Mud, music, and grit: Building the ultimate festival community with Billie Jo Aasen

In this episode, you’ll learn about the evolving landscape of event sponsorships in 2024, providing invaluable insights for event professionals grappling with sponsorship challenges from three industry powerhouses:

1. Arianna Black, Director of Events and Digital Experience for Women In Product

2. Evan Babins, Event Manager for Intuit

3. Jennifer Feeney, Head of Event Sponsorships for The New York Times

Together, they explore strategies for engaging sponsors, navigating budget constraints, and enhancing the sponsor experience to secure early commitments and maximize ROI. The conversation offers a blend of personal anecdotes, practical tips, and forward-thinking approaches to crafting meaningful partnerships with sponsors in an industry where expectations and dynamics are continuously shifting.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1. How to craft compelling sponsorship packages that offer real value and incentives for early sign-ups is crucial in today's competitive environment

2. Ways to build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors by listening to their needs and aligning with their goals can lead to more meaningful and lucrative partnerships

3. The power of creativity in how sponsorships are pitched and delivered can help stand out and cater to both large corporations and smaller organizations, enhancing the overall event experience for sponsors.

For show notes, the transcript, and more, visit 

In this enlightening episode, we’re joined by Pauline Kwasniak, a seasoned event professional and advocate for integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) in events. As CEO at Finedeeds.com — a platform for businesses and events to engage employees and measure their collective social impact — she discusses the importance of CSR in creating memorable and impactful events. 

She emphasizes that doing good is not only a noble pursuit but a strategic business decision. Through her work, Kwasniak aims to make CSR an industry standard, underscoring the role of events in driving social change and fostering a sense of community.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) How incorporating CSR into events boosts marketing, enhances brand image, and meets attendee expectations for social impact

2) Why CSR initiatives must resonate with an event’s audience and stakeholders in a meaningful way to create a memorable experience and amplify social impact.

3) The trend toward showcasing social impact footprints and how growing CSR initiatives indicate a greater expectation for events to contribute positively to societal and environmental causes

For the full transcript and additional show notes, visit www.bizzabo.com/podcast/pauline-kwasniak-CSR-in-event-management

In this episode of Event Experience, host Rachel Moore sits down with Billie Jo Aasen, CEO of The Festival Company, to dive into the muddy waters of organizing Canada's largest mud and music festival: Extreme Mudfest, a four-day mud and music festival located in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.

With a decade of experience under her belt — and a journey from aspiring country singer to festival mogul — Aasen shares the highs and lows of festival planning, from the early days of scraping by to the triumphant moments of sell-out success. The conversation covers the challenges of scaling an event, the importance of knowing your audience and building community, and the unexpected hurdles of weather and logistical nightmares.

Bonus: Aasen announces a second Mudfest location, marking a new chapter in her mission to bring the spirit of extreme motorsports and music to a broader audience!

Here’s what else you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1. How Aasen transformed a passion for country music and community into the founding of Canada's largest mud and music festival

2. Balancing authenticity and knowing your market with the importance of strategic growth and continuous innovation

3. The critical role of resilience in the event industry, underscoring the financial and emotional challenges of festival planning

For the full transcript and links to things mentioned in this episode, visit www.bizzabo.com/podcast/billie-jo-aasan-mudfest-festival-planning!

Tune in as Host Rachel Moore dives into the intricacies of using post-event data to shape future event successes with industry experts The Event Strategist Founder Nicola Kastner and Lenovo Global Events Manager Jon Wolff. 

The discussion opens up the challenges of analyzing event data, the potential of AI in streamlining this process, and the practical steps toward transforming these insights into actionable strategies for 2024. Through a blend of expert opinions and actionable advice, the conversation sheds light on the crucial role of data in event planning, the pitfalls to avoid, and how AI tools can offer a competitive edge in interpreting vast amounts of data. 

