In this BONUS episode (recorded in February 2023 and recently found in the couch cushions), Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive deep into the latest developments in AI technology, focusing on the recent announcements from Microsoft's Bing and Google's Bard. They discuss the potential impact of these AI-powered search engines on various industries, including event planning, and explore the implications for content creators and information providers.

Discussion Points:
• The recent announcements of AI-powered search engines by Microsoft (Bing) and Google (Bard)
• Potential applications of AI in the event planning industry, such as venue finding and RFP processing
• The importance of staying current with AI technologies and their potential impact on various job roles

Quotable Quotes (Should you choose to share):
• "If right now you're like 'Hell no, this is not going to work, this is not going to help me,' I would be really afraid. I'd be pressuring you right now to at least be playing with this stuff to be aware of it." - Will Curran
• "The future for your job is not 'Can you do these things?' but 'Can you use these tools now to leverage even further?'" - Will Curran
• "I think hopefully what folks are taking away from this is the clear difference in how we are talking about this again versus how we've been talking about the metaverse and stuff like that." - Brandt Krueger
• "Every week for the last month solid, something new has popped into my head of like, 'Oh, I know how we could use this' or 'Oh, I know how this is going to impact events.'" - Brandt Krueger

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran sit down with Veselin (Vesko) Milev and Dessislava (Dessy) Marinova from Eventex to explore the world of event awards and event technology. As Eventex celebrates its 15th anniversary, Vesko and Dessy share insights into the global reach of the Eventex Awards, the evolution of their fully online format, and the impact of the Evalato awards management software. The team also dives into how creativity and innovation are recognized on a global scale and the fascinating trends emerging in event management.

Discussions Include:

• The growth and global reach of the Eventex Awards
• How Evalato simplifies the awards judging process and ensures fairness
• The shift to fully online awards and its sustainability benefits
• Trends in event design and technology across the world
• Using Eventex winners as creative inspiration for future event planning
• The importance of transparency in award scoring and feedback
• Predictions on how AI and sustainability will shape the future of event awards

Quotable Quotes:

• “Eventex is not just about competition; it's a learning experience.” – Vesko Milev
• "It’s not about the size of your event; it’s about the creativity and achieving your goals." – Brandt Krueger
• “Sustainability and AI will continue to drive the future of event management.” – Dessy Marinova
• “The software takes into account how you score in the morning versus the evening—personal bias gets neutralized.” – Vesko Milev

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive deep into the distinctions between consumer, prosumer, and professional audio-visual gear. Using personal experiences and industry examples, they explore the evolution of tech and how it affects everything from home setups to event production. From audio chain optimization and home theater upgrades to the balance between cost and quality, the conversation touches on the nuances of choosing the right gear for the right application. Whether you're looking to refine your home theater or optimize your event tech, this episode is packed with insights into making informed tech decisions.

Discussions Include:

• Differences between consumer, prosumer, and professional-grade equipment
• Audio chain optimization for home studios and theaters
• Will’s home theater journey: From Sonos to high-end in-wall speakers
• Exploring the balance between quality and budget with tech purchases
• Using Dante for digital audio networking and audio routing
• Buying used gear: When to take the leap and the risks involved
• The ubiquity of networking gear and its impact on event tech setups
• Analog vs. digital: Pros and cons of keeping audio fidelity high

Quotable Quotes:

• "Buy once, cry once." – Alex Lindsay and the Office Hours panel
• "As you move from consumer to prosumer to professional, the improvements start to become incremental, but the costs don’t." – Brandt Krueger
• "You can start low and work your way up, but the key is understanding where the trade-offs are." – Brandt Krueger
• "Sometimes the satisfaction from gear isn’t linear to the price—you can obsess over small improvements." – Will Curran