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In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long examines why advocacy has become essential for meeting professionals navigating today’s rapidly shifting landscape. The conversation opens with leadership from the Live Events Coalition, including Al Mercuro, strategic marketing and client engagement advisor at Genesis Exhibits; Dwayne Thomas, director of government affairs for the Live Events Coalition – National; and Wendy E. Porter, chief events strategist at Wendy Porter Events, LLC, who share the moments that compelled them to speak up for the industry.

Together, they unpack the pressures planners face right now, from rising costs and healthcare access to tariffs, visas and economic uncertainty, and why live events remain vital to trust, innovation and human connection.

In a closing segment, Tommy F. Goodwin, executive vice president of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, joins the conversation to offer a policy-focused perspective on workforce development, affordability and how planners can turn advocacy into meaningful action. The episode leaves listeners with a clear reminder that their voices matter, and that engagement at every level helps shape the future of meetings.

Produced by: Eming Piansay

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What does it really mean to be yourself at work, not the curated version, not the corporate mask, but the fully expressed you?

In this episode of What One Thing?, transformational speaker and author Judi Holler returns to chat with Smart Meetings content director JT Long to unpack the core idea behind her new book, Holler at Your Dreams. She introduces the concept of self-expressionism, a disciplined, courageous practice of expressing who you are with intention, creativity and self-trust.

Drawing from her background in hospitality, improv and leadership, Holler challenges meeting professionals to step off autopilot and experiment with discomfort as a path to confidence, innovation and authenticity. From rediscovering childhood clues to building psychological and creative safety at work, she shares how small, intentional acts can lead to profound personal and professional shifts.

Her answer to the show’s signature question is clear and bold: The one thing you can do today is shock the system. Try something new. Go where you have no confidence, on purpose. In a world that rewards safety but craves originality, this conversation is a call to choose courage, reclaim your voice and remember that you are the art.

Produced by: Eming Piansay

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In this energizing episode of What One Thing?, Devon Montgomery Pasha sits down with behavioral science expert and global keynote speaker Nancy Harhut to explore why people say yes and how understanding human decision-making can transform both marketing and event design. Nancy breaks down the emotional shortcuts that drive behavior, the four decision defaults that shape how audiences take in information, and the powerful impact of designing for attention, resonance and action. With real-world examples ranging from dentists to conference campaigns, she shows how small psychological cues can unlock major results and why test-and-learn thinking matters more than ever. Whether you craft attendee experiences or brand messages, Nancy offers a fresh, inspiring lens on what truly moves people.

Produced by: Eming Piansay