In this episode of No More Bad Events, Scott welcomes event industry thought leader Julius Solaris for an in-depth discussion on the recently released Experience Design Report, authored by Julius Solaris in partnership with Encore. The conversation dives into the shifts in attendee expectations—especially among Gen Z and millennials—highlighting the increasing demand for authentic connection, micro-events, and meaningful personalization at conferences and trade shows. Scott and Julius explore surprising findings from the report, such as the gap between the importance of connection and how few event professionals intentionally design for it. They examine the rise of ambassador programs, the challenges and opportunities with AI-driven matchmaking, and the need for planners to rethink the traditional event registration drivers—including keynote speakers and panels. Other highlights include actionable advice for event professionals on closing the connection gap, the value of early planning with production partners, and the importance of inclusivity for both introverts and extroverts. Julius Solaris also shares personal stories, his journey into events, and what excites him about the industry’s future. If you want to understand what’s next in event experience design, this episode is a must-listen.
Julius Solaris is founder of Boldpush, a management consultancy, and one of the most influential voices in the event industry. A 2024 EIC Hall of Leaders inductee, he advises Fortune 500 companies and event industry CEOs. His content reaches 9 million readers annually, with over 300,000 professionals downloading his research. Julius has delivered keynotes across 15 countries to more than 250,000 attendees.
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Brought to you by eSpeakers and hosted by professional emcee, host, and keynote speaker Scott Bloom, No More Bad Events is where you’ll hear from some of the top names in the event and speaking industry about what goes on behind the scenes at the world’s most perfectly executed conferences, meetings, and more. Get ready to learn the secrets and strategies to help anyone in the event industry reach their goal of putting on nothing less than world-class events.
Learn more at nomorebadevents.com.
A veteran comedian and television personality, Scott has built a reputation as the go-to choice for business humor. He has hosted hundreds of events over two decades for organizations of all sizes, hosted his own weekly VH1 series, and co-hosted a national simulcast of the Grammy Awards from the Palace Theater.
As the son of a successful salesman, he was exposed to the principles of building a business at an early age. As a comedian, Scott cut his teeth at renowned improv and comedy clubs. As a self-taught student of psychology, he’s explored what makes people tick and has written a book (albeit a farce) on how to get through life. He’s uniquely positioned to deliver significant notes on connecting people and making business seriously funny. And who doesn’t like to laugh?
Learn more about Scott: scottbloomconnects.com
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