Episode Summary:
Brandt Krueger and Will Curran break down Apple's latest iPhone 17, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3 announcements, finding the keynote more ordinary than expected after two years of blockbuster reveals. The conversation explores whether Apple's product lines are converging toward price point differentiation rather than feature distinction, examines the surprisingly pro-level camera capabilities that could replace traditional rigs, and debates the durability of the impossibly thin iPhone Air. Along the way, they discuss vapor cooling, the "plateau" (not a camera bump), concert etiquette, and why Brandt still refuses to wear white electric toothbrush heads in his ears.

Discussions Include:

• The iPhone 17 Pro's cinema-grade camera features like GenLock and multi-camera sync that are targeting professional videographers and content creators, potentially replacing traditional camera rigs in tight spaces
• Whether the ultra-thin iPhone Air can survive "BendGate 2.0" and if sacrificing camera capability for sleekness makes sense when you'll just throw a case on it anyway
• Apple's product differentiation strategy shifting from features to price points, with specs becoming more similar across the lineup except for camera count and storage tiers
• The AirPods Pro 3's heart rate sensing feature raising questions about redundancy in the Apple ecosystem when most users already have an Apple Watch for fitness tracking

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):
"It's not a camera bump, ladies and gentlemen. It's a plateau." - Brandt Krueger

"I am not going to stick an electric toothbrush head in my ear. Just not. I'm just not." - Brandt Krueger (on AirPods)

"I started thinking to myself, I'm looking at my studio and I'm going like, maybe I just put up iPhones. Like- in the end they all wirelessly communicate to my Mac." - Will Curran

"They said something that really made me sad and I hope to God it's not right. They said 'This feature is great for concerts where you can record your reaction and the stage' and I go no no no no no." - Will Curran

"It felt kind of ordinary, to be perfectly honest." - Brandt Krueger (on the overall keynote)

Episode Summary:


In this episode of “Where’s the Future?”, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran experiment with podcast intros, share hard-won lessons in AI-driven task automation, and reminisce about the wild west of search engines. The conversation shifts from the quirks of cloud storage and the pitfalls of syncing, to an in-depth look at new Philips Hue product announcements, culminating with palpable excitement for upcoming smart home innovations. Sprinkled throughout are community shoutouts, tech rants, and nimble pivots between AI fatigue and genuine gadget enthusiasm.

Discussions Include:

• Experimenting with AI-generated podcast intros and the search for a unique theme sound - HELP US!!
• The practical frustrations and promise of agentic browsers, scheduling tasks, and project-based GPT memory
• Cloud storage headaches with Google Drive and OneDrive, and why more physical storage is always a safe bet
• Upcoming innovations and leaks in the Philips Hue smart lighting ecosystem, including smarter, cheaper bulbs, string lights, and expanded hub capabilities

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

• “Just take to the bridge...” – Brandt Krueger
• “I was so frustrated that something that was so consistently good at, ‘Hey, you put it in a folder, have a Google Drive save it for you, and it will be there,’ just turned into this nightmare. And I’m realizing now I’ve got to pay so much money for storage on Google cloud that used to be free” – Will Curran
• “[Person detection being added to Hue bulbs is] going to be something I think is super duper exciting to see what ends up happening from it. But is it going to, you know, work?” – Will Curran
• “You’re never going to regret having too much storage space. Right? You’re never going to regret that.” – Brandt Krueger 

Episode Summary:
This inaugural episode of the WTF (Where’s the Future?) podcast features Brandt Krueger and Will Curran discussing their transition from the Event Tech Podcast, exploring early experiments with AI agentic browsers like Comet and Dia, their frustrations and hopes for AI tools, and the evolving landscape of the open web amid new AI data challenges.

