Corralling the Chaos

Episode 70: Event Organizer or Event Operator? The Distinction Matters More Than You Think

Dani Porter-Condon — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:38:04 +0000

Why has the live events production industry been so chronically underserved by technology? The answer starts somewhere most people have never thought to look: a government database.

In this episode, guest host Dani Porter-Condon, VP of Marketing at LASSO, breaks down the foundational reasons production companies keep ending up with software that wasn't built for them — and what it actually takes to close that gap.

You'll learn:

Why live events production doesn't have its own industry classification, and why that matters more than you'd think
The critical difference between an event organizer and an event operator — and why confusing the two has cost this industry decades of operational clarity
How production companies can identify whether they have a headcount problem or a systems problem (hint: it's almost always the systems)
What operational maturity actually looks like on the other side of the chaos

If you're running an AV house, production company, or crew staffing firm and you've ever felt like every tool you try was built for someone else — this one's for you.

👉 See what a purpose-built event operating system looks like: lasso.io/demo

Minisode: Reflections from the Road

Angela Alea — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this special year-end minisode, Corralling the Chaos host Angela Alea reflects on the journey of 2024, shining a spotlight on the dedication, creativity, and resilience of event professionals. With heartfelt gratitude, Angela explores the impact these individuals make, the teams and families who support them, and the importance of self-care as the industry transitions into 2025.

The Power of a Professional Village: Growth in Community with The Loop

Angela Alea — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:09:43 +0000

This episode of Corralling the Chaos explores the transformative power of professional networks and community building in the event industry. Host Angela Alea and guest John Barron, LASSO’s Community Manager, dive into the importance of creating a “professional village” for career growth, the evolution of LASSO’s community platform The Loop, and its role in fostering connections among event professionals.

The Ultimate Checklist for Choosing Event Software

Angela Alea — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela presents a comprehensive checklist for businesses navigating the complex process of choosing new software solutions. Designed for event professionals and tech decision-makers, the episode dives into the crucial factors that make or break a successful software choice. Angela covers essential topics, from evaluating product depth, understanding the provider’s industry experience, assessing security standards, mobile accessibility, and onboarding timelines, to ensuring ongoing product development and customer support. By the end of this episode, listeners will have a clearer roadmap for selecting the right software partner to empower their teams and streamline operations.

Event Logistics Uncovered: Niche Solutions, Tech Innovations, & Success Strategies

Angela Alea — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:11:41 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Josh Klebanoff, Co-Founder and COO of Yoke Logistics, to explore the vital role logistics plays in event planning. From understanding the unique needs of the events and entertainment industry to leveraging technology for seamless operations, Josh shares insights on why an industry-specific logistics provider can make all the difference. They discuss the importance of clear communication, preparing ahead, and how the right tech tools can mitigate common challenges in logistics, ultimately ensuring the success of every event. Discover essential tips and strategies for optimizing logistics in this engaging discussion.

Women in Events: Breaking Barriers & Leading the Way with Anca Trifan

Angela Alea — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:27:11 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Anca Trifan, CEO and Founder of Tree-Fan Events, to discuss the unique challenges women face in the events industry and explore practical solutions. Anca shares her inspiring journey from hands-on technical roles to founding her own company, emphasizing the importance of advocating for oneself and embracing leadership opportunities. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of events, the need for work-life integration, and strategies for attracting younger generations into the industry. Tune in to discover actionable insights on personal growth, mentorship, and creating inclusive work environments.

Event Industry Insurance: Avoiding Common Mistakes with Expert Tips from NFP

Angela Alea — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 19:48:27 +0000

In this episode of "Corralling the Chaos," Angela Alea and Jason Packham, an entertainment insurance expert from NFP, discuss the critical importance of understanding and managing insurance coverage in the event industry. From common misconceptions to the nuances of adequate coverage, the conversation highlights key insights to help event companies avoid costly mistakes and ensure they are properly protected.

LASSO Fest Rewind: Ask Us Anything!

Angela Alea — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this special bonus episode of Corralling the Chaos, we revisit the popular "Ask Us Anything" session from LASSO Fest, where key LASSO leaders—Angela Alea (President & CRO), Clay Sifford (Founder & CEO), and Jay Bredenberg (Chief Product Officer)—dive into audience questions about the company’s rapid development, customer feedback process, mobile app enhancements, and future product plans. Learn how LASSO is scaling quickly, incorporating real-time customer insights, and evolving its mobile app to serve as a central hub for live event professionals. This episode also unveils exciting new features on the horizon, including information about LASSO Payments.

The Keys to Successful Software Implementation: Time, Teamwork, and Training

Angela Alea — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 17:56:40 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, host Angela Alea and Thomas Hudson, LASSO’s Director of Implementation, dive into the complexities of software implementation. They explore why companies often struggle to fully leverage systems like CRMs and ERPs, despite heavy investments. The discussion highlights the importance of setting clear goals, ensuring effective communication, and involving key stakeholders from the start.

