Doug Emslie has been in the events industry for more than 30 years. For 25 years he was CEO of Tarsus Group, which was sold to Informa in 2023. He is now Chairman of Cuil Bay Capital (CBC), an investment company that helps entrepreneurs scale their media businesses, which owns Raccoon Media Group, organizer of the Boston Run Show and the Boston Outdoor Show. Emslie also runs The Cuil Bay Foundation, which promotes healthy and active lifestyles for young people.
Horace Greeley once famously said, "Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country." Although Greeley made this statement in 1833 as the founder of the New York Tribune, the sentiment resonated with me during my recent visits to three global industry events in Philadelphia, Manchester, U.K., and Singapore. Today, Greeley’s advice could just as easily encourage entrepreneurs to look both East and West for new opportunities.
At the 2024 SISO Leadership Conference in August in Philadelphia, one of the most dynamic sessions was led by Walter Charnizon., president of TechHQ and owner of Continential Exhibitions. The energy in the small business breakout group was palpable, as passionate entrepreneurs shared their enthusiasm for launching new products and expanding their businesses. It’s clear that America remains the land of opportunity, where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.
In Manchester, U.K. on Sept. 5, the AEO Conference stood out as one of the best I have attended. A key highlight was the international panel discussing how U.K. organizers continue to lead the way in expanding their operations globally. The U.K. boasts an exceptional talent pool, and this is evident in the number of innovative products being launched.
It’s particularly encouraging to see the rise of U.K. event entrepreneurs taking their brands overseas. AEO also recognized the critical role private independent entrepreneurs play in driving the industry forward by establishing the new PIE (Private Independent Entrepreneurs) working group.
The third event, the Asia CEO Summit that opened Sept. 24 in Singapore, marked another collaboration between Western and Eastern event organizers. This growing partnership, led by AEO, SISO, UFI, and SACEOS, allows both sides to exchange ideas and strategies for industry development. It’s clear the learning goes both ways; as much as the West can offer its experience to the East, there’s also a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the entrepreneurial successes in Asia.
If Greeley were writing today, perhaps his advice would be: “Go West or East, young person, for there are immense opportunities waiting for you.”
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