They also discuss the approaching potential AI bubble and industry consolidation, as well as the democratization of app and tool creation through no-code platforms. Be sure to joint the WTF community to stay in touch between episodes! https://wtf.community

Discussions Include:
• Early experiences and challenges using AI agentic browsers to automate web tasks
• Current concerns around web scraping, data privacy, and the open web’s future
• The outlook on the AI bubble, industry hype, and the need for specialization in AI tools
• The rise of no-code app development and democratizing technology creation
• Highlights from the WTF community on emerging tech like Apple Watch updates and smart home devices

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):
• “At first I was like- this is amazing! Then, my God, this is terrible. My God, you are so dumb! Wait, no, what? No. Actually? No. This is pretty cool? Nope, you’re just dumb.” - Brandt Krueger
• “We can see what it could be… It’s kind of like glimpsing out a window and seeing all the kids playing outside and you know that you could be that kid playing outside, but Perplexity and Comet Daddy won’t let you go out because you’re grounded.” - Will Curran
• “I think the opportunity is if we have leveled off on these Uber GPTs, that’s good because now we can focus on specialty- on unitaskers that do one thing really well.” - Brandt Krueger
• “The internet’s becoming more like a city with complex rules and less like free land where you could build whatever you wanted.” - Will Curran
• “The AI bubble means tons of money thrown at it, lots of people hired, then a collapse where the lower level people lose their jobs, but the big players get their guaranteed payouts.” - Brandt Krueger

Episode Summary:

In this bittersweet installment, Will Curran and Brandt Krueger close the book on the Event Tech Podcast- at least as we’ve known it. After years of stretching topics to fit the confines of “event tech,” they’re rebranding and broadening the focus to Where’s the Future? (conveniently, WTF). With a wider lens on technology, gadgets, innovation, and how they all connect to real life, the duo reflect on their favorite episodes, industry shifts post-COVID, and the future of both the show and the community. It’s equal parts nostalgia, industry critique, and excitement for what’s ahead.

Discussions Include:
 • Why the Event Tech Podcast is winding down and evolving into Where’s the Future? (WTF)
 • The changing pace of innovation in the events industry post-COVID
 • Memorable episodes, rants, and recurring themes from the show’s history
 • How the new community and live podcast recordings will work

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

• “We were promised jetpacks… where’s my flying car? Where’s the future?” - Will Curran
• “If you liked what we were doing before, I’d like to think you’re going to continue to like what we’re doing... it's just broader.” - Brandt Krueger
• “Sometimes I think our listeners already knew how things tied into events. They just wanted to know what’s GOOD and we’d figure out the rest.” - Will Curran
• “We moved the ball down the field ten years in one year… and then we went backwards.” - Brandt Krueger
• “Let’s be honest. Will and I are going to talk even if no one’s in the room.” - Brandt Krueger

Be sure to check out the WTF community! Conveniently located at http://wtf.community ;)

Episode Summary:

This time on the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt and Will welcome industry veteran Matthew Byrne to unpack the pains and progress of event content management. Byrne introduces ShowSync, a new solution designed to streamline the collection, synchronization, and distribution of event content- eliminating versioning headaches, USB thumbdrive chaos, and other PPT nightmares. The episode explores the real-world challenges that inspired ShowSync, how it works across multiple production environments, and the future possibilities for integrating with other industry tools.

Discussions Include:

• The origin story of ShowSync and the persistent problems it solves in event production
• How ShowSync manages real-time content syncing, version control, and secure uploads across multiple machines and locations
• Technical insights into hardware integration, cloud syncing, and InfoSec compliance for sensitive client data
• The roadmap for ShowSync, including potential integrations and expansion into new event and retail environments

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

"Essentially what it does is it seamlessly syncs all of content across production for events- and then on the back end leverages out the content that's created at an event in a much more cost effective and efficient way." - Matthew Byrne

"If then on machine one, you delete slide one, every version number 29 in that package on every machine just starts to lose slide one. Like as fast as the 10 gigabit connection can make that happen." - Matthew Byrne

"We always say that a live event is a content machine. If we can cut down the expense and time to be able to leverage that value out, I think that that solves a lot of problems." - Matthew Byrne

"It's always nice when someone's able to go, 'how about we put it all together into one thing and make it go?' It's wonderful." - Brandt Krueger

Learn more about ShowSync at https://byrneproductionservices.com/showsync/

Episode Summary:

This episode of the Event Tech Podcast explores the real-world performance of OpenAI's Operator, the agentic AI tool that promises to automate browser tasks on your behalf. Will shares his hands-on experience running Operator through its paces—from sending personalized Twitch messages to attempting LinkedIn research and even trying to buy festival tickets. Brandt and Will dissect what works, what doesn't, and why Operator currently feels less like a job-stealing super-agent and more like a well-meaning, but exasperating, digital intern. The conversation also touches on the future of agentic AI, the importance of user data, and the quirks of modern AI assistants.

