The latest from Kennedy Events’ expert production team
United in Service: Insights on Life and Leadership from Morocco to Atlanta with Nadia Rahali
In the latest episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nadia Rahali, General Manager of the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta. Join us as Nadia shares her journey from Morocco to Atlanta, rooted in hospitality and guided by the compassionate examples set by her father and mentors like Lynne Twist. She opens up about her experience in a domestic violence marriage and how it led her to a powerful role within the United Way, embodying the spirit of service and community empowerment.
Rethinking Accessibility in Event Planning
In the latest episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, Paige Buck is joined by Earla Jones, Director of Conference Services and Operations at the American Library Association. With more than 20 years of experience as a planning professional, Earla brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table. Her journey from a psychology major to a renowned event planner showcases the diverse paths leading to success in this industry. She emphasizes the significance of experiential design in events, focusing on creating engagements that resonate with all five senses to leave a lasting impact. Jones also highlights the vital role of accessibility in event planning, discussing how inclusive practices can transform an event's appeal and reach.
Team Introductions: Meet Event Admin Xitlali
Kennedy Events is adding another key player to our global team! Meet Xitlali Ferreyra Magaña, our new Event Admin and the backbone of our events team. She will be working her magic both behind the scenes and with our clients. We are certain that her efforts to improve our client onboarding experience and support a myriad of tiny details that bring an event together will go far from unnoticed. Based in Morelia, Mexico, when Xitlali’s not wrangling contracts and improving the invisible processes that make partnering with KE stress-free, she’s practicing mindfulness outdoors, chowing down on her mother’s homemade specialties, or spending time with her rescue pup.
Building Community and Connections: Johnice Veals on Fostering Employee Engagement at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” Paige Buck is joined by Johnice Veals, the Associate Director of Events and Employee Engagement at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Johnice takes her into the world of pharmaceutical events, sharing her insights and experiences in creating meaningful and impactful experiences for employees globally. From navigating time zones and cultural differences to fostering diversity and inclusion, Johnice discusses the challenges and successes in her role. They also delve into her previous work at Life is Good and how she brings elements of fun and music into the pharmaceutical industry.
Adapting Your Marketing Approach in an Ever-Changing Landscape
In this episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, Paige Buck engages in an insightful conversation with Megan Hull, the Senior Director of Events at Technology Marketing Toolkit (TMT), a renowned marketing consulting firm in the IT services industry. Megan brings her expertise and years of experience as she discusses the challenges faced by the events industry and how TMT has adapted to the changing market. With over 30 events each year, ranging from small workshops to large-scale conferences, Megan and her team have developed effective strategies for ensuring the success of each event.
Navigating the Intersection of Sales, Marketing, and Operations
In this enlightening episode of The “Solutions Seekers” podcast, host Paige Buck is joined by Michelle Allbon, Fractional CRO and Managing Director of Grounded Advisory. During her interview, Michelle dives deep into the dynamic world of sales, marketing, and operations. Drawing from her diverse career path and wealth of experience, Michelle sheds light on the complexities and challenges of navigating these intersecting domains.
Sustainable Luxury and Biophilic Design: Unveiling the 1 Hotels Experience with Joel Costa
In the latest episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joel Costa, a seasoned hospitality professional and the Director of Sales and Marketing at 1 Hotels. Joel shares his extensive experience working in the industry and his current role with 1 Hotels, a brand focused on minimizing their environmental footprint.
Building Meaningful Relationships: Accelerating an Organization’s Mission with Joshua Steinberger
In this episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, host Paige Buck speaks with Joshua Steinberger, a seasoned professional in the realm of strategy and communications. With an impressive portfolio highlighting his work with organizations such as Tipping Point and the Presidio Trust, Joshua shares his experiences and provides valuable insights into the world of communications, events, and driving impact.
Feedback is Power: How Interactive Sales Materials Transform Enterprise Sales Processes
In this episode of the Solutions Seekers podcast, host Paige Buck sits down with guest Justin Dorfman, Co-Founder and CEO of AssetMule and an experienced sales professional with a passion for enterprise sales. Throughout the episode, Dorfman shares valuable insights on managing the sales process, emphasizing the importance of listening to customers, understanding their needs, and presenting tailored solutions.
Event Photography: Providing a Valuable Service for Clients
In our latest episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with Gene Hwang, a seasoned event photographer and co-founder of Orange Photography. With decades of experience in the industry, Gene shared valuable insights and anecdotes about the art and science of event photography, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes efforts that make events truly unforgettable.
