Production Value Matters: The Business Event Podcast

Is your AV partner really your choice or your venue’s?Event technology is no longer just background. It's the very fabric of how audiences experience events. In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne speaks with Tim Lang, President of Proshow Audiovisual and President of the Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association (CAVPA), about the transformation of AV, industry advocacy, and the critical issues shaping Canada’s event landscape.Tim brings over 30 years of experience in Canada’s AV and live events industry, with a career that spans technician work, operations, executive leadership, and now advocacy for Canadian-owned AV providers nationwide. Together, Matthew and Tim dig into everything from client expectations to venue monopolies, sustainability, and what keeps AV pros inspired.What You’ll Learn:How AV has evolved from overhead projectors to LED walls and immersive videoWhy today’s AV technicians must also be network engineersThe challenges and consequences of near-monopoly in-house AV contracts at venuesHow CAVPA is giving Canada’s AV industry a long-overdue voice with governmentThe importance of transparency in venue contracts and RFPsLessons from pandemic-era advocacy and the risks of future policy blind spotsStrategies for Canadian AV companies to stay competitive in a global marketAdvice for young professionals entering the AV and live events industryThe biggest wastes (poor pre-event planning) and greatest values (video technology and sustainability) in event productionAbout the Guest: Tim Lang is President of Proshow Audiovisual, leading a team that produces over 1,500 events annually, and President of the Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association (CAVPA). With more than three decades of experience, Tim has led thousands of high-profile productions for corporate, government, and non-profit clients. At CAVPA, he champions fair competition, workforce growth, and collaboration among Canadian-owned AV providers to ensure the industry continues to thrive.Follow Matt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsepFollow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timlang-bc/For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comCheck out our 3 most downloaded episodes:Measuring Value in Your Events: Insights from Jodi CollenEducating Clients and Managing Expectations in Event Production with Fransiska WeckesserThe Intersection of Event Planning and Psychology with Victoria Matey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can event teams keep pace with AI, without losing the human connection audiences crave?In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne is joined by world-renowned leadership and teamwork expert Dr. David Burkus to unpack the real drivers of event transformation in 2025. Together they dive into why in-person events will matter more than ever in an AI-saturated world, how to treat every event as a new team, and why constraints can actually unlock creativity. Burkus shares bold takes on surprise-and-delight moments, smarter ROI measurement, and how event pros can build meaningful connection without massive budgets, gimmicks..or celebrity speakers.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to use AI as “the world’s smartest intern” to bridge collaboration between event stakeholdersWhy surprise and delight must go beyond gimmicks like photo boothsHow in-person connection is more valuable than ever in an AI-driven eraWhy every event is a new team (and how that mindset transforms collaboration)Why constraints spark creativity and lead to more innovative event designWhy celebrity speakers don’t deliver ROI—and what audiences really want insteadHow to measure event impact beyond surveys by capturing long-term outcomes and storiesAbout the Guest: Dr. David Burkus is one of the world’s leading business thinkers, a 5X bestselling author, and an internationally renowned keynote speaker on leadership and teamwork. His ideas have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, CNN, BBC, and NPR. A former business school professor, he now works with organizations like Adobe, PepsiCo, Fidelity, and NASA to help leaders and teams unlock their full potential.Follow Matt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsepFollow David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/For additional resources for #eventprofs, or to submit your event production question visit www.productionvaluematters.comIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comCheck out our 3 most downloaded episodes:Measuring Value in Your Events: Insights from Jodi CollenEducating Clients and Managing Expectations in Event Production with Fransiska WeckesserThe Intersection of Event Planning and Psychology with Victoria Matey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does one of the world’s most powerful industries still struggle with fragmentation, burnout, and undervaluation? In this powerful episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne sits down with Stacy Wyatt—publisher, producer, and founder of Canadian Special Events (CSE). Together, they unpack the urgent challenges facing the events industry and why now is the time to act. From unpaid overtime to the broken RFP process, Stacy explains why the Business of Events initiative is mobilizing professionals across Canada to finally push for unified standards and real accountability. Listeners will hear why she believes peer pressure and FOMO may be the key drivers of reform, how Canadian collaboration stands out on the global stage, and what event professionals can do right now to push for authenticity and purpose in their work. Stacy also reflects on her passion for events, the unique power of live connection, and the