This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Emma King, an entrepreneur, event organiser, business coach and international podcast host who has built a reputation for doing things a little differently.
Emma is the driving force behind CHS Events, a company well known across the meetings and events industry for its trade shows in Leeds and Birmingham. But 2026 marks a new chapter, with the shows combining to create a brand-new “super show” at Manchester’s AO Arena, a bold move that reflects Emma’s willingness to evolve and challenge the status quo.
The title of this episode comes from Emma herself: “I don’t mind people judging me… it keeps me on my toes!” , a mindset that perhaps explains how she has navigated an industry that’s constantly changing.
Like many in events, Emma faced huge disruption during the pandemic. But rather than standing still, she used the time to explore new opportunities, relocating to Spain and joining the coaching team at Dan Bradbury Ltd, expanding her expertise beyond events into business coaching and personal development.
Today, Emma continues to balance multiple roles. She is Expert in Residence at the international training company Paul Gough Ltd, and co-founder of It Takes Two, a coaching and training business designed to support Second-in-Command leaders who want to become world-class operators.
In this episode, we explore Emma’s journey through entrepreneurship, resilience during challenging times, and why sometimes being judged simply means you’re pushing boundaries.
