Trade Show Talk Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In the 69th episode of the Trade Show Talk podcast, host Danica Tormohlen interviewed Kinsey Fabrizio, president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and producer of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES). They discuss what's new for CES 2026, which is expected to welcome more than 140,000 attendees from 150+ countries to Las Vegas in January. 

 

The 2026 tech extravaganza will debut the CES Foundry focused on AI and quantum technologies, a show sector that will be held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Fabrizio shared insights from her recent trip to the UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong and outlined how CTA is leveraging AI to enhance attendee experiences through the event's mobile app.  

 

Additionally, there's an advocacy update from Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance EVP Tommy Goodwin on the latest government and tariff developments affecting the trade show industry. 

 

This episode is brought to my Trade Show News Network and is sponsored by Marriott.   

Chapters 

 00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 

01:26 Meet Kinsey Fabrizio: Background and Achievements 

02:47 Insights from the UFI Global Congress 

05:06 Preview of CES 2026 

06:25 Exciting New Features at CES 2026 

08:18 The Role of Robotics and Health Tech at CES 

12:42 Kinsey's Fabrizio's Journey and Leadership at CTA 

22:54 Advocacy and AI in the Tech Industry 

30:14 Personal Interests and Hobbies 

31:10 Favorite Gadgets and Wishlist 

35:27 Travel Tips and Hacks 

39:06 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin 

39:33 Government Reopening and Tariff Discussions 

46:05 Visa Fee and Industry Impact 

50:17 Conclusion and Farewell 

 

Guest bio: Kinsey Fabrizio

Kinsey Fabrizio is president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, which represents more than 1,200 consumer technology companies and owns and produces CES® - the most influential tech event in the world. In this role, Fabrizio serves on CTA's Executive board and directs strategy and operations across all business units. 

Since joining CTA in 2008, Fabrizio has driven transformation at both CTA and CES. As senior vice president, she oversaw CES conferences and show operations, led an expansion of CES products, and spearheaded a modernization of CTA's membership infrastructure and categories. 

Earlier in her career, she drove strategic growth in emerging tech categories. A pioneer in the digital health space, Fabrizio created CTA's Health Division, launched a healthcare provider program for doctors at CES 2015, and debuted CES's first Continuing Medical Education (CME)-accredited conference in 2019. She also spearheaded the Video Division Board's 4K and 8K TV initiatives, founded the Content and Entertainment Council, and launched CTA's Disruptive Innovation Council in 2016 to engage companies with breakthrough technologies and services. 

Fabrizio's leadership earned her recognition as one of Washingtonian's Most Powerful Women in 2025 and a Washingtonian Tech Titan in 2024 and 2025. She also received the 2023 Women in CT Legacy Award for her contributions to the consumer technology industry. 

Fabrizio is a member of the George Mason University Costello College of Business Dean's Advisory Council and the Washington Economic Club. She holds a BA from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and two children. 

Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin

Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.

Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute.

Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including:

CEO Update/Association Trends: Leading Association Lobbyist (2023) American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE Fellow (2022) DCA Live: Association Innovation Leader (2022) Trade Show news Network: Industry Support Award (2022) MeetingsNet: Changemaker (2022)

Host bio: Danica Tormohlen

An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries.

Tormohlen currently serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few.

Keywords: CES, Kinsey Fabrizio, Consumer Technology Association, AI, trade shows, event industry, technology trends, advocacy, digital health, robotics 

"At RX, we celebrate failure, which is kind of a strange thing to say," said RX CEO Hugh Jones on the November 2025 edition of Trade Show Talk. 

Why?  

"Failure is actually a part of the executive process and making great choices," he said In this episode, Host Danica Tormohlen delves into this topic and more with Jones, who shares the company's recent growth and strategic bets in the trade show industry.  

Jones discusses a broad range of topics, including RX's expansion into Saudi Arabia, digital product development, and the importance of celebrating failures to drive innovation and leadership.  

For context: RX, a division of public company RELX and ranked No. 2 on the Stax Top 20 Exhibition Organizers List (by revenues), produced 282 face-to-face events in 25 countries in 2024, and these events served 41 industry sectors and attracted more than 6 million participants, according to its 2024 Annual Report. Some of RX's flagship events include New York ComicCon, JCK, ISC West, and FIBO Global Fitness. In its most recent earnings report in August, RX saw 8% growth year over year for the first half of 2025. 

