348: AI Might Make Your Agency Worth Less with Eric Rozenberg

AI is helping meeting and event agencies complete work faster than ever, but does greater efficiency necessarily translate into higher profits or a more valuable business?

In today's solo episode, Eric Rozenberg explores how AI-driven productivity can actually reduce agency revenue when services are billed by the hour. Using a practical venue-sourcing example, he explains why agency owners need to rethink their pricing models, focus on the value they deliver, and build businesses that can operate without their constant involvement.

Eric also shares a memorable experience organizing a product launch for Schweppes in Malta, illustrating why human judgment, client understanding, and strategic recommendations remain essential in an increasingly automated industry.

Tune in to learn how to use AI to improve profitability, strengthen client relationships, and increase your agency's long-term value.

AI Productivity and the Pricing Problem

According to the 2026 AMEX Global Business Travel Global Meetings and Events Forecast, approximately half of surveyed meeting professionals are embracing AI throughout the meetings journey. While AI can significantly reduce the time required to complete certain tasks, agencies charging hourly rates may earn less for the same results.

The Hidden Cost of Hourly Billing

Eric demonstrates how reducing a venue search from ten hours to five can cut an agency's gross profit from $1,00