Ep. 68: Taking Calculated Risks with RX CEO Hugh Jones

“At RX, we celebrate failure, which is kind of a strange thing to say,” said RX CEO Hugh Jones on the November 2025 edition of Trade Show Talk. 

Why?  

“Failure is actually a part of the executive process and making great choices,” he said In this episode, Host Danica Tormohlen delves into this topic and more with Jones, who shares the company's recent growth and strategic bets in the trade show industry.  

Jones discusses a broad range of topics, including RX's expansion into Saudi Arabia, digital product development, and the importance of celebrating failures to drive innovation and leadership.  

For context: RX, a division of public company RELX and ranked No. 2 on the Stax Top 20 Exhibition Organizers List (by revenues), produced 282 face-to-face events in 25 countries in 2024, and these events served 41 industry sectors and attracted more than 6 million participants, according to its 2024 Annual Report. Some of RX’s flagship events include New York ComicCon, JCK, ISC West, and FIBO Global Fitness. In its most recent earnings report in August, RX saw 8% growth year over year for the first half of 2025. 

The episode also features interviews with Legends Global GM Rodney Falk on the Cincinnati convention center's reopening in January 2026 and Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance Executive VP Tommy Goodwin on the U.S. government shutdown's impact on the industry. 

00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk 

00:34 Meet Hugh Jones, CEO of RX 

01:22 Sponsorship Message from Legends Global 

02:08 Hugh Jones' Background and Philosophy 

04:17 Interview with Hugh Jones Begins 

04:24 The Importance of Taking Risks 

07:16 RX's Expansion and Acquisitions 

08:36 Digital Transformation at RX 

11:39 Innovative Approaches in Trade Shows 

15:16 Navigating the Pandemic and Strategic Changes 

20:25 Value-Based Selling and Customer Focus 

29:08 Advocacy, Sustainability, and Talent in the Trade Show Industry 

37:40 The Importance of Standardization in Events 

40:30 Digital Innovation and Future Trends 

44:42 Real-Time Matchmaking and Industry Trends 

46:08 AI in Trade Shows: Strategy and Implementation 

49:41 Personal Insights: Monday Morning Routine 

52:24 Upcoming Events and Travel Plans 

54:35 Hobbies and Family Life 

55:55 Worst Business Advice Ever Received 

58:25 Cincinnati Convention Center Update 

01:14:27 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin 

01:22:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes 

 

This episode is brought to you by Legends Global.  

Legends Global is the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands. Legends Global delivers a fully integrated suite of premium services—from feasibility and consulting to venue management, sales, merchandise, hospitality, partnerships, content and booking. The company’s white-label approach keeps partners front and center while leveraging the power of their global network with more than 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. Learn more at LegendsGlobal.com.  

 

Guest bio: Hugh Jones  

Chief Executive Officer  

Every executive has to place bets in order for the value propositions to remain relevant to the customers, but not every bet has to work. Hugh believes that executives learn by both our successes and our failures. That philosophy has served Hugh well over the years since joining RELX in 2011, following the purchase of Accuity where he was Chief Executive Officer. In addition to leading Accuity to become one of the world’s largest and most significant companies in the payment routing and Anti Money Laundering sectors, Hugh has also led Fircosoft, NRS, I.C.I.S, Estates Gazette (EG) and Cirium; and before joining RX he was Global Managing Director within the Risk and Business Analytics Division.  

Hugh’s philosophy has seen him lead large scale acquisitions and subsequent integrations of many companies that now reside and prosper within the RELX portfolio. Hugh joined RX as CEO at the start of 2020, bringing with him plenty of experience in public company protocol and all facets of business management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales execution, technology innovation and product discovery, launch and growth.  

Hugh’s experience has been invaluable in navigating RX’s response to challenges and his strategic understanding of technological innovation has accelerated the use of digital and data products and services across RX events, as an ongoing core component of RX face to face events. Passionate about building a culture of collaboration, exploring, risk taking, accountability and courage, Hugh champions the creation of a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all. 

versed in public company protocol and all facets of firm management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales, technology and product innovation, discovery, launch and growth.  
 
A mélange of exceptional investment and overall management qualifications, combined with superior analytical leadership. Accustomed to and effective in high-profile executive roles, making high-stakes investment decisions with world-class clients and customers. Versed in leading investor forums at a publicly traded firm, commercializing data streams, contributing forward-thinking vision and overcoming complex business obstacles.  
 
More than two decades of experience building corporate value by creating rich data streams that provide new solutions to difficult corporate challenges. Successful at developing and coaching top executive teams, leading sales efforts, and negotiating complicated corporate and functional business deals with financial institutions, corporations and governmental agencies. 
 
• Member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) since 2009 
• Served on numerous Boards for the benefit of Private Equity firms 
• Winner of the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Financial Services for the Midwest Region 
• Holds a BA in economics from Yale University cum laude and an MBA from the University of Michigan 

Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. 

  

Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading social impact, member value, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate. 

  

Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King’s College London. He also holds several certifications including a Project Management Professional from PMI, a Certified Meeting Planner from the Events Industry Council, and a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). 

  

Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy was also named a "Leading Association Lobbyist" by CEO Update/Association TRENDS in 2023. He has also been elected as a Fellow by ASAE (2022), named an "Association Innovation Leader" by DCA Live (2022), received the "Industry Support Award" from Trade Show News Network (2022), and recognized as an events industry "Changemaker" by MeetingsNet (2022). 

  

Tommy currently serves on the advisory boards of Factum Global and The Iceberg. He is also a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE’s Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council and Advocacy Council. 

 

Host bio: Danica Tormohlen 

 

Meet Danica Tormohlen, a dynamic force in the trade world who’s been telling compelling stories for more than 30 years. As VP of Group Content at Informa, she’s the mastermind behind Trade Show News Network, bringing the pulse of the industry to life. When she’s not crafting engaging content, you’ll find her behind the microphone hosting the Trade Show Talk podcast, where she chats with industry movers and shakers. 

 

A proud Mizzou Journalism School grad (go Tigers!), Danica has left her mark across the events industry landscape, from SISO to Trade Show Executive. Her trophy shelf sparkles with journalism awards, but what really gets her excited is breaking new ground for women in the industry. As a founding member and current president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America, she’s passionate about lifting others up while climbing the ladder herself. 

 

When she’s not reporting on trade shows and events, you’ll spot Danica pounding the pavement as an enthusiastic runner or rolling up her sleeves with the National Charity League, proving that giving back is always in style. Her secret sauce? A perfect blend of journalistic integrity, industry insight, and boundless energy.  

 

Catch Danica’s latest thoughts on LinkedIn and X, where she’s always sharing industry insights with a personal twist.