By Eric Rozenberg
4.9
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The podcast currently has 238 episodes available.
The Business of Meetings – Episode 238 - 7 Essential Questions to Close More Business with Kay Allison
Today, we are excited to welcome Kay Allison as our guest.
Kay is a marketing genius and talented speaker who specializes in helping creative individuals, companies, and entrepreneurs make tons of money. After enjoying a busy career in corporate America, she decided it was time for a change and became an entrepreneur.
Kay has had an incredible journey. She joins us today to share her story and explain what she does to assist creative individuals and businesses to grow financially.
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Email Kay:[email protected]
We are delighted to have Lisa Lutoff-Perlo joining us on the show today.
Lisa is the new FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee CEO. She is an exceptional leader who changed our industry, and she recently wrote a book called Making Waves.
Previously, Lisa was the Vice Chairman of External Affairs at Royal Caribbean Group and their first female leader. She also served as President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.
Stay tuned for Lisa’s inspiring story and valuable insights!
Bio: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo:
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee responsible for all aspects World Cup strategies and operations for the matches in Miami. Previously she was Vice Chairman, External Affairs for the Royal Caribbean Group, where she worked on broad strategic initiatives with industry organizations and key external stakeholders. Before that, she served as President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises from 2014 to 2023, the first woman to take the helm of a Royal Caribbean Group brand and one of the few women then leading a multi-billion dollar brand.
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FIFA World Cup 2026™ Miami Host Committee
Last month, the world lost a great man, John Ruhlin. John unexpectedly passed away and for the first time ever, I want to share a replay of an interview I did with John a while back. His message of giftology is so important to us personally and in our businesses and I know John would want us to keep sharing his message with others to make a greater impact on the world. Please feel free to share today’s episode with others to help continue John’s legacy.
In this episode, John tells his fascinating story and talks about how he created Gift.ology. He explained how he developed an understanding of giving personal gifts and shared his best marketing and sales referral tools. He also discusses why you should focus on your inner circle and why he wrote the book Gift.ology.
We hope you enjoy listening to today's enlightening conversation with John Ruhlin!
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Books mentioned:
Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Client Retention by John Ruhlin
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
Save Your Asks: Evolve Your Networking Currencies. Grow Your Influence. Triple Your Business by Chris Tuff
We are excited to have another meeting and events industry icon joining us as our guest for this show.
Jeff Gold is a partner and senior sales manager at Event Service Group and the MPI President for South Florida. He is with us today to share his inspiring story of resilience, grit, and success within the industry.
Stay tuned to learn from all the wisdom Jeff has gained throughout his impressive career journey.
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The Event Services Group
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We are delighted to have Paul Van Deventer, the President and CEO of MPI, with us on the show today.
As the leader of the largest association in our industry, Paul has been implementing many industry changes. Join us for a fascinating conversation where we explore the role of the MPI association and discuss the evolving workforce, the various challenges within the industry, and the impact of AI.
Career Journey
Paul was the youngest of four boys in a family that valued faith, education, and hard work. He was more inclined to stretch boundaries than any of his pragmatic brothers. His career followed a somewhat unplanned path after graduating from college. Then, he landed a sales role at 3M, a company known for its excellent training program. Over the years, his career evolved from sales to marketing roles across various industries, including a pivotal stint at American Express, where he gained significant experience and earned an MBA. His career took an unexpected turn when MPI approached him for his current role despite him having no prior experience in non-profits or associations. What began as a three-year plan to gain a CEO title turned into a passionate 13-year journey in an industry he has come to love.
The Importance of Associations for Career Development
Associations offer a vital network of peers, opportunities for business growth, and even personal connections that can shape career trajectories. The learning opportunities and professional networks fostered by associations like MPI are invaluable for career advancement, as those associations are crucial for ongoing career development and learning, especially in industries where professionals often lack internal company resources for training. Many members describe MPI as their career home and credit it with helping them achieve their current positions.
Challenges and Opportunities in Workforce Development
Workforce development is the number one issue in the industry today. It faces a twofold challenge- training the many new employees who have entered the field since the pandemic and attracting new talent to sustain growth. Current efforts focus on creating a comprehensive external marketing plan to highlight the diverse career paths available within the industry. The goal is to shift the perception that hospitality is merely a means to fund other career paths and instead showcase it as a rewarding career option with varied opportunities, from creative roles to management positions.
Expanding and Diversifying the Talent Pipeline
Significant opportunities for diversifying the workforce exist through reaching out to historically overlooked communities. The hospitality industry offers a unique career path where individuals can advance to high levels without having any advanced degrees. By promoting the diverse opportunities within the industry, which range from trades to professional roles, and intentionally reaching out, those in the industry can attract a broader and more diverse talent pool, ensuring its continued growth and sustainability for the future.
Embracing AI in Business
Looking at the impact of AI on business, Paul feels that while AI offers powerful tools for understanding clients and optimizing sales, it will not replace the essential human element in interactions. The ability to connect face-to-face remains irreplaceable and might become even more crucial in the future in an AI-driven world.
Generational Shifts in Technology Adoption
Paul has become aware of a fascinating trend. Contrary to most common assumptions, older generations, particularly Boomers, are more likely than millennials to adopt new technologies like AI without resistance. The recent eye-opening Freeman study revealed that millennials tend to question and challenge the use of any new tools before embracing them.
