Have you ever been in a conversation where someone mentions how they miss the old days before technology? Today, can you imagine not having technology readily available at your fingertips? Although some might miss the old days and crave what they feel was a simpler time, when technology was not as readily available, they will admit that it has made it easier to connect at both a personal and a business level.

We use technology to stay in touch with family and friends, capture milestones, and chat with loved ones worldwide.

During tragedies and uncertainties come opportunities. Marisa Cali, founder of Be Present LLC, recognized this.

“With a background in digital marketing and personal brand consulting, it was a natural transition to virtual events when the world shut down in 2020,” Cali said. In April 2020, she launched Live on Social Now Productions, blending her love of tech, project management and creativity as a virtual event planner.

A virtual event planner specializes in producing online events—meetings, webinars, conferences, networking events, and virtual trade shows—by managing logistics and technology.

Before the internet became widely used, people used to rely on the Yellow Pages to find local businesses. The Yellow Pages were a set of telephone directories that listed businesses by industry and alphabetically. People would start their search either from the beginning with the letter A or from the end with the letter Z. Business owners soon realized that consumers were unlikely to flip through the entire list, so they put the letter “A” in front of their business name to appear first. In contrast, others put the letter “Z” in front to appear last.

As the internet became more accessible, business owners shifted their marketing online, as search engines made finding a local business easier.

Fast-forward to 2020, and the world had no choice but to shift the ways we interact, how businesses interact with their employees, and how they connect to their audiences. According to Nielsen Podcast Buyer Power data, the U.S. podcast listener base grew by 40 percent from 2020 to 2022.

Local business owners had to pivot to stay top-of-mind with their target markets.

“Podcasts allow you to share more than your elevator pitch with those willing to listen. Just like social media became essential for your digital presence, we will see the same for podcasts (or on-demand content on a website) in the next two years,” Cali said.

As a virtual event planner, she organizes virtual summits, exclusive fireside chats, inspirational keynotes, and podcasts that foster community. She believes every project is unique and, before starting production work, takes the time to understand the mission of each business and how it aligns with the proposed projects.

Cali’s digital-first events business uses AI and automation to enhance her clients’ events. She values AI’s ethical and responsible use and monitors it closely to ensure it is not misused, as it cannot replicate a genuine human-to-human connection. Anything generated must have a human touch.

By using AI tools, Cali noted, we leverage what’s available to us, not generate content that isn’t ours.

Leaders will rise as virtual events and podcasts evolve, becoming a brand presence and engagement staple. Why try to figure it out on your own? Cali’s business goal is to enable others to be fully present during their events, focusing on the conversations and connections that truly matter.

Since 2020, Marisa Cali and Be Present have worked locally with Single Tree BBQ (a veteran-owned business) to produce a five-part series for the company’s internal team training, and with Rutherford Cable for a marketing initiative to tell Member stories and highlight aspects of the nonprofit. She has also produced content for TentHut, Lightship Capital, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Nationwide, Burn Brothers, NVIDIA and People Media.

“If you are not telling your story, who will? If we are not telling our stories via online content,” Cali said, “then someone else will.”

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For more information about Marisa Cali and Be Present LLC, visit bepresentllc.com, find Marisa Cali on LinkedIn or call 615-212-8993.