Building Community Through Intimate Events with Gather & Grow Experiences

Building Community Through Intimate Events with Gather & Grow Experiences

Author: Bizzabo October 20, 2025 Duration: 30:31

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore welcomes back Hugh Forrest, longtime leader of South by Southwest, to explore his latest venture: Gather & Grow Experiences. Drawing on over 35 years in the events industry, Hugh shares how he's helping organizations design smaller, experience-driven gatherings that spark connection and elevate civil discourse.

They dive into the shift from massive events to more intentional, human-focused experiences, especially in Austin's changing event landscape. Hugh also shares his work consulting for events that empower underrepresented communities and his approach to building impactful international programs. Listeners will take away valuable insights on why face-to-face interaction still matters and how thoughtful planning leads to more meaningful event outcomes.

What You'll Learn:

  • Why face-to-face interactions foster a deeper community than digital platforms

  • How intimate events can create more value than large-scale productions

  • The importance of long-term planning and iterative improvement in event design

For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/gather-grow-experiences-intimate-events

 


Ever wondered what really happens behind the curtain of a massive conference or a groundbreaking product launch? Event Experience, presented by Bizzabo, pulls back that curtain entirely. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a direct line to the people who've actually built the stages, managed the chaos, and captivated thousands. Each episode sits down with a different Event Experience Leader, those individuals responsible for shaping how we gather and connect. You'll hear firsthand accounts-the unexpected hurdles, the last-minute saves, and the strategies that turned a simple gathering into a memorable phenomenon. Conversations dive deep into the practical realities of event marketing and management, exploring how to genuinely engage an audience and, crucially, how to define and measure success beyond just ticket sales. The podcast serves as a collective masterclass, distilling hard-won wisdom from the trenches of global events. If you're involved in bringing people together, whether for a corporate function or a sprawling festival, these candid stories and actionable insights will change how you approach your next project. Tune in to learn from the best, so you can leave your own audience talking long after the lights come up.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Event Experience
Podcast Episodes
Well In France On Curated Event Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:57
Curated event design beats scale, says Dominique Farrar, founder of the Paris-based wellness community Well in France. Before starting her own community, Farrar spent 15+ years building B2B communities at Yelp, Spendesk,…
DMA Events On AI-Powered Trade Show Activations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
Richard Foltys, founder of DMA Events, has produced more than 1,500 brand activations for companies like Red Bull, Disney, Barbie, and FIFA. In this episode of Event Experience Podcast, he joins host Rachel Moore to brea…
Wired Production Group On Nonprofit Event Storytelling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:30
Nonprofit event storytelling runs on a different clock than corporate keynotes, and Ron Rausch has spent 25 years working out where the two meet. Ron, owner of Wired Production Group and The Ark Collaborative, joins host…
How Talking Purpose Turns E-Commerce Events Into Sales Funnels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
E-commerce events give online brands something no ad campaign can: the chance to put a product directly into a customer's hands. In this episode, host Rachel Moore talks with Katie Kung, founder of Talking Purpose, who p…
SentinelOne's Approach to Event Networking, Budget, and AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
Only 15% of event organizers say networking is effective in 2026, down from nearly 50% the year prior, according to Bizzabo's 2026 Benchmarks Report. Bethany Murphy, Senior Director of Global Strategic Events at Sentinel…
Creating Sensory-Friendly Event Spaces with Calm Nest Collective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore speaks with Nika Brunet, founder of Calm Nest Collective, about designing sensory-friendly, inclusive event spaces. Nika shares how her background in soci…
How Brella Is Shaping Virtual 2.0 Events [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Mark Mallchok, event experience strategist and co-founder of Brella. With over 30 years in the industry, Mark shares how events have evolve…
Building Event Success Beyond Tech with Smart Event Academy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:10
In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Jen Santos, Founder of Smart Event Academy, to unpack what truly drives successful events beyond just technology. Drawing on her background…
How On Sale Group Markets Events in the Attention Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore speaks with Dawn Farrow, founder of On Sale Group, about the realities of marketing live experiences in today's attention economy. Dawn shares her unconve…