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. 3D AGO

    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insights for venue owners and event professionals, including common pitfalls like inaccurate capacity charts, outdated floorplans, and hidden fees that can quickly turn clients away.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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. MAR 2

    Entrepreneurship Unfiltered | The Venue RX

    In this week’s episode of the Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Dixie Bagley, a venue owner, venue coach for the Bridal Society, certified wedding planner, and consultant. Dixie shares practical, real-world lessons from her journey transforming venues, managing teams, and building multiple thriving businesses in the wedding industry. Dixie opens up about how she transitioned from hosting social events to owning a successful wedding venue, and what it really took to make that leap. She talks candidly about the importance of trusting your instincts as a business owner, especially when making big decisions that shape the future of your company. She also dives into why setting boundaries and learning to say “no” is critical for long-term success, sustainability, and protecting your vision. Dixie also unpack the realities of rapid growth, including the lessons she learned from managing 50 weddings in her very first year. From navigating overwhelm to building the right systems, Dixie shares what she would do differently and what she believes every venue owner should prioritize. Furthermore she shares her strategies for outsourcing, hiring, and identifying the strengths within your team so you can scale without burning out. About Our Guest:  Dixie Bagley is a seasoned wedding industry entrepreneur, venue owner, certified wedding planner, venue coach for The Bridal Society, and consultant who helps wedding professionals become the boss of their business. A Georgia native, Dixie’s journey began when she and her husband purchased a barn in 2008 and hosted a spontaneous wedding that sparked a thriving business. She opened The Farm, a European-style barn venue in Rome, Georgia, and quickly booked out every weekend, which led her into wedding planning, launching The Sweet Bar Bakery, opening a second venue (The Tillman Hangar), and founding The Southern Wedding Collective, an online directory built on integrity and high standards. With hundreds of weddings and years of real-world experience under her belt, Dixie mentors venue owners and wedding pros on profitable pricing, smart business systems, team building, ethical practices, and sustainable growth. Her mission is to empower others to run intentional, profitable, and fulfilling businesses without losing their passion or peace of mind. Find Her Here:  Website: https://dixiebagley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixiedoesweddings/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dixie.bagley/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixiebagley

    52 min

  7. FEB 24

    AI Agents and Workflows: Save Time and Grow Your Business | The Venue RX

    On this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, Jonathan Aymin sits down with Travis McBurney of The McBurney Group to unpack how AI is revolutionizing the events industry and making it easier than ever for venue owners and event professionals to streamline operations and reclaim their time. Travis shares why AI is a true game-changer for our industry, comparing this shift to major tech transformations of the past and explaining why those who embrace it now will have a powerful advantage. He breaks down practical, approachable ways to get started with AI, even if you don’t consider yourself tech savvy, and clarifies the differences between prompts, workflows, automations, and agents, showing how each can be applied to everyday business tasks. He also covers how to choose affordable, effective AI tools and certifications without getting overwhelmed, as well as the key areas where human oversight remains essential.  About Our Guest:  Travis McBurney is the founder of The McBurney Group, a people-centered, AI-forward consulting and solutions firm built on more than two decades of hands-on experience in events, hospitality, operations, and talent acquisition. With a career shaped by producing over 300 events and leading complex operational teams, Travis brings a unique blend of practical expertise and forward-thinking innovation to the challenges facing today’s event and business professionals. He helps organizations streamline workflows, implement intelligent automation, and leverage AI tools to reduce administrative burden while enhancing human decision-making and operational excellence.Travis partners with businesses to build tailored systems, whether that’s automating routine tasks, optimizing hiring practices, or designing custom operational solutions, all grounded in real-world experience and strategic insight. His work emphasizes thoughtful AI adoption that empowers teams, improves efficiency, and frees up valuable time for creative and relational work that matters most. Find Him Here:  Website: https://www.themcburneygroup.com/ Email: info@themcburneygroup.com Tel: 310.692.1667 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-mcburney/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mcburney-group/

    38 min

  8. FEB 20

    Navigating A Venue Sale and Acquisition | The Venue RX

    In this week’s episode of the Venue Rx Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Dana Kadwell. Dana is a wedding industry educator, multi-venue owner, and founder of Venue Masterclass, known for helping venue owners build profitable, sustainable businesses through practical strategy and community-driven education. Dana shares her journey from wedding planner to owning multiple venues, including the emotional experience of selling a venue she built. She unpacks the realities of venue ownership, from the differences between buying an established venue and starting from scratch to the cash flow challenges and operational hurdles that come with both paths. Dana also explains how aligning your venue’s aesthetic, pricing, and service model is essential for long-term profitability and sustainability. She also discusses smart strategies for hiring and scaling, and what it truly takes to transition from being involved in the day-to-day operations to stepping fully into CEO mode. She also dives into why venue education and community matter in such a fast-evolving industry, along with details about Dana’s Venue Masterclass and how venue owners can get involved. About Our Guest:  Dana Kadwell is an entrepreneur, venue owner, educator, and speaker with more than 18 years of experience in the wedding and events industry. She is the co-founder of Hustle & Gather, a consulting and education company that helps venue owners and event professionals build profitable, sustainable businesses. Dana has launched and operated multiple event companies and venues and is the founder of Venue Masterclass, a leading educational platform for venue owners. Known for her candid leadership style and practical business strategies, she is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to grow strong teams and thriving businesses. Find Her Here:  Website: https://www.hustleandgather.com/ Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hustleandgather/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-gather-podcast-consulting

    1h 4m
See All (292)

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
    292
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Venue RX Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Venue RX

You Might Also Like