lessons learned from building Canada’s largest event professional community. What You’ll Learn: Why the industry must unify around standards to move forward The hidden costs of burnout and overtime in corporate events How RFP reform could transform fairness and transparency Why collective adoption, not associations alone, will create change The role of authenticity, purpose, and connection in event design How Canadian event practices compare to global markets The dangers of tokenism in cultural representation Why “festivalization” and AI are shaping the future of events About the Guest: Stacy Wyatt is a Canadian event professional, marketing strategist, publisher, and producer known for designing innovative conferences, trade shows, and brand experiences. As the force behind Canadian Special Events, she has built Canada’s largest community of event professionals and founded hallmark events like CSE Live and the Canadian Event Awards. Her career includes over a decade at the University of Manitoba leading 900+ events, including the opening of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Stacy is a passionate advocate for elevating the industry through innovation, education, and equity. Add your voice to the conversation about the future of events and take the Business of Events Survery HERE.You can also join The LinkedIn Group Here. Follow Matt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsep Follow Stacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-wyatt-canada/ For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comCheck out our 3 most downloaded episodes:Measuring Value in Your Events: Insights from Jodi CollenEducating Clients and Managing Expectations in Event Production with Fransiska WeckesserThe Intersection of Event Planning and Psychology with Victoria Matey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special on-site edition of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne takes the mic straight to the show floor at CMEE 2025 to ask one question: What’s truly valuable in event production and what’s just a waste of time, money, or energy? Event pros from across the industry share candid, rapid-fire takes on what they’d keep, what they’d cut, and what actually makes an event memorable. From collaboration mindsets and intentional stage design to overpriced coffee, pointless apps, and tired entertainment trends, nothing is off-limits. What you’ll hear: • The most valuable elements event pros won’t compromise on • Budget-busting wastes they’d cut tomorrow • Why connection beats décor every time • The role of collaboration in modern events • What’s next for creating meaningful attendee experiences If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Host LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsep For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com Matthew Byrne is the Founder of Byrne Production Services and host of the Production Value Matters podcast. With over 20 years of experience in large-scale AV and event production, Matthew helps event leaders bring strategy, technology, and storytelling together to create unforgettable experiences. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here. Follow and Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsep For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comCheck out our 3 most downloaded episodes:Measuring Value in Your Events: Insights from Jodi CollenEducating Clients and Managing Expectations in Event Production with Fransiska WeckesserThe Intersection of Event Planning and Psychology with Victoria Matey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your RFP helping you find the right partner—or just the best guesser?In this solo episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the most misunderstood—and misused—tools in event planning: the RFP. With decades of experience on the receiving end of these requests, Matthew unpacks why so many RFPs fall short and how to write ones that actually work. From budget transparency to submission ethics, this episode is a must-listen for anyone sending or responding to RFPs.You’ll learn why withholding information doesn’t create leverage—it creates confusion—and how sharing your objectives and constraints sets the foundation for real, impactful collaboration. Matthew also outlines a simple, seven-part RFP structure that will help event professionals get better proposals, build better relationships, and ultimately deliver better events.What You’ll Learn:Why most RFPs are built for control, not collaborationWhat to include in your RFP to get strategic responsesHow to clearly define event objectives, audience, and technical needsWhy budget transparency saves time and moneyWhat NOT to ask for in an RFP (like unpaid creative work)How to avoid legal and ethical RFP pitfallsA practical 7-section template for your next RFPWhy events aren’t commodities—and your RFP shouldn’t treat them like oneMatthew Byrne is the Founder of Byrne Production Services and host of the Production Value Matters podcast. With over 20 years of experience in large-scale AV and event production, Matthew helps event leaders bring strategy, technology, and storytelling together to create unforgettable experiences.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.Download our FREE RFP Template Here!Follow and Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewbyrnecsepFor additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comFor additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.comCheck out our 3 most downloaded episodes:Measuring Value in Your Events: Insights from Jodi CollenEducating Clients and Managing Expectations in Event Production with Fransiska WeckesserThe Intersection of Event Planning and Psychology with Victoria Matey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.