Anca Platon Trifan is the Founder and CEO of Tree Fan Events Productions, a woman-owned AV production and event technology agency, and the Producer and Host of Events Demystified, the Top 5 podcast in event production, event technology and AI.

Her career was built backstage long before the spotlight. Anca came up through live production, calling shows, mixing audio, and leading technical teams under pressure, where decisions have real-time consequences. That hands-on foundation gives her rare credibility with both leadership teams and production crews, and informs her clear, no-nonsense approach to execution and strategy.

Today, Anca speaks globally on AI, event technology, and leadership, advising organisations on how to adopt AI in ways that support people, performance, and scale. She is also a competitive bodybuilder, bringing discipline, resilience, and mental focus from training into her work as a business owner and speaker.

What sets Anca apart is her ability to translate complex technology into confidence. She carries backstage trust onto the stage, elevates the professionals behind the scenes, and reminds audiences that great events and great businesses are built through care, judgment, and execution.

• Anca emphasises that the events industry is currently using AI primarily for efficiency and saving time on daily tasks, which is a tactical approach. This lags behind the broader enterprise world, where AI is leveraged as a strategic, transformative engine to reinvent operational models and gain a competitive advantage. For events to stay relevant, professionals must look beyond simply adopting tools and instead develop a comprehensive AI strategy. This strategy should align with broader business goals, address attendees’ desire for genuine connection, and use AI to enhance the entire event lifecycle—from planning to post-event follow-up—rather than just solving isolated problems.
• Technology alone cannot solve the core challenges of trade shows and events. Anca points out that many events fail to facilitate meaningful conversations, citing examples of poor booth engagement and follow-ups that occur months later. The real deficit, she argues, is often in human skills: curiosity, problem-solving, and the ability to be genuinely present. The industry needs to invest in training and intentionally staff booths with knowledgeable, engaged individuals who can provide value, even if it means directing a prospect to a competitor. In an AI-driven world, this “human factor”—character, creativity, and storytelling—becomes the key differentiator for creating memorable, effective experiences.
• While event technology has advanced dramatically in tracking data and attendee behaviour, the industry struggles to integrate these tools in ways that respect human psychology and capacity. Events often become overwhelming, with over-packed agendas leading to attendee fatigue and diminished retention. The future, therefore, lies in the thoughtful integration of technology to support— not replace— human-centric goals. This means designing for “permission-based engagement,” reducing digital distraction at booths, and using data to create more space for quality interactions. She stresses that success requires a mindset shift towards discipline and building habits that support intentional experiences, mirroring the approach she applies to health and fitness.

Run time – 01:18:52

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

Links for Anca Platon Trifan:

Speaker website:

https://ancaplatontrifan.me/

LinkedIn:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/⁠

Instagram:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/anca.platon.trifan

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/eventsdemystifiedpodcast

Dr Corey Seemiller is a seasoned educator, researcher, and speaker on Generation Z. Her work has been featured on NPR and in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Popular Science, USA Today, Business Insider, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, as well as in several other news publications and cited in nearly 5,000 academic articles and books. She has engaged in market research consulting for Fortune 10, 50, and 500 companies. With now more than a quarter of a million views, her TED Talk on Generation Z at TEDxDayton showcased how Generation Z plans to make a difference in the world. Corey led the Global Gen Z Study, where she worked with 91 researchers from around the globe to better understand cultural differences among Gen Z. More than 30,000 participants from 81 countries took part in the study, making it one of the largest Gen Z studies ever conducted. She recently completed her fifth study, Generations in the World of Work, and her book by the same name was released by Routledge Publishing. She is also the author of the books – Generation Z Goes to College, Generation Z Leads, Generation Z: A Century in Making, Generation Z Learns, and Gen Z Around the World.

Dr Seemiller received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and a PhD in Higher Education. She serves as a professor in the Department of Leadership Studies in Education and Organisations at Wright State University.

• Dr Seemiller emphasises that Gen Z is profoundly values-driven and purpose-oriented, seeking meaning and connection in their education, work, and activities. She argues against the superficial stereotype that they are merely defined by technology use, noting instead that they are deeply motivated by passion, social change, and community involvement.
• Her research identifies a significant gap in Gen Z’s confidence and competence in face-to-face interpersonal skills, a trend that predates COVID-19. While they strongly desire in-person connection and experiences, they often lack the practised ability to network or engage in small talk, largely due to societal and educational shifts that provided fewer opportunities to develop these skills.
• Dr Seemiller advises that to engage Gen Z effectively, especially in contexts like trade shows and events, organisers must shift from offering purely informational content to creating unique, interactive, and connective experiences. The return on investment for this generation is not in accessing information they can find online, but in participating in transformative, communal experiences that foster genuine connections and cannot be replicated digitally.

