305: When You Board the International Plane, Always Turn Left! with Eli Facenda
Release Date: 01/13/2026
308: “I win, Google me!” - What Business Owners Should Learn from Coach Cignetti
The Business of Meetings
Two years ago, the Hoosiers of Indiana University were losing every game. Then, in January this year, something remarkable happened - they became the 2025–26 College Football Playoff National Champions! Eric has been inspired by this incredible transformation, guided by Coach Cignetti's leadership. What stood out for him was the total absence of hype, excuses, or a victim mentality. Instead, Coach Cignetti relies on three pillars: standards, preparation, and accountability—the very principles that drive success for any business owner, and yet, they are often the things we neglect. ...
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307: If You're Feeling Stuck, You're Not Alone - But Here's What Actually Works with Eric Rozenberg
The Business of Meetings
Today, we’re exploring the resilience entrepreneurs need to navigate the uncertainty we’re all experiencing right now. In this episode, Eric explains that navigating uncertainty requires resilience, which is strengthened by taking action, embracing continuous learning, and serving others. He shares personal stories to illustrate that every business or career inevitably faces doubt, setbacks, and challenges. Tune in to discover how you can keep moving forward, even when everything feels unpredictable. Starting a Business Requires Action, Not Certainty When launching a business,...
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306: Bootstrapping, Breakthroughs, and Belief: Launching a Business in the Meetings & Events Industry with Andrew Coelho
The Business of Meetings
We are delighted to welcome another incredible entrepreneur from our industry today. Andrew Coehlo, co-founder of Monte & Coe, joins us to share the fantastic story of his journey into corporate gifting. Stay tuned to hear about Andrew’s entrepreneurial journey, his experiences, and the insight he has to share. Andrew’s Journey into Entrepreneurship After beginning his career in corporate finance, Andrew realized the environment did not suit his creative nature. Bureaucracy, resistance to change, and working in isolation drained his energy. And then, a confidence...
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305: When You Board the International Plane, Always Turn Left! with Eli Facenda
The Business of Meetings
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Eli Facenda, founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. Known as The Travel Guy, Eli helps entrepreneurs turn everyday spending into first-class travel experiences. Join us as Eli breaks down what to do with the points you earn, how upgrades really work, and how first-class flights and luxury suites around the world are far more attainable than most people think. Eli’s Journey Eli’s career began in 2015 after graduating with a degree in finance and joining the travel industry through an international sports tour company. A trip to the Dominican...
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304: How to Lead with Creative Courage with Moza-Bella Tram
The Business of Meetings
Today, we’re delighted to speak with entrepreneur Moza-Bella Tram, CEO and founder of Moza-Bella LLC. Moza-Bella is an immigrant with a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. She is a TEDx speaker, a mentor, a business consultant, and has written several books, including the bestseller Powerful Female Immigrants, which she co-authored. She is also the host of the digital TV show Lessons from Failures. Stay tuned as we explore Moza-Bella’s fascinating journey and the experiences that have shaped her work. Moza-Bella’s Journey Moz-Bella was born in Vietnam shortly after the...
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303: Behind the Scenes of Sourcing: Nataly Horan’s Authentic Take
The Business of Meetings
Today, we are thrilled to welcome another entrepreneur from our industry. Nataly Horan is the founder and CEO of Authentic Meetings and Incentives. With experience across several ventures, she joins us to share her journey, the challenges she has faced within the industry, and her hopes and dreams for what lies ahead. Nataly’s Journey Nataly entered the meetings and incentives industry quite unexpectedly. She trained as an interior designer at the University of Florida, then moved into the space after helping with graphic design, quickly connecting with the people and energy of live...
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302: The Event Planner’s Edge: Social Selling that Drives Real Business with Richard Bliss
The Business of Meetings
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Richard Bliss, the founder and CEO of BlissPoint Consulting, as today’s guest. Richard has focused his entire career on helping people with their social selling behavior. He is well-known both inside and outside of our industry as a LinkedIn Top Voices Influencer and an experienced executive communications leader. Stay tuned as Richard shares his story and offers practical insights on social selling, executive communication, and what truly builds influence on LinkedIn. Richard’s Journey Richard began his career with 14 years in the National...
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301: Stop Guessing, Start Automating: AI Strategies for Event Pros with Ethan King
The Business of Meetings
Today, we are thrilled to welcome Ethan King as our guest. Ethan is an entrepreneur and author who coaches individuals on AI through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). He joins us today to share insights on entrepreneurship, books, and life. He also explains how small business owners can implement AI. Stay tuned as Ethan breaks down practical AI strategies that any entrepreneur can start using today. Ethan’s Journey Ethan has been an entrepreneur for 25 years. He began with a passion for art and a pivot into graphic design. While in college, a class project evolved into a real...
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300: When Accountability Becomes Power: Rashmi Airan’s Story of Resilience
The Business of Meetings
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Rashmi Airan as our guest today! Rashmi is an extraordinary human being with remarkable depth of character, and as an ex-felon and former lawyer turned keynote speaker, her journey has been truly unique. She is an unapologetic truth-teller, prison chocolatier, and a champion of growth through struggle. She’s also a Bollywood dance aficionado, a singer, a corporate change leader, and an endurance athlete. Tune in to hear Rashmi’s powerful story about ethics, accountability, and leadership forged through adversity. Rashmi’s Early Journey and...
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299: From Layoff to Lift-Off: How Beth Lawrence Became an Event Business Entrepreneur
The Business of Meetings
Today, we are excited to welcome Beth Lawrence as our guest. Over the past 20 years, Beth has seen the highs and lows of building and growing a business. Join us as she shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. Beth’s Journey Beth began college aiming to become a writer or professor, but she quickly realized the academic path was not for her, and pivoted. When she discovered event planning, it clicked instantly. She graduated during the 2008–2009 recession and built her career step by step, seizing each available stable opportunity, from...
info_outlineToday, we’re thrilled to welcome Eli Facenda, founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. Known as The Travel Guy, Eli helps entrepreneurs turn everyday spending into first-class travel experiences.
Join us as Eli breaks down what to do with the points you earn, how upgrades really work, and how first-class flights and luxury suites around the world are far more attainable than most people think.
Eli’s Journey
Eli’s career began in 2015 after graduating with a degree in finance and joining the travel industry through an international sports tour company. A trip to the Dominican Republic when he was 16 sparked his passion for travel and shaped his desire to build a life driven by curiosity rather than convention. Over time, he developed skills in group travel, logistics, and credit card points. That eventually evolved into a business helping entrepreneurs travel better by leveraging the systems they already have in place.
Why Uncertainty Matters
Eli believes uncertainty is essential for passion and fulfillment. Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but it often limits growth and experience. The willingness to take risks, follow curiosity, and act before everything feels certain has been a consistent driver in both his life and business.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
When COVID disrupted the travel industry, it forced Eli’s tour business into survival mode. Rather than freezing, he pivoted by launching a points-based consulting business that offered more control and scalability.
How Points Unlock Disproportionate Value
Eli discovered the power of points when he flew business class on a ticket worth thousands of dollars for only a few dollars in taxes. That experience revealed how strategic point redemptions could create massive leverage, turning ordinary spending into extraordinary travel experiences.
Why Loyalty Isn’t Always Logical
Airline loyalty and elite status often come with high opportunity costs. Transferable bank points typically provide more flexibility, higher redemption value, and better travel outcomes than committing to a single airline, especially for globally mobile travelers.
Experience vs. Redemption Strategy
The best airline experience does not always align with the best points value. Some airlines offer superior products but poor redemption efficiency. Understanding alliances, partner transfers, and award availability allows travelers to optimize both comfort and value.
Redeeming Points the Right Way
The biggest mistake most people make is redeeming points through bank travel portals. Transferring points to airline partners can multiply their value several times over, but availability must always be confirmed before transferring, as transfers are irreversible.
Cards, Hotels, and Priorities
For business owners, Eli recommends prioritizing international premium flights for personal and family travel due to the quality and tax advantages. Hotel points usually offer lower value than airline redemptions, but elite hotel status can still deliver meaningful perks when earned strategically. Base your card selection on spending patterns, travel goals, and location—not card prestige.
Experiential Wealth
Eli frames success around “experiential wealth”—the memories, relationships, and moments that create fulfillment. Business growth matters, but experiences, not just achievements measure a well-lived life.
Eli Facenda: Speaker Bio
Eli “The Travel Guy” Facenda is the Founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. He and his team help entrepreneurs maximize the money they are already spending so they can unlock bucket-list travel experiences and an upgraded first-class travel lifestyle entirely on points. Almost every entrepreneur spends money and travels, yet very few know how to do so efficiently.
Eli has spent nine years in the travel industry, has traveled to 42 countries, and averages over $100,000 per year in free travel using points. His biggest passion is helping others come alive through travel and adventure while sharing strategies that make first-class travel easily attainable at a fraction of the cost.
His team works with hundreds of entrepreneurs across all industries, including world-renowned business leaders such as Dan Martell, Cameron Herold, Karlton Dennis, Amber Spears, Tai Lopez, and others.
Eli brings a unique perspective to business speaking engagements and podcasts. As an industry leader in a blue-ocean market, his talks, workshops, and interviews are highly engaging and actionable for entrepreneurial audiences.
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On Instagram (@ELITRAVELGUY)