Hybrid Events

Kitty Hart’s Heroic Insights: Sharing Marketing Wisdom and Event Planning Tips on Legacy Leaders Podcast

Posted on by McKenna LaFave

Our VP of Client Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, had the opportunity to go on Legacy Leaders Podcast with hosts Stan Miller and Katie Beth Hand. Kitty brings over 28 years of experience in the sales and marketing industry, and her mission is clear: to champion the transformational potential of physical experiences for individuals and businesses alike. As she shares her insights, event planning tips, and experience, Kitty’s passion for what she does shines through.

Legacy Leaders cover art- Event Planning Tips With Kitty Hart blog featured image

Kitty’s Journey: From South Dakota to Minneapolis

Kitty’s journey began in South Dakota, but she’s called Minneapolis home for the past 30 years. Her career has been a winding road through business development, branding, design, and experiential marketing. She emphasizes the connection between sales and marketing, highlighting how each experience and role she’s had has contributed to her expertise in the field.

The Heroic Brand Experience

As the VP of Client Brand Experience at Heroic Productions, Kitty explains that the “hero” in the name represents our clients. Our mission is to ensure that clients emerge as the heroes of their own stories when they engage with us. Whether it’s a product launch, a sales kick-off, or employee recognition, Heroic Productions’ role is to make our clients shine.

The Magic of Experiential Marketing

Kitty’s passion for experiential marketing shines through as she discusses its power and creativity. She emphasizes that even in conservative industries, there’s room for creative marketing. The key is understanding your audience and finding unique and surprising ways to engage them. While experiential marketing isn’t new, it constantly evolves to keep up with changing expectations. “The challenge,” Kitty notes, “is to consistently surprise and delight people.”

Examples of Experiential Marketing

Kitty provides two diverse examples to illustrate the versatility of experiential marketing. For a conservative financial services company, Heroic Productions orchestrates multi-day events in large venues, ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned. The goal is to make every client look good to their executives.

On the other hand, for a major beauty brand, we hosted a fashion show with runway models, focusing on creating an engaging and energetic atmosphere. The aim is always to design an experience that leaves a lasting impact and has attendees eager to return.

Kitty’s Expert Event Planning Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

Kitty doesn’t shy away from discussing the common mistakes she’s seen in event planning. Long lines, underestimating restroom and power needs, and inadequate sound and lighting can all mar an event experience. Her advice? Don’t leave any detail undesigned.

The Importance of Early Planning

For those looking to plan engaging and impactful events, Kitty’s golden nugget of advice is to start as early as possible. Kitty says, “So there’s an interesting trend that has happened over many years and that is that the planning window has continued to shrink.” A longer planning window allows for a better end product, regardless of the event’s size or budget.

The Impact of COVID-19 & Navigating Future Events

Kitty acknowledges the devastating impact of COVID-19 on her industry, with overnight cancellations of major events. Yet, she notes that the industry has bounced back as in-person events have returned. While virtual events gained prominence during the pandemic, they haven’t replaced the value of in-person gatherings. However, many clients still seek a virtual component to include a wider audience, especially, when budget is a factor. However, as Katie states, “It’s a whole different world to engage a virtual audience.” 

Image of Please Welcome, a Heroic hybrid event

The Starbucks Analogy

In closing, Kitty draws an analogy between event experiences and Starbucks’ diverse customer base. She describes at least three types of Starbucks customers. The customer that parks their car, comes in, orders, gets their order, and comes out. The person who is going to come through the drive-through. And the person who drives to Starbucks, gets out of the car, goes inside and orders, gets their order, and sits down. Just as Starbucks caters to various customer preferences, event planners must consider different interfaces for in-person and virtual attendees.

Event Marketing Matters More Than Ever

In this illuminating conversation, Kitty Hart leaves us with a final thought: marketing is essential, especially during recessions. Cutting back on marketing can cause a brand to disappear from the public eye. In a world where marketing is gaining the respect it deserves, businesses must recognize its pivotal role in their success.

To learn more about Kitty, or to get in touch with her, visit our website.

To learn more about planning your next hybrid event, download our Event Planning Guide.

Unleashing the AI Magic: Heroic Productions Hosts Epic AI Event for Marketers’ Community

Posted on by McKenna LaFave

Brace yourselves, marketing mavens! On Tuesday, August 8 from 3 – 5 p.m. Heroic Productions had the pleasure of hosting Marketers’ Community’s AI event with an exciting panel discussion surrounding the power of artificial intelligence. We teamed up with the dynamic duo, Laura King and Abby Kelsey, to welcome a whopping 120 marketing wizards into the captivating realm of STUDIO15. Who knew AI could be this enchanting? We did! 

Before we begin, explore pictures from the event!

