Smart Start Radio: Bright Ideas from the Meeting Planner’s Toolbox

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?In this episode of Smart Start Radio, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sat down with Jacques Martiquet, the “Party Scientist,” who shares his unique approach to transforming events into high-energy, deeply connected experiences. Discover how event planners can design gatherings that are more joyful and impactful, creating memorable moments that go beyond the ordinary. Sara Robertson also spoke with Allison Diange, senior sales manager at The Reach Key West, to learn more about the unique team-building programming the property has recently rolled out, and how it helps foster genuine, lasting connection among attendees.

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?In this episode of Smart Start, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson chat with Michael Tennant, founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab, and Naomi Clare Crellin, founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab. These empathy experts have dedicated their careers to helping others embark on their personal empathy journeys and to design experiences with empathy at the center. Sara Robertson also speaks with Dr. Lisa Belanger, CEO of ConsciousWorks, on the topic of loneliness within the events industry. www.smartmeetings.com

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?In this episode of Smart Start, we kick things off with a conversation with Jack Johnson, Destinations International's chief advocacy officer, regarding the news that Visit Florida removed the LGBTQ+ resource page from their website. Later, editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson are joined by trailblazing mother-daughter-duo, Tyra and Jasmine Dyson. Together, they’re the brains behind The Brand Xperience Lounge and Boss Up Girl Co. Join Smart Start as we dig into gender disparity in the events industry, and what the future holds (spoiler alert: it’s filled with confident authenticity, intentional mentorship and cheering each other on).

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?In this sparkling grand opening of Smart Meetings’ re-branded podcast, formerly Meeting of the Minds, now Smart Start: The Meeting Planner’s Toolbox, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson bring in managing editor Gary Diedrichs to dig into his extensive industry knowledge and expertise as a long-time meetings industry writer.Discover the tie between the meetings industry and mushrooms (a mushroom leather conference booth? And it’s biodegradeable? Sign us up.), how business travelers tackle time zones, the key to getting your foot in the door at conferences, and why Gary wants Hawaiian barbeque. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon to join us as we put together the toolbox every planner needs for a Smart Start.

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?Continuing our discission of AI with Janette Roush, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for New York City Tourism & Conventions, and Sindhu Srivastava, CEO of We Crush Events and MeaningfulData , in this special mini episode, we explore the issue of bias in AI. To hear the full conversation, listen here:

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?In this episode of Meeting of the Minds, Smart Meetings sits down with Janette Roush, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for New York City Tourism & Conventions, and Sindhu Srivastava, CEO of We Crush Events and MeaningfulData, to explore the potential of AI in the events industry. From predictive models to large language models, they discuss how AI can revolutionize event planning, offer practical advice for planners looking to integrate AI into their workflow, and address important considerations such as bias and responsible AI usage. Join the conversation as they envision the future of AI in event planning and discuss its potential to shape a more efficient and inclusive industry.www.smartmeetings.com

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?On this episode of Meeting of the Minds, Smart Meetings is joined by Jaclyn Bernstein, president and owner of Empire Force Events, and Alexis Dick, an event planner at HARDI. The two professionals discussed not only how to build networks and maintain them, but the value these relationships add to a person’s professional life and how they can evolve.Dick, an emerging leader in event planning, shares her experience of starting her career during the pandemic, highlighting the unexpected connections and sense of community it fostered. Bernstein, an experienced professional in the industry, emphasizes the importance of relationships in business success, citing personal examples and industry involvement.www.smartmeetings.com

Let us know what you think! What do you want to hear about?On this episode of Meetings of the Minds, Smart Meetings brings together two meeting professionals in different stages of their career to discuss a range of hot topics in the industry. In this discussion, Valerie Ulrich, former vice president of special events and conferences at First Republic Bank and currently a consultant for special events and conferences, and Spencer Glazer, event coordinator at Wolters Kluwer, discuss work/life balance. Co-hosted by Smart Meetings Editors Sara Robertson and Eming Piansay, the discussion dives deep into remote work, running events in real time and managing heavy workloads and multiple projects.Want to learn more? Check Out www.smartmeetings.com