EVENT ABOUT IT: Event Marketing, Strategy & Business Growth

Megan Martin
  • 5.0 (11)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Struggling to make events drive business growth? Welcome to Event About It, the podcast for event-led growth. Hosted by Megan Martin, we ditch surface-level logistics for the high-stakes event strategy and event marketing your CEO, CMO, and CRO actually cares about. We blend actionable tactics with wild, backstage stories to ensure your next activation is a strategic powerhouse, not just a party. Join us every Friday: • 1st/3rd: Event strategy, stories and “Vent of the Week.” • 2nd/4th: The Aftershow—unfiltered truths & Dynamic Dialogue Stop guessing. Start growing.

  1. 6D AGO

    19 AFTER SHOW Why Loving Your Job Can Still Leave You Questioning Everything

    Have you built an identity around work you genuinely love — and still find yourself questioning "what’s next?" This week on the Dynamic Dialogue After Show, host Megan Martin and the ultimate “Trade Show Girly,” Carly Heideger, keep the mics hot after the show floor goes dark to spill the tea on the side of the industry the brochures don’t cover. This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing, and event professionals. Carly breaks down the “Land Deck” lifestyle—the realization that being an event pro is essentially being a “yachtie” on Below Deck, just replace the ocean with a concrete convention center. We’re diving into the reality of event marketing at the senior level, including Carly’s secret weapon for professional development: a Goodreads goal of 30 books a year. They discuss navigating Imposter Syndrome, career transitions, leading revenue teams, and knowing when to prioritize "logos over ego" to fund the mission. Key Takeaways: The "Land Deck" Life: Why the event industry is basically Below Deck on land and how to survive the "charter season" of major trade shows. The 30-Book Blueprint: How reading business memoirs and hospitality manifestos fuels a more creative event strategy. The Imposter Syndrome Trap: Real talk on the "Post-it" mantras and mindset shifts required to lead multi-million dollar revenue teams when you feel like a "fraud." Logos vs. Ego: A candid look at event led growth and why sometimes you have to discount the sponsorship to pay for the "big ideas." The Career "What's Next": How to navigate the senior-level plateau when you aren't unhappy, but you're ready for the next iteration of your professional journey. About the Guest: Carly Heideger is a veteran senior revenue leader and the self-proclaimed "Trade Show Girly" who has spent her career managing the high-pressure intersection of multi-million dollar sponsorship sales and complex event operations. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ ⁠ Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyheideger/

    51 min

  2. FEB 6

    19 The Truth About Event Revenue No One Puts in the Brochure

    Is your event contingency plan a real strategy or just a dusty file? This week on Event About It, host Megan Martin sits down with the ultimate "Trade Show Girly," Carly Heideger, to spill the tea on what happens when the hypothetical becomes a nightmare. This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing and event professionals. Carly takes us inside a high-stakes aviation event in Geneva where active protestors didn't just stand outside—they forced a total event shutdown. We’re breaking down why every event organizer must read the security plan before the "Super Bowl" of their industry begins. From $80 million private jets to registration managers jumping over tables with bolt cutters during a flash flood, this episode is a masterclass in crisis management and operational input. We’re also getting real about the "Gen Alpha" paradox. Everyone in the events industry is asking what the next generation wants, but nobody is actually inviting them to the room to experience the current iteration. Are we overthinking innovation while gatekeeping the very people we’re trying to attract? Key Takeaways: The Geneva Shutdown: A play-by-play of the aviation event takeover and why your contingency plan needs to be more than just "if it rains."The Gen Alpha Gap: Why we need to stop the future of events panels and start letting the next generation actually attend.Operational Reality: Why the registration manager and the A/V team are your best friends when a crisis hits.Boardroom vs. Show Floor: Balancing event revenue goals with the reality of sponsorship fatigue. About the Guest: Carly Heideger is a veteran senior revenue leader and the self-proclaimed "Trade Show Girly" who has spent her career managing the high-pressure intersection of multi-million dollar sponsorship sales and complex event operations. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit⁠ Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/⁠ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyheideger/

