Are you looking for fun ways to gamify networking events without the usual social burnout? In this episode of The Event Connection, we sit down with Melvin Adekanye, the Founder of JamSocial, to explore how event planners and attendees can create more interactive networking experiences.

Learn how to help introverts thrive at your events by listening in to Meaghan and Melvin explore the psychology of introvert vs. extrovert networking and why traditional "icebreakers" often fail to create lasting impressions.

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00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Meet Melvin Adekanye, Founder of Jam Social

03:36 - Melvin's Passion for Introverts

06:05 - Best Parts of Networking Events

09:48 - "Hi, I'm Bill Gates!"

11:35 - Sticking Out at Networking Events

11:58 - Worst Parts of Networking Events

15:46 - Difference Between Introverts and Extroverts

20:00 - "Border Collies vs. Iguanas"

24:58 - Storytime: "Sweaty Networking"

27:13 - Learning How to Approach People

29:30 - Event Networking and Gamification Activity Ideas

34:54 - Digital Networking Activity Ideas

40:25 - Interactive Badge Activities

43:39 - How to Leave a Networking Impression

47:13 - Questions to Keep Conversations Going

47:58 - FREE: Networking Conversation Starters Cheat Sheet

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What is the future of incentive travel? In this episode, Tina Husemoller, VP of Meetings and Incentives at Fox World Travel, explains why the industry is shifting from Return on Investment (ROI) to Return on Experience (ROE)!

Whether you're a corporate planner or a business leader, learn how to design memorable programs that cater to diverse generational preferences while also prioritizing sustainability and cultural immersion.

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00:00 - Meet Tina from Fox World Travel! 02:58 - Top trends in incentive travel for 2026 05:50 - Selecting activities for incentive trips 08:48 - Travel preferences broken down by generation 11:14 - Trending destinations & hidden gems 14:29 - Engaging travelers before their trip 18:42 - Including culture in incentive trips 20:38 - Rapid Fire Q&A, Listener Questions! 20:43 - Incentive travel logistics & challenges 22:37 - Sustainable incentive travel 24:56 - Budget-friendly incentive trips 25:59 - Getting buy-in for incentive travel programs

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New year, new trends! Meaghan and Rylee go head-to-head to reveal their 2026 event design forecast. This episode is all about what’s hot, what’s not, and what attendees really want out of event design.

We chat about moving away from "overly polished" into human-centric design that gives attendees authentic, tactile experiences. Think things like AI concepting, nostalgic themes, and interactive event badge designs attendees will actually want to keep!

HOW TO GET RYLEE’S DECK: Email us at EventConnection@pcnametag.com and mention the "Event Design Trends presentation" to see all the visuals behind this podcast! Then, use Rylee's ideas to inspire your next mood board or client pitch.

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00:00 – Introduction 01:32 - Meet Rylee Hubbard! 03:19 - Pantone of 2026: Ugly or not? 04:42 - The Trend of "Imperfect by Design" 08:14 - Design Trends and Predictions 08:38 - Trend 1: AI Driven Design 10:34 - Trend 2: Candid Camera Roll 13:10 - Trend 3: Immersive Design 15:04 - Trend 4: Collage Aesthetics 17:07 - Trend 5: Sustainability Design 20:04 - Trend 6: Inclusive Design 22:10 - Trend 7: Exaggerated Fonts 24:53 - Trend 8: Nostalgic Mashups 28:07 - Graphic Design "Icks" 29:59 - Our Event Design "Hot Takes" 33:31 - Get Rylee's Event Design Trends Deck

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