

The Revenue Room™, by H2K Labs
Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO, H2K Labs
Welcome to The Revenue Room™, brought to you by H2K Labs. Our podcast is designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical executive teams leading media, events, data/info, and marketplace businesses. We focus on boosting revenue, enhancing profitability, and elevating enterprise value. Each episode delves into cutting-edge data-driven strategies to accelerate revenue, manage risks, and establish scalable, predictable processes. We also discuss elevating revenue to the core of operational excellence, empowering you to consistently outperform your competitors.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Revenue Room™ with Narisa Wild, CDO, Clarion Events North America
Narisa Wild, Chief Digital Officer at Clarion Events North America, joins The Revenue Room to share her expertise in leading digital transformation and championing AI-driven initiatives in the events and media industries. From building customer-centric experiences to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Narisa provides actionable insights on how businesses can future-proof themselves while creating value for customers and employees alike. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the evolving landscape of data, digital, and customer engagement.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Rethinking Digital Transformation: Why digital transformation should be viewed as "customer transformation" and how focusing on customer needs drives real results.AI-Powered Innovation: Real-world examples of how Clarion Events uses AI to enhance attendee experiences, create personalized outreach, and generate deeper insights from events.Preparing for the Next Generation: Strategies for engaging Gen Z and Gen A to ensure long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.Value-Based Leadership: How humility, accountability, and active listening can transform organizational culture and boost employee retention.Disrupting the Status Quo: Lessons from launching City Eats to compete with OpenTable and how they apply to event and media innovation today.Key Quote from Narisa Wild:"Customer transformation is at the heart of digital transformation. It’s about serving evolving customer needs and creating experiences that are truly impactful—internally and externally."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Revenue Room™ with Constance Sayers, President & CRO, GovExec
Constance Sayers, President and Chief Revenue Officer of GovExec, joins The Revenue Room to share her journey of transforming a traditional media company into a data-driven intelligence platform. From managing 16 acquisitions in one year to pioneering innovative AI-driven solutions, Constance offers invaluable insights on redefining revenue streams and scaling businesses in the information and media industry. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the challenges of transitioning to data-centric business models.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Building a Data-Driven Business: How Constance led GovExec’s transformation into a platform delivering actionable insights for government leaders and contractors.Scaling Through Acquisitions: Lessons learned from integrating 16 acquisitions in one year and ensuring seamless alignment of data and tech stacks.AI as a Growth Driver: The role of GovTribe and AI-powered tools in creating new products, enhancing customer engagement, and accelerating revenue.Customer-Centric Innovation: Why listening to customer challenges is key to creating solutions that drive long-term value.Practical Advice for Revenue Leaders: Strategies for balancing traditional revenue streams with innovative, data-driven growth opportunities.Key Quote from Constance Sayers:“We started solving problems for our customers using the data we already had—and the results were transformational. It's about using insights to create value and stay indispensable in their daily workflows.”Don’t miss Constance Sayers’ session, “Accelerating New Revenue Streams: How GovExec Turned Data into Dollars” on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 at RevvedUP in Sarasota, FL.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Dec 19, 2024 • 56min
The Revenue Room™ with Will Lee, CEO, Adweek
Will Lee, CEO of Adweek and former NPR COO who transforms legacy media into product- and data-driven businesses. He discusses the Omnicom-IPG deal and industry turbulence. He explains Adweek’s four pillars, evolving revenue mix toward intelligence products, AI’s role in operations, and experiments with partners to unlock historical and real-time insights.

