Retreats For Event Profs: Do We Need Them?

Let's talk about retreats for event profs. So, who doesn't love a good retreat? Whether it is within your company or you go all by yourself, these experiences can be life-changing. Because it's no secret that, human beings, we all need to retreat from something at some point. Maybe we just want to recharge. Or maybe we need to stay quiet for a little while. Whatever the reason is, there are many good things to be said about retreats - and retreats for event profs in particular.

So on this week's episode of Event Brew, Dustin Westling, Will Curran, and Thuy Diep get together to discuss the topic. What are their personal experiences with retreats? And in light of recent events - pandemic and consequent lockdown - will they become even more common? Will our industry adopt these retreats for event profs as a way to reconnect socially? Join us and learn more!

Event Company Hiring vs Unemployed Event Prof: Different Perspectives

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people felt the economic consequences. And few industries have felt this impact quite like the events industry did. Many event profs found themselves jobless overnight. But on the opposite side of the spectrum, those that chose to embrace the virtual landscape began growing their business. Companies that fall into this category are now hiring in order to answer the demand of the virtual market.

The Brew Crew just so happens to include two people going through these opposing experiences. Thuy Diep has a unique perspective to offer in terms of being currently unemployed. And Will Curran can speak on the side of an event company hiring and what that means for Endless and the industry. So on this week’s episode of the Event Brew, our listeners can get a sense of what it feels like to be on each side: unemployed event prof versus event company hiring. How does the pandemic affect them? What advice do they have to offer? Press play right now and find out!

Tomorrowland 2020: The Virtual Event of The Year?

Tomorrowland 2020 happened recently, and the result is something no one was expecting. Like many other high-profile events, the festival was forced to make the decision of either canceling or going virtual. Well, they chose the latter, and now the events industry has solid proof that not only can digital experiences be a success, but they can bring even better results than in-person events. And there's a lot to be discussed and learned from the whole ordeal!

So on this week's Event Brew, Will Curran, Nick Borelli, and Dustin Westling got together to bounce some ideas around. What can event professionals take away from Tomorrowland 2020? And what does its success tell us about the direction the industry is taking? Press play and join us to find out!

Live Events Coalition: Is It Helping The Industry?

The Live Events Coalition has been making waves around the industry. After a pandemic almost put a complete stop to the industry, a group of people knew something had to be done. And so, they rallied together in the name of the events industry and all of the people who found themselves jobless and hopeless without a single warning.

But what exactly is the Live Events Coalition? And what is it doing for event professionals all across the country? What can we learn, and most importantly, what can we do, in order to be more proactive? Join the Brew Crew for another amazing episode of the most uncensored, candid podcast in the events industry and find out.

IMEX America 2020 Cancelled: Let’s Talk About It

News recently broke out that IMEX America 2020 won’t be taking place. And it’s been hitting a lot of people in the industry extremely hard, which is understandable. IMEX has also been regarded as one of the most important events for planners and professionals, not just in the US, but all over the world. Seeing this incredible and monumental experience make the decision to cancel can have quite an emotional impact. However, considering the circumstances, it’s the right thing to do.

With this in mind, it’s important to remember that we’re all still human and waving goodbye to IMEX America 2020 takes a big toll on everyone who holds the industry dear. So this week, Nick Borelli, Thuy Diep, and Will Curran got together to talk about in what can only be defined as a cathartic experience. Join the Brew Crew in yet another unfiltered, candid conversation about what the cancellation of IMEX means to events and the consequences of the decision. As always, it’s time to get brewing!

RNC Goes In-Person: Hope Or Mistake?

