Better Events

In this episode, Logan and Mary tackle one of the hardest skills in the event business: saying no to a client. They get honest about why event professionals are wired to say yes, share real examples of times they held the line and times they wish they had, and talk through what actually happens when you say yes to something your team can’t deliver. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still early in your career, this episode will give you both the permission and the language to start protecting your time, your team, and your work.
SHOW NOTES:
Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration

Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest

Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free

THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review!
——
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@bettereventspod
@loganstrategygroup_events (Logan)
@epeventsllc (Mary)

In this episode, Logan and Mary sit down with Cynthia Mikimoto, a strategic advisor with experience in nonprofit galas, to talk about what it actually takes for small- and mid-sized nonprofits to pull off large-scale events. Cynthia walks through the biggest mistakes nonprofits make when trying to scale up, how to prioritize when you're working with limited staff and a volunteer-heavy team, and what high-impact, low-cost changes can immediately improve the guest experience. From nailing check-in to making sponsors and VIPs feel genuinely valued, this episode is a tactical playbook for any nonprofit looking to execute a better gala without a bigger budget.

SHOW NOTES:
Register for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2026-better-events-conference/registration

Connect with Cynthia Mikimoto:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamikimoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withjoyeveryday/
Website: http://www.nortora.com/

Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest

Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free

THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review!
——
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@bettereventspod
@loganstrategygroup_events (Logan)
@epeventsllc (Mary)

In this episode, Logan and Mary are back with a follow-up to one of their most popular episodes: Speaker Management 101. This time they go deeper, tackling the situations that don't show up in the basics. From setting tech check and rehearsal expectations to managing speaker nerves, egos, and last-minute changes, they cover what actually happens when speakers go off script, over time, or off the rails entirely. They also get into how to handle high-profile and VIP speakers differently and the systems and tools that make the whole process smoother. If you produce events with speakers, this one belongs in your rotation.
SHOW NOTES:
Link to Speaker Management 101 - Episode 251
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ziiFRedmdL3tI6d1HdrPc?si=535abf91aa364a15
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok1N8jYqULU
Purchase our template, including a speaker management tab: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/better-events-conferencemeeting-event-planning-workbook-template-excel

Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference
Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest
Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free
THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review!
——
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@bettereventspod
@loganstrategygroup_events (Logan)
@epeventsllc (Mary)

In this episode, Logan and Mary are back together for a long overdue life update. Mary shares what life has looked like since returning from maternity leave, including the honest realities of running a business with a new baby, whether her identity has shifted, and what has been harder and more rewarding than she expected. They also look ahead at what they're each hoping this next chapter brings. It's the kind of conversation that goes well beyond events and into the messier, more meaningful parts of building a life and a business at the same time.

SHOW NOTES:
Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference
Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop
Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest
Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free
THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review!
——
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@bettereventspod
@loganstrategygroup_events (Logan)
@epeventsllc (Mary)

Mary is back from maternity leave and she's catching up on every episode she missed. In this solo episode, she shares her reactions to some of the guest co-host conversations that aired while she was out, including her take on the business behind venue management and the public versus private event debate, dressing for comfort on event day, staying visible and relevant as an event pro, and what our episode with a graphics operator taught her about one of the most underappreciated partnerships in live event production. If you've been listening while she was gone, this one is a fun way to revisit it all through Mary's eyes.

SHOW NOTES:
Purchase tickets for the 2026 Better Events Conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference
Purchase our on-demand How to Start an Event Planning Business Workshop: https://bettereventspod.com/workshop
Learn more about the pod, Better Events Conference and more: https://bettereventspod.com/the-latest
Want our updated free run of show template? Download it here: https://bettereventspod.com/templates/p/run-of-show-template-free
THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love this podcast? Please share with your event friends, tag us, and leave a review!
——
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@bettereventspod
@loganstrategygroup_events (Logan)
@epeventsllc (Mary)