent research showing that in-person interactions trigger increased neural activity compared to virtual interactions.


We explore a study analysing the differences in brain activity and eye contact when people interacted live versus through video chat. The results indicate our minds are wired to be more engaged with physical proximity - but why is that so? Lisa and I unpack the limitations of current virtual platforms, including how camera angles and lack of body language cues play a role.


If a picture speaks a thousand words, being in the same room conveys infinitely more. But could webcam capabilities ever replicate the nuances of sharing physical space?


With insights from neuroscience and psychology, we get to the heart of what builds bonds between humans.


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/30

As event organisers, finding partners we can trust is crucial yet daunting. Between flashy marketing and empty promises, how can we cut through the noise to assess what solutions will truly support our event vision?


In this revealing episode, I roleplay an event organiser grilling a potential event technology supplier. My guest? Max from Canapii - an all-in-one event management platform.


With a conversational approach, I put Max in the hot seat with questions we as organisers need answered before even considering a demo.


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/29

What if trying to build an engaged, year-round event community was actually detrimental to your event's success?


Event organisers are aften advised to create 365 communities around their events, nurturing relationships long after an event wraps. But event strategy expert Dax Callner argues most organisers lack the skills and bandwidth for ongoing community management.


In this episode, Dax asserts that overextending resources to force year-round conversations does a disservice to both organizers and attendees. Rather than community, he believes events should prioritise delivering incredible experiences, which lead attendees to naturally return, year after year.


Join Dax and host Lee as they challenge enduring community-building advice. You’ll reconsider assumptions about the best ways to invest time and energy to make your events thrive for the long haul. Rethink what matters most.


Full show notes: https://eecast.com/28