Jumpstart 2025 Workshops
The only networking event exclusively for professional AV Event companies is also the only business training opportunity.
Registration is open NOW
for Columbus, Ohio, April 22-23
Jumpstart is All New for 2025
Visit three major event companies in our Shop Crawl Bus Tour
More experts to share deep experience and answer the big questions
More time to share ideas and network with your peers
Our Jumpstart and Shop Crawl Sponsors
Introducing THE SHOP CRAWL!
On Tuesday, April 22nd, Jumpstart will kick off with an all-day Shop Crawl. We have graciously been invited to visit three outstanding, national-level companies that just happen to be in Columbus.
Here's how it works: You will board one of three buses at the Junto Hotel, 77 Belle Street, Columbus, OH 43215 on Tuesday morning starting at 8:30 am. Each bus will visit all three companies in different orders.
Upon arrival, you will divide into two smaller groups for a building tour, then meet back together for a Q&A session with key management from the host company.
Ask them anything! What kinds of events do they do? How is their sales team organized? Who preps the orders? How do they manage show crew bookings? What rental management system do they use?
The middle stop will include lunch and an extra thirty minutes to chat.
Our Shop Crawl Hosts
We could not ask for a better group of companies to visit! While there is some competitive overlap by being in the same market area, each of these event production agencies specializes in different types of clientele. You will see some awesome warehouse setups, customer-friendly offices, and brand touches that help set these companies apart.
Bartha
Bartha is a 75-year old AV company that that provides full service creative, content, and technical production to a wide variety of associations, corporations, and institutions.
L!VE
Is an experiential engagement firm-specializing in events, video, and scenic experiences for corporations, entertainment, and touring.
Mills James Productions
For four decades, Mills James has helped some of the country’s most respected brands conceive and produce the events and videos.
Where? When?
Tuesday, April 22, 8:30am
Board buses here for The Shop Crawl:
The Junto Hotel
77 Belle Street, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, April 23, 7:30am
Meet us for Breakfast at:
Strongwater Event Venue
401 W Town Street, Columbus, OH
See Agenda Below
The Jumpstart Experience....
Columbus, April 22-23 Agenda
Tuesday, April 22
9 am - Buses leave the Junto Hotel for the Shop Crawl
9:30am Stop #1
11:30am Stop #2
2:00pm Stop #3
3:30 Return to Junto Hotel
5pm Opening Reception
Wednesday, April 23
7:15am - Networking Breakfast at Strongwater Event Venue
8:30am Opening Keynote by Tom Stimson
9:15am Panel on Business Trends and Opportunities
9:45am Coffee Break - 30 minutes
10:15am Concurrent Roundtable Sessions 1 (see topics)
11:15am Concurrent Roundtable Sessions 2 (see topics)
12:00pm Networking Lunch
1:30pm Breakout A on Marketing and Selling to the Next Generation (w/Panel)
1:30pm Breakout B on Taking Operations and Planning to a Higher Standard (w/Panel)
2:45pm Coffee Break 15 minutes
3:00pm Concurrent Roundtable Sessions 3 (see topics)
4:00pm Concurrent Roundtable Sessions 4 (see topics)
5:00pm Big Ol' Q&A and The Final Word
5:30pm Networking Reception at Strongwater Event Venue
7:00pm Dinner on your own with your new friends
Hosts/Presenters
Stimson Group LLC
Tom Stimson
Jumpstart is about the business of the Live Events business. Tom Stimson wrote the book on management best practices for our industry, then he improved on it.
His forty years of experience has helped hundreds of event production companies work smarter, grow faster, and make more money by applying the intricacies of Intentional Scalability.
Tom is the author of Balance: How to build a scalable business with less stress and more profit and Demand: How to Build a Smarter Sales Funnel So You Can Turn Down Better Business
Improving Sales Performance
Karl Becker
Karl Becker has thirty years of experience as a business owner, leader, salesperson, consultant, and coach. He has worked with event companies for over 10 years to improve their sales and marketing organizations and drive revenue.
Karl coaches event production sales teams and individual contributors out of the "order-taking" mindset that undermines value propositions and hurts margins.
Karl is the author of Iceberg Selling and Set up to Win: Three Frameworks to a High-Performing Sales Organization
Roundtable Sessions
Jumpstart is the place to share and absorb great ideas, hear about innovative tools, and discuss insights other event professionals. Take home fresh ideas you can apply immediately.
Each roundtable session will be moderated by at least one expert. We have eight topics and only four time slots. Choose wisely! Bring your team.
Roundtable Session 1 - Concurrent
Room A - Marketing
How do you attract and find RFP opportunities with ideal prospects? What is the current generation responding to?
Room B - Planning
The Ultimate Show Book - How much information is too much? How much do you share, and how do you share it?
Roundtable Session 2 - Concurrent
Room A - Ops / Warehouse
Freelance-friendly equipment packaging and show prep. What does a good prep look like?
Room B - Software Tools
CRM, Rental Management, Proposals, Estimating, Project Management, Contracts - What do use? What works for you?
Roundtable Session 3 - Concurrent
Room A - Finance/Mgmt
CEO Dashboards, Commissions and Incentives, KPIs, Payroll, Policies - What do you use? Why?
Room B - Proposals
How are you moving away from rental-based proposals? What proposal templates work best and when ?
Roundtable Session 4 - Concurrent
Room A - Production
The Client-Friendly showsite. What are you doing to elevate your client/presenter experience. Backstage layout best practices.
Room B - Talent
What are your best practices for recruiting and managing freelance talent? What determines the best freelancers for the money?
Fees and Details
The best available price is shown at checkout. There is a 10% discount for registering more than one person at a time.
Early Bird Special until March 30th - $1,700
Regular Conference Price until we sell all seats - $2,000
Sponsorship Opportunities
90% of Tom Stimson's content is free to everyone, but workshops come with overhead. We have limited opportunities for B2B Services partners to help host this event. Show the industry how much you care about their business.
Inquire Here
Next Jumpstart is November 18, 19, 2025 in Dallas, TX
Shop Crawl, Networking, Panel Experts, Peer-Peer Fun
Get ready for 2026, share what you learned in 2025, learn the latest trends in Scalabilty, Market Forces, and the Talent Race. Mark your calendars now!
FAQ's
Q: If something comes up, and I can’t attend, can I get a refund?
A: Single ticket refunds are available until March 30th Or, you can transfer your ticket at no additional cost to our next Jumpstart event.
Q: I have dietary restrictions. What are the food options?
A: We like to serve hot meals with a variety of choices. There are always vegetarian and gluten-free options, but if you have other needs, please let us know.
Q: Who should attend? Is this just for Owners or Executives?
A: This event is designed to help your Management Team make better long-range decisions. We expect your team to be as well-informed as you are if they are to contribute to your success.
Q: I haven’t decided who can attend; can I still make my purchase?
A: Yes. During registration, you’ll be asked for attendee names and emails. Simply enter your name (or a placeholder name) and complete the registration. You can email us updates later.
Q: Will my competitor be there?
A: We certainly hope so. The fact that you are too isn’t going to keep them away. Jumpstart workshops are highly collaborative events. Get outside your bubble and get to know the people who are influencing your business. 75% of attendees report doing business with someone they met at a Jumpstart event.
Q: What’s the dress code?
A: Jumpstart is business-casual. Some companies prefer their employees to dress up, but we won’t tell.