Off Site: The Meeting Planner Podcast

On the last episode of our first season, we have a great conversation with the VP of Global Operations & Shared Services at American Express, Linda McNairy. Linda is a trailblazer in the meetings and events industry and helped to pave the way for the RFP. She tells us about her start in the industry, the importance of a successful meeting, and a great story involving a free Harley Davidson and pillowcases. Thank you to everyone that has listened to our first season! Check back in early 2019 for season 2!

We are very excited to welcome Co-Founder and current CEO of Convene, Ryan Simonetti (@rwsimonetti) to the Off Site table! Ryan shares with us what he sees as a successful meeting, how Convene came to be, and what changes he has seen within the industry. Ryan has previously worked for Lehman Brothers and Gramercy Capital Corp, which gave him the background to help build Convene. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

This week, we had the opportunity to chat with certified Body Language Trainer & Coach, Danielle Baker. Bryan gets a lesson in how to pick up body language queues, Danielle shares one of her favorite nonverbal techniques, and a how all of these skills apply not only to your professional life, but also to your personal life. Danielle's background started in accounting, and soon transformed into developing her skills as a Body Language Trainer. She is currently the Director of Communications at The Science of People, a human behavior research lab, located in Portland Oregon. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In this week's Off Site’s episode, Bryan talks about a different side of team building with Lisa Jennings (@wildlydifferent). Lisa shares some great tips from how to make an event more engaging and active, to how to liven up a company training session. Lisa is currently the Chief Experience Officer at Wildly Different, a team building company that will allow you to "Play Outside the Cubicle." Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

Bryan talks to Professional Speaker, Trainer, Author, and Traditional Naturopath, John Ayo (@ayolifebalance). John tells Bryan all about staying healthy while traveling for business, how to regulate your sleep while going on big trips, and tips on staying stress-free. John has previously worked and traveled for IBM for almost 30 years. He is currently the Chief Balancing Officer at Travel Balance. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

On today's episode, Bryan talks about the importance of new tech in the meeting and events industry with Liz King (@lizkingevents). At the Hilton Fashion District Hotel in NYC, Liz and Bryan discuss how her business was started, by chance, through her Twitter account, why impact and innovation are the most important in the meetings and events industry, and a story involving a fight at an ugly sweater party. Liz's background consists of Events Producer, Consultant, and Meetings Influencer. She is currently the CEO of Liz King Events, founder of FOUNDHER NETWORK, and CEO of Techsytalk, Inc. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

This week, Bryan talks with Founder and CEO of Tripleseat, Johnathan Morse (@tripleseat). Johnathan talks to Bryan about the inspiration for the creation of Tripleseat, what makes a great restaurant experience, and the current food trend at events! Jonathan's previous roles include front desk duties at Marriott, Regional Catering Sales Manager for Starwood, and years of experience in hospitality and technology sales. He is currently the CEO of Tripleseat. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In Off Site’s sixth episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with the go-to person of important corporate events, Christina Tscherteu (@christinashirtshoes). At the Ace Hotel in NYC, Christina and Bryan discuss everything from challenges in the industry, to how she decided to become a planner, to a story about a fire from a pizza box. She is currently the Meetings and Events Manager at One Source Worldwide. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In this special Off Site episode, Bryan hits the MPI SES floor to hear attendee event horror stories, event success stories, and everything in between.

In Off Site’s fifth episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with private events expert, Lou Canakes II (@wearespin). Lou tells us about the exciting history of the first SPiN location in NYC, why his mantra is "celebrating play," and how SPiN really stands out as a private activity experience. Lou's background has included working as the National Director of Sales Director for Wolfgang Puck Catering, and the Regional VP of Sales for Bowlmor. He is currently the National Sales Director of Events at SPiN. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In this special Off Site episode, Bryan heads to San Diego for GBTA 2018! On day 2 of the convention, Bryan talks with industry icon, Michelle (Mick) Lee (@5ByMick). Mick talks with Bryan about the importance of connecting with coworkers, understanding and recognizing your own talents within the travel and events industry, and a story that will knock your socks off! Mick is currently the managing director of ARROW212 and the founder of WINITforWomen, a nonprofit that promotes women in the travel and meetings industry. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In this special Off Site episode, Bryan heads to San Diego for GBTA 2018! On day 1 of the convention, Bryan talks with marketing and branding expert, Shannon Delaney. Shannon educates Bryan on how millennials are changing the business dining landscape, how to give value to an end user through marketing, and the rise of eating locally while traveling. Shannon is currently the VP of Marketing at Dinova with a previous background in project management, digital strategy, account management, and brand planning. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In Off Site’s fourth episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with an expert in the field of strategic meetings management, Betsy Bondurant (@4betsyb). Betsy enlightens us with the complexities that come with the meetings and events industries, how someone in her position is not a "party planner", and the importance of staying on a trend. Betsy’s career has expanded over 30 years of expertise in hotel sales, and trade show & travel management, to name a few. She is currently the President of Bondurant Consulting. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In Off Site’s third episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with procurement expert in meetings and events, Marjan Ghaffari (@Marjan_Ghaffari). Marjan chats with Bryan about the challenges of the procurement world, what the most rewarding part of her role is, and her favorite restaurant in San Carlos. Marjan’s past experiences have included her role as the Global Travel Manager at TIBCO, where she managed travel, sourcing, and procurement. She is currently a Procurement Manager on the Global Travel Team at Informatica. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In Off Site’s second episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with catering and events extraordinaire, Amira Gertz (@iamagertz). Amira gives us great insight into the catering and events world, some history about Rosa Mexicano, and how a missing grilled shrimp Caesar salad almost ruined an event. Amira’s career has included working for Sebastian's Catering and becoming the Director of Private Dining Sales at City Hall Restaurant in NYC. She is currently the Director of Catering for Rosa Mexicano Restaurants. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @offsitepod!

In Off Site’s premier episode, host Bryan Plofsky talks with meetings and travel industry icon, Kevin Iwamoto (@keviniwamoto). Kevin’s career has included executive roles at Hewlett-Packard, GBTA and Lanyon, and he is considered one of the pioneers of Strategic Meetings Management. He is currently a senior consultant with GoldSpring Consulting. In a free-ranging conversation, Bryan talks with Kevin about everything from how his upbringing in Hawaii influenced his career choice, to how he approaches consulting, to his meeting pet peeves.

Welcome to Off Site: The Meeting Planner Podcast!  Every other Monday, host Bryan Plofsky will chat with everybody from corporate meeting planners and administrative professionals to hotel/restaurant sales teams and top tech minds. He'll dissect overwhelming planner issues, divulge ridiculous stories, and look to the future of the meeting planning world. All of this while testing event venues (and cocktails) across the country. Follow us on twitter (@offsitepod) and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! We're happy to have you at the table and until next time, where we’ll see you--off site.