Great events aren’t just about the day itself. What you do before, during, and long after creates experiences that truly resonate and drive long-term value.

In this episode, Camille Arnold sits down with UserEvidence’s VP of Marketing, Mark Huber, and Director of Content Marketing, Jillian Hoefer, to talk experiential marketing. The two take us behind the scenes of Highline 2025, explaining why it was more than an event, but an opportunity to build lasting connections and enhance their brand’s presence.

Tune in to learn how to craft an event experience that is unmistakably on-brand and delivers measurable business growth.

What you’ll learn:

• Choosing the right location: Discover key factors for selecting a location that enhances your brand and event experience.
• Linking strategy to metrics: Understand how to connect your event goals to measurable business outcomes.
• Post-event content and follow-up: Learn the importance of content capture and follow-up strategies for lasting impact.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Mark Huber and Jillian Hofer of UserEvidence

(03:27) The business objectives behind Highline 2025

(10:00) Crafting a content capture plan to maximize post-event value

(18:04) The importance of pre-production planning

(22:20) Coordinating with sales for post-event follow-ups

(27:28) Leveraging attendee feedback to improve future events

(34:40) Lightning round on event strategy and post-event priorities

What on earth does the menstrual cycle have to do with leadership? Everything, if you care about performance, burnout, and team dynamics.

In this episode, Felicia Asiedu and Jo Fuller, Founder of The Merry Menopause, talk about cycle literacy in the workplace and why it matters for event and marketing teams operating under constant pressure. Jo explains how energy shifts show up across the month, how to plan smarter for big meetings and big shows, and how to normalize these conversations across teams, including with male colleagues.

Tune in to discover how cycle awareness can sharpen your leadership and protect your energy in high-pressure seasons.

What you’ll learn:

• The four phases at work: How each phase of the menstrual cycle can influence creativity, communication, focus, and detail work in event teams
• Calendar strategy: Practical ways to plan deadlines, show days, and high-visibility moments around your natural energy shifts
• Normalizing the conversation: What it looks like to bring cycle awareness into teams, including male colleagues.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Jo Fuller

(02:48) Cycles are a leadership advantage

(06:30) Why this conversation is important for event planners

(15:49) Color-coding your calendar to prevent overwhelm

(17:14) Normalizing cycle talk at work

(25:05) Inviting men into the conversation

(27:08) Show-week survival tips when you’re on your period

SEO is no longer enough in an AI-powered world. With tools like ChatGPT and Claude changing consumer search behavior, event marketers need to rethink how they approach visibility and discoverability.

In this episode, Camille Arnold sits down with Sam Brown, an SEO lead at Cvent, to discuss Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and why it’s crucial. Sam explains why traditional SEO no longer guarantees success and how AI-powered platforms are changing the game.

Tune in to learn how marketers can adapt their strategies to stay ahead.

What you’ll learn:

• The difference between SEO vs. GEO: Understand the nuances and why you need both.
• The importance of brand mentions in AI platforms: Discover why they’re essential for boosting visibility and driving traffic.
• How to adapt your strategy: Learn best practices for optimizing your event content for AI discovery.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Sam Brown

(01:33) What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

(05:21) Why brand mentions in AI platforms matter

(08:10) The content types that work well with AI

(13:29) How to use videos for AI and GEO optimization

(17:58) Integrating traditional SEO strategies with GEO

(24:28) Final tips for marketers looking to succeed with GEO in 2026

Many events are designed by boomers, for boomers—even as Gen Z becomes the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce. As a result, these events struggle to connect with the next generation of attendees.

In this episode, Rachel Andrews talks with Ken Holsinger, SVP of Industry Research and Insights at Freeman. Drawing on data from millions of attendees, Ken discussed why only 30% of first-time attendees return, how an aging workforce is affecting event participation, and why many events struggle to drive retention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The future of event planning: Learn what events need to succeed in 2026 and beyond.
• Navigating the generational shift: Discover what Gen Z and Millennials really want from events.
• How to understand attendee behavior: Dive into the data behind why attendees stay or leave.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Ken Holsinger

(04:32) How outdated event strategies impact engagement

(06:40) Understanding Gen Z and Millennials' expectations for events

(10:49) How to align event goals with audience needs

(19:06) The X factor in events

(20:46) What event planners should be doing today

Resources:

Freeman End-of-Year Trends Recap: https://www.freeman.com/resources/freeman-end-of-year-trends-recap/

Some things never change in the events industry. But as we look ahead to 2026, we’re seeing shifts that can’t be ignored.

