Episodes

Today on The Event Pro Show, we’re joined by the one and only Larry Long Jr., CEO (that’s Chief Energy Officer) of LLJR Enterprises, whose life mission is all about motivation, inspiration, and, most importantly, transformation. Host Seth Macchi takes us through Larry’s journey from his earliest event memory to his accidental but triumphant rise as a globally recognized professional speaker and coach. Larry reveals how his background in sports, sales, and even a failed business venture shaped hi...

Your go-to resource for anything corporate events is back! In this installment of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi- CEO of LEMG, a leading event production company- concludes his five-part series, "The AV Advantage." Curious about the quiet, black-shirted crew working behind the curtain? Seth takes you through the entire AV team, from load-in crews and project managers to audio engineers and stage managers, spotlighting how each role contributes to flawless execution. You’ll also hear why rehears...

Welcome to The Event Pro Show, your go-to resource for expert tips, industry insights, and inspiring stories from the world of corporate events. Seth Macchi sits down with Andrea Doyle, an award-winning journalist and Executive Editor at Skift Meetings, who brings several years of experience covering the meetings, events, and trade show industry. Andrea shares her fascinating journey from her early days as a storyteller, inspired by her police officer dad and a love for travel, to becoming one o...

This episode of The Event Pro Show features host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, an event production company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He continues in part four of our ongoing series on getting the most from your AV in corporate events. Now that you’ve secured your AV partner and signed the contract, what comes next? Seth breaks down the crucial steps: from understanding your initial deposit invoice to meeting your AV project manager, covering kickoff calls, and unpacking the project managem...

Join our conversation on The Event Pro Show with host Seth Macchi and the inspiring Preeya Patel, powerhouse producer and founder of PreeProduction Events. With over 14 years shaping unforgettable productions for brands like Xbox, Disney, Red Bull, and the LA Lakers, Preeya brings both creativity and precision to every project. She opens up about her journey, from growing up surrounded by vibrant South Asian festivals produced by her family, to leading large-scale branded activations today. Pree...

Thanks for joining us on The Event Pro Show! Host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, continues part three of our special five-part AV Advantage series, focusing on how to write clearer AV RFPs so you finally get proposals that fit your needs. We’ve all experienced the frustration of sorting through proposals that don’t line up, making it tough to compare "apples to apples". In this conversation, Seth shares practical strategies from an AV professional’s perspective to help you define baseline requirement...

In this episode of The Event Pro Show, Seth Macchi chats with Rachel Whitten, Vice President of Sales and Services for the Greenville-Pitt County Convention and Visitors Bureau in North Carolina. With twenty five years in management, sales, marketing, and event planning, Rachel brings both expertise and an infectious energy to the conversation. She shares her journey from organizing family holiday parties as a child to managing large-scale gatherings and partnerships that shape her community’s t...

Welcome back to The Event Pro Show, your podcast for everything corporate events! Host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, continues part two of the five-part “AV Advantage” series. If you’ve ever wondered how to secure better pricing, top-tier technicians, and seamless execution from your AV production partners, this conversation is for you. Seth shares practical strategies to help planners maximize their AV budgets without compromising creativity or quality. You’ll discover why early collaboration with ...

Back on The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi sits down with Mitch Savoie Hill. Mitch is a dynamic first-generation Cuban American, CEO, TEDx speaker, published author, and corporate trainer with three decades of leadership experience. She takes us through her journey from an awe-struck child at her first big concert to a sought-after speaker and leadership coach, sharing actionable strategies for planners and aspiring presenters. From energizing a crowd and thinking on your feet, to selecting th...

Join us on The Event Pro Show as host, Seth Macchi, launches a five-part series called “The AV Advantage.” Today’s focus is on why involving your AV partner early in the creative process sparks better brainstorming, reduces rework, and streamlines the RFP stage. Seth compares event planning to an assembly line, where identifying challenges upfront saves time and money. He shares practical strategies for collaborating with AV providers from day one, including questions to expect during discovery ...

The Event Pro Show is a production of LEMG is a leading event production company known for delivering exceptional experiences. From site planning and event design to technical production, staging, lighting, sound, and more—we do it all. As a...

Welcome to The Event Pro Show, your trusted resource for corporate planning done right. In this episode, host Seth Macchi, CEO of Charlotte-based event production company LEMG and president-elect of MPI Carolinas, tackles one of the most common mistakes in the planning process: waiting too long to bring AV experts to the table. Drawing from years of collaboration with planners across the country, Seth explains how early coordination with your AV partner can lead to smarter solutions, tighter bud...

