Maximizing Event Experiences & Activations Through Strategic Event Builds with Matt Kalb

The role of contractors in event success is often overlooked, yet their impact is immense.

In this episode, Rachel Andrews sits down with Matt Kalb, VP of Client Experience at T3 Expo, to discuss how a strong partnership with your vendors, clear communication, and thoughtful activations can take your events to the next level. 

They discuss creating impactful, shareable moments that engage attendees and boost your event’s ROI. Matt also shares insights on aligning activations with your brand’s values and measuring success beyond just numbers.

Beyond logistics, this episode highlights the importance of transparency and collaboration across teams, ensuring everyone—from sales to event planners to contractors—is working towards the same goal.

Matt’s insights reveal how a well-coordinated team and thoughtful activations can lead to more engaging, memorable, and successful events.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How effective collaboration with general service contractors can elevate your event: By working closely with contractors and treating them as extensions of your team, you can streamline event operations and create a seamless experience for attendees.
• Why thoughtful activations are key to attendee engagement: Activations aren’t just about flashy gimmicks; they’re about creating meaningful, shareable moments that resonate with your audience and drive deeper engagement.
• How transparency and clear communication lead to better event outcomes: When you’re open about budgets and goals with your vendors and partners, you enable more effective planning, reduce surprises, and ensure everyone is aligned on delivering a successful event.



Things to listen for:

(00:00) An introduction to the episode with guest Matt Kalb 

(04:55) Introduction to general service contractors

(07:11) Defining and executing activations

(12:02) Measuring the success of activations

(13:18) Transition to sponsorship strategies

(17:35) Balancing attendee experience and sponsorships

(18:47) Addressing sustainability in events

(26:13) The importance of budget transparency

(31:50) Final advice and industry insights