The full report, titled “The ROI of Relationships: Building a Cycle of Success,” is the final installment in a three-part series examining the role of live events in today’s business landscape. Key findings include:

• 95% of working professionals trust brands more after attending their events
• 82% believe in-person settings are best for building crucial job relationships
• 96% of event decision makers agree that hosting live events achieves multiple objectives, including talent retention and development

“As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern business, this research reminds us that the most powerful connections are still made face-to-face. At Freeman, we’re committed to creating experiences that not only drive professional growth but also deliver the kind of meaningful relationships that can transform careers and businesses,” said Janet Dell, CEO of Freeman.

The study highlights a positive cycle of success created by in-person interactions:

• Confidence boost: 63% of working professionals report increased confidence in business relationships from live events
• Skill development: 94% say in-person events allow them to grow interpersonal skills
• Industry edge: 92% believe these events help them stay on the cutting edge of their industries

The study reinforces that face-to-face interactions create a positive cycle of success, benefiting professionals’ careers, improving job performance, and strengthening brand relationships.

For more information and to download the full report, click here.

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Media Contact:
media@freeman.com

About Freeman:
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

The post New Freeman Study: Live Events Boost Professional Success and Brand ROI appeared first on Freeman.

“We’re thrilled to receive these recognitions from Exhibitor Magazine,” said Janet Dell, Freeman CEO. “It’s especially meaningful to see our Freeman, Sparks, and 3D Exhibits brands all celebrated for excellence. These achievements highlight how well our teams work together to create exceptional experiences and powerful connections for our clients. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.” 

The awards include:

• Exhibitor Magazine’s 2025 Best of CES: The Siemens booth, a collaboration between Freeman and Sparks, was ranked #5 among the top 20 exhibits at the 2025 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) out of about 4,300, and the Oshkosh Corporation booth ranked No. 19.
• Exhibitor Magazine’s 2025 FindIt Top 40: Freeman, Sparks, and 3D Exhibits, were all recognized as among the world’s best trade show exhibit houses.  
• Exhibitor Magazine’s 2025 Portable/Modular Awards: Freeman took home the Best Reconfigurable Exhibit award for its work with Hard Rock International (USA) Inc.

More information on these awards can be found at https://www.exhibitoronline.com/. 

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Contact:  
media@freeman.com 

About Freeman  
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/. 

The post Freeman, Sparks, 3D Exhibits: Innovators in Live Events Win Multiple 2025 Exhibitor Magazine Awards appeared first on Freeman.

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage.

Freeman was ranked #36 up from #46 last year on the Top Workplaces USA list for all employers with 2,500+ employees.

“Winning this award for the second year in a row is especially meaningful because it comes from our employees’ feedback,” said Janet Dell, Freeman CEO. “At Freeman, our people are the heart of everything we do, and this recognition reinforces the culture we’ve built together—one that encourages collaboration, innovation, and excellence. We’re committed to creating an environment where our teams can thrive, and this honor is a reflection of that shared success.”

Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Contact: media@freeman.com

About Freeman 

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com.

About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

The post Freeman Named a Top Workplace by USA Today for Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Freeman.

“We are incredibly proud of BaAM for this well-deserved recognition,” said Janet Dell, CEO of Freeman. “This award is a testament to BaAM’s president, Annemarie Roe, whose leadership has shaped a culture of innovation and excellence over the past two decades. Her vision, along with the incredible talent of the BaAM team, continues to push creative boundaries in sports and entertainment—delivering high-impact live experiences that captivate audiences worldwide. Congratulations to the entire BaAM team on this incredible achievement!”

As part of the Freeman Company, BaAM continues to transform spaces into places and event destinations where fans and followers are immersed in dynamic stories. BaAM uses the concept of informed creativity to deliver “wow” moments for the sports and entertainment sectors.

“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future,” said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them, and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward.”

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list is one of the publication’s most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year, recognizing 609 organizations across 58 categories.

The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at fastcompany.com. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 25.

For more about BaAM’s award and work, visit here.

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Contact: 
media@freeman.com      

About Freeman 
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.    

The post BaAM Productions Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025 appeared first on Freeman.

Following the acquisition, Tag will combine its services with mdg, a Freeman company, enhancing mdg’s digital marketing capabilities to better serve show organizers and associations while positioning it for growth in new markets. Tag, known for its advanced digital marketing strategies, has supported a diverse portfolio of global trade shows, professional associations, and large-scale conferences across the globe.  

“With millennials and Gen Z increasingly shaping the workforce, digital marketing is more critical than ever as the first channel these generations turn to for information and inspiration – both in their personal and professional lives,” said Janet Dell, Freeman CEO. “By combining best-in-class digital marketing capabilities and leveraging AI-driven tools, mdg is positioned as the go-to agency for strategies that engage today’s attendees while setting events up for sustained growth.” 

The acquisition of Tag reflects Freeman’s commitment to delivering customer-focused solutions for event organizers. Tag’s expertise and investments in AI technology will enhance mdg’s digital offerings, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and impactful for clients worldwide. 

