Trade Show Talk Podcast

In this episode, we had a conversation with John Rozum about his experience producing the record-breaking The Utility Expo, fueled by federal funding from historic and transformative legislation passed in 2021.

In fact, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is expected to increase federal spending on infrastructure by about $550 billion over the next decade, nearly all through grants to state and local governments, which own much of the nation's infrastructure.

The biennial trade show returned to Louisville, Ky., with more than 21,000 utility construction professionals from all 50 states and 60 countries. The trade show, held Sept. 26-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, featured more than 900 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and solutions for the utility construction industry. Exhibits covered a record 1.5 million net square feet, and the event featured equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations.

The Utility Expo is owned by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, a North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide.

The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.3 million jobs and contributes roughly $316 billion to the economy every year. In addition to The Utility Expo, AEM also owns and produces CONEXPO-CON/AGG, The International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE), and the Commodity Classic.

We talked about:

• How The Utility Expo increased attendance by 30% over its last show in 2021 and by 10% over its previous attendance record in 2019

• How the biennial show grew from 1.3 to 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space

• The new community zone that debuted in 2023

• Why the show has made its home in Louisville since 1987

• What's trending in utility equipment: Sustainable equipment and accessories

• The state of the utility industry: Strong due to infrastructure investments, which are expected to increase in coming years

• And so much more!

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in mid September 2023.

Our guest

John Rozum, Senior Director, Ag & Utility Exhibitions and Events for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), is a self-described "event nerd" with more than two decades of experience leading some of the largest trade shows in the United States. He plays a critical role in the planning and execution of industry-leading trade shows such as The Utility Expo, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and The International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE), as well as the Commodity Classic. Rozum is currently serving as chairperson of the Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO) and president of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA).

Rozum joined AEM in 2013 as the organization's attendee acquisition manager, and he currently serves as Show Director for The Utility Expo and IFPE. Prior to joining AEM, he worked in several sales and event management consulting roles, including more than a decade spent leading the trade show for the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. john earned a Bachelor of Science in both Ag Journalism and Poultry Science from the University of Wisconsin.

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 Content forTarsus Group, which was recently acquired by Informa for $940 million. 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 as a board member for 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!

Zenus

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

Ep. 40 – Leading the Pack: A Conversation with Jim Pittas, President & CEO, PMMI

In this episode, we had a conversation with Jim Pittas about his experience leading PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, an organization representing more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials for the $10.2 billion packaging machinery industry in the U.S.

After joining the exposition team in 2000, Pittas rose through the ranks at PMMI and has led the group as its President and CEO since 2018. We talked about how PMMI connects consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through its PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, including PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara

After producing the largest PACK EXPO Las Vegas in history in September, Pittas shared insight on the event's record-breaking turnout with nearly 32,000 attendees and more than 2,300 exhibitors spread across a sprawling 1 million net square feet of exhibit space.

We talked about:

• The story behind the growth PACK EXPO Las Vegas: the number of exhibiting companies grew but space grew even faster

• Find out why PMMI is considering adding a fourth day to PACK EXPO Las Vegas in 2027

• The scoop on data that led to the launch of PACK EXPO Southeast, a regional trade show that will debut in Atlanta in 2025

• The hottest topics in the packaging and processing industry right now: talent, automation and sustainability

• Best practices on taking the unusual step of forming PACK EXPO Services in 2004 to serve as the general contractor for its domestic PACK EXPO portfolio

• Lessons learned from launching a vertical show and then retiring it

• The state of the packaging and processing industry: Despite a slowdown from record highs for the industry during the pandemic, the industry grew year over year and isn't seeing signs of a recession.

• And so much more!

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in mid September 2023.

Our guest

Jim Pittas was hired at PMMI in 2000 as Director of Expositions and was responsible for the operations and management of PMMI's No. 1 asset – the PACK EXPO Shows. Due to his proven track record of success in increasing revenues, project management skills, and increasing member engagement in the association, Pittas was promoted to vice president in 2003.

During his tenure as VP, he grew the established PACK EXPO shows, but also successfully launched two additional shows and assumed the responsibility for the management of the Mexico City show (EXPO PACK México). In addition, Pittas was instrumental in PMMI establishing a tradeshow general contracting company called PACK EXPO Services (PES) in 2004, which is used for all domestic PACK EXPO shows.

