The 'Where People Meet' - PheedLoop Podcast

In this episode of the "Where People Meet Podcast," we are joined by Michael Beckerman, a pioneer in the commercial real estate technology and sustainability sector, to discuss the dynamic intersection of technology, sustainability, and the events industry. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building Beckerman Public Relations into one of the country's largest firms to his current role as CEO of CREtech, the premier conference company dedicated to technology and sustainability in the Built World.

The interview delves into various aspects, including CREtech's role in the industry, the significance of events in their business strategy, and their mission with CREtech Climate, which aims to reduce the real estate industry's carbon footprint. Michael also elaborates on the role of conferences and events in fulfilling this mission, as well as the innovative technologies incorporated to enhance event sustainability. The conversation concludes with Michael's optimistic view of the future of sustainability in the meetings and events industry.

Listeners of "Where People Meet Podcast" gain insights into how technology and sustainability are shaping the future of events and how industry leaders like Michael Beckerman are actively contributing to a more sustainable Built World.

As always, if you’re interested in connecting with Michael Beckerman to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michael-beckerman
• Website - cretech.com/ (Company), cretech.com/michael-beckerman (Blog)
• Twitter - m_beckerman

In this episode of the "Where People Meet Podcast," we’re joined by Danielle Lamothe, Vice President of Learning and Innovation at the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE). With a remarkable background in the association and membership industry, Danielle delves into the challenges and strategies faced by associations in the ever-changing events landscape. 

Being an industry veteran, Danielle provides insights into her role and background within the meetings and events domain. She sheds light on the impact of rising costs and limited budgets on associations, emphasizing the unique position these organizations hold as they bring people together while working within the constraints of member funds. Danielle addresses the strategies employed by CSAE to successfully execute events with limited resources, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. Drawing from their own experience, she provides valuable tips for event planners facing similar resource challenges. The discussion covers innovative ways to design meaningful experiences, revealing how CSAE has navigated this terrain, such as offering a mix of in-person and virtual events throughout the year. Wrapping up the episode, Danielle shares her perspective on the evolving industry and offers listeners a final insight into her work. 

If you’re interested in connecting with Danielle Lamothe to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about her expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/danielle-lamothe 
• Website - csae.com 
• Email - [email protected] 

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Kraig Kleeman, founder and originator of Kraig Kleeman Live! and Rock The C-Suite. Kraig brings a wealth of experience to the podcast as an established showrunner for events like The World Leaders Forum and has shared the stage with influential figures like George W. Bush and Tony Blair. Bringing a self-proclaimed fusion of Elon Musk and Mick Jagger, Kraig is one of the world’s greatest Event Emcees, and we were lucky enough to have him sit down and answer a few questions for our Where People Meet audience! 

Kraig talks about his background in the meetings and events industry, where he got his first taste of events emceeing, how he established his name in the public speaker and emcee space, and what were some of the strategies he used. Kraig also talks about why he only seems to target corporate events, and some of the tactics he uses to engage them. As always, we close out the episode with Kraig giving the Where People Meet audience some tips and tricks on how to improve their public speaking skills and captivate an audience! 

If you’re interested in connecting with Kraig Kleemam to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kraigkleeman 
• Website - kraigkleemanlive.com 
• Email - [email protected]  

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Edward Byers, Founder and President of CANRev Collaborative, a proudly-Canadian agency that helps not-for-profits and associations find and execute on real strategies to grow their revenue so they can increase their impact. At the same time, Edward lends his skills to the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) in helping expand their business development practices, and he also works with the next generation of Canadian event professionals as a part-time professor at Seneca College.

We were incredibly lucky to have Ed Byers sit down and answer a few questions about his background in the meetings and events industry, and what made him fall in love and pursue a career in it. Ed talks about his latest project, CANRev Collaborative and explains what it stands for, what kind of clientele they cater to, and where he got the idea for the company. Jason shares some of his successes and failures with starting the company and shares his tips on growing revenue with the listeners, touching on both revenue expansion and diversification.  

If you’re interested in connecting with Ed Byers to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/edward-byers-chrp-cmp-cae-12579425
• Website - canrevcollab.com 
• Email - [email protected] 

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Edward Byers, Founder and President of CANRev Collaborative, a proudly-Canadian agency that helps not-for-profits and associations find and execute on real strategies to grow their revenue so they can increase their impact. At the same time, Edward lends his skills to the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) in helping expand their business development practices, and he also works with the next generation of Canadian event professionals as a part-time professor at Seneca College.

We were incredibly lucky to have Ed Byers sit down and answer a few questions about his background in the meetings and events industry, and what made him fall in love and pursue a career in it. Ed talks about his latest project, CANRev Collaborative and explains what it stands for, what kind of clientele they cater to, and where he got the idea for the company. Jason shares some of his successes and failures with starting the company and shares his tips on growing revenue with the listeners, touching on both revenue expansion and diversification.  