Discussions Include:

• What “agentic AI” actually means and how Operator fits the bill
• Real-world Operator use cases: Twitch messaging, LinkedIn research, and online purchases
• The current limitations, quirks, and slowdowns of agentic AI tools
• Broader implications for the future of work and the data arms race among tech giants

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

"Once again, Will's taking the hit so that we don't have to, right? He's letting us know that it's not there yet." - Brandt Krueger

"I think we're potentially in this world where I do think agents are starting to do things that we never would have comprehended." - Will Curran

"It's like a really, really dumb intern. You show someone a task once and at least they get it, right? But this thing constantly forgets." - Will Curran

"The tasks that you’ve given it are very close to the examples we gave when we first started talking about operator and agentic AI. It doesn't sound like it can do that yet." - Brandt Krueger

Episode Summary:
This episode of the Event Tech Podcast brings listeners up to speed on Will Curran’s latest role at Voxo, a Swedish company shaking up event technology with real-time AI session summaries. Brandt Krueger and Will explore how Voxo’s platform captures, analyzes, and packages event content into instantly branded reports, LinkedIn-ready carousels, and live displays. The conversation covers the technical magic behind speaker identification, the marketing potential of AI-generated assets, and the future of personalized attendee experiences.

Discussions Include:

• Will Curran’s joining Voxo and the company’s mission in event tech
• How Voxo uses AI to generate instant, branded session summaries and reports
• The technical process of capturing audio, identifying speakers, and producing content assets
• The future of personalized event reports and AI-driven attendee recommendations

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

"I just started up a new gig at Voxo, which is the Swedish company... If you were at Event Tech Live London, you will definitely recognize the 

"At the base level, essentially, we're summarizing every session... capturing all the audio... and in real time, we're creating these reports and transcriptions and all that fun stuff, and then branding it." - Will Curran

"The thing that blew my mind the most about it is... you walk off stage, man, you as speaker walk off stage instantly, you have this PDF report, available to you as an audience." - Will Curran

"One of the most powerful things about this AI report that gets generated is... and it also comes in a LinkedIn version... a one-by-one carousel because we all been there ... We get done with a session and we're like lucky if we remember to take a selfie!" - Will Curran

"We not have the ability to completely remember everything that happened at an event? ... There's no reason why that can't be offloaded somewhere else." - Brandt Krueger

Episode Summary:

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran return with a lively breakdown of the latest trends spotted while judging the Eventex Awards, offering a behind-the-scenes look (within NDA limits) at where event technology is headed. From lightning-fast badge pickup and GDPR-compliant facial recognition to hyper-personalized attendee journeys and the resurgence of event bots, this episode unpacks the innovations shaping conferences, registration, AI, and event apps. The conversation also explores the tension between niche solutions and global platforms, the creative uses of Generative AI, and the growing importance of deep integrations between proprietary tools and third-party event apps.

Since recording, the winners of the Global Eventex Awards have been announced, so be sure to check out the winners!
https://eventex.com/winners2025

Discussions Include:

• How AI is transforming attendee journeys, reporting, and real-time event analytics
• The rise of hyper-personalized registration flows and niche event tech providers
• Creative uses of generative AI for art installations and next-gen word clouds
• The return of event chatbots and the push for deeper, more meaningful event app integrations

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

“Speed, right? That was one of the things- it was all about how quickly can we get thousands of people registered, get them their badges and things like that.” – Brandt Krueger

