In Conversation with Marlys Arnold, Exhibit Marketing Strategist, Speaker, Author & Consultant, Trade Show Insights Blog/Podcast Host

In Conversation with Tom Gavazzi, Founder & CEO, WoomAI

Tom Gavazzi is an accomplished entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Woom AI Marketing Agency, a company specialising in AI-powered conversational marketing solutions. In 2025, Woom became a global partner of Infobip, one of the world’s leading communication platforms. Under Tom’s leadership, Woom has developed innovative AI assistants that enhance engagement and communication on WhatsApp, particularly for events, trade shows, and brand experiences. With more than 25 years of experience in the event industry, Tom has led and executed over 1,000 business events across the B2B and B2C sectors. From 2019 to 2023, Tom worked with several AI-driven global startups, where he was responsible for client acquisition and sales across European markets. He played a key role in developing and scaling go-to-market strategies for cutting-edge AI technologies. Earlier in his career, Tom spent nine years in the financial sector. In the early 1990s, he was part of the founding team that helped establish the Croatian capital market and the Zagreb Stock Exchange and contributed to the development of the national money market. He served nearly a decade as Secretary and President of the Croatian Brokers Association and, for one year, as Secretary-General of the European Brokers Association. Today, Tom is focused on transforming the way brands and event organisers communicate with their audiences through AI-driven automation, with a strong emphasis on global impact and innovation. Tom Gavazzi [https://d2j84o4abgbvdf.cloudfront.net/podcasts/showhow2audio/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/07173538/OneDrive_Tom-Gavazzi-e1783425982401.jpg]Tom Gavazzi * Tom Gavazzi says that the trade show industry is shifting from one-time booth interactions to long-term, data-driven engagement. So, expos should no longer focus only on footfall or badge scans, but on understanding attendee intent and building personalised communication journeys. A major challenge in the events industry is the gap between engagement and actual conversion. * AI-powered assistants can help identify attendee needs, segment audiences, and nurture only relevant prospects. According to Tom, the future of trade shows lies in smarter data collection, AI-driven qualification, and customised communication rather than mass lead generation. * The future of trade shows will be transformed by agentic AI, AI avatars, and intelligent assistants that manage attendee journeys in real time. He predicts AI agents will help to schedule meetings, identify relevant exhibitors, and optimise event experiences. Although human relationships will remain the core value of in-person events, exhibitors will use AI avatars and conversational systems to extend face-to-face interactions into continuous digital engagement. Run time – 00:47:35 mins. Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link [subhanjan@pitch.link]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar]

In Conversation with Marco Barozzi, Founder, Expo Consulting (Episode 2)

Marco Barozzi is the Founder of Expo Consulting, with experience of over three decades in the exhibitions and events industry. His journey began with key roles in prestigious companies like the Blenheim Group, Miller Freeman, and Reed Exhibitions. Later, he founded Expo Consulting, helping organisations succeed in the complex and dynamic world of trade shows and events. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous public institutions, SMEs, and event planners, sharing his expertise in trade show promotion, marketing strategy, project management, and exhibitor training. As the Country Manager of Fira Barcelona for the Italian market until 2022 and a faculty member of ICE/ ITA, he mentored numerous businesses and individuals, helping them navigate the intricacies of the event marketing landscape. Marco Barozzi [https://d2j84o4abgbvdf.cloudfront.net/podcasts/showhow2audio/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/03221630/Marco-300.jpg]Marco Barozzi When not immersed in the world of events, Marco enjoys travelling, reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends. Marco says that these experiences inspire and fuel his curiosity for discovering new ideas and perspectives. * Marco Barozzi believes that the trade show industry is transforming into a form of “economic infrastructure.” Exhibitions are no longer only about visibility or sales- they are spaces where businesses reduce uncertainty, rebuild trust, and strengthen credibility through face-to-face interactions. Trade shows have become strategic coordination hubs rather than simple marketing events. * Geopolitical tensions, tariffs, supply-chain shifts, and economic fragmentation are becoming permanent and reshaping the global events landscape. So organisers and exhibitors must adapt by creating niche as well as regionalised events, and planning with uncertainty in mind. Resilience in the trade show industry will be demonstrated through flexibility, strategic repositioning, and the ability to respond quickly to changing global realities. * AI will deeply influence the events industry, but Marco agrees that there is too much hype surrounding AI. AI can be an accelerator and support system, rather than a replacement for human creativity and relationship-building. Companies still need storytelling, branding, strategy, and authentic in-person engagement to succeed. Run time – 00:53:11 mins. Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link [subhanjan@pitch.link]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar]

In Conversation with Miguel Neves, Editor-in-Chief, Skift Meetings

Miguel Neves leads the editorial team at Skift Meetings, where he and his team passionately tell the incredible stories around the business of events. He has worked in and around events for almost 20 years in various roles covering planning, marketing, social media, and editorial. Miguel has been at the forefront of innovation in event technology and AI for more than 15 years and has closely followed the rapid evolution and impact of AI. He is a Portuguese soul who built a career in the UK and is now raising a young family in southern Denmark. His favourite place in the world is a Portuguese beach on a sunny summer day. Miguel Neves [https://d2j84o4abgbvdf.cloudfront.net/podcasts/showhow2audio/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/17165254/Miguel-Headshots-2-300.jpg]Miguel Neves * In this conversation, Miguel Neves talks about several topics around the Trade Shows industry, including content creation, media role, AI efficiency and deployment, the JWC segmented report on the industry and designing events for a wide swath of ages and demographics. * On artificial intelligence, Miguel takes a balanced but sceptical position. He believes that AI is powerful for tasks like creating marketing copy, data analysis, transcription, and content summarisation, but rejects the notion that AI can be used as a fact checker or source of truth. The idea that firing the workforce to replace them with AI will have untoward consequences. * He believes that Trade shows are a bad investment to collect leads in an age where it can be done practically free of cost using scraping techniques and AI. Trade shows are more middle of the funnel or even bottom of the funnel, and must allow buyers to have conversations with technical people who can answer questions that salespeople can’t. Run time – 01:02:16 Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link [subhanjan@pitch.link]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar]

