The Dan Assor Show #eventprofs

In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Phil Soar just days after the announcement of the major deal involving CloserStill Media, Searchlight Capital Partners and Providence Equity Partners.Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global exhibitions industry, Phil shares the story behind the transaction, the growth of CloserStill from a start-up on a pig farm to a reported $1.77bn valuation, and what the future holds for the events industry.If you work in exhibitions, media, events, private equity or B2B marketing, this is a fascinating insight into one of the biggest deals the industry has ever seen.

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Cockerton, Co-Founder of the Digital Accountancy Show, to explore his journey from a media and fintech background to building one of the UK’s fastest-growing niche events for the accountancy sector. We discuss how Daniel and his business partner James Howell identified a market gap, grew the show from 600 attendees to over 5,000, and recently sold the business to global events giant Easyfairs.Daniel opens up about his entrepreneurial mindset, the power of partnerships, the challenges of launching during COVID, the emotional rollercoaster of scaling a business, and his personal resilience following open-heart surgery. This episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, community-building, scaling, and staying mission-driven.The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the show to be notified first about future episodes.Watch episodes of the show here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Dodge Woodall, the mastermind behind Bournemouth 7s Festival, host of the Eventful Lives podcast, and a serial entrepreneur. From selling nightclub tickets as a 10-year-old to building one of the UK's most successful independent festivals, Dodge shares his raw, unfiltered journey of risk-taking, resilience, and relentless ambition. He shares the highs, lows, and brutal realities of entrepreneurship and how at one point, he had to remortgage his house, risking everything to keep his dream alive. Tune in for real business lessons, and high-energy insights on building brands, the future of events, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and why he believes "naivety is a superpower."About The Guest Dodge Woodall is a British entrepreneur, festival founder, podcast host, and business mentor. He is best known as the creator of the Bournemouth 7s Festival, often called the "Sporting Glastonbury," attracting 30,000 attendees annually. He also hosts the Eventful Lives podcast, featuring inspiring guests from diverse backgrounds, ranking in the top 0.5% globally with over 100 million views.With over 25 years of experience, Dodge has built successful brands in nightlife, events, and online education. He co-founded Event Crowd, an online events management course, and regularly shares business insights on social media.The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the show to be notified first about future episodes.The Dan Assor Show is also available to watch on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

