Event Planner Confessions

Cohera

Welcome to Event Planner Confessions, a Cohera podcast. Every week, we dive into the candid, unfiltered stories of event professionals navigating the vibrant world of event management. From behind-the-scenes wins to lessons learned the hard way, we explore how creativity, collaboration, and a little chaos come together to create unforgettable experiences. Hosted by the team at Cohera, we spotlight the people and passions that shape the industry, revealing what really goes on when the lights go up, the guests arrive, and the magic happens. Tune in for insights, laughter, and confessions that celebrate the power of human connection and how events truly have the ability to change the world, one story at a time.  Disclaimer: These confessions and stories have been altered to ensure anonymity and protect the identities of the individuals or entities involved. Any identifying details have been modified. The purpose of sharing these stories is to foster learning, celebrate our profession, and honor our clients and partners across the hospitality industry.

  1. APR 21

    The Event Theme You Need to Stop Using

    Event creativity in the DMC world isn't about copying Pinterest boards... it's about building something no one's ever seen before. In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, Cara Pratt sits down with Danny McMillan, Director of Design and Development at COA Orlando, to unpack what it really takes to stay creatively sharp when you're producing thousands of events a year. From his journey as an intern in Boston to leading one of the largest creative teams in the Orlando market, Danny shares the behind-the-scenes truth about how top DMCs push past cookie-cutter theming and deliver experiences that actually surprise attendees. They dive into the tension between what clients think they want and what will actually land, why "be creative" can't be the whole sentence on an RFP, and how inclusive event design isn't optional anymore. Danny also drops a hilarious confession involving 20 hand-assembled wire chairs, a living room full of boxes, and a promise he'll never make again.  How to build trust within a creative team so every proposal has an edge Why "cookie cutter creativity" is killing your competitive advantageWhat to do when a client says "just be creative" and gives you nothing elseHow to pitch bold event concepts without diminishing the client's original visionThe overdone event themes you need to retire immediately (looking at you, Vintage Florida)Don't risk losing your next bid because your creativity didn't match the client's undefined vision. Learn how to ask the right questions, propose in threes, and deliver experiences that attendees have genuinely never seen before. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to like and leave a review!

    28 min

  2. APR 7

    The Real Business of Events

    In this episode, we sit down with Nicola, CEO of ELX — the exclusive community for senior event leaders at enterprise companies. Nicola shares her winding career path from incentive travel dreamer to leading one of the most talked-about communities in the events industry. We dig into what makes ELX different, why event leaders feel so isolated in their roles, and how Chatham House rules create a space for real, unfiltered conversation. If you want to learn more about the community, visit https://www.eventleaders.com/. Nicola also gets into the data that keeps her up at night — like the fact that 28% of senior event leaders have no KPIs for their events — and why shifting from the "events business" mindset to the "business of events" mindset is the key to getting a seat at the table. Plus, she shares her biggest event confession: a Palm Springs rain disaster that had her avoiding outdoor events for her entire career — until dinner on Wrigley Field changed everything. What you'll learn: What ELX is and who it's forWhy measurement needs to start before you plan a single thingHow to make the case for your events using business languageWhat it takes to become an ELX-eligible leaderHow to spot and avoid burnout in a high-pressure events role

    28 min

  3. MAR 24

    What Technology Can’t Replace in Events

    Tony Lorenz has spent 30 years in the events industry — building a company from the ground up, selling to Freeman, leading PRA through 16 acquisitions, and now serving on the board at Cohera. In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, Tony shares how he scaled PRA from $65M to $200M, why the DMC category needs to move upstream, and how AI should be treated as a partner — not a replacement — for the human intuition and taste that make great events possible. Plus, Tony shares two hilarious confessions: the time his team lost a five-star general's luggage right before a Colin Powell keynote, and the time he flew to Hawaii for a $4M event… and didn't even know which island it was on. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