The episode also features interviews with Legends Global GM Rodney Falk on the Cincinnati convention center's reopening in January 2026 and Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance Executive VP Tommy Goodwin on the U.S. government shutdown's impact on the industry. 

00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 

00:34 Meet Hugh Jones, CEO of RX 

01:22 Sponsorship Message from Legends Global 

02:08 Hugh Jones' Background and Philosophy 

04:17 Interview with Hugh Jones Begins 

04:24 The Importance of Taking Risks 

07:16 RX's Expansion and Acquisitions 

08:36 Digital Transformation at RX 

11:39 Innovative Approaches in Trade Shows 

15:16 Navigating the Pandemic and Strategic Changes 

20:25 Value-Based Selling and Customer Focus 

29:08 Advocacy, Sustainability, and Talent in the Trade Show Industry 

37:40 The Importance of Standardization in Events 

40:30 Digital Innovation and Future Trends 

44:42 Real-Time Matchmaking and Industry Trends 

46:08 AI in Trade Shows: Strategy and Implementation 

49:41 Personal Insights: Monday Morning Routine 

52:24 Upcoming Events and Travel Plans 

54:35 Hobbies and Family Life 

55:55 Worst Business Advice Ever Received 

58:25 Cincinnati Convention Center Update 

01:14:27 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin 

01:22:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes 

 

This episode is brought to you by Legends Global.  

Legends Global is the premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands. Legends Global delivers a fully integrated suite of premium services—from feasibility and consulting to venue management, sales, merchandise, hospitality, partnerships, content and booking. The company's white-label approach keeps partners front and center while leveraging the power of their global network with more than 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. Learn more at LegendsGlobal.com.  

 

Guest bio: Hugh Jones  

Chief Executive Officer  

Every executive has to place bets in order for the value propositions to remain relevant to the customers, but not every bet has to work. Hugh believes that executives learn by both our successes and our failures. That philosophy has served Hugh well over the years since joining RELX in 2011, following the purchase of Accuity where he was Chief Executive Officer. In addition to leading Accuity to become one of the world's largest and most significant companies in the payment routing and Anti Money Laundering sectors, Hugh has also led Fircosoft, NRS, I.C.I.S, Estates Gazette (EG) and Cirium; and before joining RX he was Global Managing Director within the Risk and Business Analytics Division.  

Hugh's philosophy has seen him lead large scale acquisitions and subsequent integrations of many companies that now reside and prosper within the RELX portfolio. Hugh joined RX as CEO at the start of 2020, bringing with him plenty of experience in public company protocol and all facets of business management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales execution, technology innovation and product discovery, launch and growth.  

Hugh's experience has been invaluable in navigating RX's response to challenges and his strategic understanding of technological innovation has accelerated the use of digital and data products and services across RX events, as an ongoing core component of RX face to face events. Passionate about building a culture of collaboration, exploring, risk taking, accountability and courage, Hugh champions the creation of a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all. 

versed in public company protocol and all facets of firm management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales, technology and product innovation, discovery, launch and growth.  
 
A mélange of exceptional investment and overall management qualifications, combined with superior analytical leadership. Accustomed to and effective in high-profile executive roles, making high-stakes investment decisions with world-class clients and customers. Versed in leading investor forums at a publicly traded firm, commercializing data streams, contributing forward-thinking vision and overcoming complex business obstacles.  
 
More than two decades of experience building corporate value by creating rich data streams that provide new solutions to difficult corporate challenges. Successful at developing and coaching top executive teams, leading sales efforts, and negotiating complicated corporate and functional business deals with financial institutions, corporations and governmental agencies. 
 
• Member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) since 2009 
• Served on numerous Boards for the benefit of Private Equity firms 
• Winner of the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Financial Services for the Midwest Region 
• Holds a BA in economics from Yale University cum laude and an MBA from the University of Michigan 

Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. 

  

Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading social impact, member value, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate. 

  

Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King's College London. He also holds several certifications including a Project Management Professional from PMI, a Certified Meeting Planner from the Events Industry Council, and a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). 

  

Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy was also named a "Leading Association Lobbyist" by CEO Update/Association TRENDS in 2023. He has also been elected as a Fellow by ASAE (2022), named an "Association Innovation Leader" by DCA Live (2022), received the "Industry Support Award" from Trade Show News Network (2022), and recognized as an events industry "Changemaker" by MeetingsNet (2022). 

  

Tommy currently serves on the advisory boards of Factum Global and The Iceberg. He is also a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE's Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council and Advocacy Council. 

 

Host bio: Danica Tormohlen 

 

Meet Danica Tormohlen, a dynamic force in the trade world who's been telling compelling stories for more than 30 years. As VP of Group Content at Informa, she's the mastermind behind Trade Show News Network, bringing the pulse of the industry to life. When she's not crafting engaging content, you'll find her behind the microphone hosting the Trade Show Talk podcast, where she chats with industry movers and shakers. 

 

A proud Mizzou Journalism School grad (go Tigers!), Danica has left her mark across the events industry landscape, from SISO to Trade Show Executive. Her trophy shelf sparkles with journalism awards, but what really gets her excited is breaking new ground for women in the industry. As a founding member and current president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America, she's passionate about lifting others up while climbing the ladder herself. 

 

When she's not reporting on trade shows and events, you'll spot Danica pounding the pavement as an enthusiastic runner or rolling up her sleeves with the National Charity League, proving that giving back is always in style. Her secret sauce? A perfect blend of journalistic integrity, industry insight, and boundless energy.  

 

Catch Danica's latest thoughts on LinkedIn and X, where she's always sharing industry insights with a personal twist. 

 

Emerald's Strategic Acquisitions in the Luxury Travel and InsureTech Sectors   In this episode, Herve Sedky, President and CEO of Emerald, discusses the company's recent acquisition of This is Beyond, which adds several B2B luxury travel events to Emerald's portfolio. The acquisition bolsters Emerald's presence in the luxury market, which is known for its resilience to economic fluctuations.   This strategic move also solidifies Emerald's international footprint, particularly in the UK. Additionally, Herve sheds light on another recent acquisition — InsurTech Insights, which focuses on the insurance and technology sectors, further expanding Emerald's international reach and growth in technology-focused events.   00:00 Introduction and Announcement Overview 00:35 Details of the Acquisition 01:17 Strategic Importance of Luxury Market 02:08 Acquisition Process and Competitive Bidding 03:39 Emerald's International Expansion Strategy 06:46 InsureTech Insights Acquisition 09:50 Conclusion and Future Outlook  

In this special episode of the Trade Show Talk podcast, host Danica Tormohlen celebrates the achievements of the 2024 King's Glove Award recipient, Bruno Giaccio, CEO of Metro Multimedia.  

 

Recorded at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Awards Luncheon at the Javits Center in New York, the episode features interviews with several industry leaders including Alan Steel, CEO of the Javits Center; Abby Nero, Regional VP for Map Your Show; Mike Fiorentino, President of Rev Up; Tom Malek, EVP of Client Experience for T3 Expo; and Kelly Curtin, EVP, New York City Tourism + Conventions.  

 

The podcast also highlights the activities and impact of the New York IAEE chapter, emphasizing professional development, networking, and the importance of getting involved. Additionally, the episode includes a segment with Tommy Goodwin, VP of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, discussing the implications of the recent election results on the trade show industry. 

 

