Episodes

  • Amanda sits down for Happy Hour with Giana Sacco, a designer, and visual artist by the name Occipital, as they talk about their experiences with all things design. The conversation branches from how the design industry has adapted to becoming virtual to exciting travel experiences. Giana talks about the need for companies to expand their social media strategies and digital marketing from a graphic design standpoint. Giana also sheds light on how she grew her own artistic personality to share her expression with the world. From admiring fashion week to trending topics of graphic design, the Happy Hour remains fascinating and informative!

  • In the next episode, we sip a Brunch Happy Hour with former promotions manager, Rhodes Pierre. Now a financial services professional and advocate, Pierre discusses being on award-winning experiential events with Virgin Atlantic's Love From Above campaign and Lloyd Dobler's "Say Anything" flash mob. Then we go deeper on fundraisers for AIDS Care Ocean State and Stop Asian Hate rallies. Finally, we talk about the need to move into a new career helping patients at Canna Care Docs and Financial/Estate Planning after a parent fell ill.

    Learn more:
    AIDS Care Ocean State
    www.aidscareos.org/

    Lloyd Dobler flash mob in Times Square
    20th anniversary of "Say Anything"
    www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3Tg37T8SQZ9ofOxxLT9ew

    McKinney Agency's Virgin Atlantic "Love From Above" experiential campaign
    mckinney.com/2008/09/30/iab-presents-mixx-award-to-mckinney-for-love-from-above-experiential-launch/

    Canna Care Docs
    cannacaredocs.com/massachusetts/

    Senior Resource Center, Inc.
    www.helpingelders.com/

    UTEC Lowell March/Rally
    Stop Asian Hate on May 1

    Oui, The People
    www.facebook.com/Oui-the-People-108651797587011

    The newest episode of Happy Hour out now with Promotions Manager, Financial Services Profession, and Advocate Rhodes Pierre as we talk cannabis, creole census, and being the Haitian John Cusack in Times Square.

    #sayanything #flashmob #promotions #experiential #cannabis #seniorcare #estateplanning #stopasianhate #fundraisers #rallies #comedy

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  • In this episode, we sit down with Marketing Manager, Sweta Vikram who coaches us through the health mindset to improve our life performance. Author of 13 books, we go over virtual book tours, easier connections to global clients, the introduction of webinars, and the need to address tough issues like sexism, incarceration, racism, and trauma.

    More from Sweta Vikram:
    swetavikram.com
    www.seema.com/wellness/the-balanced-life/
    https://www.amazon.com/Sweta-Srivastava-Vikram/e/B003X083XU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_10&qid=1618751752&sr=8-10
     
    Follow EventSpeak:
    https://www.facebook.com/EventSpeak
    https://www.instagram.com/eventspeak
    https://twitter.com/EventSpeak
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/eventspeak

  • In this episode of Happy Hour, we settle in with the cabernet barreled Navigator Bourbon in a John Collins cocktail, while our guest sips on actual cabernet Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon in a mason jar.

    Event Producer, Monica Moore is difficult to find on social media but you can always see her onsite with a headset calling the shots. We talk about times we spent together at the Frieze Art Fair and Bloomberg Summer Picnic, but what you may not know is Moore is a big deal especially in Times Square. We are impressed with the Pontiac Garage Times Square Opening, Coca Cola 2009 Sign Launch, and the grandest of them all, the New Year's Eve Times Square.

    This permitting savant explains the problems to solve at Martha Stewart American Made Celebration, ways to pivot into steaming YouTube Brandcast, and how outdoor events are living strong in the city with NY Pops Up.

    We dig deep on how keeping an event safe and secure will hit the budgets for the next few years, worry about unclear guidelines based on those safety restrictions, and the short lifespan of the virtual-only event.

