Mastering Event Engagement and Community Building with Liz Lathan

Welcome to Play for Performance. In this episode, Jolynn Ledgerwood welcomes Liz Lathan, CEO of Club Ichi, who brings over 25 years of expertise in marketing, PR, and event management. Liz has led global event teams at Dell and IBM, including the creation of Dell World, and co-founded Club Ichi in 2023.

Jolynn and Liz discuss the essentials of building connected communities, designing events that encourage meaningful engagement, and creating spaces where people feel they belong. Liz shares her journey from her early experiences at trade shows to pioneering spontaneous think tanks and innovative event strategies that challenge traditional approaches.

Listeners will gain valuable insights from Liz’s experiences managing large-scale corporate conferences, establishing Club Ichi, and incorporating play and experimentation into the workplace. She highlights the importance of authentic connections and the core values that drive continuous innovation in the event industry.

Whether you’re an event professional, a business leader, or interested in fostering communities where individuals truly belong, this conversation offers practical inspiration and actionable ideas. Let’s begin.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction
00:09 – Crafting Engaging Event Experiences
05:24 – Dell's Evolution into User Conferences
08:14 – "Spontaneous Think Tanks Evolution"
11:18 – "Secret Family Reunion Event Expansion"
14:50 – Event Trends and Virtual Comeback
18:13 – "Behind-the-Scenes Vegas Event Challenge"
20:49 – "Reimagining Conference Networking Spaces"
23:48 – Thinking Beyond Restrictive Boundaries
29:24 – "Secret Charter Flight Dilemma"
30:26 – Unexpected Banner Surprise
33:18 – Questioning the Billionaire Dream
38:16 – "Space Camp's Lasting Impact"
40:45 – Strategic Event Engagement Definition
42:24 – Outro

Quotes:

"If it's not fun, why do it? Play ignites innovation and fosters belonging, creating true engagement."- Liz Lathan

"Connection and genuine interaction build communities people are eager to join."- Jolynn Ledgerwood

Key Takeaways:

Belonging is the Heart of Community
Experience Over Routine
Necessity Breeds Innovation
Spontaneity Drives Connection
Planned Growth, Lasting Impact
Inclusivity by Design
Innovation Through Play
Curiosity as a Core Value
Engagement with Purpose
Give First, Relationships Always

Connect with Liz Lathan

Website: www.weareichi.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizlathan/

Call To Action: Become a Club Ichi Insider at www.weareichi.com

Connect with the Host:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnledgerwood/
Website:https://elevateyourtalent.co/

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