Dive into an insightful conversation with Hugh Jones, CEO of RX, as he unveils his journey through the dynamic world of trade shows and exhibitions. From his unexpected start managing gas stations to leading one of the largest B2B event organisers globally, this episode highlights Hugh’s leadership in transforming RX, and his unique perspective on the challenges and innovations shaping the industry. What You’ll Discover in This Episode:Unconventional Career Pathways: Learn how Hugh Jones's early experiences managing gas stations provided him with unique management insights that propelled his rise in the trade show industry.Navigating Through Crisis: Discover the strategies Hugh employed to steer RX through the challenges of the global pandemic, highlighting resilience and adaptability in crisis management.Innovation in Trade Shows: Explore how RX is integrating cutting-edge technology like AI to transform traditional trade show experiences, making them more engaging and efficient.Focus on Sustainability and Inclusivity: Gain insight into RX’s initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and inclusivity at trade shows, ensuring they are accessible and enjoyable for all attendees.Revolutionizing Sales and Marketing Strategies: Understand how RX is shifting from traditional sales tactics to value-based pricing and consultative selling to better meet the needs of exhibitors and visitors.Leadership Insights from a Top Executive: Hear directly from Hugh about the qualities that define effective leadership in today’s fast-paced business environment, including transparency, humour, and a willingness to embrace failure as a path to success.About The Guest Hugh’s philosophy in life? Every executive has to place bets in order for the value propositions to remain relevant to the customers, but not every bet has to work. That philosophy has served him well over the years since joining RELX in 2011, following the purchase of Accuity where he was Chief Executive Officer. In addition to leading Accuity to become one of the world’s largest and most significant companies in the payment routing and Anti Money Laundering sectors, he has also led Fircosoft, NRS, I.C.I.S, Estates Gazette (EG) and Cirium; and before joining RX he was Global Managing Director within the Risk and Business Analytics Division. Hugh’s philosophy has seen him lead large scale acquisitions and subsequent integrations of many companies that now reside and prosper within the RELX portfolio. Hugh joined RX as CEO at the start of 2020 bringing with him plenty of experience in public company protocol and all facets of business management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales execution, technology innovation and product discovery, launch and growth. Hugh’s experience has been invaluable in navigating RX’s response to challenges and his strategic understanding of technological innovation has accelerated the use of digital and data products and services across RX events, as an ongoing core component of RX face to face events. Passionate about building a culture of collaboration, exploring, risk taking, accountability and courage, Hugh champions the creation of a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all.The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Eman Pulis, the visionary founder of the SiGMA Group, a global media and events company focused on the gaming and emerging technology sectors. Since its inception in 2014, SiGMA has rapidly evolved from a small, niche event to a global powerhouse. The brand redefined itself through rebranding initiatives, strategic acquisitions, and the establishment of new pillars, such as SiGMA Foundation and Ikigai Ventures. Catering to over 1,200 exhibitors and 80,000 industry delegates, SiGMA Group hosts 7 international summits today, as well as 30 ancillary networking events annually - including poker tournaments and iGatherings. From humble beginnings in Malta to building a global events powerhouse, Eman shares his remarkable journey of resilience, risk-taking, and reinvention. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: How Eman’s Olympic dreams shaped his entrepreneurial mindset The pivot from organising parties to running world-class gaming conferences Launching SiGMA World with zero experience – and scaling it to 100,000+ delegates Surviving the pandemic and using it as a catalyst for global expansion Why "glocalisation" is key to successful event expansion The philosophy behind Ikigai Ventures and what Eman looks for in start-ups Powerful lessons on leadership, growth, and dealing with failure https://sigma.world/ https://ikigaiventures.io/ The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

Join me as I sit down with Yancy Weinrich, President of North America & Board Director at CloserStill Media, to uncover her remarkable journey in the trade show and exhibition industry. From her early days as an exhibitor to leading one of the fastest-growing event companies globally, Yancy shares insights into leadership, innovation, and the future of events. In this episode, we discuss:✅ Her career journey from Reed Exhibitions to CloserStill Media.✅ The transformative impact of the pandemic on the industry.✅ How CloserStill Media has doubled in size and achieved global recognition.✅ Trends in event technology, audience development, and AI.✅ The importance of advocacy and shaping government policy through the ECA and SISO.✅ Leadership lessons, team building, and advice for aspiring professionals in the event sector If you're passionate about b2b events, leadership, or industry trends, this episode is for you! The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

In this special year-end episode, I sit down with Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group, one of the UKs fastest growing B2B event organisers,  to reflect on a ground breaking year for the business and explore what lies ahead for 2025 in the trade show and exhibitions industry. Peter delves into the key milestones of 2024, including Nineteen Group’s acquisition of Oliver Kinross and the transformative sale to the Growth Partnership Fund. He shares his thoughts on how these events have shaped the company’s direction, along with insights into their innovative initiatives like the Academy of Excellence for Sales and the company’s peer-to-peer KADI Awards, which celebrate living the values of Kind, Agile, Driven, and Inclusive. We also explore the challenges of maintaining a strong company culture while scaling rapidly and discuss the trends shaping the industry in 2025, such as the evolving role of technology, the push for sustainability, and the demand for more personalised, high-value events. On a personal note, Peter opens up about his growth as a leader, lessons learned from his personal journey, and what turning 50 in 2025 means to him. To wrap up, we add a festive twist with a rapid-fire Christmas quiz where Peter shares his favourite holiday traditions and preferences. This episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and a touch of holiday cheer. Don’t miss it! The Dan Assor Event Technology Sponsor is Jonas Event Technology - an award-winning event registration supplier for organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and conferences. ⁠⁠https://jonas.events/ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show event industry supporters: Nineteen Group ⁠⁠https://www.nineteengroup.com⁠⁠ Terrapinn ⁠⁠https://www.terrapinn.com ⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠⁠ Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠⁠ Connect with Dan on ⁠⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

