Episode
The Real Business of Events
- Podcast
- Event Planner Confessions
- Published
- Apr 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1698
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Nicola, CEO of ELX — the exclusive community for senior event leaders at enterprise companies. Nicola shares her winding career path from incentive travel dreamer to leading one of the most talked-about communities in the events industry. We dig into what makes ELX different, why event leaders feel so isolated in their roles, and how Chatham House rules create a space for real, unfiltered conversation. If you want to learn more about the community, visit https://www.eventleaders.com/ . Nicola also gets into the data that keeps her up at night — like the fact that 28% of senior event leaders have no KPIs for their events — and why shifting from the "events business" mindset to the "business of events" mindset is the key to getting a seat at the table. Plus, she shares her biggest event confession: a Palm Springs rain disaster that had her avoiding outdoor events for her entire career — until dinner on Wrigley Field changed everything. What you'll learn: What ELX is and who it's for Why measurement needs to start before you plan a single thing How to make the case for your events using business language What it takes to become an ELX-eligible leader How to spot and avoid burnout in a high-pressure events role