![Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]](https://www.polyinnovator.space/content/images/2025/03/polyinnovator-logo-2024.png){kind=logo}
While I go over a lot of the same information in the video as I do the post, the advice won't be exactly the same. I encourage you to watch and read both.
Knowing they exist for one thing is super important! My first conference I ever knew about was SXSW - South By Southwest, which is a mixed type event. From tech to music, and it is based in Austin (a city I want to move to, which is why I found out about it). The next would be something like CES, which is the defacto tech conference in the US (I believe the biggest event in the country, and it used to be bigger even).
Even CES and NABshow, which you wouldn't think would be creator oriented, as they are more tech and/or production focused. However both have a "Creator Lab" area, which from my 3 years of experience at the NAB Creator Lab I think is well worth it for a lot of content creators.
Here is a quick list of ones I have come across, and I would like to update this database at some point actually.
Now it might be wise to focus on the more specifically creator lead events, such as Vidsummit (my favorite), and Podcast Movement (my first conference I went to).
I'm going to share how I have gone to events, then some suggestions on how you could go, and some tips to help you manage at the events smoothly!
Why should you go to events??
To be honest I almost forgot to put this section even here, as it didn't occur to me that someone might not even be considering going to events. To me the events always looked very exciting, and even introverts have had a blast (from what I've been told from my introverted friends). Mostly due to it being around a topic they find interesting, so the social drain is slower.
Not only do we as creators work alone most of the time, but there are very few places we can go to meet others like ourselves. People who understand what it takes to make content, to be putting ourselves out there, and to understand the burn out we can face.
Events are a way for us to come together, collaborate if you want, meet like-minded people, and to get new information or product launches (for tools we may use, i.e. Adobe/Blackmagic).
How have I gone to various events?
I'll just list them all out cause its only been about half a dozen trips so far. I started out actually due to a "contest". Back in the day, a few years ago at least, I was working with Riversidefm. They had tweeted out "if you reply to this post, then you'll be entered to win a ticket to Podcast Movement!", and since I was supporting their socials at the time. Liking and engaging with the posts.
I had been the only one to reply as it turns out, then I was the one who won the ticket! At that point it was only a couple weeks away, and I needed to figure out the lodging and travel accommodations. Around that time is when I became a partner with OpusClip, and they paid for my flight. I managed to scrounge up enough to pay for an airbnb.
Being it was my first event I went a little too hard at trying to do everything, and it really wore me down. I learned a lot from that, and to pace myself more. Which ended up being really important because the next event I went to was a lot bigger.
Going with OpusClip to NAB 2024, and they took care of the costs as I was helping them with the booth and recording content. Same with Grow with Video Live a week later too.
Going back to Podmove was my goal that year, and I stayed with a friend who was also going to the conference. Opus I think helped with my flight, as it being a podcasting event their tool would be really helpful for video podcasters to use. I don't mind promoting a tool I actively use a lot.
The next year I was on my own, and I managed to go stag to NAB 2025. In fact I also went again THIS YEAR (2026) I paid for my flights, and my airbnbs. What I had learned is that due to how busy it is; I had to get 2 airbnbs each year, in order to have enough nights covered. Also as it turns out in Vegas, anything right of the strip on the map is pretty crappy. Even had a pretty bad experience with an airbnb this year, and I actually got deathly ill from my first airbnb back at my first podmove event. So maybe it is just better to go with a hotel for the record.
I did find a decent airbnb across the street from the Vegas convention center this year, and it is so close that I might go back to it next year. Just get it far ahead of time I guess, as I don't think you can get any closer really.
Sadly, I wasn't able to go to Podmove last year, as my sponsor for the flight backed out last min. Although this should be lesson for us here, have more companies you work with (that you truly stand behind), and perhaps that will let you go to more events too.
Finally, the last event I have gone to is probably my favorite. That being Vidsummit 2025, and it was something I really wanted to go to for a while. I am more of a youtuber than a podcaster after all. I thought the event was amazing, and the trip was fully covered luckily too.
Tickets are usually simpler to get than you might think, but getting the lodging and travel taken care of is the harder part. I do really want to go back to Vidsummit this year, and podcast movement as well (last year I heard it sucked, but it got remade sorta this year).
What are the ways YOU can go to an event?
In the above section I talked about a few ways I went to events, either with sponsors or going stag. However what does that actually mean to you, and how do you go about doing that?
