EMT #51 with Jordan Walker and Hunter McKinley - How AI and Automation Are Changing Event ROI for Good

Season 2 is officially here — and EMT kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into AI, automation, and what “real ROI” can look like when you capture the conversations happening on the show floor. Chris Dunn (BlueHive Exhibits) and Brendon Hamlin (Hamlin Creative) are joined by Jordan Walker and Hunter McKinley, co-founders of Backtrack, an AI note-taking tool built specifically for live events. You’ll hear why teams forget most of what they hear within a day, how “speed to lead” can make or break post-show momentum, and how conversation capture can turn fuzzy anecdotes into real, usable reporting — without losing the human part of events.“Humans do the human things, robots do the robot things.” The goal isn’t replacing connection — it’s removing busywork so teams can stay present on-site. The real ROI problem: you can’t improve what you can’t remember or measure — and teams often leave shows with vibes… not usable data.Speed-to-lead wins deals: the first follow-up is 3–5x more likely to move to the next step than waiting until later. Privacy is a feature, not an afterthought: “be a good human and always ask,” with opt-in rates around 90% when done transparently.How to start using AI without getting stuck: “start with fun, then work” — low-stakes experiments that teach you the tools before you automate the serious stuff.As Event Marketer’s Toolbox kicks off Season 2, this episode sets the tone for 2026: smarter tools, stronger relationships, and more intentional event strategy. If you care about improving follow-up, proving value, and keeping events human in an increasingly automated world, this conversation is a must-listen.Listen to the full episode, share it with your team, and start thinking about one place in your event workflow where AI could give you back time — without taking away connection. 👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive 📅 Join us LIVE every Thursday at 12 PM ET on LinkedInFollow Us on LinkedIn and YouTubeSubscribe to our Newsletter!