The Venue RX

The Venue RX Podcast

We document and share best practices for owning & operating profitable world class venues! Welcome to the Venue RX podcast where we provide your weekly prescription of tips, tools, tactics, and inspiration to start or grow your venue business. Follow along with our listeners as we delve into the exciting world of events, and make sure you check out our growing Youtube channel and social pages where you can engage with our show host and guests! No matter if you are brand new to the business of weddings, or an event pro, our mix of mindset and mechanics will challenge and inspire you!

  1. May 22

    Marketing, Culture, and the Power of Saying No | The Venue RX

    On this week’s episode of the Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Meredith Schwartz, CEO of Here Comes the Guide, for a conversation packed with insight on venue marketing, leadership, and sustainable growth.  Meredith shares the story behind building and scaling Here Comes the Guide into an all-women, values-driven company, while reflecting on the evolution from print to digital and the unique ways their team continues to serve venues across the industry. Meredith shares insight on managing remote teams, maintaining company culture, and why Here Comes the Guide has remained committed to a non-commissioned sales approach. She also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and strategy behind the popular “Marketing the Murder Barn” educational series and how storytelling can become a powerful marketing tool for venues. Meredith also discusses time management, setting boundaries as a business owner, and practical advice for venue owners navigating difficult decisions and seasons of growth. About Our Guest:  Meredith Schwartz is the CEO of Here Comes the Guide, a leading wedding venue resource that helps couples discover venues and helps venue owners grow their businesses through marketing and education. Having joined the company in 1997 as one of its earliest employees, Meredith has played a major role in transforming the business from a print publication into a nationally recognized digital platform serving thousands of venues and engaged couples across the country. Known for her people-first leadership style, Meredith leads Here Comes the Guide as an employee-owned, all-women company focused on strong culture, flexible work policies, and sustainable growth. She is passionate about creating a workplace that supports both meaningful careers and balanced lives, while pioneering remote work strategies long before they became mainstream. In addition to leading Here Comes the Guide, Meredith is the creator behind educational resources like Venue Business Boot Camp and the “Marketing the Murder Barn” series, where she shares practical marketing strategies and business insights for venue owners. She is also the co-host of the popular Currently Reading podcast, where she combines her love of books, storytelling, and conversation. Find Her Here:  Here Comes The Guide: Website: https://www.herecomestheguide.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herecomestheguide/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/8554093942/ Venue Business Boot Camp Website: https://venuebusinessbootcamp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venuebusinessbootcamp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Venue-Business-Boot-Camp-61579734955499/

    1h 7m

  2. May 7

    How AI Will Reshape The Events Industry | The Venue RX

    On this week’s episode of the Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with AI and marketing expert Gal Borenstein to discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence on business, trust, and the wedding industry. Gal explains how AI is reshaping the way companies market, communicate, and generate leads, while also creating new challenges around credibility and consumer trust. Gal shares practical insights for businesses that are just getting started with AI tools, where AI is most effective in CRM systems and lead generation, and why emotional intelligence will become even more valuable in tech-driven industries. He also dives into the rapid pace of innovation and how major companies like Google and HubSpot are being challenged by the next wave of AI technology. Gal shares forward-thinking strategies and real-world applications for venue owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders looking to stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape. About Our Guest:  Gal Borenstein is the Founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group, a strategic branding and communications firm specializing in technology, defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and professional services. With more than 30 years of experience, he has helped startups and established companies strengthen their market positioning, build brand credibility, and grow in highly competitive industries. He is a recognized expert in digital branding, AI-driven marketing, and reputation management, Borenstein advises executives on building trust, transparency, and resilience in the digital age. He is also the author of Don’t Believe the Hype, which explores trust erosion in the digital and AI age, along with Beating Goliath with AI, ACTIVATE!, and What Really Counts for CEOs. These works highlight trust as a strategic advantage amid technological disruption and information overload. Find Him Here:  Website: https://www.borensteingroup.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borensteingroup/?_rdr X: https://x.com/BorensteinGroup Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galborensteinexecutiveprofile

    48 min

  3. Apr 27

    How to Stand Out on The Knot & WeddingWire | The Venue RX

    In this week’s episode of The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Raina Moskowitz, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, for a data-driven conversation every venue owner should hear. Raina shares practical strategies backed by real insights to help wedding and event venues attract higher-quality leads and convert more inquiries into bookings. She discusses what’s working right now to improve response rates and how recent updates to WeddingPro like the “Close the Loop” tool are changing the way venues connect with couples. She explains why the quality of leads matters more than volume, and what venues can do to strengthen both, while also breaking down the impact of storefront optimization, from pricing transparency to reviews, on today’s booking decisions. She also explores how evolving consumer behavior especially across social media, AI, and emerging technologies like LLMs is reshaping the wedding industry and what venues need to do to stay competitive. About Our Guest:  Raina Moskowitz has served as Chief Executive Officer of The Knot Worldwide since 2025. She brings extensive experience leading high-performing teams across operations, marketing, and strategy within global consumer and technology companies. Prior to joining The Knot Worldwide, Moskowitz was Chief Operating and Marketing Officer at Etsy, where she oversaw Strategy and Operations, Marketing, Member Services, Trust & Safety, International, and Impact. During her tenure, she played a key role in driving growth, strengthening customer engagement, and scaling the company’s global marketplace. Earlier in her career, Moskowitz led U.S. customer marketing at American Express, where she was responsible for customer growth, loyalty, and retention. She also held several leadership roles spanning product development and corporate strategy. Since 2020, Moskowitz has served on the board of directors of Sprout Social (Nasdaq: SPT). She is also a board member of Tech:NYC, where she supports initiatives that foster a thriving and inclusive technology ecosystem. Moskowitz is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Find Her Here:  Website: https://www.theknotww.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainamoskowitz

    1h 1m

  4. Apr 21

    Winning Corporate Business In 2026 | The Venue RX

    On this week's episode of The Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Mark Mallchok, Senior Event Strategist at Brella Productions, for a behind-the-scenes look at the corporate events world. With 34 years of experience, Mark shares how Brella approaches end-to-end event optimization and builds strong, lasting partnerships that drive successful events. Mark dives into what corporate planners are really looking for when selecting unique venues and offsite locations, and why flexibility and transparency can make or break your chances of securing corporate business. He provides actionable insights for venue owners and event professionals, including common pitfalls like inaccurate capacity charts, outdated floorplans, and hidden fees that can quickly turn clients away. He also explores the growing importance of hybrid events and what venues need to do to stay competitive in an evolving landscape. About Our Guest:  Mark Mallchok is a Senior Event Strategist and Executive Producer specializing in event and video projects, with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He focuses on creating meaningful audience engagement through strategic storytelling and the development of impactful sales, marketing, and training materials. His work spans a diverse range of clients, including healthcare organizations, educational publishers, agencies, and in-house corporate communications teams, with deep expertise across verticals such as pharmaceutical and medical, green businesses, heavy industry, food, and education. Mark’s specialties include public speaking, live and virtual event production, visual and interactive creative direction, video and film direction, digital photography, and virtual meeting strategy. Known for his versatility and problem-solving mindset, he brings a comprehensive, creative, and results-driven approach to every project he leads. Find Him Here:  Website: brella.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brellamm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrellaProductions/?fref=nf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brellaprod/

    1h 1m

  5. Apr 16

    Revolutionizing Event Planning | The Venue RX

    In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Shawn Trznade, Christopher Hart, and Ares Blessios, the founders of Seated with Love, a venue management platform built to support venue owners and streamline operations.  Together, they discuss how Seated with Love is reshaping the wedding planning experience for both venues and couples by simplifying communication, organization, and overall workflow. They explain what the platform is and how it helps manage the planning process more efficiently, while also highlighting key features such as customizable wedding website templates, drag-and-drop seating charts, and seamless document sharing.  They also dive into how the platform was developed to address common pain points based on real wedding planning experiences, and share insights into integrations, pricing, and revenue-sharing opportunities available to venues. They give us a practical look at how technology can enhance operations and improve the client experience in today’s wedding industry. About Our Guest:  Seated With Love was founded by Shawn Trznade after experiencing firsthand how complicated and outdated the wedding planning process can be. What should have been a seamless experience was instead filled with scattered emails, spreadsheets, and manual tasks, making it difficult for venues and couples to stay organized. Recognizing this gap, Shawn set out to build a better solution designed specifically for wedding venues. Seated With Love brings structure and simplicity to the planning process by allowing venues to define their workflows once and apply them across every event, while giving couples a centralized portal to manage guest lists, seating charts, documents, and more. With a mission to modernize the wedding planning experience, the platform helps venues operate more efficiently while creating a smoother, more organized journey for couples from start to finish. Find Here:  Website: https://seatedwithlove.com/ Email: help@seatedwithlove.com

    52 min

  6. Apr 7

    Data-Driven Strategies for Bookings and Guest Experience | The Venue RX

    On this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Tom Chelednik, Director of Vendor Engagement at The Knot Worldwide, to break down the current state of the wedding venue industry. From real data to real strategy, Tom shares insights every venue owner and operator needs to stay competitive in today’s market, covering everything from wedding industry revenue trends and evolving guest expectations to average spend per wedding and how those numbers are shifting across regions. He dives into key differences in guest counts, budgets, and venue preferences, while also unpacking the marketing musts venues can’t afford to ignore, including aligning your website and social media presence and maintaining a consistent brand identity. He also explores effective lead management, smart inquiry follow-up tactics, and realistic conversion benchmarks, along with opportunities to increase revenue through rehearsal dinners, after parties, and multi-day wedding experiences. About Our Guest:  Tom Chelednik is the Director of Vendor Engagement at The Knot Worldwide, where he works closely with venue owners and wedding professionals across the country to help them grow and succeed in an evolving market. With a deep understanding of industry data, consumer behavior, and venue operations, Tom brings valuable insights into the trends shaping today’s weddings. He is passionate about equipping venue owners with the tools, strategies, and perspective needed to improve performance, strengthen marketing, and elevate the overall client experience. Find Him Here:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-chelednik-5b650812 WeddingPro: https://pros.weddingpro.com/author/tchelednik/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_chelednik/