Key insights include overcoming common pitfalls, establishing regular checkpoints, and the critical role of a dedicated support team. Whether you’re adopting a SaaS platform or transitioning to new software, this episode offers practical advice to help companies achieve a smooth and successful implementation.

The Talent vs. Labor Debate

Angela Alea — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:12:41 +0000

In this compelling episode of "Corralling the Chaos," host Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Anthony McCoy to discuss a pivotal shift needed in the live events industry—the shift from viewing workers as mere 'labor' to recognizing them as 'talent.' They explore the profound impact this mindset change can have on the industry, including elevating work quality, increasing respect for workers, and boosting professionalism.

Future-Proofing Finances: Embedded Payments & Financial Services in Events

Angela Alea — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, join Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, and Casey Kipfer, CFO of JustiFi, as they explore the transformative power of embedded payments in event management. Discover how these solutions streamline operations, enhance security and compliance, and open new revenue streams for businesses. Gain insights into the future of embedded financial services, including insurance, lending, and more. Whether you're in the FinTech space or managing events, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways that can help you stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Elevating AV Talent

Angela Alea — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:26:52 +0000

Join Angela Alea and Omar Kolom on this episode of "Corralling the Chaos" as they discuss the pivotal role of freelancers in the AV industry. Discover Omar’s inspiring journey, the foundation of AV Educate, and the crucial elements of training and education for freelancers. Learn about the importance of soft skills, the impact of mentorship, and the future plans for AV Educate. Get insights into how the AV industry is evolving, with a growing emphasis on people, training, and hands-on learning. Don’t miss this engaging conversation packed with valuable takeaways for AV professionals!

Your Ticket to LASSO Fest

Angela Alea — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:01:00 +0000

Get ready for LASSO Fest 2024! In this episode, Angela shares why event pros should secure their spot—and shares a sneak preview of what the event holds. Join us starting July 10 for an immersive virtual festival dedicated to revolutionizing your event operations. Learn from industry pioneers, discover innovative workflow solutions, and gain actionable strategies to boost your bottom line. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your processes and achieve significant cost savings.

Harnessing AI for Successful Events

Angela Alea — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Join host Angela Alea in a thought-provoking episode of 'Corralling the Chaos' as she delves into the dynamic intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the world of events. Featuring special guest Huong Nguyen, CEO and Founder of Shiloh Events, this episode unpacks the profound impact of AI on event planning, execution, and analysis.

The CRM Essentials: Why You Need One & What You Need to Know

Angela Alea — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The episode of "Corralling the Chaos" focuses on the topic of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Angela and guest Kristen Traynor discuss the importance of CRMs for businesses, how they can be leveraged, and best practices for data management within a CRM.

Nurturing Connections: Building Strong Relationships in the Events Industry

Angela Alea — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 12:42:03 +0000

Discover the pivotal role relationships play in shaping reputations within the events industry in this episode of "Corralling the Chaos." Explore insights from industry experts on fostering positive interactions, aligning core values, and the power of genuine human connection. Join Host Angela Alea and guest Nicholas Van Dyke as they delve into practical strategies for cultivating lasting relationships that elevate businesses and individuals alike.

Streamlining Staffing: Angela's Quick Cash Flow Fixes

Angela Alea — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

This is a “minisode” of "Corralling the Chaos", focused on providing guidance for event staffing companies to improve their bottom line. Angela discusses several strategies such as speeding up invoicing, managing overtime, reducing the no-call, no-show rate, and managing state unemployment rates.

Putting AV in Focus: How to Start at Level 1 in the Events Industry Feat. Stephen Jensen

Angela Alea — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

This podcast episode of Corralling the Chaos features a conversation with Stephen Jensen from SJP in Vegas, focusing on the importance of training, motivating, and investing in people in the AV space.

Classifying Employees vs. Independent Contractors: Navigating Compliance in the Event Industry

Angela Alea — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Join Angela and Jennifer Watson, VP of HR at LASSO as they discuss the recent ruling by the Department of Labor on employee classification. Delving into the implications for the event staffing industry, they provide an educational overview of the law change and its potential impact. From the shift to the economics realities test to effective communication with teams, they offer insights on ensuring compliance. They also touch on upcoming rulings related to minimum wage and salary expectations. Tune in for a concise and informative exploration of compliance in the event industry.

Meet Your Speakers
Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO

Jennifer Watson, VP of HR at LASSO

2024 State of the Industry Featuring Tom Stimson

Angela Alea — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Angela Alea and Tom Stimson discuss the current state of the events industry after LASSO’s 2024 State of the Events Industry report, including the challenges and opportunities it faces. The conversation covers areas such as labor outsourcing, freelancer pay rates, budgeting, planning, and future industry prospects.

Guest Info:
Tom Stimson
The Stimson Group
Jumpstart 2024 Workshops

Navigating Sales & Proposals: Iceberg Selling with Karl Becker

Angela Alea — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos we discuss the sales and proposals in the event production industry. Our guest, Karl Becker, is a sales performance consultant, coach, author, and speaker with over a decade of experience consulting with event production companies.