Dec 16, 2024 • 49min
The Revenue Room™ with Matt Yorke, CEO, The Channel Company
In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, chats with Matt Yorke, CEO of The Channel Company, about building scalable, predictable revenue streams in the B2B tech ecosystem. Matt shares insights from his 25+ years of leadership at the intersection of media, technology, and data, revealing strategies for leveraging AI, data, and streamlined processes to fuel enterprise value.From hiring the right team for private equity-backed businesses to launching into international markets with a competitive advantage, Matt provides actionable advice for navigating today’s fast-changing B2B environment. He also shares his thoughts on the transformative power of AI, from content creation to market expansion.Key Topics Discussed:Matt’s journey as CEO of The Channel Company and milestones achieved in his first year.The importance of cross-functional expertise (CDO, CMO, CRO, CEO) in driving organizational success.How private equity ownership shapes operational strategies and growth expectations.Strategies for entering international markets and leveraging powerhouse brands like CRN.Building predictable and sustainable growth through data-driven decision-making and process standardization.The evolving impact of AI on B2B businesses, including content creation, efficiency, and market dynamics.Developing a high-performance team aligned with organizational ambitions.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Dec 6, 2024 • 54min
The Revenue Room™ with Mike Carlucci, COO, Clarion Events North America
In this episode of The Revenue Room Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, sits down with Mike Carlucci, Chief Operating Officer at Clarion Events North America. With over two decades of experience in the events industry, Mike discusses the power of leveraging data, alignment between sales and operations, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Together, they delve into the strategies and innovations that have helped Mike transform operations and revenue strategies at Clarion Events.Key Highlights:RevDub 2025 Announcement:Heather kicks off with exciting news about RevDub 2025, an exclusive event for CEOs and their C-suite teams focusing on multi-sided businesses and strategies to drive revenue and enterprise value.Guest Introduction:Mike Carlucci's illustrious career spans over two decades in the events industry, from Reed Exhibitions to transforming Clarion Events’ North American operations. Mike’s leadership philosophy emphasizes customer-centric experiences and inclusive, high-performing teams.Data-Driven Revenue Strategies:Mike explains how leveraging data has revolutionized event operations, pricing strategies, and customer relationships. He shares insights into:Forensic data analysis for better decision-making.Aligning sales and operations for a seamless customer journey.Focusing on fewer, high-impact initiatives for sustainable growth.Generational Shifts in the Industry:The duo explores how the pandemic and changing demographics have accelerated innovation in the events sector. Mike highlights the importance of adapting to new customer expectations, especially from younger generations like Gen Z.Customer-Centric Innovations:The Clarion Premium Program: A concierge-style service for key accounts, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving higher engagement and spend.Connections Programs: Leveraging tech and data to facilitate meaningful connections between attendees and exhibitors.Revenue Room Connect Collaboration:Mike shares his enthusiasm for H2K Labs’ initiatives, including Revenue Room Connect and Revved Up, as platforms driving revenue-critical conversations and actionable insights for the industry.Rapid Fire Fun:Heather wraps up with some light-hearted questions about Mike’s preferences (coffee over tea, savory over sweet) and his curreAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Dec 6, 2024 • 52min
The Revenue Room™ with Anna Anisin, Founder & CEO, DataScience.Salon
Join us for an engaging conversation with Anna Anisin, a trailblazer in leveraging artificial intelligence for business innovation. Anna shares her expertise on transforming industries, redefining revenue streams, and enhancing enterprise value using AI. With a focus on actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for CEOs and leaders ready to embrace AI as a strategic tool rather than a simple automation solution.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:AI’s Strategic Role in Business: Anna’s perspective on using AI for driving profitability and value, while empowering human talent rather than replacing it.Industry Transformations: Real-world examples of industries evolving through AI-driven innovation.Practical Insights for CEOs: Steps CEOs can take today to embrace AI effectively and sprint toward increased enterprise value.The Future of AI in Multisided Businesses: Predictions on where AI will lead companies in complex, interconnected ecosystems.Key Quote from Anna Anisin:"AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying their capabilities and unlocking new opportunities for value creation in ways we never imagined."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Dec 5, 2024 • 58min
The Revenue Room™ with Peter Cohan, Forbes Senior Contributor & Angel Investor
In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Peter Cohan, associate professor at Babson College, strategic consultant, and author of Brain Rush. Together, they explore the transformative role of AI in driving revenue growth, creating competitive advantages, and reshaping leadership strategies.Key Topics Covered:AI’s Value Pyramid: Peter introduces the concept of the AI value pyramid, outlining how businesses can utilize AI to overcome creator's block, improve functional productivity, and create entirely new growth curves.Challenges in AI Implementation: Discussion of the hurdles companies face, such as balancing innovation with risk, avoiding reputational damage, and overcoming fears from both CEOs and boards of directors.Real-World Examples: Insights into how companies like ServiceNow and Salesforce are leveraging generative AI to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and drive rapid growth.Leadership and Cognitive Hunger: Peter shares his research on what differentiates successful CEOs, highlighting the importance of "cognitive hunger" for staying adaptive and innovative in fast-changing business landscapes.Proprietary Data and Competitive Advantage: Why leveraging proprietary data is crucial for creating defensible business strategies and maximizing AI's potential.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 1min
