A deep-dive conversation with Blair LaCorte—founder, investor, CEO coach, and master strategist—on authentic leadership, decision-making frameworks, AI’s impact on the workforce, the power of community, and why understanding yourself is the most important skill a leader can develop.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Michael Barnett, CEO of InGo, shares insights on the untapped power of attendee advocacy. Events are more than gatherings—they are engines of trust, community, and human connection, critical for go-to-market strategies in an AI-driven world. Barnett outlines why referrals outperform paid channels, how to activate attendee advocacy with a 3-part framework (Activation, Motivation, Optimization), and the hidden economic impact attendees bring beyond ticket sales. He also explores how AI will reshape events, emphasizing trust, meaningful experiences, and curated communities as the future of event growth. Essential listening for CEOs, CMOs, CROs, and event leaders looking to maximize audience engagement and revenue.

Finance teams in media and events must rapidly evolve from basic reporting functions into strategic partners that influence revenue growth. With digital transformation and increasingly complex revenue streams, finance must embrace analytics, predictive modeling, real-time reporting, and cross-functional collaboration. This shift requires upgraded systems, stronger data capabilities, and improved integration across departments. By building advanced forecasting, dynamic pricing strategies, profitability analysis, and automated intelligence tools, finance can guide organizations toward smarter decisions, higher profitability, and long-term growth. Companies that strengthen technology, skills, and collaboration will outperform competitors and convert finance into a proactive revenue driver.