EP 181 | RFPs for Event Agencies: How to Ask Better Questions and Choose Better Partners

How do you know if the event agency you hired is actually a strategic partner? Or just a middleman? Choosing the right agency partner can shape the success of an entire event program, yet many teams still rely on RFP processes that miss what truly matters. In this episode, Matt Kleinrock sits down with event strategist and fractional Head of Events Gianna Gaudini to unpack how organizations should rethink agency selection from the start. Together, they explore how event leaders can run smarter RFPs, ask better questions, and evaluate agencies based on strategic value rather than surface-level proposals. You’ll learn: ✅ Why many RFP processes fail to reveal whether an agency can truly be a strategic partner ✅ What questions event leaders should ask agencies to uncover real capabilities and alignment ✅ Red flags that signal when an agency relationship may create more friction than value With experience spanning Google, AWS, and Airtable, Gianna brings a unique perspective from both brand-side and agency-side roles. Tune in to rethink how you choose agency partners and how better questions can lead to better event outcomes. ---------------------------------- Connect with Gianna Gaudini LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giannagaudini/ Connect with Matt Kleinrock LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/ Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/ 🚨 Register for the show: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined