Stop Counting Attendees—Start Counting Conversations (David Adler's New Event Metric)
I'll never forget the moment I realized I'd been measuring event success all wrong.
For years, we've obsessed over registration numbers, attendance figures, and revenue metrics. But what if the most important measurement at your event isn't showing up on any spreadsheet?
In this eye-opening conversation, BizBash founder and industry legend David Adler reveals why he's completely transformed how he evaluates event success. Instead of asking "How many people showed up?" David now asks, "How many meaningful conversations did we create?"
This isn't just a feel-good philosophy—it's backed by neuroscience. David breaks down the brain chemistry behind why connections trump content every single time, and shares the specific tactics he uses to architect conversations that release oxytocin, trigger dopamine loops, and create what he calls "collective awe."
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why your brain craves live music at events (and the neuroscience that proves it works)
- The "mirror neuron" effect that makes group energy contagious—and how to leverage it
- Simple questions that create vulnerability and deeper connections (borrowed from his famous Jeffersonian dinner parties)
- How to use the "peak-end rule" to ensure your events are truly unforgettable
- Why David believes we're "chemists" mixing the perfect formula for transformation
Whether you're planning intimate gatherings or massive conferences, David's insights will fundamentally change how you approach event design. Because at the end of the day, we're not in the event business—we're in the goosebumps business.
Ready to stop counting heads and start creating conversations that matter? This episode will show you exactly how.
Connect with David: Subscribe to his newsletter at gatheringpoint.news for behind-the-scenes insights from the events industry.
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*What's one conversation from a recent event that you'll never forget? I'd love to hear about it—share your story with me.*
