Have you ever considered launching your own event but felt overwhelmed by the prospect? In this episode, I sit down with JC Hite, the visionary behind Scale with Stability Summit, to uncover the strategic decisions and lessons learned from creating a faith-based business conference for entrepreneurs and CEOs.

• How partnering with a university dramatically reduced costs for AV and catering
• The decision to invest in high-profile speakers rather than lowering ticket prices
• Balancing celebrity appeal with relevant content to serve attendees

JC explains his long-term strategy of using events as a branding tool, including:

• Cultivating connections with industry leaders and celebrities
• Leveraging these relationships to attract other speakers and sponsors
• Creating a ripple effect of value for attendees and speakers alike

We discuss the importance of vulnerability and continuous improvement, including:

• Actively seeking criticism from VIP attendees
• Adapting track structures based on attendee preferences
• Addressing unexpected challenges, like the lack of coffee for non-VIPs

JC opens up about:

• The stress of working towards a fixed deadline
• Strategies for coping with financial pressures
• The unexpected generosity that can arise from building genuine relationships

Whether you're considering your first event or looking to enhance an existing one, this conversation offers valuable insights into the strategic thinking required for success. JC's candid reflections on both triumphs and missteps provide a roadmap for anyone looking to create impactful experiences in the world of faith-based business events.

website: https://scalewithstability.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jc.hite/

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create an event that truly resonates with your audience? In this episode, I sit down with Angie Callen, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Career Benders and The Modern Coach, to uncover the secrets of crafting unforgettable event experiences.

As a self-proclaimed "recovering engineer who loves people," Angie brings a unique perspective to event planning that combines meticulous attention to detail with a deep understanding of human connection. We explore how this blend of skills can elevate your events from good to extraordinary.

• Understanding your audience's needs and desires
• Aligning event objectives with attendee expectations
• Creating consistent messaging from first contact to post-event follow-up

We discuss the power of personalized touches, including:

• Tailoring swag bags to individual preferences
• Sending handwritten notes before and after the event
• Leveraging video messages to build excitement and connection

Angie reminds us that at the core of every successful event is the human experience. She shares insights on:

• Fostering genuine connections among attendees
• Creating opportunities for transformation and growth
• Balancing structure with flexibility to allow for serendipitous moments

Learn how to:

• Maintain momentum from registration to arrival
• Continue the event experience long after attendees have gone home
• Use technology to enhance community-building before, during, and after your event

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to breathe new life into an established gathering, this conversation offers valuable insights for creating experiences that truly resonate with your audience.

Angie leaves us with a powerful reminder: "Be authentic and think about the human." It's a simple yet profound approach that can transform your events from forgettable to unforgettable.

Website: ModernCoach.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiecallen/

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a successful event that keeps attendees coming back year after year? In this episode, I sit down with Michael (Mike) Stelzner (and my boss), the visionary behind Social Media Marketing World, to uncover the secrets of building and sustaining a thriving conference in the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing.

With 12 years of experience under our belts, Mike and I reflect on the journey of Social Media Marketing World, from its humble beginnings to becoming a must-attend event for marketers worldwide. We explore the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal decisions that have shaped the conference over the years.

Mike shares valuable lessons on:

• The importance of data-driven decision making in shaping event content
• Strategies for keeping content fresh and relevant year after year
• How to leverage AI to streamline event planning and marketing
• The power of flexible payment options to increase accessibility

We discuss how Social Media Marketing World has evolved to meet the changing needs of its audience, including:

• Narrowing the focus to serve small businesses and creators
• Introducing new tracks and ticketing options to address emerging trends
• Balancing innovation with financial responsibility

Despite the growing influence of artificial intelligence, Mike emphasizes the continued importance of the human touch in event planning and execution. We explore how to strike the right balance between leveraging technology and maintaining the personal connections that make events truly special.

