Turning Obstacles into Opportunity with Pat Alacqua

In this third episode, Jeff Hannah welcomes Pat Alacqua back for a rare look into his ventures since selling Nth Degree. Pat reflects on leadership and his vision for the future. Pat shares how perseverance, determination, and resilience have fueled his successes, including his role in business turnarounds and his recent endeavors.

Pat discusses purchasing a local sports complex and transforming it into a national brand through innovative processes for player development, training, and an event model. He talks about his “3C’s Process for Faster Growth,” as well as his upcoming book, Obstacles to Opportunity: Transforming Business Challenges Into Triumphs. Pat also reveals plans for an online membership platform offering daily tips on professional growth and business building – and highlights his collaboration with Jane Gentry on the “Optimum Value Blueprint” for the trade show industry.

Jeff and Pat explore the concept of legacy, with Pat reflecting on his desire to create a “ripple effect” by inspiring and sharing wisdom to help others grow. Pat emphasizes that success is not only about personal achievements but about enabling others to thrive.

The conversation shifts to collaboration, including the importance of working with competitors for the greater good of an industry. Pat reflects on identifying common interests and fostering partnerships that drive collective success.

When asked about the future of the trade show industry, Pat highlights the importance of shifting the “industry DNA” from a focus on individual performance to building high-performing teams. He emphasizes scaling businesses through coaching, mentoring, and empowering others, redefining success as team growth and achievement.

Jeff and Pat conclude by discussing the launch of Jeff’s new Trade Show Basics course, which is designed to support newcomers to the industry. This episode is rich with lessons on leadership, growth, and the power of collaboration.

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