ATLANTA — Last week, Shepard Expositions hosted SandboxLIVE, bringing together approximately 150 people from their community including industry partners, speakers, customers, prospective customers, and staff to Atlanta for a three-day in-person experience. Shepard last hosted SandboxLIVE in 2019 and revitalized the event as a way to better connect their robust partner network and debut the latest innovations as well as enhancements to customer experience.
SandboxLIVE embodied the sentiment of the quote it was named for from Robert Fulghum — “All of what I need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in 
Kindergarten…there in the sandbox,” — as the group gathered for intimate knowledge sharing sessions, networking and brainstorming for better collaboration.
The SandboxLIVE journey kickstarted with a vibrant opening reception and then dinner at 5Church Midtown. The Shepard team planned an exceptional event in the hometown of their organization’s Headquarters. The Education Summit the next day featured top-notch presenters and began with a warm welcome from Kevin Bird, CEO of Shepard, and Frances Maestre, Executive Vice President of Sales, setting the stage for an insightful day ahead. The keynote session led by Julius Solaris delved into exclusive research findings on event trends, offering valuable industry insights.
“Bringing back the Sandbox LIVE event was a response to our customers that missed the content and connectivity it provided throughout the years. We’ve redesigned it, specifically for our community, with the goal of supporting our customers and providing real value to them as partners. It’s an opportunity for us to share insights, foster connections, and demonstrate our commitment to the success of those we serve,” Maestre shared.
From a workshop on elevating event impact with former CES executive Kara Dickerson to a networking session facilitated by Taylor Buoncore of The Connection Spark, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a series of engaging education rotations.
Sustainable events’ best practices were also shared by Corey Clark from Honeycomb Strategies, while Nick Borelli led a discussion on demystifying AI’s role in enhancing attendee experiences. Matt Dunsmoor of The Optimism Company and Simon Sinek’s leadership training team took the stage to explore the concept of an infinite mindset in leadership, inspiring leaders to foster innovation and growth.
Related. Shepard Launches On-Demand Exhibitor Education Video Series
Another educational highlight was from presenter Sarah Aivaz, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions for Shepard, who provided an exclusive preview of Shepard’s new exhibitor technology platform, highlighting its user-friendly features and the enhanced exhibitor experience it offers. Customers can expect an evolved customer experience with a more seamless e-commerce platform.
The day concluded with transportation arrangements for a memorable ‘Experience More Party’ at Ventanas, hosted by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, featuring live music, delicious food and drinks, interactive brand activations, and exclusive giveaways in a stunning venue. Attendees were also able to take in beautiful views from the helicopter pad. 
For the final day of SandboxLIVE, thought leadership and team-think mentality continued with Taylor Elliot, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Shepard, as she shared marketing insights distilled from the previous event sessions. Key themes included best practices for team transformation, upskilling the events industry and simplifying the attendee experience.
The Shepard Strategy Team led a session titled “Elevate Your Events: Mastering Experiences, Sponsorships, and Activations” where attendees explored the strategic nuances of experiences, sponsorships, and activations — and how to incorporate them into their live events. Real-time examples of successful implementations were showcased, demonstrating how to drive engagement and maximize value for sponsors and attendees alike.
Attendees walked away with practical strategies to enhance their event’s impact, create memorable experiences, and engage all stakeholders effectively. The session concluded with a Q&A, providing an opportunity for further discussion and clarification on the topics covered.
