In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with John Dubil, Chief Strategy Officer at Ice 9 Productions, for a deep, real conversation about what actually makes live experiences work.

This isn’t about gear. It’s not about bigger screens. It’s about how message, environment, and technology come together as one.

From 35+ years in the industry — spanning supplier, agency, and client-side — John breaks down what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where most teams still get it wrong.

1. The Medium Isn’t Supporting the Message — It Is the Message

The biggest shift isn’t technological — it’s conceptual.

Too often, teams treat creative, production, and tech as separate pieces. But the reality is:

• The environment is the communication
• The booth isn’t a backdrop — it becomes the brand
• Technology shouldn’t overpower the message, it should complete it

2. Late Collaboration Is the Most Expensive Mistake

One of the strongest points in the episode:

Bringing partners in late doesn’t save money — it does the opposite.

• Costs go up
• Risk increases
• Quality drops

Early collaboration allows:

• Better planning
• Smarter design decisions
• Fewer last-minute fixes

3. The Industry Moves in Cycles — But Relationships Win Every Time

John walks through the pattern the industry keeps repeating:

• Fragmentation → Consolidation → Fragmentation again

But regardless of the cycle:

• Talent follows culture
• Clients follow trust
• Great work comes from strong partnerships

4. Technology Has Become More Powerful — and More Efficient

There’s a common perception that AV and production are getting more expensive.

The reality is more nuanced:

• Technology has become more capable and more efficient
• The impact per dollar has increased significantly
• The real cost drivers are often venue fees, labor, and logistics

5. Live Experiences Still Win — Because They’re Human

Despite digital overload, live events continue to grow.

Why?

• Shared experiences increase emotional impact
• Human interaction drives memory and retention
• Energy and spontaneity can’t be replicated

6. Measurement Can’t Be an Afterthought

One of the most practical takeaways:

If you’re not measuring outcomes, you’re missing half the value.

• What actions did attendees take?
• What business results came from the experience?
• What should change next time?

👉 Great experiences happen when people, process, and purpose are aligned.

Not in silos. Not at the last minute. Not driven by tools alone.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

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In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with David T. Stevens to explore a topic that is often misunderstood in the events industry: wellness.

But this conversation is not about surface-level perks.

It’s not about adding a massage chair to a lounge, offering goat yoga because it looks good on Instagram, or checking the “wellness” box because it feels trendy.

Instead, David makes the case that wellness is a business strategy—one that directly affects learning, engagement, retention, belonging, and ultimately, performance. From agenda design and nutrition to social connection and sleep, he explains how events can produce better outcomes when they are built around the way people actually function.

David, who calls himself a “20-year recovering corporate event marketer and planner,” now leads Olympian Meeting, which he describes as the world’s first wellness-first events agency. Their philosophy is simple but powerful: they do not produce “wellness events.” They produce corporate meetings, conferences, sales kickoffs, and incentive programs—while using wellness as the lens that drives stronger business outcomes.

What makes this episode especially valuable is that David brings science, practicality, and event experience together in a way that feels immediately usable. He breaks down how things like overpacked agendas, poor food choices, lack of recovery time, and weak networking design can work against the very goals event professionals are trying to achieve.

The result is one of the more thought-provoking EMT conversations to date—especially for planners, marketers, and brand leaders who want their events to do more than just look good on paper.

If you’re designing conferences, trade shows, sales meetings, or any kind of live experience, this episode is worth your time.

Listen to the full conversation, share it with your team, and ask yourself one simple question before your next event:

What is the real intention behind this experience — and are we designing it with purpose?

Follow Event Marketer’s Toolbox for more conversations with the people shaping the future of events.

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In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Christopher Dorn, Managing Director of Idea International, to explore what it really takes to produce trade show programs across the Asia-Pacific region.

With nearly three decades in the industry and over half his career spent living and working in Japan, Dorn brings a rare perspective on global exhibitions—from cultural differences in business decision-making to the logistical realities that Western exhibitors often overlook.

The conversation begins with Dorn’s unlikely path into the trade show industry—starting in exhibit design in the Midwest before moving to Japan, where he eventually built his own business supporting global exhibitors entering the Asia-Pacific market. From those early days navigating language barriers and building a professional network from scratch, Dorn learned a key lesson that still shapes his work today: success in international exhibitions starts with curiosity and adaptability.

As the conversation unfolds, the hosts dig into the operational and cultural nuances of exhibiting outside North America. Dorn explains how decision-making in countries like Japan often relies on consensus rather than the fast-moving, individual-driven approach common in the U.S. Understanding these dynamics can mean the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.