    Learn More:
    Event Budgeting Affects
    https://blog.bizzabo.com/event-budgeting-guide
    https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/how-the-pandemic-could-change-film-tv-production-for-good-61563121

    Event-Based Liability
    https://www.nssh.com/2020/11/the-extent-of-event-based-liability-in-the-covid-19-era/
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/style/the-new-rsvp-a-signed-coronavirus-waiver.html

    Virtual Event Longevity
    https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/24/virtual-events-came-of-age-in-2020-but-the-future-is-hybrid/
    https://www.vfairs.com/virtual-events-will-be-big-2021/

    The Future of Charity Galas
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/your-money/nonprofit-fund-raising.html
    https://fortune.com/2020/09/07/charity-gala-dinners-millennials/

  • In this episode Amanda sits down with Britton to try new drinks and reminisce about life before Covid. You'll learn about the reason how the first Saint Patricks Day parade came to be in the 1700s and hear fun stories about finding fun bars in midtown on Saint Patrick's Day and marching in the parade!

    Enjoy!

  • In this episode, we throw away the tequila and enjoy Dry January with Actor and Songwriter, Nimo Gandhi as we discuss the local music scene in New York City, the rise of sidewalk cafe's, and expecting a new music renaissance in the city. Then, we go deeper into tv and movie character roles, acting outside an ethnicity, filming during COVID, and the fun of collaboration. Finally, we talk about acting auditions over zoom and performing with fans over Instagram and Facebook Live.

    Learn More:
    www.nimogandhi.com
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2016607/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
    http://www.gandhisongs.com/
    https://www.seedlipdrinks.com/en-us/
    https://www.cheekycocktails.co/ - Code HAPPYHOUR
    https://www.loux.gr/
    https://www.astoriabakerycafe.com/home
    https://innocenceproject.org/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=idealist
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverend_Billy_and_the_Church_of_Stop_Shopping
    https://www.netflix.com/title/80025384
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0644022/
    https://deadline.com/2020/09/natalie-morales-plan-b-movie-hulu-1234577940/

  • Learn More:

    https://www.hankanded.com/

    https://billystrings.com/

    https://www.insomniac.com/

    https://shop.bacardi.com/

    https://ramblersparklingwater.com/

    https://www.seedlipdrinks.com/en-us/

    https://lifeisbeautiful.com/

    https://campbisco.com/

    http://thepeachmusicfestival.com/

    https://manncenter.org/events/2021-08-07/hoagienation

    http://rootspicnic.com/philly/

    https://www.sxsw.com/

    Discover More:

    Lil Wayne - High Times & Life is Beautiful Concerts

    https://www.tmz.com/2016/07/24/lil-wayne-concert-high-times-responds/

    https://hightimes.com/culture/music/lil-wayne-full-meltdown-at-2016-medical-cannabis-concentrates-cup/

    https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/festivals/8530692/life-is-beautiful-2019-lil-wayne-cancels-wayne-newton-joins-the

    https://www.revolt.tv/2019/9/22/20878568/lil-wayne-cancels-performance

    Life is Beautiful - Las Vegas Shooter

    https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/10/las-vegas-shooter-might-have-originally-targeted-life-is-beautiful-festival-report/

    https://www.casino.org/news/life-is-beautiful-festival-poses-security-risks-post-october-1-shooting/

    Insane Clown Posse - High Times

    https://www.mlive.com/news/erry-2018/09/9f700fac4e5834/juggalos-marijuana-enthusiasts.html

    SXSW - Cancelled and Going Digital

    https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2021-01-01/recapping-the-year-sxsw-got-canceled/

    https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/6/21162247/sxsw-2020-cancelled-coronavirus-austin-texas-virus-fears-public-health-event

    Bacardi Coquito Candle

    https://shop.bacardi.com/collections/new-merchandise/products/bacardi-coquito-candle

    Billy Strings - Streaming Tour and Charity

    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/billy-strings-2020-survey-1102771/

    https://artsfuse.org/207456/concert-review-billy-strings-streaming-strings-tour-virtual-but-unbridled/

    https://musicrow.com/2020/12/billy-strings-kicks-off-12-days-of-bluegrass-for-charity/

