Speaking

Signature Topics

• Event Strategy & Attendance
  • Closing the Intent-to-Attendance Gap
  • Understanding Real Barriers to Participation
  • Designing Events That Actually Deliver Value
• Revenue, Sponsorship & Exhibitors
  • Sponsorships That Sell (and Deliver)
  • Exhibitor ROI That Goes Beyond Traffic
  • Finding Hidden Revenue in Your Event
• AI & The Future of Events
  • Practical AI for Associations and Event Teams
  • Where AI Actually Fits (and Where It Doesn’t)
  • Turning Data into Decisions
• Industry Trends & Young Professionals
  • What the Next Generation Expects from Events
  • Rethinking Engagement on the Show Floor
  • The Changing Role of Events in Associations

Formats

• Keynotes
• Breakout sessions
• Workshops
• Panel moderation
• Webinars and online sessions

Let’s talk about your audience and what they actually need. Contact Me.

Upcoming & Recent Talks

AI HOV Lane: Fast-Track Sponsorship Revenue Across Every Client | AMCI Engaged
From Transactions to True Partnerships: Building Sustainable Non-Dues Revenue | VSAE
Click to Convention Floor: Association Research Insights on Event Attendance | ICON
Practical Applications of AI in Associations, AMCs and Events | IAEE Small/Mid-Size Show Organizer Forum
Larger Margins Is the Mission: Rethinking Your Association Event Revenue Model | ASAE Revenue Summit
One Shot to Get It Right: Why Your Annual Meeting Must Win Over Younger Attendees | MASAE
Crafting Event Success with AI with Rich Vallaster | NYIAEE
Solving the Association Pipeline Problem: How Events Drive Next-Gen Engagement & Show Me the (Non-Dues) Money: Financial Wins for Association Events | GASAE Annual
Click to Convention Floor: Association Research Insights on Event Attendance | DFWAE Association Day
Event Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Association Event Success with AI | IAEE SE Chapter Luncheon Speaker
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | Professionals for Association Revenue
Exploring AI in Associations: Practical Insights from an AI Explorer in the Association Space | Mid-Atlantic Society for Association Executives
The Pipeline Problem: Fixing Your Event’s Future By Focusing On Young Attendees | IAEE Expo!Expo!
AI, Meet Rolodex: New Rules Of Booth & Sponsor Sales | IAEE Expo!Expo!
Event Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Association Event Success with AI | FSAE Education Expo
Accelerating AI Thinking & Readiness at AMCs | AMC Regional
Transform Your Events with AI – Practical Strategies for AMCs | AMC Institute
How Meeting Planners Can Use AI to Work Smarter | Virginia Society of Association Executives
Navigating the Four Stages of Organizational AI Readiness | ASAE Annual 2025
From Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Event Success with AI & Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | 34th Annual Southeastern Classic
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | EventTastic 2025
Maximizing Non-Dues Revenue: Why Events Are Your Growth Engine | ICON 2025
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | ASAE mmc+tec 2025

The older (yet post-COVID) sessions can be found here.

“Rich is a heavy hitter.
We can put him in any time slot since he can attract and hold an audience.”

ASAE Education Team Member

“Highest session ratings at our entire event.”

ISAE Executive

“Rich is a sought-after speaker.”

Marsha Flanagan, CEO IAEE

“I always walk away with actionable findings from Rich’s sessions!”

Expo! Expo! Attendee

Recent Webinars

• Beyond the Booth: Elevating the Exhibitor Experience for Real Results | Webinar
• Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management | Webinar
• From First Click to the Onsite Experience – What You Can’t Ignore | Webinar
• Engagement in a Post-Pandemic World | Webinar
• Secrets Revealed: Exhibitors Tell All | Webinar

A few of the fantastic organizations I worked with