Special contribution by Todd Carruth, Interactive Marketing Manager
When I started listening to podcasts nearly a decade ago, I would sit and download them from the Internet to my computer, then load them onto my awesome 512 MB RIO mp3 player. Even with a background in both Computer Science and Radio/TV, it was sometimes a challenge for me to understand exactly how to find and get the audio I wanted to play correctly.
Everything changed when Apple entered the scene making it so simple to explore, download and listens to podcasts directly from mobile devices. And the popularity of podcasts continues top grow. Edison Research reports that fully one-third (33%) of all Americans 12 years of age or older now say they have listened to at least one podcast. And Apple reports that there are 1 billion podcast subscriptions spread across 250,000 unique shows in more than 100 languages, and that more than 8 million podcast episodes have been published in the iTunes Store to date. That doesn’t include the Google Play store, where everyone with an Android device can easily accomplish the same thing.
Wow!
What are they listening to?
Pretty much anything you can imagine and the number of business-related podcasts may astound you.
The Expo Group started producing The Exposure podcast back in March, aiming to provide interesting events-related content within a fun conversation. We’ve had some great feedback, and each episode continues to get better. If you haven’t listened yet, try it out here: The Exposure Podcast Archive
As we launched our podcast, we were surprised so few in the events-related industry existed. A couple more have popped up in the past few months, but of course we are convinced ours is the most entertaining. What is not up for debate is that you can learn from listening to what others are doing and saying across this space.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the best event-focused podcasts currently available for download:
1- The Venue Podcast from The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM. Hosted by Greg Wolfe and Jason Hensel, this relatively new podcast (3 episodes) is recorded live every month and features interviews from venue managers across the country. Using GOTOMeeting software, they even take live questions during the podcast.
• No iTunes or Android link just yet.
Bonus tip: Listen for the corny joke that Jason tells Greg at the start each podcast.
2 – GatherGeeks Podcast from BizBash – This new podcast (4 episodes) from BizBash, a leading trade media for the event industry, features hosts Brandt Krueger and Audrey Gallien discussing what’s currently happening the events industry. Slickly-produced with several interviews from industry experts, this podcast has tons of great information.
• Home/Android Page
Bonus tip: If Brandt sounds comfortable behind the microphone, it’s because he used to be one of the hosts of the now defunct Trade Show Alley podcast.
3 – Making Rain With Events – Author Scott Ingram has taken the chapters of his book and produced them in podcast form. He speaks with various marketing experts to help show how to create an integrated event marketing strategy. There are 14 chapters available and Scott mentions that he hopes to continue producing new episodes later this year.
• Home/Android Page
• iTunes Link:
Bonus Tip: You can get a free PDF copy of Scott’s book here: Making Rain With Events PDF
4 – Trade Show Insights Podcast – Trade Show Insights features bite-sized tips of education and analysis of exhibit industry topics. Hosted by Marlys Arnold, trade show marketing consultant and author of “Build a Better Trade Show Image”. Trade Show Insights is on Season 10 making this podcast one of the oldest ones I could find that focus solely on trade shows.
Bonus Tip: Most episodes are about 5 minutes or less but Marlys does do some long interviews on topics like accessibility and permission-based marketing.
5 – The Meeting Planning Madness Podcast – produced by Destination Marketing Association International’s empowerment.com, this bi-monthly, 30-minute podcast is hosted by Christine ‘Shimo’ Shimasaki and Terri Roberts. They speak on a wide range of topics including meeting planning tips, success strategies, relevant advice and insights from meeting experts in the trenches.
• Home/Android Page
Bonus Tip: Visit Shimo’s Corner to get her take on issues affecting meeting planners.
6 – Meetings Podcast – Mike McAllen of Grass Shack Events and Media hosts the Meetings Podcast – the meeting planner’s podcast source for what’s new in the meetings and events industry. Mike enjoys going on the road and capturing interviews from a wide variety of interesting people in the meetings and event world.
• Home/Andoid Page
Bonus Tip: Mike was the inspiration for The Expo Group to start creating their own podcast.
7 – The Exposure Podcast – Dana Freker Doody and I (Todd Carruth) produce and host this monthly podcast with the goal of providing timely information about the exhibit and events industry in an entertaining and, hopefully, somewhat addictive way.
Bonus Tip: Todd’s first job out of college was working overnights as a DJ on a country radio station in Terrell, Texas.
So there you have it. Seven very different event-focused podcasts just waiting for you download and try out. Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments or email me at rethink@theexpogroup.com.