Archives: Podcasts

The Business of Meetings – Episode 261 - Building Club Ichi: The Journey, The Growth & The Partnership with Liz Lathan & Nicole Osibodu Today, we are excited to welcome two of the most influential and high-energy leaders in the meetings and events industry. The dynamic duo, Liz Lathan and Nicole Osibodu are founders of Club Ichi. Individually, they are powerful, and together, they are dominating the market! Stay tuned as we explore their journey, the vision behind Club Ichi, and the incredible work they are doing to shape the future of our industry! Reinventing the Event Industry Liz and Nicole built their careers in experiential marketing, but they were not satisfied with how the industry operated. They saw a need for more community, innovation, and fresh ideas, and instead of waiting for change, they created it themselves. Through bold projects like Secret Family Reunion and Club Ichi, they are reshaping how..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 260 - Elevating Engagement: Turning Events into Transformational Journeys with Eric Rozenberg Would you like to know how to create a truly unforgettable business experience? Today, Eric explores the power of engagement and explains how to design unique experiences, sharing insights from an inspiring conference and an example of a past touchpoint that left a lasting impact.  Stay tuned for valuable strategies to enhance your engagement and create unforgettable experiences. Focusing on What Never Changes Jeff Bezos focuses on what remains constant because Amazon customers always want lower prices and faster delivery. Applying that to the meetings and events industry, Eric identifies two unchanging factors- the need for in-person gatherings, as nothing replaces human connection, and the demand for unique experiences, as people constantly seek unforgettable one-of-a-kind..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 259 - Exceeding Expectations: The Path to Customer Delight with Eric Rozenberg  How can you consistently delight your customers while also providing exceptional value? In business, relationships are everything. Companies prioritizing customer delight set themselves apart, creating lasting impressions and strong customer loyalty.  Stay tuned as Eric shares practical insights and examples to help you surprise, delight, and elevate your customer interactions. The Power of Small, Thoughtful Gestures The answer to delighting customers lies in making personal yet meaningful connections. A memorable experience might come from a simple, thoughtful action. For instance, Eric recalls how a small gesture when traveling– a message about his favorite TV show being available in his hotel room, left him with a lasting impression, proving that even a small effort can make customers feel..

Running a business of your own is not for the faint-hearted.  To be successfully self-employed, business owners must develop the resilience to stress most people find overwhelming.  Stay tuned to learn about mindset shifts entrepreneurs need to make to grow successful businesses. Adaptability is Essential Entrepreneurs must be willing to change and adapt if they want to be successful. Sticking to old, familiar methods can lead to stagnation, so they must embrace new ways of thinking, working, and problem-solving to stay competitive and grow their businesses. A Long-Term Vision Provides Stability Entrepreneurship is like a roller coaster. A clear, long-term vision helps business owners stay grounded and focused during challenging times. Regularly revisiting their ultimate goal will allow entrepreneurs to navigate obstacles with more resilience and ensure that their short-term struggles do not derail their..

Do your company values genuinely shape the way you run your business? Today, Eric dives into how to build a company culture to align with the values of your business and ensure they determine how you operate within your business.  Join us to learn the significance of upholding your company values, even when it involves making difficult choices or sacrificing some revenue. Turning Down Business for Ethical Reasons Eric begins by sharing three stories to illustrate the importance of sticking to the core values of a business.  In the first story, he faced a dilemma when a major pharmaceutical client wanted to hold a sales meeting in Vienna just as a controversial political leader had taken power in Austria. Despite needing the business, Eric stood by his principles and refused to organize the event. After discussing his concerns with his client, he was allowed to keep their business and chose a different..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 256: Own Your Success: How to Stay Accountable and Get Results with Eric Rozenberg Today, Eric dives into the importance of accountability in achieving success.  Drawing from his past experiences, he highlights the transformative power of accountability in driving exceptional results. Example from Student Days: Planning vs. Execution There is a huge difference between creating a study plan and executing a study plan with accountability. To illustrate the importance of staying committed to goals despite external temptations, Eric shares a personal anecdote from his student days in Belgium, explaining how he planned for his exams meticulously but still got distracted by a tennis championship. Leadership at ISEC: Board Accountability Eric learned the value of accountability through regular board meetings in his leadership role at ISEC. Working with an advisory board of senior..

We are delighted to welcome Ami Kassar, the founder and CEO of MultiFunding, as our guest today. Ami is a member of the EO and the president of the EO Philadelphia chapter, and he brings a wealth of expertise and experience.  With the shift in administration, most business owners are curious about the future of mergers and acquisitions for small businesses. Some owners are considering selling, while others are looking to buy. Ami is here to shed light on this important topic and share his insights. Join us for his expert perspective on what lies ahead for small businesses. Founding MultiFunding In 2010, after losing his corporate position as Chief Innovation Officer at the largest credit card issuer for small businesses, Ami started MultiFunding. During the Great Recession, he got laid off by the company he was working for after helping them terminate 960 employees. It was a sobering experience he vowed never to repeat...

The Business of Meetings – Episode 254 – For L.A. with Love: Reflections on Resilience with Eric Rozenberg Eric addresses the devastating wildfires raging in Los Angeles in this special episode. He reflects on the unfolding crisis with compassion and concern, sharing his thoughts and offering a message of resilience. Join us as Eric speaks from the heart, acknowledging the widespread heartbreak for those who have lost their homes or had to evacuate while the situation remains far from resolved. Connection to LA Eric shares his early memories of Los Angeles, where he stayed with relatives as a 14-year-old, learning English by immersing himself in the culture. Reflections on Resilience Inspired by a poignant quote shared by a Krav Maga instructor, Eric reflects on resilience and the importance of responding to challenges in life. The quote highlights how we should define ourselves by how we move forward rather than..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 253 - Leveraging Partnerships: ELX CEO Nicola Kastner on How Small Businesses Can Attract Big Clients We are thrilled to welcome Nicola Kastner as today’s guest. Nicola is the CEO of Event Leaders Exchange, an exclusive global community connecting senior corporate event leaders from large companies across diverse industries. She has had an impressive career with leadership roles at Maritz, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and SAP, and she has also run her own business. A seasoned traveler and visionary, she earned the Event Marketing B2B Dream Team honor, recognition as a top woman in events, and a well-deserved place in the Canadian Meeting Hall of Fame. Nicola is motivated, passionate, and purposeful. Join us as we explore her valuable insights, diverse experiences, and inspiring vision for the future of the events industry. Career Journey Her initial motivation to pursue hospitality was..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 252: From Conscious Leadership to Wellness: Kim Napolitano’s Insights on Building Great Places to Work Welcome to our very first podcast for 2025! We are thrilled to begin the new year with an inspiring conversation with an outstanding leader in our industry. Kim Napolitano is the Executive Director of Industry Relations and Intermediary Group Sales for Hilton Worldwide Sales. She is also a dedicated Peloton rider and a certified master practitioner of energetic medicine. With a passion for wellness and three decades of invaluable leadership experience behind her, Kim joins us today to share her insights on the best type of workplace, conscious leadership, and ways to weave wellness into every aspect of all we do. Journey to Conscious Leadership After beginning her journey with an unfulfilled sense of purpose, Kim sought guidance from a life and executive coach, who encouraged her..