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MPI
We are excited to welcome Heather Hansen O'Neill as our guest for today. She is an internationally recognized speaker and behavior expert who has delivered two TEDx talks and authored three books.
Heather thrives on adventure. She joins us today to discuss life and adventures, her program, The Element of Adventure, and dive into what it means to have vision, focus, and discipline.
If you enjoy nature, helping others, seeking adventure, and are looking to transform your approach to business, you will love this engaging conversation with Heather Hansen O'Neill. Stay tuned for more!
Early Life and Discipline
Heather’s professional journey began long before she started her business over 25 years ago. She became a professional dancer at the age of 13. She had to juggle her education and passion for dance while also working to help her parents pay for her dance classes. The rigorous lifestyle instilled resilience in her, along with a work ethic that later translated into business success, as it taught her invaluable lessons about discipline, perseverance, and pushing beyond her comfort zone.
The Impact of Dance on Business
Heather credits much of her business acumen to her background in dance. It required discipline for her to excel as a dancer. She had to endure long hours of practice, handle rejection, and maintain focus, contributing to her success in sales and entrepreneurship. Even after a career-ending injury, she continued to find ways to incorporate her passion for dance into her life, which she believes makes her do a lot better at everything else she does.
Transition to Business and Speaking
Her transition from dance to business came through sales, a field she entered while putting herself through college. After a client encouraged her to do it, Heather combined her sales experience and love for helping others to start a business. She initially focused on sales and customer service training, later expanding her career into coaching and becoming a keynote speaker. Her journey into speaking was gradual, driven by her desire to connect with and inspire audiences.
Embracing Vulnerability in Speaking
One of the most valuable lessons Heather learned as a speaker was the importance of vulnerability. Her performance background initially made her strive for perfection in her presentations, which created a barrier between her and her audience. Over time, she realized that being open about her mistakes and failures allowed her to connect more deeply with others, making her a more effective speaker.
The Adventure Mindset
Heather believes in embracing her adventure mindset, which challenges beliefs, assumptions, and judgments, to help individuals and teams unlock their full potential. She is an adventure junkie, so she incorporates her love for pushing boundaries into her speaking engagements. She uses her experiences of jumping out of airplanes, flying on a trapeze, and swimming with sharks to teach others about expanding their comfort zones.
Humanity and Leadership
Heather emphasizes the importance of caring for humanity in leadership. She believes that in the modern world, where isolation and polarization are prevalent, leaders have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact by genuinely caring for their people and communities. Her framework, which draws from the elements of nature, helps leaders assess and optimize their teams, ultimately driving both personal and organizational growth.
Tips for Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs, Heather stresses the importance of staying connected to the passion that drove them to start their businesses. She encourages them to focus on transforming their businesses while transforming how they do business by embracing innovation, seeking diverse perspectives, and always keeping humanity at the core of their actions.
BIO:
Heather Hansen O’Neill is an international keynote speaker, behavioral expert, 3x author, and adventure junkie. She is also a 2x TEDx speaker, host of the popular podcast From Fear to Fire, and creator of L-FOCUS (Leadership For Our Children’s Ultimate Success). Heather’s signature model, The Elements of Adventure, is the powerful framework she utilizes to empower leaders, ignite results, and change the world…one adventure at a time.
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The Business of Meetings – Episode 232 - Overcoming Fears: Pamela Schuller's Journey with Tourette Syndrome - Comedy and Embracing Differences
Pamela Schuller is truly a remarkable woman! Several weeks ago, she did a keynote presentation at the MPI World Education Conference in Louisville, where she told her incredible story of having Tourette syndrome, barking unexpectedly, and how she reframed her life, ending up as a keynote speaker.
Today, she joins us on the show to share her touching, inspiring, and amusing journey. Stay tuned for more!
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Today, we are thrilled to welcome a distinguished leader in our industry as our guest on the show.
Marsha Flanagan, the newly appointed President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, has had an extraordinary career. She joins us to share her professional journey, provide insights into the current state of the exhibition industry, discuss workforce trends, and explore the future of work.
Stay tuned for her captivating story and valuable perspectives.
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IAEE.com
I am delighted to welcome Conner Young, co-founder of Kairo, one of the fastest-growing acquisition companies in the US, as my guest on the show today.
I often talk with business owners who want to know about selling, merging, or acquiring a business. So Conner joins us today to dive into the steps to take when preparing a business for sale, the process of selling a business, and the key factors buyers consider when purchasing a company. We also explore how to manage a business while dealing with a challenging health problem.
Stay tuned for Conner's valuable insights on those subjects.
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Kairo Data
The Business of Meetings – Episode 229: Predictable Profits in an Unpredictable World: A Conversation with Charles Gaudet
Have you ever wondered how to elevate your business from seven to eight figures and beyond?
We are diving into that very challenge today with a successful business entrepreneur and coach known for his impressive track record in guiding companies to unforeseen new heights.
Join us for an insightful conversation with the remarkable Charles Gaudet, the Founder and CEO of Predictable Profits. You will learn how to scale your business, effectively integrate AI into your strategy, and manage those overwhelming moments.
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Books Mentioned
THE PREDICTABLE PROFITS PLAYBOOK: The 7 and 8-Figure CEOs’ Guide to Generating Consistent and Sustainable Growth
The Beyond 7- Figures Podcast
The podcast currently has 238 episodes available.
272 Listeners