The Business of Meetings

Eric knows that taking three weeks off each year is a European concept, yet he believes that it is up to each entrepreneur to decide for themselves when and how they choose to switch off. In this episode, he explains that it is not just about the time you take off, but rather about being intentional with how you recharge. He also shares the playful out-of-office email message he set up during the three weeks he recently spent in North Carolina. Decide How You Disconnect As an entrepreneur, you get to choose how and when you disconnect. Some people prefer complete time off, while others are okay with handling a few urgent tasks here and there. What matters is being intentional about taking breaks and allowing yourself the time to recharge and connect with your loved ones. No Need to Wait for Holidays Without regular rest, your creativity, focus, and overall effectiveness will gradually decline. However, there is no need to wait for holidays to recharge. Skipping work on Saturdays, setting aside time to meditate, and taking short breaks during the week can help you stay focused and energized.  You Are Not Always Needed With the right systems and support in place, your constant presence is not necessary as an entrepreneur. You may feel you need to stay connected initially, but over time, you will see that taking a step back does not mean that everything falls apart. It is also essential to understand that if a client cannot respect the time you take off, they may not be the right client for you. Protect Your Time Make a habit of scheduling time for yourself each day and week, and switch off completely during holidays. Spending time with the people you care about and doing the things that energize you while giving your mind a break from business concerns is the best way to recharge. Out-of-Office Message During his recent time off, Eric set up a creative and funny out-of-office email response. In it, he explained that he was away, offered a contact for urgent matters, and encouraged senders to imagine where he might be. The message reflected his personality while setting clear boundaries, showing that it is possible to unplug without being dull or overly formal. Bio: Eric Rozenberg Eric is a business builder and the founder of Event Business Formula, the only platform exclusively dedicated to helping and supporting business owners in the Meetings & Events Industry. He has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses better.  For two decades in a previous life, Eric has consulted with Fortune 500 companies and produced award-winning sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches, and conferences in more than 50 countries across diverse industries.  His podcast "The Business of Meetings" is the first podcast in the Meetings & Events Industry dedicated to business owners and the largest source of free information, with over 240 episodes and fabulous guests.  His first book, Meeting at C-Level, is the first book on the « Why? » of a meeting. It has been endorsed by 20 of the most influential leaders from the corporate and association worlds.  His second book, Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to My Daughters and America, is a story of grit, perseverance, and courage. It describes why and how he and his wife brought their daughters to America and why it is the greatest country on Earth.  Eric was the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter

We are thrilled to welcome rockstar business coach Bill Gallagher, the founder of Scaling Coach, as our guest.  Bill has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs organize their lives, refine their leadership skills, and elevate their performance. He joins us today to share his journey, insights, and the story behind his impressive startup success. Tune in to learn the strategies that have helped countless leaders scale with confidence, clarity, and purpose! io: Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher is a highly rated business coach whose passion is helping CEOs and entrepreneurs manage growth more effectively, restore order and sanity to their lives, and achieve greater growth or faster growth. With over 40 years of entrepreneurial and executive experience and 20 years of coaching and training leaders seeking to enhance their leadership and performance, he now works with leaders and teams in more than 31 cities across 15 countries. He has led four companies as CEO/owner and was a partner/executive in two others as they grew from startup to more than $550 million in annual revenue. A former DJ and radio executive, Bill hosts the Scaling Up Podcast. In his free time, he is an avid surfer, sailor, skateboarder, pilot, scuba enthusiast, and recovering triathlete. Happily married for 30 years, he and his wife, Lori, live in the Oakland Hills and are parents to two very successful young adult entrepreneurs. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Bill Gallagher On his website Scaling Up Business (Podcast) Email: Bill@scalingcoach.com  LinkedIn  

We are excited to welcome Lil Roberts, the Founder of Xendoo, as our guest today. Lil is an exceptional entrepreneur with a sharp instinct for people and the confidence to speak the truth. She has served as President of the South Florida chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and recently published a book called Small Business Defined: The Ultimate Guide for Small Business Owners. Stay tuned to hear about her inspiring journey and learn how Xendoo makes accounting easier for small business owners. Connect with Eric Rozenberg LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Lil Roberts On LinkedIn Xendoo Small Business Defined: The Ultimate Guide for Small Business Owners  

Today, Eric tackles the truth about uncertainty.  Many business owners and entrepreneurs find uncertainty unbearable. Eric points out that if you, as a business owner, do not learn the art of navigating uncertain times, you may need to reconsider whether it is genuinely the right industry for you. Uncertainty Feels Tougher Without a Plan A friend of Eric, living in Israel, recently made the striking observation that he finds frequent missile alerts easier to handle than the uncertainty of running a business. That is because he has prepared himself for those situations. So, when an alarm sounds, he knows exactly what to do. However, navigating uncertainty in business is much harder because there is no clear structure or step-by-step plan to follow.  The truth is that uncertainty becomes far more manageable when you have a plan. Nothing Ever Goes According to Plan With decades of experience running meetings and events worldwide, the constant that always stands out to Eric is that things never go exactly as planned, and disruptions are the norm. So, even though we cannot control everything, we can always control how we respond to it.  When we learn to adapt and prepare ourselves with alternative plans, it makes all the difference! Focus on What You Can Control Control is not about fixing every problem. It is about identifying the next best step you can take. When unexpected challenges arise, the solution lies in focusing on controllable factors. Proactive problem-solving, negotiation, and networking help us create viable paths forward.  Keep Perspective During Chaos When stress builds, especially in uncertain times, return to your values, your purpose, and the progress you have made. Uncertainty will always exist, but so will your capacity to adapt, find solutions, and do what truly matters. That is often the only certainty you will need. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook On Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter  

