What One Thing? A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Top of the Events World
Smart Meetings’ What One Thing podcast is your shortcut to the top of the events world. We interview savvy meeting planners, speakers and industry experts about the decisions that made all the difference in their lives and careers so you can take the fast track to your dreams.
Episodes
51 episodes
Hard Work Beats Talent: Lessons from The Gardiner Brothers
In this episode of What One Thing?, host Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, talks with world champion Irish dancers Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known globally as The Gardiner Brothers, whose viral performances have reached millions on...
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Season 4
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Episode 51
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29:15
The ROI of Joy
The ROI of JoyIn this episode of What One Thing, host Devon Montgomery Pasha speaks with Liz Lathan, CMP, co-founder of Club Ichi, about the power of community, curiosity and human connection in the meetings...
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Season 4
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Episode 50
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37:40
Planning for America 250: Strategy, Storytelling and Scale
America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a historic milestone. It is a major opportunity for event professionals to create experiences that bring people together and tell stories that actually stick.In this episode, Smart Meetings’ VP JT L...
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Season 4
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Episode 49
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13:46
The Science of Connection in Hybrid Events
If your virtual room feels fine, but nobody is leaning in, this episode is for you.Hosted by Devon Pasha Montgomery, this What One Thing? episode spotlights virtual and hybrid engagement expert John Chen, CEO of Engaging Virtual Meetings...
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Season 4
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Episode 48
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30:04
Advocacy Is Part of the Planner Job Now
In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long examines why advocacy has become essential for meeting professionals navigating today’s rapidly shifting landscape. The conversation opens with leadership from the Live Events Coalition, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 47
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44:42
You Are the Art: Why Self-Expression Is the New Leadership Skill
What does it really mean to be yourself at work, not the curated version, not the corporate mask, but the fully expressed you?In this episode of What One Thing?, transformational speaker and author Judi Holler returns to chat wi...
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Season 4
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Episode 46
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41:00
Designing for Yes: Inside the Psychology of Influence
In this energizing episode of What One Thing?, Devon Montgomery Pasha sits down with behavioral science expert and global keynote speaker Nancy Harhut to explore why people say yes and how understanding human decision-making can...
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Season 3
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Episode 45
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27:57
The Heart of San Francisco Hospitality
In this special edition of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings flips the script and “interviews” the city of San Francisco by talking with two of the people who define its spirit. First, Anna Marie Presutti, CEO of SF Travel, shares her jo...
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Season 3
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Episode 44
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30:11
The Power of a Professional Wing Person
In this conversation of What One Thing, co-host Devon Montgomery Pasha chats with Shaena Harrison, professional wing person and CEO of Wing People, a boutique agency dedicated to bringing genuine human connection back to business event...
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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26:19
Senses Elevated: Marriott’s Immersive Meeting Experiences
In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long steps inside the Marriott Bonvoy Convention and Resort Network Elite Experience Suite at the Marriott Marquis New York to explore how meetings can ignite all the sens...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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36:06
The Other Side of Leadership: How to Lead with Heart (and Still Get Results)
Founding partner of Imprint Events Group, Nicole Marsh, joins host JT Long for a candid conversation about what it really means to lead with heart. She shares lessons from nearly three decades in the hospitality industry, exploring how emotiona...
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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15:10
Balancing Uncertainty, Innovation and Humanity: Lessons from IMEX America’s Visionaries
Live from IMEX America, Smart Meetings’ What One Thing? podcast features candid conversations with three powerhouse leaders shaping the future of events.Mike Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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49:37
Tough as a Mother: Redefining Ambition in Events
In this episode of What One Thing?, Smart Meeting's VP, JT Long sits down with Justine Sterling Converse and April Zorsky, co-founders of Brigade Events, a woman-led agency redefining what it means to thrive in the...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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35:56
Your Guide to IMEX America 2025: Innovation, Impact and Connection in Las Vegas
In this special episode of What One Thing? we take you behind the scenes of IMEX America 2025 in Las Vegas. First, Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, shares insights on what is new this year, from AI-powered matchmaking tools and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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34:13
Stop Shrinking: The Power of Owning Your Spark
Smart Meetings vice president and content director JT Long sits down with powerhouse emcee and event strategist Devon Montgomery Pasha for an unforgettable conversation about authenticity, impact and the bold moment she stopped shrinking and ch...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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25:08
From Artist to Event Boss: Scaling Impact, Creativity and Confidence
From classical violin gigs in Des Moines to scaling a multimillion-dollar event production empire, Natasha Miller's career journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, the founder and CEO of Entire Productions joins Smart Meetings Vice Pr...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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24:26
Do It Scared: Betting Big and Building Community
In this inspiring episode of What One Thing, Smart Women in Meetings award winner Shameka Jennings, chief events officer at Events Noire, shares how betting on herself—and doing it scared—became the foundation for a thriving career in ...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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15:39
Career Lessons for Event Professionals: Leadership, Resilience and Growth
In this episode of What One Thing, Smart Meetings' VP and editorial director, JT Long, sits down with Shawn Pierce, President of Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives at MCI USA, to trace his extraordinary journey from hum...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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21:12
Mentorship, Modernization and Member Value with Michelle Mason
In this powerful episode of What One Thing?, Michelle Mason, president and CEO of ASAE and recipient of the Smart Women in Meetings Marin Bright Legacy Award, opens up about the leadership philosophy that shaped her journey: servant le...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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18:37
Sustainability Meets Innovation in Toronto
In this special live edition of What One Thing?, recorded at Smart Meetings’ Innovation Experience, we head north to explore what makes Toronto a world-class destination for meetings and events. Smart Meetings' editorial director and V...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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22:36
Walking Through the Door: Real Talk on Allyship, Mentorship and Sponsorship
What does it truly mean to be an ally—not just in title, but in everyday action? In this special episode of What One Thing?, we celebrate the inaugural Smart Allies cohort with candid conversations about leadership, mentorship, and adv...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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54:06
Impact 2.0: How IMEX Frankfurt Is Shaping the Future of Events
In this episode of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings’ vice president and editorial director JT Long reconnects with Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, for a second conversation about the upcoming IMEX Frankfurt 2025. Bauer shares insights ...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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12:00
No Beef, Big Impact: How IMEX is Redefining Sustainable Events
In this episode of What One Thing, Smart Meetings VP and Content Director JT Long speaks with IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer about bold sustainability lessons from IMEX Frankfurt 2024. Bauer shares how simple changes—like remo...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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17:43
From Six Flags to CEO: The Power of Experience & Connection with Keith Alper
In this episode of What One Thing, Smart Meetings’ VP and Content Director JT Long interviews Keith Alper, CEO and chairman of Creative Producers Group. Alper is a veteran of marketing, branding, business strategy and event production....
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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29:28
Unlocking Joy: Secrets to Finding Happiness in Every Moment with Robin Shear
In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long, VP and editorial director of Smart Meetings, welcomes Robin Shear, founder of Joy to the World Coaching, to discuss the transformative power of joy. Shear shares how embra...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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16:03