In October of 2014, Mr. Pittas assumed the role of Senior Vice President and in addition to his responsibility for the Show Department, he was part of PMMI's senior management team and responsible for the execution of PMMI's strategic plan and served as Staff Liaison to the PMMI Board of Directors. In April of 2017, Mr. Pittas was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and on February 1, 2018 assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer for PMMI. Mr. Pittas also serves on the PMMI Executive Committee and the Board of PMMI's Education Foundation which distributes an average of over $200,000 each year in education scholarships.

Mr. Pittas graduated from Roosevelt University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Sociology. He has been active in several Professional Organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for The Major American Trade Show Organization (MATSO), an active member of IAEE, NAM's Council of Manufacturing Associations, Chicago Customer Advisory Board and the Chicago Labor Council. Mr. Pittas has completed the TriMetrix Executive Coaching Program (2011/2012) and completed a Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) course at Villanova University (2014).

PMMI is the leading international trade association representing over 1,000 packaging and processing solutions providers including machinery, components, materials and containers companies. With offices in Herndon, Virginia, Chicago, Illinois and Mexico City, the organization's primary programs and services bring buyers and sellers together utilizing multiple sales channels including tradeshows, online communications, magazines, digital products and online directories. In addition, the organization supports its members through a comprehensive statistics and surveys program and extensive networking opportunities. PMMI also provides Association Management Services to Seven outside associations, including The Contract Packaging Association (CPA), the Cold Pressure Council (CPC) and Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).

Get his full bio and 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 Content forTarsus Group, which was recently acquired by Informa for $940 million. 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 as a board member for 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!

Zenus

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

In this episode, we had a conversation with Gareth Bowhill about his experience leading CloserStill Media, a UK-based B2B media company that produces 80 exhibitions annually, as its CEO since 2020. After coming off a record year of revenues of $120 million in 2022, he talked about how the company has closed three acquisitions so far this year (with more in the pipeline), growing to 600 employees globally.

CloserStill's expansion into the U.S. market began in 2017 with the organic launch of New York Vet, a geo-clone of its flagship event London Vet Show. Led by former RX exec Yancy Weinrich, who serves as the company's North America president, has grown rapidly in the last two years to 100 employees. Find out why the U.S. market is currently his No. 1 priority.

We talked about:

• How the company emerged bigger and better post pandemic with a record year of trading in 2022 and expectations to beat that in 2023

• How the three acquisitions in 2023 (so far) have impacted the business and their prospects for growth

• Insights into the M&A landscape right now (active

• How the company's private equity ownership by Providence since 2018 has supported its growth

• Challenges right now: talent and economic uncertainty

• And so much more!

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the first half of August 2023.

Our guest

Bowhill is CEO of CloserStill Media. He joined the company as CFO in November 2019 before being promoted to CEO in may 2020.

Prior to that, he served as Head of M&A and Group Treasurer at Chime Communications Limited for 3 years from 2016 to 2019.

He's also worked at CSM Sport & Entertainment as International Group Finance Director and Director of Strategy and Corporate Development for a little over 2 years.

Here's a backgrounder on Bowhill on CloserStill's site.

Get his full bio and connect with him on LinkedIn here.

Thank you to our sponsor!

Zenus

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

Trade Show News Network is excited to share our 'Trade Show Talk' podcast which features two episodes each month focusing on hot-button topics. Each episode kicks off with a news round up before host Danica Tormohlen leads discussions with trade show and events industry leaders. If you'd like to be a guest or you have a topic to suggest that we cover, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. If you would like to sponsor a podcast series, please contact [email protected]

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In this episode, we had a conversation with Julie Kagy, director of operations for the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) and Bill McGlade, president of epIQ Creative Group, about their experience in working together as partners on marketing. They shared advice and lessons learned after partnering now for more than one year.

Kagy shared insight on what it was like to put together an RFP, evaluate vendors, hone in on the scope of the association's needs, get buy-in on budgeting and execute the strategy with an outside partner.

McGlade talked about developing the strategy, prioritizing the client's needs, rebranding an ESCA product, establishing benchmarks, sharing thought leadership, driving engagement and marketing business-to-person.

The results: Attendance at ESCA's Summer Education Conference 2023 was up 13%, and social interactions increased 344% year over year.

Here are a few marketing samples:

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the first half of August 2023.

