Have you ever poured your soul into an event and still wondered… did anyone actually learn anything? If that question feels too real, this episode is a must listen. Megan Martin sits down with Dr. Kristin Malek, the architect of curiosity who mixes neuroscience with name badges to design events that shift hearts, minds, and behavior.
From her Las Vegas executive director days to the moment she realized event agendas were “RSVPing no” to her brain, Dr. K comes in blazing with alliteration, improv energy, and lines like, “You cannot spreadsheet serotonin.”
They play a round of Science or Schedule, where Megan tosses out industry dilemmas and Dr. Kristin fires back with gems including, “A ninety minute keynote is our parents lifetime,” and “Sending the PowerPoint is like sending a grocery list and calling it dinner.”
What You’ll Learn:
• Why adult attention spans tap out at twelve minutes
• Why overstuffed agendas kill transformation
• “You cannot hashtag oxytocin” and other truths about your event
• A Lego story that changed a community
• How good design thinking shapes experiences far beyond events
And her Vent of the Week story about eight board members having emotional breakthroughs with Legos. Iconic.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Kristin Malek is an internationally recognized designer and educator specializing in mindset and behavior change, known for blending neuroscience, psychology, and experience design to create measurable transformation.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
Connect with the Guest
If you’ve ever wondered how your early event jobs shaped the way you plan today, this one’s for you. In this “Dynamic Dialogue After Show”, host Megan Martin and guest Jessie Smith rewind to where it all began.
Starting on the venue side, learning the ropes from restaurant sales offices to full-scale corporate programs, and how those “learn-it-on-the-fly” lessons built a 20-year career in events for Jessie.
Jessie opens up about what earning two degrees in event management really taught her, and how living at a slower pace has reshaped her approach to work, leadership, and burnout.
From hospitality roots to managing high-stakes global programs, this “After Show” is a refreshing reminder that success looks different for everyone. It’s okay to define it on your own terms.
🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
How starting on the venue side shapes the way planners think
Why formal education in event management still matters
The difference between big-city hustle and small-town balance
Whether earning your CMP is truly worth it — and what it actually changes
How Jessie defines “success” after two decades in events
About the Guest:
Jessie Smith is an Event Manager at Enterprise Events Group and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Virtual Event Producer, and Event Strategist. She’s an industry enthusiast who brings heart, humor, and hands-on experience to every production she manages.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
Connect with the Guest
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesssmith1031/
If you’ve ever had an event day spiral into chaos and somehow still pulled off magic, this one’s for you. Host Megan Martin sits down with Jessie Smith, Event Manager at Enterprise Events Group, who’s known for delivering high-stakes programs with poise, precision, and serious production chops.
Together they laugh about the real life chaos of event planning like sprinklers going off in the middle of an event gala dinner and discuss why the post-COVID event timeline still gives planners nightmares.
Plus, they play Run of Showdown. The rapid-fire game of planner instincts that’ll have you shouting your own answers out loud.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How Jessie accidentally launched her career running a hotel sales office in college
Why she went back to school for both undergrad and grad degrees in event management
The event that went off the rails when a key team member ended up in jail (yes, really)
Murphy’s Law in action: mud pits, busted sprinklers, and keeping guests calm
The “tight timeline trap” and how the industry still hasn’t recovered from it
The Run of Showdown game: VIP seating vs. GA, selfie stations vs. step-and-repeats, and more
About the Guest:
Jessie Smith is an Event Manager at Enterprise Events Group, known for her ability to keep cool under pressure and execute global programs seamlessly. She’s a Certified Meeting Professional, Virtual Event Producer, Event Strategist, and lifelong events enthusiast.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
Connect with the Guest
If you’ve ever felt like running your business feels more like chasing cars than driving them, then you’ll relate to this episode.
This week on the Event About It Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin sits down with Marc Ghafoori, CEO and founder of AlphaTooth, for a real and raw conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it means to build something that lasts in the events world.
They dive into the unglamorous side of starting up, the evolution of personal vs. business brands, and the power of advocacy in an industry that often operates behind the curtain.
Marc shares what launching his company taught him about pivoting, self-discovery, and redefining success on his own terms.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This After Show Episode:
What starting AlphaTooth really looks like behind the scenes—and what no book or mentor tells you
How to reevaluate your business every 90 days to stay aligned and inspired
Why event entrepreneurs must separate their brand from their business
The truth about advocacy work and how it’s shaping our future
How to find inspiration and community through connection (and why Club Ichi might just be the blueprint for industry evolution)
It’s honest, insightful, and a must-listen for every event professional reimagining what leadership and innovation look like today.
