Better Events

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286

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the "Better Events" podcast! Join two event planners and producers, Logan Clements and Mary Davidson, who believe we can all create, host and attend better events. In this podcast you will 1. Learn about event strategy and actions that you can use today as an event host, planner, or manager, 2. Hear directly from the people who are creating innovative and inspiring events today and tomorrow 3. And Grow your business and career along the way! Now let's get started and thanks for listening to the "Better Events" podcast. Support this podcast at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bettereventspod

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60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 27736 min

Onsite Scenarios: When to Say No at an Event

In this episode, Logan and Mary tackle one of the hardest skills in the event business: saying no to a client. They get honest about why event professionals are wired to say yes, share real examples of times they held the line and times they wish they had, and talk through what actually happens when you say yes to something your team can’t deliver. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still early in your career, this episode will give you both the permission and the language to start protecting your time, your team, and your work. SHOW NOTES: Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

October 14, 2026Episode 27635 min

The Small Nonprofit Playbook for Large-Scale Galas with Cynthia Mikimoto

In this episode, Logan and Mary sit down with Cynthia Mikimoto, a strategic advisor with experience in nonprofit galas, to talk about what it actually takes for small- and mid-sized nonprofits to pull off large-scale events. Cynthia walks through the biggest mistakes nonprofits make when trying to scale up, how to prioritize when you're working with limited staff and a volunteer-heavy team, and what high-impact, low-cost changes can immediately improve the guest experience. From nailing check-in to making sponsors and VIPs feel genuinely valued, this episode is a tactical playbook for any nonprofit looking to execute a better gala without a bigger budget. SHOW NOTES: Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration Connect with Cynthia Mikimoto: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamikimoto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withjoyeveryday/ Website: http://www.nortora.com/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

October 7, 2026Episode 27537 min

Speaker Management 201: What to Do When Speakers Go Rogue

In this episode, Logan and Mary are back with a follow-up to one of their most popular episodes: Speaker Management 101. This time they go deeper, tackling the situations that don't show up in the basics. From setting tech check and rehearsal expectations to managing speaker nerves, egos, and last-minute changes, they cover what actually happens when speakers go off script, over time, or off the rails entirely. They also get into how to handle high-profile and VIP speakers differently and the systems and tools that make the whole process smoother. If you produce events with speakers, this one belongs in your rotation. SHOW NOTES: Link to Speaker Management 101 - Episode 251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ziiFRedmdL3tI6d1HdrPc?si=535abf91aa364a15 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok1N8jYqULU Purchase our template, including a speaker management tab: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/better-events-conferencemeeting-event-planning-workbook-template-excel Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

September 30, 2026Episode 27434 min

Mary Returns & Life Outside of Events Update

In this episode, Logan and Mary are back together for a long overdue life update. Mary shares what life has looked like since returning from maternity leave, including the honest realities of running a business with a new baby, whether her identity has shifted, and what has been harder and more rewarding than she expected. They also look ahead at what they're each hoping this next chapter brings. It's the kind of conversation that goes well beyond events and into the messier, more meaningful parts of building a life and a business at the same time. SHOW NOTES: Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

September 23, 2026Episode 27328 min

Mary's Back: Her Reactions to Every Episode She Missed

Mary is back from maternity leave and she's catching up on every episode she missed. In this solo episode, she shares her reactions to some of the guest co-host conversations that aired while she was out, including her take on the business behind venue management and the public versus private event debate, dressing for comfort on event day, staying visible and relevant as an event pro, and what our episode with a graphics operator taught her about one of the most underappreciated partnerships in live event production. If you've been listening while she was gone, this one is a fun way to revisit it all through Mary's eyes. SHOW NOTES: Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

September 16, 2026Episode 27235 min

Event Day Production Essentials: Audio, Pre-Show Checks, and Staying on Schedule

In this solo episode, Logan pulls together three of her most practical production-focused YouTube videos and adds her own commentary along the way. She covers the audio files your A/V team actually needs before your next event, the three things she always checks before an event starts, and how to adjust on the fly when a speaker or segment runs long. If you produce events and want to feel more confident on show day, this episode is a great one to revisit before your next event. SHOW NOTES: Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

September 9, 2026Episode 27142 min

271 - How to Land that Next Big Event Contract

In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard get into a question a lot of event pros have quietly wondered about: how do you actually break into big events? From trade shows like CES to the Olympic Games, they talk about how smaller companies and independent planners can find their way into large-scale, high-attendance events, what those opportunities actually look like, and how to position yourself to be part of a bigger team. If you've ever watched a massive event and wondered how to get a seat at that table, this episode is your starting point. SHOW NOTES: Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Erin Leonard: Website: https://erinleonardevents.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinleonardevents/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

September 2, 2026Episode 27036 min

270 - Your Brand Is Your Booking: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Events Market with Shannon Werkhoven

In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard sit down with Shannon Werkhoven, a decade-plus event pro and venue sales manager at two iconic Live Nation venues, to talk about the one thing that separates planners who consistently book work from those who don't: personal brand. Shannon shares when she realized her own brand was actually working for her, what makes an event planner stand out from the venue side of the table, and the real difference between having a personal brand and just having a social media presence. If you want to be the planner clients think of before they even start searching, this episode is your roadmap. SHOW NOTES: Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Shannon Werkhoven: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-werkhoven Connect with guest co-host Erin Leonard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

August 26, 2026Episode 26935 min

269 - AI, We Need to Talk: What's Working, What's Not, and What Worries Us

In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Erin Leonard have the AI conversation that's been on a lot of event pros' minds but not enough of their podcasts. Erin came in with some honest hesitancy about AI, and rather than gloss over it, they dig straight into it. They cover where AI still earns its place in their workflows, where planners are leaning on it in ways that might actually be hurting them, and whether the pushback on AI is making face-to-face events more valuable. Whether you're an early adopter or have barely touched it, this one is for you. SHOW NOTES: Erin's Platform Sandals: https://www.oofos.com/products/womens-ooahh-plus-slide-sandal-black?variant=44307457179763 Logan's snackle box: https://amzn.to/3U5cY4g Chelsea Fagan's Financial Diet - AI Newsletter: https://thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/what-we-should-worry-about-when-we-worry-about-ai?utm_source=thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=what-we-should-worry-about-when-we-worry-about-ai&_bhlid=3ecf9fae55fd7787d2209713a1593109b6ec868e&jwt_token= Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Erin Leonard: Website: https://erinleonardevents.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinleonardevents/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8-erin-leonard-cmm-66155a59/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

August 19, 2026Episode 26838 min

268 - Earning the Referral: What It Really Takes to Build a Relationship-First Business

In this episode, Logan and guest co-host Julianne get into one of the most sustainable — and most misunderstood — growth strategies in the event business: referrals. They talk about what a referral-based business actually looks like in practice, what it takes to stay consistently top of mind with the people who send you work, and how to handle it gracefully when a referral isn't the right fit. If you're earlier in your career and wondering how to build referral equity when your network is still growing, this episode has a roadmap for you too. SHOW NOTES: Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop Connect with Julianne Read: Website: https://eefundraising.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianneread/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianneread/ Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review! —— FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bettereventspod @loganstrategygroup_events (Logan) @epeventsllc (Mary)

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