Episodes

Before we jump into the next installment of Designing a Better General Session , it's worth remembering that a polished stage doesn't always require a bigger budget. In this episode, Seth Macchi focuses on the production choices that can dramatically improve the look and feel of a general session, showing how thoughtful design, strategic equipment selections, and attention to detail can create a more premium experience without dramatically increasing costs. If you're looking for practical ways t...

What makes a destination, brand, or event truly connect with people? In this episode, Seth Macchi sits down with Najauna White, Vice President at Miles Partnership, to discuss the power of storytelling in hospitality and tourism, the importance of authentic connections, and the leadership principles that help organizations create meaningful experiences. Drawing from more than 15 years in the industry, Najauna shares her perspective on building strong teams, shaping inclusive environments, and he...

What separates an average general session from one that truly delivers for attendees? In this first installment of Designing a Better General Session, Seth Macchi shares five AV decisions that can have a major impact on the success of a corporate event. Drawing on real-world production experience, he explains how thoughtful planning and the right questions can help planners avoid costly surprises while creating a stronger event experience. The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG. LEMG is a le...

What does it take for a city to become a destination that planners want to return to again and again? In this episode, Seth Macchi sits down with Ned Blair, CDME, Sales Director at Visit Charlotte, to discuss the partnerships, planning, and local expertise that help create successful meetings and events. With more than two decades of experience in hospitality and destination sales, Ned shares his perspective on how convention and visitors bureaus support planners throughout the event lifecycle. ...

In the final installment of The AV Playbook for Corporate Event Planners, Seth Macchi pulls back the curtain on everything that happens between signing an AV contract and arriving on site for your event. While planners often see the finished product, there is a significant amount of preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure every detail is ready when show day arrives. Seth explains how production teams coordinate staffing, secure equipment, manage logistics, develop creative elements,...

In this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi sits down with Michael Farrell , Director of Development at Van Wagner , to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of live events and corporate meetings: music licensing . Michael shares how licensing impacts everything from walk-in music and playlists to live performances and streamed content, while explaining the legal and financial risks many planners overlook. The discussion also breaks down common misconceptions around Spotify, venue re...

In this installment of The AV Playbook on The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of corporate meetings and conferences: what actually drives AV costs. Drawing from real production experience, Seth explains how timelines, labor, equipment availability, venue logistics, and last-minute changes can dramatically impact a show budget. He also shares why early communication with your AV partner creates more flexibility, stronger planning, and better overall out...

In this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi sits down with Angela Alea, President and Chief Revenue Officer of Lasso, to talk about the evolving operational side of live event production and the growing role technology plays in supporting production teams. Angela shares her background in workforce management and explains how Lasso was created to help event companies better manage staffing, scheduling, communication, and logistics across complex productions. The conversation also explores ...

In this installment of The AV Playbook series on The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi breaks down how corporate event planners can better understand and evaluate AV proposals before signing a contract. He explains why proposals can vary so widely between companies, what details planners should pay close attention to, and how clearer communication early in the process can prevent confusion later. Throughout the episode, Seth offers practical guidance to help planners feel more confident when reviewing...

In this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi sits down with Iain Morrison, CEO and co-founder of Imagination Collaborative. With more than 35 years of experience across concerts, festivals, touring shows, and public events on four continents, Iain brings a thoughtful perspective shaped by a career that started backstage in his school years and evolved through pivotal moments like the collapse of Ansett and 9/11. The conversation explores the growing importance of 3D design, digital twins, ...

Back on The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, continues the AV Playbook series with a focus on building stronger AV RFPs for corporate event planners. He breaks down the challenges of comparing proposals, shares practical tips for creating clear and effective RFPs, and explains what AV partners need to deliver accurate, apples-to-apples quotes. You’ll come away with a more efficient process, clearer communication, and a stronger foundation for better event execution. The Event Pro Show i...

The Event Pro Show returns this week with host Seth Macchi , CEO of LEMG, and Sam McDonald , founder of echo, a company focused on unlocking the full value of event content. With more than 15 years in event and video production, Sam shares a thoughtful approach to transforming overlooked footage into purposeful videos, blogs, podcasts, and social content that extend the life of an event. This conversation explores how to strengthen ROI (Return on Investment) through smarter content strategy, why...

