Accelerate with David Alexander

Building the Future of Venues with Trevor Mitchell (IAVM), Joel Edmondson (VMA) and Steve Mackenzie (Momentus)

In every industry, there are a few leaders who don’t just work in the ecosystem, they reshape it. This episode brings together three visionaries building the future of how the world gathers: - Trevor Mitchell, President & CEO of IAVM, representing more than 8,000 venue professionals who create meaningful experiences in venues around the world. - Joel Edmondson, CEO of VMA, an artist turned association leader building a powerful venue community across Australia and Southeast Asia. - Steve Mackenzie, Chief Innovation Officer at Momentus, the technology engine behind 1.4 million events a year in stadiums, arenas, and convention centers globally.  What unfolds in this conversation is rare: Three leaders, one ecosystem, openly sharing the truth behind innovation, community and navigating the toughest seasons of leadership. You’ll hear: * Why failure is the price of innovation and why leaders must create cultures where ideas can break before they become brilliant.  * Why storytelling, creativity, and openness traits once thought “soft” are now the hardest leadership skills to master.  * The story of how Steve left New Zealand at 18, took an unexpected job on a small island on the Great Barrier Reef, and eventually became a global leader powering some of the world’s most iconic events through his work at Momentus.  * How Trevor approached his first 90 days as CEO of a 100-year-old organization and immediately began crafting its next century of impact.  * How Joel’s upbringing as an artist and producer shapes the way he sees people, experiences and leadership. You’ll learn about leadership, partnership and shaping global experiences told by the people who quietly build the stages the world stands on. If you care about the future of events, technology, community or leadership you’ll want to hear this.  Guest Links: www.iavm.org [https://iavm.org/]www.vma.org.au www.gomomentus.com [http://www.gomomentus.com/] About Me: www.davidjalexander.com [http://www.davidjalexander.com/]

$50M Startup, Student Movement and Association Innovation with Alexander McCobin, Tom Wojno and Pavel Bosovik

In this episode of Accelerate with David Alexander, three operators show how values, community, and systems translate into measurable returns. Alexander McCobin: Founder and CEO of Liberty Ventures, a community reaching 20,000 plus members. Former CEO of Conscious Capitalism with Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey. Co- founder of Students for Liberty. Tom Wojno: COO and SVP at International Dairy Foods Association. Represents a sector covering nearly 90 percent of U.S. dairy processing. Known for a quantified 13 to 1 association ROI. Former leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Restaurant Association, and Bloomberg. Pavel Bosovik: CEO of 27 North. Scaled a 50 million dollar pandemic startup with a people first pay your fair share ethos that turns reputation into real returns. He's an active philanthropist supporting organizations such as Care to Learn out of Springfield MO focused on health, hunger and hygiene.   Across one fast moving conversation, they map the ROI ledger every association and community should pursue, the network leverage that converts relationships into capital, talent and strategy. You will hear the student movement habits that seed billion dollar brands, the operating system behind a 13 to 1 return, and what it looks like to scale while doing the right thing on paper and in practice. If you lead a fund, an association, or a founding team, this is a playbook for measurable credibility. Press play, and bring a pen. Guest Websites:  www.libertyventures.xyz/ www.idfa.org/ www.the27north.com

Serve. Trust. Scale with Bennie F. Johnson, Michael Dominguez and Pádraic Gilligan