    Insomniac Cares and Sustainability

    https://www.insomniac.com/who-we-are/insomniac-cares/

    https://www.edmsauce.com/2020/02/11/changes-coming-insomniac/

    NFL COVID 19 system and procedures

    https://www.nfl.com/news/a-look-inside-the-nfl-s-covid-19-contact-tracing-system

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-new-orleans-saints-fans-covid-19-20210109-ry7fmgb3ffhlthc6rin2jee53y-story.html

  • Welcome back to Happy Hour 2021! In this episode, we take a sip and chat with Nick Gauchat, Chief Product Officer at Suzy. Gauchat has been the digital backbone for many of our experiential marketing efforts for the past decade and has some incredible insight on the role technology has from recruiting brand representatives to efficient entry and data collection of attendees. "Connection" is the keyword from digital to live events and the main focus all marketers must embrace in virtual or onsite environments. We end our discussion on the personal protocol from the entry process into an event to closing a negotiation, what's the new handshake, and are face masks here to stay.

    To Learn More:
    https://milamandgreenewhiskey.com/
    https://www.cheekycocktails.co/
    Discount Code "HAPPYHOUR"

    https://www.laphroaig.com/en/
    https://laxamanamedia.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgauchat/

    https://suzy.com/careers
    https://mry.com/
    https://twitter.com/repnation?lang=en
    https://collegefest.com/

    Further reading on this episode's topics:
    Virtual Reality in 2021
    https://uploadvr.com/editorial-oculus-quest-2-devs/
    https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/smarter-wi-fi-virtual-everything-the-tech-that-will-invade-our-lives-in-2021/articleshow/80153003.cms

    Broadway Reopening 2021
    https://deadline.com/2020/12/broadway-2021-coronavirus-shutdown-reopening-plans-1234660092/
    https://www.nytix.com/news/new-reopening-date

    Vaccination Cards and Rapid Testing
    https://www.healthline.com/health-news/youll-get-a-vaccination-card-with-your-covid-19-vaccine-why-its-important#How-does-this-new-card-affect-you?
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html
    https://www.cnet.com/health/covid-19-vaccine-card-is-not-an-immunity-passport-heres-the-difference/
    https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/new-at-home-covid-test.html

    Handshakes and Face Masks post vaccinations
    https://time.com/5842469/coronavirus-handshake-social-touch/
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/10/smarter-living/coronavirus-greetings-handshakes-hugs.html
    https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wear-mask-covid-19-vaccine/story?id=74858114
    https://deadline.com/2020/11/dr-fauci-masks-and-social-distancing-will-still-be-necessary-even-after-vaccine-1234616016/

  • In this episode, we sit with Production Manager, Jennifer Harrison who reveals her greatest story and her favorite tour. We discuss touring, learning, and planning for Fall 2021. Finally, we talk about our hopes of making events smaller and more special as we slowly and safely return to work.

    Learn more:
    virginfest.com
    www.sixflags.com/frontiercity
    www.bonnaroo.com
    toughmudder.com
    www.spearheadmarketing.com
    milamandgreenewhiskey.com/
    www.cheekycocktails.co/
    www.talnua.com/
    www.newscaststudio.com/2020/03/06/cnn-coronavirus-town-hall/
    healtheducationservices.net/training/covid-19-compliance-officer-c19co/
    www.osha.gov/coronavirus/control-prevention
    www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-contact-tracing?edocomorp=covid-19-contact-tracing

  • In this episode, we take the time to reflect on what we have learned from our guests and conversations in 2020. We take time to thank our listeners and guests while remembering what we prize as event producers. From the wise words of Bronson Van Wyck, "We are helping people make other people feel good." During this reset, we reminisce on how our guests could not stand still and volunteered, became activists, and started their own projects of creativity into the world. Keep producing, keep inspiring, keep doing.

    To learn more about the people and companies discussed on the show, check out the links below:

    https://www.hudsonwhiskey.com/en-US/distillery/
    https://www.cheekycocktails.co/
    https://flaviar.com/
    https://laxamanamedia.com/
    https://www.vanwyck.net/book
    https://www.kevabrams.com/
    https://jonathandlovitz.com/
    https://www.weedandgrub.com/
    https://www.theshatteredstar.com/
    https://www.glwd.org/
    https://mowaxvisual.com/#mg

  • In this episode, we sit with Lindsay Caprioni Rummell, Director of Design and Product Development, as she discusses the immense travel through production to product launch in her industry. We talk quarantine and how the design process has drastically changed adding a new trust in suppliers abroad that may have changed production for brands in a better way. Finally, we talk about virtual events altering how consumers shop, what they shop, and why.

