Mentorship has played a big role in Anna Nicholson's career, and now, she's giving back to the next generation, as a mentor in the Experiential in Color Mentorship Program. In this episode, the senior event manager at Yahoo talks about how she's imparting her most-impactful learnings, including the importance of betting on yourself and managing chaos with calmness. Plus, she takes EM inside Yahoo's recent SXSW activation, the AI-powered Yahoo Scout Inn, breaking down the importance of authenticity, community-driven moments and staying agile in a competitive experiential landscape.

Melissa Vilders, director-events strategy and experience for SAP Global Events, has figured out the work-life balance formula that fits her life and encourages fellow marketers to lean into self-care and "enjoy the boring moments." In this episode, she reveals the key mindset shifts that can create more impactful, inclusive events, without sacrificing one's personal well-being. Plus, Vilders shares practical tips for managing the post-event blues, elevating the attendee experience and fostering a supportive team environment.

In this special editors-only episode, join Event Marketer's Juanita Chavarro Arias, managing editor, and Kait Shea, senior editor and manager-digital content, as they recap their experiences covering San Diego Comic-Con 2025. Standout moments included dodging machete-wielding clowns in "Twisted Metal" bumper cars, rocking out at Peacefest and reliving school days at "Abbott Elementary." Plus, tune in for insights on Comic-Con's evolution, activation trends, swag must-haves and the value of live actors in engaging pop-culture fans.