“We wanted something different—anime, cosplay, video games, and a giant Box of Doom… and we made it happen.”— Emily Zillweger, City of Marietta Special Events Coordinator In Episode 7 of Elevated Eventure, host David Sauers sits down with Emily Zillweger, the visionary behind Marietta the Gathering—a free outdoor celebration of all things geek culture, right in the heart of Marietta, GA. What started as a tribute to her brother’s love for Magic: The Gathering turned into a full-scale festival that brings together cosplayers, artists, anime fans, gamers, and local businesses for a totally unique city-wide experience. It’s not your average arts & crafts fair—it’s a creative, tech-forward, fandom-fueled block party. Emily opens up about her background in hospitality and the arts, how her late mother inspired her creative courage, and why listening to your audience—and adapting to their passions—is key to building events that feel like home. Marietta the Gathering is a free, fall event held in historic downtown Marietta, Georgia. Blending cosplay, anime art, gaming zones, and pop culture vendors, it offers a vibrant, inclusive alternative to the traditional festival. Highlights include the interactive “Box of Doom” prize challenge and themed collaborations with local businesses. Designed for all ages and fandoms, it’s a fresh celebration of creativity, community, and geek culture. Website: mariettaparks.comSocial Media: @MariettaGAParksRec (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)Contact: Emily Zillweger – ezillweger@mariettaga.govFollow: @visitmariettaga for updatesFull episode now streaming – Link in bioConnect with Emily Zillweger on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes event inspiration Whether you’re into anime, event planning, or just love seeing new ideas take shape—this one’s for you. #MariettaTheGathering #ElevatedEventure #PopCultureFestival #CosplayInThePark #CreativeEvents #GeekCultureIRL #BoxOfDoom #EventPlannerLife #MariettaGA #SmallTownBigIdeas #PodcastClip #EventProfs

🎙️ Episode 5: Let’s Talk About More Than Just Apples!

Episode 4: ”Sponsorships, Seafood & Santa Runs – with Stephanie McIntyre” In this episode of Elevated Eventure, host David Sauers sits down with Stephanie McIntyre, a 27-year event industry powerhouse best known for directing the North Carolina Seafood Festival—the state’s largest three-day festival. From coordinating scuba tanks to managing thousands of attendees, Stephanie has done it all. Now the founder of Staircase Event Sponsorship Consulting, Stephanie shares her journey into consulting, where she helps festivals, races, and charity events thrive through sponsorship strategy, logistics, and fundraising. One of the highlights? Her work with the Carteret County Partnership for Children, where she helped launch the festive and family-friendly Santa Beach Run in Atlantic Beach, NC. Think: sand, sneakers, and hundreds of Santas—all running to support early childhood programs. What you’ll hear in this episode: • How to land meaningful sponsorships (and some wild sponsor requests) • The evolution from event director to consultant • Tips on staying calm under pressure and managing teams effectively • Why aligning sponsor values is key to long-term success • A sneak peek at the Santa Beach Run and what makes it magical 📅 Save the Date: The Santa Beach Run happens every first Saturday of December in Atlantic Beach, NC! 🔗 Connect with Stephanie: Website: staircaseconsult.com Facebook: Staircase Event & Sponsorship Management Instagram: @Staircase_Event_Management LinkedIn: Staircase Event Consulting Whether you’re a seasoned planner or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical gems and inspiring stories from someone who’s been in the trenches—and built the ladder out. Like, follow, or subscribe to Elevated Eventure for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of festivals and unforgettable experiences. #EventProfs #FestivalPlanning #SponsorshipTips #SantaRun #SeafoodFestival #ElevatedEventure #PodcastSeries