    26 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    18 Overwhelmed by Event Trends? How to Decide What Actually Drives ROI

    AI in every session title. Wellness lounges next to espresso bars. Puppies that are cute … but don’t close deals. If you’re an event professional or event marketer trying to separate what’s trendy from what actually works, this live episode of Event About It is for you. Recorded in front of a studio audience at the Club Ichi Telethon, this episode is loud, unfiltered, and packed with real opinions from people who’ve seen events go very right — and very wrong. Together, we debate today’s biggest event trends, share real behind-the-scenes failures, and break down how smarter event strategy leads to stronger business growth. This is Event Growth Unfiltered — live. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn: Which event trends deserve a hard mute — and which ones still deliver ROI How misaligned content, wellness messaging, and logistics hurt attendee trust What real event pros do when production fails, power goes out, or plans unravel live 🎤 Live panel guests: Seth Weiner — Your Rocktioneer® | The Fundraising Producer Benefit Auctioneer | Emcee | Game Show Host | CAI, BASDavid T. Stevens — Co-Founder, Olympian MeetingAntwone Stigall — Owner & Chief Event Officer, Planner ApprovedIf you plan, market, or produce events — and want fewer gimmicks and better results — you’re in the right place. 🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes focused on event marketing, event strategy, and business growth 👉 Your backstage pass to event success. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit⁠ Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/

    46 min

  4. 12/12/2025 · BONUS

    17 How Do You Recover From Burnout in the Events Industry? w/Morgan Prewitt

    When you go from coordinating guest speakers with the secret service to a sabbatical on a farm, there's a LOT to unpack. This Dynamic Dialogue After Show feels like stepping out of the ballroom and into a deep exhale. Host Megan Martin and Morgan Prewitt, CMP go full truth-teller about bringing new ideas to events and how they've both learned that experience does not equal years. In the After Show:• Morgan’s post-DNC sabbatical • Farming, goats, and finding joy that isn’t tied to deadlines• How to create main-character confidence in events• Why women in events need strong mentors and the courage to say "no"• How to ditching stale event formats• And yes… the Secret Service moment that proves political events are their own Bravo franchise Guest Bio:Morgan Prewitt, CMP is a seasoned event strategist with deep experience across tech, venue management, associations, and large-scale political programming. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit Work with Megan Martin https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-prewitt-cmp/

    52 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    17 Is Five Hours Enough to Save A Show? w/Morgan Prewitt

    When your speakers go rogue and the weather tries to destroy your show, you need proof that even the best planners survive pure chaos with style. Host Megan Martin sits down with Morgan Prewitt, CMP, the calm-in-the-storm strategist behind major corporate, tech, and political programs. She’s here to break down the moments that would make any event pro clutch their headset. What you’ll learn in this episode: • You’ll hear some truly unhinged speaker “ideas” • Vent of the Week: events practicing faux sustainability • Why being transparent is the key to surviving any event disaster • How she rebuilt a full closing reception in under five hours (pizza included) • What sixteen hour days taught her about loving this industry Plus: An Event About It moment where Morgan proves no gig is ever as “handled” as your client thinks it is. Guest Bio: Morgan Prewitt, CMP is an accomplished event strategist known for leading large scale corporate, tech, and political programs with precision and heart. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit Work with Megan Martin https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-prewitt-cmp/

