Have you built an identity around work you genuinely love — and still find yourself questioning "what’s next?" This week on the Dynamic Dialogue After Show, host Megan Martin and the ultimate “Trade Show Girly,” Carly Heideger, keep the mics hot after the show floor goes dark to spill the tea on the side of the industry the brochures don’t cover.

This is the podcast for event led growth & strategy for sales, marketing, and event professionals.

Carly breaks down the “Land Deck” lifestyle—the realization that being an event pro is essentially being a “yachtie” on Below Deck, just replace the ocean with a concrete convention center.

We’re diving into the reality of event marketing at the senior level, including Carly’s secret weapon for professional development: a Goodreads goal of 30 books a year.

They discuss navigating Imposter Syndrome, career transitions, leading revenue teams, and knowing when to prioritize "logos over ego" to fund the mission.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Land Deck" Life: Why the event industry is basically Below Deck on land and how to survive the "charter season" of major trade shows.

• The 30-Book Blueprint: How reading business memoirs and hospitality manifestos fuels a more creative event strategy.

• The Imposter Syndrome Trap: Real talk on the "Post-it" mantras and mindset shifts required to lead multi-million dollar revenue teams when you feel like a "fraud."

• Logos vs. Ego: A candid look at event led growth and why sometimes you have to discount the sponsorship to pay for the "big ideas."

• The Career "What's Next": How to navigate the senior-level plateau when you aren't unhappy, but you're ready for the next iteration of your professional journey.

About the Guest: Carly Heideger is a veteran senior revenue leader and the self-proclaimed "Trade Show Girly" who has spent her career managing the high-pressure intersection of multi-million dollar sponsorship sales and complex event operations.

Have a Vent of the Week?

Head to⁠ www.eventaboutitpodcast.com⁠ to share YOUR “Vent of the Week” and join the Squared Squad for bonus content, guest Q&As, and our exclusive After Show.

Connect with Us!

Follow the show on social media ⁠@eventaboutit⁠ ⁠

Work with Megan Martin ⁠https://msquareddynamics.com/

Connect with the Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyheideger/