Better Events

Better Events Pod
  • 5.0 (30)
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  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the "Better Events" podcast! Join two event planners and producers, Logan Clements and Mary Davidson, who believe we can all create, host and attend better events. In this podcast you will 1. Learn about event strategy and actions that you can use today as an event host, planner, or manager, 2. Hear directly from the people who are creating innovative and inspiring events today and tomorrow 3. And Grow your business and career along the way! Now let's get started and thanks for listening to the "Better Events" podcast. Support this podcast at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bettereventspod

  1. 1d ago

    How to Land that Next Big Event Contract

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard get into a question a lot of event pros have quietly wondered about: how do you actually break into big events? From trade shows like CES to the Olympic Games, they talk about how smaller companies and independent planners can find their way into large-scale, high-attendance events, what those opportunities actually look like, and how to position yourself to be part of a bigger team. If you've ever watched a massive event and wondered how to get a seat at that table, this episode is your starting point. SHOW NOTES: Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Erin Leonard: Website: https://erinleonardevents.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinleonardevents/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  2. Sep 2

    Your Brand Is Your Booking: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Events Market with Shannon Werkhoven

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard sit down with Shannon Werkhoven, a decade-plus event pro and venue sales manager at two iconic Live Nation venues, to talk about the one thing that separates planners who consistently book work from those who don't: personal brand. Shannon shares when she realized her own brand was actually working for her, what makes an event planner stand out from the venue side of the table, and the real difference between having a personal brand and just having a social media presence. If you want to be the planner clients think of before they even start searching, this episode is your roadmap. SHOW NOTES: Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Shannon Werkhoven: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-werkhoven Connect with guest co-host Erin Leonard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  3. Aug 26

    AI, We Need to Talk: What's Working, What's Not, and What Worries Us

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard have the AI conversation that's been on a lot of event pros' minds but not enough of their podcasts. Erin came in with some honest hesitancy about AI, and rather than gloss over it, they dig straight into it. They cover where AI still earns its place in their workflows, where planners are leaning on it in ways that might actually be hurting them, and whether the pushback on AI is making face-to-face events more valuable. Whether you're an early adopter or have barely touched it, this one is for you. SHOW NOTES: Erin's Platform Sandals: https://www.oofos.com/products/womens-ooahh-plus-slide-sandal-black?variant=44307457179763 Logan's snackle box: https://amzn.to/3U5cY4g Chelsea Fagan's Financial Diet - AI Newsletter: https://thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/what-we-should-worry-about-when-we-worry-about-ai?utm_source=thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=what-we-should-worry-about-when-we-worry-about-ai&_bhlid=3ecf9fae55fd7787d2209713a1593109b6ec868e&jwt_token= Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Erin Leonard: Website: https://erinleonardevents.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinleonardevents/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  4. Aug 19

    Earning the Referral: What It Really Takes to Build a Relationship-First Business

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Julianne get into one of the most sustainable — and most misunderstood — growth strategies in the event business: referrals. They talk about what a referral-based business actually looks like in practice, what it takes to stay consistently top of mind with the people who send you work, and how to handle it gracefully when a referral isn't the right fit. If you're earlier in your career and wondering how to build referral equity when your network is still growing, this episode has a roadmap for you too. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Julianne Read: Website: https://eefundraising.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianneread/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianneread/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  5. Aug 12

    The Pricing Mistakes Most Planners Don't Know They're Making with Jackie Baker

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Julianne sit down with Jackie Baker, founder of Spark Events and co-founder of Event Pro Suite, for an honest conversation about pricing. Jackie shares the mistakes most event planners make without realizing it, where she landed after years of trial and error across flat-fee, percentage-based, and hourly structures, and what finally made her start charging what her work is actually worth. If you've ever undercharged, over-delivered, or struggled to raise your rates with long-term clients, this one is for you. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Jackie Baker: Website: https://www.sparkeventshq.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiewoodbaker/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkeventshq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparkeventshq Related Episodes: Ep. #230 - When and How to Raise Your Event Rates Confidently: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uVLTOY3lqRqxrnxNlWHXx?si=BOFMTQmrQd2cOGKMh0Bb3Q Ep. #211 - Fractional CFO interview with Kelle Thorpe: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0plbiquoAHS5tpbFs0593K?si=Myft59dyQGiTmRNWl8Xukw Ep. #147 with Jackie Baker: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3piq1gn938vKhNK39V4RFL Connect with guest co-host Julianne Read on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianneread/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  6. Jul 29

    266 - The Anatomy of a Paddle Raise with Julianne Read

    In this episode, Logan sits down with Julianne, a fundraiser-turned-event architect who specializes in nonprofit events, to break down one of the most high-stakes moments in any gala: the paddle raise. Julianne walks through how to structure giving levels, write and time the ask, and prep your fundraising host so the moment actually lands. Whether you produce nonprofit galas or just want to understand how to move a room to action, this episode will change how you think about the ask. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Julianne Read: Website: https://eefundraising.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianneread/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianneread/ Logan's Favorite Vodka Sauce: https://danpelosi.com/recipe/grossys-vodka-sawce/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  7. Jul 22

    265 - Go Beyond Lectures & Slides with Alternative Session Design

    In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Lee Gimpel tackle a question that's been nagging at conference organizers for years: why do we keep defaulting to presentations and panels when there are so many better options? Lee walks through alternative session formats that most event professionals have never heard of and pulls cards live from his Conference Engagement Cards deck to show just how practical and fun reimagining your programming can be. If you're designing a conference and want your attendees to actually remember it, this episode is your starting point. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Conference engagement cards: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-meetings-expert/ Connect with Lee Gimpel: Website: https://bettermeetings.expert/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-gimpel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/better_meetings/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BetterMeetingsExpert/ LinkedIn for his company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-meetings-expert/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

  8. Jul 15

    264 - The Data-Driven Event: Personalization, AI, and What Actually Works with Vinnu Deshetty

    In this episode, Logan is joined by guest co-host Lee Gimpel and guest Vinnu Deshetty, the Event ROI Coach, for a conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in the events industry right now: data. Vinnu breaks down what clean data actually means, where AI is genuinely helping event professionals versus where the hype is outpacing the reality, and what real personalization looks like versus what just looks like it. If you've ever felt intimidated by data or unsure where to start, Vinnu makes it feel human, practical, and worth your attention. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Vinnu Deshetty: Website: https://www.eventroicoach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnudeshetty/ Connect with guest co-host Lee Gimpel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-gimpel/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

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5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Welcome to the "Better Events" podcast! Join two event planners and producers, Logan Clements and Mary Davidson, who believe we can all create, host and attend better events. In this podcast you will 1. Learn about event strategy and actions that you can use today as an event host, planner, or manager, 2. Hear directly from the people who are creating innovative and inspiring events today and tomorrow 3. And Grow your business and career along the way! Now let's get started and thanks for listening to the "Better Events" podcast. Support this podcast at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bettereventspod

Information

  • Creator
    Better Events Pod
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    280
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Better Events Pod
  • Show Website
    Better Events

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