The Best Event Marketing Tools for Small to Mid-Sized Teams

Ava CookClass Slides, Local, Marketing Summit, Tips & Tricks

Running events with a small team means wearing multiple hats and making every dollar count. The good news? You don’t need an enterprise budget to market your events effectively. Here are the essential tools that can help Vero Beach event managers work smarter, not harder. 1. All-in-One Event Platforms Eventbrite remains the go-to for many small teams because it handles …

The Ins and Outs of 2026 for Event Managers

Ava CookCase Studies, Class Slides, Local, Tips & Tricks

Welcome to 2026, event professionals! As we navigate this exciting year, the events industry continues to evolve in remarkable ways. Whether you’re planning corporate conferences, intimate celebrations, or large-scale festivals, here’s your guide to what’s rising and what’s retiring in the world of events. OUT: Generic “Networking Time” The days of awkward stand-around-with-name-tags sessions are behind us. Generic networking breaks …

Pricing Your Services: When to Raise Rates and How to Communicate Value

Ava CookTips & Tricks

Many event managers struggle with pricing, caught between the fear of losing clients and the reality of rising costs and growing expertise. It’s a common scenario: you’re booked solid, working 60-hour weeks, but your profit margins haven’t improved because you haven’t adjusted your rates in years. Here’s the truth: raising your rates isn’t just okay, it’s essential for building a …

Essential Skills Every Event Manager Should Develop in 2025

Ava CookLocal, Tips & Tricks

The event management landscape is transforming at an unprecedented pace. Skills that were considered advanced just two years ago are now baseline expectations, and the professionals commanding premium rates aren’t necessarily those with the most experience, they’re the ones who’ve adapted fastest. The gap between thriving event managers and those struggling to keep up isn’t talent or dedication. It’s about …

Leveraging October Events to Power Your Holiday Season Success

Ava CookLocal, Tips & Tricks

The final quarter of the year can feel like a sprint through three distinct chapters:, the festive fun of October, the gratitude-focused gatherings of November, and the celebratory closings of December. But what if instead of treating these months as separate events, you approached them as one cohesive story with October as your opening act that sets the stage for …

Storytelling Sells: How to Create an Emotional Connection with Attendees

Ava CookTips & Tricks

When it comes to promoting an event, facts and details only go so far. Dates, times, and ticket prices are important, but what truly draws people in is the story behind your event. Storytelling isn’t just for novels or films; it’s one of the most powerful tools event marketers can use to spark excitement, build anticipation, and leave a lasting …

AI Automation: The Event Manager’s Secret Weapon for 2025

Ava CookTips & Tricks

Running an event is exciting, but it can also feel like juggling a hundred moving pieces at once. Between promoting your event, handling registrations, coordinating vendors, and engaging attendees, the to-do list never seems to shrink. That’s where AI automation steps in to save time, reduce stress, and help you work smarter. What is AI Automation in Event Marketing? AI …

Your First Event? Here’s What to Know Before You Launch

Ava CookTips & Tricks

Creating your first event can feel exciting and a little overwhelming. Whether you’re organizing a charity run, a vendor market, or a live music night, getting it right from the beginning makes all the difference. Here’s a simple roadmap to set you up for success: 1. Set a Clear GoalWhat do you want to achieve? Ticket sales, community awareness, new …

The Power of ‘Showing Up’ Monthly with Recurring Events

Ava CookTips & Tricks

Consistency is powerful, and when it comes to building customer loyalty and boosting visibility, monthly events can work wonders. Why Recurring Events Work You might already be hosting monthly specials, seasonal menus, open mic nights, workshops, or customer appreciation days. Turning those into official, recurring events adds value in multiple ways: Real-World Examples The event doesn’t have to be huge, …

Set It & Sell Out: Smart Email Drip Campaigns for Local Events

Ava CookTips & Tricks

Grow your audience, sell more tickets, and keep them coming back on autopilot. Running a local theater or hosting events across the season? You don’t need more emails, just smarter ones. A simple drip campaign can quietly do the heavy lifting for you: build anticipation, remind people to buy tickets, and fill your seats night after night. Instead of blasting …