How Event Leaders Use AI Without Killing Creativity and Connection with Doug Emslie

Heather Holst-Knudsen is a distinguished figure and expert in the events, media, marketing and technology sectors. Using her extensive experience, she guides clients in adapting to structural economic and market changes, seizing the chance to innovate and evolve. She specializes in digital and data disruption and opportunity, exploring how these overarching factors can impact revenue growth,customer-centricity, operational efficiency, profit margins, and the overall valuation of companies in both public and private markets. Her journey began at her family business, Thomas Publishing Company, where she honed her skills. She further expanded her expertise by holding positions at early industry giants Miller Freeman, Reed Elsevier, and IDG. Returning to Thomas Publishing, Heather founded and spearheaded Manufacturing Enterprise Communications, an integrated media portfolio connecting buyers and sellers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Starting in 2015 and spanning the next seven years, she leveraged her expertise as a revenue and business leader in various SaaS businesses, including Feathr, Gleanin, Brella and Edflex. Heather is deeply passionate about digital innovation, data monetization, and AI and how these strategies fuel revenue growth, profitability, and company valuation. To serve and create value for clients in these areas, she launched H2K Labs, dedicated to generating and leveraging value through data for media, business information, events, and adjacent technology and service markets.

Doug Emslie is a distinguished leader in the global exhibitions and events industry, known for his three-decade track record of building, scaling, and transforming event businesses around the world. He is the Founder of Cuil Bay Capital (CBC), an investment platform launched in 2023 that acquires and accelerates entrepreneurial, high-growth businesses and events—particularly those serving passion-driven communities and sectors undergoing transition. Under Doug’s leadership, CBC has already completed nine acquisitions, including its inaugural investment in Raccoon Media Group, rapidly establishing a diverse and forward-thinking portfolio. Before founding CBC, Doug served as CEO of Tarsus Group, joining at its inception in 1998 and leading the company through years of global expansion. His tenure culminated in Tarsus’ acquisition by Informa plc, where he now acts as Senior Advisor on integrating the two organizations.