Shows
Epic Events by vFairsReimagining Event Experiences, Led by Attendees and Powered by Tech | Epic Events by vFairs | Tess VismaleAcademic events are a whole different ball game—and Tess Vismale, an expert in the field, is here to share her wealth of experience. From managing tight budgets to dealing with tech failures on-site, Tess dives deep into the unique challenges faced by event planners in academia.In this episode, we’ll explore:How to overcome budget limitations while delivering high-quality eventsThe role of technology in academic events and how to troubleshoot common tech issuesMaximizing attendee engagement during content-heavy academic conferencesThe future of AI in event planning and how it will shape the academic even...
2025-05-0739 min
Eating at a MeetingThe Biggest Lessons from 300 Episodes on Food Safety, inclusion & SustainabilityThis is episode 300 of Eating at a Meeting! After five year and 300 episodes, one thing is clear—food and beverage are never just about what's on the plate. They're about safety, inclusion, transparency, and creating experiences where everyone feels valued. For this milestone episode, I'm bringing back some of the most insightful and impactful guests to unpack the biggest lessons we've learned about making food and beverages safer, more accessible, and more sustainable. Join me and Tess Vismale, Erin Malawar, Ewan Phillips, Suzanne Morrel, and Laurel J. Francoeur as we dive into: ✅ The bigg...
2025-04-1554 minEating at a MeetingThe Biggest Lessons from 300 Episodes on Food Safety, inclusion & SustainabilityThis is episode 300 of Eating at a Meeting! After five year and 300 episodes, one thing is clear—food and beverage are never just about what's on the plate. They're about safety, inclusion, transparency, and creating experiences where everyone feels valued. For this milestone episode, I'm bringing back some of the most insightful and impactful guests to unpack the biggest lessons we've learned about making food and beverages safer, more accessible, and more sustainable. Join me and Tess Vismale, Erin Malawar, Ewan Phillips, Suzanne Morrel, and Laurel J. Francoeur as we dive into: ✅ The bigg...
2025-04-1554 min
Barefoot BusinessFrom Ballet to Backstage: Tess Vismale's Journey in Event Mastery In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz Lathan is joined by Tess Vismale, a powerhouse in on-site event execution and event tech facilitation. Tess shares her journey from ballet performances to managing high-profile events like Disney Upfronts and the DNC. Hear how her early experiences behind the scenes at trade shows shaped her career, why she thrives on organized chaos, and how she’s become a trusted name for seamless event operations. Tess also reveals her secret to being calm under pressure (even with celebrities like Kerry Washington!) and discusses the importance of community, trust, and scaling businesses with str...
2025-01-3032 min
The Event Tech Pull UpBuilding the Perfect Event Tech Stack: Tools, Tips, and TrapsIn this episode of Event Tech Pull Up, Tess Vismale and Keith Johnston explore the complexities of managing an event tech stack, breaking down what it is and why it’s essential for seamless event execution. They cover the must-have tools in a planner’s tech toolbox, including event management platforms, registration systems, engagement software, and even presentation tools like PowerPoint and Google Slides. With real-world examples and a dash of humor, they discuss the challenges of integrating new technologies, ensuring accessibility, managing data security, and maintaining reliability. Whether you're building your tech stack from scratch or upgrading your tool...
2024-11-2526 minThe Event Tech Pull Up12 Things Every Event Planner Needs in their Planner BagIn this episode of Event Tech Pull Up, Tess Vismale and Keith Johnston take a fun and practical dive into the essential items every meeting and event planner should have in their travel bag. Drawing from their years of experience in the events industry, they share a curated list of 12 must-haves, from a trusty USB-C hub and portable monitor to a sleek hydro bag and versatile gaff tape. Each item is discussed with humor and real-world examples, ensuring you know not just what to carry but why it matters. Whether it’s keeping your devices connected, staying hydrated, or ta...
2024-11-2023 minThe Event Tech Pull UpIs WordPress Still the Right Choice for Conference and Event Websites?In this episode, Tess Vismale and Keith Johnston examine whether WordPress remains the best choice for managing event and conference websites amid growing challenges. With changes in WordPress’s ecosystem and tensions with WP Engine, they discuss potential impacts on security and functionality for event planners. Tune in for expert insights on evaluating WordPress and exploring flexible alternatives like Squarespace and Wix to keep event websites agile and reliable.
