Hervé Sedky — Leading the Events Industry’s Rarest Gem
From American Express to events with purpose, Hervé Sedky now leads Emerald—the only publicly traded event organizing company in the U.S.—where he’s shaping how industries gather and grow.
In a world full of noise, Hervé Sedky has made a career out of listening.
Born in France, raised in Cairo, and now leading a company whose events reach more than half a million professionals each year, Sedky has spent decades building his reputation not just as a strategist, but as a connector. His global outlook was shaped early—his father was a surgeon, and his grandparents were involved in politics, instilling in him a deep respect for both precision and public service. Today, as President and CEO of Emerald Holding, Inc. (EEX), he’s at the helm of the only publicly traded event organizing company in the United States—a company that produces over 140 events across 16 industries. If Emerald were an influencer, it would be one of the most important voices in the sectors it serves—setting the stage for what’s next in design, travel, retail, wellness, and more.
Sedky’s rise wasn’t sudden. It was crafted. He spent more than 20 years at American Express, where he ultimately became Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Business Travel, and joined the company’s senior leadership team. He was known for his ability to blend operational precision with a human-first sensibility—someone who understood that behind every transaction was a moment of experience.
In 2015, he made a major shift—leaving corporate travel and finance for a new challenge in live events. At Reed Exhibitions (RX), he served as President of the Americas, overseeing more than 100 exhibitions each year across North and South America. He also led ReedPop, RX’s global pop culture division, home to iconic fan events like New York Comic Con. It was here that Sedky began rethinking what gatherings could be—not just convenings of commerce, but curated cultural moments.
When he joined Emerald in January 2021, the events world was still wobbling through a pandemic-era reset. Many shows were still on pause. Others had lost their footing. The industry, once bustling with predictable seasons and jam-packed floors, was suddenly uncertain. Rather than simply restore, Sedky began to reimagine.
“We had to stop thinking of events as endpoints,” he says. “They’re starting points—platforms for momentum, trust, and transformation.”
That mindset reshaped Emerald from the inside out. Under his leadership, the company didn’t just restart its shows—it began to re-curate them. Events became more intentional. Audiences were redefined. Experiences became more fluid, personalized, and immersive. The result? A portfolio that feels more like a cultural calendar than a corporate schedule.
Gathering Point. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Events That Mean More
Under Hervé Sedky’s leadership, Emerald’s portfolio has become a constellation of design-forward, culturally relevant, and globally respected gatherings. These aren’t just trade shows—they’re platforms for identity, creativity, and business momentum.
Luxury
The premier global event for fine jewelry and timepieces, held annually in Las Vegas. With a focus on craft, elegance, and curation, COUTURE feels more like a private gallery than a traditional trade show.
A portfolio of immersive, invitation-only luxury travel experiences—including LE Miami, PURE Life Experiences, and We Are Africa. These gatherings elevate storytelling, hospitality, and connection for the world’s leading experiential brands.
Design & Hospitality
BDNY – Boutique Design New York:
Where interior designers, hoteliers, and developers come to shape the future of boutique hospitality. Stylish, strategic, and always ahead of the curve.
Produced with Hospitality Design magazine, HD Expo is the epicenter of hotel and resort design—where immersive ideas meet practical inspiration.
ICFF – International Contemporary Furniture Fair:
North America’s leading platform for contemporary furniture and modern interiors. A destination for global design professionals setting tomorrow’s tone.
KBIS – Kitchen & Bath Industry Show:
The largest kitchen and bath trade show in North America, where high-end residential design meets innovation and functionality.
Media, Marketing & Culture
Hosted in New York and other global cities, Advertising Week brings together leaders in media, marketing, technology, and culture. It’s equal parts conference, cultural salon, and creative collision.
Culinary & Community
From Pizza Expo in Las Vegas to Pizza & Pasta Northeast, these events celebrate one of the world’s most beloved industries. Passionate, entrepreneurial, and community-powered.
Each of these experiences reflects Sedky’s belief that the best events aren’t just destinations—they’re ecosystems. They don’t just gather people; they activate identity, commerce, and culture.
Beyond Emerald’s portfolio, Sedky’s presence is deeply felt in the broader industry. He became a key supporter of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a public policy coalition led by Tommy Goodwin, advocating in Washington for visa reform, sustainability practices, and workforce development that supports the events economy long-term.
He’s also committed to service beyond business. Sedky serves as Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Health Fund, which delivers mobile and community-based healthcare to underserved families. He also sits on the board of the French Cultural Center / Alliance Française, and remains actively engaged in nonprofit leadership and mentorship in his local community.
“Equity starts with someone making space,” he says. “That’s leadership, too.”
Sedky holds a B.S. in International Business Administration from Northeastern University and completed the Executive Management Program (PMD) at Harvard Business School. But it’s his ability to translate insight into action—and culture into connection—that defines his leadership most clearly.
Looking ahead, Sedky is focused on building what’s next: AI-powered networking tools, wellness-centered event platforms, regional micro-gatherings that rebuild local business ecosystems, and global partnerships that extend the life of events beyond the show floor.
Through it all, he remains grounded in the belief that when gatherings are designed with purpose, they don’t just host people—they move people.
“A great event doesn’t end when the lights go down,” he says. “It continues—in conversations, in collaborations, in what people carry forward.”
Gathering Point. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Wisdom Bank Takeaways from Hervé Sedky
Leadership
Lead with clarity, not volume.
Listen before you lead.
Build culture before strategy.
Global Perspective
Draw from lived experience across cultures.
Think through multiple lenses before deciding.
Design & Curation
Design every detail—from flow to feeling.
Elegant doesn’t mean ornate; it means intentional.
Gathering Strategy
Events are platforms, not endpoints.
Curate for connection, not just attendance.
Make every experience matter—before, during, and after.
Personal Wisdom
Equity begins with access.
What lasts is what moves people.
For the Curious
Hervé Sedky’s story is featured in Harnessing Serendipity, a book about creative leadership and the future of collaboration.
For Gathering Point readers: this is your reminder that a great event doesn’t just happen—it’s built, curated, and carried forward by the people who design it to matter.