Phil Mershon

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Stop Managing Events, Start Orchestrating Experiences: Lessons from an Operations Expert

“Your checklists are killing connections.” When operations expert Jordan Gill dropped this bomb during our recent interview, I had to pause. Here was someone who built her reputation on systems and processes, telling me that over-managing events was actually destroying their impact. But here’s the revelation: There’s a fundamental difference between managing an event and […]

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The 48-Hour Event Death Spiral: What Taylor Swift Knows About Keeping Your ROI Alive

Your event ends on Thursday. By Monday morning, it might as well never have happened. Harsh? Perhaps. But according to customer experience expert Brittany Hodak, we’re facing a crisis in event engagement that goes far deeper than attendance numbers or day-of satisfaction surveys. “The biggest threat that you have is something that may not be

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More Dancing and Fewer PowerPoints: The Surprising Connection Between Dance Breaks and Event ROI

When was the last time you danced at a business conference? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably never. But after speaking with event innovator Sigrun, I’m convinced we’re missing a crucial element in our event strategies. Her recent client conference in Zurich not only achieved record-breaking sales but created transformational moments that

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The Science Behind Memorable Moments: Why Live Art Succeeds Where Powerpoints Fail

In a world drowning in PowerPoint presentations and endless Zoom meetings, event organizers face a critical challenge: how to create truly memorable experiences that transform audiences and drive lasting impact. Recent neuroscience research reveals that traditional presentation formats may be working against our brain’s natural learning processes. But there’s hope – and it might come

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Creating a High-Touch Event for Advanced Content Creators: Lessons from the Flavor Media Summit

The landscape of food blogger conferences is crowded with events catering to beginners, but what happens when content creators outgrow basic “how-to” sessions? The Flavor Media Summit offers valuable lessons for anyone considering launching an advanced conference for experienced professionals. The Power of Finding Your Niche When Megan Porta and Melissa Erdelak launched their high-touch

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Beyond the Basics: Activations & Decor as the Secret Ingredients for Unforgettable Conference Experiences

Have you ever walked into an event and felt uninspired—like the organizers were only focused on the speakers and the content? Meanwhile, the surroundings felt like an afterthought. The truth is, attendees may remember great content, but they remember how you make them feel even more. When an event goes beyond the basics—using intentional activations

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