​​Brenna Lenoir and Katie Fairbank of CodeSignal join the Solution Seekers Podcast with Paige Buck to discuss the journey of producing CodeSignal Beyond 2024, the company's biggest event yet. Tasked with creating a monumental moment, Brenna and Katie focused on curating an experience that would be remembered—starting with a theater venue inspired by Steve Jobs’ iconic iPhone launch. This decision set the tone for the event, reinforcing the gravity of their product launch and helping CodeSignal achieve three key goals: filling the room, engaging the right people, and generating social media buzz.

​​Arleen Van Londen, founder of Diamond Street Live, brings over two decades of experience in the world of experiential event production, specializing in brand activations and creating immersive, memorable experiences for B2C audiences. On "Solution Seekers" with Paige Buck, Arleen shares her journey from working in hospitality as a teenager in the Netherlands to curating live experiences for multimillion-dollar projects worldwide. Her passion for the emotional impact of live events was sparked during her first music festival, where she saw firsthand the power of music and atmosphere to transform audiences. Today, Arleen leads high-profile events with a focus on connecting brands to consumers in meaningful ways, often through unique, personalized experiences.

Meet Andrea, the newest addition to the team at Kennedy Events, bringing her expertise in event planning and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. With a rich background in event coordination, influenced by her family’s catering business, Andrea excels in turning visions into reality. Her skills in problem-solving and attention to detail make her an invaluable team member.

Elevate your talent strategy with internal events! Discover how strategic internal events can help your organization attract, recruit, and retain top talent. Our latest blog post dives into the ROI of these initiatives and why investing in your team’s engagement is a long-term game changer. Don’t let turnover costs drain your resources—learn how to create a thriving workplace culture today!

Creating a realistic corporate event budget requires thorough research, detailed planning, and flexibility. By starting with venue selection and considering all potential costs, you can develop a comprehensive budget that ensures a successful event. Whether you choose to handle the process yourself or hire an event planner, remember that early and detailed planning is the key to staying within budget.

When hosting a Sales Kick-Off (SKO), it's tempting to focus solely on attendance numbers and immediate engagement metrics. However, to truly gauge success, we must consider the broader impact on our team and organization. By measuring post-event increases in Annual Contract Value (ACV) and total sales, as well as intangible benefits like shorter sales cycles, reduced employee turnover, and improved team morale, we can appreciate the full value of our efforts. An SKO should be seen not just as an event, but as a catalyst for meaningful change, aligning and inspiring our teams to achieve collective success.

Transforming your Sales Kick-Off from a traditional, sales-focused event into a comprehensive, revenue-driving powerhouse requires a shift in strategy and mindset. By aligning your SKO with the broader Revenue Operations (RevOps) framework and emphasizing continuous improvement, you can create an event that not only energizes your team but also drives tangible business results. Embrace this new approach to foster cross-functional collaboration, set clear and measurable objectives, and address real-world challenges faced by your sales teams. By integrating frequent, smaller gatherings throughout the year, you maintain momentum, swiftly adapt to market changes, and sustain team cohesion, turning your SKO into a pivotal, game-changing event that propels your organization toward extraordinary revenue achievements.

Kennedy Events is thrilled to announce our recent certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in our journey, reinforcing our commitment to excellence, diversity, and empowerment in the event management industry. Our WBENC certification is a testament to our dedication to promoting diversity, fostering opportunities for women in business, and delivering exceptional event management services.

Mallory Schlossberg's multi-faceted career spans brand management, theater, and editorial work, positioning her uniquely at the intersection of creativity and experience. Recently, the award-winning creative joined Paige Buck on “Solution Seekers” to discuss her journey, the evolution of marketing, and the magic of mixing music, theater, and brand storytelling. Her vibrant career includes roles with Google Cloud, Google Fiber, Whole Foods Market, and Hearst Digital Media, where she has consistently crafted compelling stories and immersive experiences. This hybrid background allows her to blend theatrical elements into brand storytelling, making her campaigns both innovative and deeply engaging.

In the latest episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with Shea Cibulsky, Senior Marketing Manager of Global Adoption and Retention Events at Adobe. The conversation dives into the intricacies of running successful customer learning event programs, focusing on “Experience Makers: The Skill Exchange.” This program emerged as a response to disjointed and ineffective events previously run by various Adobe business units. Through research and direct conversations with Adobe users, the Skill Exchange was designed to offer a seamless and engaging customer experience. One key takeaway is the importance of understanding what the audience truly wants: a blend of peer insights and company knowledge to ensure rich, actionable content.

