In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by Marilu Paez, managing director and co-founder of Events Venture Group (EVG), for an insightful conversation on why operational know-how and strategic guidance are just as critical as capital for early-stage event ventures.

Marilu shares how she transitioned from 17 years in senior leadership roles across major tech companies in Mexico to building EVG in Miami—a nonprofit consortium connecting event founders with seasoned operators and investors. She breaks down how EVG evaluates ventures, the signals investors watch for, and what makes an events business truly investment-ready. Drawing on her experience scaling Intuit in Mexico and advising early-stage founders, Marilu explains why collaboration accelerates growth, how founders can avoid common mistakes, and the strategic play behind EVG’s four standout investments: Quantum World Congress, Deep Tech Momentum, Explor, and Stable Con.

WHY LISTEN

This episode is essential listening for CEOs, founders, and event entrepreneurs who are:

• Seeking guidance on scaling early-stage events with limited capital and resources
• Navigating operational, strategic, and investor expectations
• Looking to build sustainable, profitable, and investable event businesses
• Curious about how mentorship, community, and strategic capital intersect in the events ecosystem
• Interested in actionable lessons from industry veterans who have built and exited major events

If you’re a founder, investor, or operator in the events, media, or data-driven experience industries, this episode offers practical insights and frameworks for turning a passionate idea into a scalable, revenue-generating business.

CONNECT WITH MARILU: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilu-paez/

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by Lia Bliss, CEO of Bliss Magic Consulting, for a timely and eye-opening conversation on why LinkedIn has become one of the most misunderstood yet most powerful revenue platforms in the digital economy.

Lia breaks down how executives are still treating LinkedIn like a digital resume or announcement board and why that mindset is quietly limiting reach, credibility, and enterprise value. Drawing on proprietary LinkedIn algorithm research and hands-on experience training global sales teams and CEOs, Lia reframes LinkedIn as the modern boardroom where conversations drive relationships, trust influences valuation, and visibility translates into revenue.

WHY LISTEN

This episode is essential listening for CEOs and revenue leaders who are:

• Using LinkedIn as a resume or announcement channel instead of a growth engine
• Navigating algorithm and AI-driven changes in visibility and reach
• Looking to convert executive presence into credibility and enterprise value
• Rethinking how conversations, not broadcasts, drive growth
• Building authority in a market where trust is digital-first

If you’re a CEO, CRO, CMO, founder, or operator responsible for growth in a data- and AI-driven economy, this episode offers a clear, practical framework for turning LinkedIn into a strategic revenue asset rather than a passive platform.

CONNECT WITH LIA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liabliss/

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Philip Thomas, Chief Creative Officer at Informa PLC and Chairman of Cannes Lions, to unpack why creativity, experience, and human connection have become some of the most powerful revenue levers in today’s data- and AI-driven economy.

From the transformation of Cannes Lions into a global brand ecosystem, to why public markets consistently undervalue event businesses, Philip shares a candid, operator-level view of what actually drives long-term enterprise value in B2B media and events.

This conversation explores how innovation must be paired with process, why not every business should chase a 365 model, and how AI will ultimately increase, not replace, the value of in-person connection.

Why Listen

This episode is essential for leaders who are:

• Rethinking creativity, experience, and brand as core revenue drivers
• Navigating the shift from transactional events to experience-led ecosystems
• Managing complex global portfolios across media, events, and communities
• Balancing innovation, process, and scalability in growth strategies
• Evaluating when 365 engagement models make sense — and when they don’t
• Understanding AI’s role in trust, authenticity, and human connection

If you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical executive building for 2025 and beyond, Philip’s insights offer clarity, perspective, and a grounded framework for creating long-term enterprise value.

CONNECT WITH PHILIP THOMAS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-thomas-127a541/

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.