“Most of these high-end registration platforms have the ability to really customize the journeys that your attendees will take. We’re used to having a few different buckets for attendees… Well, now you can have 50 buckets.” – Brandt Krueger

“Let’s be honest, no one in planning space wants to learn to be a data analyst. That was the thing that I looked at for so long, especially when we were doing Klik and like there’s so much data available to planners who just don’t want to look at data.” – Will Curran

“I just couldn’t believe that finally, two years into this AI blooming that we’re seeing, we’re finally getting back to having good, decent event bots that can help us out with these things.” – Brandt Krueger

Episode Summary:

This week on the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran unpack the latest leaps in AI-powered image generation, focusing on new capabilities within ChatGPT and Midjourney. From photorealistic hands and seamless text rendering to transparent backgrounds and continuity across images, the conversation explores how these advancements are transforming event production, branding, and creative workflows. The hosts also touch on the evolving landscape of video generation tools and share a few candid lessons learned from the trenches of AI experimentation, including an apology to Perplexity.

Discussions Include:

• The evolution of AI image generation: photorealism, hands and body parts finally look right
• Continuity and consistency: generating series of images with persistent elements and styles
• Text and logo integration: AI’s newfound ability to handle crisp, accurate signage and branding
• Transparent backgrounds and practical applications for event production and design
• Midjourney’s new draft mode, voice prompting, and the speed gap in creative iteration
• Reflections on the future of video AI and lessons learned from using AI tools in real-world projects

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

"I have some of the worst short-term memory of all time and all I can do is blame the 90s." - Brandt Krueger

"This ability to do continuity between images makes me feel like this is going to be great for brands who are like, I need to make the announcement image for my event...and now I need to say that I'm announcing that Seth Rogen is going to be the keynote speaker." - Will Curran

"It's a very talented intern. Or I think somebody once described it as like your cousin-in-law's nephew who you've been using to do graphics design and maybe does a little too many drugs." - Brandt Krueger

"I continue to be really excited by where these things are going. All that video is- is a thousand pictures. So we're going to get there really soon." - Brandt Krueger

Episode Summary:

In this special episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran have some exciting news to share, followed by some fun chatting about the FAR future of events- robots, AI, and beyond. The duo explores the possibilities—and limitations—of automation in the events industry. They discuss everything from robot bartenders and holographic keynotes to automated floor-chalking Roombas and AI-driven video production. Along the way, they reflect on the irreplaceable human touch in events and share their thoughts on how technology will continue to shape the industry.

Discussions Include:

• An announcement about the new AI hosts and [SPOILER] acquiring the podcast
• The role of robots in events: from bartenders to exhibit booth assistants
• How AI could enhance AV production, from auto-ducking audio to sentiment analysis
• The balance between automation and preserving human artistry in event production

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

1. "There are lots of possible futures of event technology, many of which could be very interesting." – Robotic Host (Brandt)
2. "I think there’s always going to be a call for both—the quick-and-dirty automation and the high-touch human interaction." – Brandt Krueger
3. "Imagine a world where a glass breaks, and a camera spots it, sending a Roomba to clean it up. That’s coming in five years!" – Will Curran
4. "A good camera op can tell when someone is about to move—it’s an art that AI hasn’t quite mastered yet." – Brandt Krueger
5. "We wouldn’t just drop news like that on you—or replace ourselves with AI—without telling you first!" – Will Curran

Let us know what you think about the future of robots and AI in events, and if this episode may have lived up to its release date :)

In this "Another Mini-Brandt Rant" episode, Brandt and Will discuss the progress made in event accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has feels like it regressed. They highlight the importance of captioning services, which became more accessible and affordable with AI advancements. However, they note that these technologies have fallen out of favor as events returned to in-person formats, leaving behind some of the inclusivity gains made during the pandemic. The conversation emphasizes the broader benefits of accessibility features which can aid not just people with disabilities but frequently improve the event for the majority of attendees as well.

