In every industry, there are a few leaders who don’t just work in the ecosystem, they reshape it.

This episode brings together three visionaries building the future of how the world gathers:
- Trevor Mitchell, President & CEO of IAVM, representing more than 8,000 venue professionals who create meaningful experiences in venues around the world.
- Joel Edmondson, CEO of VMA, an artist turned association leader building a powerful venue community across Australia and Southeast Asia.
- Steve Mackenzie, Chief Innovation Officer at Momentus, the technology engine behind 1.4 million events a year in stadiums, arenas, and convention centers globally.

What unfolds in this conversation is rare:
Three leaders, one ecosystem, openly sharing the truth behind innovation, community and navigating the toughest seasons of leadership.

You’ll hear:

• Why failure is the price of innovation and why leaders must create cultures where ideas can break before they become brilliant.
• Why storytelling, creativity, and openness traits once thought “soft” are now the hardest leadership skills to master.
• The story of how Steve left New Zealand at 18, took an unexpected job on a small island on the Great Barrier Reef, and eventually became a global leader powering some of the world’s most iconic events through his work at Momentus.
• How Trevor approached his first 90 days as CEO of a 100-year-old organization and immediately began crafting its next century of impact.
• How Joel’s upbringing as an artist and producer shapes the way he sees people, experiences and leadership.

You’ll learn about leadership, partnership and shaping global experiences told by the people who quietly build the stages the world stands on.

If you care about the future of events, technology, community or leadership you’ll want to hear this.

Guest Links:
www.iavm.org
www.vma.org.au
www.gomomentus.com

About Me:
www.davidjalexander.com

In this episode of Accelerate with David Alexander, three operators show how values, community, and systems translate into measurable returns.

Alexander McCobin: Founder and CEO of Liberty Ventures, a community reaching 20,000 plus members. Former CEO of Conscious Capitalism with Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey. Co- founder of Students for Liberty.

Tom Wojno: COO and SVP at International Dairy Foods Association. Represents a sector covering nearly 90 percent of U.S. dairy processing. Known for a quantified 13 to 1 association ROI. Former leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Restaurant Association, and Bloomberg.

Pavel Bosovik: CEO of 27 North. Scaled a 50 million dollar pandemic startup with a people first pay your fair share ethos that turns reputation into real returns. He's an active philanthropist supporting organizations such as Care to Learn out of Springfield MO focused on health, hunger and hygiene.

Across one fast moving conversation, they map the ROI ledger every association and community should pursue, the network leverage that converts relationships into capital, talent and strategy. You will hear the student movement habits that seed billion dollar brands, the operating system behind a 13 to 1 return, and what it looks like to scale while doing the right thing on paper and in practice.

If you lead a fund, an association, or a founding team, this is a playbook for measurable credibility. Press play, and bring a pen.

Guest Websites:

www.libertyventures.xyz/

www.idfa.org/

www.the27north.com

In this episode of Accelerate with David Alexander, three industry voices shaping how modern leaders win come together:

• Bennie F. Johnson, CEO, American Marketing Association
  Represents nearly 30,000 CMOs and academic leaders.
• Michael Dominguez, CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International
  Trusted by members to generate over $400 million in annual sales.
• Pádraic Gilligan, Co-Founder, SoolNua; former Global CMO, SITE
  Teacher turned entrepreneur whose startup grew to over $30 million annually.

Across one fast moving conversation, they challenge the myths about authority, show why community beats ego and reframe recognition as a performance tool. You’ll hear the moment a title stops mattering, the habit that quietly multiplies team confidence and the simple practice that turns customers into champions.

If you’re leading a team, a chapter, or a company, this is your playbook for credibility in 2025 told by people who earn trust the hard way.

Press play, and bring a pen.

Season 3 Guest Nominations
We’re curating a select group of association CEOs and Executive Directors preparing to launch a podcast in the next 6–12 months.
Think of it as your test drive, a strategic opportunity to experience what launching your own show could look like.
Selected leaders may also invite a team or community voice to join their episode.

Submit nominations by November 14.
👉 Visit www.davidjalexander.com/accelerate for details.

Guest Websites:

• www.ama.org
• www.alhi.com
• www.siteglobal.com
• www.soolnua.com