Guest Information:

Karl Becker

Iceberg Selling: Become a Better Salesperson by Looking below the Surface

The Stimson Group:
Jumpstart 2024 Management Workshops

Want to start winning 20% faster and more often? Unlock the power of LASSO Proposals—click here to learn more.

Best of 2023: Corralling the Chaos' Top Moments

Angela Alea — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Angela Alea takes a look back at some of 2023's best conversations on event culture, leadership, collaboration, AI capabilities in live events and more.

🎙️ Guest Information

🎧 Check out individual episodes

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

2023 National Crew Appreciation Week

Angela Alea — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Coming soon! National Crew Appreciation Week, from November 6th to 10th, is a dedicated week for the events industry to express gratitude to the people who make the events we love possible.

Learn how your company can participate and join us in showing our collective appreciation for these event professionals

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Trading Tradition for Innovation and Growth feat. Jon Kazarian

Angela Alea — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jon Kazarian, Accelevents CEO, redefines event success by bridging the C-suite gap, streamlining operations, and discovering innovative solutions.

⚡️ Key takeaways:

Better alignment between the C-suite and events teams is needed to accurately evaluate event success based on goals, audience, differentiation, and messaging - not just leads.
Intuitive, easy-to-use event software reduces complexity so staff can increase productivity and create seamless experiences.
Creative innovation through new approaches to event planning is required to stay relevant; calculated risks and thinking outside the box can help companies differentiate themselves.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

The Worst Trend in the Events Industry Right Now

Angela Alea — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Angela stresses the importance of on-time, fair pay for crew, recognizing their value and confronting late payment practices. Join us as we discuss properly acknowledging our industry's hardest workers.

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Pay your people fairly & quickly

Your people are the backbone of your company. Without them, there would be no shows, no successful events. Make it a priority to pay them fairly and on time, ensuring their satisfaction and loyalty

2️⃣ Don't let freelancers be the last in line

Your people should be the first to be paid, not the last. By valuing their contributions and compensating them promptly, you create a positive work culture and attract top talent to your company.

3️⃣ Stop supporting bad behavior

If you collaborate with a labor agency that doesn't prioritize quick and fair payments, you're compromising the quality of talent you receive. Support agencies that value their workforce, creating safe work environments and giving fair compensation.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Educating the Events Industry From the Inside Out Feat. Zack Grant

Angela Alea — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Zack Grant, CEO of SEAS Productions, joins us to share his insights on the immense value of events industry education for transforming businesses and elevating events.

⚡️Key takeaways:

Understanding the Industry: The events industry is often misunderstood by those outside of it. We discussed the intricate details and challenges involved in creating epic experiences, and how we can work to educate and inform others about the inner workings of the industry.
Sharing Knowledge: At SEAS Productions, we believe in the power of education. We host quarterly AV industry speaking events where we share insights and demystify AV production. Additionally, we are starting a podcast to further educate and guide event planners and newcomers to the industry.
Value Beyond Gear: AV production goes beyond just the equipment used. It's important to build partnerships with AV companies that provide value and assistance in creating exceptional events. By involving an AV partner early in the planning process, you can tap into their expertise and elevate the overall event experience.

🎧 SEAS Backstage podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://hubs.li/Q021mN1Q0
Spotify: https://hubs.li/Q021mRPq0
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@seasproductions

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

How to Enable Your Team to Do Their Best Work Feat. Mark Eicher

Angela Alea — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Our guest Mark Eicher, product manager at LASSO, shares insights on improving live event production. With 15+ years of experience working with major companies, he emphasizes the importance of efficient workflows, avoiding costly mistakes like outdated processes, and designing scalable processes that integrate new team members.

⚡️ Key Takeaways:

Don't get trapped in the "we've always done it this way" mindset. Being open to change and constantly evaluating your processes is crucial for growth.
Don't develop processes in a bubble! Involve your team. Build a collaborative culture.
Look beyond your team and tap into the industry. Join LinkedIn forums and community groups where event professionals share their problem-solving strategies.
Avoid the costly mistake of not designing for scalability. Your processes need to be adaptable to growth and new hires. Create clear processes that are not tied to specific individuals but instead to roles. This way, you can easily integrate new team members.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Building Events Around Your Clients’ Goals Feat. Huong Nguyen with Shiloh Events

Angela Alea — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Huong Nguyen, CEO of Shiloh Events, shares insider tips on aligning events with client goals. Learn how she measures qualitative and quantitative ROI to guide clients in making informed, budget-conscious decisions about event formats and activities.

Guest Information 🎙️

Huong Nguyen, CEO & Founder of Shiloh Events

Shiloh Events

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Results Are in: Putting Gaff Tape on Your Inventory & Logistics Solutions is No Longer an Option

Angela Alea — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Joining us today is Clay Sifford, CEO and Founder of LASSO. We examine the inventory and logistics challenges faced by event companies, exploring obstacles like lengthy proposals and unreliable brokers that hinder efficiency.