The tech industry, particularly in the Bay Area, has been a beacon of innovation, growth, and community for decades. However, recent waves of layoffs have cast a shadow over this vibrant sector, leaving employees and companies grappling with uncertainty and a shaken sense of belonging. While the immediate effects of layoffs on financial stability and job security are evident, the impact on company culture and employee morale can be profound and enduring. Amidst these challenging times, internal events emerge as a crucial lifeline, offering a means to heal, reconnect, and strengthen the community within tech companies.

Bringing the fun back into our corporate cultures this summer is more than just a chance to unwind and enjoy each other’s company; it’s a vital step towards reigniting team spirit, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating a more connected, cohesive future. Let’s make this summer a turning point, where we embrace the opportunity to reconnect, rebuild, and reenergize our teams in ways that will resonate long after the season has passed.

In the latest episode of the “Solution Seekers Podcast" hosted by Paige Buck, Pierce Larick, the visionary founder and CEO of New Revolution Media, shares deep insights into his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the balance between creative innovation and the nuances of business leadership.

In today’s episode, Paige is excited to sit down with the multi-talented Marianne Jackson, Senior Executive Producer and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kennedy Events. Marianne dives into her colorful world, revealing her journey from producer to business development maestro, highlighting the evolving landscape of team celebrations in a post-COVID era. Expect to hear about her commitment to inclusive event planning and the way she faces challenges head-on with grace and strategy. Beyond event logistics, we'll explore the importance of core values, how they shape client relationships, and how Kennedy Events stands out by infusing delight into their work. It’s a rich conversation filled with insight, laughter, and invaluable tips from one of the industry’s best.

Meet Chida, the latest addition to the Kennedy Events team. Renowned for her expertise in the tech and gaming industries, she joins us with a robust track record of orchestrating high-profile developer conferences, significant industry trade shows, and memorable special events. Chida’s comprehensive skill set encompasses event management, leadership, audience development, and a deep understanding of nonprofit organizations.

In this episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, Paige Buck dives into the intricacies of event planning with Meg Fasy, founder of fazeFWD, and Sarah Bseiso, Senior Manager of Global Events at Informatica. They tackle the balance between structure and innovation in managing large-scale events and delve into the significance of building strong relationships within the industry. Both Meg and Sarah share their insights on the pivotal role of autonomy in event teams and the art of saying no to unfeasible ideas while remaining open to new trends that are reshaping the event planning landscape.

Meet Caitlin, our latest addition to the Kennedy Events team. After an exciting two years of planning and executing the Special Olympics National and World Games in Berlin, she joins us as an Event Planner from her new home in San Diego, California. A Chicago native, she’s traveled the world for work and brings her global event experience and a knack for taming tangled event logistics to our talented team.

In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with guest Carlin Putman, owner and founder of Page-One Meetings and Events, LLC, to navigate the intricate world of event planning and the road to establishing a successful business. Carlin, with an extensive background of over two decades in the industry, shares how she kick-started her career straight out of college where she honed her event-organizing skills in various roles, before bravely navigating through the AIG financial crisis, which prompted her to lay the groundwork for her own enterprise.

In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” Paige Buck sits down with two of the industry’s top marketing consultants: Neil Wu Becker, co-founder of Nextbound, and Maeve Naughton, from MKN Consulting Group. Becker brings thought-provoking insights into the role of event planning teams; urging them to step beyond people-pleasing into adopting a strategic business mindset. Naughton echoes a similar sentiment, noting that the post-COVID era ushers in a prime opportunity for event planners to reinvent their approach. She foresees a landscape where smaller and more unique events become the norm, creating more engaging and memorable experiences that blend personal enjoyment with business relevance. Learn how to approach events with a strategic lens and why it matters. Tune in for insights on redefining events in the post-COVID era.

We’re kicking off the new year with a recap of a few of our favorite episodes of “Solution Seekers” from 2023. Through thought-provoking discussions, expert interviews, and practical advice, this podcast strives to empower listeners to become solution seekers themselves, embracing challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development. Tune in to our 2023 highlights episode for an exclusive look into the minds of the best in the business and the future of large-scale event planning.