Discussions Include:

• Progress and Regression in Accessibility: The hosts reflect on how COVID accelerated the adoption of accessibility technologies like captioning but lament that these practices have largely been abandoned in the return to in-person events.
• Technological Advancements: They discuss how AI has improved captioning services, making them more affordable and efficient, though still not as reliable as human transcription.
• Broader Benefits of Accessibility: The conversation highlights that features like captioning benefit a wide audience, including those with hearing difficulties, language barriers, or simply preferring visual aids.
• Future-Proofing Events: The hosts suggest investing in technologies that can capture and stream content from events, enhancing accessibility and providing valuable resources for attendees.

Quotable Quotes:

• "I think one of the things that during COVID, we started to see, you know, every platform put in at least some basic level of captioning, whether it was auto-generated or otherwise." - Brandt Krueger
• "People with difficulty hearing would literally call these services 'craptioning' at the time because they were so bad." - Brandt Krueger
• "For the first time, a lot of people with accessibility issues felt like they were on even ground with all other attendees, right? Because we were all attending from our living rooms and our bedrooms." - Brandt Krueger
• "Like a lot of attendees, I might want to turn it on just because of the fact that like, you know, every once in a while there's a word I might miss." - Will Curran

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, hosts Brandt Krueger and Will Curran bring an update on the latest advancements in AI technology, focusing on deep research capabilities and AI agents. They explore how these tools have the potential to revolutionize various aspects of event planning and personal productivity, while also touching on potential future developments in the tech industry.

Discussions Include:

• The benefits and limitations of Perplexity and it's deep research feature
• Potential applications of AI agents for task automation in event planning
• Predictions for the future of AI integration in operating systems
• The impact of AI on job roles and productivity in the events industry

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

• "Deep research is now my favorite thing to do." - Will Curran
• "If you could free that time up to focus more on other things like, you know, plan more events, take on more business, be the first one to respond to the RFP..." - Brandt Krueger
• "We're creating these systems that will allow us to no longer have to be in the day-to-day." - Will Curran

-and-

• "We only learn from each other. So we need to expand the people that we talk to!" - Brandt Krueger 

So be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn so we can do that!

In this somewhat spicy episode of the Event Tech Podcast, hosts Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive into the contentious issue of in-house AV pricing and exclusivity contracts. They discuss the recent trend of significant price hikes, sometimes up to 300-400%, and the increasing prevalence of strict exclusivity clauses in venue contracts. The hosts offer insights into the behind-the-scenes workings of in-house AV company contracts, and provide advice for event planners on how to navigate these challenges.

Discussions Include:

• The recent surge in in-house AV pricing and its impact on event budgets
• The mechanics of revenue-sharing agreements between venues and in-house AV companies
• Strategies for event planners to negotiate better deals and maintain flexibility in vendor choices
• The importance of thoroughly reviewing venue contracts before signing

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):
"There's no incentive for the venues to fix it. There's no incentive for the in-house AV companies to fix it. And we can't fix it. The only people that can are you, the planners." - Brandt Krueger

"Let's be honest, there's a lot of people planning events who are not listening to things like the Event Tech podcast, learning about these tips and tricks. And that's why this is happening." - Will Curran

"I will always be happy to look at your ... venue contracts, because that's where you get nailed. People are looking at '25, '26, '27 for their venues and they're signing now." - Brandt Krueger

"If you are struggling with 100% increases, 200% increases, 300% increases in your AV bill, it doesn't have to be that way, but only you can stop paying too much for AV." - Brandt Krueger

And to whoever "the guy" is that hassled Will for using the phrase about before signing being negotiation and afterward being begging, let's talk. If you can prove you're the source, happy to attribute it to you from now on. Pretty confident that lil' nugget's been around for a while, and advanced metasearching doesn't attribute it to any one person. Happy to be wrong, though!

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran discuss the current state of the event industry job market, exploring the influx of returning professionals, the impact of AI on hiring processes, and strategies for standing out in a competitive landscape. They delve (I really do use that word - BK) into the growth of the events sector, the shift towards specialized roles, and the importance of adapting to new technologies.