Beyond Logistics: The Importance of Strategy in Event Management
In this episode of the “Solutions Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with the remarkable Heather Mason, CEO and Founder of Caspian Agency, for an insightful and inspiring conversation on the importance of strategy in the event management industry. Renowned in the industry for her strategic approach to event management, Heather shares her experiences, expertise, and vision for the future of the events world.
Embracing the Core Values of Kennedy Events: Introducing “Solutions Seekers”
“Solution Seekers” marks a significant milestone for Kennedy Events as we embrace our core values and embark on a new era of growth and inspiration. Through thought-provoking discussions, expert interviews, and practical advice, this podcast will empower listeners to become solution seekers themselves, embracing challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development. We look forward to sharing our explorations as you tune in, engage, and become a part of this community. Together, we can navigate the ever-changing landscape of events and beyond—one solution at a time.
The Evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Corporate World
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” Sophia Piliouras joins host Paige Buck to dive deep into the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the corporate world. This thought-provoking discussion highlights the importance of genuine expertise in DEI initiatives and the challenges faced in achieving true diversity and inclusion in today's society.
Aligning Teams Toward Shared Metrics for Revenue Growth
In the world of business, revenue growth is the ultimate goal. It's what drives companies forward, fuels innovation, and creates opportunities for expansion. Achieving sustainable revenue growth requires more than just hard work and dedication. It requires alignment within teams, a shared understanding of metrics, and a strategic focus on key goals. In a recent episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with guest David Aronica, Head of Growth Marketing at Yellowbrick Data, to discuss the importance of team alignment in driving revenue growth.
The Science of Creating Memorable Events: Experience Design with Tony Allen
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck is joined by Tony Allen, current President of RevRoad and previous Global Head of Event Services at Zoom. Tony shares his wealth of knowledge on experience design and how its methodology can be applied to any industry to create a memorable event. At its core, experience design methodology focuses on orchestrating all aspects of an event to elicit specific emotions and engage the senses of the participants. Tune in to learn how organizations can differentiate themselves from competitors, build stronger connections with their target audience, and ultimately, create events that leave a lasting impact in the minds and hearts of attendees.
Diversity and Inclusion in Event Planning: Creating Community Through Experiential Events
In this episode of “Solution Seekers”, host Paige Buck is joined by Anna Nicholson, an experienced events manager on the Global Events and Experiential team for B2B Marketing at Yahoo. Anna shares the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the events industry and how Yahoo has started to track metrics on DE&I, sustainability, and accessibility at events. DE&I in event planning goes beyond surface-level diversity and actively addresses systemic barriers, promoting equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups. By incorporating DE&I principles into every aspect of event planning, from vendor selection to program design, event organizers can create enriching experiences that celebrate diversity, foster inclusivity, and drive positive change.
The Event Business: How to Build Relationships, Sell Experiences, and Succeed
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck is joined by special guest Dan Rubinetti, a seasoned events industry veteran with over 30 years of experience working with leading B2B firms in the US. In his role as Director of Business Development and Head of Wealth Management Event Sales at Informa, Dan is responsible for building relationships, setting up direct sales teams, and identifying unique marketing opportunities. And he's widely respected for his leadership and expertise in these critical areas. He delves into his strategies for building reciprocal relationships in the industry, unifying teams to deliver exceptional events, and the challenge of working with a shrinking marketing budget from sponsors who've had negative experiences with events.
Eliminating Distractions: The Science Behind Focus Sessions for Entrepreneurs
In today's fast-paced digital age, distractions are a common enemy of productivity. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, staying focused on their most important work can be a challenge, especially with the added pressures of running a business. In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” we’re joined by Megan Flatt, Founder of Let’s Collective, a business growth strategy firm devoted to making entrepreneurship easier, and Focus Sessions, a brand dedicated to providing dedicated, distraction-free virtual co-working to get your most important work done.
Recognizing Impact: The Power of Revenue Enablement
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” our guest Alyssa Glassman, Director of Revenue Enablement at Recharge, shares her experience in the Fintech industry scaling companies by building out executive briefing programs and enablement functions. Revenue enablement is a high-impact, low-headcount function that unites teams and creates a system to aggregate feedback so that all functions have the right training and content to effectively deliver. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of consistency in brand messaging, communication audits, and identifying communication gaps in a remote environment.
Creating a Win-Win Situation: How to Provide Value to Sponsors and Organizations
In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” Paige Buck hosts Meg Fasy, Founder of eventsGIG and FazeFWD. Meg shares her extensive expertise on how she and her team elevate sponsorships into impactful marketing opportunities for organizations. She dives into the effective content opportunities that connect sponsors with their customers, how she helps organizations create a prospectus of value, and the unlocked data potential that will set winning organizations apart from the rest.