About the Guest:
Marc Ghafoori is the CEO and founder of AlphaTooth, a creative strategy and production consultancy helping event organizations design smarter, bolder, more impactful experiences. With 15+ years in the events industry and a background in architecture, Marc is known for fusing design-thinking with advocacy to move the industry forward.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
Connect with the Guest
If you’ve ever felt like your event lineup is running on repeat, this episode is your wake-up call. Megan Martin sits down with Marc Ghafoori, a creative event strategist who’s built a career helping brands transform tired conference formats into experiences that actually inspire people to care.
Together, they talk about the all-too-familiar chaos that happens when plans go sideways and how to bring the energy back when your keynote—or your client—loses the plot.
From what makes a good event actually “good” to the creative burnout so many producers face, this episode gives the honest, funny, and sometimes painfully relatable truths about being the one everyone looks at when the lights flicker.
They also play a round of Tooth or Dare, where Marc shares which event buzzwords make him cringe and the one industry peer he’d love to trade jobs with (spoiler: he might bend the rules on that one).
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to reset the room when a keynote (or an event) derails
Why creativity doesn’t survive in constant chaos
What makes event producers secretly love the adrenaline rush
The buzzword Marc thinks should be permanently banned
Which event pro he’d swap roles with for a week—and why
About the Guest:
Marc Ghafoori is an award-winning event strategist and creative producer known for turning traditional conferences into high-impact, story-driven experiences that connect audiences and brands. His work blends design, direction, and innovation to help clients deliver events that resonate long after the lights go down.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
https://msquareddynamics.com/
Connect with the Guest
https://www.alphatooth.com/marc-ghafoori
If you’ve ever felt like your event lineup is running on repeat, this episode is your wake-up call. Megan Martin sits down with Marc Ghafoori, a creative event strategist who’s built a career helping brands transform tired conference formats into experiences that actually inspire people to care.
Together, they talk about the all-too-familiar chaos that happens when plans go sideways and how to bring the energy back when your keynote—or your client—loses the plot.
From what makes a good event actually “good” to the creative burnout so many producers face, this episode gives the honest, funny, and sometimes painfully relatable truths about being the one everyone looks at when the lights flicker.
They also play a round of Tooth or Dare, where Marc shares which event buzzwords make him cringe and the one industry peer he’d love to trade jobs with (spoiler: he might bend the rules on that one).
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to reset the room when a keynote (or an event) derails
Why creativity doesn’t survive in constant chaos
What makes event producers secretly love the adrenaline rush
The buzzword Marc thinks should be permanently banned
Which event pro he’d swap roles with for a week—and why
About the Guest:
Marc Ghafoori is an award-winning event strategist and creative producer known for turning traditional conferences into high-impact, story-driven experiences that connect audiences and brands. His work blends design, direction, and innovation to help clients deliver events that resonate long after the lights go down.
Have a Vent of the Week?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK”, it can be anonymous, and join the Squared Squad for bonus content!
Connect with Us!
Follow the show on social media @eventaboutit
https://www.instagram.com/eventaboutit
Work with Megan Martin
Connect with the Guest
https://www.alphatooth.com/marc-ghafoori
Behind the disco-ball energy and champagne sparkle, Neen James is on a mission to prove that luxury is a mindset, not a price tag. In this After Show, Megan Martin and Neen James dig deeper into Exceptional Experiences. What does that mean? It means exploring how to create personalization at scale, giving attendees behind-the-scenes access, and how contagious confidence can elevate your event culture.
They also swap stories about luxury hotel dogs, knife sommeliers, and why hot pink has become Neen’s ultimate power move in every boardroom.
And of course, they get into guilty pleasures, leadership trends that need to die, and how event profs can protect their energy while showing up 100% for clients.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This After Show:
How to spot and create daily champagne moments for your team and clients
Why behind-the-scenes access is one of the most powerful luxury levers
The mindset shift every middle manager can use to sell leadership on luxury experiences
How to care for employees as much as attendees—front of house and back of house
The real story behind Neen’s pink power brand and how to own your presence in any room
About the Guest:
Neen James is a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of three books including Exceptional Experiences. With boundless energy, sharp wit, and a signature pink style, she’s been called the “Energizer Bunny” of the speaking world and works with Fortune 500 leaders, associations, and even the FBI to help them elevate experiences and influence.
