leadership

Pat Alacqua: Industry Trailblazer and Co-Founder of Nth Degree (Part 2)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Best Practices, Communications, Leadership, Marketing, North America, Podcast, Relationships, Strategy, United States, Verbal Communications

 

Leadership, Growth, and Mentorship with Pat Alacqua

In this second episode,Jeff Hannah delves into Pat Alacqua’s journey as a leader and entrepreneur, exploring the emotional and strategic dynamics of building and eventually selling Nth Degree. In this rare interview, Pat Alacqua also candidly reflects on the toll of seeing valued team members move-on over time – a natural yet bittersweet reality of leading a fast-growing business in a thriving industry where the demand for trained and skilled professionals constantly grows.

Pat discusses the complexities of growth, including the decision to hire people from outside the trade show industry to drive transformation and innovation. Jeff emphasizes the importance of a rigorous hiring process, which included assessments supported by an industrial psychologist to ensure alignment with the company’s values and culture – an approach that was uncommon for entrepreneurial companies at the time. Pat also shares his philosophy on hiring and leading great people, underscoring the value of surrounding oneself with individuals who bring diverse mindsets and perspectives to the table.

A lifelong learner, Pat reflects on how leadership is more about asking the right questions than it is about having all the right answers. He shares how continuous learning has shaped his approach to influence—building alignment, securing support, and inspiring others—all of which require patience and intentionality.

Pat also opens up about some of his greatest life challenges, the lessons they taught him, and how mentorship has been a cornerstone of his career. He passionately believes in “paying it forward” by mentoring and guiding others, and he credits much of his own success to those who mentored him along the way.

Jeff also asks about Pat’s decision to sell Nth Degree, his perspective on that decision, and his broader view on defining success. Pat talks about how growth is not just about transforming a company but about how it also transforms the people involved in that journey. He reflects on how rare and fulfilling it is to build a business with a continuous growth trajectory.

This episode is packed with insights on leadership, learning, and the power of mentorship, offering listeners valuable lessons from Pat’s remarkable career.

Stay tuned for more insights in Episode 3.

Part 1 of my interview with Pat.

Part 3 of my interview with Pat.

Pat Alacqua on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.patalacqua.com/

Email: pat@patalacqua.com

Pat Alacqua: Industry Trailblazer and Co-Founder of Nth Degree (Part 1)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Best Practices, Branding, Communications, Leadership, Marketing, North America, Podcast, Storytelling, Strategy, United States, Verbal Communications

 

Foundational Strategies and Industry Impact with Pat Alacqua

In this first episode of the three-part series, Jeff Hannah conducts a rare interview with Pat Alacqua, co-founder of Nth Degree, exploring the foundational strategies and challenges that defined the company’s early days. Beyond co-founding Nth Degree, Pat has built multiple successful businesses across other industries and continues to collaborate with business leaders through his consulting services and online leadership and business growth tools, guiding them through challenges to achieve sustained growth. Together, they reflect on how the trade show industry has evolved, Nth Degree’s innovative approach to building a labor management company, and the critical importance of training and education in shaping their team and culture.

Pat shares how Nth Degree carved out its niche in the industry by focusing on differentiation, emphasizing core values like education, training, and exceptional customer service. He explains how they anticipated customer needs and proactively solved problems to set themselves apart in a fast-growing competitive landscape. Pat reflects on the high levels of risk involved in starting Nth Degree and scaling it to handle increasingly large and complex projects.

Listeners will gain insight into the legendary antitrust legal case in Dallas, Texas, where Nth Degree and its partners faced significant challenges. Although the directed verdict was not in their favor, over time they won in the court of public opinion, ultimately changing the direction of the trade show industry. This led to the development of new industry categories like “independent labor contractors,” which are now commonly referred to across the industry as “exhibitor appointed contractors” (EACs).

This episode also highlights how Nth Degree developed industry practices and terminology still in use today, such as “leadmen” and “floor managers.” They recognized the need for robust systems and processes to effectively manage rapid growth and scale the company without sacrificing quality or service. Pat’s reflections provide valuable lessons on leadership, perseverance, and innovation in a dynamic industry. Drawing on his extensive career experience, Pat also shares actionable insights to help business leaders overcome challenges and scale their companies successfully.

Stay tuned for more insights in Episodes 2 and 3 of the three-part series as Jeff and Pat continue to explore the challenges and triumphs that shaped Nth Degree and the trade show industry at large.

Part 2 of my interview with Pat.

Part 3 of my interview with Pat.

Pat Alacqua on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.patalacqua.com/

Email: pat@patalacqua.com

ICC Sydney

Kathy Welsh – Exhibiting Across Australia & New Zealand

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Asia, Australia, Branding, Culture, Design, Leadership, Lighting, Marketing, New Zealand, North America, Perth, Podcast, Relationships, Strategy, Sydney, United States

What You Need to Know When Exhibiting in Australia

In this episode, host Jeff Hannah interviews Kathy Welsh, Director of Client Services at The Display Builders Australasia, headquartered in Sydney, Australia. They discuss a wide variety of topics, primarily around the important things that foreigners need to know in order to be successful in exhibiting or managing events in Australia. As one example, having the “right” kind of coffee – and the best coffee are important factors that many don’t realize!

