Ade Allenby is a product development and product management specialist with a knack for driving digital transformation. He's spent over two decades leading teams to create and launch innovative solutions across various industries, including telecoms and event technology. At Reed Exhibitions (RX Global), Ade spearheaded the implementation of products like lead capture, 1-2-1 meetings and attendee tracking, significantly enhancing event experiences with digital tools. Now, through Allenby Advisory, Ade focuses on helping clients leverage digital platforms and data to boost business growth. He's deeply invested in exploring how AI can be used to personalize events and increase customer value. Ade believes in a collaborative approach, working closely with clients and partners like Collingwood, Clarion, Turnmill, Crowd Connected, ADNEC and Connect to ensure that the solutions developed are not only technically sound but also genuinely valuable and scalable. Ade has enjoyed taking part in speaking and judging at ETL since 2018.
Anna is a recognised leader in sustainable events and the founder of isla and TRACE by isla—two pioneering initiatives driving climate action across the events industry. As the head of the UK’s leading event sustainability body, Anna works with agencies, organisers, brands, and the supply chain to embed meaningful, measurable change. With deep expertise in carbon measurement, circularity, and systems design, Anna brings strategic insight and a future-focused lens to her interactions, championing innovation and impact within the events industry.
Cat Kevern is an events industry stalwart, marketing expert, champion of women and entrepreneur. With a decade of events experience behind her, Cat is the Founder of Electric Cat Productions a B2B marketing agency serving event suppliers and organisers, Director of NOWIE (The Network of Women in Events CIC) and Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at event technology firm, One World Rental.
She’s a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the events industry, with a particular focus on women’s experiences. Cat is a seasoned keynote and panel speaker on a vast range of topics from DEI, entrepreneurship, marketing and building a brand and the power of networking.
Dahlia El Gazzar is like your favorite espresso shot—bold, energizing, and impossible to ignore. She’s on a mission to rescue eventprofs from tech paralysis, boring marketing, and the soul-crushing sameness of most events. With a sharp focus on event tech and AI, she’s here to shake things up. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start making waves, she’s got the roadmap (and maybe a few spicy takes).
David Bellisario is the Founder and CEO of Hardware Pioneers, the UK’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to the electronic components industry. With roots in Industrial Design, David brings a designer’s eye and a technologist’s mindset to the events world. He is passionate about technology and the digitalisation of B2B event experiences.
Francisco Opazo is community strategist and growth marketer and the founder of Led by Community, a global network that empowers community builders through events, courses, and peer-to-peer support.
With over 14 years of experience working with high-growth startups like Circle, Bettermode, and BuddyBoss, Francisco specialises in community-led growth and building ecosystems that scale with people, not just tools.
He’s organising Community Week Online Summit and London Community Week, with the Community-led World Conference as the flagship event, bringing together thousands of professionals around shared learning and genuine collaboration.
Francisco believes the future of community lies in co-ownership, shared leadership, and designing with—not just for—members. His talks blend practical frameworks, lived experience, and a dash of humour to challenge how we build and lead communities today.
With over two decades of experience in the events industry, Josiah Taulbee has built a distinguished career supporting technology for some of the leading independent show organizers. His deep expertise spans multiple roles, giving him a unique perspective on the evolving needs of event technology. In 2023, Josiah founded GoLucid, LLC, a research and consulting firm dedicated to discovering event technology solutions. Through GoLucid, Josiah combines his industry knowledge with a proprietary matching system, helping clients find the right event technology tailored to their specific needs.
Julius Solaris is the founder of Boldpush. He works as a consultant with Fortune 500, technology and event companies on strategy.
He founded and sold two businesses EventMB (now Shift Meetings) and Showthemes, a tech company. 9 Million people read Julius' content in 2024, making him become a Top Voice on LinkedIn.
Julius has been inducted into the Event Industry Council Hall of Leaders in 2024. This is the highest recognition given to leaders of the event industry.
Julius has been named one of the most influential meeting industry individuals by many magazines and media for the past ten years. He is the recipient of the first Outstanding Contribution Award in Event Technology.
Julius has conducted some of the most groundbreaking research for the event industry. Over 300,000 event professionals have downloaded Julius' analysis and reports.
Julius has been a keynote for events in 16 countries and for over 250,000 attendees.
Lisa Schulteis is the founder and owner of ElectraLime Marketing and YourEventMarketplace, and the Executive Director of the Northwest Event Show in Seattle. Blending her background in neuropsychology with her expertise in event strategy and production, Lisa creates impactful, engaging, and inclusive live, hybrid, and virtual events tailored to diverse audiences. With extensive experience in both live and virtual formats, she has been a trusted partner for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and organizations, helping them achieve business growth and scalability through strategic event integration. Lisa specializes in the intersection of neuroscience and event design, sustainability, and event marketing, offering a unique lens that transforms traditional event experiences into powerful tools for connection, education, and change.
Max is a multi-award-winning experiential expert with a career dedicated to the industry. Regularly featured in experience industry publications, Max values insight, creativity and, most importantly, the people who make up this incredible industry. He will be seeking creative and innovative solutions rooted in tangible audience and cultural insights that deliver real impact. He has written and won over 15 industry awards, including a prestigious Grand Prix, bringing a unique perspective to the judging panel.
Nick is an experienced event producer, with 15 years in the industry. His expertise spans music festivals to conferences and he has delivered events at various scales. Currently serving as the Head of Strategic Partner Events at NHS Confederation, Nick brings a strategic approach to event planning, ensuring seamless execution and memorable experiences.
Beyond work, you'll find Nick playing keyboard or sax in the various music projects he's involved in, or stood next to a pizza oven, as he tries to create the perfect Neapolitan pizza.
Vanessa Lovatt, Strategy Consultant, FT Live and Founder, Event Tech World
Vanessa is a highly respected event strategy consultant and community leader with nearly 20 years of experience in B2B events, digital media, and communities. She has held three Managing Director roles at IQPC, leading high-growth event portfolios, and was formerly Chief Evangelist at hybrid event platform Glisser, where she scaled the business internationally and drove product innovation.
She currently works with FT Live, the Financial Times’ global conferences and events division, advising on growth strategy. She has played a key role in integrating event technology across the FT’s event portfolio, ensuring seamless customer experiences and measurable impact. She is also the Founder of Event Tech World, a fast-growing community for event technology users and buyers. She is also an Advisor for Event Footprints and Public Sector Network.
A recognised thought leader, she regularly speaks on B2B Media growth, event tech, and community strategies, helping event organisers, corporate planners, and tech providers navigate the evolving industry.
Vanessa also provides professional facilitator services and is a CPD-accredited Board Advisory professional, a champion of gender diversity in events, and true believer in the power of networking.
