Giggs Podcast
The Giggs Podcast, hosted by Nikki Sanz, Founder & CEO of Giggs, the professional career platform for the live event industry, dives into the world of touring and live events to share the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unbelievable moments of gigging life, along with invaluable lessons learned on the road.
We’re here to fill the gap in content about what it truly takes to work on the road. Our episodes explore every discipline within the live event industry, showcasing big wins, hard-learned lessons, and everything in between. We honor the pioneers of this industry, offering invaluable insights from the older generations who shaped modern touring.
Whether you’re an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just passionate about the live event scene, this podcast is for you. Join us as we take you behind the scenes to explore the highs and lows of gigging life.
Giggs Podcast
#52 Suzi Meyer | Pay vs. Respect: What Crews Actually Want
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Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Suzi Meyer, Chief of Staff, in a candid conversation about workforce development, burnout, leadership, and the future of live events.
If you care about crew culture, retention, or building a sustainable career in this industry, this one hits home. Suzi breaks down what COVID exposed, why respectful leadership is outperforming pay in recent polling, and how we can stop “accidentally” entering the industry and start building real pathways.
What you’ll learn:
- Why respectful leadership ranked above pay in industry polling
- The real reason burnout is rising on bigger tours
- What employers say is missing in new hires (hint: it’s not technical skill)
- How gatekeeping hurts long-term industry growth
- Why structure doesn’t have to mean “corporate”
- What Workforce LIVE is doing to recruit and retain talent
Suzi Meyer Bio:
Versatility and creative problem solving have been the foundation of Suzi’s career. Over the past nine years at Rick Lititz, Suzi worked with the team to grow and expand the business, manage building operations and provide insight and care to those she leads. As Chief of Staff, she is able to focus on expansion into new geographic areas focusing on workforce development, leadership + inclusion, mental health and sustainability. Suzi also works with an incredible group of industry professionals through the non-profit Workforce LIVE, an organization focused in attracting and retaining talent in the live event industry.
Suzi started her professional career working on college campuses creating community and leadership programming for college students in her role as Director of Residence Life + International Student Advisor. Suzi started her career in the live event industry in 2008, where she served as the Accounting and HR Director before finding her home at Rock Lititz in 2016.
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Host: Nikki Sanz