“Tag’s innovative digital marketing expertise is the perfect complement to mdg’s strategy and integrated marketing offerings, enhancing our ability to deliver impactful strategies and expand into key global markets like EMEA and APAC,” said Kimberly Hardcastle, President of mdg. “This will strengthen mdg’s position as a leader in marketing innovation, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients while driving future growth.” 

“Over the past several months, we’ve worked closely with mdg and have been consistently impressed by our shared values, collaborative spirit, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients,” said Laura Davidson, Tag CEO. “We’re excited to embark on this next chapter together.” 

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Contact: 
media@freeman.com      

About Freeman 
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.    

About mdg, a Freeman Company 
mdg, A Freeman Company is a strategy-driven agency with a 48-year track record of delivering results for event and association clients. Made up of marketing researchers and data analysts, digital and interactive media experts and a robust creative team, the 95-person agency helps clients seize new growth opportunities, reinvent themselves, inject more humanity into their brands, broaden their content strategies, unite their communities, embrace data-driven digital campaigns and more – all in the name of increased attendance, membership, engagement and/or revenue. For more information, please visit https://www.mdg.agency/. 

About Tag Digital 

Tag Digital is a leading digital marketing agency, specifically focused on the event industry. Tag’s expertise lies in developing bespoke campaigns designed to succeed. With a team of industry professionals, Tag uses a combination of data and technology to help clients navigate the challenging paid advertising arena, reduce cost per registration, build data and improve ROI. 

The post Freeman Acquires Tag Digital Enhancing mdg’s Digital Marketing Expertise and Global Reach appeared first on Freeman.

The research found that 95% of attendees trust brands more after participating in an in-person event, while 71% of brands saw a decline in reputation through other channels in 2024. This stark contrast highlights the unique power of face-to-face interactions in building authentic connections.

“Live events create powerful opportunities for meaningful connection,” said Janet Dell, CEO of Freeman. “As brands look for ways to build stronger relationships with their audiences, our research clearly shows that face-to-face interactions are the most effective means of building lasting trust and driving business results.”

Key findings from the study include:

• Generational trust dynamics are shifting: A heavy reliance on technology and AI has left Gen Z and Millennials feeling disconnected, while older generations exhibit declining trust levels.
• Engagement increases post-live events: 87% of working professionals visited the brand’s website and expressed a desire to engage with the company online after attending a live event.
• In-person creates a positive brand perception: 92% of working professionals stated that live events have a positive impact on their perception of brands.

The full report, titled “2025 Freeman Trust Report,” is the second in a series of three research releases from Freeman, examining how live events impact brand perception and business relationships in an increasingly digital world.

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Media Contact:
media@freeman.com

About Freeman:
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

The post New Research Shows In-Person Events Build Critical Brand Trust in an Era of Growing Consumer Skepticism appeared first on Freeman.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sanjay to Freeman,” said Dell. “His track record of leading major digital transformation projects makes him the right leader to continue driving Freeman and our industry forward. Sanjay’s ability to foster collaboration while delivering innovative technology solutions will be a great addition to our team and help us continue raising the bar for our industry.”

Sanjay brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience to Freeman. Most recently, he served as CIO and EVP at Republic National Distributing Company, where he led significant digital transformation initiatives, implementing automation and AI solutions while managing a global team of technology professionals. Prior to that, he held the position of CIO at E&J Gallo Winery, where he successfully led major enterprise resource planning modernization efforts and digital transformation projects.

Contact: media@freeman.com

About Freeman:

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

The post Freeman Welcomes Sanjay Shringarpure as Chief Information Officer appeared first on Freeman.

Leveraging generative AI, Key Takeaways connects directly to event audio feeds to transcribe a speaker’s words into text, processing it in real time to deliver summaries that keep attendees engaged and focused on key insights.

For event organizers, the tool provides:

• Improved engagement and retention of session content.
• Comprehensive post-event reports offering valuable insights into attendee engagement and session effectiveness.

With Key Takeaways, attendees can:

• View word clouds summarizing session topics and categories.
• Receive key insights from sessions they missed.
• Share meaningful takeaways with others on social media.

“Key Takeaways represents our commitment to helping event organizers deliver content experiences that truly resonate with their audiences,” said Paul Fletcher, Chief Operating Officer, Audio Visual & Event Technology at Freeman. “Supported by Freeman’s world-class service, this tool ensures attendees stay engaged, retain valuable insights, and provide measurable post-event value, carrying the event’s impact forward long after it’s over.”

This innovative tool can function as a standalone experience, accessible via direct links or QR codes, or integrate seamlessly into existing event apps with minimal setup.

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Media Contact:
media@freeman.com 

About Freeman:
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

About Snapsight by Gevme:
Snapsight by Gevme is a powerful insights platform designed to uncover trends, themes, and actionable analysis from event content and interactions. It enables organizations to transform ideas and event content into strategic intelligence through cutting-edge data analysis and generative AI technology. Backed by Gevme’s 15 years of expertise in end-to-end event management technology, Snapsight delivers smarter insights to shape the future of events, empowering organizations to innovate and stay ahead of industry trends. For more information, visit www.snapsight.ai.