Have your own “Vent of Week?”
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com and tell it to us so we can play it on an upcoming episode!
Want to support the show?
Share this episode with an event prof who would love to hear these tips.
Follow on Instagram @EventAboutIt
Connect with Megan HERE
Connect with Neen HERE
If your attendee check-in feels more like standing in line at the DMV than stepping onto a red carpet, you NEED this episode. Host Megan Martin sits down with Neen James, leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of her brand-new book Exceptional Experiences.
Neen is known for teaching the world that attention pays and that pink goes with everything. She spills her luxury mindset secrets for creating champagne moments that make attendees feel seen, heard, and valued.
From turning service fails into brand-building opportunities to rethinking swag bags, registration emails, and lunch breaks, Neen shows event profs how to elevate everyday touchpoints into unforgettable experiences.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why “luxury” is not about money but rather mindset
The difference between a concierge vs. a bellhop approach to event planning
How to create personalized speaker gifts that don’t end up in the hotel trash
Easy upgrades to check-in, confirmation emails, and attendee lunches
The Experience Elevation Model—and how to apply it at any budget
About the Guest:
Neen James is a leadership strategist, dynamic keynote speaker, and the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays, and Exceptional Experiences. She consults with Fortune 500 executives, sits on the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, and is known for helping leaders deliver experiences that drive revenue, results, and lasting connections.
Want to hear more from the guest?
Listen to the Dynamic Dialogue After Show dropping next week.
Have a wild event story you want to share?
Tell it to us at eventaboutitpodcast.com so we can play it on an upcoming episode.
Connect with Megan
Connect with Neen
https://neenjames.com/
What happens when your boardroom politics collide with your convention center ballroom chaos? Host Megan Martin sits down with Johnnie White to unpack how event pros can level up from managing logistics to shaping strategy in the C-suite.
From translating data into decisions to treating annual conferences like mini organizations, this episode is packed with real-world lessons every planner should hear.
You will learn why forecasting trends matters more than recycling playbooks, how to turn audience behavior into strategic insight, and what ROI really looks like when your board is watching.
And yes—Johnnie spills on the infamous “symposium by candlelight” story and why handing out 10,000 tablets may not have been the best long-term plan.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to translate event data into strategic decision-making
Why annual conferences should function like mini organizations
The role of trend forecasting and audience behavior in future-proofing events
How to balance ROI-driven decisions with boardroom politics
Stories from real-life event chaos—including one symposium that went dark
About the Guest:
Johnnie White is the CEO of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, with more than 30 years in leadership and management roles across associations. He has served as PCMA Board Chair, is a board member of ASAE, and has taught at Georgetown University and Northern Virginia Community College.
Claim your Eventeny Discount
$500 off Pro Annual Plan
HERE: https://product.eventeny.com/event-about-it
What’s Your Vent of the Week?
Head to www.eventaboutitpodcast.com to share it and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.
Share this episode with a fellow industry friend who needs to hear this!
Connect with Megan HERE:
Connect with Johnnie HERE:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnniewhiteceo/
What do CEOs really want from event professionals—and how do you stay sane when you’re the one delivering it? In this After Show, host Megan and Johnnie White dig into the unfiltered truth: why planners need to show up with strategy (not just logistics), what data leaders actually care about, and how to balance vision with daily operations.
You’ll hear what Johnnie learned as the only man on the Association for Women in Events board, how a “brilliant” idea to give away 10,000 tablets backfired, and why storytelling with data is the ultimate skill for event pros who want a seat at the table.
What You’ll Learn in This After Show:
The financial and strategic data CEOs actually need from planners
Why event leaders must bring strategy—not just logistics—to the C-suite
How long-term vision and daily operations can (and must) co-exist
What Johnnie learned from serving as the sole male board member in AWE
Why that 10,000-tablet giveaway turned into a cautionary tale
About the Guest:
Johnnie White is the CEO of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, with 30+ years of leadership across associations. He’s served as PCMA Board Chair, sits on the ASAE board, and is an award-winning association executive dedicated to elevating events and the professionals behind them
Want More?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.
Share this with a fellow industry friend who needs to hear this!
Connect with Megan HERE:
Connect with Johnnie HERE:
If you think flashy graphics and a catchy tagline are enough to sell out your event—you’re missing the mark. This week, Megan Martin sits down with Joe Federbush, President & Chief Strategist of EVOLIO Marketing, who’s been behind some of the most successful event marketing campaigns in the industry.