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to revitalize an existing one, this conversation offers invaluable insights on:

• Building and nurturing a loyal audience
• Creating unforgettable experiences that keep attendees coming back
• Staying ahead of industry trends without losing sight of your core audience

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the strategies and decisions that have made Social Media Marketing World a cornerstone event in the digital marketing industry. Discover how to apply these lessons to your own events and marketing efforts, and learn why sometimes the boldest moves can lead to the greatest rewards.

• Social Media Marketing World
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stelzner
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelzner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stelzner/
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/Mike_Stelzner

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Are you ready to elevate your events from good to extraordinary? In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Correia, a seasoned event strategist with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Caroline shares her insights on creating high-impact experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees. We even came up with a new name for event experience designers and strategists.

Caroline emphasizes the importance of aligning events with brand identity:

• Understanding the unique culture and values of each organization
• Creating environments that reflect the brand's essence
• Balancing client desires with audience needs

We explore key strategies for designing impactful events:

• Focusing on three main elements to maximize impact
• Utilizing lighting and decor to transform spaces cost-effectively
• Incorporating nature elements to reduce anxiety and enhance well-being

We propose a new name for someone who does this strategically from nuts to bolts: Event Architect. Let me know what you think at phil@philmershon.com

Caroline offers valuable advice for event planners at all levels:

• Scaling design approaches for various budget sizes
• Prioritizing spending on elements that create the most impact
• Finding creative solutions to work within constraints

• Understand your audience and align the event with their needs
• Create a seamless guest experience from start to finish
• Use strategic design elements to set the right tone and atmosphere
• Focus on clear communication before, during, and after the event
• Measure event effectiveness and plan for meaningful follow-up

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to enhance your existing strategies, this conversation offers valuable insights to create remarkable experiences that resonate with your audience and achieve your business objectives.

Caroline has lived and breathed the event industry for over 30 years, bringing a deep well of experience and insight to every project. As a senior leader at BeEvents, she manages a $4.6 million client portfolio, partnering with CMOs and corporate event planners to deliver highi impact experiences. BeEvents is an experiential design agency known for its optimistic, boundary-pushing approach — guiding clients through every stage of strategy, design, and production to create events that resonate and inspire.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-correia-1bb85220/

Website: https://www.beeventsdesign.com/

https://www.beeventsdesign.com/resources/event-archetype-quiz/

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Have you ever felt that your events are missing that special spark, despite flawless execution? In this episode, I share a game-changing concept that could revolutionize how you approach event planning: the role of an event architect.

Drawing from my personal experiences and conversations with fellow industry professionals, I explore why bringing in an event architect early in the planning process can make all the difference in creating truly transformative experiences.

I discuss:

• Why traditional event planning often falls short
• How an event architect differs from an event planner
• The crucial elements that go into an event blueprint

Learn how an event architect:

• Aligns every decision with the event's core purpose
• Creates a strategic flow that enhances attendee experience
• Orchestrates emotional beats and memorable moments

Discover how incorporating an event architect can lead to:

• Higher attendee retention and satisfaction
• Stronger alignment between brand and business goals
• Reduced stress for your internal team
• Improved ROI and measurable impact

Whether you're planning your first major event or looking to elevate your existing gatherings, this episode offers valuable insights into the strategic approach that can take your events from good to extraordinary.

I also share how you can access my services as a fractional event architect or learn to empower someone on your team to fill this crucial role.

Are you ready to build events that leave a lasting impact? Tune in to discover how an architectural approach can help you create experiences that truly resonate with your audience and achieve your business objectives.

Follow Phil Mershon: www.philmershon.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Have you ever wondered how a rapidly growing company maintains its culture and keeps employees connected across hundreds of locations? In this episode, I sit down with Cari Watson, Senior Vice President at Westland Insurance, to explore how their annual Leadership Summit plays a crucial role in fostering connection, alignment, and growth.

