Barefoot Business

Liz sits down with Meg from ADM Creative Group, Katie from Nutanix, and Meredith from Exclusive Networks to talk about where AI belongs in events and, just as importantly, where it doesn’t.

They dig into real-world ways they’re already using AI, from personalized attendee journeys and faster planning to real-time audience measurement, while asking bigger questions about privacy, authenticity, and creating AI-free spaces.

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Nicole sits down with Lynn and Danna from Worldpay and ADM Creative to rethink the role of the general session. They talk about creating an emotional red thread from the first pre-event communication through the ballroom and beyond, why 45-minute keynotes may have overstayed their welcome, and how the main stage can drive people toward the conversations, connections, and experiences that actually make an event matter. 

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 What if every conversation at your event didn’t just happen… but actually worked for you afterward? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz sits down with Vamshi of Snapsight to unpack how AI is transforming live event content into actionable insights, shareable moments, and strategic intelligence. From spontaneous think tanks to massive conferences, they dig into how capturing real conversations, not just pres...

 What if your biggest event headache, lead capture, didn’t have to be a headache at all? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz talks with Bryce from Popl to unpack how AI is reshaping in-person go-to-market, from ditching outdated badge scanners to turning real conversations into real pipeline. They get into the messy reality of event data, the rise of “in-person GTM” as a category, and the tension betwee...

 What do mimeograph machines, floppy disks, and early HTML have to do with modern event registration? Everything. In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz and Jill Rasco of Attendee Management trace the evolution of event tech from literal cut-and-paste newspapers to today’s complex, integrated registration ecosystems. They unpack why registration strategy should start with the end in mind, how early decisions shape eve...

What happens when AI gets smarter… and events get more human? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz sits down with Darcy Gabriel from BW Events Tech to explore the tension between automation and authentic connection. They dive into AI copilots, vibe coding, data overload, and the rising pressure on event professionals to do more, faster. But at the core, this conversation is about something bigger: how we design events t...

Liz and Heather swap war stories on production, mentorship, and why attention isn’t the problem, distraction is. From AI’s “good enough” graphics to a Wicked-inspired opening that electrified the room, they make the case for intentional entertainment, phone-free focus, and reviving true corporate theater to drive real learning and ROE.

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Liz and executive coach/author Regan Walsh unpack how event pros and aspiring speakers can ditch people-pleasing, shed the “shoulds,” and trust their gut on stage. They get tactical on rehearsal reps, cutting a talk on the fly, simple slides, and staying human in an AI-noisy world, so your keynote actually lands. 

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Liz and Anca go from women-in-AV war stories to practical AI you can use today, think Slack task bots, Atlas-powered workflows, and “vibe coding” without writing code. They also dismantle performative “wellness,” swap pizza-for-crew for real fuel, and unpack Anca’s Fit for Events framework and bodybuilding journey to build resilience that actually shows up on show day. 

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 Liz kicks off a new season with David Childs (SWX Global) on why exhibits still deliver ROI, and why modern sales is “consultant, not closer.” They cover 2025 floor trends, budget realities, good/better/best proposals, in-person outreach, backup plans when things break, and using your exhibit partner as an ROI insurance policy across the show calendar. 

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Liz talks with Pedro Góes, founder of InEvent, to trace how a scrappy college idea became one of the most innovative event platforms in the world. From Y Combinator beginnings and pandemic pivots to AI-powered registration and photo matching, they explore what’s next for event technology, the future of virtual, and why details matter more than ever.

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Liz sits down with Matthew Petmecky of Nunify to unpack how an 11-year-old platform is winning over small-to-midsize teams (and agencies) with unlimited-events subscriptions, true white-label branding, easy badge printing, and plug-and-play integrations. They swap stories on scavenger hunts, AI matchmaking, and why human connection, not just features, decides which tools stick. 

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 Liz and Angela Gargano, former biochemist, six-time American Ninja Warrior, and keynote speaker, unpack her ACL-on-TV setback, the comeback, and how she turned resilience into a stage-ready message. They dig into attention-grabbing storytelling, building a speaking career, vision boards that actually guide action, and why human connection beats algorithms. Cameos: pickleball losses, AI hackathons, and practical tips for event...

 Liz chats with photographer and former event planner Brooke Bryand about what it really takes to translate the magic of an event into images that drive marketing and sponsorship ROI. They dive into the power of planning content early, how to brief your creative team for maximum value, the myth of “we’ll just use phone pics,” and the difference between photos that document and photos that feel. Bonus: Brooke&...

 In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz Lathan and Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange, talk about the journey from event logistics to boardroom strategy. Nicola shares how trusting her instincts, embracing data, and building community helped her navigate career pivots, lead through uncertainty, and empower the next generation. 

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Jenny Blaschke, a live event calligrapher and engraving artist, and Liz Lathan discuss the high-stakes world of personalizing luxury gifts, from engraving $300 cameras to hot foiling leather goods. Jenny shares how she transitioned from wedding invitations to high-volume corporate and incentive events, creating interactive experiences that engage attendees. They discuss the power of personalization in networking, the challenges of ...