Event management agencies can be a valuable resource for lean teams, bring advanced strategies and resources and manage everything from marketing and logistics to production and reporting. But too many planners leave valuable contributions on the table because they don’t know what to ask. If you are curious about hiring a consultant, join us for this interactive cheat sheet to getting the most from the partnership.
You will learn:
When an agency is a good fit for a project and when it isn’t.
What questions to ask to determine if an agency would work.
How to manage accountable roles and responsibilities.
David Caldwell leads Maritz’s corporate sales organization, empowering a team focused on driving growth, strengthening client partnerships and delivering positive business impact through exceptional event experiences and programs. He leads key client relationships and works closely with industry and supplier partners to create value and advance shared business goals.
With more than 30 years of experience in both the events industry and at Maritz, Dave brings deep expertise and a client-first perspective to every engagement. Throughout his career, he has partnered with organizations across a wide range of industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, technology, automotive and retail.
Rudy Garza is president and CEO of Brightspot Incentives & Events. Prior to joining Brightspot, he held positions at PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, supporting the Sales & Marketing functions. Rudy is a proud graduate of The University of Texas (MBA) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (BBA). He is a Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP/SITE) and Incentive Professional (IP/IMA).
Nikole Fridenmaker is a business events strategist, CMP, and Smart Meetings Smart Women in Meetings honoree — including the 2025 All Time Hall of Fame. With nearly30 years of global experience and recognition from BizBash’s inaugural Top 500, she is the founder of Build Better Meetings and Business Events Academy, helping organizations and planners perform at their best.
