Archives: Podcasts

The Business of Meetings – 251: Five Must-Read Books to Thrive in 2025: AI, Pricing, Money, and Geopolitics Unveiled with with Eric Rozenberg As 2024 draws to a close, Eric takes the opportunity to share a selection of books that profoundly influenced his thinking over the past year. Each recommended book covers a different topic, from AI to pricing, financial psychology, and geopolitics. Eric carefully selected each book to inspire you to reflect on the past year and encourage your strategic preparation for 2025 in business and life. Amplify AI by Ronsley Vaz Amplify AI, written by Ronsley Vaz, is a comprehensive guide to integrating AI into business practices. The book is in three parts: AI adoption, and a historical overview and common pitfalls to avoid Using AI ethically and implementing it responsibly The Amplified AI Pyramid outlines four critical growth areas Ronsley’s expertise as a..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 250: Revolutionizing Business Models: Insights for the Meetings and Events Industry with Alex Osterwalder  We are delighted to welcome Alex Osterwalder as our guest today. Alex is the visionary behind the groundbreaking Business Model Canvas and the founder and CEO of Strategyzer. Join us as Alex takes us through his journey, from presenting his doctoral dissertation on business models to developing innovative tools, highlighting the power of simplicity and the value of rigorous testing. His Journey from PhD to Strategyzer Alex began his journey with a doctoral dissertation on business models, supervised by Yves Pigneur. Surprised by the interest his thesis received online, Alex decided to co-write a book with Yves. They self-published their book and crowdfunded the project before crowdfunding became mainstream. Their success laid the groundwork for Strategyzer. The Birth of the..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 249 – Amplify AI: Ronsley Seriojo Vaz on Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Business Growth  We are delighted to welcome Ronsley Seriojo Vaz as today’s podcast guest. As the host and Executive Producer of the top-rated Amplify AI and We Are Podcasts, Ronsley is a leading voice in helping organizations master the art of AI integration. He is also the author of the book Amplify AI, where he explores the transformative power of AI and its philosophy. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with insights and innovation as Ronsley takes us on a journey into the AI world. A Diverse Background  His diverse background, combining technology and philosophy, has given Ronsley a unique perspective on problem-solving, allowing him to approach challenges with a mix of analytical and creative thinking. His experience in technology helps him create innovative solutions, while..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 248 Unlocking Success: The 5 Essentials You Need for 2025 with Eric Rozenberg  As the year draws toward a close, Eric shares five essential aspects you need to consider to set yourself up for success in the coming year. Join us as Eric dives into a mix of visionary ideas and concrete steps that you can implement immediately to ensure next year is your best year ever! Define Your Long-Term Vision The foundation of success begins with a clear long-term vision. Consider why you started your business and what you want to achieve over the next 10 years. Your vision is your guiding light in the inevitable ups and downs you will experience as an entrepreneur. Even though team issues, unexpected crises, or technical glitches will likely arise, having a written vision will help you stay grounded. Review it every six months and use it as a compass during tough times. Remember, your..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 247 - Mastering Digital Presence: Strategies for Success with Leslie Carruthers We are excited to welcome Leslie Carruthers, Founder and President of The Search Guru, to the show today. As a seasoned SEO specialist and an expert in integrating AI into marketing strategies, Leslie has vast knowledge about leveraging AI technologies for impactful business growth. She joins us today to share her entrepreneurial journey and offer valuable insights on using AI to drive a more effective and efficient approach to sales and marketing. Entrepreneurial Journey Leslie attributes her entrepreneurial spirit to a family culture that values independent business endeavors. After gaining experience under two influential SEO mentors, she was at a career crossroads when her employer was acquired. Inspired by her successful mentors and a mix of optimism and naivety, Leslie started her SEO-focused business..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 246 – From Cirque Du Soleil to FIFA 2026: Organizational Design for Major Events with Geneviève Retzlaff We are thrilled to have Geneviève Retzlaff join us today! After having a fulfilling career with various organizations, including seven impactful years in HR at Cirque du Soleil, Geneviève founded Grow Better Together. In this episode, we dive into her experience with Cirque du Soleil, her work with FIFA, and her insights on venues. We also explore how organizations can structure themselves more effectively, particularly their collaboration with the meetings and events industry. Starting Her Career at Cirque du Soleil Beginning her career at Cirque du Soleil allowed Geneviève to fulfill a lifelong dream. She received an unexpected interview opportunity while traveling in Peru and landed her first HR role at the Cirque du Soleil headquarters in Montreal. Her role allowed her..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 245 – Inside the Mind of a Corporate Event Production Manager: Insights for Event Business Owners with Evan Babins We are delighted to have Evan Babins joining us on the show today. Evan is the newly appointed Manager of Event Production at Scotiabank. In this episode, Evan discusses his career path and shares practical insights for business owners on the best practices for leveraging vendor networks, securing sponsorships, and optimizing trade show opportunities. Evan’s Path to Event Production Evan began his career in finance after majoring in accounting. But he soon discovered that his true passion lay in crafting experiences. That led him to the events industry, where his finance background provided the skills needed for budgeting, vendor negotiations, and maximizing project margins. Over time, he built a strong network and reputation in event production, combining his..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 244: Systematizing Success: How Processes Drive Business Growth with Adi Klevit Today, we are excited to welcome Adi Klevit, the CEO and founder of the Business Success Consulting Group, as our guest. Adi's work is indispensable for any business owner. Join us to hear her story and learn from her impactful insights on the power of effective processes as she clarifies how to document each aspect of your work to allow effective delegation and support your business's growth. Journey into Process Improvement and Industrial Engineering Adi began her career in process improvement by choosing to study industrial engineering, drawn by the way it blended science with people-focused work. That discipline sparked her passion for creating order from chaos, which she has carried forward over nearly 30 years, working to streamline and optimize business processes. Early Career in Process..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 243- Mastering Career Growth: The Right Language and Perception in Events with Carrie Davenport  We are delighted to have a true rock star in the events industry joining us today. As the lead Events Manager of Altria, Carrie Davenport is the powerhouse behind their event management success. She has received numerous awards from various organizations in the events industry, and she also hosts a podcast called Like an #EventBoss. Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversation today. Stay tuned as she shares her expertise and passion. Carrie's Journey  Carrie unexpectedly fell into the events industry while studying psychology, which later became invaluable for her work. After realizing her knack for organizing events, she pursued event management studies in Australia. After returning, Carrie worked on military events and trade shows for organizations..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 242 - Selling Success: How Stephanie Glanzer Drives Excellence at MGM Resorts with Stephanie Glanzer We are delighted to have one of the foremost industry leaders joining us today! As the Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President of MGM Resorts International, Stephanie Glanzer holds one of the most prominent and visible sales positions imaginable. She is also involved with the U.S. Travel Association and is a member of Meeting Professionals International. Stay tuned as Stephanie shares her unique perspective on leadership and industry trends. Stephanie’s Journey Even though her career with MGM Resorts began as a short-term plan, it turned into a 26-year-long journey for Stephanie. She started as a sales coordinator in Las Vegas in 1998, expecting to return to Boston after a year. Instead, she transitioned through several roles within MGM. Her journey included roles at Mirage,..