2024-11-1915 minEating at a MeetingWe Reconnect to Talk about Event F&B after PCMA EduConAfter months of not seeing each other, I'm excited to have had just spent four days together at PCMA EduCon and to now sit down with my good friend and former neighbor, Tess Vismale, to reconnect and talk about event food and beverage. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com
2024-08-2727 minEating at a MeetingWe Reconnect to Talk about Event F&B after PCMA EduConAfter months of not seeing each other, I'm excited to have had just spent four days together at PCMA EduCon and to now sit down with my good friend and former neighbor, Tess Vismale, to reconnect and talk about event food and beverage. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com
2024-08-2727 minThe Event Tech Pull UpOn-Site Event Communication Unleashed: Inside There.app with Seth KenvinIn this episode of the Event Tech Pull Up, hosts Tess Vismale and Keith Johnston sit down with Seth Kenvin, the visionary Founder of There.app. They delve into how There.app revolutionizes on-site collaboration for event professionals, integrating live chat, file sharing, task tracking, and more into a single platform. Seth shares insights on the app’s focus on seamless teamwork, location-based features, and elevating event operations. Tune in to discover how There.app can streamline your event planning and execution, enhancing productivity and collaboration like never before.
✨ FIND THERE.APP ON THE WEB
2024-06-2828 min
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: edUcon 2024 ‘Starting with Connection.'The Convene team shares what sessions sound exciting to them for the upcoming edUcon 2024:- Event Program Overview- DJ Graffiti- Innovations Labs- Tech Labs- Tess Vismale- Networking by design- Yappy Hour- Burn the Event Experience Playbook- Building a Sustainable Production Plan- Breaking Down Barriers for Women in Business- Matthew Kalb- Charlie Todd- Sustainability Tour- Sherron Washington- Yvette Simpson Episo...
2024-06-2115 minThe Event Tech Pull UpBehind the Scenes with Rundown Studio: Revolutionizing Event ProductionIn this episode of the podcast, Keith and Tess are talking rundowns, show flows, cue sheets, run of shows, event scripts, and production schedules. A million different names. Same thing. It is what keeps your live productions on track.
For the past 20 years or so, this has been the domain of Excel. And this is a problem because you email that excel file over and over as changes happen and the versions are sure to get out of sync and that can lead to some really bad things. We almost had a video launch at the wrong...
2024-04-1851 minThe Event Tech Pull UpIs it Possible to get an Event App for Only $40?In this episode of the podcast, Keith and Tess are talking apps! Not those crazy expensive, feature-heavy behemoths currently clogging up the app stores, we are talking about Joi's latest feature... The Joi event app.
Joi is upending how event planners manage and execute events, making it accessible and practical even for smaller gatherings to have an app. Traditionally, event apps were deemed too expensive and were only considered for larger events. However, Joi upends this notion by offering a cost-effective and efficient solution that eliminates the need for printed programs or agendas. This...
2024-02-1822 minThe Event Tech Pull UpDecoding Event Data: How EQ Meets IQ with Ross CooperIn today’s episode, we’re blending the worlds of tech, observation, and brand activation. To guide us through this intersection, we have with Ross Cooper, a Senior Integrated Strategist at Inspira Marketing Group. As many of you might know, Inspira isn’t just any marketing agency; they operate at the nexus of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) and IQ (Intellectual Quotient), crafting brand experiences that resonate both emotionally and intellectually with audiences.
While data-driven insights play a monumental role in event planning – guiding decisions from venue selection to attendee engagement – it’s the human touch, the ability...
2023-10-0739 minThe Event Tech Pull UpWhat DJing can teach you about experience design. Create unforgettable events that tick all the boxesDJ Graffiti, known as The Keynote DJ, has defied conventions in his DJ career. Originating from Detroit, he initially made a name for himself as a prominent club and concert DJ, sharing stages with eminent artists such as Eminem, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Big Sean.
However, his path took an unconventional turn. DJ Graffiti ventured beyond the realm of music, applying his law and business degrees to establish a digital marketing agency. In this role, he adeptly guided clients in areas such as content strategy, traffic management, and sales conversion. Despite his achievements, h...
