The Electric Magic of First Events: Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start One

"Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream things that never were and say,
 'Why not?'" — Robert F. Kennedy

Right now, we're living in an era of unprecedented disruption - a moment when AI is rewriting every rule, global order is in flux, and economic models are being transformed daily. Political uncertainty creates divisions that need bridging, and industries are being reinvented at breakneck speed. It's exactly the kind of moment when first events matter most.

MIT Professor Alex Pentland’s concept of Social Physics explains how idea flow and social influence spread not unlike a virus—but in a good way. First events serve as catalytic moments that set off a chain reaction of conversations, collaborations, and innovations. They spark an idea flow that moves through networks, shaping new ventures, industries, and even societies. The power of first events is not just in who attends, but in the unseen ripple effects they create. They are the places where new relationships form, where knowledge gets transmitted at an exponential rate, and where the future starts taking shape.

I recently felt an electric charge of possibility at Brooklyn’s House of Yes during the first U.S. World Experience Summit. The room crackled with energy—that unmistakable feeling that you’re standing at the frontier of the future, where the next big idea is only a conversation away. The person across the room might be your next co-founder, creative partner, or investor. The casual chat next to you could spark the next billion-dollar startup.

Founded by James Wallman, a leading futurist and author of Time and How to Spend It and Stuffocation, the World Experience Summit brings together the world’s top thinkers in experience design, behavioral science, technology, and immersive storytelling. Wallman has spent years tracking the shift from material consumption to experiential value, arguing that the future belongs to those who can create meaningful, transformative experiences.

This summit isn’t just about discussing trends—it’s about shaping them. Visionaries like Rafał Targosz, a pioneer in immersive storytelling, and Bridget Croke, an expert in sustainable innovation, shared insights on the convergence of technology, behavioral psychology, and culture. Conversations flowed as interactive installations pulsed with life, and the air buzzed with the urgency of new ideas.

It was clear that this wasn’t just another conference. This was a collision of creativity and capital, a space where the world’s boldest minds weren’t just predicting the future of engagement—they were actively building it. The idea being sketched on a napkin might reshape an industry.

Why is this the perfect moment to start something new?

We're experiencing waves of transformation that demand new gathering places:

• AI and technological disruption need forums for understanding impact.

• Global uncertainty requires platforms for navigation.

• Political division demands neutral ground for dialogue.

• Economic evolution calls for spaces to shape what's next.

At the same time, large event organizations are actively seeking new, high-growth gatherings to acquire. Premium valuations for successful events are driving an acquisition boom. Industry giants like Informa, Reed Exhibitions, and Clarion Events are aggressively acquiring promising early-stage events. Private equity firms are also forming to invest in the event sector, recognizing its potential for strong returns.

The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) has effectively become a real-time marketplace where early-stage event creators can connect with major players in the industry. First-time event organizers now have a clear path to growth and acquisition, making it an unprecedented time to launch a new gathering that could quickly scale and attract serious interest from investors and industry leaders.

When we sold BizBash to Tarsus Group (later acquired by Informa), it wasn't luck—it was part of a pattern. Build a valuable event platform, grow your community, and create an asset that larger players want to acquire.

I've experienced this magic throughout my career, most powerfully when we launched BizBash's first event. Originally scheduled for September 2001, history had other plans when our venue—the Javits Center—became a morgue after 9/11. When we finally held that event in November, it transformed into something profound—a moment of healing, of showing that our industry could and would move forward. I like to say we're in the goosebump business, and that day proved it. The energy in that room created perhaps the most powerful goosebump moment I've ever experienced.

A History of First Events That Shaped the World

The power of first events to transform society isn't new. In 1727, Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Society became America's first mastermind group, setting a template for how gatherings could shape discourse and drive progress. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott launched the Seneca Falls Convention, turning a first gathering into a movement that would reshape society.

The pattern continued through modern history. Abe Rosenburg and Charlie Snitow saw opportunity in post-war chaos, launching the National Hardware Show in 1945. Jack Wayman started CES in 1967 with just 17 exhibitors, creating what would become technology's global launchpad.

The Modern Masters of Transformative Events

Here are just a few of the many “pied pipers” of event innovation. Please share your mentors and mentees?

Richard Attias: Creating Global Impact Through Events

Richard Attias exemplifies how events can transform entire regions and solve global challenges. His journey from Moroccan civil engineer to global convener demonstrates the evolution of events from simple gatherings to platforms for concrete action.

As Executive Producer of the World Economic Forum (1995-2008), Attias honed his understanding of high-impact gatherings. But his true innovation emerged in pioneering a new model of transformative events, particularly in the Middle East. Through Richard Attias & Associates, he developed a unique approach that turned conferences into catalysts for tangible change.

Greg Topalian: The Power of Passionate Communities

Greg Topalian saw the untapped potential in fan communities. At Reed, he launched New York Comic Con, transforming what many saw as a niche interest into a mainstream cultural phenomenon. Under his leadership, NYCC became one of the fastest-growing events in North America. In 2014, he took the entrepreneurial leap, founding LeftField Media. His approach was revolutionary: instead of chasing broad markets, LeftField focused on passionate communities and authentic connections. He created events like Play Fair—reimagining how families interact with toys and games, Anime NYC—building on his comic con experience to serve a specific, passionate fanbase, and ReedPOP—setting new standards for pop culture events. LeftField's success caught the attention of Clarion Events, leading to an acquisition and his appointment as Chairman of Clarion US.

Anil Aggarwal: VIP-Centric Event Strategy

Anil Aggarwal revolutionized event design with Money20/20, pioneering the "hosted buyer" model and VIP-centric approach. His insight? Make everyone feel like a VIP. By creating tailored experiences and strategic matchmaking between buyers and sellers, he transformed traditional trade shows into high-value relationship platforms. His Personatech is enabling event organizers to experience his event technology for their own events.

Radha Agrawal and Matthew Brimer: Reinventing When We Gather

Radha Agrawal and Matthew Brimer saw opportunity in timing itself, launching Daybreaker to reinvent nightlife by starting it at dawn. Their innovation showed how reimagining when and how people gather can create entirely new communities.

The ROI of First Events: An Incomprehensible Impact

For entrepreneurs, launching a first event isn't just about filling a room—it's about setting the stage for ideas that can shape entire industries. The conversations that take place at these gatherings have the power to mold the future, create partnerships, and spark innovations in ways that no traditional ROI calculation could ever capture. You simply never know which casual chat over coffee or which panel discussion might lead to the next game-changing venture. The unseen impact of first events is beyond measurement.

For attendees, first events serve as a reinvigoration of curiosity, creativity, and opportunity. Being in the room where new ideas are forming means witnessing history before it happens. The serendipity of these moments is what keeps industries moving forward, what brings new voices to the table, and what reignites passion for the future.

The Next Big Event Is Waiting to Be Created

If you ever get invited to a first event? Go. Run, don’t walk. Be part of history before it happens. Because you never know what goosebumps-inducing moment might be waiting for you.

PS: Note to Vendors, Suppliers, and Venues

You too can start your own events. You have the understanding of human gatherings and can move from a service business to a product business that will change your life.