With an extensive background in event marketing strategy, Kastner emphasizes the significance of aligning event objectives with business goals and using data to inform every event planning stage. On the other hand, Wolff shares his experience in leveraging data for ROI optimization and the importance of sales and marketing alignment in utilizing event data effectively. 

Together, they explore the essential metrics for measuring event success, the common challenges in data analysis, and how to overcome these obstacles to create impactful and memorable events.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• The importance of clearly defined objectives in collecting and analyzing event data to drive future event strategies.

• How AI and machine learning tools can assist in uncovering trends and actionable insights from post-event data.

• Strategies for overcoming common data analysis challenges, including the need for standardization and avoiding biases in AI-assisted data interpretation.

Mentioned in This Episode

• ChatGPT

• SAP 

• Lenovo

• Rachel Moore on LinkedIn

• Nicola Kastner on LinkedIn

• Jon Wolff on LinkedIn

Say hello to Aleksandra Panyukhina, the Director of Experience Marketing at Pixelz, who brings more than 12 years of expertise in the events industry to this episode of Event Experience. 

Listen in as Panyukhina (pronounced Pan-YOO-keenah) discusses the importance of creating intimate, memorable experiences — aka micro-events — that foster genuine connections and trust. For Panyukhina, these smaller events contrast with larger-scale events where such personal engagement is often lacking.

She also shares her approach to experience marketing, which encompasses events, account-based marketing (ABM), partner marketing, and community building. The conversation also delves into the logistical and strategic aspects of organizing micro-events. 

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• The macro impact of micro-events in creating lasting relationships and trust with target accounts

• Why small-scale events require a deeper audience understanding and a focus on creating comfortable, engaging environments

• How collaboration with sales teams and internal stakeholders is crucial for aligning event goals with broader business objectives

Mentioned in this episode

• Pixelz

• Account-based experience (ABX)

• Christian Dior Destiny by Marie France Pochna

• Aleksandra Panyukhina on LinkedIn

Join Event Experience host Rachel Moore as she invites Ryan Howard, Senior Technical Program Manager at Google, to delve into the integration of technology in event spaces. Howard has more than 30 years of experience in engineering and technology, and his role at Google involves leading the technological strategy for the giant’s global event spaces, supporting various business units, and driving the company's tech-forward approach to events. 

Howard also co-leads the Google Experience Institute (XI), a hub for exploring the future of event experiences. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in designing technology for Google's diverse event spaces, ranging from executive briefing centers to sales-focused environments. He stresses the importance of aligning technology design to ensure tech enhances rather than detracts from the human experience. 

Tune in to this conversation to hear about the following:

• The crucial role of technology in shaping the success and innovation of events at Google 

• The importance of aligning technological solutions with the specific objectives and audience needs of each event

• Insights into Google's ongoing projects and initiatives in experience design, responsive environment design, and neurodivergent inclusion

Mentioned in This Episode

• Slough House book series by Mick Herron

• Goldman Sachs 

• Google Experience Institute (XI)

• IMEX Frankfurt

• The Sphere in Las Vegas

• Naomi Clare Crellin (founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab; editor and host of innovation think tank the Futures Forum; and Google XI participant)

• HKS for inclusive space design

• Ryan Howard on LinkedIn

In this episode, Event Experience host Rachel Moore interviews Ashley Ronkowski, a seasoned event professional with extensive experience in event planning and marketing. Ronkowski shares her comprehensive approach to event management, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and having a versatile event kit. She discusses her recent role at Calm and her journey through various facets of event planning, from managing social media to leading global events.

Ronkowski highlights the significance of building strong internal and external teams, detailing how crucial buy-in from all stakeholders, especially at the executive level, is for the success of any event. She also shares her personal strategies for self-care during high-stress event periods, advocating for a holistic approach to wellness. Throughout the conversation, Ronkowski emphasizes the value of community and collaboration in the events industry, providing insights on handling unexpected challenges and leveraging networks for success.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• The importance of having a comprehensive event kit to handle any unexpected situation 

• Why building strong internal and external teams is key to successful event execution 

• How to best leverage industry networks and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning

Mentioned in This Episode

• Ellen Hilderbrand (author)

• Bravo (TV network)

• The Blonde Files podcast 

• The Daily Skimm

• 9 to 5ish podcast 

• Nicola Kastner’s episode on Event Experience

• Ashley Ronkowski on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Event Experience podcast by Bizzabo! This episode features Arianna Black, the Director of Events and Digital Experiences for Women in Product. 

