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Trade Show Talk Podcast

Trade Show Talk Podcast

By: TSNN
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 Trade Show News Network is excited for season two of the "Trade Show Talk" podcast, featuring two episodes each month, focusing on topics important to our community. Host Megan Powers leads discussions with trade show and events industry leaders. We have an opportunity to hear from our peers and industry leaders in an intimate and interesting way through this show. As we all navigate the changing times together as a community, this show will give us the insight and tools we each need to succeed.TSNN 2023 Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Ep. 71: SXSW Unplugged with Chief Commercial Officer Peter Lewis

    Ep. 71: SXSW Unplugged with Chief Commercial Officer Peter Lewis
    Feb 1 2026
    In this episode of Trade Show Talk, host Danica Tormohlen speaks with Peter Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW). They discuss Peter's journey from an administrative assistant to a key leader in one of the world's most influential cultural gatherings. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities SXSW faces as it prepares for its 40th anniversary, including venue changes, economic impact, brand partnerships, and international expansion. Peter shares insights on building a strong team, creating unique experiences, and the importance of community engagement in the event industry. In our monthly advocacy update, we talk with Tommy Goodwin, Executive VP for the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. We discuss the reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which is crucial for event organizers. The conversation also touches on international travel challenges, including the visa bond program and proposed social media requirements for visa waiver countries. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is taking comments about the social media requirements proposal through February 9. Email CBP here. Registration for ECA's Legislative Action Day is now open, and trade show professionals can register here. Peter Lewis bio Peter Lewis serves as Chief Commercial Officer at SXSW, where he leads the commercial strategy and execution across partnerships, customer success, content, communications, sales, marketing, and growth markets. He oversees teams that design and deliver festival experiences, partner programming, brand activations, global sponsorships, and go-to-market operations, ensuring the forward-thinking community that comes to SXSW is deeply engaged and connected. Peter joined SXSW in 2009 and has played a key role in expanding its commercial and creative reach, both in Austin and around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 02:07 Meet Peter Lewis: The Visionary Behind South by Southwest 05:04 Peter's Journey: From Admin to Chief Commercial Officer 07:08 Building a Strong Team for Success 08:18 Exciting Plans for South by Southwest 2026 11:11 Navigating Venue Challenges: A New Era for South by Southwest 14:20 Creating Unique Experiences in Austin 18:12 Economic Impact of South by Southwest 19:21 Brand Partnerships and Activations 22:22 The Evolution of Brand Engagement 24:25 Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation 25:51 International Expansion: South by Southwest Goes Global 28:56 The Secret Sauce of South by Southwest 30:25 The Importance of Community and Connection 32:13 Panel Picker: A Platform for New Voices 34:23 Innovative Sessions and Programming 36:03 The Role of Penske Media Corporation 38:12 Surreal Moments in South by Southwest History 40:13 Unexpected Discoveries and Breakout Bands 43:50 Staying Creative and Avoiding Burnout 45:29 Conclusion and Future Insights Bio: Tommy Goodwin, Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute. Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including: CEO Update/Association Trends: Leading Association Lobbyist (2023) American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE Fellow (2022) DCA Live: Association Innovation Leader (2022) Trade Show news Network: Industry Support Award (2022) MeetingsNet: Changemaker (2022) Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries. Tormohlen currently serves as immediate past president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few. Sponsor This episode is brought to you by The Citywide Track ...
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    58 mins
  • Sustainability in Trade Shows with Informa's Head of Sustainability Ben Wielgus

    Sustainability in Trade Shows with Informa's Head of Sustainability Ben Wielgus
    Jan 5 2026
    In Episode 70 of Trade Show Talk, Host Danica Tormohlen speaks with Ben Welgus, Head of Sustainability at Informa, about the evolving landscape of sustainability in the trade show industry. They discuss the successes and challenges faced in 2025, the launch of the Better Stands initiative, and the goals for 2026, including the importance of achieving net zero emissions. The conversation highlights the significance of sustainability in enhancing business value and the need for industry-wide collaboration to create a positive impact. In our monthly advocacy update, we talk with Tommy Goodwin, Executive VP for the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. They discuss ECA's policy agenda for 2026, including an update on tariffs, international travel and the new Global Policy Forum planned for May in Washington, D.C. Key Takeaways The Faster Forward program aims for zero carbon and zero waste. Better Stands initiative promotes reusable exhibition stands. Exhibitors, particularly those outside of the U.S.. are motivated by recognition in sustainability efforts. More than 1,000 exhibitors in Europe have been recognized by the Better Stands initiative. Net zero goals require significant carbon emission reductions. Sustainability is becoming embedded in business practices. Informa has reduced carbon emission by 80% in the last decade. Natural Products Expo West, winner of the TSNN Sustainability Award in December 2025, exemplifies comprehensive sustainability efforts. Investing in renewable energy is crucial for sustainability. Tariffs and international travel remain key policy issues for ECA in 2026. New Global Policy Forum launches May 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Trade Shows 04:06 Reflecting on 2025: Wins and Challenges 05:55 Unpacking the Faster Forward Program 08:00 Looking Ahead: Sustainability Goals for 2026 09:51 The Game-Changer: Better Stands Initiative 15:29 Net Zero Goals: Current Status and Challenges 25:44 Sustainability in Business: Reality vs. Perception 30:48 Celebrating Success: Natural Products Expo West 33:20 Getting to Know Ben Welgus 36:27 Future Trends in Sustainability for 2026 40:26 Tommy Goodwin's Policy Agenda for 2026 45:00 Global Policy Forum and Future Trends Guest bios Ben Wielgus, Head of Sustainability, Informa plc A 25 year veteran of sustainability in large corporates, Ben Wielgus joined Informa in spring 2016 in the newly created Head of Sustainability role. His briefing: to create a competitive advantage from sustainability, building stronger relationships with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders. In 2023, he was short-listed as Sustainability Leader of the Year in the EDIE awards. Over the last 10 years, FTSE100 member Informa has repeatedly been recognised as one of the most improved businesses in sustainability and is currently listed in the top 1% of sustainable media business according to Dow Jones and MSCI. In 2020, Informa launched its FasterForward sustainability programme setting out an ambitious set of goals to become a zero carbon, zero waste business where sustainability is embedded within each of its products. Informa's multi award-winning Sustainable Event Fundamentals are now being used across more than 500 events globally. Before joining Informa, Ben spent nearly 15 years working as part of KPMG's Sustainability Advisory Group. He was responsible for leading dozens of engagements working with senior audiences in large, global organisations helping them understand how sustainability can be an asset that returns on the investment in it rather than acts as a cost. Ben specialises in helping organisations understand how the risks and opportunities from sustainability can affect an organisation's overall strategy. He works with them to build suitable governance and embed responses to the challenges. About Informa: Informa is a leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business, operating in the Knowledge and Information Economy. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100. Tommy Goodwin, Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute. Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including:...
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    48 mins
  • Countdown to CES 2026: A Preview with CTA President Kinsey Fabrizio

    Countdown to CES 2026: A Preview with CTA President Kinsey Fabrizio
    Dec 1 2025
    In the 69th episode of the Trade Show Talk podcast, host Danica Tormohlen interviewed Kinsey Fabrizio, president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and producer of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES). They discuss what's new for CES 2026, which is expected to welcome more than 140,000 attendees from 150+ countries to Las Vegas in January. The 2026 tech extravaganza will debut the CES Foundry focused on AI and quantum technologies, a show sector that will be held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Fabrizio shared insights from her recent trip to the UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong and outlined how CTA is leveraging AI to enhance attendee experiences through the event's mobile app. Additionally, there's an advocacy update from Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance EVP Tommy Goodwin on the latest government and tariff developments affecting the trade show industry. This episode is brought to my Trade Show News Network and is sponsored by Marriott. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 01:26 Meet Kinsey Fabrizio: Background and Achievements 02:47 Insights from the UFI Global Congress 05:06 Preview of CES 2026 06:25 Exciting New Features at CES 2026 08:18 The Role of Robotics and Health Tech at CES 12:42 Kinsey's Fabrizio's Journey and Leadership at CTA 22:54 Advocacy and AI in the Tech Industry 30:14 Personal Interests and Hobbies 31:10 Favorite Gadgets and Wishlist 35:27 Travel Tips and Hacks 39:06 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin 39:33 Government Reopening and Tariff Discussions 46:05 Visa Fee and Industry Impact 50:17 Conclusion and Farewell Guest bio: Kinsey Fabrizio Kinsey Fabrizio is president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, which represents more than 1,200 consumer technology companies and owns and produces CES® - the most influential tech event in the world. In this role, Fabrizio serves on CTA's Executive board and directs strategy and operations across all business units. Since joining CTA in 2008, Fabrizio has driven transformation at both CTA and CES. As senior vice president, she oversaw CES conferences and show operations, led an expansion of CES products, and spearheaded a modernization of CTA's membership infrastructure and categories. Earlier in her career, she drove strategic growth in emerging tech categories. A pioneer in the digital health space, Fabrizio created CTA's Health Division, launched a healthcare provider program for doctors at CES 2015, and debuted CES's first Continuing Medical Education (CME)-accredited conference in 2019. She also spearheaded the Video Division Board's 4K and 8K TV initiatives, founded the Content and Entertainment Council, and launched CTA's Disruptive Innovation Council in 2016 to engage companies with breakthrough technologies and services. Fabrizio's leadership earned her recognition as one of Washingtonian's Most Powerful Women in 2025 and a Washingtonian Tech Titan in 2024 and 2025. She also received the 2023 Women in CT Legacy Award for her contributions to the consumer technology industry. Fabrizio is a member of the George Mason University Costello College of Business Dean's Advisory Council and the Washington Economic Club. She holds a BA from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and two children. Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute. Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including: CEO Update/Association Trends: Leading Association Lobbyist (2023) American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE Fellow (2022) DCA Live: Association Innovation Leader (2022) Trade Show news Network: Industry Support Award (2022) MeetingsNet: Changemaker (2022) Host bio: Danica Tormohlen An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media...
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    52 mins
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