John Martinez, CEO of event management software company Shocklogic, grew up in the slums of Caracas, Venezuela, with 19 adopted siblings before eventually going on to gain a PHD in Quantum Physics from M.I.T. In this edition of Deep Dive he explains how his extraordinary upbringing shaped his values and leadership style.
1:25: “We were very, very, very poor. But it was a home full of love.”
4:33 “My mum was brilliant at swimming the system.”
7:06 “Having straight As was a job. If you got a B – you were fired!”
9:20 “I chose a military academy. I think I was desperate for structure!”
11:50 “My mum would say I don’t want you to start fights, but I want you to finish them!”
16:50 “My math teacher really took me under his wing.”
18:55 “I had no idea people could earn a living organising conferences!”
26:00 “I was very lucky at Congrex. I was surrounded by wonderful mentors."
28:40 “In order to run a successful company you need three brains.”
35:00 “I came back into the market in 2009. That defined all my ignorance!”
42:00 “Who didn’t wobble in the last two years wasn’t alive.”
46:50 Everyone needs to play for their own team.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