The discussion also highlights how trade shows themselves differ across markets. In Japan, for example, exhibitions often function more like relationship-building festivals—what Dorn describes as matsuri—rather than high-pressure sales environments. Companies attend to strengthen networks, build trust, and move conversations forward over time rather than expecting immediate deals.

Beyond culture, Dorn walks through the practical considerations that American exhibitors must navigate when bringing a booth program overseas—from structural limitations and venue infrastructure to production methods and storage costs. Many exhibitors assume they can replicate their North American booth designs globally, but Dorn warns that assumptions are the fastest way to run into problems.

Ultimately, the episode is both a strategic and tactical guide for anyone considering international exhibitions. Whether it’s understanding local expectations, adapting designs to venue constraints, or building the right partnerships on the ground, Dorn emphasizes that preparation and communication are critical.

For event professionals exploring the Asia-Pacific region, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how global exhibition programs actually come together.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

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In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Mark Johnson, Founder & CEO of Star Exhibits and former owner of ExhibitorLIVE, to discuss leadership, legacy, and the evolving power of live events.

Mark shares the inside story of how ExhibitorLIVE was at risk of shutting down — and why he stepped in to preserve it for the industry. The conversation explores the transition to IAEE, the importance of CTSM and continuing education, and why collaboration across associations strengthens the entire exhibitions ecosystem.

They also dive into a bigger theme: why face-to-face experiences are becoming even more valuable in the age of AI. As digital noise increases, authenticity, trust, and community matter more than ever.

Key topics:

• The history and impact of ExhibitorLIVE
• Saving a 40-year industry institution
• IAEE partnership and what it means for the future
• Education, certification, and industry leadership
• Why live events are evolving — not declining

If you're in trade shows, experiential marketing, or the events industry, this episode is a reminder: investing in education, community, and collaboration is how we move the industry forward.

Listen in — and we’ll see you on the show floor.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

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Trade shows are evolving — not just in scale, but in structure, sponsorship models, attendee behavior, and global execution.

In Episode 53 of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with international trade show consultant Stephanie Selesnick, President of International Trade Information, for a wide-ranging conversation on what she’s seeing across major global shows — from CES and World of Concrete to Shanghai and Dubai.

With more than 30 years in the industry (and starting at age 10), Stephanie brings a global, second-generation perspective to how expos are shifting — and what organizers and exhibitors must rethink to stay relevant.

1️⃣ Multinationals Are Building Innovation Ecosystems — Not Just Booths

At CES, major brands like Canon, LG, and Samsung are creating proprietary pavilions within startup areas like Eureka Park. Instead of simply exhibiting, they’re:

• Partnering with emerging startups
• Incubating innovation
• Creating R&D ecosystems inside the show

This signals a shift: large exhibitors are using trade shows not just to sell — but to invest, scout, and build future partnerships.

2️⃣ The Show Floor Must Serve the Attendee First

Stephanie emphasized a recurring lens:

Attendees today:

• Arrive with a plan
• Have limited attention spans
• Expect engagement, not passive browsing

Organizers must rethink:

• Floor layout
• Sponsorship models
• Education formats
• Appointment-setting technology

If your show still relies on “they’ll walk the aisles and discover things,” you may already be behind.

3️⃣ Sponsorship Needs to Evolve Beyond Banners

The traditional:

• Gold / Silver / Platinum tiers
• Static signage
• Generic activations

…are losing impact.

Stephanie urges organizers to shift toward consultative sponsorship models:

• Ask exhibitors what success looks like
• Design activations around their goals
• Facilitate one-on-one meetings
• Use technology to enable matchmaking

4️⃣ One-on-One Meetings Are the Future

From Money 20/20’s “speed dating” sessions to UFI matchmaking formats, structured meetings are becoming central to ROI.

Shows that invest in:

• Appointment-setting tech
• Curated matchmaking
• Attendee-to-attendee meetings

…will differentiate themselves.

The expectation is no longer browsing — it’s precision networking.

This episode reinforces a simple but powerful idea: Trade shows cannot rely on tradition.

They must:

• Evolve sponsorship models
• Invest in smarter technology
• Design for intentional engagement
• Rethink layouts
• And prioritize real connection

The shows that adapt will thrive. The ones that don’t may struggle to justify their value.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

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In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Marc LeDuc, a conference innovator with over three decades of experience building large-scale B2B and technical conferences.

Marc brings a rare, behind-the-curtain perspective on how conferences are actually created — from identifying real audience gaps to architecting content that fuels engagement long after the doors close. Rather than treating conferences as one-off events, Marc challenges organizers to think in terms of problem-solving, long-term impact, and community building.

