Alright, folks, buckle up—Episode 11 of The Emblazers Show is here, and let’s just say, if you missed the Emblaze Revenue Summit in Denver earlier this month, this recap is your backstage pass to all the brilliance (and banter).
Hosted by yours truly, Amanda, with the maestro of buyer messaging, Tim, this episode dives deep into the Summit highlights that had us all buzzing louder than a caffeine-fueled networking break.
Denver really is 6,000 feet above sea level—so yes, I spent the first hour feeling like I’d just climbed Everest. But let’s be honest, that wasn’t why our heads were spinning.
The energy at Revenue Summit was next-level. Picture 600 of our favorite overachievers packed into one space, exchanging ideas so electric they could probably power the Rockies. Tim and I are still buzzing like we’ve had one cup too many from the coffee cart.
We recapped some major moments from the Summit, starting in reverse with a mic-drop closing fireside chat with Nelson Griggs, the actual president of Nasdaq (yes, the Nasdaq).
His message? “Every crisis is an opportunity. Lean into your strengths, listen to your clients, and innovate.” Honestly, I’m tempted to call my tattoo artist and get this on my arm. He dropped wisdom bombs that would make even the steeliest execs pause, and let’s not forget his reminder: Don’t overcorrect in a world of constant flux. Chef’s kiss.
Then there was the morning panel with CXOs, where we talked indecision, risk, and gaining access to the C-suite. Spoiler: it’s all about knowing that at their core, decision-makers are just like us—a little afraid of risk and hoping you’ll help shoulder some of it. Sound familiar? Thought so.
Yes, AI buzz is everywhere, but we kept it distinctly human at the Summit. Case in point: Tim’s opening keynote focusing on what makes us irreplaceable in the age of chatbots and algorithms. Turns out, it’s our ability to connect, listen, and deliver experiences that machines can’t. Stand down, robots!
Speaking of making an impact, the two doctors—Dr. Leff Bonney and Dr. Carmen Simon—blew minds with their talks. Leff reminded us that differentiating yourself as a seller (think curiosity and creativity) can make your product seem better—even if it’s the same as the competition’s.
Meanwhile, Carmen broke down active listening into bite-sized brilliance. Quick takeaway? Don’t overdo that empathetic nodding thing; it apparently screams “fake.” Who knew?
In the afternoon, attendees were treated to a CRO panel that was equal parts insightful and relatable.
According to our lineup, the CRO role is no joke—it’s basically sitting on a trap door. Their insights on tearing down silos, creating scalable systems, and leading with strategy hit home for anyone looking to grow revenue without losing their marbles.
Bottom line: the Summit was a life-sized cheat sheet for navigating this wild sales landscape. If you missed it, we’ve got your back—check out this episode and, of course, our earlier ones featuring guests like Jenny and Sona, who shared even more about building winning teams and tackling challenges head-on.
If you like what you heard, do the thing—subscribe, rate, and review. And if you’re feeling generous, tell a friend or even your frenemies (they could use the help).
Alright, that’s a wrap for now. Catch you next time!
A veteran of global learning and development, Amanda DeVlugt spent 15 years at Hilton crafting leadership programs and revenue growth strategies that transformed operations across international brands. Her expertise in delivering impactful training has reached over 5,000 professionals through 400+ workshops, while her innovative approach to learning has produced more than 200 educational videos on leadership, engagement, and technical processes. As a trusted advisor to top management companies and a skilled facilitator of agile methodologies, Amanda combines her passion for continuous improvement with a talent for creating transformative learning experiences that drive organizational excellence. Amanda is Director of Member Experience and Success at Emblaze, the revenue leaders’ community powered by Corporate Visions.