Joe doesn’t just crunch numbers—he shows how data and creativity can work together to transform how we design, promote, and measure events. From winning over skeptical stakeholders to proving ROI that actually matters, Joe shares the behind-the-scenes truth about what makes event marketing tick.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why most event marketing campaigns fail before they even launch
The key data points that really prove ROI (and which ones don’t)
How to sell the value of events to decision-makers who don’t “get it”
Ways to make your campaigns resonate beyond the event floor
How creativity and measurement work hand-in-hand to drive success
About the Guest:
Joe Federbush is the President & Chief Strategist of EVOLIO Marketing, a leading agency helping brands maximize their event and experiential investments. With decades of experience in research, strategy, and creative marketing, Joe is known for helping clients move beyond surface-level metrics to campaigns that truly convert.
Connect with Joe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefederbush
Connect with Megan
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.
Behind every slick campaign is a lot of caffeine, chaos, and last-minute curveballs. In this After Show, Megan and Joe Federbush swap real stories about the behind-the-scenes moments that never make the case study slides. From awkward client requests to the stress of proving value in real time, Joe reveals how he keeps perspective when everything’s on the line.
They also dive into the lighter side of the job—why some of the “worst” ideas can actually spark the best conversations, and how humor sometimes saves the day when spreadsheets can’t.
What You’ll Learn in This After Show:
How to handle client requests that make zero sense (without losing your cool)
Why not all “bad” ideas are actually bad—and how to use them strategically
The mental side of event marketing: staying sane when metrics rule everything
Behind-the-scenes stories that prove no two events are ever the same
How humor and flexibility can turn near-disasters into wins
About the Guest:
Joe Federbush is the President & Chief Strategist of EVOLIO Marketing, where he helps brands prove and improve the value of their event marketing investments. Known for his sharp insights and candid approach, Joe isn’t afraid to share what really happens when theory meets reality on the show floor.
Connect with Joe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefederbush
Connect with Megan
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share YOUR “Vent of the WeeK” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content and guest Q&As.
If you think your event software is just there to sell tickets then you’re leaving serious growth (and sanity) on the table.
This week, Host Megan Martin sits down with Cat McDevitt, VP of Marketing at Eventeny. She’s also a recognized speaker, strategist, and champion for event organizers who want less chaos and more control.
From sponsorships that actually sell to the hidden ways your tech can save hours (and your team’s nerves), Cat reveals how smarter tools can take your event from “chaotic scramble” to “scalable success.”
She also shares the trends she’s seeing across thousands of events on Eventeny’s platform—and the small tweaks that separate the good from the truly unforgettable.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why event tech should do more than just ticketing
How to choose an event platform that works for you
How to make sponsorships easier to sell, fulfill, and track for next year’s renewals
Real trends from thousands of events and what they mean for your strategy
The overlooked time-saving features that free up your team for high-impact work
How to turn your event software into a year-round community-building tool
About the Guest:
Cat McDevitt is the VP of Marketing at Eventeny, Board Chair for the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association, and an Atlanta Business Chronicle “40 Under 40” honoree. She’s a sought-after speaker and strategist known for helping event organizers harness technology to streamline operations, boost revenue, and create memorable experiences—without burning out.
Claim your Eventeny Discount
$500 off Pro Annual Plan
HERE: https://product.eventeny.com/event-about-it
Got a hot take about something that went wrong at an event?
Share it at eventaboutitpodcast.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode as the “Vent of the Week.”
And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the real talk and raw truths that can actually move our industry forward.
Connect with Megan HERE
Connect with Cat
Ever wondered how you turn a Montana cattle ranch into a full-scale music festival with 20,000 people, two stages, a rodeo, and enough power to run a small city? Host Megan Martin hops in a cart with Mark Lopez, Chief Experience Officer at Show Imaging, for a behind-the-scenes ride through Under the Big Sky Festival.
From mapping out roads on raw land to building docks for semi-truck load-ins, adding shore power to cut down generators, and setting up safety systems that rival any major venue, Mark shares what it really takes to pull off a festival in the middle of Big Sky Country.
Plus, we stop by the rodeo ring, VIP cabanas, and even the “bone yard” to see where the real magic (and chaos) happens.