The post Freeman Launches Key Takeaways – A Generative AI Tool to Improve Engagement, Learning, and Retention appeared first on Freeman.

Dallas, TX – February 4, 2025 – Freeman, the global leader in events, announced today that Dawnn Repp, Chief Legal Officer, has retired after 22 years with the company. She has been succeeded by Freeman’s Deputy General Counsel, Cara Milligan, who has been appointed General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer. Repp will transition into an advisory role through 2026, providing support to Milligan to ensure a smooth transition as well as ongoing support to Freeman’s CEO, Janet Dell.

Dawnn Repp joined Freeman in 2001 as the company’s first in-house counsel and has worked on the largest deals in the company’s history, including Freeman’s acquisition of Wheelhouse Solutions in 2011, the sale of Encore Event Technologies in 2019, and the acquisition of Sparks in 2023.

Dell said, “Dawnn has been an integral part of Freeman for the past 22 years and has been a steady hand helping the company transform itself and the events industry over that time. Dawnn has made invaluable contributions in so many areas, but she was especially pivotal in helping us navigate the pandemic, acting with integrity and staying true to Freeman’s values when making difficult decisions. I have always admired Dawnn’s ability to solve complex business problems in a commercial and practical manner. I wish Dawnn all the best for a relaxing and fulfilling retirement, and in the meantime, am excited to continue benefiting from her wisdom and expertise as she steps into an advisory role.”

Carrie Freeman Parsons, Chair of the Board, added, “Dawnn has been a driving force behind the company’s success and growth, not only through her impactful leadership but also by championing the advancement of women in the workplace. She spearheaded Freeman’s Women’s Development program, promoting the development of female leaders across all levels of the organization. Dawnn has been an indispensable partner, always striving to achieve positive outcomes for the company, our employees, and our clients, while staying true to Freeman’s values.”

Repp said, “It has been an incredible journey working with such a talented and dedicated team. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and am confident that Freeman will continue to thrive under the visionary leadership in place, including the exciting and well-deserved appointment of Cara as Freeman’s new General Counsel and CLO.”

Milligan brings extensive legal experience across experiential, creative, entertainment, and content production services, providing strategic counsel to clients on matters ranging from complex contracts, employment law, data privacy, intellectual property, and generative AI. Since joining Freeman in July 2024, she has been instrumental in advancing Freeman’s corporate initiatives such as evolving Freeman’s approach to complex contracts and leading development of Freeman’s AI governance efforts, including strategy and compliance, while balancing innovation with risk management.  

Freeman’s growth and labor relation teams have also benefited from her expertise working with the company’s customers and partners in a dynamically changing environment.

Prior to joining Freeman, Milligan served as General Counsel of the Advertising and Commerce divisions of Omnicom. 

Dell continued, “In a short period of time, Cara has established herself as a trusted partner and earned the respect of not only Dawnn and the legal team but the whole Freeman Leadership team by making impactful contributions across our business. Carahas already gained an appreciation for the legal and strategic complexities across our portfolio, and I am confident that shewill help support Freeman’s future growth and continued success.”

Milligan added, “I am honored to be appointed General Counsel and CLO and appreciate the endorsements from Dawnn, Janet and the Board. I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Dawnn has established and continuing to benefit from her guidance. I know big things are ahead for Freeman and couldn’t be more excited to part of this incredible journey.”

Contact:

media@freeman.com    

About Freeman:

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

The post Freeman Announces Retirement of Chief Legal Officer Dawnn Repp; Cara Milligan Promoted to General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer appeared first on Freeman.

Among several key findings, the research found that 91% of Gen Z professionals consider in-person events as one of the best ways to build social and interpersonal skills and there’s also growing awareness as to technology’s negative impact in this area. In fact, 69% reported that the rise of technology has made them feel less connected and more isolated from others in their company and industry.

“This report shatters the myth that Gen Z prefers digital-only interactions,” said Janet Dell, CEO of Freeman. “The evidence points to a significant shift in how organizers and companies should approach engaging with Gen Z. The primary insight is clear – Gen Z views in-person events as the optimal setting to build strong business relationships, advance their careers and ultimately build confidence. By designing experiences that foster meaningful connections and support career development, we can help Gen Z thrive while shaping a stronger, more collaborative future for the events industry.”

Key findings from the study include:

• 89% of Gen Z professionals agree that relationships made at in-person events are critical to building professional confidence
• 86% want their companies to allocate more spending to live events to help build stronger business relationships
• Gen Z reports having fewer strong business relationships (16 on average) compared to Millennials (21) and Gen X (40), indicating a strong need for in-person networking opportunities

The full report, titled “Gen Z Report: The Value of Live Events in a Digital World,” marks the first in a series of three research releases from Freeman.

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Media Contact:
media@freeman.com

About Freeman:
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 98-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://www.freeman.com/.

The post New Research Reveals Gen Z Digital Natives Crave In-Person Events for Building Connections and Advancing Their Careers appeared first on Freeman.