2023-09-2036 minThe Event Tech Pull UpAre We There Yet? The Ultimate Event Team Communication App - Part IIn this episode of the podcast, Keith and Tess dive into the
game-changing features of There.App, a revolutionary tool for event
planners. They discuss how There.App transforms communication and
collaboration, ensuring seamless connectivity among team members,
vendors, and volunteers during conferences and events, enhancing on-site
teamwork by offering access to project information, facilitating smooth
team communication, and optimizing on-site execution with real-time
location tracking, which helps keep everyone coordinated and aware of
each other’s activities.
There.app has amazing features like the team directory, project
calendar, task checklist, file sharing, live chat, and unique location
perspective th...
2023-09-1518 min
The Event Tech Pull UpThe Brilliant Mind behind Stagetimer.IOToday, we have a unique opportunity as Tess, our meeting and event superhero, is away. This gives me a chance to highlight something truly special. And what makes it so special, you may ask? Well, we have the privilege of featuring the creator of my favorite event technology of the past two years: Stagetimer.IO.
For those who know me, it's no secret that I am an enormous fan of this product. Stagetimer is single-handedly revolutionizing the way we communicate the remaining time in a session. Gone are the days of renting those bulky...
2023-07-1127 minThe Event Tech Pull UpIs it Time for the Events Industry to get some New Threads?Unless you live under a rock or in a birdhouse, you have heard about
Threads, the text-based, Twitter-like version of Instagram that Zuck
says offers “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public
conversations.”... But should it matter to meeting and event
professionals, is it a social outpost where we need to be, and does it
matter... Today, Tess and I are joined by Bob Toovey, publisher of Event
Planner News, and John D’Adamo, Senior Account Executive with Grip to
share our thoughts.
✨ FIND EVENT PLANNER NEWS ON THE WEB
↳ Event Planner News | https://eventplannernews.com/
↳ Bob on LinkedIn...
2023-07-0644 min
Adventures In BusinessAdventures in Business (Episode 24)- Tess VismaleTess Vismale schools us on technology breakthroughs within the events industry, thoughts on diversity in the meetings industry and she also shares some Apps to use in our daily work flow.
2023-06-1259 min
The Event Tech Pull UpUnleashing the Future: How AI is Revolutionizing the Event IndustryIn this episode, we are talking about AI. What it is (and isn't) and how it is going to fundamentally change the meetings and events industry on a molecular level... AI is going to rewrite the DNA of what it means to be an event professional, it will make our lives easier, and it will make your events more engaging to attendees, sponsors, and speakers, which in turn will make the stakeholders happy.
Episode Guests
David Wood
David Wood is the Founder and CEO...
2023-06-0556 min
The Event Tech Pull UpChatGPT and Events – The Machines are ComingChatGPT and other AIs are taking the world by storm. The programs have the ability to help meeting and event planners plan better events, create better web copy, and make our lives easier, but AI also strikes fear into the hearts of many people that remember that these creations are only a few steps away from SkyNet or the Matrix movies… So, what can you do with AI, is it that frightening, and should you use AI in your planning process. Join us on this episode as we dive into the AI pool and take a swim in the ar...
2023-04-0518 min
The Event Tech Pull UpKeith and Tess Broadcasting from Event Tech Live Las Vegas#EventTech nerds rejoice! Event Tech Live is coming to Las Vegas and Tess and Keith will be broadcasting during the event chatting with some of the meeting and event industry's coolest tech providers, forward thinkers, and the planners that put these gizmos, gadgets, and tools to work. ! In this episode, Tess and Keith are chatting about the sessions they are looking forward to and some of the companies they want to learn more about!
There is still time to grab a seat in Las Vegas and best of all, attending is free for meeting and event planners. C...
2023-03-1619 min
The Event Tech Pull UpJoi.Events Adds New Features for Better Event ManagementEveryone knows that we love Joi.Events and they have new features that we think everyone should know about. In the lastest release, they have added the ability for planners to add:
Resources
Assets
Budget
The new budget tool is something planners have been requesting for quite some time and they did not disappoint. The new budget section is perfect for agencies and organizations alike.