    Learn more:
    https://www.designerbrands.com/

    https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/new-york-fashion-week-spring-2021-free-virtual-events-fashion-shows-1234579411/

    https://www.drapersonline.com/insight/analysis/footwear-slips-into-the-comfort-zone

    https://www.just-style.com/comment/can-the-fractured-supplier-buyer-relationship-be-repaired_id138466.aspx

    https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/3d-virtual-sampling-revolution-or-evolution/

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookerobertsislam/2020/08/21/how-digital-fashion-could-replace-fast-fashion-and-the-startup-paving-the-way/?sh=4016104870d8

  • Welcome to our Thanksgiving Special where we spend the holidays with family across the miles. In this episode, we discuss Thanksgiving with family in Staten Island in the 1950s with who else, but Mom Younger! Then we talk about living on the Gulf Coast during hurricane season that finally resulted in a big move to Tennessee during a global pandemic. Finally, we talk turkey, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and new traditions.

    To learn more:
    https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/20/archives/staten-island-ferry-to-end-brooklyn-runs-displaced-by-bridge-over.html

    https://www.npr.org/2019/04/19/715134716/hurricane-michael-was-a-category-5-noaa-finds-the-first-since-andrew-in-1992

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/oregon-fires-politics.html

    https://www.al.com/outdoors/2017/11/gatlinburg_one_year_after_the.html

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/arts/television/macys-thanksgiving-parade-coronavirus.html

    www.statenislandzoo.org

    www.beekmandelamaterinn.com

  • In this episode, we settle in with April Wachtel, Founder of Cheeky Cocktails, as she explains her long journey learning how to facilitate the connection of people over beverages. We go a little bit deeper into the entrepreneur mind of Wachtel as she evolves her product and launches at the start of COVID-19. Finally, we discuss how teaching cocktails from the bar to the classroom to YouTube has been an integral part of sharing knowledge in and out of a pandemic.

    To Learn More:
    http://www.aprilwachtel.com/
    https://www.cheekycocktails.co/
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1811915968/swig-swallow-cocktails-for-a-crowd-delivered
    https://www.moverssshakers.com/
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcMSVnZkzKKqExeMaTDLaAw

    And don't forget to use the promo code "HAPPYHOUR" for great deals at CheekyCocktails.co Enjoy!

  • In this episode, we grab a drink with Curtis Parks, Event Producer and Founder of Oncoming Traffic Events and Entertainment, and discuss the evolution of experiential marketing in brand tours and the current protective solutions added to these setups. Then, we share stories of gig work through a recession and how that's affected contract workers during the hard rest of 2020. Finally, we discuss the underground comedy scene and performances in the park.

    To Learn More:
    oncomingtrafficevents.com
    www.hudsonwhiskey.com
    www.stellaartois.com sailorjerry.com

    Use Promo Code "HAPPYHOUR" at www.cheekycocktails.co

    www.mry.com
    www.siriusxm.com
    www.mapquest.com
    www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/mr-youth-kicks-techknow-tour-67401
    vimeo.com/5084366

    www.richdad.com
    www.airbnb.com
    blacklivesmatter.com
    boomchicago.nl
    www.secondcity.com/people/toronto/michael-gellman
    www.gigsalad.com/dave_lester_brooklyn

  • In this segment, we sip our drink with Jonathan D Lovitz, creator of PhillyVoting.org, on the new and inventive ways the initiative expanded voter registration during a pandemic. We cheer the return of the QR codes on menus and how sitting around a table with friends grabbing a drink sparks ideas. Finally, we discuss the future of fundraising campaigns and reassessing the value of the Gala.

