Videos

Join Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs & Reveue Room™ Connect, as she interviews Anne Lafère, Group CEO of Easyfairs, about her journey from initially not liking trade shows to becoming a visionary leader in the events industry. In this insightful conversation, Anne shares how Easyfairs has built a data-driven business model that enhances both exhibitor and visitor experiences. Key topics covered: Anne's 26-year career growth at Easyfairs - The transition from family-owned to private equity partnership - Their innovative co-CEO leadership model with Matt Benyon - Data-driven strategies including AI-powered recommendations and predictive analytics - Creating 365 community engagement beyond physical events - Talent management through data visualization and heatmapping Discover how Easyfairs has positioned itself for global growth while maintaining operational excellence and a people-first approach to technology. #EventTech #DataDrivenBusiness #TradeShows #RevenuePodcast #EventManagement #LeadershipInsights

In this episode of Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Pete Pachal, founder of The Media Copilot, veteran tech journalist, and former Chief of Staff at CoinDesk. Together, they unpack how AI is not just transforming media operations—but redefining the business models behind them. Pete shares why the real disruption of AI isn’t flashy tools, but ruthless transparency. As generative AI becomes more adept at surfacing, ranking, summarizing, and even creating content, the question for media companies becomes: do you offer real brand value, or are you just content? They dive into a revealing case study of Reuters vs. Dotdash Meredith—one respected for its journalism, the other engineered for performance. The contrast reveals a fundamental truth: AI will reward content that performs, not just content that’s credible. Heather and Pete also explore: -How AI forces media brands to clarify their strategic value -The tension between editorial integrity and search-driven survival -The future role of human editors in an AI-curated media ecosystem -Why brands need to lead with distinctiveness, not volume This is a must-listen for media executives, content strategists, and revenue leaders rethinking their competitive edge in an AI-first world.

In this episode, Heather sits down with Brian Weaver, the innovative mind behind Chronicle, MEDQOR's proprietary data platform that is redefining how B2B media companies deliver performance and prove ROI. Brian shares the story of acquiring MEDQOR in 2009—then a traditional print publisher—and turning it into a data-powered marketing engine that delivers buyer intelligence, real-time leads, and measurable outcomes. He pulls back the curtain on how Chronicle combines AI, CRM integration, and predictive analytics to create a completely new value proposition for healthcare marketers—and how it’s scalable across verticals. This is a masterclass for any media, events, or B2B leader looking to move beyond impressions and into the era of performance-proofed media. Key Takeaways: -Why media companies need to evolve from content sellers to strategic growth partners -How Chronicle turns passive media engagement into revenue-driving buyer signals -What it takes to build proprietary platforms that deliver guaranteed performance -The power of first-party data in transforming advertiser relationships and revenue models -Why today’s marketers demand proof—and how media companies can rise to meet it About Brian Weaver Brian is the Chairman of MEDQOR, a healthcare intelligence media company and CEO of Torch.AI, an AI-powered data infrastructure platform. He’s an expert in behavioral data science and enterprise-grade machine learning and an endurance athlete who brings that same mindset to business transformation.

With over 35 years of experience scaling trade shows and conferences, Michelle shares how she’s built, grown, and sold events like InsureTech Connect, Mobile Apps Unlocked, and LeadsCon—and how she helped transform Ai4 from a 300-person event into an 8,000+ attendee global platform. In this episode, you'll learn: -How to scale event revenue beyond the booth -Why full-cycle sales teams outperform legacy models -The smart way to use AI tools like ChatGPT in sales -How to build acquisition-ready event brands -What leading indicators tell you it’s time to sell -Why curiosity and customization are your revenue superpowers Whether you're in events, media, tech, or B2B revenue leadership, Michelle’s insights will help you rethink how you build and monetize communities at scale. About Michelle Troop Michelle Troop is the Chief Revenue Officer of Ai4, the world’s largest AI event, recently acquired by CloserStill Media. With over 35 years of experience across trade shows, consumer events, and conferences, she has built and scaled industry-leading brands including InsureTech Connect (ITC), Mobile Apps Unlocked (MAU), and LeadsCon—all of which reached critical mass and were acquired by Clarion and Access Intelligence. Earlier in her career, she helped launch the original PlayStation globally and rebuilt top shows into Trade Show Top 35 events. At Ai4, she helped transform the event from 300-person gatherings into an 8,000+ attendee global platform. Michelle is passionate about building not only great events but also high-performing teams. She lives in Dallas with her husband and is dedicated to animal rescue and good wine.