This episode of The Event Pro Show features host Seth Macchi in conversation with Tracy Stuckrath, founder and president of Thrive Meetings and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast. With over three decades in the field and more than 300 podcast episodes to her name, Tracy leads the charge in creating food and beverage experiences that prioritize safety, inclusion, and sustainability. Tracy shares how growing up as a “Marine brat” shaped her ability to connect with others, how her own food all...

Thanks for tuning in! I’m Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, a Charlotte-based event production company. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to bring a corporate event to life from the AV side of things. Ever curious about how everything runs so smoothly on show day? I’m walking you through the critical role of a project manager inside an AV company. Think vendor coordination, tech planning, and making sure the right gear and crew are exactly where they need to be. If you're an ...

Welcome back! In this episode, host Seth Macchi chats with Christa Hovis, a force in event planning, design, and production. From a background in industrial engineering to becoming an independent consultant, Christa shares how her creative foundation shaped her approach to large-scale corporate and luxury galas. The conversation explores how creativity and process engineering go hand in hand, what it’s like to teach future event professionals, and how new tech, including AI, is reshaping event e...

Welcome back! In this conversation, host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, shares key takeaways from WEC 2025, the World Education Conference hosted by Meeting Professionals International in St. Louis. He reflects on the importance of staying curious in the events industry, building strong partnerships instead of going it alone, and prioritizing wellness for those working behind the scenes. Seth also highlights the fresh energy brought by emerging talent, the value of mentorship, and why there's still p...

Welcome back to The Event Pro Show- your trusted podcast for all things corporate events, experiential marketing, and the creative craftsmanship that brings gatherings to life. This week, host Seth Macchi chats with the dynamic Rah-mah Pelzer-Elue: a Nigerian American entrepreneur, award-winning poet, playwright, spoken word performer, and fierce advocate for creativity and small business growth. From her formative years at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to performing at the Kennedy Cente...

On this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi, tackles a common question in the world of corporate events: “It’s just AV… does it really matter who we use?” With budgets tighter than ever and teams stretched thin, Seth shares hard-won insights on why choosing the right AV partner is about so much more than just picking the cheapest option. Reflecting on the challenges event planners face, especially after the shake-ups of the past few years, Seth discusses the pitfalls of applying lean...

You're listening to The Event Pro Show! Host Seth Macchi sits down with Ricardo Hicks, a veteran audio visual executive with more than 20 years in the field, to explore the world of AV, event production, and mentorship. Ricardo’s career began in a major recording studio and grew through roles as a recording engineer, hotel manager, business developer, and trusted guide for others in the AV space. Seth and Ricardo share early memories of large-scale productions, discuss how church and community e...

The Event Pro Show is your trusted source for everything corporate events. In this edition, host Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, tackles one of the biggest challenges event professionals face: building a clear, effective AV Request For Proposal (RFP). Whether you're new to planning or have years of experience, Seth outlines the crucial details and questions that help AV vendors provide accurate, tailored proposals. From locking in basics like event dates and venue specs to outlining must-have technica...

On this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi sits down with one of his production favorites, Julie Leithoff. With nearly 30 years of experience in live events and an impressive track record managing audiovisual components for corporate gatherings nationwide, Julie has seen and solved it all. From her beginnings at Vista Productions in Kansas City to her years of freelance work, Julie shares how her unique ability to bridge the worlds of event planning and AV brings every project to li...

Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Event Pro Show! Host Seth Macchi, CEO of Charlotte-based AV production company LEMG, gets to the heart of how to stretch your event budget by using one of your most powerful tools: time. Seth breaks down practical steps corporate event planners can take to secure essential AV elements early, helping you lock in top-tier technicians, the right gear, and more predictable costs. He discusses the importance of clearly outlining your must-haves from th...

Get ready for an episode packed with stories and advice from the world of corporate events! On this episode of The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi sits down with Brandon Crumpton, owner of Key Signature Entertainment—a company responsible for booking and producing live music for more than 750 events each year. Brandon shares his journey from an awe-struck kid at an MC Hammer concert to becoming a top resource for live entertainment at corporate events. Whether you’re an event planner, a produce...

On today's episode on The Event Pro Show, host Seth Macchi discusses turning live events into virtual experiences—a topic that’s top of mind in uncertain economic times and beyond. Whether you’re an experienced planner looking for a quick refresher, or you’ve never organized a virtual event before, this episode breaks down the different levels of virtual production, from simple Zoom-style meetings to multi-location broadcasts and fully interactive, platform-driven conventions. Seth explains the ...