2023-02-1219 min
The Bullet List ShowThe State Of Social Media, With Guest Tess VismaleWhat is the current of state social media, with regards to the event industry? In this episode, Tess Vismale from iSocial Execution joins us to discuss the various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. We also talk about Elon Musk, the benefits of Facebook Groups and our favourite social media platforms.
"Tess Vismale is a creative visionary and the Chief Event Executioner for iSocialExecution, Inc. She is also a proud Tech Evangelist on the DAHLIA+ team. She is the former Senior Event Lead for Atlanta Botanical Gardens, a Tech Evangelist with The Meeting Pool, as...
2022-05-0631 min
The Event Tech Pull UpA Conversation with InEvent, Part I - Better Virtual and Hybrid EventsSometimes you have a plan for an episode and the minute you start, you know it is headed off the rails in a good way! Such is the case with our conversation with InEvent.
What we intended to be a single episode, chatting about their virtual platform, became a two parter with some amazing twists and turns. We talked about everything from cameras and cables to virtual networking and the metaverse, looping back around in Part II to take a deep dive into the InEvent Platform so you can see just how easy it is to create a...
2022-03-1731 minThe Event Tech Pull UpS2 E3 - Rethinking the Conference Poster SessionWhen ya been quiet for a bit, it is always good to come back with a bang and that is exactly what Tess and I set out to do after a WHOLE YEAR of no episodes. This week, we are joined by our guest Tamsin Treasure Jones (coolest name evah!) of Kubify to chat about their next generation of technology that will take your after-thought-crammed-into-the-moldy-basement poster sessions and bringing them into the digital age. Imagine, poster sessions can now be interactive, multimedia, and long lived. They can appeal not only to in-person attendees but to your virtual audience as well.
2021-12-1643 minThe Event Tech Pull UpS2-E2 Event Tech Through a Different LensFor meeting and event people, things not going according to plan can be a disaster...but sometimes, not sticking with the script can be the best thing that can happen. This is what happened in this episode, we invited Ashanti Bentil-Dhue to come and discuss a variety of topics but we never actually made it past the news! We went down a whole host of rabbitholes talking about the recent YouTube outage, why you should update Google Chrome, and the recent winners from Event Tech Live.
A little background, Ashanti Bentil-Dhue is an experienced...
2020-11-1549 minThe Event Tech Pull UpS1-E15 - An Awarding Hour of Event TechSome people are amazingly patient. You should know that Adam Parry is one of those people. This episode was actually recorded a couple of months ago and then boom... Things happened. A few client events here, new technologies to learn there, and the next thing you know, it is October.
So, putting my procrastination aside, let's learn a little more about Adam before you dive into this episode.
Most know that he is the co-founder and editor of the online magazine, Event Industry News, but that is not his only superpower. Adam is also one...
2020-10-0347 min
Inside Events by SwapcardAmplifying Black Voices in Tourism and Meetings & Events with Alana Dillette & Tess VismaleWe’re kicking off season two of Inside Events with a different and important conversation. On the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, the civil revolution that has emerged in the United States has sparked an initiative to amplify Black voices. This isn’t something only needed in the U.S., but throughout the world, and in the meetings & events and tourism industries.Host Megan Powers and Swapcard consider themselves allies. They wanted to start Season 2 with a conversation about how our industry can -- and should -- do better by our Black colleagues....
2020-07-1648 minThe Event Tech Pull UpA Dream of Event Industry SuccessDreams do Come True
At the age of 12, I was riding my bike around the neighborhood and goofing off. I did not know up from down or left from right nevermind what I wanted to do with my entire life… Good thing our next guest is nothing like me. Donvil Collins had a clear vision of his future and where he wanted to go and he made it happen, becoming a leader in the video production and live streaming field before he even finished colleage. His story is the stuff of legend.
Donvil started his first bu...
2020-07-0758 minThe Event Tech Pull UpGame, Set, RegMatch – Registration Built by Meeting PlannersExperience Matters
Women leading event tech companies are rare, Black Women leading event tech companies are few… But those who dare become legends. Such is the case of our guests Zita Steglich-Ross, CMP and Lori Burke, CMP. Two amazing EventProfs that are leading the way in online registration with their company regmatch®.
