Smart Start Radio: Fuel for the Purpose Generation of Meeting Planners

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson speak with Zoe Moore, founder of Moore Consulting Agency and a leading expert in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the meetings and hospitality industries. Moore shares her personal journey from the U.S. Army to event planning and EDI advocacy, explains why using the full terms "diversi...

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In this first-ever Coffee Chat, your hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sit down, coffee in hand, to spill the behind-the-scenes story of Smart Start Radio's journey — from its early roots as "Meeting of the Minds" to becoming an award-winning podcast. Tune in for real talk about rebranding, lessons learned, why authenticity matters in the events industry...

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, co-hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson kick things off with exciting news—their podcast is a finalist for the ASBPE Best New Podcast Award. 

They’re joined by Yaron Lipshitz, CEO of Prismm, a spatial design platform that allows event planners to visualize venues in photorealistic 3D without leaving their desks. Lipshitz explains how P...

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In this enlightening episode of Smart Start Radio,  sit down with visionary leader Megan Henshall to explore the power of neuroinclusivity in event design and the workplace. Formerly a strategic lead at Google, Henshall shares her journey of championing accessibility and creating inclusive experiences that honor neurodiversity. From sensory-friendly event spaces to the impo...

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In this deliciously insightful episode of Smart Start Radio, we dive into the evolving world of fine dining and its role in creating unforgettable event experiences. Join hosts Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson as they explore the Bay Area’s vibrant culinary scene, featuring conversations with top industry experts, including Colleen Booth of Lazy Bear, Mark Liberman of Mago ...

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Evolving technology, Super Agents and AI-produced podcasts- oh my! What does it all mean for meeting planners?

In this latest discussion of Smart Start Radio, Smart Meetings editors Sara Robertson and Eming Piansay chat with Dr. Richie Karaburun, clinical associate professor and director of HI Hub Incubator at NYU School of Professional Studies, to get an update o...

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In the latest episode of Smart Start Radio, Eming and Sara chat with sustainability experts in two segments.

First up is Leor Rotchild, a speaker, podcaster, sustainable business consultant and the author of the recently published all star-guide to How We Gather Matters: Sustainable Event Planning for Purpose and Impact. Leor tells us about his journey of becoming...

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In this episode of Smart Start Radio, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson sat down with Jacques Martiquet, the “Party Scientist,” who shares his unique approach to transforming events into high-energy, deeply connected experiences. Discover how event planners can design gatherings that are more joyful and impactful, creating memorable moments that go bey...

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In this episode of Smart Start, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson chat with Michael Tennant, founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab, and Naomi Clare Crellin, founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab. These empathy experts have dedicated their careers to helping others embark on their personal empathy journeys and to design experiences with empathy at the center. 

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In this episode of Smart Start, we kick things off with a conversation with Jack Johnson, Destinations International's chief advocacy officer, regarding the news that Visit Florida removed the LGBTQ+ resource page from their website. 

Later, editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson are joined by trailblazing mother-daughter-duo, Tyra and Jasmine Dyson. Togethe...

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In this sparkling grand opening of Smart Meetings’ re-branded podcast, formerly Meeting of the Minds, now Smart Start: The Meeting Planner’s Toolbox, Smart Meetings editors Eming Piansay and Sara Robertson bring in managing editor Gary Diedrichs to dig into his extensive industry knowledge and expertise as a long-time meetings industry writer.

Discover the tie betw...

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In this episode of Meeting of the Minds, Smart Meetings sits down with Janette Roush, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for New York City Tourism & Conventions, and Sindhu Srivastava, CEO of We Crush Events and MeaningfulData, to explore the potential of AI in the events industry. From predictive models to large language models, they discuss how AI can r...

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On this episode of Meeting of the Minds, Smart Meetings is joined by Jaclyn Bernstein, president and owner of Empire Force Events, and Alexis Dick, an event planner at HARDI. The two professionals discussed not only how to build networks and maintain them, but the value these relationships add to a person’s professional life and how they can evolve.

Dick, an emergi...

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On this episode of Meetings of the Minds, Smart Meetings brings together two meeting professionals in different stages of their career to discuss a range of hot topics in the industry.

In this discussion, Valerie Ulrich, former vice president of special events and conferences at First Republic Bank and currently a consultant for special events and conferences, and...