The 15 Best Podcasts For Event Planners

Event planners and professionals are turning to podcasts to keep a pulse on thought leadership, event technology, and best practices. Discover 15 amazing podcasts you’ll want to listen to on your morning commute!

Though it may seem like social media has dominated interactions between event professionals and event marketers, event influencers are tuning into podcasts as an alternative means for sharing event planning tips, tricks, and best practices.

After all, it takes a lot less effort to listen to a podcast than it does to scroll through a newsfeed or event watch a video. Small wonder that we are seeing so many amazing event marketing and corporate event management podcasts pop up.

But first, if you haven’t listened to a podcast before – you might have one question…

What is a podcast?

For those unfamiliar with the term, podcasts are recorded audio files produced and distributed online for free. Think of them as on-demand talk radio shows. We’ve compiled the list of eight fantastic podcasts, or vidcasts (podcasts featuring a video recording), for event marketers to tune in. These podcasts were selected for consistently sharing new and helpful tips that will benefit most event professionals.

The Best Event Planning Podcasts

1. #EventIcons
2. IN-PERSON Podcast
3. Techsytalk Unscripted
4. Event Tech Podcast
5. Turn Of Events
6. The Meeting Planning Madness Podcast
7. Meetings Podcast
8. The Savvy Event Planner
9. Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals
10. GatherGeeks
11. Event Industry News Podcast
12. The Exposure Podcast
13. EventLAB
14. Meeting Minds with Charles Eide
15. PlannersPod

1. #EventIcons

Hosted by Will Curran, founder of Endless Events, sits down with event industry influencers to discuss topics like event technology, event management and A/V. Curran, an experienced event professional in his own regard, asks insightful questions, making it easy for listeners to learn about the latest planning best practices. 

2. IN-PERSON Podcast

The IN-PERSON Podcast highlights the world’s most daring events and the people who make them happen. The star-studded guest list include event professionals from IBM, IMEX, Intel, SXSW, Adobe 99U and more. Marketing and event executives join Brandon to talk about their experiences, challenges, and what they’re dreaming for the future. This is a great resources if you’re looking to dive deep into topics like event community, personalization, and event ROI. 

3. Techsytalk Unscripted

Ready to look behind the curtain of the complicated event planning industry? Co-hosts Liz King and Ed Waffles bring you the kind of tips and tricks that only seasoned planners can deliver. King and Waffles pick the brains of event professionals across the industry, looking for insights and case studies that captivate their audience. For two of the most passionate, well-informed thought leaders in the industry, look no further than Liz King and Ed Waffles. You’ll be sure to learn as much as you laugh.

4. Event Tech Podcast

Now co-hosted by Brandt Krueger and Will Curran of Event Technology Consulting, the Event Tech Podcast was started by John Federico many years ago. This podcast delves into anything and everything about the event tech space. As event technology becomes increasingly critical for any event planner, Krueger interviews and discusses the essential tools with guests like Scott Owens, Director of Event Technology at Salesforce, and Alon Alroy, CMO and Co-founder of Bizzabo. For veteran event marketers in tech or first-timers looking to learn more, this podcast is a great place to start.

5. Turn Of Events

Hosts Laura Lopez and Graham Wheeler (both from Social Tables) have a knack for finding fascinating subjects to interview about various aspects of event planning. In a recent episode, Lopez and Wheeler sat down with well-known event photographer, Joy Asico, about the anatomy of the perfect event photo. Asico has worked with both Barack Obama and the Rolling Stone Magazine, and she’s just one of the many high-caliber guests interviewed on this informative and entertaining podcast.

6. The Meeting Planning Madness Podcast

This is a bi-monthly, thirty minute podcast about all things event planning. Learn about the hardships and mishaps event professionals have overcome, and take away keen insights into the industry that you’ll be able to apply to your own events.

7. Meetings Podcast

A popular industry podcast, Meetings Podcast covers a wide variety of topics, from special event planning, to event logistics, AV assistance and event speakers. This podcast is the perfect go-to for general event planning podcast. Host Mike McAllen has completed over 500 podcasts to date, and has worked with major associations like IMEX, PCMA, CIC and ASAE. This means organizers have a deep library of high-quality episodes to choose from – perfect for the morning commute.

8. The Savvy Event Planner

Tom Crowl hosts this popular event planning podcast. In each episode, Crowl delves into event management from start to finish covering topics like event planning tips, insights, inspiration, and case studies to help event organizers unleash their creative powers. As a corporate entertainer he has worked with a variety of event planners, creative agencies, caterers, business and travel groups to create unique experiences for clients and guests.

9. Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals

The Northstar Meetings Group hosts this podcast covering a variety of themes and topics that are top-of-mind for event organizers and hospitality professionals. The tone and conversations take a slightly more editorial bent, allowing for an easy, event-specific briefing during the morning commute. This is a great podcast for those looking for information on the latest happenings in events and meetings including: sustainability initiatives, inclusion and diversity, and innovative technologies that help enable better events.

10. GatherGeeks

GatherGeeks is a podcast published by BizBash, a media company for event and meeting professionals. The show is co-hosted by David Adler, CEO at BizBash, and Beth Kormanik, editor and chief at BizBash, and features warm conversations, guests, and topics centered around the power of live experiences. This is a great resource packed with tips and tricks for event organizers on topics anywhere from gender inclusion and experiential design to negotiating contracts and live streaming your first event.

11. Event Industry News Podcast

Host James Dickson from UK-based publisher Event Industry News interviews a variety of event industry professionals. Weekly episodes touch on existing and emerging topics related to event management including the role of women in the events industry, reimagining event ROI, and interactive content. This is a wonderful resource for European-based event organizers and marketers or any passionate event marketer looking for more exposure to hot and top-of-mind event news.

12. The Exposure Podcast

This podcast is produced by The Expo Group and co-hosted by the charismatic duo Todd Carruth and Dana Freker Doody. Aside from fun banter and friendly guests, monthly episodes look at the intersection of technology, innovation, and events. Recent episodes took a deep dive in transforming your event through revenue opportunities, community building, and experiential marketing.

13. EventLAB

EventLab is produced by Hire Space, a UK-based venue booking website. The series is positioned as a window into the events conversation and offers the latest event news, trends, and interviews from industry experts. Each episode includes interviews, debates, and short segments the highlight all the cool happenings in and around the world of events. Outside of the podcast series, EventLAB hosts a number of in-person events and a flagship two-day conference.

14. Meeting Minds with Charles Eide

Host Charles Eide interviews event leaders to uncover new innovations and solutions for building incredible audience experiences. Each episode covers important event logistic topics like meetings, conferences, audio visual, event operations and engagement. This podcast offers listeners valuable tips and tricks on everything from planning events for different venue types, best practices for keynote speakers, and how to avoid the biggest event snafus.

15. PlannersPod

Hosted by Toby Goodman and James Eager from UK-based events agency Metropolis, PlannersPod features industry professionals discussing real life event experiences and cutting edge innovations. The series caters to the international events industry and highlights topics like growing and attracting talent, planning events, and bleeding edge marketing strategies.

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Staying up-to-date on what’s happening in the event industry is key for successful event marketers and executives. These podcasts offer a variety of resources for learning innovative event strategies, best practices, and building a fantastic career in events anywhere you go.

You may also be interested in:

• 55+ Resources for Event Planners
• Event Planning Certifications 
• The #1 Guide to Event Tools

Looking for the right podcast for your morning commute? Subscribe to Bizzabo’s IN-PERSON Podcast and meet executives from IBM, TechCrunch, SXSW, and more.

Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published on August 17, 2016 and has since been updated.