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.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Jason Bateman, Vice President of Community at XPRIZE, for a deep exploration of what it truly takes to build, scale, and sustain high-impact communities.

Jason brings more than 25 years of experience designing and growing elite membership organizations, from Vistage to XPRIZE. He shares hard-earned insights on why community is not a “nice-to-have,” but a strategic growth engine when executed with intention, discipline, and care. This conversation goes beyond surface-level engagement tactics and dives into the mechanics of trust, curation, retention, and long-term value creation.

This episode is a masterclass in community as infrastructure: how purpose-driven networks compound value, how diversity strengthens group dynamics, and why leadership, curation, and accountability determine whether a community thrives or fails.

WHY LISTEN

This episode is essential for CEOs, founders, and revenue-critical leaders who are:

• Building executive communities, networks, or memberships
• Struggling with churn, engagement, or long-term retention
• Rethinking community as a business model, not a side project
• Looking to align purpose, growth, and measurable impact
• Exploring how innovation ecosystems actually scale

If you’re a leader who believes community can drive both economic and societal outcomes, this conversation offers practical frameworks, real-world lessons, and a powerful reminder: the right people, curated with care, can change everything.

CONNECT WITH JASON: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbateman/

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™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Janice Liu, the Mantis Group CEO reveals why "every company is a data company" whether they like it or not. Janice breaks down her proprietary methodology for appraising data assets—often proving they are worth more than a company's traditional operating business—and explains how this valuation can radically increase M&A multiples. We dive deep into "shadow inefficiencies," the mechanics of brokering data deals with Large Language Models (LLMs), and why ethical consent is the single most critical factor in future-proofing your revenue. If you think your data is just a compliance risk, this conversation will change your entire balance sheet.

WHY LISTEN

This episode is essential for leaders who are:

• Leading transformation inside legacy or scaled organizations
• Managing growth through acquisitions or portfolio complexity
• Aligning leadership teams during periods of uncertainty
• Using data to drive clarity and confidence in decision-making
• Navigating AI disruption without losing organizational trust
• Balancing performance, culture, and long-term value creation

If you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or senior operator steering an organization through change, this episode delivers grounded, experience-driven perspective.

CONNECT WITH JANICE LIU: linkedin.com/in/janice-liu-89905620

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 Diana Florescu, Founder and CEO of Media for Growth, to unpack one of the most powerful alternative funding models reshaping consumer brand growth and media monetization today: Media for Equity.

With more than 25 years of global precedent and recent expansion from Europe into the U.S., Media for Equity is gaining momentum as media companies and brands rethink capital efficiency, valuation, and long-term growth. Diana explains why this model is accelerating now, how it transforms underutilized media inventory into equity value, and why it offers a compelling path for both media owners and high-growth consumer brands.

WHY LISTEN

This episode is essential for executives who are:

• Exploring Media for Equity as a revenue or investment strategy
• Diversifying media revenue beyond traditional ad sales
• Supporting challenger brands without increasing cash burn
• Treating brand as a growth driver, not a cost center
• Navigating valuation, liquidity, and exit paths
• Turning underutilized media inventory into long-term equity value

If you’re a CEO, CRO, CFO, investor, or corporate development leader operating at the intersection of media, consumer growth, and capital strategy, this episode provides a practical framework for understanding Media for Equity and its role in modern revenue growth.

CONNECT WITH DIANA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaflorescu

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™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Christine Shaw, CEO and President of Naylor Association Solutions, to explore how modern associations are transforming their business models in a data-driven, AI-accelerated world. Christine shares how her leadership was shaped in high-velocity environments at PennWell and Future PLC, why clean data is the ultimate stabilizer in disruption, and how she built the business analyst role that now powers insights and decision-making across every organization she leads.

Christine breaks down the complexity of Naylor’s multi-line business—from member communications and job boards to AMS technology platforms—and explains how associations can stay relevant as generational shifts reshape how people consume information, learn, and build community. She also offers a candid look at how AI is transforming internal workflows, client-facing products, and the future of year-round member engagement.

Why listen

This episode is essential for leaders who are:
• Navigating the shift from legacy business models to intelligence-driven operations
• Building scalable, privacy-aware data foundations
• Managing complex multi-line revenue organizations
• Reimagining sales, marketing, and community engagement in an AI-first world
• Leading multi-generational teams through disruption
• Seeking a practical roadmap for modernizing associations, media companies, or membership-driven businesses

If you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, association leader, or revenue-critical executive building for 2025 and beyond, Christine’s insights offer clarity, direction, and a blueprint for sustainable growth.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE SHAW

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineashaw/

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™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Sean Griffey, co-founder and former CEO of Industry Dive, one of the biggest B2B media success stories of the past decade.

Sean shares the real playbook behind scaling Industry Dive from five scrappy newsletters into a multi-vertical powerhouse that reached millions of executives, generated $100M+ in revenue, and ultimately sold to Informa for over $500M.

Heather and Sean unpack what made the model work—from niche-audience obsession, to portfolio-wide sales strategy, to operational discipline most media companies still struggle to adopt. Sean also reflects on intent data, first-party strategies, sales org structure, account penetration, AI’s impact on search and audience behavior, and the evolving relationship between digital media and events.

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most respected operators in B2B media built a modern, high-margin, high-value company by focusing on what really matters: audience, product, and customer outcomes.

Why Listen

Listen to this episode if you’re a leader who is:

• Rethinking your B2B media or marketing model
• Trying to build repeatable, scalable revenue across multiple verticals
• Navigating audience quality, first-party data, or intent strategy
• Re-architecting your sales org for enterprise accounts
• Preparing for AI’s impact on audience acquisition and customer value
• Searching for sustainable, high-margin business model lessons

If you’re a CEO, founder, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical operator, this conversation will reshape how you think about modern B2B growth.

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.