Nonprofit events are being asked to work harder than ever. As donor expectations shift and organizations rethink traditional fundraising models, the event itself has become an important part of how nonprofits build stronger relationships with the people who support their mission.

In this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi sits down with Marla Neely, Senior Director of Venue Operations at Foundation For The Carolinas, to discuss her career in events and the role hospitality plays in creating spaces where people feel supported and included. Marla also looks at the changing expectations of nonprofit donors, why traditional fundraising events may need a fresh approach, and how event planners can become valuable partners for organizations working with limited staff and resources.

With a background that spans stage management, performing arts, venue operations, and nonprofit events, Marla brings a thoughtful perspective on building strong teams, maintaining trusted industry relationships, and creating events that support a larger purpose.

Resources:

Foundation For the Carolinas

Marla's LinkedIn

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

You spent hours putting together a detailed RFP, so why does a potential AV partner still have so many questions? Those follow-up discussions may feel like one more demand on an already packed schedule, but they can make a significant difference in the accuracy of your proposal and the success of your event.

In this installment of How to Get More from Your AV Partner, Seth Macchi looks at why communication with potential AV providers matters before a contract is signed and throughout pre-production. He discusses how giving AV teams the context behind your event can create more accurate proposals, make comparisons easier, and reduce surprises on-site. Seth also recounts a large conference project that shows what can happen when planners and production teams take the time to get the details right before event day.

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

Event planners are often expected to make everything work, even when they are brought into the process after major decisions have already been made. For Ebony Loadholt, M.Ed., changing that dynamic starts with recognizing the planner's role as a strategic leader, not simply the person responsible for execution.

In this episode, Seth Macchi chats with Ebony about the leadership behind successful events and the responsibility planners carry long before attendees arrive. They discuss why event professionals should be brought into the planning process earlier, how Ebony approaches team alignment, and why learning to say "no" can protect both the event and the people producing it. She also offers a thoughtful perspective on burnout, including why planners sometimes need to set boundaries with themselves when their passion for the work makes it difficult to step away.

Resources:

Ebony's LinkedIn

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

Choosing an AV partner takes more than comparing proposals and pricing. The right questions can help planners understand how a production company operates, what it does best, and how well it will fit with their team.

In Part 2 of How to Get More From Your AV Partners, Seth Macchi offers five questions planners can use when evaluating a potential AV company. He looks beyond the formal RFP process to help planners uncover how a company handles busy seasons, responds when problems arise, approaches its work, and supports clients throughout a project. It's a practical approach to finding an AV partner that fits both your events and the way your team works.

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

Procurement can be one of the most challenging parts of the event planning process, but it does not have to stand in the way of great work. In this episode, Seth Macchi sits down with Therese Jardine, founder of Strategic Event Procurement, to look at how corporate event teams and their agency partners can approach procurement more effectively.

With more than 20 years of experience in event procurement, including leading procurement strategy for Microsoft's global event portfolio, Therese brings a unique perspective to RFPs, vendor selection, budgets, negotiations, and demonstrating value. She and Seth discuss why traditional procurement practices do not always translate well to events, what makes a strong RFP, and how better communication can create a more productive process for everyone involved. For planners, agencies, and event suppliers navigating corporate procurement, this discussion offers a clearer look at what is happening on the other side of the process and how to approach it with greater confidence.

Resources:

Strategic Event Procurement

Therese's LinkedIn

Free RFP Resource Download

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

For meeting planners managing events across multiple cities and venues, AV can sometimes feel like starting over with every show. A new team means rebuilding communication, resetting expectations, and hoping the experience goes as smoothly as the last one.

In this installment of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi explores how stronger AV partnerships can create greater consistency across an event portfolio. He looks at the difference between transactional vendor relationships and long-term production partnerships, along with why communication, trust, and repeat business can make AV easier to manage over time. For planners who want to spend less time reinventing the wheel and more time building on what already works, this episode offers a different way to approach the AV relationship.

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

Great events can be flawlessly executed and still leave attendees feeling disconnected. In this episode, Seth Macchi sits down with international keynote speaker, behavioral expert, and author Heather Hansen O'Neill to explore what it means to bring more humanity into the event experience.

Heather discusses why helping attendees feel seen, heard, and valued can make such a meaningful difference, and how planners can create stronger connections by paying closer attention to the people behind the registration numbers. She also shares her approach to incorporating adventure, movement, and unexpected experiences into events, along with the personal story that inspired her book Finding Humanity: The Evolution of Sales. Their discussion offers a different way to think about event success, one that puts genuine human connection at the center of the experience.

Resources:

Heather's LinkedIn

Her book, Finding Humanity: The Evolution of Sales

Heather's Free Giveaway

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/

Event planners have more choices when it comes to AV and production partners than they may realize. In this episode, Seth Macchi challenges the idea that production companies are interchangeable and looks at why finding the right fit can make a meaningful difference in how an event comes together.

Drawing on his experience with production companies across the country, Seth discusses how different teams can deliver exceptional results while taking very different approaches to service, creativity, and event production. He also addresses the role of in-house AV and why planners should understand their options before signing a venue contract. The takeaway is simple: the right production partner is out there, and planners have the ability to choose a team that aligns with how they want to produce their events.

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG.

LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a second-generation company, we're proud of our rich history and commitment to innovation. Whether it's a corporate meeting, conference, convention, or live event, we're the team our clients trust to execute their vision flawlessly.

https://lemg.live/