This is an archived page from 2021. Find out more
Last week in Nashville, Podcast Movement was live and in-person following a 2020 without the largest podcast gathering due to COVID. We reached out to Podcast Movement president Dan Franks to get his take on how things went this year. Here’s what Dan had to say…
PBJ: What is your overall feeling on how the show and attendance went this year? Franks: With so many unknowns heading into this year’s event, especially in the last few weeks leading up to it, we really didn’t know what to expect. Now, looking back on it, I can say we were very pleased with what the end result was. While we were heading towards our largest attended event ever before the Delta variant started to emerge, which definitely put a damper on the in-person participation, we still were able to put an event together that we were proud of.
Our goal six months ago when we decided to go full steam ahead with the in-person event was to reach 2,000 in person attendees, and we were able to accomplish that goal, plus have over 1,000 people participating virtually.
PBJ: What was the feedback you heard from people stopping you in the halls? Franks: Everyone who made it out in-person was just so happy to be with one another again. There was a noticeable buzz and excitement from everyone I talked to, and their participation in everything from the sessions to the networking events to the parties was evidence of that.
PBJ: That venue is spectacular. How did it work for the show? Franks: Anyone who has visited Gaylord Opryland before, or just saw pictures from this week, know that it is an amazing setting to spend time in, especially for a 3 to 4 day conference. This year it was an extra perfect setting, as the entire venue is open, with large atriums, plenty of space to gather, and spread out. Attendees who were looking for more of an outdoor, socially distanced experience were able to get that, and those who wanted to have more intimate gatherings were able to get that as well.
PBJ: What are the top three issues facing podcasters from what you heard? Franks: Show growth continues to be at the top of everyone’s minds, and this year specifically people enjoyed a variety of sessions that attacked growth from different angles. From social media tactics to SEO skills, audience acquisition is still at the heart of what many were looking for.
New technology and tools was another thing that got people buzzing, both good and bad. I think the most talked about was Mark Cuban’s conversation around their new Fireside platform, but there were plenty of other companies who shared their latest updates that got people talking.
Finally, independent podcasters continue to express concern on how they can stand out amongst not only the crowd of other independent creators, but also break through in a medium that continues to have more money and big name networks getting involved. This is a conversation that is not going to go away any time soon, and is something I think we all need to focus on: how everyone involved in podcasting can coexist and help grow the medium together.
PBJ: What was the biggest surprise? Franks: I would not say it was a BIG surprise, but over the two weeks leading up to the event I was definitely concerned with how many people would show up, and what their attitude would be towards interacting with each other. So I would say it was a PLEASANT surprise that so many members of the community joined us in Nashville, and made their most of their time together.
PBJ: COVID started creeping back up as we got closer to PM. Did it have any impact on the event? Franks: Very much so. As mentioned a few times already, up until two weeks before the event we were trending towards over 3,000 in person attendees, and potentially our largest event ever. Two weeks before the event when news of the Delta variant started coming out, registrations pretty much came to a halt. And then in the 7 days leading up to PM21’s first day, we had several hundred attendees and speakers choose to participate virtually instead of in-person.
PBJ: What’s the location and date for next year? Franks: We’re excited for two big events in 2022. March 23-26, 2022 is the return of our Evolutions event in Los Angeles. The first year of Evolutions in 2020 was a huge success, selling out several weeks before the event, and we look forward to it growing in big ways this coming March.
And then August 23-26, 2022 is Podcast Movement 2022 in Dallas. We were last in Dallas for the inaugural Podcast Movement in 2014, and are very excited to be back for what should be our biggest event ever!