Together, they gathered up their seven decades of combined experience in meeting and event planning and created a registration product that was built by planners, for planners. Their ethos is that every event deserves a solution that provides a seamless journey from registration to itinerari...
2020-06-1845 minThe Event Tech Pull UpA Tale of Two PandemicsJust like a mythical perfect storm, two pandemics are currently sweeping the globe. One is new, never before seen on this earth and has caused the global economy to come to a crushing halt. The other, centuries old, continues its long march across the continents spreading its evil into every corner of society. Together, they form an unlikely duo and as one, we will rise to the occasion to challenge the status quo or be forever in their embrace.
In this episode, Hosts Tess Vismale and Keith Johnston discuss Systemic Racism against Black people and COVID-19, the two gre...
2020-06-1450 minThe Event Tech Pull UpVirtual Event Engagement gets Book SmartThere are people you meet that you instantly forget and then there are people you meet that you just know in your heart are going to change the world. Jillian Cardinal is going to make waves in the meetings and events industry and her enthusiasm for all things events and attendees is infectious. You walk away from a conversation with her a better person for just having been in the room. She is full of amazing ideas, knows how to implement them, and is not afraid to tell it like it is.
There were a hundred different ways we...
2020-06-0449 minThe Event Tech Pull UpVirtual Event Engagement – illustrated with Ink FactoryEngaging your attendees in any setting is tough and in a virtual setting, it can seem downright daunting which is why for the next couple of episodes, we will be focusing on guests that have some unique ideas that will energize your event.
First up is Dusty and Emma from Ink Factory. If you are not in the know, Ink Factory helps engage your audience, employees, and clients by bringing content to life through drawing real-time visual notes at events and meetings.
Some of the things we cover in our interview:
What is Ink Factory...
2020-06-0158 minThe Event Tech Pull UpRose Colored Marketing in the Age of Covid – Adjusting the LensTech and marketing go hand in hand, especially in the 21st Century. In this episode, Tess and Keith chat with Michelle Bergstein of Beat Creative Marketing, a longtime collaborator and colleague, she is a Digital Marketer with a passion for designing and implementing social media campaigns across multiple platforms in the event and hospitality markets. She is smart, on point, and on of the most fun people we know.
Some of the things we cover in our interview:
Offering services, sponsorships, or attendance for free – Should you?
How to revise your organizations packages from sponsorship to services...
2020-05-0842 minThe Event Tech Pull UpPodcasting for Associations, Conferences, and EventsIn this episode, Keith and Tess get to sit down and chat with the one and only Mike McAllen, Executive Director of the California Podcast Association and Podcasting4Associations. Mike is one of the foremost experts about podcasting and helps membership-based organizations retain and connect with association members and build revenue-generating podcasts.
Topics we dive into:
What are a couple of reasons an association might want to start a podcast now?
What are some effective ways to grow an audience?
What are some of the benefits of taking your podcast on the road to your annual confe...
2020-05-0449 minThe Event Tech Pull UpInterview with Special Guest Congressman Mike QuigleyIn this episode, Tess and Keith have a wide ranging discussion with very special guest, Congressman Mike Quigley. During the interview, they touch on a variety of subjects including the Covid-19 crisis, getting the meetings and events industry back to work, data protection, and more. Keith and Tess also talk about some industry news.
Companies in Event Tech News:
Facebook is making moves in video, should Zoom be worried?
Like soccer? Tess is digging how Borussia Mönchengladbach fans are filling the stadium without actually being there for the matches.
A look at how cruise ships sailed...
2020-04-3040 minThe Event Tech Pull UpContent Marketing for Meeting and Event Professionals – Part 2 – The TechnologyIn part two of a two part episode, Tess and Keith talk with Anati Zubia and Kelley Wyant about content marketing and why it is critical to keep in touch with your members, attendees, and sponsors in the time of Covid-19. This second part focuses on the tech you need to begin the content marketing journey. We also chat about some of the industry news including tech that disinfects!
Companies in Event Tech News:
Tech that disinfects – The Aertos 120-UVC drone and a robots shaped like a mini-fridge that spray hydrogen peroxide
Content Marketi...
