Sustainability strategy experts Sam Wilson, managing director at Syntiro Associates, and Dr Dominic Tantram, partner at Terrafiniti, present a podcast precursor to the ‘Unmasking Greenwashing in the Events Industry: Understanding, Identifying, and Avoiding Misleading Practices’ panel at Event Sustainability Live (ESL). Succinctly titled ‘Greenwashing’, this episode sees Sam and Dominic do some background, their two companies having worked together, before defining the term and its inadvertent incarnations. Steered by host James Dickson, they go on to talk/to explain materiality and double mate ..read more

In and around events-world for years, Seattle-based CEO and co-founder of MJ Unpacked, George Jage, sowed the seeds for a show committed to the cannabis sector back in 2014. MJ Unpacked, the biggest trade event in a now burgeoning business, hits St Louis, Missouri, this month and Atlantic City, New Jersey, next spring. Aimed exclusively at retail and brand executives on a national scale, it promises quality collaborations, product innovation and cutting-edge scientific advancements as well as access to deal flow and capital. In this episode, George talks about starting a national cannabis CPG ..read more

Founder and CEO at Eventwise, Chris Carter, and company set out to transform financial management in the sector for ‘greater efficiency and control’. Formerly a promoter in Bristol, Chris wanted to get into accounting. This episode, his first appearance on any sort of podcast, incidentally, serves to normalise that leap. Starting with some background, and the focused switch from artist to event ‘whole’, Chris discusses the triggers and ambitions behind developing and launching the Eventwise platform, ‘replacing’ the spreadsheet. Designed specifically for creatives, Eventwise isn’t complicated ..read more

Louisa O’Connor, managing director of female-led brand experience agency Seen Presents, which represents the likes of Netflix and TikTok, has been in the industry since she joined Grace & Tailor subsidiary We are Vista, formerly Logistik, in 2008. This episode benefits from Louisa’s experience, nous and personality as it looks at cultural relevance; what it means, how it plays a part in brand events, and beyond. With host James Dickson putting the questions, Louisa talks education and the power of real-world brand immersion, going on to discuss budgets, timelines, and ‘talkability’. The co ..read more

From sales director at Mentor Direct Marketing to vice president, European sales, at software solutions giant Cvent, nearly 30 years later, Jamie Vaughan has been in the thick of event technology. In this episode, a fast, informative 35 minutes, Jamie takes host James Dickson back to the days, the trials, of analogue registration, through the impact of digitising the process, and beyond. James highlights SaaS, putting data to work, apps, good and bad technology. An unabashed, eloquent proponent of AI, Jamie talks tracking success, visitor analysis, how physical manifestations of technology are ..read more

In and around events since 2002, Kate Holliday brought her considerable sustainability chops to trade show and exhibitions giant GES, where she is head of ESG, some 12 months ago. In this episode, Kate defines ESG – environment social and governance – emphasising its spoils and how crucial it is to embed those things into the GES psyche. In discussion with host James Dickson, Kate goes on to compare Defra’s emission factors to GES’s specific calculations and how the two work together. She talks measuring sustainability in flooring and graphics for organisers, the power of tech, energy, support ..read more

Multi-award-winning creative agency Sledge can boast an impressive catalogue of clients, Sage, Aruba and O2 contemporary among them. Managing director Sarah Yeats has been with the company for more than 12 and a half years, so she knows a thing or two about live experiences. In this episode, after detailing her career trajectory and giving some concise Sledge history, Sarah talks about event planning, looks between the lines of corporate speak, and highlights the value of talking to attendees. Prompted by host James Dickson, the conversation goes on to inspiration and education at shows before ..read more

With a background in graphic design, marketing and web development, commercial manager Sam Pearce joined Exhibit 3sixty from the Dovetail Group in 2023. This episode sees Sam talking about Exhibit 3sixty’s development from straight-ahead stand builder when it launched sixteen years ago to delivering a full service for exhibitions. With questions from host James Dickson, Sam goes on to discuss the spoils of the online ordering process and the power of exhibitors’ digital journey, repeat business, and how marketing the company has changed in his 18 months there. Other subjects include role model ..read more

An outdoor event’s relationship with its local authority ranks high among the elements crucial to success. Following on from Timm Cleasby, director of operations at Tramlines, this episode is about Sheffield City Councillor Richard Williams’ take on the festival. Focused on the city’s green spaces, Richard talks host James Dickson through Sheffield’s new long-term agreement with Tramlines’ organisers, which is set to keep the event in its Hillsborough Park home long-term. Richard discusses planning, the spoils of the festival for local businesses and the local community. Reaction, weather, saf ..read more

In the event industry for more than 20 years, monitor engineer to director of operations at Tramlines, where he’s worked since it started in 2009, and much more besides, Timm Cleasby is a perfect festival season guest. In this episode, Timm talks host James Dickson through the hard work behind Tramlines’ evolution from city centre to Hillsborough Park and how it’s scaled up while containing costs. He goes on to highlight the benefits of being in a part of Sheffield used to hosting big events – not least the combination of great public transport network and ‘local’ audience fostering significan ..read more