It’s recently been announced that the Republican National Convention will take place in-person. So not virtual, not hybrid, but fully old school. Understandably, this has been received by people all over the country with mixed reactions. Some are in chock. And some are in agreement. Others simply don’t know what to think anymore. But what we want to discuss today is how we should feel from the perspective of event professionals. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Obviously, the pandemic is still going strong in the States. Cases are steadily rising, so the return of in-person events doesn’t sound like a reasonable expectation. But now that the RNC is taking that step, should the industry rejoice? Should we be hopeful about the announcement? Or should we be wary of the consequences? Well, that’s exactly what the Brew Crew will be talking about today. So grab your favorite drink, press play, and join Will Curran, Thuy Diep, and Nick Borelli for another amazing episode of Event Brew!

CES 2021 Is Going Virtual! Now what?

The annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association known as CES has long been considered the digital stage for innovation. From its Westworld-inspired activations to the exciting technology it presents to its tech-savvy audience, CES has consistently been pushing forward. And yet again, the people behind the show seem to be at the forefront of change. Because it’s recently been announced that CES 2021 will be entirely virtual, keeping up with the latest trend.

Many people in the industry still held onto the hope that the first quarter of next year would allow for in-person events to come back with a vengeance. However, due to the current state of uncertainty, this mindset can be dangerous. And now that CES 2021 will officially be a digital experience, events industry professionals are forced to face the facts. But while having such a high-profile event move to the virtual sphere might symbolize that in-person won’t return any time soon, planners shouldn’t despair. On the contrary, if CES can do it, there’s no reason to believe you can’t!

If you still have your doubts, that’s fair. But Will Curran and Nick Borelli might be able to change your mind. In this week’s episode of Event Brew, our amazing hosts will be discussing the CES 2021 situation. Can this be the wake-up call the industry needed? Is there anything we can learn from this huge step the event has decided to take? Grab your favorite drink, press play, and join us for another episode of the most iconic podcast in the industry!

So, What Is A Hybrid Event, Really?

It's the question on everyone's minds, and the Brew Crew is here to answer - what is a hybrid event? Sure, superficially it might seem easy to understand. But we want to go deeper than just your standard Oxford Dictionary definition. What makes hybrid events great? Why are they so important? And what can planners do to create a successful hybrid experience in a world where these types of events are gaining enormous momentum?

That's exactly what Will Curran, Thuy Diep, and Nick Borelli are bringing to the table on today's episode of Event Brew. As per usual, our incredible hosts are ready to have a candid, filter-free conversation about the topic. Everything you've ever wanted to know about design for hybrid events, how to make them stand out, and why they will be the future if done right will be discussed this week. So grab your favorite drink and join the party!

Event Planning Around Political Unrest

Ignoring politics, in general, is hard. Ignoring politics during the current state of things is impossible. As the world struggles to contain a global pandemic and a series of protests arise throughout several countries, event planners need to take a step back. Once again, we urge you to remember why you chose this profession and why you love this industry. And a while ago, we touched upon this topic when we discussed storytelling. But amidst current circumstances, it becomes more relevant than ever.

Event planners have a responsibility towards their attendees and, to a certain extent, towards the world. The power of events lies in bringing people together, no matter the circumstances. And so far, we proved successful. But how does event planning around political unrest work? What part do we play in being game-changers and help push the world forward? Join Nick Borelli, Dustin Westling, and Thuy Diep as they discuss this topic on this week's incredible edition of Event Brew!

CDC Guidelines For Events

It's time to talk about safety - and that means CDC guidelines for events. Because in a world where COVID-19 is still present, planners need to start getting up to date with the program. As the economy starts opening back up, the events industry has to keep up with the measures put in place to protect people. Hybrid events will come into play. And in order to make attendees feel safe, as well as to respect the CDC guidelines for events, some studying and research become necessary.

Obviously, things will keep changing accordingly to the state of the world. But that's just another reason for event professionals to stay on top of these guidelines. Because as we discussed recently, only events that ensure safety will emerge as the winners. So, what are the biggest risk factors? And what must event planners do to ensure maximum safety for their attendees now and in the future? Are there any specific measures depending on the size and nature of the event? All of this and more will be discussed on this week's episode of Event Brew, hosted by Thuy Diep, Will Curran, and Nick Borelli. So press play and join the conversation!