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
How Show Imaging transforms a rural ranch into a festival site, from roads to power grids
What it takes to load in massive stages and gear without traditional loading docks
The safety systems and communication chains in place for when the unexpected happens
How rodeos, VIP builds, and local vendors create a uniquely “Montana” festival vibe
Why thoughtful planning months in advance (even before the snow melts) is key to pulling it all off
About the Guest:
Mark Lopez is the Chief Experience Officer at Show Imaging, where he oversees festival production, brand activations, and large-scale corporate events. With experience managing everything from remote destination festivals to high-profile brand builds, Mark knows how to turn even the most rugged spaces into unforgettable event experiences.
Want more behind-the-scenes tours like this?
Join the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com for bonus content, guest deep dives, and insider access to the biggest shows in the business.
Connect with Megan Martin
Connect with Mark Lopez
https://www.showimaging.com/
What do you do when your LED wall drops a Tetris-sized hole mid-show, your keynote shows up with 47 slides for a 10-minute slot, and the fire marshal shuts down your haze machine ten minutes before doors?
Megan Martin sits down with Steve Evans, founder of Show Imaging and the guy who can turn a dusty cattle ranch into a Rolling Stone–recognized music festival, to talk about why saying “yes” (most of the time) is the only way to survive in live events.
From cardboard Guinness World Records to sponsor nightmares and weather drama, Steve shares the chaos, the laughs, and the lessons from 30 years of building events that are both profitable and unforgettable.
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
How to handle the curveballs—gear fails, diva sponsors, and last-minute changes—without losing your cool
Why “perfection” is a myth in events, and what clients actually value more
The story behind Show Imaging’s “always say yes” mantra (even when it involves world-record-sized cardboard)
Why safety always trumps the show, no matter the stakes
How to keep your team sane and your events special—even when everything goes wrong
About the Guest:
Steve Evans is the founder and CEO of Show Imaging, a production powerhouse that transforms unexpected spaces into world-class experiences, including Under the Big Sky Festival in Montana. With over three decades in live events, Steve has built a reputation for tackling the impossible and still making it fun.
Claim your Eventeny Discount
$500 off Pro Annual Plan
HERE: https://product.eventeny.com/event-about-it
Got a wild event story?
Share it at eventaboutitpodcast.com and get featured on a future episode. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the chaos, the gold, and the gritty truths from the trenches.
Connect with Megan Martin
Connect with Steve Evans
What happens when your keynote speaker goes rogue and the whole audience walks out? Megan Martin is joined by Mark Kilens, creator of HubSpot Academy, Drift’s former VP of Content & Community, and current VP of Marketing at EasyLlama. They unpack what to do when events go sideways... and how to bounce back.
They play “Funnel Vision,” a high-stakes game of GTM tactics and event chaos, and talk about why splashy moments like llamas in booths or celebrity Cameos won’t fix a funnel that doesn’t focus on people first.
What You’ll Learn:
Why your keynote must align with the mood of the moment—or risk losing the room
What event pros can learn from the People First Go-To-Market strategy
Which splashy stunts actually drive pipeline (and which are just tote-bag distractions)
How to avoid over-gating your event content and start measuring what actually matters
A reminder that every keynote, session, and speaker should serve the audience—not just your brand
About the Guest:
Mark Kilens is the VP of Marketing at EasyLlama and founder of TAC Insider. He’s known for creating the HubSpot Academy, scaling Drift’s 65,000-person community, and building the People First GTM model used by modern marketers across the globe.
Got an event disaster story?
Head to eventaboutitpodcast.com to share it and get featured in a future episode.
And don’t forget to listen to the Dynamic Dialogue After Show with Mark where we dive into AI-powered event tech, building your personal OS, and why alignment is officially out.
Keep growing, keep laughing, and for the love of panels, keep eventing about it.
What’s the point of saying “people first” if your event strategy still starts with forms, friction, and five follow-ups? In this Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin and Mark Kilens take a sharp turn into the future of martech, event tech, and the big missing piece in most GTM strategies: the human behind the data.
They dive into why alignment is dead, how AI will overhaul the attendee experience, and what your event system needs to look like if you want to survive 2026. Plus, Mark shares his personal operating system and why your week needs more reflection and fewer random registration fields.
What You’ll Learn:
Why most event tech is overdue for disruption and what the future system must do
How to build a personal operating system that keeps you focused and fulfilled
Why “alignment” is the most overhyped word in GTM and what to aim for instead
How to actually measure human connection in a data-driven world
Why involving your customers in your event strategy is the next big unlock
About the Guest:
Mark Kilens is the VP of Marketing at EasyLlama and founder of TAC Insider, where he publishes weekly insights on event-led growth, martech, and GTM innovation. With previous leadership roles at HubSpot, Drift, and Airmeet, he’s helped shape how modern marketers think about education, experience, and execution.
Ready to build smarter, more connected events?
Join the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com to catch bonus episodes, guest deep dives, and candid takes that don’t make the main stage.
The heels are off (or are they?), and we’re getting into the real talk. In this Dynamic Dialogue After Show, Megan Martin and her guest Sarah Soliman go beyond the stage and the sizzle reels to talk about what happens when the work gets personal.
Sarah shares the backstory of walking away from a toxic professional relationship, building her business before age 30, and staying poised when it would be a whole lot easier to clap back.
Her dad says it best: “When a dog barks, you don’t bark back.” And that mantra has kept her grounded while gracefully outpacing the people who underestimated her. Plus, we get the truth behind her iconic event stilettos.
Spoiler: it’s not just about the look (though the look does slay). They also share some go-to shoe brands that are style and comfort when walking a show floor for 12 hours.
About the Guest:
Sarah Soliman is the President and CEO of Soliman Productions, and a respected leader in the events industry. From co-leading the #MeetingsToo movement to mentoring the next generation of creatives, she brings vision, strength, and unapologetic authenticity to everything she does.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
How to walk away from toxic professional relationships without burning down the room
Why Sarah believes poise and silence can be more powerful than retaliation
The surprising reason she rocks heels at events
Tips for navigating career breakups in a small industry where you’re bound to cross paths again
Why mentorship, storytelling, and representation matter more than ever in events
Want more real, unfiltered conversations like this?
Join the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com for bonus content from Megan and you can share your wild event stories!
Connect with Megan HERE
Connect with Sarah HERE
If your event awards show feels like a low budget Oscars and your panel session is just three people nodding at each other in agreement, it’s time to tune into this episode.
This week on Event About It, Megan Martin sits down with Sarah Soliman, powerhouse content creator and Founder of Soliman Productions, to say what we’re all thinking: the events industry keeps talking about innovation, but it’s stuck in a loop of recycled formats and last-minute scrambles.
We drag dry panels, boring awards shows, and fake community promises right into the spotlight. With a camera in one hand and a mic drop in the other, Sarah brings the receipts on how the events industry is failing its own narrative and what needs to change to actually engage people.
From all-male panels and highlight reels with zero energy, to CEO fireside chats that are more smoke than substance, we’re calling “cut!” on it all. Oh, and if your networking event involves a sad cheese tray, we’re swiping left.
About the Guest:
Sarah Soliman is the President and CEO of Soliman Productions, a powerhouse event content agency helping brands capture moments that matter. With a background in broadcast media and years of leadership across MPI and beyond, she’s built a reputation as one of the most respected creative and strategic voices in the events industry.
What You'll Learn:
How to rework panels and award shows to actually keep your audience engaged
What content creators know about consistency and planning that event pros need to learn
The biggest frustrations with industry events and why the word “community” is getting overused
How to deliver content that matches your brand values instead of just repeating buzzwords
Why events must start practicing what they preach on inclusion, engagement, and innovation
Want to hear more from Sarah?
Listen to the Dynamic Dialogue After Show wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.
Have a wild event story you want to share?
Tell it to us at eventaboutitpodcast.com so we can play it on an upcoming episode.
Keep growing, keep laughing, and for the love of panels, keep eventing about it.
Connect with Megan HERE
Connect with Sarah HERE
You can’t buy authenticity and Julie Mullins is here to prove it. In this After Show, Megan Martin and Julie dive into the sharp contrast between high-volume, group-heavy destinations like Chicago and small, leisure-first towns like Whitefish, Montana.
They unpack how to preserve identity while growing events, why destination meetings need to stay human-centered, and how leaders can mentally navigate the sales rollercoaster through economic uncertainty. This one’s for the marketers, sellers, and planners who know it takes a village—and vision.
What You’ll Learn in This After Show:
About the Guest:
Julie Mullins is the Executive Director of Explore Whitefish and owner of Zeal Destination Consulting. She’s spent decades balancing politics, purpose, and profit across global hotel brands, tier-one cities, and now, one of the West’s most treasured small towns.
Want more raw, real talk like this?
Join the Squared Squad at www.eventaboutitpodcast.com for exclusive content and candid conversations that go beyond the mic.
Connect with Julie HERE
Connect with Megan HERE