🎙️ New Episode Alert – Elevated EventureFeaturing Michelle Turner, Event Coordinator for the City of Greer, SC In the latest episode of Elevated Eventure, host David Sauers goes behind the scenes with Michelle Turner, the passionate and powerhouse event coordinator from the City of Greer, South Carolina. Michelle shares her journey and gives us a front-row seat to how her team brings Greer’s vibrant event calendar to life—including the beloved City of Greer International Festival, which has grown from representing 15 countries to over 40! Learn how Michelle and her team honor diversity, manage multiple city-wide events year-round, and build community through culture, music, and celebration. Hear about: The exciting evolution of the International Festival The City of Greer’s commitment to inclusivity and family-friendly events The teamwork and leadership that fuel these efforts Michelle’s inspirations and the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way 💡 Whether you're an event planner, city leader, or just a fan of community culture, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. 📅 Mark your calendars for April 26, 2025, and don’t miss the next City of Greer International Festival—a celebration of culture, food, music, and unity! 🔗 Learn more about the City of Greer: Website: www.cityofgreer.org Events Page: https://www.cityofgreer.org/164/Events Email: events@cityofgreer.org Phone: (864) 968-7008 📱 Follow the City of Greer on Social Media: Instagram: @cityofgreer Facebook: facebook.com/CityofGreer X (Twitter): @CityofGreer YouTube: City of Greer

🎧 Dive into the world of pickles with this flavorful episode of Elevated Eventure! Host David Sauers sits down with Julie Beck—affectionately known as the Pickle Queen—as she spills the brine on her 30-year journey leading one of the South’s quirkiest and most beloved events: the North Carolina Pickle Festival. 🥒 🌍 From globe-trotting inspiration to savoring the perfect pickle-themed moments, Julie shares how a small-town festival in Mount Olive became a 60,000-strong sensation, the wild twists of planning community events, and even what it’s like to ride in a Blue Angel jet. ✈️ 🥒 What you’ll hear in this episode:• How the NC Pickle Festival became a big dill with fans nationwide• Julie’s top secrets for creating unforgettable local events• What it takes to keep a festival fresh (hint: a lot of creativity and community love!)• Festival facts, pickle passion, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else! 📅 Mark your calendar:The next North Carolina Pickle Festival is happening April 26, 2025—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 🔗 Explore More:Website: ncpicklefest.orgFacebook: facebook.com/NCPickleFestivalInstagram: @ncpicklefest📞 Call the festival team: 919-658-3113 🎪 Don’t miss out on this fun, insightful, and delicious conversation that proves even the smallest towns can throw the biggest parties. 👉 Remember to like, follow, or subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of festivals, overlanding, and unforgettable eventures! #PickleFestival #ElevatedEventure #EventPlanning #SmallTownBigFun #Podcast

Join host David Sauers at the Southeast Festival and Event Association Conference on the very first episode of "Elevated Edventure" as we chat with Rick Hubbard, a world-traveling entertainer with a knack for kazoos! 🎶 Dive into Rick's remarkable journey from discovering his love for music to becoming America's only full-time professional kazoo player. This episode is packed with laughter, fascinating stories, and even a special segment showing you how to play the kazoo! Rick shares the exciting plans to break the Guinness World Record on March 28th for the largest kazoo band at the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia, where kazoos originated. Learn about the history, the people involved, and how you can be part of this record-breaking event. Plus, find out how Rick's grandmother set him on his musical path, proving that you never know where life's turning points will lead you! Whether you're a festival enthusiast, a music lover, or just curious about the power of a humble kazoo, this episode is for you. Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe to "Elevated Adventure" for more insights into the world of festivals. 🌟🎉   #ElevatedEventure #RickKazoo #KazooFun #FestivalInsights #EntertainmentJourney #WorldRecordKazoo #CherryBlossomFestival #GuinnessWorldRecords #KazooBand #MaconGA #Kazoobie #MusicInYourLife #RickHubbard #KazooFactory   🎶 Let’s Make Some Noise! 🎶 🌐 Website: www.kazoos.com 🛒 Shop Kazoos: Shop Now 📧 Email: rick@kazoobie.com 📺 Watch the Show: Watch Here 🏆 Guinness World Record Attempt Info: Largest Kazoo Ensemble! 🎤 Book a Live Kazoo Show: Book Here 📚 Learn How to Play: Kazoo Tutorials 📱 Follow on social: Instagram: @kazoobie_kazoos Facebook: @kazoobiekazoos TikTok: @kazoobiekazoos YouTube: @kazoobiekazoos The Web: https://cherryblossom.com   🎉 Join the fun, grab your kazoo, and let’s set a world record together! #KazooCrew #KazoobieKazoos #KazooWorldRecord #KazooFun #JoinTheNoise