In Conversation with Kai Hattendorf, Partner, JWC

Kai Hattendorf is one of the most prominent thought leaders in the global business events industry, building on a decades-long legacy of transformation and innovation. He serves as Managing Partner at JWC, the globally leading management consultancy specialising in the exhibition, trade fair, and conference industry. In his decade at the helm of Paris-based UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, he spearheaded numerous initiatives and projects to develop the sector, drive public awareness, and grow the association’s reach and relevance. As Chair of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), a global Council of international and global associations serving the Business Events Industry, Kai led advocacy efforts, including the “Global Industry Manifesto,” which created a joint narrative for the entire events sector. Working with industry associations and global organisations such as UNFCCC, OECD, and ISO, he set up and supports initiatives, including the “Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative”. Kai’s work in the events industry has been recognised through numerous awards and recognitions around the world. His previous career also includes transformational leadership positions at Messe Frankfurt and in marketing/strategic communications, as well as in strategy and product development in the ITC and Media Industry for the Deutsche Telekom Group, the dpa Group (the German Press Agency), and a fintech start-up. A journalist by education, Kai has reported internationally, working for broadcasters like WDR and Radio Bremen in Germany, Euronews in France, the BBC in the UK, and the Voice of America in the US. He holds a Master’s degree from American University in Washington, DC, and studied in Dortmund and Edinburgh. Kai currently lives in Oslo, Norway. Kai Hattendorf [https://d2j84o4abgbvdf.cloudfront.net/podcasts/showhow2audio/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/01223042/Picture1.jpg]Kai Hattendorf * In this episode, Kai discusses the recent report, the Global Industry Performance Review by JWC, on the state of the trade shows and events industry. Amongst many findings covering 33 exhibition markets, it has become clear that now we are past the post-pandemic recovery phase, and the continued growth of the industry will be more uneven. * Growth in the industry will be driven by value-added services rather than space, although rental costs have gone up. India now stands as the most attractive destination due to a host of factors, including predicted industry growth rates, and this is a new insight for everyone, including India. * Already last year, their same report was the biggest and boldest to date, covering 3 markets and clocking in at about 400 pages. This year’s effort spans 900 pages. The report is a deep dive into the industry, with multiple segmentations based on a plethora of data collected for analysis. Run time – 00:46:06 Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link [subhanjan@pitch.link]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar] Links for Kai Hattendorf: e-mail: khattendorf@jwc.eu.com [khattendorf@jwc.eu.com] Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kaihattendorf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaihattendorf]

In Conversation with Marlys Arnold, Exhibit Marketing Strategist, Speaker, Author & Consultant, Trade Show Insights Blog/Podcast Host

Marlys Arnold brings a unique perspective to trade show exhibiting, with experience as both an exhibitor and a show organiser. For more than two decades, she’s advised thousands of exhibitors through consultations and workshops for events, ranging from local consumer expos to major U.S. trade shows. She has written two books on the subject: the award-winning Build a Better Trade Show Image and Exhibit Design That Works. A respected voice in the industry, Marlys frequently contributes to top publications and podcasts, in addition to hosting the highly regarded Trade Show Insights blog and podcast. She’s also the creative mastermind behind the Exhibit Marketers Café, an online hub for learning. Marlys Arnold [https://d2j84o4abgbvdf.cloudfront.net/podcasts/showhow2audio/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/12201001/Marlys-current-sm-sq-300.jpg]Marlys Arnold * Marlys Arnold discusses the state of the Trade Shows Industry and its evolution with technology changes. She talks about how her podcast also reflects that evolution, while its core focus and identity have remained consistent through industry changes over the years. * Marlys discusses how the industry failed to sustain virtual elements post-pandemic, losing inclusivity for those unable to attend in person—highlighting a persistent “either-or” mindset instead of embracing hybrid as an enhancement. She also advocates for the availability of event elements through platforms post-event, enabling better access. * Marlys suggests shifting from transactional exhibiting to experience-driven engagement—encouraging storytelling, real-world demonstrations, and attendee-focused interactions to build long-term relationships, and promoting innovative interactions geared for the new Gen Z attendees, who are much more introverted than the earlier generations. Run time – 00:46:19 Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link [subhanjan@pitch.link]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar] Links for Marlys Arnold: Award-winning author of:    – Build a Better Trade Show Image – [https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/build/] https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/build/ [https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/build/]    – Exhibit Design That Works [https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/works/] – https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/works/ [https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/works/] Founder of the Exhibit Marketers Academy  Host of the Trade Show Insights [https://www.tradeshowinsights.com/] blog/podcast – https://www.tradeshowinsights.com/ [https://www.tradeshowinsights.com/] Find me on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/imagespecialist] – http://www.facebook.com/imagespecialist [http://www.facebook.com/imagespecialist] Twitter [http://twitter.com/imagespecialist] – http://twitter.com/imagespecialist [http://twitter.com/imagespecialist] LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marlysarnold] – http://www.linkedin.com/in/marlysarnold [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marlysarnold]