    17 min

  4. MAR 10

    What Actually Gets Attention at Trade Shows

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Ronnie Collins from Visit Anaheim as we explore what it takes to create truly engaging trade show experiences in today's distracted world. In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, we dive deep into strategic booth design, the importance of experiential engagement over traditional swag, and how to maximize value during appointment-based shows like IMEX and IPW. Ronnie shares why hydration stations and intentional conversation spaces outperform tchotchkes, and how Visit Anaheim is preparing for their brand refresh launching in 2026. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

    19 min

  5. FEB 24

    Why Attendance Looks Different Now

    Join us for an honest conversation about the evolving landscape of industry conferences and trade shows. We're breaking down what really influences event attendance decisions—from the macro factors like budget constraints to the micro moments like unexpected traffic jams. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

    23 min

  6. FEB 10

    The Leadership Shift Event Teams Can’t Ignore

    What does it really take to build culture that lasts in a 24/7 industry? In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, we sit down with Carrie Campbell, longtime hospitality leader and the force behind Evergreen, formerly Fenway Park Events. With 16 years of experience building teams, experiences, and trust inside one of the most iconic venues in the country, Carrie shares the lessons that shaped her leadership philosophy. From the intentional rebrand of Evergreen to the often-overlooked power of recognition, Carrie unpacks why caring for your people isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s a strategy. She gets candid about burnout, quiet quitting, and the small, human moments that actually move culture forward, especially in an industry that never truly turns off. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating growth, or trying to build a culture people want to stay in, this conversation is a reminder that what you do, and how you do it, matters more than you think. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

    25 min

  7. JAN 27

    The Economy Is Better Than You Think in 2026

    If the headlines feel chaotic, how do you figure out what is actually happening with the economy and what it means for your meetings? In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, host Cara sits down with Mike Dominguez (ALHI) to cut through the noise and translate big economic signals into practical, planner level decisions. From why the “story” about the economy often misses what the data is showing, to where budgets are actually moving in 2026, Mike breaks down what to watch, what to ignore, and how to plan with more confidence. You’ll learn: How to separate policy from politics so you can plan based on reality, not narrativesWhat strong corporate spending signals for meetings, hotels, and attendee experienceWhy CEO turnover can quietly drive more internal meetings and momentumWhat Gen Z is craving from live events and how to design for human connection (hint: more white space)Smart budget calls for 2026: where inflation is easing, why labor still matters, and why beef may not be your friend 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

    34 min

  8. JAN 6

    What to Wear to Your Next Event (and What to Skip)

    Struggling to figure out what to wear to your next company event or conference? Let’s talk about what actually works. In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, Cara Pratt, Ashley Currin, and Samantha Monroe break down what actually works when you’re attending events. From hair and makeup decisions to blazers, graphic tees, denim, all-black onsite looks, and the great sneaker debate, they share real-world rules of thumb planners rely on when packing for long show days. You’ll hear how to balance professionalism with practicality, why branding yourself (sometimes down to your nails) matters onsite, and how to read the room so your outfit supports your role, not distracts from it. Whether you’re headed to your next conference or gearing up for a full install week, this conversation will help you dress with intention and ease. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! 📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at https://meetcohera.com/

    12 min
See All (43)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to Event Planner Confessions, a Cohera podcast. Every week, we dive into the candid, unfiltered stories of event professionals navigating the vibrant world of event management. From behind-the-scenes wins to lessons learned the hard way, we explore how creativity, collaboration, and a little chaos come together to create unforgettable experiences. Hosted by the team at Cohera, we spotlight the people and passions that shape the industry, revealing what really goes on when the lights go up, the guests arrive, and the magic happens. Tune in for insights, laughter, and confessions that celebrate the power of human connection and how events truly have the ability to change the world, one story at a time.  Disclaimer: These confessions and stories have been altered to ensure anonymity and protect the identities of the individuals or entities involved. Any identifying details have been modified. The purpose of sharing these stories is to foster learning, celebrate our profession, and honor our clients and partners across the hospitality industry.

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