If you’re interested in connecting with Ed Byers to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/edward-byers-chrp-cmp-cae-12579425
• Website - canrevcollab.com 
• Email - [email protected] 

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Jason Koop from CSE Media Group. Jason is a writer, influencer, fan of Canadian event experiences, and the VP of Business Development with Canadian Special Events. After more than 15 years in the apparel industry managing accounts for some of the world’s largest designers like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Vanity Fair Corp, Jason was ready for a change. Combining his relationship-building skills with his marketing background and his new love for events, he has built the largest following of corporate event professionals in Canada for CSE and is helping to lead the brand to a new level of success. 

We were incredibly lucky to have Jason sit down and answer a few questions about his background in the meetings and events industry, why he left his career in the apparel industry to pursue his own project in the events industry, what are some parallels and differences between the two industries, and how he applied his background in the corporate world to successfully grow in the events industry. We also learn whether Jason always had a goal of creating the biggest community of corporate event planners in Canada or if it was a byproduct of creating the company, and some he learned along the way. Jason closes out the episode by giving the audience advice on how to launch an event and use it as a medium to foster and grow a community. 

If you’re interested in connecting with Jason Koop to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jasonkoopcselive  
• Website - canadianspecialevents.com
• Twitter - @jaykoop 

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Merijn van Buuren, Founder & CEO of Event Mender. Event Mender is an online marketplace simplifying the search for event management solutions, which allows event planners to easily compare and select the best event solutions on the market. 

Merijn starts off by sharing his background in the meetings and events industry, and discusses how the pandemic prompted him to pivot and position himself in the rapidly changing environment. He also talks about his previous venture, Virtual Positive, and its closure. He then dives into the founding journey of Event Mender, explaining the need he identified in the market and his unique approach to addressing it. Highlighting the successes and challenges encountered during the platform's development, Merijn offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He concludes the episode emphasizes the importance of networking, leveraging communities, and maintaining a grounded perspective.

If you’re interested in connecting with Merijn van Buuren to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/merijnvanbuuren/ 
• Website - http://eventmender.com/

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Merijn van Buuren, Founder & CEO of Event Mender. Event Mender is an online marketplace simplifying the search for event management solutions, which allows event planners to easily compare and select the best event solutions on the market. 

Merijn starts off by sharing his background in the meetings and events industry, and discusses how the pandemic prompted him to pivot and position himself in the rapidly changing environment. He also talks about his previous venture, Virtual Positive, and its closure. He then dives into the founding journey of Event Mender, explaining the need he identified in the market and his unique approach to addressing it. Highlighting the successes and challenges encountered during the platform's development, Merijn offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He concludes the episode emphasizes the importance of networking, leveraging communities, and maintaining a grounded perspective.

If you’re interested in connecting with Merijn van Buuren to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about his expertise, you can do so at the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/merijnvanbuuren/ 
• Website - http://eventmender.com/

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Carly Silberstein, CEO and driving force behind Redstone Agency, Canada’s fastest-growing event and association management company. She’s a devoted entrepreneur, passionate about developing meaningful and impactful relationships. Before launching Redstone, Carly led marketing and event teams that serviced corporate clients, not-for-profit organizations and associations in a variety of industries. 

Having worked with Redstone over the past four years, we can attest to the fact that Carly is one of the most authentic and hardworking people out there. We were incredibly lucky to have her sit down to answer a few questions about her background in the meetings and events industry, where she got the idea for Redstone Agency, what the founding journey was like for her, what are some impactful lessons learned as an entrepreneur, and how she applies those lessons on a day-to-day basis. Carly also talks about Redstone and what it means to be an association management company, she describes the type of clientele they get as an Agency, and how they help clients with event management. 

If you’re interested in connecting with Carly Silberstein to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about her expertise, you can do so at any of the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/carlysilberstein/ 
• Website - redstoneagency.ca 
• Twitter - @carlyekstein

In this episode of the ‘Where People Meet’ podcast, we are joined by Carly Silberstein, CEO and driving force behind Redstone Agency, Canada’s fastest-growing event and association management company. She’s a devoted entrepreneur, passionate about developing meaningful and impactful relationships. Before launching Redstone, Carly led marketing and event teams that serviced corporate clients, not-for-profit organizations and associations in a variety of industries. 

Having worked with Redstone over the past four years, we can attest to the fact that Carly is one of the most authentic and hardworking people out there. We were incredibly lucky to have her sit down to answer a few questions about her background in the meetings and events industry, where she got the idea for Redstone Agency, what the founding journey was like for her, what are some impactful lessons learned as an entrepreneur, and how she applies those lessons on a day-to-day basis. Carly also talks about Redstone and what it means to be an association management company, she describes the type of clientele they get as an Agency, and how they help clients with event management. 

If you’re interested in connecting with Carly Silberstein to discuss any of this in greater detail or to learn more about her expertise, you can do so at any of the following resources:

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/carlysilberstein/ 
• Website - redstoneagency.ca 
• Twitter - @carlyekstein