Run time – 00:48:50 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

In this episode, the second and last of our roundup series, we continue to provide highlights from episodes podcast over the year 2025, where we spoke to a star cast of industry experts and gained valuable insights on the state of the trade show industry, maximising ROI from events, best practices and much more.

• In this second special instalment, we continue our journey through the most impactful moments from our 2025 podcast season. This episode gathers a fresh selection of fundamental lessons shared by the thought leaders who joined us, offering a deep dive into the digital and human transformations currently redefining the world of trade shows and corporate events.
• Once again, we feature the voices of world-class experts who break down the most effective tactics for optimising brand presence and generating high-value connections. Through their testimonials, we explore how leading companies are adapting their strategies to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, sharing real-world experiences about what truly works in today’s business environment.
• This highlights focuses on providing practical tools to elevate your return on investment and perfect the logistics of large-scale events. From the use of emerging technologies to best practices in sustainability and attendee engagement, this episode serves as an essential guide for those looking to master the trends that defined 2025 and prepare successfully for the challenges of the coming year.

Guests in Order of first appearance:

Larry Kulchawik

Enrico Galorini

Carina Bauer

Tahira Endean

David Peckinpaugh

Vijay Sharma

Lorenzo Garbuzo

Sooraj Dhawan

Marco Barozzi

Josiah Taulbee

Nancy Drapeau

Run time – 00:39:57 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

In this episode, we provide highlights from podcast episodes in 2025, where we spoke to a star cast of industry experts and gained valuable insights into the state of the trade show industry, maximising ROI from events, best practices, and much more.

• This episode serves as a comprehensive recap, offering key highlights from a successful year of trade shows and events in 2025. We have compiled the most insightful moments from our distinguished guest lineup, creating a valuable resource for anyone involved in the trade show sector. Listeners can expect to revisit the essential discussions and expert analyses that defined the year’s conversations, providing a concise overview of the industry’s evolving landscape.
• We featured a star cast of industry experts throughout the year, including leading CEOs, seasoned event organisers, researchers, and marketing professionals. These specialists shared their extensive knowledge and front-line experiences, providing listeners with a unique, insider perspective on critical topics. Their collective insights cover the current state of the trade show industry, emerging trends, and future predictions, offering a wealth of information for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike.
• The discussions went beyond mere industry overviews, diving deep into actionable strategies and best practices. Key segments are dedicated to maximising your return on investment (ROI) from events, effective networking techniques, and leveraging technology for better engagement. This episode distils these valuable takeaways, ensuring you gain access to the most potent advice and practical knowledge shared by our guests, and much more.

Guests in Order of first appearance:

Enrico Galorini

Sridhar Ranganathan

Lee Ali

John Blaskey

Steve Moore

Carina Bauer

Martin Kelly

Nancy Drapeau

Mathew Harris

Marco Barozzi

Run time – 00:36:36 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

Marco Barozzi is the Founder of Expo Consulting, with experience of over three decades in the exhibitions and events industry. His journey began with key roles in prestigious companies like the Blenheim Group, Miller Freeman, and Reed Exhibitions. Later, he founded Expo Consulting, helping organisations succeed in the complex and dynamic world of trade shows and events.

Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous public institutions, SMEs, and event planners, sharing his expertise in trade show promotion, marketing strategy, project management, and exhibitor training. As the Country Manager of Fira Barcelona for the Italian market until 2022 and a faculty member of ICE/ ITA, he mentored numerous businesses and individuals, helping them navigate the intricacies of the event marketing landscape.

When not immersed in the world of events, Marco enjoys travelling, reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends. Macro says that these experiences inspire and fuel his curiosity for discovering new ideas and perspectives.

• Marco explains many of the issues that exhibitors need to understand before planning or embarking upon participation in a trade show or event. These include actions such as setting objectives, researching the pros and cons of particular events, and training staff to have the correct approach in the booth.
• At the same time, Marco says that exhibition organisers are often too obsessed with spaces and dimensions in a trade show, and do not pay enough attention to creating value for the exhibitor and the attendee. Marco advises that exhibitors should get better education about trade shows and take the help of consultants and specialists to create better engagement at trade shows.
• He also believes that only the very large and well-structured organisations are currently following up on visitors in the proper way. He discusses many other important trends, such as AI and its impact on the events industry.

Run time – 00:59:29 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

Links for Marco Barozzi:

E-mail: mbarozzi@expoconsulting.it

Company website: www.expoconsulting.eu

X: @marco_mbarozzi

IG: @event_marketer57

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcobarozzi/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/marco.barozzi.39

Link to book – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8VN4ZZQ?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

Steve Moore possesses a deep passion for scheduling and innovation within the construction industry. He has led scheduling efforts on several billion-dollar projects across various sectors, holds multiple credentials, speaks regularly at conferences, and has been featured in various publications.