00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk Podcast 

01:01 Upcoming Events and Sponsor Acknowledgements 

01:36 Special Episode from IAEE Awards Luncheon 

03:38 Interview with Bruno Giacchio 

04:32 Bruno's Reflections and Industry Insights 

06:48 Legacy and Mentorship in the Trade Show Industry 

12:51 Innovations and Future of AV in Events 

27:05 Empowering Women in the Industry 

27:50 Reflecting on the Pandemic and Industry Challenges 

29:52 Honoring Industry Leaders and Achievements 

31:02 Sustainability and Innovation at Javits Center 

35:58 Navigating the Pandemic and Future Strategies 

40:26 Leadership and Legacy at Javits Center 

46:34 Insights from the Trade Show Industry 

01:01:24 Community Building and Networking 

01:02:41 Advice for Young Professionals 

01:04:06 Path to the Board 

01:06:11 Volunteering with Girls on the Run 

01:08:42 Interview with Mike Florentino 

01:18:20 Interview with Kelly Curtin 

01:32:42 Public Policy Issues with Tommy Goodwin 

01:39:26 Conclusion and Farewell 

Trade Show Talk Podcast Host Danica Tormohlen interviews Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, at the IMEX America 2024 event in Las Vegas. They cover Bauer's career journey from her first IMEX Frankfurt show in 2003 to overcoming challenges like digital transformation and sustainability. They discuss empowering teams to stay ahead of trends by attending various events, experimenting with new technologies, and enhancing customer experiences with innovations like Blue Dot technology for Google Maps-style navigation on the show floor. Strategic conversations around attendee engagement were highlighted, noting the increase in pre-scheduled meetings and attendance despite impacts from Hurricane Milton. Plans for future events at Mandalay Bay through 2027 are confirmed, and Bauer's upcoming engagements include attending a Brand USA event in London and preparing for next year's goals. 

Plus, we are introducing a new segment to Trade Show Talk where we discuss the latest public policy issues impacting our industry with Tommy Goodwin, VP of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. Our goal to inform event professionals about ECA's work on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and in state houses and city halls nationwide, to advocate for public policies that will allow the exhibitions and conferences industry—which employs 2.6 million Americans and drives $399 billion in spending annually—to continue to serve as growth engines for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and communities nationwide. In this episode, we talk all about the November 5th election in the U.S. Goodwin shared insight on the recent launch of ECA Votes, a one-stop resource for everything the business events industry needs to know about the November 2024 election.

Our guest: Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group 

Bauer is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow. She also takes a keen interest in leadership development, and organizational best practice and culture.  

Throughout her career, Bauer has been an active member of the meetings industry. She's past chair of the AEO Council (2021-2023) and the EIA (2021-2022), as well as past president of the SITE Foundation (2020). She previously served on the Board of the MPI UK Chapter and on global committees for MPI and PCMA.  

Bauer is the proud recipient of a number of industry awards including the SITE Richard Ross Past Presidents' Award (2022), PCMA Wayfinder Award (2021) and ICCA Inspirational Women Awards (2018). In 2023, she was inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders. Earlier this year, she received AEO's Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award. 

Appointed CEO of IMEX Group in 2009 following the expansion of IMEX into America, Bauer has been part of the IMEX team since the very beginning, joining in 2002 as marketing and operations director with the original launch team.  

She enjoys spending time with her family (she's a mother to two boys) and traveling for work and pleasure. She is an adventure sports enthusiast with a particular love for climbing and skiing. In her spare time, Bauer works with a variety of local charities and is chair of the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation—using the power of football to help people get active, learn and stay well throughout Sussex.  

Connect with her on LinkedIn here or email at carina.bauer@imexevents.com

Our guest: Tommy Goodwin, VP of Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) 

Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin is the Vice President of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an umbrella association of leading professional, industry, and labor organizations that represent the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's efforts on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the business events sector. 

Prior to joining ECA, he spent more than 20 years leading a wide range of government relations and public affairs efforts for several globally recognized organizations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). He was also a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses operate. 

Recognized by The Hill as one of Washington, DC's "Top Lobbyists" each year since 2020, he was also named a Leading Association Lobbyist by CEO Update in 2023, an Association Innovation Leader by DCA Live in 2022, and and one of the Top 21 in 2021 advocacy leaders by The Advocacy Association. Within the business events industry, he received the 2022 Industry Support award from TSNN and was named a 2022 Changemaker by MeetingsNet. 

He has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King's College London. He also holds a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he is an ASAE Fellow, a Project Management Professional certification from PMI, and a Certified Meeting Professional certification from the Events Industry Council. 

He is a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE's Advocacy Council. 

Connect with him on LinkedIn here.

Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen 

An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, MeetingsNet, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries. 

Tormohlen currently serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few. 