In this episode of Accelerate with David Alexander, three industry voices shaping how modern leaders win come together: * Bennie F. Johnson, CEO, American Marketing Association Represents nearly 30,000 CMOs and academic leaders. * Michael Dominguez, CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International Trusted by members to generate over $400 million in annual sales. * Pádraic Gilligan, Co-Founder, SoolNua; former Global CMO, SITE Teacher turned entrepreneur whose startup grew to over $30 million annually. Across one fast moving conversation, they challenge the myths about authority, show why community beats ego and reframe recognition as a performance tool. You’ll hear the moment a title stops mattering, the habit that quietly multiplies team confidence and the simple practice that turns customers into champions. If you’re leading a team, a chapter, or a company, this is your playbook for credibility in 2025 told by people who earn trust the hard way. Press play, and bring a pen. Season 3 Guest Nominations We’re curating a select group of association CEOs and Executive Directors preparing to launch a podcast in the next 6–12 months. Think of it as your test drive, a strategic opportunity to experience what launching your own show could look like. Selected leaders may also invite a team or community voice to join their episode. Submit nominations by November 14. 👉 Visit www.davidjalexander.com/accelerate [https://www.davidjalexander.com/accelerate] for details. Guest Websites:  * www.ama.org [https://www.ama.org] * www.alhi.com [https://www.alhi.com] * www.siteglobal.com [https://siteglobal.com] * www.soolnua.com [https://soolnua.com]

Inside LIVE Events with Carrie Freeman Parsons and Bob Priest-Heck

This isn’t just another business episode. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how Freeman, one of the most iconic names in live events, is rewriting the playbook on what it means to lead with purpose, push boundaries, and still keep people first. With 250 million attendees reached each year, Freeman doesn’t just produce events, they shape global experiences. From NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit to over 4,500 clients worldwide, Freeman’s legacy is grounded in courage, clarity, and culture. Now, they’ve captured their formula for high-impact leadership in their new book: Inside LIVE Events: Your Playbook for Mastering the Experience. In This Episode: Host David Alexander welcomes back two powerhouses: * Carrie Freeman Parsons – Chair of Freeman and a fearless voice on empathy-driven leadership * Bob Priest-Heck – Immediate Past CEO of Freeman and a strategic force behind innovation at the firm Joining the conversation: * Dr. Lauren Cohen - (Harvard Business School) breaks down the family business mindset that fuels Freeman’s long-game. * Sherry Huss, Freeman’s Head of Community returns to talk about the innovation and leadership culture at Freeman Topics You’ll Care About: * Leading under pressure while staying grounded in values * Why empathy is the ultimate business advantage * Creative briefs that drive clarity and execution * Using data to design meaningful, segmented experiences * Creating longterm value through digital strategy and bold planning The Bottom Line: If you’re building something that matters this is your blueprint. Whether you lead a team, a company, or a cause, Inside LIVE Events gives you the tools to lead with  focus and values. Explore the book: Inside LIVE Events: Your Playbook for Mastering the Experience [https://www.freeman.com/inside-live-events/] Discover Freeman: www.freeman.com [https://www.freeman.com/] Connect with David: www.davidjalexander.com [https://www.davidjalexander.com/]

Change: Freeman’s Legacy and Leadership Story with Carrie Freeman Parsons and Bob Priest-Heck

How does a company with nearly a century of history continue to innovate in an industry built on change? In this episode of Accelerate with David Alexander we explore the legacy and leadership behind Freeman, a global force in live event production and brand experiences. With 98 years of heritage, and an annual reach of over 250 million attendees, Freeman continues to shape the future of live experiences through purpose-driven transformation. Freeman's Chair, Carrie Freeman Parsons and Immediate Past CEO Bob Priest-Heck join the conversation to reflect on the values that have anchored the organization across generations and how those values fueled the company’s resilience and innovation during one of its most defining periods: the pandemic. The discussion also highlights the leadership of current CEO Janet Dell, whose operational expertise and learning mindset helped guide Freeman through disruption and into renewed growth. Also contributing insight is Sherry Huss, Freeman’s Head of Community and former Innovator-in-Residence. A co-founder of Maker Faire and a pioneer in experiential community building, Sherry offers reflections on Freeman’s culture and its leaders. Stay tuned for Part II, which will focus on Carrie and Bob’s new book, Inside LIVE Events: Your Playbook for Mastering the Experience. Guest Link: www.freeman.com [http://www.freeman.com/] Book: Inside Live Events: Your Playbook for Mastering the Experience [https://www.freeman.com/inside-live-events/] Producer & Host: www.davidjalexander.com [http://www.davidjalexander.com/]