Phil Mershon

Captivate Podcasts

S1 E30: From Monsoons to Millions: How One Producer Saved NYC’s Biggest Holiday Market in 6 Weeks with Brooksie Hughes

Picture this: You’re standing in a torrential downpour in the heart of Bryant Park, with just 42 days to launch New York City’s first-ever holiday market. Your client wants custom-built European-style chalets that would take months to manufacture. Oh, and you need 100 Christmas trees… four days before Thanksgiving. Welcome to the world of event […]

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S1 E29: The Hidden Flaws in Event Networking—and How to Fix Them with Baily Hancock

Ever wonder why those “networking opportunities” at events often feel more awkward than authentic? In this enlightening conversation with professional friend-maker Baily Hancock, we uncover why traditional event networking falls short—and how to transform those moments into genuine connections that last. You’ll discover: Why the standard “cocktail hour networking” model fails most participants (especially introverts

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S1 E28: Ditch the Conference Room: Building Trust Through Zip Lines and Campfires with Adrienne Dorison

Picture yourself dangling from a zip line, heart racing, surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs who started as strangers but will end up as lifelong connections. In an era of polished business conferences and luxury retreats, one company dared to strip away the fancy hotels and PowerPoint presentations in favor of bunk beds and trust falls. Adrienne

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S1 E27: The Power of Play: How One Coach is Transforming Conference Education Forever Justin Moore

What if the secret to transforming how creators learn about sponsorships isn’t another PowerPoint presentation, but a game? In this eye-opening episode, sponsorship coach Justin Moore reveals what seven years of landing brand deals taught him about learning. After generating over $5 million through 500+ successful sponsorships, he spotted a fundamental flaw in traditional conference

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S1 E26: The Most Underrated Event Strategy: How Intentional Discomfort Drives 80% Retention Rates with Heather Wenninger

Imagine hosting an event where you ask participants to try on swimsuits together, surf for the first time, or zip-line through a rainforest. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? Yet these seemingly uncomfortable moments are exactly what’s driving unprecedented client retention rates in the experience economy. In this eye-opening episode, experience curator Heather Wenninger

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S1 E25: Beyond the Introduction: How Professional Emcees Transform Event Experiences with Quinn Conyers

Think professional emcees just introduce speakers and share housekeeping notes? Think again. Discover how the right emcee can turn your standard conference into an unforgettable experience, keep energy levels perfect throughout multi-day events, and seamlessly handle those inevitable behind-the-scenes disasters without your audience ever knowing something went wrong. Join us as Quinn Conyers, award-winning professional

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S1 E24: Beyond the Dance Floor: How Science and Soundtracks Engineer Unforgettable Experiences with Will Curran

What do DJ booths and neuroscience have in common? According to event industry veteran Will Curran, they’re both essential to understanding how to create truly unforgettable experiences. From his early days as a college DJ growing a 5,000+ following on Facebook (when that was huge), Will has cracked the code on how music, energy, and

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S1 E23: Waves of Change: How the Right Location Creates Transformative Spaces with Krista Inochovsky

What if we get lost at sea? What if that’s exactly what we need? In a world of constant connectivity and back-to-back Zoom calls, there’s a revolutionary movement happening in professional development. Top entrepreneurs and thought leaders are discovering that their biggest breakthroughs don’t happen in conference rooms or through online masterminds – they happen

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S1 E22: Event Planning Secrets: How to Create Instagram-Worthy Moments Without Breaking the Bank with Valentina Ruffoni

Ever wonder how some events create those perfect Instagram moments while others feel completely forgettable? Whether it’s the lighting, the atmosphere, or those unexpected delights that make everyone reach for their phones, there’s actually a science behind making events share-worthy – and it doesn’t require a massive budget. In this episode of The Event Innovator

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S1 E21: The Anti-Boring Blueprint: How to Create Event Moments People Actually Remember with Jordan Gill

Tired of watching your attendees scroll through their phones while your speakers deliver “death by PowerPoint”? In this game-changing episode with Jordan Gill, we’re shattering the conventional conference playbook and revealing how to create magnetic moments that keep people present, engaged, and talking about your event for months. You’ll discover: • Why the first 60

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