2020-04-2830 minThe Event Tech Pull UpContent Marketing for Meeting and Event Professionals – Part 1 – The StrategyIn part one of this two part episode, Tess and Keith talk with Kelley Wyant and Anati Zubia about content marketing and why it is critical to keep in touch with your members, attendees, and sponsors in the time of Covid-19. Part one focuses on the how and why of the content marketing journey. We also chat about some of the industry news that is floating around including a ProPublica report on the cancelling of the Houston Rodeo.
Companies in Event Tech News:
ProPublica’s report on the cancelling of the Houston Rodeo
As part of our disc...
2020-04-2831 minThe Event Tech Pull UpBlockchain for Events and #EventTech NewsIn this episode, Tess and Keith talk with Tracy Leparulo about blockchain and how it will make our attendee and member data more secure in the coming years. Tess tells the world the not hidden secret that Keith is actually Plannerwire and gets him to talk about his latest blog post, the one where he thinks that Covid19 has done more damage to the industry than most are letting on… And we got some news… India joins everyone else saying Zoom isn’t safe and we disagree with everyone, Verizon screws up the company behind video meeting platform BlueJeans by buying them...
2020-04-2038 minThe Event Tech Pull UpCybersecurty for Event and Association Professionals and #EventTech NewsIn this episode, Tess and Keith talk with the Keatron Evans about the cybersecurity issues we all must face to keep our attendees and members data secure. Yes, we chat about Zoom.
Companies in Event Tech News:
Eventbrite lay off a crap-ton of their staff.
Cybersecurty for Event and Association Professionals
Guest – Keatron Evans
His Company – KM Cyber Security
Find him on the socials – Twitter
He Wrote a Book – Chained Exploits, Advanced Hacking Attacks from Start to Finish
2020-04-1330 minThe Event Tech Pull UpRepurposing Content to Create a Conference Podcast and #EventTech NewsIn the episode, Tess and Keith talk with the amazing Amani Roberts about creating a conference podcast using existing content and we learn about what Google is up to with Hangouts.
Companies in the Event Tech News:
Zoom gots some issues, but they are trying.
Google Hangouts is gone, welcome Google Meet and yep, it is powerful.
Re-purposing Content to Create a Conference Podcast.
Guest Amani Roberts
His Company – The Amani Experience
Find him on the socials – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
He Wrote a Book – DJs Mean Business
2020-04-1333 minThe Event Tech Pull UpAvoiding Virtual Event Pitfalls and some EventTech NewsIn the episode, Tess and Keith talk about avoiding some of the pitfalls when pivoting your live event to virtual. Some of the news includes Attendify's new virtual platform, Hio's new virtual networking features, and Splash Virtual's event marketing programs.
Common Pitfalls when hosting a Virtual Event
Too much tech or picking the wrong platform
You must have a plan
Practice, Practice, Practice
Incomplete instructions for attendees
Make sure to have a rehearsal for speakers
Check your speakers set up long before they go live
Not all presentations have to be live - Example UPPERCASE2020
Not a...
2020-04-0628 min
#EventIconsShould We Move Away from Excel? Technology Solutions for Event Professionals- Episode 90Excel is not working for event professionals. So what are some good technology solutions for event professionals? Event profs cannot work in a space that you cannot collaborate in. You need collaborative workspaces and technology solutions for event professionals that everyone can access at any time. If you want to move off excel and into a technology solution that will help you succeed, then this is the episode you are looking for! This week, We have some amazing #EventIcons joining us to talk about their view on this topic. We bet this is the episode you don’t want to miss...
2017-12-131h 00#EventIconsCtrl + Alt + Del – Episode 24This week, we take a look at the new industry event, Ctrl Alt Del, which has risen from the cancellation of a major industry conference. From their website: [CTRL] + [ALT] + [DEL] will transmit the amazing energy of events world movers & shakers across the globe, hitting a mental reboot to evolve our industry. With some of the strongest voices we will address critical topics that keep us up at night, talking through and finding solutions for New Breeds of Event Planners & Event Strategists, ROI on Networking, Integration Power to Improve Event Performance, Digital Transformation, Community Building, Digital Engagement, and Diversity at...
2016-08-1757 min