Why Bishop-McCann Links Employee Belonging to Client Innovation
Photo Credit: Bishop-McCann Bishop-McCann
Skift Take
Bishop-McCann is betting that employee belonging is more than an HR initiative — it’s a business strategy. By investing in retention and trust, the agency builds long-term client relationships with team members who understand the ins and outs of each client’s business, creating more collaborative and ambitious meetings and events powered by next-generation technology.
Rob Adams is CEO and partner of Bishop-McCann, bringing more than two decades of entrepreneurial expertise and proven leadership to the experience agency. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the company, with a focus on driving innovation and carving out a distinct point of view within the meetings, events, and incentives industry. Since joining Bishop-McCann in 2014, Adams has been a key force behind its success, guided by its relentless mission of creating joy.
Beyond his role at Bishop-McCann, Adams is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Meeting Professionals International. He previously served as the organization’s Finance Chair, Anti-Human Trafficking liaison, and a member of the Canadian Advisory Council. Most recently, he was recognized with MPI’s Industry Advocate Award at its Presidential Awards Gala, honoring his commitment to elevating the conversation around meetings and events.
What differentiates Bishop-McCann in today’s competitive meetings and events landscape?
We know that cultivating a sense of belonging internally is what helps us deliver the same kind of experience externally.With that in mind, we invest in ensuring our people feel valued, respected, and supported. The commitment has played a critical role in our Great Place to Work Certification. By creating an environment that prioritizes employee retention, our clients enjoy long-lasting relationships with our associates that feel like a natural extension of their teams. It fuels deep knowledge of each client’s business, drives efficiency, and allows for creative solutions and impact in a climate of change.
Clients also regularly mention the trust they have in BMC, which we don’t take lightly. Our experienced team genuinely cares for our clients, their business, their brand, and their event needs, and it shows in the work. Additionally, we receive accolades for our high standard of quality, professionalism, and flexibility, which has contributed to our ranking as one of the top experience agencies in North America.
For software company Autodesk, we delivered two immersive experiences for the brand’s top global partners and sales leaders, overseeing production, entertainment, and event technology, while managing complex logistics. Held in Montreal and Costa Rica for 140 and 800 attendees, respectively, Autodesk’s Platinum and Diamond Club incentive programs blended destination storytelling with curated recognition moments and seamless execution. Experiences ranged from a 360-degree circus to a beachside jungle gala featuring a legendary band — each designed to empower attendees with a tangible sense of their achievements.
For IHOP’s 65th anniversary Global Franchise Conference in Austin, we brought more than 850 attendees together to connect and re-energize the franchise community. Bringing the brand’s “Going the Extra Smile” mantra to life through creative strategy, production, and experiential design, the program introduced IHOP’s “Kitchen Stadium,” where chefs prepared and presented new menu items live, transforming education into entertainment. The brand experience drove high attendee engagement and increased sponsorship commitments, with company leadership calling it “the best GFC ever.”
How are you integrating sustainability, DEI, and/or technology into your programs in ways that go beyond baseline expectations?
On the technology side, we have moved beyond post-event reporting and analysis to giving clients real-time insight into how attendees feel through our proprietary JOY Index. The service captures emotional and biometric signals during an event to gauge attendee engagement. By blending AI and neuroscience, the JOY Index provides actionable insights to evolve content strategy based on precise engagement peaks.
Most recently, we pushed innovation further by creating a custom, branded AI agent trained entirely on a client’s event educational content and industry-specific language. By combining ease of use with cutting-edge technologies, the tool transforms event content into a trusted brand asset, delivering value well beyond the virtual event.
In addition to technology, we integrate sustainability and DEI practices into every program. We prioritize locally sourced materials and environmentally responsible production choices, while designing experiences that reflect diverse perspectives and personality dimensions. These efforts allow us to create unforgettable events that are also thoughtful, socially responsible, and inclusive.
This article is an enhanced sponsored profile of our M&I 15 feature. To learn more about Bishop McCann and the rest of the most powerful agencies in the industry, read the entire listing.
This content was created collaboratively by Bishop McCann and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.