The Revenue Room™ with Paul Miller, CEO, Questex
In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of leadership, innovation, and data-driven strategy with Paul Miller, CEO of Questex. Paul shares his journey of transforming Questex into a cutting-edge, data-centric organization, discusses key lessons in navigating remote leadership, and offers insights into building growth strategies in today’s fast-paced business environment. Whether you’re leading a team or looking to stay ahead in your industry, this episode delivers actionable takeaways and inspiration.Key Announcement: Don’t miss RevvedUP 2025, happening February 25–27, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida! This exclusive, invitation-only event is designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-suite teams to explore strategies for leveraging data, AI, and digital innovations to drive growth. Learn more at h2klabs.com/revvedup.Highlights:Questex Evolution:Paul reflects on his six years as CEO of Questex, emphasizing a data-driven transformation to enhance products and customer engagement.The impact of the pandemic and navigating the shift to remote teams.Data-Driven Innovation:Leveraging centralized data to guide editorial, product development, and business strategy.Paul shares examples of how Questex uses customer insights to steer content and events, such as tailoring healthcare event tracks to trending topics like drug affordability.Private Equity and Growth:Paul's insights into evolving private equity metrics, focusing more on top-line growth driven by data.The role of clean, accurate databases in acquisition decisions and overall strategy.New Revenue Streams:Launch of innovative events, such as a successful hotel-focused trade show co-created with the American Hotel Lodging Association.The integration of digital and live event strategies, such as leveraging social media for the beauty industry.Challenges in the Go-to-Market Strategy:Post-pandemic sales challenges, such as engaging customers remotely and navigating longer sales cycles.Paul emphasizes back-to-basics sales training and understanding customer needs.RevvedUp 2025 and Industry Collaboration:Heather and Paul discuss the importance of cross-industry learning to tackle modeAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Nov 25, 2024 • 52min
The Revenue Room™ with Doug Llewellyn, CEO, Data Society Group
In this episode of The Revenue Room podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of data, AI, and culture with guest Doug Llewellyn, CEO of Data Society Group. They explore how companies can leverage data and AI to drive transformation, empower workforces, and create enterprise value. Doug shares insights on building data-literate organizations, the evolving role of Chief Data Officers, and strategies for navigating the fast-paced AI era.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The critical role of data literacy and storytelling in organizational success.How to overcome challenges in data culture adoption and workforce upskilling.The importance of integrating people and technology in AI strategies.Why the tenure of Chief Data Officers is short and how companies can set them up for success.Practical advice for leaders to "slow down to speed up" in the age of rapid change.Key Takeaways:"There’s no AI without data, and there’s no success without people."The importance of a common data language to align teams across an organization.Why data literacy is essential at all levels, from executives to front-line employees.How companies can measure ROI on data literacy investments through real-world capstone projects.Insights into the shifting skillsets needed in an AI-driven business environment.Follow The Revenue Room Podcast:Subscribe for more insights on accelerating revenue and driving profitability.Visit h2klabs.com/revroom for more episodes.Connect with Us:Host: Heather Holst-Knudsen on LinkedInGuest: Doug Llewellyn on LinkedInEnjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to leave a review and share it with your network!About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Nov 12, 2024 • 56min
The Revenue Room™ with Chris Dyer, Remote Work and Culture Expert
In this insightful episode, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Chris Dyer, a leading authority on company culture and remote work. Chris shares his journey from CEO of a rapidly growing company to a global leadership speaker and bestselling author. He discusses his seven-pillar framework for building strong, effective company cultures and how organizations can optimize their work environments, whether in-office, remote, or hybrid.Key Topics Discussed:RevvedUP Event Overview: Heather announces H2K Labs’ new initiative, RevvedUP, an exclusive gathering for CEOs and C-suite teams to strategize on fueling enterprise value. Event details: February 25-27 in Sarasota, Florida.Chris Dyer’s Background and Leadership Approach:Chris’s journey from CEO to global thought leader in company culture.The importance of empowering employees and letting them take the lead.His approach to engagement and helping teams perform at their best without micromanagement.The Seven Pillars of Success: Chris introduces his framework for leadership and organizational success.Remote Work Challenges and Solutions:How Chris’s companies transitioned to remote work in 2008 and lessons learned.Strategies for building and maintaining company culture in remote and hybrid work environments, including the "cockroach meeting" and "tsunami planning" for innovation and collaboration.Practical Advice for CEOs: Eliminating ineffective one-on-one meetings and replacing them with team-focused collaboration sessions.The importance of setting clear expectations and creating structured meeting formats to enhance productivity and communication.Resources Mentioned:RevvedUP Event: February 25-27, Sarasota, Florida. More information at h2klabs.com/revvedup.Chris Dyer’s Books: "The Power of Company Culture" and "Remote Work."Connect with Chris:Text "Chris" to 33777 to receive a free PDF on effective meetings and leadership strategies.LinkedIn: Chris DyerWebsite: ChrisDyer.comTikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms for leadership tips.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.


