Industry Insights – Episode 4

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Welcome! FEP Presents: Industry Insights is a recurring podcast that dives into specific areas of event and festival production.

Hosted by Mike Hanley, founder of festivalandeventproduction.com and a 20 year veteran of the industry, each episode will feature a recap of current events as well as interviews and discussions with other industry professionals.

The podcast is a source of event industry updates, branching out and understanding different departments and roles within the industry, and highlighting various ways we can take our industry skills and help others by volunteering in our communities and beyond.

Have any questions or suggestions for future podcast episodes?  Reach us at podcast@festivalandeventproduction.com

Listen here:  https://anchor.fm/industryinsights 



Episode 4:
Patriotic Productions with John Liipfert and Jennifer Larus

Featured Guest:
John Liipfert and Jennifer Larus, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Front Runner Productions

John and Jen at one of their political events, the California Democratic Party Convention

Episode Notes and Summary:


John and Jen’s First Event Together

In episode four of Industry Insights, we give updates on various financial aid options, the Super Bowl halftime show and how they made the most of the pandemic restrictions, and additional certification courses you can take, including becoming a Certified Meeting Professional or a Certified Special Events Professional.

Next, we welcome the dynamic duo of John Liipfert and Jennifer Larus to our podcast, who have been producing events and festivals for almost two decades, with a focus on high-profile political events. 

The Field of Flags at the 2021 Biden Inauguration at Sunrise

 Together, they have helped oversee both Obama Presidential Inaugurations, prior Election Night Parties, various political rallies, and annual political conventions. They also produce music festivals including All Things Go Fall Classic, based in Washington, DC. Earlier this year, they were tasked with helping produce the most recent Inauguration, where they were part of the team managing the Field of Flags installation on the National Mall.   

A 2020 Biden Rally, with Social Distancing Pods

We cover how they were able to adjust their business and their events once the pandemic hit, how they made their 2020 political events & rallies COVID-Safe, and go into detail on what it was like working the Inauguration with the extra security measures, cold weather, and reuniting with their longtime friends and colleagues.  We also hear about what they’re up to now and what they are looking forward to later in 2021. 

Mike at We Are Blood during his donation

Finally, we end this episode with our highlighted non-profit:  We Are Blood. Started in 1951, WAB is the provider and protector of the Central Texas Blood supply. They serve over 40 hospitals and medical facilities in a 10 county area. While giving blood is always something needed in virtually every community, the need is heightened by COVID, especially for COVID-19 Plasma (for those who have had COVID).  But Whole Blood (normal blood donation), Platelet, and Double  Red Cell donations are needed just as urgently – and I can attest that the staff at We Are Blood are courteous, professional, and efficient! Plus, free cookies afterward is always a nice bonus.


Other Photos For This Episode:

John walks the Field of Flags one last time
John Giving Direction to President Obama and His Staff
The C3 and Front Runner Productions Teams at the 2021 Inauguration
Obama’s Election Night Event in 2008
The 2013 and 2021 Inaugurations
The Field of Flags Crew Watching the Inauguration Live from their IPad
One of the Final Rallies Before Pandemic Measures Took Hold
All Things Go Music Festival – Washington DC
GLACIER Summit in Alaska

Other Links Mentioned in the Podcast:

  1. https://www.frontrunnerproductions.com/
  2. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9516909/the-weeknd-xo-records-billboard-cover-story-interview-2021
  3. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ticketmaster-launches-global-ticketmaster-livestream-service/
  4. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9516909/the-weeknd-xo-records-billboard-cover-story-interview-2021
  5. https://musiccovidrelief.com/
  6. https://www.eventscouncil.org/CMP/Future-CMPs
  7. https://www.ileahub.com/CSEP
  8. https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
  9. https://americasblood.org/for-donors/find-a-blood-center
  10. Timelapse of the Field of Flags Build: https://fb.watch/3AgOPsIhcI/
  11. Superbowl Halftime Show CAD and information
  12. Heated Vest
  13. Hand Warmers
  14. Clubhouse

Previous Episodes: Episode 3Episode 2 –  Episode 1