In this episode of the Trade Show Talk podcast, Host Danica Torman engages in an insightful conversation with Fernando Fisher, President of the Americas for RX. Fernando elaborates on RX's growth strategies, focus on attendee and exhibitor experience, and the implementation of sales analytics and AI tools.   The episode also features an interview with Andy Conklin, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Visit Cincy, who discusses the major redevelopment of Cincinnati's Convention District and its impact on future events.   Additionally, Tommy Goodwin from the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance provides an advocacy update on legislative progress, tax reform, and tariffs affecting the industry.   This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in the exhibitions and events sector, offering a wealth of information on the latest trends and innovations.   00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 00:26 Meet Fernando Fisher: RX President of the Americas 02:34 RX's Growth Strategy and Focus Areas 04:07 Enhancing Exhibitor and Attendee Experience 06:35 Customer Expectations and ROI Metrics 10:59 Sales Team Training and Readiness 18:53 Innovative Sponsorship and Activation Models 23:19 Spotlight on Cincinnati's Convention District 31:25 Exploring Cincinnati's Sports and Entertainment Districts 32:56 Sharonville Convention District Expansion 33:53 Upcoming Milestones for Cincinnati's New Hotel 35:23 Ensuring Safety and Cleanliness in Cincinnati 38:56 The Importance of Data in Decision Making 45:12 Enhancing Customer Journeys with Technology 53:19 Advocacy Update: Legislative Action Day and Tariffs 58:59 Conclusion and Future Episodes   This episode is brought to you by Visit Cincy, Duke Energy Convention Center and ASM Global.

Advocating for the Trade Show Industry: Highlights from Legislative Action Day   In this episode of Trade Show Talk, hosted by Danica Tormohlen, trade show industry leaders share their experiences from the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance's Legislative Action Day 2025 in Washington, DC.   The event saw record attendance with 170 industry leaders from 30 states advocating for key issues such as taxes, talent, and tariffs. The podcast features insights and firsthand accounts from 10 key participants who met with over 130 elected officials to emphasize the economic impact of the trade show industry, which contributes $426 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs.   Guests discuss the importance of advocacy, share personal stories of their interactions with lawmakers, and highlight the critical need for policies that support workforce development and reduce tariff-related uncertainties.   The episode underscores the ongoing commitment required to ensure the industry's growth and competitiveness.   00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk Podcast 00:26 Special Event: Legislative Action Day Overview 01:04 Key Issues: Taxes, Talent, and Tariffs 01:20 Firsthand Accounts from Industry Leaders 02:22 Interview with Tommy Goodwin, Executive VP, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance 10:38 Interview with Hervé Sedky, President & CEO of Emerald Holding Inc., and Chair of ECA 17:57 Interview with Jeff Quade, President, GES Exhibitions - North America 24:05 Interview with Sarin Bachmann, Senior Vice President, Jewelry Portfolio, RX 28:26 Interviw with Steve Walker, Executive Director, City Wide Sales at MGM Resorts International 34:12 Interview with Martha Donato, Founder & President, MAD Event Management LLC and UFI North America Regional Director 39:43 Interview with Larry Grossenbacher, President, General Contracting Division, CSI Worldwide 44:35 Interview with Nicole Bowman, VP, Marketing & Communications, International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) 49:57 Interview with Dan Liberatore, President & CEO, Purpose1 54:30 Interview with Marc Ghafoori, Founder, Alpha Tooth  58:53 Conclusion and Advocacy Call to Action

In this episode of Trade Show Talk, host Danica Tormohlen interviews Chris Skeith, CEO and Managing Director of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, who started in this role in January 2025I. Skeith shares insights about his career path, including his tenure at the Association of Event Organizers UK, and discusses his new role at UFI, aiming for evolution and not revolution. The conversation highlights his top priorities in his first 100 days, focusing on member needs and improving the organization's functionality. They delve into global trends affecting the events industry, such as talent acquisition, sustainability, and the growing role of AI. The episode also covers UFI's 100th-anniversary celebrations and their significant events scheduled for 2025. Skeith shares his optimism about the future of face-to-face events and provides a glimpse into his personal experiences, including receiving an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the industry during COVID-19. 

Our guest

Chris Skeith, who has served in the exhibition industry for more than 30 years, is Managing Director & CEO of UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, which represents more than 900 organizations in more than 90 countries who build, maintain, and support the world’s market places: trade show organisers, venue owners and operators, service providers, and national, as well as international associations, of our industry. 

Skeith has built a career in the not-for-profit sector, starting his exhibition career in media auditing at the Audit Bureau of Circulations, where he later led on the development of their auditing products for the event sector. 

In 2006, Skeith started working in the associations sector in the UK, merging two event associations in the service supplier sector to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). In 2010, he also became Director of ESSA’s sister association, AEV (Association of Event Venues). In 2014, he took the role of CEO of their sister association, AEO (Association of Event Organisers), which represents UK-based organisers who operate worldwide. 

During this time, AEO created groups and events which connected the community which grew to over 100 members via special interest groups, and class leading events. He also held several voluntary positions to help raise the profile of the sector to Government and regulators, including Chair of the UK Government’s Events Industry Board for the Department of Culture Media and Sport, member of the Department for Business and Trades Professional Business Services Committee, and Chair of UKEVENTS a partnership of all leading associations in the UK event industry. He has previously served as an UFI Board Member and chair of their associations committee. 

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021, he was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen, for services to the Events Industry. 

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, 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. 

After leading Tarsus Group through multiple decades of global growth and eventually a $940 million acquisition by Informa in 2023, industry heavyweight Doug Emslie is back with a bold new move: investing in Belgium-based trade show organizer Easyfairs through his investment firm Cuil Bay Capital.  

In an exclusive interview with TSNN, Emslie shares why Easyfairs’ tech-forward, exhibitor-friendly approach and niche market strategy are uniquely positioned to disrupt the U.S. events landscape—and why now is the time to double down on events. 

From launching industrial shows in Detroit to targeting high-growth verticals and frictionless exhibitor experiences, Easyfairs is making its mark—and Emslie, now a board member, is helping steer the ship. 

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 [email protected]

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