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SPONSORED BY and this sounded good. I followed up, got the job and the rest is history. BOB: Who were your mentors? CHRIS: I think it has been more like me emulating people I admire. At the Personal Communications Industry Association, John Sherlock, the COO, was particularly helpful. I have also learned much from my peers in the industry and the folks I have the privilege of working with at NAB. Leaders like you, Bob, have always provided inspiration. In terms of others who are always tirelessly working on behalf of our industry, or whose leadership style I admire, I would include people like Don Freeman, Doug Ducate, Dennis Slater, Paul Dykstra, Steven Hacker, Gene Sanders, Skip Cox — who is, by the way, the nicest guy in the business — and Francis Friedman. And among the folks who work for me — in reality, I work for them — Justine McVaney, Michelle Kelly, Jason Stookey and Denise Brasse, among others. Tey keep me honest and I have learned as much from them as they may ever learn from me. BOB: What do you value most in your NAB team? CHRIS: Character and creativity. I have always believed that if we can identify and recruit people with a strong character, we can teach them everything else. It is also determination, passion and compassion. And I value people who are not afraid to challenge the status quo, not only in terms of raising the red fag, but also ofering creative new approaches to doing things. BOB: What book are you currently reading? CHRIS: I just fnished the Killing Kennedy book by Bill O'Reilly afer reading his Killing Lincoln book beforehand. BOB: What is your secret extravagance? CHRIS: I would call it more of a bad habit: I tried cigars about 12 years ago during a tough personal time and have been a closet, once-a-night small cigar smoker ever since. My goal is to kick the habit this year. I also got hooked on Starbucks a couple of years back afer never really drinking cofee. BOB: I'm a Starbucks espresso fan myself. What helps keeps you awake at night? CHRIS: You name it. Aside from the health and welfare of my kids, it has to be looking into the crystal ball and fguring out who will be the next winners and losers in the media and entertainment space. I'm also trying to fgure out where the next growth opportunities are; wondering if I am identifying the right trends and interpreting them correctly; and pondering whether I've allocated resources to the right places. I expect to miss some, but hopefully my batting average is high enough. BOB: Conversely, what helps you sleep? CHRIS: Te enormous equity that exists in the NAB Show brand. We have built a community that is not just loyal to the show and brand, but truly passionate about the work they do. And the show has always been a refection and driver of that passion; it has an amazing pulse. BOB: Finally, if you could be any other person in the world, who would you trade places with? CHRIS: As I am battling a midlife crisis and spending more time now thinking about how I can make a real diference in the world, it would be great to be someone like Bill Gates, with his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to make meaningful change possible. Ten there are selfindulgent choices: a rock star (but not Trusted Voice. The broadcast and trade show industries have both found Brown to be a knowledgeable source of information at The NAB Show and at frequent exhibition industry conferences and events. Justin Beiber), or Hollywood star like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt, just to experience it for a short time. I am a passionate sports fan, so maybe Mark Cuban, who has been successful in business and has moved on to franchise ownership. And since none of those are real options, I'd like to be the guy who runs the wine and tobacco store down in Corolla, NC on the Outer Banks. Love the water. Love the beach. Reach Chris Brown at (202) 429-5335 or cabrown@nab.org Columnist BOB DALLMEYER, CEM, has been chairman of both the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), as well as a former director of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). In 2006, he was inducted into the Convention Industry Council's Hall of Leaders and received IAEE's Pinnacle Award in 2008. Contact Bob at (323) 934-8300 or bdallmeyer@tradeshowexecutive.com www.TradeShowExecutive.com | February 2013 43