Cari shares insights on how Westland Insurance has adapted its summit to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding organization:

• Shifting from a retreat-style gathering to a more business-focused event
• Balancing familiar elements with fresh content to keep things engaging
• Creating opportunities for networking and relationship-building across the company

We discuss tactics for ensuring the summit resonates with both long-time employees and newcomers:

• Showcasing the company's culture and values through executive presentations
• Incorporating sponsor participation to highlight key partnerships and resources
• Designing experiences that make leadership approachable and relatable

Cari reveals how Westland evaluates the effectiveness of their summit:

• Gathering feedback through surveys and anecdotal evidence
• Collaborating with internal teams to reinforce key messages post-event
• Balancing the need for consistency with the desire for innovation

• Understand how events can be powerful tools for culture-building in growing organizations
• Learn strategies for creating memorable experiences that resonate with diverse attendees
• Discover ways to measure event success beyond traditional metrics
• Explore the challenges and opportunities of evolving long-standing company gatherings

Whether you're planning an internal corporate event or looking to strengthen your organization's culture, this conversation offers valuable insights on leveraging summits and conferences to foster connection, alignment, and growth.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cari-watson-563509a2/

Company: https://www.westlandinsurance.ca/

2024 sizzle reel: https://vimeo.com/1082584142

2023 sizzle reel: https://vimeo.com/tandemphotography/review/828889392/7586289d83

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Are you ready to take your event marketing to the next level? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Brinkley, a social media strategist with two decades of experience and author of "Social Shift." We dive deep into the world of community building and effective social media strategies for event organizers.

• How online connections can lead to meaningful real-life relationships
• The importance of pre-event engagement in building excitement
• Strategies for creating a welcoming atmosphere for first-time attendees

• Driving meaningful conversations to foster connections
• Encouraging a "give-first" mentality among community members
• Creating safe spaces for open dialogue and support

• 1. Awareness: Highlighting pain points your event addresses
• 2. Elaboration: Showcasing thought leadership on relevant topics
• 3. Community: Sharing personal experiences and success stories
• 4. Action: Inviting engagement beyond social media platforms

• Build anticipation for your event over time
• Target the right audience with precision
• Create a content plan that resonates with potential attendees

• Start building your community well in advance of your event
• Focus on providing value rather than constant selling
• Use social media to facilitate meaningful connections among attendees
• Leverage your content to showcase the unique value of your event

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to enhance your existing marketing strategy, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you create a vibrant community and boost attendance. Get ready to transform your approach to event promotion and community building!

Website: https://www.katiebrinkley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamKatieBrinkley

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley

Mentioned in this episode:

Bold Push

Boldpush+ offers everything you need to build a profitable event in 2025. Community, live events, courses, exclusive discounts, and advanced insight.

Are you ready to take your events from good to extraordinary? In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Kaiser, a researcher and engagement expert who has conducted over 477 interviews to uncover the secrets of attendee engagement. We explore how to create memorable experiences that keep participants coming back year after year.

Amanda shares her insights on what truly drives engagement at events:

• It's not just about metrics - it's about how attendees feel
• Creating a sense of belonging and community
• Fostering connections between participants
• Designing experiences that capture attention and spark curiosity

We discuss tailored approaches to engage different types of attendees:

• Helping newcomers feel welcomed and part of the community
• Providing opportunities for seasoned attendees to contribute and lead
• Creating spaces for serendipitous connections to flourish

Amanda emphasizes the importance of going beyond logistics to create truly engaging events:

• Modeling the behavior you want to see in attendees
• Empowering "super connectors" to facilitate introductions
• Designing purposeful experiences that align with your event's goals

• Understand engagement from the attendee's perspective
• Create welcoming experiences from the moment of registration
• Provide opportunities for collaboration and connection
• Empower long-time attendees to become ambassadors
• Go beyond logistics to craft meaningful, memorable moments

Whether you're planning your first event or looking to revitalize a long-standing gathering, this conversation offers valuable insights to elevate your attendee experience and foster a vibrant community.

Follow Amanda:

• https://amandaleakaiser.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakaiser/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrGhsLP5Me3CPEHple5Vug