    27 min

  6. 11/28/2025 · BONUS

    16 AFTER SHOW - Is Your Event Content Helping Attendees or Overwhelming Them? with Dr. Kristin Malek

    Ever feel like your event is perfectly planned but something still isn’t landing with your attendees? This Dynamic Dialogue After Show goes deeper into the psychology behind the why. Megan Martin and guest Dr. Kristin Malek unpack the brain science, behavior patterns, and real transformation strategies event planners desperately need. What You’ll Learn • Planning for the next generation who want events that matter • Practical ways to create safe learning environments • The real secret to building agendas that stack learning • Why rest is an amplifier for creativity and not a luxury • The one habit Dr. K would break in the events industry • The surprising place she says event design should begin: email campaigns Dr. Kristin explains why “the brain doesn’t care if you’re miserable, it cares if you’re familiar” and she reveals how curiosity and fear battle for the same real estate in your mind. Plus how knowing all this can be a game changer for your events. Guest Bio: Dr. Kristin Malek is an internationally known behavior change expert whose frameworks help leaders, planners, and creators rewire identity, spark momentum, and create transformation that lasts. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit Work with Megan Martin https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkevents/

    42 min

  7. 11/21/2025

    16 What If Your Event Was Designed For the Brain, Not the Budget? with Dr. Kristin Malek

    Have you ever poured your soul into an event and still wondered… did anyone actually learn anything? If that question feels too real, this episode is a must listen. Megan Martin sits down with Dr. Kristin Malek, the architect of curiosity who mixes neuroscience with name badges to design events that shift hearts, minds, and behavior. From her Las Vegas executive director days to the moment she realized event agendas were “RSVPing no” to her brain, Dr. K comes in blazing with alliteration, improv energy, and lines like, “You cannot spreadsheet serotonin.” They play a round of Science or Schedule, where Megan tosses out industry dilemmas and Dr. Kristin fires back with gems including, “A ninety minute keynote is our parents lifetime,” and “Sending the PowerPoint is like sending a grocery list and calling it dinner.” What You’ll Learn: • Why adult attention spans tap out at twelve minutes • Why overstuffed agendas kill transformation • “You cannot hashtag oxytocin” and other truths about your event • A Lego story that changed a community • How good design thinking shapes experiences far beyond events And her Vent of the Week story about eight board members having emotional breakthroughs with Legos. Iconic. Guest Bio: Dr. Kristin Malek is an internationally recognized designer and educator specializing in mindset and behavior change, known for blending neuroscience, psychology, and experience design to create measurable transformation. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show. Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit Work with Megan Martin https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkevents/⁠

    27 min

  8. 11/14/2025 · BONUS

    15 AFTER SHOW - Do You Really Need a CMP to Level Up in the Events Industry? with Jessie Smith

    If you’ve ever wondered how your early event jobs shaped the way you plan today, this one’s for you. In this “Dynamic Dialogue After Show”, host Megan Martin and guest Jessie Smith rewind to where it all began. Starting on the venue side, learning the ropes from restaurant sales offices to full-scale corporate programs, and how those “learn-it-on-the-fly” lessons built a 20-year career in events for Jessie. Jessie opens up about what earning two degrees in event management really taught her, and how living at a slower pace has reshaped her approach to work, leadership, and burnout. From hospitality roots to managing high-stakes global programs, this “After Show” is a refreshing reminder that success looks different for everyone. It’s okay to define it on your own terms. 🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How starting on the venue side shapes the way planners think Why formal education in event management still matters The difference between big-city hustle and small-town balance Whether earning your CMP is truly worth it — and what it actually changes How Jessie defines “success” after two decades in events About the Guest: Jessie Smith is an Event Manager at Enterprise Events Group and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Virtual Event Producer, and Event Strategist. She’s an industry enthusiast who brings heart, humor, and hands-on experience to every production she manages. Have a Vent of the Week? Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content! Connect with Us! Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit Work with Megan Martin https://msquareddynamics.com/ Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesssmith1031/

    26 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Struggling to make events drive business growth? Welcome to Event About It, the podcast for event-led growth. Hosted by Megan Martin, we ditch surface-level logistics for the high-stakes event strategy and event marketing your CEO, CMO, and CRO actually cares about. We blend actionable tactics with wild, backstage stories to ensure your next activation is a strategic powerhouse, not just a party. Join us every Friday: • 1st/3rd: Event strategy, stories and “Vent of the Week.” • 2nd/4th: The Aftershow—unfiltered truths & Dynamic Dialogue Stop guessing. Start growing.

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