Duncan Reid’s journey in the events industry is nothing short of extraordinary. From organising house parties as a teenager to nearly 25 years at global giants UBM and Clarion Events, Duncan has been a force in reshaping how events are conceived and delivered. Recorded on the show floor at Event Tech Live 2024 in London ExCel, this episode dives into his career, the pivotal lessons he’s learned, and his thoughts on the next big trends shaping the future of events. We explore Duncan’s early influences, his entrepreneurial mindset, and how he navigated the challenges of launching his own event, Reset Connect. As a passionate advocate for sustainability and innovation, Duncan also shares his thoughts on integrating technology to improve event experiences and how AI is revolutionising the industry. Whether you’re an event professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the evolution of the events sector, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, inspiration, and valuable advice. Discover the secrets to building successful events, adapting to change, and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. The Dan Assor Event Technology Sponsor is Jonas Event Technology - an award-winning event registration supplier for organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and conferences. ⁠https://jonas.events/ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show event industry supporters: Nineteen Group ⁠https://www.nineteengroup.com⁠ Terrapinn ⁠https://www.terrapinn.com ⁠ The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK ⁠https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ ⁠ Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor ⁠ Connect with Dan on ⁠LinkedIn /danassor   ⁠ Website ⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠

Join me for an insightful conversation with Enrico Gallorini, CEO of GRS Research and Strategy, as he shares his journey in the events industry and discusses his new book, In-Person: A Journey Through the Unstoppable Evolution of Events. Enrico reflects on the history of gatherings, the impact of culture on events, and the future of in-person connections in a digital age. Discover how his upbringing in Italy, personal challenges, and professional experiences have shaped his passion for creating meaningful, impactful gatherings. A must-watch for event professionals and anyone curious about the transformative power of human connection! Purchase the book today here https://amzn.eu/d/drPYWfJ Key Takeaways: The impact of family and Italian culture on Enrico’s love for gatherings. How early event experiences led him to create one of Europe’s largest dealer exhibitions. Reflections on the historical role of rituals and spirituality in events. Why in-person events remain irreplaceable in a digital, hyper-isolated world. The future of events as "portals to the future" showcasing innovation and fostering community. Advice for young professionals on authenticity, passion, and purpose in the events industry. The Dan Assor Event Technology Sponsor is Jonas Event Technology - an award-winning event registration supplier for organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and conferences. https://jonas.events/ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show event industry supporters: Nineteen Group https://www.nineteengroup.com Terrapinn https://www.terrapinn.com The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner is Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity who brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/ Subscribe to this channel to be notified first about future episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/danassor Connect with Dan on LinkedIn /danassor   Website https://www.danassor.com

In this episode, I welcome Doug Emslie, former CEO of Tarsus Group, and current chairman of Cuil Bay capital and Raccoon Media Group. Doug shares insights into his recent investment in Jacobs Media, a leader in travel media and events, to support its expansion into global markets, particularly the Middle East and U.S, and the launch of an animal health division at Raccoon Media, highlighting the growing demand for passion-led events in areas like pet care and equestrian shows. This move signals Raccoon Media’s commitment to expanding B2B events in the thriving pet and animal health sector. We examine the trade show industry’s ongoing M&A boom, debating whether current acquisition levels are sustainable or risking a potential market bubble, and discuss the recent UK budget and its potential impact on business, and the US election, and the pros and cons of a Trump or Harris presidency. This episode is essential viewing for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry insiders alike. Tune in for Doug’s in-depth take on the forces shaping the future of trade shows, exhibitions, and global business. The Dan Assor Show Event Technology Sponsor Jonas Event Technology is an award-winning event registration supplier for organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and conferences, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jonas.events/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show Supporters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Terrapinn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nineteen Group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Dan Assor Show Charity Partner - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rays of Sunshine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ who brighten the lives of thousands of seriously ill young people and their families by fulfilling dreams through granting wishes and by providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can watch The Dan Assor Show on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/danassor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Speaking or Sponsorship opportunities Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for information Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.danassor.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/danassor/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