We'll also discuss the importance of accurate, onsite progress tracking and address privacy regulations and cyberthreats. Our conversation dives into legacy systems, cloud migration, customer satisfaction, trucking and broker issues, and the ongoing quest to streamline logistics.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

The Most Worthwhile 5-Minute Homework Assignment You'll Ever Do

Angela Alea — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Angela dives into the hidden costs of workers' comp and shares four important questions to ask yourself that could be eating into your margin by 2-3 points.

5-minute Assessment:

1. What is your experience mod?

An experience mod is basically what is your rating relative to others in the industry.

2. What is your loss ratio?

Calculate your loss ratio by dividing what you've paid out in claims by the premiums that you've been paying out.

3. What is the 4-digit workers' comp code?

Hint: the events industry workers' comp code is 9154

4. Are you paying workers' comp on hours not worked, but paid?

It's important to start tracking hours worked versus hours paid. Jump to [00:04:01] for an example.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Executing High-Stakes Events feat. Nicole Carson

Angela Alea — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Nicole Carson, the director of event production at Warner Music Group, joins us on this episode of Corralling the Chaos, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment industry to share her valuable insights and expertise on executing high-stakes events. Nicole and Angela dive into the unique challenges of managing musical events, covering topics such as balancing the artist and audience experience, implementing non-negotiable safety measures, addressing crew burnout, and effectively managing budgets.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Prioritizing People for Event Business Growth Feat. Seth Macchi LEMG

Angela Alea — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, explores the challenges and opportunities within the event production industry. He sheds light on the importance of prioritizing people for business growth in this field. Drawing from his own experiences, Seth emphasizes the crucial role of valuing and caring for employees within companies. He provides valuable insights into the industry's needs and recommends involving the team in the planning process to foster growth and achieve success.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Navigating Event Production in Canada Feat. Jeremy Elliott

Angela Alea — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Jeremy Elliott, General Manager at PSI, dives into the lesser-known challenges confronted by Canadian production companies compared to their American counterparts. He highlights the significance of work-life balance, the value of building and maintaining industry relationships and what it takes for a young event tech to succeed in the industry.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Orchestrating Impactful Moments with Evntiv's Sierra Thompson

Angela Alea — Tue, 30 May 2023 08:20:00 +0000

On this episode of Corralling the Chaos, guest host Jess Cook speaks with Sierra Thompson, VP of Business Development at Evntiv., about the importance of the moment of impact in events. Sierra emphasizes the value of connecting attendees to the mission and creating an immersive experience. They discuss the post-pandemic era and the rise of hybrid events, as well as the potential of AI technology to maximize human potential.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Automation as a Competitive Advantage Feat. J Ocana

Angela Alea — Tue, 16 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Angela sits down with J Ocana, co-founder and COO of Reaction Audio Visual in California. With a background in technology and almost 20 years of experience in the event industry, J shares his insights on competing on value vs. price, leveraging automation, and the need for a bigger voice in the industry.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Reinventing Events for the Future: Strategies and Best Practices Feat. Will Curran

Angela Alea — Tue, 02 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode: Jess Cook interviews Will Curran, founder of Endless Events, as he shares his expertise on personal branding, successful event marketing strategies, embracing technology, sustainability, inclusivity, and event design.

Key Factors for Success

Importance of having a great team and creating a flexible environment to facilitate scalability.
Endless's documentation process using tools such as Slab and automation methods through Rippling and HubSpot.
The benefits of automation for saving time and focusing on revenue-generating activities.
The importance of embracing technology to remain competitive and profitable.

Event Planning and Marketing Strategies

The importance of innovation and pushing the envelope in event planning.
Events as a valuable tool for marketing.
Adapting to changing trends such as community and outbound marketing.
Identifying the declining effect of traditional content marketing.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

How to Build a Revenue Engine

Angela Alea — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, LASSO's own heads of sales and marketing Anthony Zhang and Drew Brucker share their insights on how to create a scalable engine that generates predictable revenue for event companies. They discuss the best practices and strategies that can be implemented to ensure a steady growth of revenue over time.

What we're talking about:

Everyone in your company should know who your ideal customers are.
When you talk about customers, focus on what they need, not just what your company does.
Building a great revenue team means finding people who share your company's goals and have the skills to make it happen.
The tools your sales and marketing team need right now.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Huntly Christie of Christie Lites: Leading with Strength

Angela Alea — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Huntly Christie shares insights and strategies for the event industry, including the importance of being the best opportunity for someone, knowing yourself and staying focused, and avoiding being swayed by the crowd.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be someone's best opportunity.

2. Know who you are and remain focused.

3. Level up technical skills.

4. Don't let the crowd be your leader.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Don't be Fooled by Low Rates: 4 Billing Misconceptions Debunked

Angela Alea — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:47:47 +0000

Join us in redefining our payment expectations for evolving industries. Let's resolve the common misconceptions about low bill rates and challenge traditional practices that are no longer acceptable.