Join Black as she delves into her extensive background in event production and explores her current role at Women in Product. She shares her insights on creating engaging virtual and physical event spaces while emphasizing the importance of community-driven events and boosting sponsor ROI. She also explores how virtual events have evolved, highlighting their challenges and opportunities. 

Black’s approach to event planning is strategic and data-driven, aiming to make each event meaningful and impactful for every attendee. The conversation also covers the use of technology in events — including generative AI — and how it can enhance personalization and networking opportunities.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• The significance of community-driven events in empowering women in product management roles.

• Strategies for merging physical and virtual event spaces for enhanced attendee and sponsor experiences.

• Insights into the evolving nature of events, focusing on engagement, inclusivity, and the importance of personalization.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Women in Product

• Better Events Pod

• Peloton experience

• Julius Solaris

• Priya Parker

• Arianna Black on LinkedIn

In this episode, host Rachel Moore sits down with Hugh Forrest, the Co-president and Chief Programming Officer of SXSW. With roughly 35 years of experience with SXSW, Forrest explores the evolution of this monumental event and its impact on — and takeover of — Austin, Texas. 

He delves into the complexities of managing a city-wide festival, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and adapting to the changing events landscape. Forrest's insights into fostering community, embracing creativity, and ensuring attendee satisfaction offer a compelling look into the world of large-scale event management.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• The importance of building and maintaining a strong community and how community feedback and engagement have been crucial to the evolution and success of SXSW

• The challenges and opportunities in adapting SXSW to a changing world, including navigating the pandemic and embracing technological advancements like AI

• Why SXSW's commitment to fostering a diverse range of creative industries and encouraging interdisciplinary interactions is a key aspect of its enduring appeal and success

Mentioned in This Episode

• Pivot podcast by Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway

• The Daily podcast from The New York Times

• All In podcast

• International Women’s Day

• The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual by Rick Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searls, and David Weinberger

• Hugh Forrest on LinkedIn

Join us as we dive into the future of event planning! This episode explores event trends and insights for 2024, particularly conscious conferencing, DE&I, sustainability in event planning, the evolving dynamics of sponsorships, and the increasing role of AI and event tech in enhancing attendee engagement. 

The conversation offers a comprehensive outlook on how these elements will shape the future of events, providing valuable insights for professionals in the field. Tune in to hear host Will Curran, Bizzabo’s Head of Klik, tackle the year ahead with the following industry luminaries:

• Adam Parry, Cofounder & Editor at Event Industry News

• Greg DeShields, Executive Director at Tourism Diversity Matters

• Lauren Olerich, Senior Director of Corporate Events at Gainsight

• Christine Renaud, CEO and Cofounder at Braindate by e180

• Bob Johnston, Founder and CEO at the Executive Council

• Nicola Kastner, Founder of The Event Strategist

• Brandt Krueger, Senior Production Manager at EideCom

Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

• Why attendees care more than ever about conscious conferencing (i.e., the intersection of events that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability)

• Effective ways to attract sponsors by understanding their KPIs and offering them opportunities to showcase their expertise

• The increasingly significant role of AI in driving data-driven events, helping in areas such as design conceptualization, attendee engagement, and more efficient planning

Mentioned in This Episode

• Adam Parry on LinkedIn

• Greg DeShields on LinkedIn

• Lauren Olerich on LinkedIn

• Christine Renaud on LinkedIn

• Bob Johnston on LinkedIn

• Nicola Kastner on LinkedIn

• Brandt Krueger on LinkedIn