Our guests

ESCA's Julie Kagy

After graduating from Purdue University Northwest, Kagy started her career at the Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons Chicago. The hotel was awarded Top North American Hotel by Conde Nast Traveler four times during her tenure. Taking these customer service skills, she began her career in the tradeshow industry with GES. During her 12-year tenure with GES, she held various roles, such as Exhibitor Services Manager, Director of Account Management and Vice President of National Account Management. She has been Director of Operations with the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) since 2015. It's a role she truly loves as she gets to work on a vast scale with key industry leaders, working to shape the future of the trade show industry.

epIQ Creative Group's Bill McGlade

McGlade is the co-owner and President of both epiQ Creative Group and Community Leaders Institute. He has spent 17 years embracing the ever-changing world of nonprofits, associations, events, community, marketing and sales. With a proven track record of successfully selling three companies and acquiring two more, he has a knack for transforming a lean team with a limited budget into a powerhouse that scales 5 to 10 times.

McGlade received the 2017 IAEE Young Professional of the Year award. He's been a speaker and presenter at a number of events and conferences, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, IAEE, ASAE, PCMA, AMPS and more.

Thank you to our sponsor!

Zenus

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

In this episode, we had a conversation with Chris Brown, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Global Connections and Events, for the National Association of Broadcasters. After 25 years with the association, Brown recently announced he's leaving the organization following the 2024 NAB Show.

Under Brown's stewardship, the NAB Show portfolio has continually innovated to provide a superior event experience for broadcast, media and entertainment industry professionals.

Brown talked about his departure from NAB and what might be next for this industry leader. He reflected on the 100th NAB Show held earlier this year in Las Vegas. The 2023 NAB Show recorded double-digit growth year-over-year in both attendance and exhibitors with 65,013 attendees and 1,208 exhibiting companies.

He also offered a sneak peek into the plans for NAB Show New York in October and for the 2024 NAB Show in April. Plus, find out how NAB Amplify, the association's digital platform, has evolved under his leadership.

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the first half of August 2023.

Our guest

Brown has accumulated more than 35 years of experience in the non-profit sector, serving various industries by building programs designed to inform, educate and drive business transactions. Much of his career has been focused on producing large-scale trade shows and events.

For the last 25 years, he has served the broadcast and wider media industry by shaping and leading NAB's Global Connections and Events (GCE) Team, which is responsible for serving NAB's membership and the wider media industry, through creating events, digital products and other services that drive industry innovation and growth.

Among the major events produced by the team are the NAB Show, an annual convention for the media and entertainment industry, and NAB Show New York. The team also produces and manages NAB Amplify, a year-round digital hub for the media and entertainment sector.

Brown is an active leader within the live events industry and has served as past chair of the International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE; www.iaee.com) and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR; www.ceir.org).

He holds a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an Executive Masters of General Administration from the University of Maryland University College. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Fairfax, VA and are the proud parents of four amazing children and the proud grandparents of three even more amazing grandchildren.

In this episode, we had a conversation with ANDMORE Chairman & CEO Bob Maricich, who was recently named as the 2023 Industry Icon Honoree by TSNN. He shared insight into the company he founded in 2011, built over the last 13 years and rebranded with a new name in 2023.

Maricich talked about the transition of ownership from Bain Capital and Oaktree Capital Management to Blackstone, which has supported the company's expansion and acquisitions since 2017. Find out how and where the company is investing to transform ANDMORE into an omnichannel wholesale marketmaker for the gift, home furnishings and apparel industries.

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the second half of July 2023.

Our guest

Bob Maricich is the Chairman and CEO of ANDMORE – formerly International Market Centers (IMC) – the premier omnichannel wholesale marketmaker for the gift, home furnishings and apparel industries.

Maricich was instrumental in envisioning and developing the strategy for the creation of International Market Centers, L.P. In 2011, he founded IMC with sponsors Bain Capital and Oaktree Capital Management raising more than $1B to fund the purchase of the International Home Furnishings Center, the ShowPlace properties, and the Market Square properties in High Point, NC, and merging them with the World Market Center in Las Vegas to form the world's largest operator of premier permanent showroom and tradeshow space for the furnishings, home décor, and gift industries. During the next five years IMC built or purchased five additional buildings in High Point, NC, bringing their total to 17 buildings.

In 2017, Maricich led IMC's transition to new ownership by Blackstone, one of the world's leading investment firms, and Fireside Investments. In 2018 he directed IMC's acquisitions of AmericasMart in Atlanta, GA, and the subsequent acquisition of the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC), creating a compelling portfolio spanning the east and west coasts of the United States that now encompasses more than 22 million square feet of world-class B2B exhibition space.