4 Common Bill Rate Misconceptions:

#1: A low bill rate will result in a lower invoice from my labor provider.
#2: The reconciliation process has no impact on your invoice.
#3 Billing rules are not significant in determining the cost of an invoice.
#4: Your labor partner's stance on compliance has no effect on your cost.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Balancing Client Expectations with Crew Wellbeing (Feat. Korey Troyer)

Angela Alea — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Jess Cook, who is the Head of Content at LASSO, has a conversation with Korey Troyer, who is the Business Development Director at Heard Global. They discuss how it's essential to balance the need for a sustainable work environment for event crew with meeting the expectations of clients.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Be the Company the People You're Looking for Are Looking For: AMA with Angela Alea

Angela Alea — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Angela tackles a range of topics as she answers 8 listener-submitted questions about live events, providing insights on attracting top talent, growing revenue, minimizing risks, and more.

Here's what you asked:

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about live events?
Why does the live events industry need a tool that provides them one central place to work?
Advice to help attract top talent for live events?
What is an event production hill you would die on?
What is the very best live event you've been to, and why?
What is your advice for a live event company that wants to focus on growing revenue?
What's best way for event companies to minimize their risks right now?
What is a hot take you have not shared on the show yet?

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Building a Culture of Creativity in Your Event Company feat. Charles Eide

Angela Alea — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 05:30:00 +0000

In this episode, Charles Eide, the Founder and CEO of EideCom, discusses the significance of establishing and maintaining company values and culture for driving company growth.

What we're talking about:

Building a culture of creativity
Company growth
Community
Employee experience

What Live Event Companies Need to Start and Stop Doing Right Now feat. Kevin Danaj

Angela Alea — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Corralling The Chaos, Angela Alea hosts the President and CEO of MVP Collaborative, Kevin Danaj.

What we're talking about:

How Kevin got a reputation for being a "servant leader" and what that means to him.
The one thing event companies should stop and start doing this year.
His creative vision for re-imagining the attendee experience in person and virtually.
His hope for the live events industry to facilitate meaningful human connections.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

A Vision For The (Near) Future of Live Events feat. Angela Alea

Angela Alea — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

First: Background and Entry into the Industry

Angela shares how she got into the live events industry.
She explains how her interaction with the founder of a mid-size production company sparked her interest in the industry and its operations.

Second: Changes in the Industry Over the Last 10 Years

Angela discusses how the live events industry has evolved over the last 10 years, from being gear-focused to being talent-focused.
She highlights the need for the industry to adapt to the growing demands and improve processes to keep up with growth.

Third: A Passion for Compliance

Angela talks about her passion for compliance in the live events industry.
She explains why it's important to do things the right way, both for the people in the industry and the companies.

Fourth: Lack of visibility and understanding of the live events industry

The live events industry is fragmented with different sub-industries having different standards and ways of operating.
There is a lack of a community that pulls everyone together and there is a need for more transparency and trust.
The hope for the industry is to do more evangelizing, educate and inform people about the industry, and simplify things that are unnecessarily complicated.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Ensuring The Safety of Event Professionals feat. Ray Brock

Angela Alea — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Angela Alea talks with Ray Brock, director of safety services at Insperity. 🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

5 Steps to Identify Your Perfect Customer

Angela Alea — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:54:23 +0000

Step-by-step process to find your perfect customer:

Define who you want to be in the market.
Ask “what is your business trying to accomplish this year?”
Dissect your current customer base with a team of people.
Formalize it, socialize it and realize it.
Repeat this process and do it often.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

The Importance of Community and Trust in the Live Events Industry feat. Eric Newkirk

Angela Alea — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

What we're talking about:

The magic of live events and the impact they can have on audiences.
Angela shares her experience of being inspired by keynotes and taking those stories home to share with her children.
Eric talks about the Event Production Network (EPN), a networking group with a focus on community, trust, and shared knowledge, and why it is so important to him.
The two also discuss the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with working in the live event industry and the importance of being open and real with one another in order to solve problems and improve.

🚀 For more insights and hot takes, join the top 1% of forward-thinking event professionals by signing up for the RoundUp newsletter.

Enter the Winners Circle: Advice From the Top AV Professionals

Angela Alea — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Drew Bucker, LASSO's VP of Growth interviews National Crew Appreciation Week winners to hear their stories and learn more about what makes them stand out in the live events industry.

Award Winners:
Darris Taylor
Ed Willock
Frank Pestana
Omar Colom
Yatashah Backus

Topics Covered:

Advice for anyone curious about joining the live event industry
Ways for event techs to level up their skills
The need to advocate for yourself as a tech
Importance of learning from others...except for their bad habits
Lack of transparency and standardization in the industry

Best of 2022: Corralling the Chaos' Top 5 Moments

Angela Alea — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Hi and welcome back to Corralling the Chaos. I’m Jess Cook — Head of Content at LASSO — and this week’s episode is a little different. We’ve rounded up our five favorite moments from the show this year, and put them together into one, insight-packed episode.

