Episodes
22
July 28, 2025
Enhancing Events Through Thoughtful Food and Beverage Planning with Tracy Stuckrath
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...
21
July 21, 2025
Why the AV Project Manager Might Be Your Event’s Secret Weapon
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 ...
20
July 14, 2025
Transforming Blank Spaces: Christa Hovis Talks Event Process, Creativity, and Client Wins
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...
19
July 7, 2025
The Future of Events and Technology: Reflections from WEC 2025
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...
18
June 30, 2025
Small Business Empowerment and Creativity in Events with Rah-mah Pelzer-Elue
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...
17
June 23, 2025
Cutting Costs or Cutting Corners: The Truth About AV in Events
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...
16
June 16, 2025
Leading With Heart: Ricardo Hicks on Mentorship, AV Production, and Building Thriving Event Teams
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...
15
June 9, 2025
How to Prepare Your AV RFP to Get the Best Proposals
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...
14
June 2, 2025
The Art of Asking the Right Questions in Event Production with Julie Leithoff
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...
13
May 26, 2025
Time is Your Ultimate Budget-Saver
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...
12
May 19, 2025
The Power of Live Music in Events with Key Signature Entertainment’s Brandon Crumpton
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 produc...
11
May 12, 2025
Virtual Event Refresher: From Simple Zooms to Complex Hybrid Experiences
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 ...
10
May 5, 2025
Uniting an Industry: Wendy Porter on Event Codes, Lobbying, and Long-Term Success
Welcome to The Event Pro Show, your go-to resource for all things corporate events, experiential marketing, and live event production. In this episode, host Seth Macchi sits down with Wendy Porter, founder and chief event strategist of Wendy...
9
April 28, 2025
Beyond RFPs: Creativity with Your Event Partners
Welcome to another episode of The Event Pro Show—the ultimate guide for corporate event professionals seeking to elevate their experiences! In this episode, host Seth Macchi dives into a timely topic: why so many events end up being, well, a little...
8
April 21, 2025
The Power of Comedy in Events: Insights from Speaker and Emcee Lauren Ansley
In this episode of The Event Pro Show, we welcome Lauren Ansley, a professional speaker, corporate emcee, and presentation skills trainer who brings a unique twist to the world of corporate events with her background in stand-up comedy. Join...
7
April 14, 2025
Deciding Between In-House and Outside AV: Is It Time to Level Up?
In this episode of The Event Pro Show, our host Seth Macchi dives into the world of in-house AV for corporate events and the circumstances in which an external AV provider might be a better fit. Seth shares insights into determining when you've...
6
April 7, 2025
Strengthening Planner-Project Manager Partnerships with Joy Harley
Welcome to The Event Pro Show, where today, our host Seth Macchi engages in an insightful conversation with Joy Harley, a senior project manager at LEMG. Joy shares her expertise on building successful relationships with event planners, emphasizing...
5
March 31, 2025
Growing Your Event Service Business: Five Essential Skills You Need
Welcome to another insightful episode of The Event Pro Show, where we take a closer look at the skills that help event service businesses thrive. Today, our host Seth Macchi is unpacking the five essential components that are pivotal for growth and...
4
March 24, 2025
Unlocking Event Success: Proven Strategies by Deanna Griffith House
Welcome to The Event Pro Show! Today, we’re joined by Deanna Griffith-House, an experienced professional in event strategy. With a background in large-scale corporate productions, she’s here with host Seth Macchi to share insights into global...
3
March 17, 2025
Navigate the Event Industry with Consistency and Confidence with Seth Macchi
Hey Event Pros, in our latest episode, we dive into how to deliver on promises and consistently impress your clients. Remember, it's not just about reacting to challenges; it's about being proactive with structured processes. Great event pros utilize...
2
March 11, 2025
Delivering High-Stakes Events: The Art of Adaptability and Preparation with Lauren Livesay
Welcome back to The Event Pro Show, your trusted resource for navigating the world of corporate events. In this episode, we're excited to have Lauren Livesay, Director of Operations at LEMG, joining our host, Seth Macchi. With experience ranging from...
1
March 4, 2025
Welcome!
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Event Pro Show with your host, Seth Macchi, the CEO of . Dive into the world of corporate events with me as we explore the wealth of knowledge and insights from leaders who've made a significant impact on my...