Most B2B events have a content problem.But they also have an energy problem.In this episode of Vision to Vibe, I sit down with Martin Smith (aka DJ Graffiti)—a former marketing agency owner turned keynote DJ who’s helped some of the world’s biggest brands bring music, emotion, and real audience engagement back into corporate events (virtual and in-person).We get into the stuff most event teams don’t talk about:-Why seeking a DJ just to provide “background music” is a wasted opportunity-How event organizers can use well timed music cues and their DH's personality to keep audiences engaged (especially online)-Picking personalized Walkout tracks: why they matter and how to choose them for your speakers to perform at their best on stage-What it takes to be a performer and drive business outcomes when being featured in B2B events-The difference between a DJ as an “artist” vs a DJ as a “vibe stylist” (this one hit me)-Martin also shares how COVID reshaped his career—and how he landed major brands through a bold, hyper-personal outreach strategy (including personalized video).If you plan B2B events, webinars, SKOs, customer conferences, or community programs—and you want your audience to actually feel something—this episode is for you.This resonating? Let's work together: I’m building Vision to Vibe to help B2B teams create experiences people remember, not just attend. If you want help hosting a podcast, running a virtual event, or designing a high-energy program that drives real outcomes, reach out.🤝 Connect with DJ Graffiti: / djgraffiti ▶️ Watch more episodes on YouTube: / @visiontovibe-nsi 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LfjYkI...🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...#B2BMarketing #EventMarketing #VirtualEvents #HybridEvents #Webinars #AudienceEngagement #EventStrategy #CorporateEvents #Podcast

What happens when B2B marketers stop playing it safe—and start playing it, I dunno.....smart?In this episode of Vision to Vibe, I, Nick Sal, sit down with Chris Hutchins, former Director of Content at 6sense and ZoomInfo, to unpack one of the most talked-about creative B2B campaigns to come out of 6sense (and B2B SaaS for that matter)—a campaign that used humor, empathy, and storytelling to break through the noise in a category known for being… well, pretty serious.Together, we explore:*Why humor is so often resisted in B2B (and why that’s a mistake to resist)*How 6sense used creativity to capture attention without sacrificing credibility*What “permission to play” actually looks like inside real marketing teams*How to measure success when the best signals aren’t always in a dashboard*Why great B2B content feels human first—and tactical secondThis conversation is a masterclass for B2B marketers, content leaders, and demand gen teams who want to create work that stands out, gets remembered, and sparks real conversations—not just impressions.If you care about:-B2B marketing strategy-Creative content that converts-Audience engagement and storytelling-Using humor without being cringe-Building campaigns people actually talk about= you’re in the right place.👇 Jump into the conversationComment: What’s the boldest campaign your team has ever shipped? Please share: Where do you think B2B marketing still plays it too safe?👍 Like the video if it sparked an idea💬 Drop a comment with your take. I respond to every comment!🔔 Enjoying the series? Please hit Subscribe for more event, community, and B2B growth playbooks from operators who actually ship.RESOURCES:🤝 Need help planning your next corporate event? Let's talk: https://nextlevelinbound.com/contact-nick🎧Follow the podcast on Youtube or Apple Podcasts:-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VisionToVibe-NSI?/subscribe-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vision-to-vibe/id1789391906

On this next episode of Vision to Vibe, I sat down with Keith Scandone, founder of O3 World and the mind behind 1682—the Philadelphia AI & innovation conference that proves community, curation, and brand experience beat cookie-cutter trade shows every time.We unpack how 1682 went from idea → invitation-only experience → regional magnet for execs and innovators. Keith shares how his team designs every touchpoint—venue choice (The Barnes Foundation), candid speakers (no fly-in/fly-out talking heads), museum walk-throughs, and high-taste branding—to create an intimate event people rave about (and return to).You’ll learn:✅ Why intimate, curated rooms convert better than giant halls✅ How to recruit speakers who stay all day and actually engage✅ The ROI of “experience design” (beyond ticket revenue)✅ Using your event as retention, recruiting, and brand proof✅ How to bottle authentic testimonials into year-round promotion✅ When to partner with “competitors” to grow the whole pieIf you plan leadership summits, innovation forums, or brand-owned conferences, this is a masterclass in building a signature event that people feel—and remember.Resources mentioned:• 1682 Conference — 1682conference.com• O3 World — o3world.com• O3XO (AI consultancy) — o3xo.ai* Connect with my guest/client, Keith Scandone, on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-scandone/Enjoying the series?🔔 Subscribe for more event, community, and B2B growth playbooks from operators who actually ship.🎧Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LfjYkI8uqIclyuP0RmRyq-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vision-to-vibe/id1789391906Video Chapters 00:00 – Why 1682 exists: the gap in conference “experience”03:00 – From Forge to 1682: lessons learned06:30 – The Business of Innovation (and adding AI)09:30 – Why intimate rooms outperform giant halls12:00 – Venue as value: Barnes Foundation & museum walkthroughs15:00 – Speaker curation: no fly-in/fly-out talking heads18:00 – How 1682 fuels brand, recruiting, and retention21:00 – Bottling testimonials into real distribution24:00 – Partnerships (even with “competitors”) to grow reach27:00 – Keeping momentum: from one-off to series30:00 – Start small, design everything, and ship