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.

For organizers, this opens new revenue models and partnership conversations.

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

If an attendee can’t remember what a sponsor does after an activation, the activation failed.

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.

5️⃣ Global Shows Require Cultural Intelligence

For exhibitors expanding internationally, Stephanie highlighted major differences:

• Selling cycles vary by country

👉🏼 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.

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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.

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In this episode, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Katie Wengenroth, Founder of KVT Events, to explore the mindset, structure and strategy behind building high-impact events. With 15+ years across agencies and SaaS giants — HubSpot, LogMeIn, Outreach — Katie breaks down how intentional planning, strong relationships and clear goals shape better outcomes long before production begins.

From producing HubSpot’s early Inbound Conferences to designing Outreach’s Women in Sales Summit in Napa, Katie shares how she builds events people want to attend — experiences rooted in clarity, community, authenticity, and brand alignment.

She also opens up about entrepreneurship, motherhood, choosing meaningful work and how the event landscape is shifting toward fractional, contract and project-based roles.

A strategic, honest and relatable conversation for event pros at every stage of their careers.

• Your early career becomes your foundation — Katie explains how agency logistics work gave her the operations discipline she still relies on today.
• Relationships drive everything — Most of her business now comes from referrals; she attributes this to prioritizing good people over perfect opportunities.
• Design events with intention, not habit — Don’t “just show up.” Start with goals, target persona, purpose, and desired outcomes.
• Create experiences worth traveling for — Her Women in Sales Summit succeeded because it delivered connection, safety, and authenticity — not just content.
• Speaker strategy should align with values — Outreach secured Mel Robbins not with money, but with personalization and listening to what mattered to her.
• ROI must be defined before the event — Pipeline isn’t the only metric; follow-up, lead tracking, sentiment, and long-term brand impact matter.
• Fractional and freelance work are rising — With shrinking headcount and growing demands, companies increasingly rely on flexible expert talent.

This episode is a reminder that great events don’t start with production — they start with clarity, intention, and a deep understanding of your audience. Katie’s journey shows how relationships, strategy, and authenticity not only make events stronger, but create careers that evolve with you.

👉🏼 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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Events are full of powerful moments — but only the teams who capture them intentionally turn those moments into long-term value.

In this episode, Chris Dunn sits down with co-host and guest Brendon Hamlin, Founder of Hamlin Creative, to break down how brands can transform trade shows, conferences, activations, and corporate events into content engines that live far beyond show days.

Brendon shares lessons from his early career in TV promo production all the way to leading content teams at large brand experiences. Together, he and Chris explore how content can drive visibility, sales enablement, internal communication, and year-round engagement when it’s done with strategy instead of improvisation.

• The four types of event content every brand should leverage
Brand activations, trade shows, events, and conferences — and the unique opportunities each one creates.

• Why trade show booths are “film sets” in disguise
How to use booth environments for demos, leadership messages, testimonials, and personalized prospect follow-up.

• How to build a long-term content library with one event
Examples from pitch nights, competitions, product showcases, and large internal conferences.

• Vertical-first content strategy
Why 9:16 is becoming the dominant format for social and how content teams are adapting.

• The difference between documenting and creating content
Real strategy happens before the event, not the week of — and it dramatically reduces cost per video.

• What content teams wish brands planned for earlier
From interview lists to social-asset needs, Brendon breaks down how preparation drives ROI.

If your brand is investing thousands into events, this episode shows you exactly how to extend that impact — from social content to sales follow-up to long-term storytelling.

It’s a roadmap for anyone who wants their event content to work harder, last longer and connect more deeply.

👉 Listen, take notes and start building a content strategy that multiplies your event ROI.

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Episode 47 of Event Marketer’s Toolbox is a clear, practical breakdown of what it really takes to exhibit across the U.S. trade show landscape. Guest Bill Watson, who leads labor operations for Lime IND, joins hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito to unpack the biggest challenges exhibitors face: labor rules, union jurisdictions, venue restrictions, scheduling pressures, and the realities behind rising costs.