Discussions Include:

• The resurgence of professionals returning to the events industry post-COVID
• The impact of AI on job applications and hiring processes
• The growing emphasis on high-touch, immersive events in marketing strategies
• The balance between generalist and specialist roles in the evolving job market

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

• "It's not AI that's going to come for your job. It's going to be someone who knows how to use AI that's going to come for your job." - Brandt Krueger (though we both say it all the time now, I just happened to be the one in this episode- BK)
• On why people are coming back to the industry: "Event people are fun. And, you know, there's so much love in the industry, even amongst competitors. Friendpetitors!" - Brandt Krueger
• "If you're looking for a job, if you're a freelancer or someone who's looking for a full-time position, AI is gonna be your friend." - Brandt Krueger
• "Never stop learning. I mean, we talk about this all the time, it's obvious, but this is just a reminder that if you right now are sitting here and you haven't learned something new in the last year that is like game changing, you think is life changing, right? It's probably time ... this is your call to action." - Will Curran

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran check in on the highlights of CES 2025, discussing innovative technologies and their potential impact on the events industry. They explore sustainable tech, AI advancements, and futuristic concepts while emphasizing the importance of looking beyond immediate products to long-term possibilities.

Discussions Include:

• E-ink digital posters and their potential use in event signage
• Nvidia's AI advancements and personal AI computers
• Sustainable technologies like paper-based batteries and salt-simulating spoons
• The future of cameras and privacy in smart homes and devices

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

• "Look for the breakthrough concepts, not the breakthrough products." - Brandt Krueger
• "I love this idea that you can toss it in your garden and this is going to decompose." - Will Curran, on paper-based batteries
• "Do I think we'll ever reach a point where we're just OK with having cameras everywhere? Maybe someday, but I mean, it's not going to be soon." - Brandt Krueger
• "I was watching it and ... I was like yeah, there wasn't very much stuff that made me go 'My God! Take my money right now!'" - Will Curran

In this bonus episode from February 2023, hosts Brandt Krueger and Will Curran are joined by Wayne Johnson Jr., Creative Director at EideCom, to discuss the revolutionary impact of AI tools on event design and production. They explore how AI is transforming the creative process, from generating stage designs to streamlining proposal creation, and debate the future implications for the events industry.

Discussion Include:

• The evolution of AI tools in event design and their potential to revolutionize the creative process
• Using AI to generate stage designs, event layouts, and visual concepts
• Leveraging AI for faster turnaround times and improved client presentations
• The importance of human creativity and taste in conjunction with AI-generated content

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):

"We are using it as a tool - it just allows us to do more you know with less and in faster time" - Wayne Johnson Jr.
"I feel like AI is the car for the mind. You don't have to think about balancing, you don't have to think about pedaling, you just say go and you put a little effort and it takes you exactly where you want to go." - Will Curran
"It's not automation, this is a tool for someone creative like Wayne who's going to recognize the colors and things like that... it's garbage in, garbage out." - Brandt Krueger
"All of these tools are just going to make us better at our jobs and better at what we do and better at giving the client what they want as quickly as possible." - Brandt Krueger
"AI is just another burnt stick. We've always been artists who use whatever tool comes to them." - Wayne Johnson Jr.

Personal apologies to Wayne for misplacing this episode. You rock, man!

In this BONUS episode (recorded in February 2023 and recently found in the couch cushions), Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive deep into the latest developments in AI technology, focusing on the recent announcements from Microsoft's Bing and Google's Bard. They discuss the potential impact of these AI-powered search engines on various industries, including event planning, and explore the implications for content creators and information providers.

Discussion Points:
• The recent announcements of AI-powered search engines by Microsoft (Bing) and Google (Bard)
• Potential applications of AI in the event planning industry, such as venue finding and RFP processing
• The importance of staying current with AI technologies and their potential impact on various job roles

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):
• "If right now you're like 'Hell no, this is not going to work, this is not going to help me,' I would be really afraid. I'd be pressuring you right now to at least be playing with this stuff to be aware of it." - Will Curran
• "The future for your job is not 'Can you do these things?' but 'Can you use these tools now to leverage even further?'" - Will Curran
• "I think hopefully what folks are taking away from this is the clear difference in how we are talking about this again versus how we've been talking about the metaverse and stuff like that." - Brandt Krueger
• "Every week for the last month solid, something new has popped into my head of like, 'Oh, I know how we could use this' or 'Oh, I know how this is going to impact events.'" - Brandt Krueger

