In this high-energy Founder Panel from RevvedUP 2026, Jacob Donnelley is joined by Mo Islam (Arkaea Media), Michelle Metter (Fast Forward Events), and Mike Rothman (The Dispatch) to explore how nimble, founder-led companies are gaining an edge over legacy media. The conversation dives into why this moment—driven by rapid advancements in AI and automation—is one of the most powerful inflection points in modern media, enabling smaller teams to scale faster, operate leaner, and compete more effectively than ever before.

This session introduces “Industry in Motion,” a research initiative examining how media, events, and data businesses are evolving in response to AI, shifting revenue models, and rising expectations for data monetization. The findings reveal a clear gap between ambition and execution. While leaders expect data to become a major revenue driver, most organizations lack the infrastructure, quality, and operational maturity to deliver on that vision. At the same time, traditional distinctions between B2B and B2C are disappearing, with data emerging as the central asset connecting audience, product, and revenue. The key challenge ahead is not strategy. It is execution. Companies that can unify their data, operationalize it effectively, and translate it into scalable products will be best positioned to compete in an increasingly AI-driven market.

Mark Shashoua shares how Hyve has built a high-growth events platform by focusing on category leadership, buyer-seller dynamics, and scalable ecosystem events. Rather than chasing volume or geography, the strategy centers on owning the “main event” in high-value, tech-disrupted sectors and delivering measurable ROI through curated audiences and structured connections. By prioritizing senior decision-makers, engineering high-quality meetings, and expanding successful brands globally, Hyve has transformed events into powerful growth engines for both customers and the business. The key insight is that the future of events is not about scale alone. It is about precision, access, and continuously solving customer problems across the entire year.

This CEO panel explores how leaders are navigating rapid change, AI adoption, and market disruption while continuing to drive growth and performance. A central theme is that today’s environment requires both urgency and adaptability, with AI accelerating decision-making, productivity, and expectations across organizations. Leaders shared real examples of driving adoption, restructuring teams, and tying AI directly to revenue and efficiency outcomes. The conversation reinforces that success is not just about implementing new technology. It is about aligning culture, talent, and strategy around clear priorities, staying close to customers, and using change as a catalyst for learning and growth.