In this episode, hosts Alyssa Peltier, Rachel Andrews, Felicia Asiedu, and Camille Arnold continue their discussion about the next wave of trends shaping event planning and strategy. They explore how purposeful spaces, evolving tech expectations, rising costs, and outcome-focused measurement are redefining how events drive value.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Strategic venue selection: Learn how to choose venues that align with your event's objectives and create the right environment for your audience.
• How to balance innovation and accessibility: Adopt modern event technology without leaving behind those less familiar with new tools.
• Cost-effective event sourcing: Understand how to balance rising costs with creative solutions that still deliver impactful event experiences.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) The next wave of event trends for 2026

(01:08) Using strategic venues to shape engagement

(08:24) Tech adoption across generations

(18:00) How budget cuts affect attendee experience

(23:05) Measuring outcomes that matter

As we kick off the new year, the events industry is buzzing with exciting new trends that will redefine how we plan experiences.

In this episode, hosts Alyssa Peltier, Rachel Andrews, Felicia Asiedu, and Camille Arnold discuss the top five trends shaping the future of event marketing. They explore how these shifts will impact the way we engage audiences, leverage technology, and create lasting connections. You’ll hear actionable insights to help you design events that will deliver measurable results in 2026.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How events are getting smarter: Why structure, technology, and intent are becoming essential to modern event programs.
• The role of AI, personalization, and attendee expectations: How these forces are changing the way experiences are planned and delivered.
• What changing expectations mean for event strategy: How teams can adapt planning as behavior and technology evolve.



Things to listen for:

(00:00) Hot trends in event marketing for 2026

(01:40) Intentional adoption of AI

(08:12) Trust is best built through in-person events

(11:36) More emotion and storytelling in B2B

(15:01) Personalization becomes attendee-led

(19:40) The rise of curated experiences

(23:19) Building community beyond the event

2025 was a big year for events. Elections reshaped the global landscape. AI became more disruptive and unavoidable. And teams were stretched thinner than ever.

In this episode, Felicia Asiedu, Alyssa Peltier, and Rachel Andrews gather to reflect on the year that was. They also introduce the newest host joining the podcast, Camille Arnold. Together, they reflect on the trends they predicted, the ones that surprised them, and why so much of 2025 felt messy, exhausting, and foundational all at once.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What changed in the events industry this year: A recap of how AI, data expectations, and global shifts influenced event programs.
• Why data became impossible to ignore: Learn how AI accelerated the need for cleaner, more standardized event data.
• What to carry into the next year: Practical perspectives on what to keep, what to let go of, and how to head into the upcoming year with more clarity and intention.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing the new host of Great Events

(05:41) 2025 was a foundational year of learning

(10:11) Admitting no one has AI figured out yet

(16:23) Global shifts that changed event planning

(19:31) How events are being integrated across organizations

(26:04) Treating attendees like humans, not headcount

(27:35) Protecting time and making moments matter

Events bring your brand to life like no other medium can. But creating an unforgettable experience requires a perfect blend of creativity and technology.

At Cvent CONNECT 2025, Matt Heinz sits down with Jennifer Perry, Senior Director of Brand Storytelling, and Mark Correira, Director of Go-to-Market Technology at Workhuman. Together, they reveal the secret to successful collaboration between creative, tech, and marketing teams. By grounding big ideas in data, they turn those ideas into experiences that drive results.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Designing events that feel simple and human: Make the complex parts of your event feel frictionless for attendees.
• How to collaborate across teams: Discover how teams can work together to create memorable events.
• Building data-driven experiences: Learn how to use data to guide decisions, from event planning to post-event analysis.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Jennifer Perry and Mark Correira

(02:38) Events are expressions of your brand

(04:04) Why creative and tech teams must collaborate

(07:22) Turning activations into business outcomes

(11:48) Using data to design better events

(17:42) Stop overcomplicating events