What do hamster photos, AI-powered marketing, and global event domination have in common? In this episode, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Laura Davidson, CEO and co-founder of Tag Digital, to uncover how she turned a scrappy startup into a global performance marketing powerhouse for events. From their first client win with UBM to building AI-powered digital twins and tackling the zero-click future, Laura shares bold insights on data, creative, authenticity, and the leadership grit it takes to grow in a rapidly changing market. Key Topics Covered -How Tag Digital went from local web agency to global event marketing leader -The hamster photo dispute that sparked their pivot to events -Why clean, segmented data is non-negotiable for ROI -AI, automation, and the rise of the zero-click economy -Why emotional creative and authenticity drive true event success -How AI will change attribution—and why media mix modeling is your new best friend -Building confidence, adaptability, and humor as leadership superpowers About Laura Davidson Laura Davidson is currently the CEO and Director at Tag Digital, a company specializing in paid media across various platforms exclusively within the events sector. With over 2500 event campaigns run annually in 40 countries, Laura has a wealth of experience in this field. Prior to her role at Tag Digital, Laura worked as a Lecturer at the Digital Marketing Institute, teaching courses in SEO, PPC, ecommerce, and analytics. She also worked as the Communications Director at Moviecom.tv and as a Contributing Writer at LiPulse Magazine. Laura holds a 2:1 degree in Law and English from the University of Strathclyde.

In this episode of *Revenue Room™, Samantha Skey, CEO of She Media, shares her bold, human-centered take on leadership, AI disruption, and the future of digital publishing. From reframing imposter syndrome as a systemic issue to building a diversified media model grounded in authenticity, Samantha offers a masterclass in leading with courage, clarity, and purpose in a time of massive change. Key Topics Discussed: -How Samantha approaches leadership with a focus on ethics, empathy, and long-term impact—not just short-term performance. -The tension between AI as an operational asset vs. existential threat to publishers. -Her prediction of a new industry for authenticity verification in content. -Samantha redefined imposter syndrome as a systemic issue, not a personal flaw. -A call to redesign environments to be more inclusive of non-traditional leaders. -She Media’s three-pronged business model: owned brands, creator monetization, and immersive brand partnerships. -The importance of leveraging both quantitative and qualitative inputs to drive business decisions. About Samantha Skey Samantha Skey is CEO of SHE Media, a top 10 media company reaching 80 million monthly unique visitors through brands like SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, Soaps, and TVLine. Acquired by Penske Media Corporation in 2018, SHE Media also operates one of the largest networks of independent lifestyle publishers and creators in the U.S. via the SHE Media Collective, which Skey launched in 2016 to support underrepresented voices. The Collective contributes millions in revenue annually to women- and minority-led publishers. In 2021, Skey launched Meaningful Marketplaces (MMP), enabling advertisers to scale media buys across the Collective while directly supporting premium independent media. That commitment to equity continued with the 2023 launch of Flow Space, a digital and live media platform focused on women’s health, which won both Anthem and Viddy Gold Awards. Skey also led the debut of the SHE Media Co-Lab Whole Life Health at SXSW, earning accolades from Fierce Pharma and the Anthem Awards. With over 25 years in digital media and tech, Skey previously held leadership roles at CNET, Disney, and RecycleBank, and joined SheKnows in 2013. She’s been recognized with numerous industry honors, including Ad Age’s “Women to Watch,” Folio’s “Corporate Visionary Award,” and DM News’ “Hall of Femme.” Skey serves on the boards of The Ad Council, World Surf League, and Acast, and is an advisor to Digital Ascendant and Let’s Talk Menopause. She lives in Princeton with her husband and two children and coaches girls’ lacrosse on weekends.