Image of the panelists and Heroic
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Image of the panelists and STUDIO15
Image of panelists laughing
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Setting the Stage for a Thought-Provoking AI Event

The spectacle kicked off in style as thirsty networkers arrived, grabbed a beverage and began lively conversations. Beyond the usual suspects of beer, wine, and sodas, our salute goes to Jen Gilhoi from Zero Proof Collective for curating a non-alcoholic sanctuary that raised the bar. While the lobby buzzed with anticipation, behind the scenes, the Heroic team and our esteemed panelists were cooking up a storm in the studio.

As the studio doors swung open, guests were mesmerized by a kaleidoscope of Marketers’ Community’s signature colors: purple, pink and orange with fun projected graphics, and dance-worthy tunes. The stage was set with the extraordinary minds including: Tim Brunelle (AI-Generative Creative Consultant, Creative Leader, Adjunct Professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design), Mona Askalani (Director of Digital Capabilities at General Mills), Garrio Harrison (Partner & CRO at Stoneford Partners), and Heather Boschke (Marketing Leader, Professor, Owner of Buddha Birdie & Vogel Venture). As the studio filled to the brim with 120 curious marketers, the atmosphere hummed with anticipation.

Shining Stars of This AI Event: The Expert Panelists

The panel captivated audiences as they discussed the power of AI and the reasons why marketers should embrace the new technology, not shy away from it. Things like proofreading, client research, competitor analysis, and data interpretation are just a few of the ways AI can add productivity and quality to marketers’ everyday work. The verdict was unanimous: embracing AI is not a choice, it’s a necessity. The message was clear – AI isn’t here to steal your thunder; it’s here to amplify your brilliance. The panel’s golden advice? Dive into AI with wide-eyed enthusiasm, experiment with it (within company guidelines), and most importantly, approach this new technology with optimism! The panel discussion ended with an influx of questions from the audience that led to intriguing discussions.

At the end of this AI event, marketers were encouraged to stay after to chat with the panelists, snack, and network. Excitement surrounding the topic was seeping out of everyone as they trickled out of STUDIO15 with a newfound knowledge and respect for AI. And we, at Heroic Productions, had achieved our mission: to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and forge new connections! 

Create a Mind-Blowing Event of Your Own With Heroic

To learn more about how you can host your next event in STUDIO15, visit our website or contact our VP of Brand Experience Kitty Hart.

How to Do a Corporate Event Right: The ‘Please Welcome’ Series

Posted on by KHart

A corporate event, when well executed, is a vital tool for corporations to connect with stakeholders. Interactive experiences have the power to create lasting and meaningful connections, and live events present endless opportunities to engage and motivate attendees. 

We offer various tips and tactics for successful corporate event planning on our blog, but to really show rather than tell,  we’re spotlighting Heroic’s own ‘Please Welcome’ event series. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at our planning process for a memorable event. We want to show you how much fun we have planning and executing this series.

Define your goals

An event’s purpose should determine format, content, audience, and just about every other element of event planning. Whether you’re launching a new product, celebrating a milestone, or providing a learning opportunity for your team, every aspect of your event should connect to that purpose. 

Heroic’s ‘Please Welcome’ event series is designed to showcase speakers and entertainers who are changing the landscape of corporate events. We want to inspire attendees with an impactful, live studio production experience. We achieve that with a stellar studio, engaging speakers, and our team of seasoned experts.

Choose the right venue

The venue is a critical aspect of a corporate event. The atmosphere sets the tone and provides an opportunity to elevate attendees’ experience. When choosing a venue, consider the location, capacity, accessibility, amenities, and event tone. If you’re planning an in-person event, make sure the space is large enough to accommodate your guests comfortably. If your guests would benefit from an immersive event experience, consider using a studio with an LED wall or green screen capabilities. 

Heroic’s STUDIO15 is the perfect venue for our event series, as it provides a prime seat for attendees to enjoy our show, either in the studio or via seamless live streaming. Because we do everything in-house, we know that the lighting, sound, and design of our event will be cohesive. A well-prepared team makes for seamless transitions, synchronized cues, and a harmonious atmosphere for our audience. Venues with an in-house team of capable event production professionals make all of the difference to attendees’ experience. 

Strategize the content 

Corporate event content is a crucial aspect of driving audience engagement because it’s often what motivates your audience to attend an event in the first place. Plan your content around your event’s goals and audience’s needs. 

If you’re planning a celebration, consider entertainers that delight and inspire. If you’re planning an educational event, consider inviting industry experts or thought leaders to share their knowledge and insights. Don’t hire just any entertainer you think people will like. Remember your corporate event goals. How do you want attendees to feel during and after your event? Strategize content from there. 

Heroic Productions’ Please Welcome event series features dynamic speakers and entertainers who are changing the landscape of corporate events worldwide. We also provide attendees with opportunities to meet the featured talent, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and network with other attendees. 

Our last event featured Daryl Davis, a musician, author, and activist who is known for his work in fighting racism and promoting positive change. Daryl was a keynote speaker and entertainer all in one–inspiring attendees with his beautiful music and compelling testimony of his great work. 

