The Top Five Books for Event Business Owners: Insights from Industry Leaders

Many of us love a good book, but if you're like me, fiction isn't your first choice (whisper: save it for holidays). I prefer books that offer educational or commercial value. I’m often asked for book recommendations, so I contacted over 30 business leaders in the events industry for their top picks.

I’m thrilled to share these with you. Here are the top 5 recommended reads for event business owners, as chosen by their peers:

1. The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch

This book explores how to be more effective with less effort by leveraging the 80/20 principle—the idea that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Did you know that in most event businesses, 20% of customers generate 80% of revenue? Understanding and applying this principle can significantly enhance your effectiveness and business success.

2. Scale at Speed by Felix Velarde

Aimed at business owners and senior leaders, this book provides strategies to triple the size of your business while navigating key financial milestones. In the post-COVID era, many business owners are focused on rapid growth to sell, exit, or acquire. This straightforward and cost-effective read is a must.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

A classic that many have heard of, if not read. Carnegie offers practical advice for personal development, focusing on improving relationships and interactions. This book is less about business strategies and more about enhancing your personal influence and effectiveness.

4. Good to Great by Jim Collins

Perfect for established businesses, this book analyses top companies to understand how they transition from good to great. Collins outlines the key actions and timings that can help your business replicate these successes.

5. Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

With endless tasks on our 'To Do' lists, successful people focus on the most important ones. Tracy’s metaphor of "eating the frog"—tackling the most challenging task first—helps prioritise and achieve the most impactful results.

Other notable recommendations include "Brave New Work," "The Chimp Paradox," "Atomic Habits," "Black Box Thinking," "Blue Ocean Strategy," "The Culture Code," and "Rich Dad Poor Dad," among others. If you'd like a full list of the 30 recommended books, comment below or send us a message.

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