Building Authentic Connections: ELX and InVision Announce Partnership

In an exclusive interview with Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), Angie Smith, CEO InVision Communications, explains how their agency’s approach encourages brands to lean into community to foster organic growth, enhance product development, and build resilience and adaptability in times of change.

 

Nicola: Angie, I would say it is fair to say that both ELX and InVision are recognized as leaders in our fields. How do you see this partnership showcasing the alignment of our values, especially when it comes to the importance of community and having authentic brand connections? 

Angie: This partnership shows what can happen when leaders share the same values and come together with a common goal. Both ELX and InVision are deeply committed to fostering authentic engagement and building communities that thrive on trust and collaboration. ELX creates a platform for senior event leaders to connect, share, and grow, while InVision crafts experiences and campaigns that bring brands and audiences closer together. By aligning our strengths, we aim to inspire meaningful connections, champion thought leadership, and redefine how events can be used to drive both personal and professional impact. Together, we’re showing the industry what’s possible when authenticity and purpose take center stage. After all, investing in the community and each other is what it is all about. 

 

Nicola: Let’s think back to 2021, during the pandemic. You and I shared a common “tech event leaders” group during COVID that was incredibly helpful as we dealt with reinventing our entire event portfolios. After experiencing the power of community firsthand, what role do you think communities play for brands during times of change or uncertainty? And how do they strengthen relationships and collective problem-solving? 

Angie: Communities are the anchor in times of change or uncertainty. They offer support, guidance, and a collective wisdom that can’t be replicated in isolation. For brands, communities become essential ecosystems where trust and shared purpose create resiliency. They bring people together to collaborate, spark new ideas, and solve problems, helping brands tackle challenges more smoothly.  

In my own life, professional communities have been transformative - connecting me to trusted partners, sparking new opportunities, and offering invaluable mentorship. These relationships thrive on trust and mutual respect, which are the building blocks of strong communities. For brands, nurturing these same qualities within their audiences can lead to enduring connections, growth and collective success. 

 

Nicola: In what ways do you feel live events act as platforms for knowledge sharing within a community? How can brands effectively design events that encourage meaningful collaboration, peer connections, and learning? 

Angie: Live events are unparalleled in their ability to bring people together to connect, learn, and share in a shared purpose. They create moments where everyone in the brand’s universe—employees, customers, partners, and vendors—can unite in one space to exchange ideas and build relationships. It just can’t be done as well in any other format. 

At InVision, we guide our clients to adopt an audience-first approach, understanding that each attendee has unique preferences, goals, and ways of engaging. By designing experiences that cater to these diverse needs, brands can foster deeper connections and drive more impactful outcomes. 

For example, recognizing the needs of neurodiverse attendees, like me can lead to designing more inclusive and enjoyable activities, breaking away from one-size-fits-all approaches. When brands embrace the full spectrum of their audience’s preferences, they create an environment where knowledge flows freely, collaboration thrives, and every participant feels valued. 

 

Nicola: How do you think live events fuel word-of-mouth and organic brand growth, and what strategies ensure events foster long-term loyalty, so that attendees become advocates? 

Angie: Live events are catalysts for building emotional connections that foster loyalty and inspire advocacy. They allow audiences to experience a brand in tangible, memorable ways—whether through the stories shared on stage, the meaningful conversations in the hallways, or the unexpected moments of delight that leave lasting impressions. 

To spark word-of-mouth growth, brands need to design events with authenticity and intentionality. Every interaction should feel personal and significant, creating an experience that attendees can’t help but share. Encouraging multiple touchpoints—through interactive sessions, meaningful content, or even informal networking moments—allows attendees to forge stronger bonds with the brand and with each other. 

When brands succeed in creating these genuine connections, attendees naturally transform into passionate advocates, sharing their experiences and amplifying the brand’s impact well beyond the event itself. 

 

Nicola: Finally, what excites you most about InVision’s new partnership with ELX? 

Angie: What excites me most is the opportunity to shape the future of the corporate events industry alongside a partner like ELX. Together, we’re bringing a shared vision to life: one that sees live events not as standalone moments, but as integral components of a brand’s broader marketing and community-building strategies. 

At InVision, we’re passionate about helping our clients create events that move audiences—whether by sparking ideas, fostering connections, or inspiring action. With ELX, we have the chance to collaborate with some of the most innovative minds in the industry, driving meaningful change and pushing boundaries. This partnership is about more than just elevating events; it’s about setting a new standard for what’s possible when leaders unite with purpose and vision. 

 

___ 

 

The partnership between ELX and InVision Communications highlights the pivotal role of community and authenticity in shaping the future of events. Together, ELX and InVision share a vision to redefine the corporate events landscape, setting new standards for inclusivity, collaboration, and impactful audience experiences. This partnership shows how leaders can amplify their influence by aligning values and working with purpose, proving that authentic engagement and intentional strategies are the key to driving long-term success and growth in the events industry.