In this episode of Trade Show Talk, host Danica welcomed Chris Griffin, President and CEO of CREW XP, a company that has been providing trade show labor and event services since 1994. He shared his career journey—starting from his first job at Putnam Investments in college to becoming a sales executive at Skyline in Dallas and eventually a business owner. He talked about his company's specialization in turnkey exhibit solutions for other exhibit houses and experiential agencies, highlighting their operations in Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas. Discussion topics included the industry's response to the pandemic, challenges with labor and cost, visa delays affecting international participation, and the importance of choosing the right business focus. Finally, he offered advice for first-time entrepreneurs, based on his 20+ years of experience as a business owner.  

Join Griffin at the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic on Sept. 26 at Chateau Elan in Braselton, GA. The golf tournament is a fundraiser to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. Since its inception in 1995, the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classics have provided more than $2 million in assistance to more than 170 trade show families. Donate here or apply for assistance here. 

Our guest: Chris Griffin, President and CEO, CREW XP 

Chris Griffin is the President and CEO of CREW XP, a provider of turnkey exhibit solutions and logistical support. With more than 25 years in the trade show and experiential marketing industry, Griffin is a distinguished leader and advocate. He has authored numerous online and instructor-led courses, training thousands of industry professionals. He has served for a decade on the board of the Exhibitor Appointed Contractors Association (EACA), including two years as President, and currently holds positions on the Board of Directors for the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) and as Secretary/Treasurer of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA). 

A respected industry advocate on Capitol Hill, Griffin is also an active trainer and lecturer, teaching trade show courses at the University of Central Florida and advising the Orange County Convention Center's Intern Training Program. Under his leadership, CREW XP continues to excel in providing innovative solutions across major event cities in the U.S., with fabrication facilities in Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla. 

Griffin is also the host the Experience Builders Podcast, featuring interviews on business fundamentals that help experiential agencies and exhibitors. 

Connect with him on LinkedIn here. 

Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen 

An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, MeetingsNet, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries. 

Tormohlen currently serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few. 

Thanks to our sponsor

Connect Marketplace: Where Events Business Get Done. Connect Marketplace is hosting five regional events this fall and winter in Seattle, Los Angeles, Greenville, SC, Frisco, TX and Washington DC. Don't miss your opportunity to join passionate event experts for unparalleled networking, one-on-one business meetings, and inspiring education sessions. Find out more at Connectmeetings.com 

Gaby Appleton joined Trade Show Talk to share her experience as Chief Digital Product Officer at RX, a public company that produces more than 400 events in 22 countries. In this newly created position that she's now held for three years, Appleton and her team have been building and commercializing digital products that enhance the value of RX events, by connecting buyers and sellers across 43 different industry sectors. With more than 20 years of experience in product development, sales and marketing, digital transformation and strategy, she told us she loves tackling complex problems. In fact during the pandemic, she led the UK's National Health Service (NHS) Covid-19 contact tracing app, which was the second-most downloaded free app in the UK in 2020 with 30 million users. 

At RX, she has overseen the rollout of the company's own registration system Mercury, the mobile badge-scanning app Emperia and an Exhibitor Dashboard to analyze their results and improve their performance. Most recently, RX introduced Colleqt QR, where visitors can capture information about RX exhibitors, sponsors, and their products by scanning Colleqt QR codes at exhibitor booths and at product feature zones with their mobile phones. We talked about the company's digital strategy and execution. She shared insight on how and when RX determines whether to build proprietary systems vs. buy services from vendors. Find out the scoop on what's working to increase adoption and engagement of RX's digital products. 

 

Our guest: Gaby Appleton, Chief Digital Product Officer for RX 

Appleton is a customer-focused digital leader, with board- and C-level experience with more than 20 years of experience in product development, sales and marketing, digital transformation and strategy, gained at RELX, Procter & Gamble, the NHS and McKinsey. She also serves as a non-executive director at LSL plc, one of the UK's largest providers of services to mortgage brokers, estate agents and lenders. 

She helps organizations find data-driven ways to serve customers better, and to grow revenues as a result. She loves tackling complex problems, working in networked and global environments, and building empowered teams with high levels of trust and collaboration. She holds a BA from Cambridge University in Natural Sciences, and in her spare time she plays touch rugby and tries to improve her DJ skills.

 

Our sponsor: Connect Marketplace

Connect Marketplace: Where Events Business Get Done. Connect Marketplace is headed to Milwaukee from August 27 to 29. Don't miss your opportunity to join thousands of passionate event experts from around the globe for unparalleled networking, one-on-one business meetings, innovative education sessions, and a dynamic tradeshow overflowing with the latest event solutions. Find out more at    Connectmeetings.com

 

Bob Priest-Heck joined Trade Show Talk to share his experience as CEO of Freeman, a privately owned global events company that employs more than 4,500. As he prepares to step down from his role on June 28 after 15 years at Freeman and six years at the helm, Priest-Heck reflected on the risks and rewards of his career that spans more than 35 years in the events industry. We talked about the early days when he was on the show management side and had a front-row seat to launching and producing massive tech events during the Internet boom. Under his leadership at Freeman, the company was recognized by Forbes as #4 in the Best Employers for Women and also as a Best Large Employer, and Chief Marketer named Sparks, a Freeman Company, to its Top Marketing Agencies of 2022. He shared insight on succession planning, design thinking and the transformation of live events post-pandemic. Find out the scoop on what's next for his gap year. 

 

Our guest: Bob Priest-Heck, CEO & Board Member, Freeman

 

Priest-Heck is known as a visionary leader of people and events. His extensive experience across industries, technologies, and geographies brings a forward-thinking view to people development, business strategy, and the industry at large.

 

Under his leadership, Forbes recognized Freeman as #4 in the Best Employers for Women and also as a Best Large Employer, AdAge listed Freeman as the world's largest global event marketing company in their World's 50 Largest Agency Companies list, and Chief Marketer named Freeman to its Top Marketing Agencies of 2022.

 

An advocate of design thinking, Priest-Heck inspires by demonstrating innovation, made possible in a diverse and risk-tolerant environment. He encourages and motivates employees to integrate and optimize new technologies, championing Freeman's vision to transform the world of live engagements.

 

Priest-Heck has always worked at the forefront of innovation in the events industry.  In the emergence of digital technology, he managed and created specialized trade events for early internet developers. He was a contributor when the first user-friendly web browser, Mosaic, was relaunched as Netscape Navigator. He moved to Japan to unveil the first major tech event produced outside of the U.S., NetWorld+Interop, and built a market for disruptive technology events. He helped host the first JavaOne conference for developers while working with Sun Microsystems, acted as an executive coach to Google leadership, consulted UBM (now Informa) on key acquisitions, and helped Dwell magazine expand its media platform into the new world of brand experiences.

 

Priest-Heck continues in the spirit of transformation and is respected for his progressive efforts in technology, advocacy, sustainability, and safety. He is optimistic about the future of the events industry and its evolution as the world's markets change. At the forefront of the pandemic, Bob brought together over 80 industry leaders to form Go LIVE Together, facilitating legislative action to support the industry. This effort lives on as the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), for which Bob serves as a board member. He also collaborated with John Cordier, CEO of Epistemix, on the creation of EnVision, a conference that brings together top health officials, scientific experts, and industry executives.

 

Most recently, Priest-Heck was part of the CEO advisory group that launched the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26. Additionally, he has been honored among BizBash's 2021 Most Influential Event Management & Consulting Professionals, received the 2021 Catalyst Award from Smart Meetings as an agent of change in the meetings industry, and was named by Meetings Today as one of the top twenty 2020 Meetings Trendsetters, recognizing those who stepped up when the industry needed them most.

 

Through Priest-Heck's leadership, Freeman continues to transform live events, working as a team to reshape experiences — virtual, in-person, or integrated — that unite people for the moments that matter, no matter the format or timeframe.

