Meetings Today Podcast IMEX’s Tahira Endean on Her New Book and the Importance of Joy at Events
Aug 27, 2025
Tahira Endean, head of program at IMEX and author of 'Our KPI is Joy', brings her expertise in event design to the forefront. She discusses her innovative approach to measuring joy as a key performance indicator in planning events. The conversation highlights the transformative power of personal storytelling and genuine connections, shaping impactful experiences. Endean emphasizes creating safe spaces for belonging and the delicate balance of joy and sorrow in event planning, all while inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.
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Episode notes
Make Joy A Measurable KPI
- Joy can be a legitimate KPI for business events when tied to measurable outcomes.
- Tahira argues that events that leave people feeling good drive productivity, trust, and long-term value.
Stories Make Guidance Stick
- Authentic personal stories make event design guidance more relatable and actionable.
- Tahira intentionally trades textbook style for narrative to help planners connect emotionally with the ideas.
Design Events That Care For Attendees
- Do design events that care for attendees' whole lives by addressing practical and emotional needs.
- Tahira recommends offering spaces and sessions that let people talk about hard topics and feel supported.