Kathy shares from her more than 20 years of experience in working with world class brands to develop engaging and successful experiences all across Australia, New Zealand, and the Asian Region. In this interview, Kathy talks about working with healthcare companies, which is a specialty for her, along with aerospace clients. Kathy talks about the growth of The Display Builders Australasia, which has become one of the largest exhibit builders and agencies in the region. Jeff talks with her about the use of building materials, raised platforms, hospitality, cultural differences, and the importance of trust and relationship building.

The final segment of the interview also contains a passionate plea from both Kathy and Jeff to help save the Great Barrier Reef – the largest ecosystem on earth – which is under threat of survival.

This interview took place from the show floor during EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

www.displaybuilders.com.au/work/

www.facebook.com/www.displaybuilders.com.au/

Kathy Welsh LinkedIn

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark - Singapore

Geoff Thatcher – Creating Experiences Globally (Part 2)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Abu Dhabi, Asia, Bahrain, Best Practices, Branding, Branding, Brazil, China, Communications, Culture, Design, Doha, Dubai, Europe, Germany, Graphics, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Language, Leadership, London, Marketing, Middle East, Non-Verbal Communications, North America, Podcast, Qatar, Relationships, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Storytelling, Strategy, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Verbal Communications

Engaging Globally Through Authentic Storytelling

In Part 2 of this captivating two-part interview with host Jeff Hannah, Geoff Thatcher discusses the use of authentic storytelling to reach audiences around the world. Geoff also talks about the evolution of the experience economy. Geoff shares his advice for clients. Jeff asks Geoff about how international travel has changed him over the years. And, they talk about the importance of maintaining your faith while being on the road.

Geoff Thatcher is Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Creative Principals. He has a tremendous amount of truly world-class experience – and is a brilliant thinker, writer, and creative director. Geoff believes that experiences are distinguished by great story telling. Geoff spent many years as Executive Creative Director at The Brand Experience. Recent projects include the grand opening of Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi, a traveling exhibition for the King Abdullah Foundation in Saudi Arabia, a new lobby experience for Palo Alto Networks and new concepts for the executive briefing program at Dell Technologies.

Other highlights from his career include his work on the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health in Washington, DC, the Lockheed Martin Space Experience Center and Honeywell’s Industrial Safety Customer Experience Center (Shanghai & many other cities).

Geoff also served as Creative Director at the Tom Peters Company where he worked with many top industry leaders – and helped to facilitate leadership training within Microsoft, John Deere, Deloitte and The CIA.

He also worked for more than seven years as a writer at Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) – where he helped develop many experiences, such as the CNN Studio Tour (Atlanta), and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Be sure to listen to Part 1 of this interview with Geoff Thatcher.

www.creativeprincipals.com

Twitter: @geoffthatcher

Geoff Thatcher LinkedIn

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark - Singapore

Geoff Thatcher – Creating Experiences Globally (Part 1)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Abu Dhabi, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Best Practices, Branding, Branding, China, Communications, Culture, Design, Doha, Dubai, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Language, Latin America, Leadership, London, Marketing, Mexico, Middle East, Non-Verbal Communications, North America, Podcast, Qatar, Relationships, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Storytelling, Strategy, Sydney, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Verbal Communications

Engaging Globally Through Authentic Storytelling

In Part 1 of this captivating two-part interview with host Jeff Hannah, Geoff Thatcher discusses the use of authentic storytelling to reach audiences around the world. Geoff also talks about the evolution of the experience economy. Geoff shares his advice for clients. Jeff asks Geoff about how international travel has changed him over the years. And, they talk about the importance of maintaining your faith while being on the road.

Geoff Thatcher is Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Creative Principals. He has a tremendous amount of truly world-class experience – and is a brilliant thinker, writer, and creative director. Geoff believes that experiences are distinguished by great story telling. Geoff spent many years as Executive Creative Director at The Brand Experience. Recent projects include the grand opening of Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi, a traveling exhibition for the King Abdullah Foundation in Saudi Arabia, a new lobby experience for Palo Alto Networks and new concepts for the executive briefing program at Dell Technologies.

Other highlights from his career include his work on the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health in Washington, DC, the Lockheed Martin Space Experience Center and Honeywell’s Industrial Safety Customer Experience Center (Shanghai & many other cities).

Geoff also served as Creative Director at the Tom Peters Company where he worked with many top industry leaders – and helped to facilitate leadership training within Microsoft, John Deere, Deloitte and The CIA.

He also worked for more than seven years as a writer at Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) – where he helped develop many experiences, such as the CNN Studio Tour (Atlanta), and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Be sure to listen to Part 2 of this interview with Geoff Thatcher.

www.creativeprincipals.com

Twitter: @geoffthatcher

Geoff Thatcher LinkedIn