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Invest in corporate event logistics 

Corporate event logistics should have purpose and precision. Ensure all design elements are in place, and don’t make technology an afterthought. Look for ways to synchronize the various aspects of event logistics, too. The lights, the sound, the music, the staging, the branding–should all feel harmonious to the attendee. When done right, your attendees may not even notice how cohesive your production is, but they’ll feel the difference of your attention to detail.

At Heroic, our stage and LED wall create a stunning and visually striking backdrop for events. Our exceptional lighting and sound design further elevate attendees’ experience. For Daryl Davis’ keynote, we chose hues of stunning pinks and purples for the lighting, with his illustrious musical background in mind. From the music that played before he walked on stage to a subtle green light on Daryl’s piano–we considered every detail to set the tone for the night.

The results were beautiful, but logistics don’t stop at audiovisual capabilities. Good planning also means communicating all necessary details to attendees before the event, including the event agenda, location, dress code, and parking instructions. At Heroic, we also limit the studio’s audience to ensure a personalized, engaging, and comfortable networking experience for our attendees.

Pick a team that thinks of everything

Heroic is a one-stop shop for corporate event planning and production. We understand the value of an immersive experience and are ready to handle all aspects of your event–from strategy to execution. 

The ‘Please Welcome’ series is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Our next event will spotlight Dr. Luana Marques, an acclaimed psychologist and author who will provide attendees with insights into mental health and well-being. We hope you join us and experience firsthand the extensive benefits of Studio15.

We aim to make your event a success, and we work tirelessly to ensure that happens. Contact us to learn more.

Please Welcome Live With Kitty Hart and Kris Campbell

Posted on by KHart

Watch Please Welcome

Did you know that Heroic Productions books speakers and entertainment for our clients’ events? 

Choosing Kris Campbell as Please Welcome’s First Guest

As we planned our first Please Welcome virtual event we thought, who better to interview than the guru herself, Kris Campbell! Kris is our VP of Speakers and Entertainment with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As a “casting director,” she is responsible for discovering and sourcing the perfect speaker or artist for her clients’ events. As a unique offering at Heroic, Kris is often peppered with questions about how she sources, negotiates, and books a wide array of amazing speakers and entertainers. So, our VP of Client Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, led the charge of interviewing Kris for the kickoff of Please Welcome’s virtual edition.

During this live event, Kris explains how she developed the concept of Please Welcome, and why the event series is such an important marketing initiative for Heroic. She also dives into what her process looks like when booking talent for her clients. She even name drops some of her favorite speakers to book right now! You can see the whole interview right here.

More About Our VP of Speakers and Entertainment…

Kris is a creative, experienced professional with a unique understanding of speaker and entertainment booking. She finds innovative ways to help her clients communicate their inspired ideas in a way that is both relevant and captivating. With her expertise, audiences are treated to once-in-a-lifetime events onstage, onscreen, and in person. Whether it’s for an extra special event or just any day, Kris knows how to choose the right speaker, athlete, or artist to bring the perfect look, energy, and message that her clients’ audiences will appreciate. From local talent to world-famous A-listers, she has the skills and experience needed to ensure every show has its own story.


Need help booking speakers or entertainment for your next event? Schedule a time to talk with Kris and let her help make your brand’s story shine!

Guide: Planning for impactful Hybrid Events

Posted on by McKenna LaFave

Combining virtual and in-person events is more than a trend – it’s the new normal. Here’s what you need to know about hybrid event planning.

You’ve probably heard this before. Here’s a shocker: The shift to hybrid event planning is a great opportunity! 

Webinars, online conferences, and virtual events serve specific purposes because of flexibility and safety – in-person and live experiences engage people differently. And in person, you can be 100% confident everyone is wearing pants!

Continue reading “Guide: Planning for impactful Hybrid Events”

4 Types of Trending Hybrid Events

Posted on by McKenna LaFave

The ever-so-popular word “hybrid.” You’ve probably heard this word used in a number of ways. Hybrid cars, hybrid golf clubs, and of course, hybrid events.

But what exactly is a hybrid event?

A hybrid event is the combination of an in-person experience and a virtual experience. However, this broad term doesn’t quite explain the breakdown of the variety of hybrid events. To help, we’ve compiled a list of our definitions on different types of hybrid events.

Continue reading “4 Types of Trending Hybrid Events”

What is a Hybrid Event?

Posted on by McKenna LaFave

Do you still have confusion around what exactly a hybrid event is? Heroic’s CEO, Jon Young, breaks it down and gives some clarification.

Here’s a word you’re going to hear more and more: Hybrid. It’s certainly a word with lots of definitions and even more synonyms. For instance, I own a couple of hybrid golf clubs (I hit them equally poorly). Our video department manager, Kevan, drives a hybrid car. Sun Country Airlines just filed papers for an IPO describing itself as a new breed of hybrid, low-cost air carrier. I could go on and on.

Continue reading “What is a Hybrid Event?”