    1h 10m

  7. Mar 30

    Building a Winning Company Culture Through Fun and Purpose | The Venue Rx

    On this week’s episode of The Venue RX Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Anthony Lambatos, owner of Footers Catering and founder of MIBE, to discuss what it truly takes to build an intentional and high-performing workplace culture in the events industry.  Anthony shares his journey of transitioning into and purchasing his family’s business, navigating a complex succession process, and redefining the company’s core values along the way. He offers practical, actionable insight into improving team dynamics and reshaping company culture, while also highlighting the tangible return on investment that comes from investing in people.  He also discusses the impact of MIBE (Make It Better Every Day), including the summits and workshops he leads throughout the year to help businesses grow stronger from the inside out.  About Our Guest:  Anthony Lambatos is the owner and CEO of Footers Catering and the founder of MIBE, a culture-focused coaching and training company serving the hospitality and events industry. Growing up in the family business, Anthony officially stepped into leadership alongside his wife, April, when they purchased Footers Catering in 2010 and successfully transitioned it into a thriving second-generation company.  Under his leadership, Footers has experienced significant growth while becoming nationally recognized for its people-first culture, consistently earning “Best Places to Work” honors and achieving industry-leading employee retention. Anthony is known for pioneering “heart-led leadership,” a philosophy centered on putting people first to drive both team fulfillment and business success.  As a nationally sought-after speaker and coach, Anthony has helped thousands of leaders build intentional workplace cultures that fuel performance, engagement, and long-term growth. Through MIBE, he delivers keynotes, workshops, and summits designed to equip business owners and leadership teams with practical tools to create thriving, people-first organizations Find Him Here:  Website: https://themibe.com/ Catering: https://footerscatering.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonylambatos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mibeleadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themibe

    56 min

  8. Mar 26

    Venue Owners: Stay Ahead With AI | The Venue RX

    In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Artūras Asakavičius, co-founder of Breezit, to explore the future of AI in the wedding and events industry. Artūras shares how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming venue management, marketing, and customer interactions, giving venue owners a clear, no-fluff perspective on what’s coming and how to stay ahead. He dives into the shifting landscape of traditional platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire, and what their evolution means for the industry as a whole. He also explains how AI assistants are reshaping both the customer journey and the venue owner experience, along with practical strategies for optimizing your website for AI-driven discovery and LLM searchability. Artūras breaks down the real-world impact of Breezit’s AI tools on lead management and conversions, and what will ultimately set venues apart as AI adoption continues to accelerate. About Our Guest:  Artūras Asakavičius is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder and CEO of Breezit, a modern platform transforming how people discover and book event venues and vendors. Originally from Lithuania, Artūras began his career as a finance lawyer at a leading Baltic law firm before pivoting into entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to build innovative, tech-enabled solutions.  He went on to co-found a renewable energy startup in Australia, gaining international experience before exiting the business and turning his attention to the events industry. The idea for Breezit was born while planning his own wedding, where he recognized a major gap in the market, an outdated, opaque booking process lacking transparency and efficiency.  Under his leadership, Breezit has grown into one of California’s largest event venue marketplaces, offering real-time pricing, instant booking capabilities, and AI-powered search tools that streamline the planning experience for couples and event organizers.  Artūras brings a diverse background spanning law, fintech, clean energy, and startups, and is known for his focus on innovation, transparency, and customer-centric product design. In addition to leading Breezit, he is also an active angel investor and advisor, supporting emerging technology ventures. Find Him Here:  Website: https://breezit.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbreezit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustBreezit Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justbreezit Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturasasakavicius/

    57 min
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5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

We document and share best practices for owning & operating profitable world class venues! Welcome to the Venue RX podcast where we provide your weekly prescription of tips, tools, tactics, and inspiration to start or grow your venue business. Follow along with our listeners as we delve into the exciting world of events, and make sure you check out our growing Youtube channel and social pages where you can engage with our show host and guests! No matter if you are brand new to the business of weddings, or an event pro, our mix of mindset and mechanics will challenge and inspire you!

Information

  • Creator
    The Venue RX Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    295
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Venue RX Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Venue RX

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