In this episode of Revenue Room™, Jerry Li shares his hard-won lessons on building, scaling, and thriving in the age of AI. From navigating the leap from startup scrappiness to sustainable scale, to reshaping work and leadership for the next economy, Jerry’s playbook is equal parts visionary and practical. You’ll learn how to: -Rethink growth strategies beyond short-term wins -Lead teams through rapid innovation cycles -Harness AI without losing the human edge -Prepare your business for the economy that’s coming next Whether you’re a founder, operator, or future-focused leader, Jerry’s insights will change how you think about growth, technology, and the future of work.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen speaks with Narisa Wild, Chief Digital Officer at Clarion Events North America. Narisa shares her journey from the media and entertainment sector into the events industry, and how she now drives digital transformation across Clarion’s portfolio. The conversation explores how data fuels decision-making, the importance of cross-team collaboration, and the evolving role of technology in creating meaningful event experiences. Narisa also discusses leadership approaches, aligning marketing strategies with business goals, and the future of hybrid event formats. From using analytics to shape content to fostering organizational agility, Narisa offers actionable insights for leaders navigating change in the information and events economy.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen speaks with Orson Francescone, Managing Director of FT Live, the global events business of the Financial Times. With 20 years of industry experience, Orson shares how FT Live achieved record-breaking success in 2024 — producing 240 events, hosting 3,500 speakers, and welcoming 86,000 attendees worldwide. This conversation explores the strategies behind their hybrid event model, the role of full-funnel marketing in driving engagement, and the transformative impact of AI on the events industry. Orson also explains how FT Live uses data to shape business decisions and maintain its position as one of the world’s leading media brands.

In this engaging conversation, Taylor Kessel-Salomonsson, Chief Growth Officer at Naylor Association Solutions, shares her unconventional career journey from marketing to revenue leadership. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in sales, the need for organizational alignment, and the significance of understanding the buyer journey. Taylor introduces the bow tie model as a new approach to viewing the customer lifecycle and discusses key metrics for revenue success. She also highlights the role of content as a growth engine and the differences between PE-backed and VC-backed companies. Throughout the discussion, Taylor provides valuable insights for CEOs and revenue leaders on becoming more data-driven and building strong relationships with C-suite stakeholders.

Most event businesses grew by adding more. More shows. More cities. More noise. Mark Shashoua did the opposite. In this episode, the Hyve Group CEO explains why scale without focus breaks under pressure, how he turned events into category-defining growth engines, and what happens when you replace chance-based networking with engineered outcomes.

As AI accelerates content creation and deepfakes blur reality, trust and experience are emerging as the most defensible drivers of revenue growth. In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Philip Thomas, Chief Creative Officer at Informa and Chairman of Cannes Lions, explains why creativity must operate at the executive level, how live experiences compound brand value, and why governance and authenticity are becoming competitive advantages in an automated world.

Janice Liu’s entrepreneurial instincts kicked in early: at just ten years old, she spotted a market inefficiency in international collectibles and cleared $20,000 selling Beanie Babies through classified ads. Today, she applies that same instinct to the corporate world, arguing that most enterprises are sitting on a goldmine they treat like a storage closet. In this episode of The Revenue Room, the Mantis Group CEO reveals why "every company is a data company" whether they like it or not. Janice breaks down her proprietary methodology for appraising data assets—often proving they are worth more than a company's traditional operating business—and explains how this valuation can radically increase M&A multiples. We dive deep into "shadow inefficiencies," the mechanics of brokering data deals with Large Language Models (LLMs), and why ethical consent is the single most critical factor in future-proofing your revenue. If you think your data is just a compliance risk, this conversation will change your entire balance sheet.

This webinar introduces Surround Sound Marketing as a strategic shift from selling isolated event sponsorships or media placements to delivering integrated, omni-channel marketing solutions that engage buyers throughout their full purchase journey. Heather Holst-Knudsen argues that event organizers and media companies must reposition themselves from “landlords of square footage” to data-driven matchmakers who connect advertisers with highly qualified audiences using the right message, channel, audience, and timing. By leveraging first-party data, AI, and continuous engagement before, during, and after events, organizations can increase wallet share, improve customer ROI, strengthen audience trust, and build sustainable competitive moats. The session outlines practical frameworks, revenue opportunities, sales enablement requirements, and phased implementation strategies to operationalize surround sound marketing at scale

In a recent episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather sat down with Christine Shaw, two-time CEO, data evangelist, and Executive Advisory Board Member of Revenue Room™ CXO, to explore what it truly takes to lead through disruption in today’s AI-driven landscape. Drawing on her experiences across Penwell, Future PLC, InvestmentNews, and now Naylor Association Solutions, Christine shares how data creates “calm in the storm,” why associations must reinvent themselves for the next generation, and how leaders can navigate complexity without losing their edge. This conversation reveals a blueprint for executives looking to transform with purpose and stay relevant in the most accelerated era our industry has ever faced.

This video explores Lia Bliss’s perspective on why LinkedIn rewards leadership clarity over content volume. Executive presence, consistency, and conviction build trust that compounds into long-term influence and revenue.

