Tech meets talent: Rewiring workforce strategies in the age of AI
An Offstage with Soundings® recap of our session at IMEX Frankfurt 2025
By Tracy Judge, Founder & CEO, Soundings
The Intersection of AI and Talent Strategy
There’s no doubt that AI is accelerating change across every corner of the business events industry. But this isn’t just a story about technology, it’s a story about people. How we work, how we learn, and how we build teams is evolving fast. And if this session at IMEX Frankfurt revealed anything, it’s that the most future-ready organizations are the ones placing talent (human talent) at the center of their AI strategies.
Across the board, business models are shifting from rigid, role-based structures to more fluid, skills-based frameworks. Our panel discussion, co-led with Avanish Chandarana, Global Learning and Development Director at MCI, explored how AI is catalyzing this shift and what it means for workforce planning, leadership, and learning in our space.
From Job Titles to Skill Sets
Job titles and degrees are no longer the North Star. In fact, only 21% of companies in the business events industry are shifting to skills- and strengths-based hiring, according to Soundings’ AI Impact on Workforce Dynamics study. But that tide is turning. Companies are starting to realize that success in the AI era isn’t about filling a job, it’s about assembling the right mix of capabilities.
Think of it this way: big job descriptions are like single-use tools. Skills-based teams? They’re Swiss Army knives… versatile, nimble, and ready to adapt.
Learning as a Lifelong Strategy
We also explored the 70-20-10 model of learning, where 70% comes from on-the-job experiences, 20% from coaching and social learning, and only 10% from formal education. AI is forcing us to rethink how learning is embedded into the flow of work. With 58% of the workforce needing new skills just to do their current jobs, continuous development is no longer optional. It’s essential.
Participants reflected on what it means to grow through adaptability, experimentation, and curiosity. Learning is no longer linear. It’s decentralized, self-directed, and increasingly AI-augmented.
Real-World Examples of Agile Team Design
Our industry is built on relationships, and that human element remains core. But how we structure our teams is evolving. We’re moving from full-time-heavy headcounts to agile models that integrate freelancers, FTEs, and AI-powered tools.
Two companies that model this well are Bishop-McCann, a leading experience agency, and Boston Consulting Group. Bishop-McCann’s Head of Finance, Ryan Small, was in the audience at IMEX, championing a staffing strategy he’s been implementing for the past few years… one that puts the right people in the right seats at the right time. This approach not only enhances delivery, but creates a more sustainable business model that supports agility during the natural seasonality of the events business.
Boston Consulting Group has also adopted an agile talent model, but for sustainability reasons. By embedding talent in the destination throughout the planning process, they’re not only reducing environmental impact, but also supporting people-centered sustainability goals like fair pay, equal opportunity, and strengthening local communities.
A Call to Action for the Future of Work
To everyone leading through transformation: now is the time to rewire how you build teams.
To the rising professionals navigating this shift: know that your agility, your curiosity, and your unique strengths are your greatest assets.
Whether you’re a leader or a learner (or both), it’s time to ask:
What skills will define success in the next 3 years?
Are your team structures built for adaptability?
How are you aligning roles with purpose, not just responsibilities?
If we want to build teams that thrive in the age of AI, we must rethink what it means to lead, hire, and grow.
This conversation is just beginning. Let’s keep pushing boundaries. Let’s keep investing in talent. Let’s keep building what’s next together.
I’d love to hear your takeaways and thoughts. What resonated with you most? What changes are you making in your own organization or career path? Drop your reflections in the comments section below. We’re building the future of work in business events, one conversation at a time.
Tracy Judge, MS, CMP
CEO & Founder, Soundings
Follow me on LinkedIn