Damian Norman, Director Immersive Entertainment & Events at Excel London, invites Shonali down to the UK capital's Royal Docks to discuss Excel's new urban playground and the psychology of immersive experiences, such as Elvis Evolution, Tutankhamun, and Squid Game.

Shonali then chats with Cat Botibol, head of Studio Secret Cinema, the in-house brand experience and event agency at Secret Cinema - the immersive entertainment company that creates interactive theatre experiences, allowing audiences to participate in the worlds of their favourite films, games, and TV shows.

Cat discusses her research into the Power of Collective Awe and reveals how elements of Secret Cinema shows translate into the conference and corporate event sphere.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (www.thepodcastconsultant.com).

Food service and hospitality futurist, Simon Stenning, shares the five 'Fs' of food trends, while Guy Bigwood from the Global Destination Sustainability Movement drops by the podcast booth at IBTM World 2024 to reveal the shocking scale of food waste and what the events industry can do about it.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (www.thepodcastconsultant.com).

Shonali speaks with Nadu Placca Rodriguez, Director of Global Events & Experiences at The Zoo XYZ, about staging events in Africa and her work as the co-founder of the Association of Black Event Professionals.

Nadu is half Ghanaian and has staged events in Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya. She shares her experiences and offers advice on working with local economies, suppliers and infrastructure.

Nadu also discusses the current state of DE&I against a backdrop of President Trump's opposition and organisations removing dedicated roles.

We then cross over to the show floor of IBTM World 2024 to hear from Janet Karemera, CEO of the Rwanda Convention Bureau. She tells Shonali about 10 years of exhibiting at IBTM and what planners need to know about bringing events and incentives to the region of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (www.thepodcastconsultant.com).