I think the best way to think about is that you're going to have to usually figure out your accommodations and travel. Although you can usually get a ticket through a few ways, and if you are big enough of a creator. Then you'll be able to get a speaking engagement, and they will often at least get you a ticket. Maybe even a hotel room.
Sponsors
This is probably the hardest and easiest to accomplish. As depending on what type of creator you are, your size, and your ability to work out deals with a partnerships team. That can make a difference on whether or not you get sponsored. Even if they just pay for one thing, that can be a huge help.
If there is a tool that you actively use, or a product you absolute love (related to content), then you can reach out to the company to work with them. Develop enough of a relationship with them, and then maybe you can ask if they would sponsor your trip in exchange for content and/or marketing their stuff at the event. It won't always work, but it is worth asking.
It especially helps if they themselves are going to be at the event too.
Get a Free Ticket
There are numerous ways to do this, and the last two years I have actually gotten a free ticket to NAB. Even though I didn't go to Podmove last year I did have a ticket, was able to listen to some of the panels via podcast recordings because of it, and I could have gone if the timing worked out better.
Wanna know how I got those tickets? I literally searched " 'event name' - free ticket", and there are usually some companies that have too many tickets than they know what to do with. Then you can get one from them.
Other alternatives are when there is a contest, like the one I mentioned with Riverside, or sometimes Vidsummit will give out a ticket to creators who may not be able to afford one.
However there are other ways to get a free ticket, and they are below.
Volunteer
Something I haven't done myself yet, but at each event I've been to I've talked to some people who they work for a day (or two depending on how long the event), and they get a free ticket to go to the event.
I'm not sure if accommodation gets included, I think for the most part no, but maybe for some events.
Speak
Now while it is easier as a bigger creator to prove yourself to be able to speak, even as a "smaller" creator you can do so as well. I was able to at NAB this year on a panel, which was great.
I applied to speak at Vidsummit, and I will when it opens for Podmove. Hopefully those go through.
When you are a speaker they almost always give you a free pass/ticket to go to the event. If you are a bigger name, or better yet a keynote speaker, then you'll be even put up in a hotel.
Some tips to make your trips easier!
One thing I learned very quickly when going on trips with family, is that caffeine isn't always readily available. Something I depend on every day, and probably to a fault. My solution is actually pretty simple: Caffeine packets. Particularly the Celsius packets, which you can get a box of 15 of them for like $13, and I just bring that with me.
Usually I will also make a trip to the store on the first day, ideally a grocery store, but even a bodega/corner shop can do the trick sometimes. Target/CVS/Walgreens when I go to Vegas. Then I get a pack of bottle waters, 6 minimum, ideally more if it isn't a 24/30 pack. Although sharing with friends is nice!
The reason being is that you can use them for the caffeine, maybe protein powder, and also you often shouldn't drink the water in a new place. As it can upset your stomach.
One thing I like to do that is unique is get the pre-made carnation instant breakfast shakes, or Aldi has meal replacement shakes, and so if I'm staying in a place that doesn't have something of a continental breakfast; Then this is a great way to get a quick brekky in, as I don't tend to eat breakfast home. However I know I need the calories/minerals when I am active at an event.
You also usually want to bring some sort of sling, or small backpack, when going around an event expo floor. I keep a couple portable batteries with me too, as I got locked out of my airbnb on my first trip, as my phone died, and there was no outlet anywhere nearby.
Bonus: Get a GaN charger for your phone/devices, they are way better, and they tend to be smaller too.
If you want to learn more, then check out my travel blog:
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
What events am I planning on this year?
Well if everything goes to plan I intend on going to NABshow (I went), Vidsummit, and Podcast Movement. All of which I have been to before, at least once, and I hope I can make it happen this year: income being enough.
Since for me a lot of this, at least this year, is out of pocket. Most of the expenses I have to figure out myself. Even if I have to sleep on a couch of a friend's hotel room, I am fine with that, or maybe I can find a way to split the lodging expenses.
Airbnb may be on the way out, given that one of them I had experienced a really gross stay. Another one I had gotten legionella/legionaries disease (my first one mind you), which you get if the HVAC or plumbing isn't properly maintained.
As much as I would like to go to other events, specifically something for writers. I do not think it is in the cards for me. I can't really even afford the events I plan on going to, but the ROI has been so great for me that I can't avoid it.
In the end it is pretty much up to you to figure out. This post/video will definitely help out a lot of newcomers.
However if you really want to start going, then you gotta find your way in. For me I got lucky with that raffle ticket to Podmove. It is what sparked me into going, and I managed to figure it out, and I am sure you will too!