First up, we listen to Nancy Shaffer of the Live Events Coalition. Nancy shares why it’s important people understand what it really takes to produce a live event, and why the industry needs strong advocates.
Mel Baglio, Director of Operations at AV Chicago, explains how a shortage of crew and an increase in demand for live events has led to gaps in training and investment in crew — and what we can do to fix it.
Omar Colom, Director of Education at Evolve Technology, shares about the importance of live events education and how we can attract new talent to the industry.
Tom Stimson, President of the Stimson Group and consultant for the AV and events industry. Tom shares his thoughts on patterns and trends in the industry, and advice for how to lead your clients.
Finally, we have our very own Clay Sifford, Founder and CEO of LASSO. Clay founded LASSO thinking he was solving one specific problem but realized along the way that it actually solved several bigger issues for the event industry at large.

We’ll be back in 2023 with all new episodes of Corralling the Chaos. Happy Holidays! And we’ll see you in the New Year.

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The 12 Must-Know State Laws that Affect Live Events in California

Angela Alea — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Angela's breaking down these 12 things you need to know:

Pay rules (overtime is paid daily instead of weekly.)
The Sick Leave Act.
The new OSHA requirements called AB 1775.
California Employment Training Tax.
Meal Penalties.
The California Pay Transparency Law.
There's also the Covid 19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law.
California Labor Code 64 0 9 0.6 a.
SB 1343.
AB five.
Family Medical Leave Act.
California Family Rights Act.

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Becoming the Leader You Needed Early in Your Career feat. Tan Wells

Angela Alea — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

What we're talking about:
The importance of female representation in leadership.
The importance of creating safe spaces for issues to be raised and resolved.
How you can become the kind of leader you needed early in your career.
How to model behavior that cultivates a great crew environment.
Why empathy is the most underrated crew skill.

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How To Standardize and Simplify Pay Rules

Angela Alea — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

What we're talking about 💬

Three reasons to standardize and simplify how you pay crew.
How to leverage one of the biggest benefits our industry has to offer.
How to ensure fewer mistakes on paychecks.
Why complicated = expensive.
The two things that have acted as a catalyst to simplify pay rules.
Why a majority of companies are converting to weekly overtime.
Why your bill rules and pay rules do not have to mirror each other.
How standardizing pay rules will help recruit people to the live events industry.

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LIVE National Crew Appreciation Week Awards Ceremony

Angela Alea — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

What to expect...
🎞 National Crew Appreciation Week highlights & recap
🎖 Category winners announced ($250 each)
💸 $2,500 Grand Prize winner announced
🎁 Prize drawings throughout the call

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Planning for Success: How to Achieve your Live Event Business Goals feat. Tom Stimson

Angela Alea — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Here's What We're Talking About 💬

· Intentional success and why it’s hard for event professionals who didn’t set out to start a business.

· Why this industry is full of accidental entrepreneurs.

· What the number one issue is for event business owners right now.

· Why we have to push forward when our tendency is to look backward.

· How to identify a bad client.

· How we’ve taught our clients how to treat us.

· The difference between a quote and a proposal.

· The reason we have discounts in our industry and why it undervalues us.

· The problem with discounts in the live events industry.

· What the biggest opportunity is for our industry is right now.

· What we can do as an industry to put ourselves on the map for investment dollars.

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Daily Overtime vs. Weekly, Why Perception Isn't Always Reality

Angela Alea — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Here's What We're Talking About:

Why no one is upset about getting overtime at 8 hours vs. 10.
How embracing change can help us progress as an industry.
Why holding onto the "this is how it's always been done" mentality” is costing you.
Why sometimes daily overtime doesn’t mean you’re making more money.
Why we need to start asking the right questions when it comes to daily overtime vs. weekly.
Why your old way of thinking is standing in your way.

Balancing Fatherhood, Travel and a Career in Events feat. Nate Nicholson

Angela Alea — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:56:48 +0000

Here's What We're Talking About

· Marriage and making decisions together to let your partner have buy-in.

· Putting your family first and how to include them in the process.

· The importance of health, meal breaks, and keeping a healthy weight while traveling.

· The sustainability of events for the crew that makes events happen.

· The show must go on, but not to your own detriment or to the detriment of the people we love.

· The importance of a family system/schedule. (Tip: Create a shared family calendar!)

· Using technology to stay present with your family while away.

· Figuring out what your non-negotiables are for your family.

· Creating a sense of consistency while living in a hotel.
· Creating habits that help the transition back home smoother.

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The Importance of Finding Your Perfect Customer

Angela Alea — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Event companies, listen in as Angela Alea teaches you how you can save time, money and angst by going through the Perfect Customer Profile exercise in this episode of Corralling The Chaos.

