Season 2 is officially here — and EMT kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into AI, automation, and what “real ROI” can look like when you capture the conversations happening on the show floor. Chris Dunn (BlueHive Exhibits) and Brendon Hamlin (Hamlin Creative) are joined by Jordan Walker and Hunter McKinley, co-founders of Backtrack, an AI note-taking tool built specifically for live events.

You’ll hear why teams forget most of what they hear within a day, how “speed to lead” can make or break post-show momentum, and how conversation capture can turn fuzzy anecdotes into real, usable reporting — without losing the human part of events.

• “Humans do the human things, robots do the robot things.” The goal isn’t replacing connection — it’s removing busywork so teams can stay present on-site.
• The real ROI problem: you can’t improve what you can’t remember or measure — and teams often leave shows with vibes… not usable data.
• Speed-to-lead wins deals: the first follow-up is 3–5x more likely to move to the next step than waiting until later.
• Privacy is a feature, not an afterthought: “be a good human and always ask,” with opt-in rates around 90% when done transparently.
• How to start using AI without getting stuck: “start with fun, then work” — low-stakes experiments that teach you the tools before you automate the serious stuff.

As Event Marketer’s Toolbox kicks off Season 2, this episode sets the tone for 2026: smarter tools, stronger relationships, and more intentional event strategy. If you care about improving follow-up, proving value, and keeping events human in an increasingly automated world, this conversation is a must-listen.

Listen to the full episode, share it with your team, and start thinking about one place in your event workflow where AI could give you back time — without taking away connection.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

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Episode 50 marks the Season One finale of Event Marketer’s Toolbox. Hosts Chris Dunn, Brendon Hamlin and Dana Esposito come together for a special recap episode, reflecting on the ideas, conversations, and guests that shaped the show’s first year.

Instead of introducing a new guest, this episode revisits standout moments from across the season, reacting to key insights and sharing what they’ve learned along the way — about events, relationships, community, and what really drives meaningful experiences.

🔑 Key Takeaways from the Season

• Community first: Great events (and great brands) are built on trust, consistency, and genuine connection — not just attendance.
• Human-centered design matters: From “warm hug” experiences to intentional layouts, the best events make people feel something.
• Flexible teams win: Fractional and project-based models allow brands to bring in the best talent without unnecessary overhead.
• Know your brand DNA: Successful exhibits and activations start with clarity around audience, purpose, and identity.
• Relationships over transactions: Authentic engagement — on LinkedIn, on the show floor, and beyond — builds trust faster than any pitch.
• Content extends impact: Capturing and repurposing event moments turns one experience into long-term value.

💬 Memorable Quotes

🔚 Final Thoughts

This episode brings Season One to a close by highlighting a simple truth: events that work are intentional, human, and built around relationships. The hosts look ahead to 2026 with gratitude, curiosity, and excitement for what’s next.

🎧 Subscribe and stay tuned — Event Marketer’s Toolbox returns in January with more real conversations and actionable insights.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

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In this episode, Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Katie Wengenroth, Founder of KVT Events, to explore the mindset, structure and strategy behind building high-impact events. With 15+ years across agencies and SaaS giants — HubSpot, LogMeIn, Outreach — Katie breaks down how intentional planning, strong relationships and clear goals shape better outcomes long before production begins.

From producing HubSpot’s early Inbound Conferences to designing Outreach’s Women in Sales Summit in Napa, Katie shares how she builds events people want to attend — experiences rooted in clarity, community, authenticity, and brand alignment.

She also opens up about entrepreneurship, motherhood, choosing meaningful work and how the event landscape is shifting toward fractional, contract and project-based roles.

A strategic, honest and relatable conversation for event pros at every stage of their careers.

• Your early career becomes your foundation — Katie explains how agency logistics work gave her the operations discipline she still relies on today.
• Relationships drive everything — Most of her business now comes from referrals; she attributes this to prioritizing good people over perfect opportunities.
• Design events with intention, not habit — Don’t “just show up.” Start with goals, target persona, purpose, and desired outcomes.
• Create experiences worth traveling for — Her Women in Sales Summit succeeded because it delivered connection, safety, and authenticity — not just content.
• Speaker strategy should align with values — Outreach secured Mel Robbins not with money, but with personalization and listening to what mattered to her.
• ROI must be defined before the event — Pipeline isn’t the only metric; follow-up, lead tracking, sentiment, and long-term brand impact matter.
• Fractional and freelance work are rising — With shrinking headcount and growing demands, companies increasingly rely on flexible expert talent.

This episode is a reminder that great events don’t start with production — they start with clarity, intention, and a deep understanding of your audience. Katie’s journey shows how relationships, strategy, and authenticity not only make events stronger, but create careers that evolve with you.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

📅 Join us LIVE every Thursday at 12 PM ET on LinkedIn

Follow Us on LinkedIn and YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletter!