Industry veterans Chris Griffin and Khalil Benalioulhaj tackle the timely challenge of evaluating unexpected job offers during peak business season. With talent shortages driving aggressive recruiting and stress levels at their annual high, they break down how to make strategic career decisions rather than reactive ones, whether you're the employee considering a move or the employer competing for talent.

What You’ll Learn

• How to evaluate job offers strategically vs. reactively during busy seasons
• Why unclear expectations matter more than compensation in job satisfaction
• Essential questions to ask about remote work culture and support systems
• Red flags to watch for when "incredible talent" becomes available
• How to build hiring strategies that attract quality candidates without breaking company culture

Time Stamps

• 00:53 - Episode Intro
• 02:16 - Navigating Job Offers in a Busy Industry
• 05:03 - Evaluating Job Offers: Employee Perspective
• 06:36 - The Role of Compensation and Expectations
• 11:11 - Balancing Career and Personal Life
• 22:04 - Remote Work Opportunities
• 24:48 - Challenges of Remote Work
• 25:21 - Questions to Ask About Remote Work
• 25:45 - Importance of Communication Tools
• 26:49 - Defining Company Culture
• 28:31 - Onboarding and Employee Expectations
• 30:33 - Hiring Motivations and Strategies
• 37:56 - Balancing Talent and Company Needs
• 45:37 - Concluding Thoughts on Job Offers

Snippets from the Episode

• "People don't leave companies, they leave people. It's typically their direct report or who they're having to interact with regularly." - Chris Griffin
• "Fishing for whales, you only need to catch one to feed everybody. But if you have a 20-foot Jon boat, you can't get 'em in the boat." - Chris Griffin on Hiring and Talent
• "Is there a remote culture? That's the phrase. Don't just ask if they allow remote work - ask if they've built a culture around it." - Chris Griffin
• "If you're chasing a big project that you've never done before, it's gonna kill your business." - Khalil Benalioulhaj
• "Difficult conversations accrue interest when delayed." - Khalil Benalioulhaj

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic vs. Reactive Decision Making
2. Clear Expectations Trump Compensation
3. Remote Culture Assessment is Critical
4. Values Alignment Over Money
5. Plan Hiring Before You Need It
6. Right-Size Talent for Your Company
7. Honest Communication Prevents Future Problems

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

Chris Griffin calls in from the trenches of CES week in Las Vegas, where his team is shipping 43 projects in 28 days while operating at 150-200% capacity. This raw, real-time conversation reveals what peak season leadership actually looks like, from getting your boots on the ground to temporarily suspending normal protocols when your team is maxed out.

What You’ll Learn

• How to support teams operating at 150-200% normal capacity during peak season
• Why leaders need to get out of the glass office and join the front lines
• Strategies for managing client expectations during high-volume trade show installs
• When to suspend regular meetings and protocols to focus on paying jobs

Time Stamps

• 00:52 - Episode Intro
• 03:35 - Managing High Workload
• 05:58 - Supporting the Team on the Ground
• 10:01 - Handling Client Expectations
• 11:58 - Adapting to High Volume
• 16:24 - Balancing Immediate and Future Tasks
• 18:58 - Visibility and Team Morale
• 21:12 - Field Operations and Logistics
• 22:52 - Reflecting on Team Efforts
• 24:08 - Progression Photos and Project Documentation
• 25:35 - Roles and Responsibilities on the Field
• 26:02 - Handling Client Interactions
• 27:28 - Planning and Reacting to Challenges
• 29:45 - Implementing New Software and Tools
• 32:07 - Managing High-Pressure Situations
• 33:13 - Episode Takeaways
• 34:06 - Union Labor and Staffing
• 36:55 - Supporting Remote Workers
• 37:44 - Celebrating Victories and Team Support

Snippets from the Episode

• "When you leave the glass office above the treetops and come down to play at ground level with your team, it's a completely different view."- Chris Griffin
• "Your perspective changes when your boots are on the ground. The support you can offer becomes evident when you do that."- Chris Griffin
• "It's okay to suspend some of your monthly or weekly protocols in these moments of extraordinary volume."- Chris Griffin
• "Our motto: paying jobs come first. We'll catch up on the administrative stuff when we get a breather."- Chris Griffin

Key Takeaways

1. Get boots on the ground during peak season
2. Acknowledge extraordinary working conditions publicly
3. Suspend non-essential meetings and protocols temporarily
4. Focus on being helpful without getting in the way
5. Manage client expectations to protect team productivity
6. Celebrate small victories throughout the process
7. Check on remote workers who feel disconnected

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

CrewXP CEO Chris Griffin applies the powerful "Start, Stop, Continue" framework to evaluate 11 critical business areas for 2026. From stepping down as EDPA President to investing in AI and Gen Z workforce development, this strategic planning session reveals how experiential agency leaders can make tough decisions about where to focus their limited resources.

What You’ll Learn

• How to apply the Start, Stop, Continue framework to your own business planning
• Strategic decision-making for experiential agencies post-pandemic recovery
• Why curating your customer base leads to better profitability
• Essential considerations for AI implementation in project-based businesses
• The reality of business acquisition opportunities in today's market

Time Stamps

• 00:47 - Reflecting on 2025 and Welcoming 2026
• 01:24 - Start, Stop, Continue: A Year-End Exercise
• 02:54 - The Future of the Podcast
• 05:03 - Association Memberships and Roles
• 09:28 - Event Production: Challenges and Opportunities
• 11:30 - Growth Through Acquisition
• 16:04 - Selling Your Business: Key Considerations
• 16:57 - International Partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities
• 17:55 - Gen Z in the Workforce: Adapting and Thriving
• 19:12 - Curated Customer Base: A Strategic Approach
• 20:32 - AI Initiatives: Investing in the Future
• 23:03 - Global Talent: Expanding Horizons
• 25:56 - Recap and Reflections: Key Takeaways

Snippets from the Episode

• "There's an enormous amount of talent [in Gen Z], and I think it's gonna be up to employers and hiring managers to figure out how to onboard this group." - Chris Griffin
• "We feel our winning business model is gonna be catered to fewer, better fit customers that embrace 'I want a partner that's on the front lines." - Chris Griffin
• "I get three requests a week right now. That's how active the market is for private equity and investment people looking to move into our space." - Chris Griffin
• "There's no complaining about Gen Z and they don't have your work ethic. In 2027, they're gonna be 27, 28% of the total workforce globally." - Chris Griffin

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Resource Allocation Framework
2. Post-Pandemic Business Recovery Priorities
3. Customer Base Curation Strategy
4. AI Investment Without Replacement Mentality
5. Gen Z Workforce Integration Imperative
6. Global Talent Acquisition Best Practices
7. Association Leadership Transition Planning

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

EDPA Access 2025 shattered attendance records with 354 participants while raising $122,000 for industry scholarships. Outgoing President Chris Griffin reflects on the leadership transition to Tara Erickson and shares how strategic networking at industry conferences drives real business growth in the experiential marketing sector.

What You’ll Learn

• How EDPA Access achieved record-breaking attendance and sponsorship revenue
• Strategic networking approaches that generate measurable business outcomes
• Key economic insights for experiential marketing companies in 2026
• Leadership transition strategies that maintain association momentum
• Community-building tactics that strengthen industry relationships

Time Stamps

• 00:00 - End of an Era: Farewell to the EDPA President
• 00:26 - Introducing the New Leadership
• 02:03 - Recap of a Record-Breaking Event
• 05:25 - Networking Highlights and Success Stories
• 15:29 - Keynote Insights: Building Community and Connection
• 21:39 - Economic Insights and Predictions
• 26:49 - Private Equity and Business Growth
• 32:03 - Cigar Rolling and Karaoke
• 34:29 - Reflections and Future Plans
• 37:07 - Holiday Plans and Family Time
• 37:53 - Las Vegas Christmas
• 38:57 - Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

Snippets from the Episode

• "You can't see eye to eye without being face to face."- Chris Griffin (quoting Warren Buffett)
• "I had 15 great meetings, one-on-one, not five or ten-minute pickup meetings, but good, great encounters. Four of them I would say are game-changing relationships for my company in 2026."- Chris Griffin
• "Jack of all trades, master of none. You can either spread yourself thin or you can go deep. What stood out was how structured his approach was, using what he calls associative thinking."- Chris Griffin (quoting Leo Chan)
• "The only way to know how valuable it is is to look back; there's no looking forward."- Chris Griffin (referencing Steve Jobs' calligraphy story)

Key Takeaways

1. Record-Breaking Conference Success
2. Strategic Leadership Transition Planning
3. Measurable Networking ROI from Industry Events
4. Economic Challenges and Opportunities for 2030
5. Innovation Through Associative Thinking
6. Community Building Through Shared Values
7. Foundation Impact with $122,000 Fundraising

Resources

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

Legal expert Rob Cohen returns to break down the real purpose of NDAs and what constitutes legitimate confidentiality requests versus overreach. If you've ever blindly signed a non-disclosure agreement without understanding the implications, this episode reveals the red flags to watch for and negotiation strategies that protect your business while maintaining client relationships.

What You’ll Learn

• Difference between unilateral and bilateral NDA agreements
• Key red flags in confidentiality clauses and duration terms
• How to negotiate mutual protection for your proprietary processes
• When to push back without damaging business relationships
• Strategic approach to managing multiple NDA requests

Time Stamps

• 01:43 - Introduction to NDAs
• 05:51 - Unilateral vs. Bilateral Agreements
• 11:20 - Common NDA Clauses and Concerns
• 18:12 - Practical Advice for Small Businesses
• 30:12 - Understanding Risk in Legal Agreements
• 30:50 - Using AI for Legal Document Review
• 32:01 - The Importance of Bilateral NDAs
• 33:05 - Enforcing Non-Disclosure Agreements
• 35:09 - Non-Compete Agreements and Legal Precedents
• 39:21 - Adhesion Contracts and Their Implications
• 40:35 - Negotiating Fair Legal Terms
• 42:57 - Tips for Business Owners
• 54:01 - The Role of Corporate Governance
• 54:25 - Episode Outro

Snippets from the Episode

• "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you. It's only in those moments where you find yourself caught that you realize the only way to not get caught is to pay attention to this stuff on the front end."- Chris Griffin
• "If someone's pushing you to rush and sign something, that's all the more reason not to. 'I've gotta get my bid in 24 hours.' Well, why are you calling me now?"- Rob Cohen
• "You also have to look at whether the agreement was reasonable in the first place. Rather than just applying to one party, it applies to either party. If they've got problems with it, then why were they so aggressive with their language to you?"- Rob Cohen
• "When you're chasing the next project, you make decisions like signing the NDA that is totally against you. You can't afford to not sign because you need that project, when in reality that project could lead to your demise."- Khalil Benalioulhaj

Key Takeaways

1. Consider bilateral protection instead of one-sided agreements
2. Establish internal policies for who can sign binding agreements
3. Create template NDAs with legal counsel for repeat situations
4. Watch for overly broad confidentiality definitions and missing carve-outs
5. Negotiate reasonable timeframes and scope limitations
6. Use pushback as a test of partnership potential

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Rob Cohen

• ⁠Rob Cohen on LinkedIn
• Display Supply & Lighting, Inc. Website

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses.

Industry leaders unpack shocking new data revealing a 98% disconnect between what hiring managers want and what Gen Z values in the workplace. Chris Griffin and Khalil Benalioulhaj join forces with recruiting expert Jaynie Ellison to explore practical strategies for bridging this massive gap and turning Gen Z from perceived obstacle into competitive advantage.

What You’ll Learn

• The real reasons behind the 98% employer-Gen Z value disconnect
• Why Gen Z's worldview creates different workplace expectations
• Proven strategies for integrating Gen Z into experiential teams
• How remote work and mentorship can close the generational gap
• Why trade jobs offer untapped opportunities for young talent

Time Stamps

• 01:27 - Episode Intro
• 02:29 -Guest Intro
• 04:41 - The Disconnect Between Hiring Managers and Gen Z
• 08:01 Challenges and Solutions for Gen Z in the Workforce
• 13:21 -Incentives and Flexibility in Trade Jobs
• 30:45 -The Importance of In-Person Connection
• 31:36 -Remote Work and Technology's Role
• 32:55 -Evaluating and Integrating Gen Z into the Workforce
• 38:21 -Strategies for Employers to Engage Gen Z
• 44:36 -Advice for Gen Z Entering the Workforce

Snippets from the Episode

• "If you're looking at Gen Z as an obstacle, you're not gonna be in it for long. The workforce is aging out. You need the next generation."- Khalil Benalioulhaj
• "Gen Z is going to be 27% of the workforce by 2028. We're knocking on the door of 2026. This is an important conversation."- Jaynie Ellison
• "Stop measuring your employees based on inputs and start measuring based on outcomes. If you're judging them off office hours, you have a poor management system."- Khalil Benalioulhaj
• "They really want to see results. They want to see that they're progressing in their career more quickly because we don't know when things could change."- Jaynie Ellison

Key Takeaways

1. 98% value disconnect exists between hiring managers and Gen Z
2. COVID disrupted Gen Z's foundational workplace expectations
3. Trade jobs offer six-figure opportunities with clear advancement paths
4. Mentorship and structured onboarding are essential for Gen Z integration
5. Flexibility doesn't always mean remote work - focus on outcomes
6. Gen Z values culture, authenticity, and helping others above traditional metrics
7. Clear career progression paths can extend retention beyond 13 months

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠

More from Jaynie Ellison

• Emerge XP
• Email Jaynie
• Jaynie on LinkedIn

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses.

Chris Griffin reveals 10 seemingly minor professional oversights that can destroy valuable business relationships and lose major clients. From poor proofreading to sloppy billing, these "small" mistakes can undermine years of relationship building and cost you six-figure deals.

What You’ll Learn

• Why the little things matter more than 900,000 minutes of expertise
• 10 specific mistakes that signal unprofessionalism to clients
• How to build relationship capital through deposits vs. withdrawals
• Professional standards that separate top performers from the pack
• Simple systems to protect your biggest client relationships

Time Stamps

• 00:35 - The Importance of Relationships
• 01:31 - Seth Godin's Insight: 900,000 vs. 9 Minutes
• 02:53 - The Power of Little Things in Business
• 04:55 - Proofreading: A Small Step with Big Impact
• 08:04 - The Value of Written Follow-Ups
• 14:49 - Clear Communication: Visuals and Analogies
• 21:09 - The Pitfalls of Wrong Information
• 23:31 - Punctuality: Respecting Time and Commitments
• 26:18 - Managing Digital Fatigue
• 26:23 - Balancing Workload and Decompression
• 27:45 - The Importance of Appearance
• 32:38 - Making Deposits in Relationships
• 44:15 - The Value of Accountability

Snippets from the Episode

• "It takes 900,000 minutes to become a subject matter expert, but less than 9 minutes to make someone feel seen and understood."— Chris Griffin
• "Nothing can slow you down more than a mistake from not proofreading."— Khalil Benalioulhaj
• "Four deposits for every one withdrawal - there's gotta be something in the relationship account."— Chris Griffin
• "Shortcuts lead to dead ends."— Khalil Benalioulhaj

Key Takeaways

1. Small Professional Oversights Destroy Big Relationships
2. Proofreading Everything Protects Your Credibility
3. Written Follow-Ups Prevent Future Disagreements
4. Clear Communication Uses Visuals and Relevant Examples
5. Being On Time Reflects Your Core Values
6. Relationship Deposits Must Exceed Withdrawals
7. Authenticity Trumps Polish in Client Interactions

Resources

• Seth Godin's 9,000 vs 9 blog
• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠⁠CrewXP⁠⁠   

• ⁠⁠Email Chris⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

Chris and Khalil dive deep into the strategic question every agency owner should be asking: where will your next million dollars in revenue actually come from? They break down three proven pathways for sustainable growth and share hard-earned lessons about the difference between chasing revenue and building profitable, bulletproof businesses that can weather any storm.

What You’ll Learn

• Three strategic channels for generating your next million in revenue
• How to systematically grow existing client relationships beyond current offerings
• Proven frameworks for identifying and approaching high-value target accounts
• Why business development strategies are evolving and what's working now
• Critical warning signs when pursuing large opportunities or acquisitions

Time Stamps

• 00:49 - Current Business Climate
• 01:42 - Strategic Growth: Acquisitions and Alliances
• 04:28 - Maximizing Revenue from Existing Clients
• 19:59 - Evolving Business Development Strategies
• 24:28 - Targeting New Accounts: Strategies and Insights
• 25:50 - Networking and Building Relationships
• 32:21 - Challenges and Risks in Business Growth
• 43:49 - Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Snippets from the Episode

• "I do not chase revenue just for the sake of it. When I say where's the next million coming from, it really is, where's that next chunk of business that's gonna be good for the company?"— Chris Griffin
• "By us asking this question, it changes your mindset. You sort of move from autopilot to having both hands on the wheel, both feet on the pedals."— Chris Griffin
• "Everything requires maintenance. If you're going to take on this new project, you have to budget maintenance and attention to detail."— Khalil Benalioulhaj

Key Takeaways

1. Don't Hope to Grow - Plan Your Growth
2. Focus on Profitable Revenue Over Total Revenue
3. Segment Clients Into Strategic Categories
4. Networking and Referrals Drive New Business
5. Protect Your Business Model During Rapid Growth

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with ⁠CrewXP⁠ 

• Watch On ⁠YouTube⁠

• Follow Us On Social: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠

• Have Questions? ⁠Email us⁠

More from Chris

• ⁠CrewXP⁠   

• ⁠Email Chris⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠benali.com ⁠

• ⁠Email Khalil⁠

• ⁠Meet With Khalil⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• ⁠Facebook⁠

• ⁠Instagram⁠

Connect With Us

Ready to future-proof your experiential business? Subscribe to Experience Builders for more strategic insights that help agency owners build bulletproof businesses. Share this episode with fellow industry leaders who are planning their next growth phase.