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Handling More Shows With Less Crew feat. Susan Conner & Aaron Merkin

Angela Alea — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000

It's no secret the events industry is changing. Trying to supply enough people for the increase in events is a very real challenge for our industry right now.

What we're talking about:
1. The importance of industry relationships now more than ever.
2. A pattern of crews not showing up to the job.
3. Why too much lead time can actually be a bad thing.
4. Companies giving little to no lead time in a high demand low supply market.
5. Crew personnel being treated poorly at the show site due to high levels of stress.

For more information on Susan Conner:
Susan Conner is a Labor Coordinator at Fuse Technical Group. She spent 9 years doing the same at VER.

She was married to a freelance tech for 11 years and understands life from that side. She also loves puzzles and mysteries, which is really what we solve every day!

For more information on Aaron Merkin: Aaron is a founding partner and Director of Operations. He devises and directs our internal processes, working to create and implement business solutions that keep us on the cutting edge of the industry. Clients, vendors and partners rely on Aaron for strategic consultation on logistics, information management and team communication. His pre-event planning helps save valuable human, financial and temporal resources. With 20 years of experience in Event Production, Aaron has a big-picture vision and an eye for detail. He holds a regents diploma from Stuyvesant High School, a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Oberlin College, is a multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, and self-proclaimed logicist. Born and raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Aaron currently resides with his wife Sharyn, their son Max, and their dog, Taco, in Fairmount, Philadelphia.

Announcing National Crew Appreciation Week

Angela Alea — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000

WHAT IS NATIONAL CREW APPRECIATION WEEK?

November 7th- 11th will be a single week out of the year for the events industry to show its appreciation for the people who make the events we know and love possible!

From sporting events and corporate events to concerts and festivals, and everything in between, we want to celebrate event professionals every day for a week!

We're going behind the curtain to shine the spotlight on the men and women who are the unsung superheroes of live events.

WHAT'S THE PLAN?

Each day of the week, we are asking event companies to publicly share stories, highlighting the incredible crew that makes their events successful.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

We're looking to reward some of the amazing behind-the-scenes crew and we need your help!

Each time you publicly celebrate and appreciate crew personnel, that person(s) will be entered to win various cash awards and prizes.

For their name to be entered each post must contain:

#NationalCrewAppreciationWeek
Tag their name (for group photos tag each person)
Share how they excel in one of the five areas outlined below.

Each person nominated will be entered to win one of the following:

⭐️ ⭐️ $2,500 Grand Prize! ⭐️ ⭐️

Multiple winners will receive:

❏ $250-$1000 cash 💰
❏ AirPods 🎶
❏ Gift cards 🛍️
❏ A variety of swag items 😎

It's time to get to think about how you can celebrate your crew!

Tag a crew member on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram that you appreciate using the hashtag #NationalCrewAppreciationWeek and share why that individual is most deserving of one of the prize categories.

Learn more: https://mpcrew.lasso.io/national-crew-appreciation-week-2022

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How To Advance Your Events Career Through Education & Training feat. Omar Colom

Angela Alea — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

If you want to grow in the world of live events, a combination of good relationships and in demand skill sets are essential to building a successful career.

In today's episode we speak with Omar Colom of Evolve Technology and AV Educate about his never ending quest to build both his skills and his community and the opportunities that are available for ambitious techs who are willing to learn.

What we cover:

Advancing your career through education
Training resources for freelancers
The importance of mentors
The future of live events education

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The Benefits of Being a W2 Crew Member

Angela Alea — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In today's episode we peel back the layers of a hotly debated topic in our industry: the pros and cons of being classified as a w2 or 1099 worker. For decades we've operated in a space where 1099 seemed to be the only logical choice for freelance talent, but with the introduction of laws like AB5 in California and increased scrutiny of payment practices in the industry as a whole, you may want to re-examine your stance on the subject. Listen closely as Angela breaks it all down.

Key Topics:

The IRS & Department of Labor
Employee Protections
Taxes and writeoffs
Unemployment

Why the Live Events Industry Needs Advocacy feat. Nancy Shaffer and Dwayne Thomas

Angela Alea — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The impact of the pandemic was devastating to a wide variety of businesses in 2020, but the live events industry and those we partner with were some of the hardest hit. Yet because of the behind the scenes nature of our businesses, many people, including those in the government were unaware of our plight.

In today’s episode we speak with Nancy Shaffer and Dwayne Thomas of the Live Events Coalition, a non profit organization speaking out and advocating on behalf of the live events industry, about what they’ve been doing for the last 2 years to bring awareness to the difficulties that our industry faces.

Topics Covered:

Why The Live Events Industry is Invisible
The Reality of Covid Losses
What Advocacy Looks Like
Preparing for the Next Big Thing

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How to Market Yourself as a Live Event Tech

Angela Alea — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In today's episode we speak with Michelle Smith, a veteran labor coordinator, who has worked with some of the largest companies in the live events industry, including LASSO.

We dive deep to get her best advice for techs on how to market and promote themselves + best pratices for show site conduct and building relationships. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or brand new to the industry, there's plenty to learn in this value packed episode.

