All Access: Event Planning

Yes you can get a degree or certifcation in Event Management. James explains!

Make sure you are providing good service for any questions and/or problems that come up pre, during, and post an event. 

The flow of the event. James Lott Jr explains in detail! 

10 Don’ts When Planning a Dinner Party (6-8 people) adn what do instead is included! Listen! 

Edward Perotti is an internationally recognized event designer, television personality, author, and public speaker known for creating large-scale luxury events and immersive experiences around the world. He is the principal of EP Events & Experiences, a company specializing in high-end corporate events, social galas, destination weddings, and large public productions. Perotti has more than 30 years of experience in the meetings, events, travel, and hospitality industries, producing events that range from intimate gatherings to conferences and celebrations for 10 to 15,000 attendees. His work spans corporate incentives, Hollywood premieres, luxury weddings, and international destination events. Perotti began his career in hospitality as a hotel catering manager, later leading meetings and event programs for major technology companies and Fortune 300 organizations. Over time he built a reputation for combining refined design with meticulous attention to detail to create memorable experiences. His productions have taken him around the world—from locations such as Hollywood and the Great Wall of China to European landmarks like the Louvre—and he has worked with celebrity clients and global brands. Perotti has also been active in the professional events community, holding leadership roles with Meeting Professionals International and being inducted into the BizBash Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry. In addition to producing events, he frequently appears in media and at industry conferences, sharing insights on creativity, experiential design, and event production. His guiding philosophy is that successful events should be immersive experiences that spark imagination and create lasting memories.James Lott Jr chats with him! 

It's important that your flyers and marketing is easy to read. We talk fonts, font sizes and text.

Steve and James explore the ways you can get big brand marketing but on a smaller size budget. And they inadvertenly come up with a fun campaign for a brand. Steve TUrner's book PR That Works is out now and everywhere!

JLJ shares his best tips for setting up conferences, events.

Pre, during and post conference/show/event NEEDS to have good customer service. A clear line to help their clients/customers/attendees.

What to do when you have a speaker, for your event,  that might not translate to mixed audiences or speaks in highly stylized or academic terms. 

Steve Turner has an excellent book out! James has a great convo with him. He is a Rockstar Publicist and Author of PR THAT WORKS-Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results at Amazon. Award-winning PR for B2B, tech, autos, and authors. St. Louis-based, clients nationwide. Top-tier results.https://solomonturner.com 314-205-0800

When and what time should you offere dinner at an event? What is okay as a cocktail hour? What do people expect at 5pm vs 7pm? Take a listen.

Meaning anyone involved in the actual event: performers, speakers, models, etc. Make them promote too! 

Ritesh Patel is a tech entrepreneur, event industry innovator, and co-founder and CEO of The Ticket Fairy, a next-generation ticketing and live-event platform designed to help promoters, venues, and event organizers sell tickets, grow revenue, and fight scalping using marketing automation, analytics, and AI-native tools. Before launching Ticket Fairy, Ritesh built a deep background in both technology and live entertainment — from coding software as a young technologist to producing and promoting hundreds of shows and founding the global LOCUS festival brand with events in Mexico and Bali. Under his leadership, Ticket Fairy has become a global platform supporting tens of thousands of events worldwide and generating hundreds of millions in ticket sales, while partnering with top investors including Y Combinator and founders from leading tech companies.  Patel is known for combining creative industry insight with technical expertise, frequently speaking on the future of live entertainment, data-driven event strategies, and the role of technology in transforming the event-ticketing landscape. James Lott jr is the host!

Getting a fresh pair of eyes to look at something to finding the right co producer for events are key! 

Many event spaces, hotels, banquet halls, and conference centers offer packages where a certain number of plates/meals are included at no additional charge. This isn’t random — it’s a strategic part of how catering and event pricing works. James Lott Jr explains! 

When hosting conferences, luncheons, breakfasts, or dinners, the goal is always the same: serve large groups quickly, smoothly, and without stress. A two-sided buffet station is one of the most efficient and guest-friendly solutions. James Lott Jr explains why!

What you should know about sending materials to an event! 

Communication and customer service are important while working with your Event attendees but also with your event vendors, speakers and performers. James Lott Jr gives an example. 

James talks about how to handle all of your speakers/teachers/instructors for your event. From first ask to Pre Conference.

James explains what Force Majeure is, what "acts of god" are and how important it is to have in a contract! 

JLJ talks about delegating responsibilities! 

Be prepared ofr anything before the event! James Lott Jr explains! 

Correct signage and correct placement of signs are an important part of an event. 

James shares the do's and don'ts of flyer creation for events. 

James and Jakob talk about the beginnings of this event business with the hottest spport out there! Jakob co-founded Pickleball Pop-Ups, the worlds first pickleball-as-a-service company, in 2023 with Adam Clay. Within 12 months, we became the USA’s #1 provider for “pop-up” pickleball activations at conferences, corporate events and festivals. In July 2024, they opened Pickleball 901 in Collierville TN. In just 14 days, they flipped an old Bed Bath and Beyond into a “pop up club” that has quickly become the preferred pickleball facility for thousands of players in the mid-south. Based in Memphis, TN. 

James Lott Jr chats with one of the guys who came up with a fundraising system aimed to help schools, churches, non profits Fundraise.For more info togo Schoolauction.net

YES, another slight name change and a slightly new focus to this podcast! 

James tells you how to set up room blocks for lodging for events.

JLJ is sharing what you should do when setting up catering for a party.

 5 essential don'ts when setting up catering. JLJ tells you what not to do! 

James Lott Jr shares a new unique yet risky insurance for event planners running festivals and fairs. Take a listen! 

James Lott Jr gives you insider information on setting up contracts with venues! 

James Lott JR looks back at a time of his life in SF and working some and during the biggest festivals in the world in the 1990s. Happy Gay Pride month! 

James talks about the top festivals of 2024! I do not own the rights to Lights Camera Action by Kylie Minogue

James Lott Jr remembers festivals of the 1980s and 1990s and give some of his own experiences at some of them. He also talks about his time at Lollapolooza in 1996.I do not own the rights to WHip it by Devo! 

Host JLJ explains the difference between fairs and festivals and other outdoor events! 

A new beginning...Hosted by James Lott Jr 

We are only 2 days away from the start of the Clinton, Indiana Little Italy Festival.

In this episode we hear from this year's MC Jon Swaner.

In this episode, we spoke with the 2024 Re and Regina.

In this episode, we discuss the parade, and vendors, along with events at the Wine Garden and the Main Stage.

In this episode, we spoke with the LIFT President and Secretary (who also chairs the Parade and Vendors).  They provide a highlight of the Festival.

Join us on "Clinton Indiana’s Little Italy Festival Podcast " as we celebrate the Little Italy Festival, happening over Labor Day weekend in Clinton, Indiana. These special episodes dives into the heart of the festival, a beloved event that transforms Clinton into a vibrant hub of Italian culture and tradition. Discover the stories behind the festival's origins, explore the array of authentic Italian cuisine, and get a sneak peek at the exciting activities and entertainment lined up for the weekend. Whether you're a longtime attendee or a first-time visitor, this episode offers an inside look at what makes the Little Italy Festival a must-visit event. Tune in and get ready to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy!