Events Matter! Newsletter
Musings, in-depth analysis and trends on event-specific topics.
Most Recent:
Are You a Leader or a ‘Knob Twiddler’?
The definition of a knob-twiddler (according to the online dictionary, Wiktionary) is “a technician whose job entails adjusting electronic devices via knobs.” More broadly, the term characterizes someone who operates the ‘machine’, i.e., someone who has a part in running things, but does not contribute to establishing the strategic direction nor is
Strategic and Tactical: Chat with an Event Marketing Agency Star: Shauna Peters
I’ve gotten so much positive response from my recent interview articles that I’ve decided to continue them for a while. Next up is Shauna Peters, vice president and marketing strategist for mdg, a Freeman Company. I’ve known Shauna for many years, and I’ve watched her excel at a variety of roles within
Resilience Under Fire: An Event Organizer Chat with Sean Guerre
Recently I’ve had the chance to re-connect with a number of people who I’ve known and respected for many years. Among them is Sean Guerre, who I first met at the 2008 SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) CEO Summit where he took me under his wing and introduced me to
Eight Characteristics of a Successful COVID-era Event
As event organizers, we’ve had nearly two years of experience dealing with COVID. We’ve dealt with the postponements, cancellations, and (with mixed results) the re-opening of face-to-face events. This hard-earned experience can be applied to our upcoming COVID-era events. I have been asked to develop a list of the essential qualities
Can Your Event Marketing Team Avert COVID-Driven Attendance Disasters?
For most event marketers, the answer is no. Having been trained ’by the book,’ they tend to struggle with responding to negative results in a timely, proper way. Too often, they persist with plans that are not working or, as the event looms ever closer, they become paralyzed with fear.
Are “Bad” Events a Necessary Evil, Given the Times We’re In?
Hotels and convention centers are getting smarter. During 2020 and 2021, the terms of pre-COVID agreements governed most event operations, allowing organizers to cancel events with few repercussions. The event venues had little recourse to recover their financial losses, given the force majeure provisions that were part of most agreements. But