We are delighted to have Eric Moeller, the founder of Freewyld, joining us today. Known for his clear mind and sharp perspective, Eric has never been afraid to challenge the status quo of big corporations or industry transformations. Join us to hear about Eric’s impressive career journey and the bold steps he is taking to revolutionize the hospitality industry. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Eric Moeller On LinkedIn Freewyld Instagram  

We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Hinton as our guest today. Kevin, who has over 20 years of experience in the global meetings and travel industry, was appointed as Managing Director of Group Travel for the U.S. Travel Association last year. He joins us today to share his career trajectory and dive into the significant role he now plays within the organization. Tune in today to hear about his impressive career and learn how he is shaping the future of group travel. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Kevin Hinton On LinkedIn U.S. Travel Association  

Dr. Stanley K. Ridgley, an author and clinical professor at Drexel University, dives deep into the controversial evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He argues that rather than fostering inclusion, DEI programs are now excluding Jewish students and perpetuating division. Ridgley critiques the failure of prestigious universities to address antisemitism and discusses the bureaucratic expansion of DEI, calling for accountability and a return to genuine inclusivity. His insights challenge the ideological frameworks dominating education and emphasizes the need for truth in discussions about DEI.

We are delighted to welcome Barbara Dunn as our guest today. Barbara is one of the top legal experts in our industry and an absolute powerhouse in her field! She joins us today to share her professional journey and explore the realities of owning and running a business. Stay tuned for Barbara’s valuable insights on the legal aspects every business owner must consider to thrive in the current dynamic and competitive business landscape. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Barbara Dunn On her website LinkedIn  

Today, Eric dives into the importance of self-care and focusing on mental health, particularly during times of uncertainty.  Stay tuned as Eric shares practical ways to remain grounded and support your well-being, even when things feel unpredictable. A Late-Night Emergency in Sardinia While organizing a sales meeting for a medical device company in Sardinia, Eric experienced a powerful reminder of why health must come first. In the early morning, as his team was wrapping up video edits for a final presentation, he found a man lying unconscious with blood coming from his head. The man had fallen and hit the corner of a table. Acting Quickly—Even Against Protocol Eric contacted the head of the company, who happened to be a trained nurse practitioner. She warned that moving the man could be risky, but leaving him could be worse. When the hotel insisted on following procedure before calling a doctor, Eric bypassed protocol. He contacted his local partner, who helped him find an ambulance meant for another injured guest and had the man transferred to the hospital. The next evening, the man was back at the bar with a bandage on his head. He had just had too much to drink the night before. The Lesson: Take Ownership of Your Health That incident reinforced something Eric believes firmly: if you fail to take care of yourself, no one else will. In uncertain times, the only thing we can truly control is how we show up for ourselves. We may not be able to influence global events, but we can impact our health, mindset, and those around us. Making Health Your Priority Even though most people know what to do to stay healthy, when under stress, those habits tend to slip away. So, Eric encourages us to follow a morning routine that involves meditation, exercise, or writing. He reminds us that the challenge is not about knowledge. It is about making your health a consistent priority. Start with One Hour a Day In an unpredictable world, a daily routine can provide stability. Eric encourages everyone to block one hour each morning, even if it means waking up an hour earlier, and do whatever you can to support your well-being. That could be meditating, moving, reading, or writing. Eric reminds us that the best way to help others is by taking care of yourself first. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter  

We are delighted to have Didi Aurelia as our guest today. Didi is an educator, psychologist, speaker, and the author of 100 Days to a More Aware You.  Having spoken recently at the World Economic Forum about the role of AI in supporting conscious decision-making, Didi is the ideal person for business owners and those seeking to integrate more mindful decision-making processes into their practices to consult with.  Stay tuned for Didi’s thought-provoking insights on using AI to enhance awareness and support intentional choices. Bio: Didi Aurelia: Author of ‘100 Days to a More Aware You’ Didi is a psychologist, educator, speaker, and former finance executive. She has charted a dynamic path from leading finance teams across Europe to founding a Montessori school that champions conscious parenting and personal transformation.  Armed with dual credentials in psychology and management accounting (ACMA), Didi brings a rare blend of corporate strategy, emotional intelligence, and deep personal insight to her work. Through her platform More Aware You, she now speaks, consults, and creates experiences supporting individuals and organizations navigating change gracefully and stepping into purposeful leadership.  Didi believes that awareness is the most powerful tool we have in a fast-evolving world. Whether she’s guiding someone through a personal turning point or exploring how AI can support collective well-being, she is rooted in one mission: to help others ask Why not me?, and move forward with courage. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Didi Aurelia On LinkedIn More Aware You Website