Our recent webinar, titled "Becoming an Event Strategist" brought together industry experts to discuss their unique perspectives and insights on developing a successful career in the events industry. The webinar aimed to inspire and provide valuable information to professionals looking to make the transition from planners to strategists.

This webinar featured:

- Megan Martin, CMP, DES, MPA, Director of Partnerships and Events @ Sessionboard

- Molly Witges, CMP, DES, Owner & Consultant @ Measured Meeting Strategies

- Megan Saad Event Strategist, Marketing Leader, Senior Account Executive @ Sessionboard

The Highlights

Here are five key quotes that summarize the highlights of the session:

1. "I've sat on both sides of the aisle and both sides of this industry. It makes me a lot more compassionate for the work that we all do." - Megan Martin

Megan Martin, Director of Partnerships and Events at Session Board, emphasized the importance of gaining diverse experience within the events industry. By working in different roles and sectors, professionals can develop a well-rounded perspective that enhances their ability to understand and empathize with all stakeholders involved.

2. "Understanding how to break down silos and create processes to bridge gaps is crucial for becoming a successful strategist." - Megan Saad

Megan Saad, Account Executive at Session Board, highlighted the significance of collaboration and communication across different departments and teams within organizations. Breaking down silos and fostering cross-functional cooperation is essential for creating efficient and effective event strategies.

3. "The shift in our industry calls for demonstrating the 'why' and the ROI of our events." - Molly Witges

Molly Witges, Owner & Consultant @ Measured Meeting Strategies and an industry veteran, emphasized the need for event professionals to think strategically and focus on demonstrating the value and return on investment of their events. This shift requires a holistic approach and a focus on the bigger picture.

4. "Planners are essentially sales people; they recruit attendees, market their events, and pitch ideas to decision-makers." - Megan Martin

Megan Martin highlighted the sales aspect of event planning. Planners often need to sell their ideas, convince stakeholders, and market their events effectively. Recognizing this sales role within event planning can enhance a professional's strategic mindset and broaden their skill set.

5. "Breaking out of the operational mindset and focusing on the strategic aspects of events is key to becoming a successful strategist." - Megan Martin

Megan Martin emphasized the importance of shifting from an operational mindset to a strategic mindset. Event strategists need to think beyond the day-to-day execution and focus on the long-term goals, objectives, and outcomes of their events. This shift allows professionals to become more effective strategists in the industry.

Conclusion

The "Becoming an Event Strategist" webinar provided valuable insights and inspiration for professionals looking to advance their careers in the events industry. The key takeaways emphasized the significance of gaining diverse experience, breaking down silos, demonstrating ROI, recognizing the sales aspect of event planning, and adopting a strategic mindset. By incorporating these insights into their professional journeys, attendees can position themselves as successful event strategists.

About Sessionboard

Sessionboard is a next generation speaker & content management platform that simplifies the complex workflows and disjointed communications that exist around speaker and content management. From call for papers, abstract evaluation, awards, applications, agenda building, speaker onboarding and communication, Sessionboard helps event organizers work smarter, move faster, and improve their ROI.

The results? A faster-growing event, more productive staff, seamless collaboration with speakers and more time back to do what you do best—building epic experiences.

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