Topics Covered:

Technical Skills vs. Customer Service
Fair Treatment for Techs
Building Your Reputation
How to Upskill as a Freelance Tech

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AB5: How Shows in California Have Changed

Angela Alea — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In today's episode we discuss the impact and implications of California Assembly Bill 5 on the events industry.

This bill, which forces companies to re-classify contractors as employees, was originally intended to regulate companies that hire gig workers in large numbers like Lyft, Uber and Door Dash. Unfortunately, it's also forced production companies, av labor companies and many others to drastically change how they operate.

Today we dive deep on what that means for those of us doing shows in California.

Key Topics:

What is AB5?
Who does AB5 apply to?
How can we continue to operate in a cost effective and compliant manner?
What are the penalties for non-compliance?

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Selling the Show feat. Karl Becker, Dave Jensen & Jonathan Roffel

Angela Alea — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Today Angela welcomes Dave Jensen, Jonathan Roffel & Karl Becker. Saddle up as our guests share from their years of expertise to unveil their sales best practices. Along the journey, you will gain some valuable strategies and find tools to help you maximize the revenue for your companies.

Key Topics:

Changes in the Sales Process.
Don't Copy & Paste the RFP from last year.
The balance, the Buy-In, and Being Responsive
The Right Techs at Right Time
#NoMoreDiscounts and Knowing Your Numbers

Be sure to subscribe to our podcast and before you join us again, Comment below if you are “Managing” or “Maximizing” your revenues.

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Corralling The Chaos At The Show Site feat. Mike Aubry & George Flores

Angela Alea — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Today our Host Angela Alea welcomes Mike Aubry and George Flores. Saddle up as our guests share wisdom from their 37 years of combined experience of corralling the chaos in our industry.

One thing you should consider as we dive in today is, whether have we taken responsibility for creating chaos. Lean in as we discuss our role as leaders in adding to the chaos or minimizing it.

Key Takeaways:

How to blend in and be distinguishable at the same time.
We need more mentors.
Are your leads on-site involved with the crews?

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5 Things Threatening Your Company's Success (& How to Fix It)

Angela Alea — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:59:00 +0000

COVID has given the events industry a do over and we need to seize this opportunity to make some badly needed changes. In today's episode, we identify and discuss 5 missed opportunities that most companies in our industry are guilty of and what we can do about it.

After listening to this week's episode, share a comment about which of one of the 5 missed opportunities you will address in your business.

Key Takeaways:

5 Missed Opportunities That Need To Be Addressed Immediately
What 68% of companies have in common
Leading customers
What to do with last minute requests
Why You Need to Collect Payment Sooner

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Defining Professionalism feat. Mel Baglio & Bob Solsbak

Angela Alea — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week join our host, Angela Alea, as she introduces you to two special guests, Mel Baglio and Bob Solsbak. Mel and Bob are two transparent and tested leaders in the events and entertainment industry who understand what it means to corral the chaos. It takes professionalism to make progress, tune in and hear it from the pros.

Main Topics:

Why is There a Lack of Professionalism?
The No Jerk Rule
When to Invest in Training
The Only Way to Learn
Don’t Treat People like Freelancers

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Removing the "Us vs Them" Mentality Between Companies & Crew

Angela Alea — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

One of the issues we constantly run into in the live events industry is that there are no real "Industry Standards" or universal codes of conduct.

But there should be.

In this week's episode join our host, Angela Alea, as she explores the Code of the West, a set of unwritten rules from cowboy culture that might just hold some of the answers we're looking for.

Topics Discussed:

1. Being Tough vs. Being Fair

2. Riding for the Brand

3. Some Things Are Not For Sale

4. Know Where to Draw the Line.

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What Kind of Company Do You Want to Be? feat. Clay Sifford

Angela Alea — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this week's episode our host Angela Alea invites to the platform a very special guest, Clay Sifford, the CEO and Founder of LASSO. He has 25+ years of experience in the events and entertainment industry and he shares great insight from our industry’s past, present and future.

Main Topics:

- Observing & experiencing the chaos

- Understanding the change needed in our industry

- Lasso's market research (Over 350 interviews!)

- Casting a light on the industries weaknesses

- Creating value and investing

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Talking Publicly About the Things Even Pros Worry About Privately

Angela Alea — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 02:44:00 +0000

Welcome to Corralling The Chaos with LASSO.

In this episode you will meet our host, Angela Alea, the President and Chief Revenue Officer at LASSO, as she leads our audience on a mission to set order to chaos in the events and entertainment industry.

So many people have no clue what it takes to do well in our industry. We know what it takes. However, with all the great things we get to experience behind the scenes, we understand that there are several areas that we can improve. We have the best teammates and together we can replace resentment with understanding and burnout with bold solutions that can simplify our lives as we teach others around us the intricacies of what we do.

Key Topics:

No Standardization
Lack of Connection
Underserved Industry