With the AmericasMart aquisition, IMC also became the managing partner of LightFair, North America's largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference as well as owner and operator of the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart which hosts dozens of outside events, meetings and conferences each year. In 2020, despite the Covid shutdown, IMC constructed the 315,000 sf Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, addressing the lack of downtown Las Vegas exhibit space. In 2022, IMC acquired luxury tradeshow Shoppe Object and has since expanded it dramatically. In 2023, IMC rebranded to ANDMORE repositioning the company as a fully omnichannel marketmaker utilizing digital tools to extend the value of physical markets and fuel year-round opportunities for buyers and sellers to connect and grow.

Under Maricich's leadership, ANDMORE serves more than 350,000 global wholesale buyers through its physical markets, design centers and digital channels. It presents some 34 apparel, furniture, gift, home décor and lifestyle markets and buying events – in permanent showroom space and trade show exhibits – in Atlanta; High Point, NC; Las Vegas; and New York. Some 2,200+ exhibitors showcase their products in permanent showroom spaces. It brings in an additional 7,000+ temporary exhibitors in 2 million sf of trade show exhibit space each year. It serves the design trade year-round through showroom offerings and programming at ADAC, AmericasMart and the Las Vegas Design Center. Additionally, it offers digital innovations that optimize the physical market experience.

Maricich joined World Market Center as CEO in January 2008. Prior to that, he spent 11 years as CEO of Century Furniture Industries, a leading luxury furniture manufacturer. From 1989-1996 Maricich was President and CEO of American Drew Furniture and American of Martinsville, at the time the largest manufacturer of furniture for the hospitality industry. Additionally, he was an executive with Flexsteel Industries, R.S Bacon Veneer Company and Texaco.

In 2015, the Anti Defamation League honored Maricich with the American Heritage Award. In 2016 he was honored as Man of the Year by the Tri-State Home Furnishings Association. In 2017, Maricich received the American Heritage Distinguished Service Award from the American Home Furnishings Alliance. In 2019, he was named a Furniture Industry Icon by the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association. Marcich was listed among The Atlantan Magazine's 25 Most Influential People in Atlanta, and also was included in Atlanta Magazine's 500 Most Powerful Leaders in Georgia. In 2021, Maricich was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, the industry's highest honor.

Maricich has been an active board member for numerous charitable organizations including City of Hope, Opportunity Village, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Maricich is a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He and his wife, Ande, have been married for 50 years and have three grown sons. He especially enjoys his lifelong passion for fly-fishing. The Maricich's reside in Key Largo, FL, and Kennebunkport, ME.

Connect with Bob on LinkedIn here.

Jason Popp, President and CEO of Moss Inc., shared insights about the unique services and accomplishments of the company during a recent interview. Moss specializes in providing specialist production services for the trade show industry, working with various stakeholders in the value chain such as general service contractors, design and build firms and event agencies. The company takes pride in being placemakers, focusing on creating three-dimensional environments and building structures for their clients.

One notable achievement highlighted by Popp is Moss's role in introducing tension fabric to the trade show industry 40 years ago. The company's founder, Bill Moss, patented the first pop-up tent made of fabric, which revolutionized the industry by offering a lightweight, flexible and sustainable alternative. Tension fabric has since become a primary method for creating space and structures on trade show floors worldwide.

Popp also discussed the evolving challenges in the industry, particularly the shrinking lead times for decision-making and the influx of new talent. To adapt to these changes, Moss has made investments in faster printers and brought certain production activities in-house to meet the time constraints faced by clients.

When asked about sustainability, Popp emphasized that Moss is committed to minimizing waste and reducing their carbon footprint. The company offers sustainable products like SustainaTex Ocean, a fabric blend produced from upcycled marine plastic, post-consumer waste and recycled polyester. They also focus on minimizing their carbon emissions by using renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient practices and offsetting any remaining carbon through accredited programs.

Reflecting on his experience joining Moss during the pandemic, Popp acknowledged the initial challenges but also highlighted the industry's rapid recovery. The company has grown its staff and navigated supply chain disruptions to meet the increasing demand. Looking ahead, Popp sees continued opportunities for Moss in the trade show industry, including the adoption of sustainable products, incorporating lighting and acoustics, and expanding into retail and sports markets.