Many exhibitors assume labor works the same everywhere—but Bill explains why every city operates uniquely. From Chicago’s strict electrical rules (rooted in historical incidents) to New York’s high-pressure scheduling and Las Vegas’s scale, this episode helps listeners understand why the same booth can behave completely differently from city to city.

You'll hear why expectations often collide with reality, why planning “flow” and buffer time is non-negotiable, and how late decisions trigger cascading delays and extra costs. The hosts and guest also explore how design decisions directly impact budgets, why multi-city programs require adaptive strategies, and what questions every exhibitor should ask long before they arrive on site.

Why labor rules vary from city to city
Bill explains how historical incidents, unions, and venue structures shape the wildly different rules exhibitors face.

The hidden impact of scheduling and buffer time
Late decisions and tight timelines trigger cascading delays, cost spikes, and operational chaos.

Exhibitor misconceptions vs. real on-site conditions
What exhibitors assume will happen doesn’t always align with how labor is scheduled, dispatched, or allowed to work.

How design choices affect labor and cost
Materials, height, weight, and complexity change the labor story dramatically—especially in union-heavy cities.

Regional cost realities across North America
Chicago, New York, Vegas, Orlando—they all operate differently, and planning without this knowledge is costly.

Why choosing the right partner changes everything
A partner who understands multi-city programs can help avoid blown budgets and on-site surprises.

Whether you're new to trade shows or managing a full North American program, this episode offers practical, experience-driven guidance you can apply immediately.

Exhibiting across North America isn’t complicated because exhibitors lack skill—it’s complicated because every venue has its own history, rules, and pace. Understanding those differences is the key to avoiding surprises, protecting budgets, and delivering a smooth on-site experience. Bill’s insights give marketers and exhibit managers the clarity they need to plan smarter and show up more prepared.

👉🏼 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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How IPME Is Redefining Event Design Through Sustainable Innovation

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Craig Rapoza, President of Built Rite and Co-Founder of IPME, to explore how shipping containers are transforming the way brands build, move, and scale experiential environments.

From high-impact activations for Audi and Volkswagen to the World Cup 2026 and CES, Craig shares how IPME’s modular, container-based structures deliver sustainable design, efficiency, and creative freedom — all while reducing stress, setup time, and environmental impact.

Listeners will learn how modular architecture is helping brands create smarter, greener experiences that move — literally — from one city to the next.

• Design That Moves:
  IPME’s modular container builds act as self-contained environments — transporting, storing, and transforming into immersive brand spaces in minutes. From rooftop decks to LED walls and bars, every build is engineered for mobility and speed.
• The Trojan Horse Advantage:
  Instead of shipping dozens of crates, IPME structures arrive fully integrated — the container is the booth. As Craig puts it, “We’re adults playing with rectangular cubes,” but these cubes save hours of labor and hundreds of forklift moves per setup.
• Sustainability in Their DNA:
  IPME’s “cradle-to-cradle” philosophy means every build is designed to be reused, repurposed, and reimagined. By upcycling existing containers, they dramatically cut down CO₂ emissions and landfill waste while keeping costs stable.
• Faster Builds, Less Stress:
  Whether it’s a 15-minute forklift move or an 82-day concept-to-completion build for Kia Motors at CES, IPME’s hybrid systems allow for remarkable speed without compromising quality or safety.
• Designing for the Future of Events:
  From World Cup 2026 activations to modular tasting rooms in Napa, IPME is pushing creative boundaries — making sustainability not just a buzzword, but a functional design choice.

This episode is a masterclass in how innovation and sustainability intersect in experiential marketing.
Craig shows that being bold in design doesn’t mean being wasteful — it means thinking smarter, moving faster, and building for the future.

Whether you’re designing an exhibit, a pop-up, or an entire tour, this conversation proves one thing: modular thinking is the new mindset for event pros.

👉🏼 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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