He has made notable contributions to the industry through the invention of many physical construction products, as well as digital hardware and software now widely used on construction projects.

In addition to his day job as innovation manager for a large construction company, he runs two construction software startups in his off hours.

• Steve is the first in the line of exhibitors who are slated to appear on the show. Steve is the founder of a startup that makes software for the construction industry. In this episode, he discusses his pre-show process, his engagement at the show and post-show follow-up for his trade show participation.
• He talks about his social media and specifically LinkedIn marketing, and the measures of ROI and reasons for continuing to go to certain events. He also talks about how event organisers can improve exhibitor returns based on his personal experience at many events.
• He discusses what he could have done better to maintain engagement with booth visitors and the new tools that make follow-up easier in the trade show industry.

Run time – 00:50:12 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

Links for Steve Moore

Our Website: https://www.intakt.app/

Our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67203109/

David Peckinpaugh has been with Maritz since 2011 and assumed the position of President & CEO for Maritz in 2021. A 40+ year champion of the events industry, David provides strategic oversight of Maritz while ensuring the consistent design and delivery of engaging and inspiring program experiences that drive business results.

Since joining in 2011, David has led the company through significant growth, placing renewed focus on clients, industry partnerships and global presence. He has also invested in reenergizing the company’s culture, introducing the company’s signature core value “Take Good Care of Each Other,” which has led to the company-wide purpose of “Unleashing Human Potential.” This aspirational initiative is based on a focus on a triple bottom line where financial, people and sustainability results are equally recognised and celebrated. In addition, David has also championed the company’s fight against human trafficking and to build awareness throughout the events industry of this insidious crime.

His passion and advocacy on behalf of the events industry has earned David accolades and recognition from peers and organizations including MPI Rise Award’s Meetings Industry Leadership, the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Unity Award, Incentive Travel Council’s Advocate of the Year award, the Boeing Institute of International Business International Visionary Award 2023, induction into the Events Industry Councils Hall of Leaders, a recipient of the 2025 PACT Freedom Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award – Business Event Organizer, as part of PCMAs Visionary Awards.

David is a past member of the board of directors for PCMA, past Chairman of the PCMA Education Foundation and original co-chairman of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition. In addition, David is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) by the Events Industry Council, Certified Incentive Specialist from SITE and is a certified Master Designer from Maritz.

David is married with two grown children and has a passion for sailing, skiing and travel.

• In this episode, David Peckinpaugh talks about industry trends and how their organisation, Maritz, provides a range of services across various segments of the trade shows and events industry. He talks about the competition and innovation that they are driving.
• David also talks about the role of AI and its potential in aiding the industry. He delves into the new workforce comprising millennials and Gen Z, and how the industry must rapidly adapt to cater to their needs.
• He talks about sustainability as a business imperative and how customers are viewing sustainability efforts in the industry. This also brings to the fore the role of the airline industry, which is a crucial component of the events industry.

Run time – 00:59:07 mins

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar

Appointed CEO of IMEX Group in 2009 following the expansion of IMEX into America, Carina Bauer has been part of the IMEX team since the very beginning, joining in 2002 as marketing and operations director with the original launch team. Carina is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring. Carina also takes a keen interest in leadership development, organisational best practice and culture.

Throughout her career, Carina has been an active member of the meetings industry. She’s Past Chair of the AEO Council (2021-2023) and the EIA (2021-2022), and Past President of the SITE Foundation (2020). She has previously served on the Board of the MPI UK Chapter and on global committees for MPI and PCMA.

Carina is the proud recipient of a number of industry awards, including the SITE Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award (2022), PCMA Wayfinder Award (2021) and ICCA Inspirational Women Award. (2018).

She enjoys spending time with her family (she’s a mother to two boys) and travelling for work and pleasure. She is an adventure sports enthusiast with a particular love for climbing and skiing. In her spare time, Carina works with a variety of local charities and is Chair of the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation—using the power of football to help people get active, learn and stay well throughout Sussex.

• In this episode, Carina Bauer talks about global trends in the trade shows industry and developments after the pandemic. She also delves into specific modes of hosting events by IMEX.
• Carina delves into how exhibitors are measuring ROI on events, and how buyers may leverage tools and data provided by IMEX. She talks about how AI is making it difficult to distinguish between real people, which makes face-to-face events even more critical for the marketing team.
• The core deliverable in a business event is undoubtedly the business outcome. But over and beyond that, the experience at an event makes it more attractive and builds brand loyalty. In that respect, how the show is hosted becomes important for creating a great event.

Run time – 00:49:40

Links for Subhanjan

subhanjan@pitch.link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar