A natural storyteller who studied theater in college, Nick arrived at Purdue Conferences in 2012 after stints with the Los Angeles Opera, the Autry Museum of the American West and the UCLA Conferences Services department. He considers hospitality to be a way of life, rather than just an industry.

Nick enjoys his job because he sees his work as the convergence of service, hospitality and storytelling. He loves being a part of making connections, bringing people together, learning new things and watching the team succeed.

Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective is having a conversation on his views and experiences as a CED - Certified Event Designer on designing to change and how Nick has experienced that in his career. 

To learn more about DESIGN to CHANGE check out https://www.designtochange.online

Nick Bonora ONSTAGE - Design Series - EDC MasterMind Edition - Purdue University

Who deserves the best view of your event? 
That's the question we explore with Chanet Ham, CEM, UTS, CED+ and EDC MasterMind. 

Chanet is the owner of Xpedition Travel and Managing Partner at PX Event Group based in Penang, Malaysia and Australia. 

She has been creating and planning business events for corporate companies and high net-worth clients for the past 26 years. She is exploring her new role as Event Creator and Producer in the digital space.

In this episode she speaks with Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective on the topic of Horizons of Change, and the perspectives it requires to shift for her team, herself and her event owners. 

Discover the "Perspective Questions" here: https://designtochange.online/conversations/ 

Connect with Chanet Ham at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanet-ham-cem-uts-ced-ced-plus-coach-in-virtual-26637233/ 

find out more about #DESIGNtoCHANGE at https://www.designtochange.online

Chanet Ham #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONSTAGE - EDC MasterMind Series with Ruud Janssen

Nick Bonora, CED, CMM - Director of Events & Conference and the Event Design LAB℠ at Purdue University ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasbonora/ ) speaks with Roel Frissen onsite at the Event Design Certificate Program Level 3 Cohort 46. Since becoming a CED-Certified Event Designer Nick has brought the concept of social change to life at Purdue University to life connecting academic research to social change using the Event Design using the #EventCanvas Methodology. 

Purdue University is a vast laboratory for discovery. The university is known not only for science, technology, engineering, and math programs, but also for our imagination, ingenuity, and innovation. It’s a place where those who seek an education come to make their ideas real — especially when those transformative discoveries lead to scientific, technological, social, or humanitarian impact.
 
 Founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, the university proudly serves its state as well as the nation and the world. Academically, Purdue’s role as a major research institution is supported by top-ranking disciplines in pharmacy, business, engineering, and agriculture. More than 39,000 students are enrolled here. All 50 states and 130 countries are represented. Add about 950 student organizations and Big Ten Boilermaker athletics, and you get a college atmosphere that’s without rival.
. 
Connect to Nick Bonora, CMM, CED at https://www.purdue.edu/conferences/about/directors/nick-bonora.php 
Learn more about #DESIGNtoCHANGE at https://designtochange.online

Nick Bonora #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast With Roel Frissen from the Event Design LAB℠  at Purdue

We set goals based on what we know, which is incredibly small. When we choose to run fearlessly toward new experiences, sometimes what we gain is a million times greater than what we can imagine. (Credit: Sebastien Sassville) This quote inpired Marie France and in hindsight, this explains a lot about her horizon of change she shared with us two years ago.
Marie-France Watson, CED,DES is Business Development and Event Manager at LaunchLabs. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-france-watson-ced/)

In Conversation with Marie France ONSTAGE +2

Marie-France Watson, CED, DES shares her exciting news on a personal level, which is obviously connected with the professional career change she talked about in the ON STAGE edition of the podcast.

In Conversation with Marie France BACKSTAGE +2

Join us with Drew Holmgreen, CED (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewholmgreen/ ) Chief Experience Officer at MPI Meeting Professionals onsite at #The EVENT in Ottawa, Canada, where he discusses with Ruud Janssen the origin stories of The EVENT and how MPI got involved in 2024.

Drew Holmgreen #DESIGNtoCHANGE onsite at #TheEVENT in Ottawa Canada w/ Ruud Janssen

Meet Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki J.P. , CEO of the Sabah International Convention Centre and event owner of the #BEinSABAH Business Event in Sabah (https://beinsabah.com.my) on this special episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONstage + BACKstage PODcast with Ruud Janssen.  

Explore what it takes to open a convention centre operating at the highest degree of competence in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. From first meeting at #IMEX24 through a previous podcast guest Chanet Ham to running the EDC Level 3 Cohort 56 in Kota Kinabalu and exploring the #DESIGntoCHANGE concepts onstage at the #BEinSABAH event in February 2025, they discuss the special #AugmentedHumanity that Sabahans bring to event design.  

YBHG Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki J.P is the organising chairperson of BE in SABAH, MACEOS Sabah Chair and CEO of Sabah International Convention Centre. The 2nd International Business Forum – BE in SABAH was designed to empower and elevate Business Events across the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging the East ASEAN countries to unlock opportunities for growth and collaboration, ultimately driving economic development.

Check out the key takeaways and highlights in this AI powered recap courtesy of Snapsight - https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/34157377-a0ba-4f82-8812-32d56e274967/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways
Based on the content of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE book written by Roel Frissen, Ruud Janssen and Dennis Luijer we are guided through a fascinating conversation amongst friends. 
More episodes can de found at https://designtochange.online

Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONstage PODcast with Ruud Janssen

Meet Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki J.P. , CEO of the Sabah International Convention Centre and event owner of the #BEinSABAH Business Event in Sabah (https://beinsabah.com.my) on this special episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONstage + BACKstage PODcast with Ruud Janssen.  

Explore what it takes to open a convention centre operating at the highest degree of competence in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. From first meeting at #IMEX24 through a previous podcast guest Chanet Ham to running the EDC Level 3 Cohort 56 in Kota Kinabalu and exploring the #DESIGntoCHANGE concepts onstage at the #BEinSABAH event in February 2025, they discuss the special #AugmentedHumanity that Sabahans bring to event design.  

YBHG Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki J.P is the organising chairperson of BE in SABAH, MACEOS Sabah Chair and CEO of Sabah International Convention Centre. The 2nd International Business Forum – BE in SABAH was designed to empower and elevate Business Events across the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging the East ASEAN countries to unlock opportunities for growth and collaboration, ultimately driving economic development.

Check out the key takeaways and highlights in this AI powered recap courtesy of Snapsight - https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/34157377-a0ba-4f82-8812-32d56e274967/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways

Based on the content of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE book written by Roel Frissen, Ruud Janssen and Dennis Luijer we are guided through a fascinating conversation amongst friends. 
More episodes can de found at https://designtochange.online

Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati #DESIGNtoCHANGE BACKstage PODcast with Ruud Janssen

Connect with Michael Ackerbauer PhD here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelackerbauer/ 
Connect with Ruud Janssen here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruudwjanssen/

And see there Key Takeaways, Idea Cloud and Summary (in 70+ languages) here courtesy by Snapsight : 
https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/ba005022-bc7b-42b6-bc5b-419c21f3833c/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways

Summary
In this captivating "Year plus three" episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast, Ruud Janssen engaged Michael Ackerbauer in a rich dialogue about change, technology, and personal growth. Michael, now at the helm of ACK Labs, a third-generation consultancy with roots in forensic chemistry, shared his journey from a 26-year IBM career to his current role as an innovation catalyst.

Ackerbauer's multifaceted background includes facilitating at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) conference, teaching as adjunct instructor, and lecturing at Buffalo State University, which is launching a Doctorate of Professional Studies. His expertise in agile coaching and design thinking shaped his approach at IBM's client engineering, where he focused on "retiring quota" and showcasing generative AI like WatsonX.

The conversation delved into the "cone of uncertainty," creative abrasion, and continuous improvement. Michael emphasized the critical importance of trustworthiness and veracity in AI applications, drawing insightful parallels from the early days of "sneaker net" to current applications in insurance claims adjudication. He articulated a nuanced view of AI implementation, stressing the irreplaceable role of human oversight and emotion.

A highlight of the discussion was Michael's innovative rock balancing metaphor for leadership, which he demonstrated at Italy's Crea conference. This powerful analogy illustrates his triad of effectiveness, efficiency, and empowerment in team dynamics, complemented by his framework of capability, capacity, and commitment for assessing team performance.Ackerbauer's approach to change management acknowledges the often-overlooked aspect of grief associated with transitions. He cited the resilience of Blatten village after a natural disaster as an inspiring example of human adaptability in the face of drastic change.

The podcast touched on the evolution from centralized to decentralized computing, the rise of mobile and social computing, and the concept of "augmented humanity" in the AI era. Michael shared fascinating insights from using AI to analyze his own career trajectory and TEDx talk on rock balancing, hinting at exciting future book projects.

As the conversation concluded, both speakers reflected on the power of intentional dialogue in driving change, embodying the core principle of "Design to Change." The podcast's innovative use of AI-generated summaries in 70 languages served as a fitting demonstration of the transformative technologies discussed, bridging theory and practice in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and human interaction.

See the link to the Rock Balancing article mentioned here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/principles-balance-michael-ackerbauer-phd/

Michael Ackerbauer #DESIGNtoCHANGE #PODcast with Ruud Janssen Year +3

This #DESIGNtoCHANGE Podcast, recorded live  on 11 September 2025 in Melbourne, Australia and you can find the AI Recap of the contact, key takaways and idea cloud by Snapsight here:  https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/c78561ad-1c5f-47b9-992d-5e03bc95e1ea/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways  . It is hosted by Ruud Janssen, Roel Frissen featuring Genevieve Lim, and Weemin Ong, executive leaders of Marina Bay Sands, explored the transformative power of conversations in shaping the future of event design. Marina Bay Sands' adoption of the Event Design Canvas (EDC) methodology was highlighted as a key driver of innovation and excellence in the global events industry. Central to this effort is the Marina Bay Sands Event Design LAB℠ , Asia's first dedicated space for applying the EDC methodology, fostering collaboration between clients and certified event designers to create impactful events.

Genevieve Lim and Weemin Ong shared insights into Marina Bay Sands' initiatives, including the EDC Young Professionals Program, which introduces event design principles to students in partnership with institutions like the Singapore Institute of Technology. The Event Design Certificate Level 3 program has trained nearly 100 team members as CED - Certified Event Designer across departments, including culinary, audiovisual, and operations, creating a unified culture of event design. The Rising Tides metaphor underscored their belief in collective industry growth through shared methodologies and collaboration.

Marina Bay Sands, hosting over 2,500 events annually and welcoming 1.4 million delegates, operates across 120,000 square meters of event space. Plans for the Integrated Resort 2 expansion, featuring luxury event spaces and a 15,000-seater arena, reflect its commitment to innovation and excellence. The recent showcase event, themed "Elevate," demonstrated Marina Bay Sands' philosophy of engaging not just clients but the "client of the client" to design meaningful outcomes.

The speakers emphasized the global reach of EDC training, with sessions held in cities like Sydney, San Francisco, Beijing, and Melbourne. They highlighted the importance of deep listening and understanding stakeholder needs, enabling Marina Bay Sands to remain at the forefront of the industry. The session celebrated the partnership between Marina Bay Sands and Design to Change, showcasing their shared mission to empower event professionals, foster innovation, and elevate the events industry through intentional design and collaboration.

Learn more about Marina Bay Sands Event Design LAB℠ here: https://www.marinabaysands.com/expo-and-convention/gallery/event-highlights/2023/12/elevating-experiences.html 

Learn more about Event Design LAB℠ opportunities here: https://edco.global/event-design-lab/

You can find the AI Recap summary, key takaways and idea cloud by Snapsight of this episode here:  https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/c78561ad-1c5f-47b9-992d-5e03bc95e1ea/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways

And the Marina Bay Sands and Event Design Collective collaboration here: https://www.marinabaysands.com/expo-and-convention/gallery/event-highlights/2023/12/elevating-experiences.html

Weemin Ong & Genevieve Lim Marina Bay Sands #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast + Roel Frissen + Ruud Janssen

The #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast, hosted by Ruud Janssen, DES, CMM , brought together IMEX leaders Carina Bauer , Suzanne Medcalf Mulligan , and Sophie Pink to explore the transformative power of conversations in the events industry and the strategies behind IMEX's success. IMEX Frankfurt  was celebrated as a global networking hub where serendipitous connections often lead to impactful collaborations, such as Marina Bay Sands ' partnership with the Event Design Collective, which has resulted in global event design training initiatives. 

See the full newsletter + video here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/carina-bauer-suzanne-mulligan-sophie-pink-team-imex-srlxe/?trackingId=9wKUU6etWZyk3xza1d%2B68w%3D%3D 

The IMEX team, a small yet dynamic group based in Brighton, orchestrates large-scale events like IMEX America, which hosts 85,000 meetings, 15,873 participants, and 3,500 exhibitors. Among the highlights of IMEX America is the Circadian Cove activation, designed to align activities with attendees' circadian rhythms for a more personalized experience. 

Social media plays a pivotal role in amplifying IMEX's impact, with LinkedIn driving business engagement, Instagram spiking during events, and the #IMEX25 hashtag fostering community interaction. First-timer tips were shared to help attendees navigate the extensive schedule and make the most of their experience.

Carina Bauer unveiled IMEX's ambitious 2030 strategy, emphasizing AI integration to enhance attendee experiences and streamline operations. The Event Design Collective's climate change sessions were also spotlighted, reflecting IMEX's commitment to innovation and sustainability. 

As the team gears up for IMEX America, they encouraged attendees to plan their schedules thoughtfully and engage with the vibrant IMEX community online and on-site. This session underscored IMEX's dedication to fostering meaningful connections, driving business outcomes, and shaping the future of the events industry.

Speakers

Carina Bauer IMEX Group (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-bauer17/ ) 

Sophie Pink Digital & Social Media Manager IMEX Group (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-pink-73747010b/)

Suzanne Medcalf Mulligan Head of Engagement IMEX Group (https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-medcalf-mulligan/) 

Ruud Janssen, DES, CMM Managing Partner / Founder Event Design Collective GmbH (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruudwjanssen/ )