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran sit down with Veselin (Vesko) Milev and Dessislava (Dessy) Marinova from Eventex to explore the world of event awards and event technology. As Eventex celebrates its 15th anniversary, Vesko and Dessy share insights into the global reach of the Eventex Awards, the evolution of their fully online format, and the impact of the Evalato awards management software. The team also dives into how creativity and innovation are recognized on a global scale and the fascinating trends emerging in event management.

Discussions Include:

• The growth and global reach of the Eventex Awards
• How Evalato simplifies the awards judging process and ensures fairness
• The shift to fully online awards and its sustainability benefits
• Trends in event design and technology across the world
• Using Eventex winners as creative inspiration for future event planning
• The importance of transparency in award scoring and feedback
• Predictions on how AI and sustainability will shape the future of event awards

Quotable Quotes:

• “Eventex is not just about competition; it's a learning experience.” – Vesko Milev
• "It’s not about the size of your event; it’s about the creativity and achieving your goals." – Brandt Krueger
• “Sustainability and AI will continue to drive the future of event management.” – Dessy Marinova
• “The software takes into account how you score in the morning versus the evening—personal bias gets neutralized.” – Vesko Milev

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive deep into the distinctions between consumer, prosumer, and professional audio-visual gear. Using personal experiences and industry examples, they explore the evolution of tech and how it affects everything from home setups to event production. From audio chain optimization and home theater upgrades to the balance between cost and quality, the conversation touches on the nuances of choosing the right gear for the right application. Whether you're looking to refine your home theater or optimize your event tech, this episode is packed with insights into making informed tech decisions.

Discussions Include:

• Differences between consumer, prosumer, and professional-grade equipment
• Audio chain optimization for home studios and theaters
• Will’s home theater journey: From Sonos to high-end in-wall speakers
• Exploring the balance between quality and budget with tech purchases
• Using Dante for digital audio networking and audio routing
• Buying used gear: When to take the leap and the risks involved
• The ubiquity of networking gear and its impact on event tech setups
• Analog vs. digital: Pros and cons of keeping audio fidelity high

Quotable Quotes:

• "Buy once, cry once." – Alex Lindsay and the Office Hours panel
• "As you move from consumer to prosumer to professional, the improvements start to become incremental, but the costs don’t." – Brandt Krueger
• "You can start low and work your way up, but the key is understanding where the trade-offs are." – Brandt Krueger
• "Sometimes the satisfaction from gear isn’t linear to the price—you can obsess over small improvements." – Will Curran

In this episode, Brandt and Will experiment "live" with the latest in voice cloning from ElevenLabs, and discuss the implications for the events industry. They explore how tools like ElevenLabs' voice cloning and AI-generated sound effects could revolutionize event production and multilingual accessibility. From instant voice cloning that mimics the hosts' voices to generating custom sound effects on the fly, the discussion highlights the incredible potential - and some concerns - surrounding these new technologies. They also touch on the importance of security measures, like establishing a family codeword, to protect against potential misuse of AI-generated voices.

Discussions Include:

• The power and accuracy of AI voice cloning with tools like ElevenLabs.
• Practical applications for event tech, including creating multilingual event content and custom sound effects.
• The potential impact of AI on jobs in the voiceover and sound design industries.
• Security concerns and the importance of family codewords to guard against AI voice spoofing.

Quotable Quotes:

• "This was terrible a year ago... now it's really pretty good because the only thing they're focusing on is the text-to-speech stuff." — Brandt Krueger
• "Imagine the future though, that I could put a voice filter over myself and completely change my voice too." — Will Curran
• "Professional voiceover actors should be a little nervous about this and you should start looking into your contracts." — Brandt Krueger
• "We could just change [our voices] over to Morgan Freeman it'll be awesome." — Will Curran