Chris Griffin breaks down how the current government shutdown affects the trade show and exhibit industry beyond the obvious. While most exhibit houses report no direct business impact, the political instability creates ripple effects that smart business leaders can't ignore—from military event cancellations to broader concerns about economic uncertainty and business confidence.

What You'll Learn

• Why government shutdowns matter even when your business isn't directly affected
• How political instability impacts client spending decisions and business confidence
• The connection between government operations and critical trade show infrastructure
• Practical contingency planning strategies for uncertain political climates
• Why this pattern of governmental dysfunction poses long-term risks to business growth

Key Topics & Timestamp

• 00:24 - Understanding the Government Shutdown
• 00:43 - Impact on Small Businesses
• 01:37 - The Budget and Continuing Resolutions
• 02:58 - Political Stalemate and Its Consequences
• 05:31 - Broader Economic Concerns
• 15:52 - Practical Steps for Businesses
• 21:03 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Snippets from the Episode

• "Isn't that a good sentiment to greet every day with, Khalil? 'I've got a lot to learn today.'"— Chris Griffin
• "It's been 25 years since the United States has been able to present and agree on a balanced budget in Congress. So we've been in this slow death spiral of disagreeing and disagreeing more."— Chris Griffin
• "While there is no direct impact today on this current shutdown to businesses in our space, there is major concern by all business leaders that this inability to agree is just another nail in the proverbial coffin of our inability to trust our institutions."— Chris Griffin
• "I think we're all looking forward to and counting on a solid economy in 2026. But most of us always have some kind of defensive or contingency plan."— Chris Griffin

Key Takeaways

1. No Immediate Direct Impact on Most Exhibition Businesses
2. Military Events and Government Contracts Are Vulnerable
3. Travel Infrastructure Workers Face Payment Delays
4. Business Confidence Erodes with Repeated Government Dysfunction
5. International Trade Show Participation Could Decline
6. Contingency Planning Becomes More Critical
7. October 15th Military Pay Deadline Creates Resolution Pressure

Resources

• Need Help With An Event? Get in touch with CrewXP 

• Watch On YouTube

• Follow Us On Social: LinkedIn, Facebook

• Have Questions? Email us

More from Chris

• CrewXP   

• Email Chris

• LinkedIn

More from Khalil

• benali.com 

• Email Khalil

• Meet With Khalil

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• Instagram

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Ready to future-proof your exhibit sales career? Share your biggest sales challenge with us and connect with fellow Experience Builders who are mastering the new rules of our industry.

Chris Griffin reveals the harsh reality: it now takes 600 dials to get 2 appointments in exhibit sales. But don't panic - he and Khalil break down the blueprint for building a six-figure income in today's relationship-driven market, from LinkedIn strategies to vertical market mastery.

What You’ll Learn

• Why traditional cold calling is dead and what replaced it
• The 5-step framework for building sustainable exhibit sales success
• LinkedIn prospecting strategies that actually work in our industry
• How to become the subject matter expert that clients chase
• The psychology behind influence and relationship building

Time Stamps

• 00:23 - The Heyday of Sales: Chris Griffin's Journey
• 01:28 - The Evolution of Sales Strategies
• 02:50 - Challenges in Modern Sales
• 05:00 - The Role of Younger Salespeople
• 08:31 - The Importance of Referrals and Incentives
• 10:52 - The Shift to Strategic Selling
• 13:03 - Becoming a Subject Matter Expert
• 20:17 - Influence and Relationship Building
• 23:02 - Finding Business in a Changing Environment
• 24:31 - The Evolution of LinkedIn for Business
• 26:36 - Effective Engagement Strategies on LinkedIn
• 32:29 - Principles for Successful Sales on LinkedIn
• 37:54 - Key Takeaways for Trade Show Sales Professionals

Snippets from the Episode

• "We're not selling stuff anymore. We're not selling exhibits. Brands are looking for sales results - filling pipeline, generating qualified leads."— Chris Griffin
• "It takes 600 dials to get through to 20 live people. Out of those 20, you'll end up with two appointments."— Chris Griffin
• "Stop trying to get what I want, start helping other people get what they want."— Chris Griffin
• "Always make sure you're putting more into the relationship than you're asking to take out."— Chris Griffin

Key Takeaways

1. Master the New Sales Reality
2. Focus on Strategic Partnerships Over Product Sales
3. Become a Vertical Market Subject Matter Expert
4. Leverage LinkedIn Native Engagement Strategies
5. Build Relationships Through the Seven Influence Principles
6. Play the Long Game for Sustainable Income
7. Create Customers for Life Through Value-First Approach

Resources

• Influence by Robert Cialdini
• They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
• The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

• ⁠Trade Show Displays⁠

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More from Chris

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CrewXP ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More from Khalil

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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