As the CEO, Popp's vision for Moss includes leveraging their expertise in tension fabric, addressing industry trends and maintaining a commitment to sustainability. The company aims to be at the forefront of providing innovative solutions for clients while minimizing their environmental impact.

Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the first half of July 2023.

What does it take to launch and build not one but two trade show businesses? Our guest on this episode is event producer, Jennifer Hoff, CEM, CEO, Taffy Event Strategies, LLC and President, Trifecta Collective LLC, who provides insight on how she started and now leads two trade show businesses.

As part of her client roster at Taffy Event Strategies, her team recently produced Coverings 2023 that exceeded expectations with a 50% year-over-year increase in attendance. Nearly 27,000 eventgoers gathered April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Hoff shared the details behind the Coverings 2023 event that rivaled pre-pandemic levels and was one of the most dynamic expositions and conferences in its renowned 34-year position as the leading event in the tile and stone industry.

We take a deeper dive into how she is working with PE company Greylion and Rick McConnell to acquire and build shows through Trifecta Collective. Plus, she explained her biggest challenges as we continue to emerge from the pandemic.

Hoff has decades of industry experience, and she earned the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Woman of Achievement Award. Find out what excites her most about working in the events industry after all these years.

Tormohlen also shared the top headlines and new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the second half of June 2023.

What's trending among association and independent executives of exhibitions and conventions in Q2 2023? Our guest on this episode is event producer Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, who provides an inside look at the 2023 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), held May 30-31 at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

Lippman produced the 22nd edition of ECEF with record attendance in 2023. In this episode, he shared the origin story of ECEF when it launched in 2002.

ECEF is one of nine events founded and produced by Lippman Connects. His most recent launch, the Midsize Show Roundtable, will be held for the second time later this year in Pittsburgh.

We take a deeper dive into the takeaways from ECEF with Lippman, offering actionable insights and best practices to improve your business. Plus, he shared his biggest challenge — attendee acquisition — and what's working now to overcome this obstacle.

Lippman has three decades of industry experience, and he earned the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Merit Award. Find out what excites him most about working in the events industry after all these years.

Tormohlen also shared the top headlines and new stories from Trade Show News Network and Corporate Event News that were published in early June 2023.

Quotable by Sam Lippman: "We have to educate our first-time points of contact on the value of lead nurturing. In today's world of deep fakes and ChatGPT, people don't know what's real anymore. So when you are at a trade show, when you're at a convention and you're face-to-face with people. Whether it's one day or six days, these are impressions, in-person impressions that can be favorable for your company, for your brand, and a favorable impression can turn into a prospect. A prospect can turn into a lead. And a lead can turn into a customer."

We know the pandemic had a huge impact on the meetings and events industry. (We know this like we know we breathe air!) Our guest on this episode is an event organizer who gives us a really interesting viewpoint after having gone through the thick of it and come out the other side in an even better position.

Jan Alessi has a passion for football (the soccer one, U.S. friends!), and has managed to merge his love of the sport with his love for brining people together all over the world.

They have cracked the hybrid model! "So with the online, we were able to basically reach a lot more people, and that's obviously very beneficial for the speakers and for the partners because it allows us to to reach a much bigger audience."

World Football Summit is one of many ventures Jan has helped to found, and he gives us some really cool insight into how they have grown the show -- and how they are still figuring things out. It is refreshing to hear when others also don't have "it all figured out."

Our guest

• Jan Alessi Jan is a co-founder and Director of World Football Summit. On a day-to-day basis he's in charge of the general operations of the company, relationships with clients, speakers, and collaborators and any new business ventures and ideas that they decide to embark on as a company. In this role and previous ones in the past, he has worked in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, identifying and building partnerships at the highest level of foreign governments and the private sector, organising high-profile forums, negotiating and closing commercial deals, producing branded content, managing global media projects, and leading commercial teams. He is also the founder of Nexus Fostering Partnership, the company responsible for the development of World Football Summit and was a founding member of South Summit, Spain's largest event for startups, entrepreneurs, and investors. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian and is proficient in French. And his favorite hobbies are traveling, discovering new restaurants and watching movies and binging online streaming.

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The "Trade Show Talk" podcast is publishing two episodes per month, tackling the most important issues the meetings and events industry is facing. If you'd like to be a sponsor or a guest, or you have a topic to suggest, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. And we'd love it if you'd SHARE, rate, and review episode 32, & the show!