Welcome to The Event Pro Show, a practical resource for event planning expertise. In this episode, host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, introduces a five-part series, "The AV Playbook for Corporate Event Planners." He explains why early communication with your AV team matters and how timelines influence creativity, talent, equipment, and logistics. You’ll also hear clear direction on building your AV team and defining requirements so your event starts on the right track. The Event Pro Show is a produc...

Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of The Event Pro Show! Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, is back with Cameron Magee, founder and operator of avad3 Event Production, one of the top event production AV companies in the country. From his early days working in a church sound booth in Arkansas to building a national company serving clients like Walmart and the White House, Cameron brings a teacher’s heart and a wealth of event expertise to the conversation. In this episode, he and Seth break down what it re...

I n this episode, Seth Macchi sits down with Kirk Hendrickson to explore how accessible, multilingual events are changing the way audiences connect. Kirk Hendrickson, COO and co-founder of Wordly, explains how real-time, AI-powered translation and captioning are helping remove communication barriers across live and virtual experiences. Kirk shares his path as a hands-on entrepreneur focused on solving practical challenges, along with Wordly’s rapid growth and its expanding role in global confere...

Welcome to The Event Pro Show! In this episode, Seth Macchi looks back on a standout first season filled with practical conversations and real-world perspectives from across the events industry. From planners and speakers to AV leaders, educators, and experiential marketers, Season One delivered thoughtful guidance from every angle of live events. Seth also offers a preview of what’s ahead, including deeper conversations around current challenges, multi-guest discussions, and interactive webinar...

On this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi talks with Aundrea Hopkins, a marketing and events professional known for her work in social media, public relations, and community engagement. Aundrea reflects on her early exposure to events and how those moments shaped her path into hospitality and the rental industry now working for Party Reflections. The conversation follows her approach to building meaningful relationships, supporting new professionals, and staying current with emergi...

On this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, addresses one of the biggest time pressures planners face: sending out an AV RFP quickly without losing clarity or quality. If time is tight and you need vendors to respond with accurate proposals, this episode shows you how to stay efficient and still get strong results. Seth explains the core details that belong in an AV RFP for straightforward events and shares practical recommendations that make the process easier. He highlight...

Welcome to this episode of The Event Pro Show, where we explore the behind-the-scenes world of corporate event production. Today, host Seth Macchi sits down with Brian McGuigan, a production manager, technician, and social media creator with a fascinating journey that began in finance and accounting before leading him into the fast-paced world of event tech. Brian shares how his passion for photography and videography unexpectedly launched his career in event production, beginning with small gig...

Welcome to this episode of The Event Pro Show! Today, Seth Macchi tackles one of the most common and misunderstood questions in corporate events: Do you need a music license for a private company gathering? As the CEO of an event production company, he offers a clear explanation of the difference between music used in a personal setting and music played for an audience at work. He also addresses misconceptions about services like Spotify and discusses when a public performance license becomes ne...

On this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi and guest Mark Mallchok take listeners behind the scenes of corporate event production, tracing Mark’s path from childhood performances in Hawaii to founding Brella Productions and leading large-scale projects for major brands. Mark reflects on his creative journey and explains how storytelling and collaboration shape powerful event experiences. He also shares how his team at Brella continues to push boundaries with hybrid meetings, immersi...

Creating memorable corporate events takes more than logistics; it requires supporting the people on stage. In this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, explores the often-overlooked journey of keynote speakers and presenters. Drawing from personal experiences and industry knowledge, Seth highlights the crucial role AV teams play in helping presenters feel comfortable and confident. From the value of rehearsals to the benefits of green rooms, downstage monitors, and foldb...

Welcome to another inspiring edition of The Event Pro Show! This week, host Seth Macchi is joined by Erin Dennis, founder of Evergreen Hospitality Solutions and a true trailblazer in corporate events and hospitality. She brings decades of experience across catering, sales, marketing, and leadership, along with a career filled with recognition, and shares what she has learned about building teams, mentoring rising talent, and shaping the future of the industry. Erin reflects on her early experien...

Have you ever been asked to plan a major corporate event even though it’s not part of your regular responsibilities? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this episode is designed with you in mind. The Event Pro Show, hosted by Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG in Charlotte, NC, takes you inside the realities of corporate event planning when it isn’t your full-time role. Seth explores why bringing in specialized partners such as fractional heads of events, strategic event consultants, and technic...