Diana Florescu, CEO and founder of Media for Growth, explains how media companies can leverage Media for Equity to drive growth in consumer brands. She shares how her fund trades advertising inventory for equity, creating value for startups, media partners, and investors, while providing hands-on guidance to ensure brand success. Discover how this model diversifies revenue, reduces risk, and accelerates consumer brand growth.

A strategic look at why leadership networks have become essential infrastructure for modern CEOs and how the right rooms accelerate growth.

In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by industry titan Doug Emslie (Chairman, Cuil Bay Capital & Raccoon Media Group; former CEO, Tarsus Group). With a career spanning "nearly a third of a century"—from negotiating multi-million pound deals in his 20s to guiding Tarsus to a billion-dollar exit—Doug offers a masterclass on the tension between financial efficiency and creative soul.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Sean Griffey, co-founder and former CEO of Industry Dive, one of the biggest B2B media success stories of the past decade. Sean shares the real playbook behind scaling Industry Dive from five scrappy newsletters into a multi-vertical powerhouse that reached millions of executives, generated $100M+ in revenue, and ultimately sold to Informa for over $500M. Heather and Sean unpack what made the model work—from niche-audience obsession, to portfolio-wide sales strategy, to operational discipline most media companies still struggle to adopt. Sean also reflects on intent data, first-party strategies, sales org structure, account penetration, AI’s impact on search and audience behavior, and the evolving relationship between digital media and events. This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most respected operators in B2B media built a modern, high-margin, high-value company by focusing on what really matters: audience, product, and customer outcomes.

In this conversation with InGo Founder & CEO Michael Barnett, we explore why events are now the most trusted growth engine for modern organizations, how attendee advocacy unlocks exponential reach and higher-quality audiences, and why AI is pushing event leaders to double down on community, connection, and trust-driven experiences.

This episode of the Revenue Room Podcast features Allison Markert (Future B2B) and Jaime Schultheis (Bombora) discussing how their partnership uses enriched first-party data and intent signals to unify audiences across Future’s portfolio, helping advertisers reach in-market accounts beyond single-site assumptions. They explain shifting B2B sales from brand-led to audience-led solutions, the importance of educating both sales teams and buyers, and how full-funnel activation plus measurement now must prove account movement and pipeline impact—not just clicks. The conversation also covers AI’s dual role as disruption and advantage, emphasizing trusted journalism and smart AI productization, and closes with leadership lessons on navigating constant change through clarity, communication, and human-first resilience.

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.

This conversation with Amanda Landsaw revealed how EndeavorB2B has shifted from a legacy media identity to a modern intelligence and marketing solutions company. We explored how enterprise selling strengthens revenue, why marketing must be data driven, how AI is reshaping skill sets, and why privacy by design creates advantage. EndeavorB2B’s evolution offers a blueprint for every executive leading change inside a media, events, or information business.

Join Heather Holst-Knudsen of H2K Labs and James Hayes of Sales Empowerment Group for a high-impact session that sets the stage for revenue transformation. In just 60 minutes, you’ll learn why RevOps is the cornerstone of scalable growth, explore the AI-enabled RAISE framework, and discover how to unify people, processes, and data into one powerful revenue engine—your foundation for success at RevLab NYC.

Over two decades, Metter has grown regional food festivals into nationally recognized economic drivers. Her thesis is simple: live experiences are not cost centers. They are revenue platforms capable of compounding value across multiple stakeholders.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with visionary media and advertising executive, President and Founder of Monarch Advisory Collective, Laura Molen. With a career spanning MTV Networks, Paramount, Univision, and NBCUniversal, Laura has had a front-row seat to every major shift in media over the last two decades. Laura shares her incredible journey of navigating constant industry disruption—from the days when cable challenged broadcast television, to the rise of social media fandoms, to the streaming revolution. She offers an inside look at how she spearheaded NBCUniversal’s "One Platform" cross-channel strategy, successfully led the high-stakes launch of Peacock's ad-supported streaming business, and ultimately made the brave personal decision to step away from the C-suite to focus on her family and advisory work.

What happens when you build a media company like a software business instead of a publication? Tim Huelskamp, Co-Founder and CEO of 1440, explains how disciplined financial thinking, relentless customer feedback, and a focus on exceptional talent helped grow a daily newsletter to nearly five million readers and a $101 million valuation—all without venture capital.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way companies operate, but many leaders are making the same mistake: investing heavily in AI tools while neglecting the people expected to use them. In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Jay Lauf, Co-Founder of Charter, to explore why successful AI transformation depends more on organizational design, leadership, and training than on software itself.