Great Events

Ready to elevate your event marketing game?

Alyssa Peltier’s got you.

In this week’s episode, Alyssa takes the mic and answers listeners' burning questions. Drawing from her experience at Cvent, she discusses strategies for cutting through digital noise, aligning event and digital marketing efforts, and capturing the attention of busy decision-makers.

From crafting VIP experiences that resonate with C-suite executives to using data-driven insights, Alyssa breaks down the metrics that matter and how to apply them to enhance future events. She provides a fresh look at making every event a high-impact, brand-building experience.

In this minisode, you’ll learn:

1. How to align event strategy with audience needs: Every event should be designed with a clear purpose and a tailored audience approach. Alyssa explains that by working closely with digital marketing teams and using a cohesive omnichannel strategy, you can ensure your events cut through the noise and reach the right people, maximizing impact and engagement.
2. How to make data-driven decisions for event success: Tracking key metrics like attendance, session engagement, and audience participation helps build a data foundation for continuous improvement. For Alyssa, these insights allow you to optimize future events, proving value to stakeholders and driving measurable business outcomes.
3. How to create memorable experiences for VIPs: When targeting executives or VIPs, a unique and thoughtful approach can make all the difference. Alyssa shares that tailoring event elements to their needs elevates their experience and builds stronger connections with your brand.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the minisode and Alyssa’s background in event marketing

(01:50) Strategies to make events stand out and attract the right audience

(03:46) Leveraging email and social media creatively for audience engagement

(05:12) Tips for designing VIP experiences that appeal to C-suite executives

(07:12) Using gifts and experiential elements to capture the executive interest

(09:08) Differentiating event strategies for trade shows, conferences, and product launches

(10:54) Creating a cohesive brand experience from start to finish

(12:49) The importance of diverse speaker lineups and aligning event themes with brand values

(14:23) Key metrics to track for optimizing event success and proving ROI

(16:03) Building a data foundation to support yearly event improvements

Content doesn't have to go to waste.

Rather, its shelf life and value can increase over time.

In this episode of Great Events, join host Felicia Asiedu and content strategist Victoria Akinsowon as they dive deep into the art of repurposing event content.

They discuss practical tips for identifying the most resonant event themes/messages and how to repurpose them into various formats––from turning event sessions into engaging blog posts to creating captivating video snippets for social media.

They also tap into the significance of audience feedback and use real-time insights from events to guide your content strategy. They leverage tools like AI for efficient content repurposing and share insights into measuring the success of your repurposed content across different platforms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to utilize your event content to the fullest potential by using real-time audience insights and feedback to create meaningful content
2. How to leverage a variety of content formats and channels to extend the lifespan and reach of your event content
3. How to stay agile in measuring and adapting your content's impact across different channels

Why does Group Travel matter so much?



In a world full of Zoom and digital dial-ins, what makes in-person connection so essential?

Well, in this episode of Great Events, hosts Rachel Andrews and Felicia Asiedu discuss those very questions—and usher in Global Meetings Industry Day— with Ishma Haider, VP of Group Travel at the US Travel Association.

From defining the whats and whys of the Association to the broader roles of advocacy and in-person global events, it’s the perfect conversation to kick off GMID 2024.

Here are some key takeaways:

• There are a wide variety of resources available to members of the US Travel Association. Take a closer look at all the areas this organization impacts and how it can help you in your corner of the industry.
• To breathe innovation into events, it’s important to keep a pulse on what the industry wants. Events like IPW are a great way to do just that.
• When the travel industry thrives, America thrives. In 2023, travelers in the US spent 1.3 trillion, producing an economic footprint of 2.8 trillion and supporting more than 15 million American jobs. And in the meetings and events space, 2023 travel contributed 119 billion in spending to the US economy.

Additional Resources:

• GMID Toolkit to help you engage in the day: Global Meetings Industry Day Toolkit | U.S. Travel Association (ustravel.org). Reach out to your local policymakers (and neighbors) to share about our industry - what it brings, what it means to you, and why meetings matter.

What are you doing to improve the effectiveness of your SKO event planning?

In this episode of Great Events, join host Alyssa Peltier as she dives into a discussion with Caroline DeCamp and Becca Martinson from Morningstar. They share their insights and experiences in planning and executing Sales Kickoffs (SKOs) and other large-scale events.

The conversation covers various aspects of SKO planning, including challenges related to attendance, scaling content regionally, engaging stakeholders, measuring event success, and planning for the future.

Whether you aim to make your events more inclusive, leverage AI for content creation, or effectively measure their impact, this conversation offers the guidance you need.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Implement strategies to accommodate demand to manage scope creep in event attendance effectively. It is essential to maintain exclusivity and relevance throughout the process.
• To enhance inclusivity in event experiences, implement closed captions and quiet areas for attendees
• To streamline event planning processes, improve efficiency, and facilitate data-driven decision-making, implement AI

It's not just about logistics—it’s about crafting event narratives that truly resonate with your audience.

This is a philosophy that @Traci DePuy, CMO of PCMA, encourages us to follow.

In this episode of Great Events, @Rachel Andrews and Traci explore crafting impactful experiences and professional growth within the events industry.

Traci reveals the multifaceted nature of event success, weaving together strategic alignment, technological innovation, and personal development.

She discusses the critical elements that contribute to the success of impactful events. Using examples like EdgeIcon in Detroit and the SEMA summit in Seattle, she illustrates how aligning objectives, branding, and location can reshape expectations and drive success.

You won’t want to miss it.

Here are a few takeaways:

• By embracing AI tools like Spark, you can make your event planning easier and more impactful
• Boost attendee engagement and create memorable experiences by aligning your event objectives, branding, and location
• To build a strong support network within the events industry for mentorship, identify key stakeholders, and research existing networks