This conversation explores what separates good conferences from unforgettable ones, why content must be integrated earlier in the planning process, and how event teams can survive — and even thrive — when everything goes sideways.

• A conference is born from a problem, not a venue
  Marc explains that the strongest conferences begin by identifying gaps in the market — what audiences aren’t getting elsewhere — and validating those gaps before a single speaker is booked.
• Content is the backbone, not the afterthought
  From session arcs to speaker strategy, Marc breaks down what “content creation” really means in the conference world and why it must align with long-term learning, not just show-day agendas.
• The 365, 24/7 mindset
  Conferences should be one moment in an ongoing engagement cycle. Webcasts, podcasts, articles, and community touchpoints before and after the event are what create lasting value.
• ROI goes beyond spreadsheets
  Marc challenges traditional ROI thinking and introduces the importance of Net Promoter Score, audience advocacy, and long-tail business impact when measuring success.
• Managing chaos when everything changes
  From speaker cancellations to weather disasters, Marc shares real stories about pivoting under pressure — and why experience, preparation, and teamwork matter more than perfect plans.
• Cross-functional collaboration wins
  Conferences succeed when content, sales, marketing, AV, and leadership are aligned — not siloed. Marc emphasizes learning each other’s roles to unlock better outcomes

This episode is a masterclass in thinking differently about conferences. Marc LeDuc reminds us that great events aren’t defined by square footage or production value — they’re defined by clarity of purpose, quality of content, and the ability to create momentum beyond the show floor.

For event marketers, planners, exhibitors, and content teams alike, this conversation is a powerful reminder that conferences don’t end when attendees leave — that’s when the real work begins.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

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Season 2 is officially here — and EMT kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into AI, automation, and what “real ROI” can look like when you capture the conversations happening on the show floor. Chris Dunn (BlueHive Exhibits) and Brendon Hamlin (Hamlin Creative) are joined by Jordan Walker and Hunter McKinley, co-founders of Backtrack, an AI note-taking tool built specifically for live events.

You’ll hear why teams forget most of what they hear within a day, how “speed to lead” can make or break post-show momentum, and how conversation capture can turn fuzzy anecdotes into real, usable reporting — without losing the human part of events.

• “Humans do the human things, robots do the robot things.” The goal isn’t replacing connection — it’s removing busywork so teams can stay present on-site.
• The real ROI problem: you can’t improve what you can’t remember or measure — and teams often leave shows with vibes… not usable data.
• Speed-to-lead wins deals: the first follow-up is 3–5x more likely to move to the next step than waiting until later.
• Privacy is a feature, not an afterthought: “be a good human and always ask,” with opt-in rates around 90% when done transparently.
• How to start using AI without getting stuck: “start with fun, then work” — low-stakes experiments that teach you the tools before you automate the serious stuff.

As Event Marketer’s Toolbox kicks off Season 2, this episode sets the tone for 2026: smarter tools, stronger relationships, and more intentional event strategy. If you care about improving follow-up, proving value, and keeping events human in an increasingly automated world, this conversation is a must-listen.

Listen to the full episode, share it with your team, and start thinking about one place in your event workflow where AI could give you back time — without taking away connection.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

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Episode 50 marks the Season One finale of Event Marketer’s Toolbox. Hosts Chris Dunn, Brendon Hamlin and Dana Esposito come together for a special recap episode, reflecting on the ideas, conversations, and guests that shaped the show’s first year.

Instead of introducing a new guest, this episode revisits standout moments from across the season, reacting to key insights and sharing what they’ve learned along the way — about events, relationships, community, and what really drives meaningful experiences.

🔑 Key Takeaways from the Season

• Community first: Great events (and great brands) are built on trust, consistency, and genuine connection — not just attendance.
• Human-centered design matters: From “warm hug” experiences to intentional layouts, the best events make people feel something.
• Flexible teams win: Fractional and project-based models allow brands to bring in the best talent without unnecessary overhead.
• Know your brand DNA: Successful exhibits and activations start with clarity around audience, purpose, and identity.
• Relationships over transactions: Authentic engagement — on LinkedIn, on the show floor, and beyond — builds trust faster than any pitch.
• Content extends impact: Capturing and repurposing event moments turns one experience into long-term value.

💬 Memorable Quotes

🔚 Final Thoughts

This episode brings Season One to a close by highlighting a simple truth: events that work are intentional, human, and built around relationships. The hosts look ahead to 2026 with gratitude, curiosity, and excitement for what’s next.

🎧 Subscribe and stay tuned — Event Marketer’s Toolbox returns in January with more real conversations and actionable insights.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

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