    Jonathan D. Lovitz is a nationally recognized small business and public policy advocate, community organizer, and currently serve as the Senior Vice President of the NGLCC. In his role, he serves as head of advocacy and political work and press secretary, where he has been responsible for establishing the more than twenty county, city, and state laws passed over the last four years opening up contracting and economic opportunity to minority small business owners, including veterans, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ-owned businesses.

    Learn more at: www.JonathanDLovitz.com
    phillyvoting.org victoryfund.org/
    www.torres.nyc sarahmcbride.com/ www.byersforkansas.com
    www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/pennsylvania
    epgn.com/2020/09/08/philly-voting-initiative-targets-lgbtq-voters/
    phila.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
    variety.com/2020/film/news/avengers-cast-joe-biden-fundraiser-1234808804/

  • On today's show, welcome the Partners of MoWax Visual, Molly Waxman, and Shane Kupka as we discuss frantic calls and nationwide partnerships. We talk about how they are able to provide protective solutions immediately for healthcare workers and businesses reopening during the pandemic of 2020. Finally, we go through fighting wind and heat with fabricated displays and miles of skrim.

    Learn More
    mowaxvisual.com mowaxvisual.com/protective-solutions/
    www.nycpride.org/events/family-movie-night
    Family Movie Night structure: www.instagram.com/p/BzSzyjRFgEM/
    The infamous ball: www.instagram.com/p/BavPuNChDen/
    www.orangecountydistillery.com

  • In this episode, enter the space of world-building by one of our favorite Sony writers, C.K. Riley Founder of Golden Bullet Entertainment and Creator of The Shattered Star universe. We discuss our beginnings at marketing agency MRY with experiential at CollegeFest. Then we go down the rabbit hole with Riley, as he explains the creation of Gabriel and the loss of interacting with new fans at ComicCon. Finally, we talk about how AR can add new dimensions to storytelling and our expectation of a writing boom in all industries.

    Special Thank you to Black Dirt Bourbon for the way we Happy Hour in this segment
    Angel's Flight - Black Dirt Bourbon, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, and Cointreau

    To Learn More:
    https://goldenbulletentertainment.wordpress.com/
    https://www.theshatteredstar.com/
    https://www.comixology.com/Gabriel-The-Shattered-Star/comics-series/137314?ref=cHVibGlzaGVyL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9saXN0L3Nlcmllc0xpc3Q

    www.guinness.com #guiness blackdirtdistillery.com #blackdirtdistillery
    americantheatrecompany.org galleryplayers.com www.larktheatre.org
    www.sonypictures.com mry.com collegefest.com www.playstation.com
    www.neilgaiman.com georgerrmartin.com
    www.comicconla.com www.newyorkcomiccon.com

  • In this episode, we sit down with Amanda's former Director of Operations, Britton Hogge who now works as a Software Analyst for the government. We begin with a Flaviar tasting of Bourbon and plenty of Virginia based cocktail snacks to keep us going while discussing tasting events at wineries, surprise bus tours, and bedazzled merchandise. We continue with a tasting of Rye, through TV show tapings, city logistics, and the daunting task of event debris removal. Finally, we end our Tasting with Scotch as we go over finding your gaming Clan, the benefits of the Twitch platform, and how digital events allow ease of global programming and audience.

    Articles Cited in the program:
    Reuters "New York's same-sex marriage law sets off waves of engagements" By Barbara Goldberg June 25, 2011
    http://jp.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSTRE75N5ZA20110625

    New York Times "At Clerks’ Offices, Girding for More Weddings" By Nicholas Confessore and Michael Barbaro June 25, 2011
    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/new-york-clerks-offices-gird-for-influx-of-gay-couples.html

  • This week we start our morning with positivity and light Chief Edutainment Director Erin Diehl, Founder of Improve It! We spiked our brew of coffee with a gift of Maple Bourbon from Smuggler's Notch Distillery in Vermont. We laugh about our days living out of a suitcase and being official pee security of Spring Break experiential sites on Panama City Beach, FL. We talk about failure, controlling attitude & effort, and leaning into a new virtual community!

    www.smugglersnotchdistillery.com
    www.mry.com
    www.learntoimproveit.com