 

Related: FREEMAN NAMES JANET DELL AS CEO WHEN BOB PRIEST-HECK RETIRES IN JULY

 

Elli Riley joined Trade Show Talk to share her experience as the VP, HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition, for Informa Markets. Riley joined the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in December 2002 and has more than 28 years of experience in the meetings industry. Last summer, the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition was acquired by public company Informa, and Riley joined the Informa team in September 2023. Today Riley is the business lead for the HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition and oversees the marketing, sales, content and operations teams. In March, the 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition attracted 26,800 healthcare technology professionals and 971 exhibitors across 440,066 square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. We talked about moving from the association to the independent organizer side. She shared insight on what was new at this year's trade show — the first to be produced under Informa's ownership.

Our guest

Elli joined the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in December 2002 and has more than 28 years of experience in the meetings industry.   

While at HIMSS, Elli successfully managed the growth of the annual conference exhibition, which doubled in size and number of exhibitors and sponsorships during her tenure at association. She was also part of the core team that launched two of the HIMSS international conferences in Europe and Asia.

Last summer, the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition was acquired by Informa, and Elli joined the Informa team in September of last year. After making the move from the association to the independent organizer side, today Elli is the business lead for the HIMSS Global Conference and oversees the marketing, sales, content and operations teams.  

In March, the 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition attracted 26,800 healthcare technology professionals and 971 exhibitors across 440,066 sq. ft. at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Elli has a B.S. from Ball State University where she majored in Communications with a minor in Public Relations and is currently seeking her masters degree. She grew up in northeast Indiana and now resides outside Nashville, TN with her husband, two children and two pups. 

Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen

An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Content for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News and Exhibit News Now. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event and exhibition industries.

Tormohlen currently serves on the executive committee for the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few.

Thank you to our sponsor! 

What if you could prove your event is working with hard facts and learn how to make it even better? With Zenus's Ethical Vision AI, you can protect your budget and have detailed reporting. Learn how that's all possible at Zenus.AI 

 

Lindsay Arell joined Trade Show Talk to share her experience as the CEO of Honeycomb Strategies, a consulting firm she launched in 2009 to provide innovative sustainable operational strategies for the hospitality, sports and events industry. Today some of her clients include: SoFi Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Informa, Emerald, Freeman and VISIT DENVER. In April 2024, she was also appointed chief sustainability officer of ASM Global, a venue management company that operates more than 350 convention centers, arenas, stadiums and theaters around the globe. We talked about her ambitious plans to execute a portfolio-wide framework for reaching sustainability goals like diverting more than 50% of waste overall and eliminating front-of-house single-use plastic by 2025. She shared insight on sustainability trends and challenges right now and what's meaningful when it comes to event and venue certification. Find out why she thinks sustainability has (finally) shifted from obligation to opportunity in 2024.

Our guest

Lindsay Arell has been pioneering sustainability efforts for the live event industry for two decades for professional sports teams, venues and events of all kinds. She began her career in the industry in 2003 as event manager at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

She also worked at Freeman before returning to the Colorado Convention Center as the country' s first Sustainability Manager for a convention center. Her first big event was the Democratic National Convention, in which the Denver mayor had the goal for the most "sustainable convention in history."  

After that success, she launched Honeycomb Strategies in  2009. Honeycomb Strategies is a consulting firm devoted to innovative and sustainable operation strategies for the hospitality, sports, and events industry. Going beyond the environment, the company approaches sustainability as an opportunity to engage and create community. Rather than a checklist, they work with partners to understand their goals, priorities, and impacts of today and for the future.

Today some of her clients include: SoFi Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Informa, Emerald, Freeman, and VISIT DENVER.

In 2022, Arell was tapped to led the development of the ASM Global Acts Sustainability Plan, an ambitious, portfolio-wide framework for reaching sustainability goals for the world's largest venue manager. In 2023, ASM rolled out its plan to convert its portfolio into the most sustainable venues on Earth. In April 2024, she  was appointed chief sustainability officer (CSO) for ASM Global.

Arell is past Chair of the Event Industry Council Sustainability Committee. She is based in Crested Butte, Colo.

Her LinkedIn profile is available here.

Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen

An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Content for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News and Exhibit News Now. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event and exhibition industries.

Tormohlen currently serves on the executive committee for the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few.

Thank you to our sponsor! 

What if you could prove your event is working with hard facts and learn how to make it even better? With Zenus's Ethical Vision AI, you can protect your budget and have detailed reporting. Learn how that's all possible at Zenus.AI