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When Scott Nodsle discovered that wearing a suit and tie and working a day job didn’t have to feel like a grind, he was sold. A former high school DJ and college stagehand, he’d been earning pocket money setting up concerts before a friend pointed him in a new direction.

“My friend told me I could actually make real money doing what I was doing,” Nodsle tells The CEO Magazine. “At the time, I didn’t even know an industry like that existed, but I was like, ‘Great. Sign me up.’”

That suggestion set him on a 25-year path that has taken him around the world with Encore – a leading global event production company. Currently Managing Director International (APAC & EMEA), Nodsle’s career started off humbly as a technician in Minneapolis before he moved through leadership roles in Florida and Texas, then across the Atlantic to oversee operations in Europe and finally reside in Sydney.

After years of moving between continents and climbing the ladder, Nodsle says what ultimately convinced him to stay with Encore wasn’t just the career progression – it was the people.

“Everyone in this organization is passionate,” he says with a smile. “At Encore, we love what we do. We love our customer base, we love our partner base and we love the employees that we get to work with – they’re our second family.”

That said, the growth opportunities are pretty compelling, which is likely why Encore continues to be certified as a Great Place to Work®.

“Once you’re in, we have a platform that provides training, quick promotional opportunities and career trajectory globally or locally – whichever suits,” he says. “Combined, that’s what has kept me here for 25 years.”

Authentic leadership

That same culture has shaped how Nodsle leads. Meeting new hires, he makes a point of sharing his story as proof that careers can grow from the ground up at Encore.

“It excites them to see that the leaders here are human and empathetic – and just like them. It’s easier for them to connect with us,” he explains. “I mean, I started out just like them. And if I can do it, there’s no reason why they can’t.

“Exciting people, treating them well, giving them opportunities and letting them know they’re a valued part of our team is the easy part of my job.”

Nodsle admits the harder part came earlier on, realizing that what works in one country won’t necessarily work in another.

“Being successful outside of the United States took understanding how to best lead a multicultural, diverse team,” he explains.

“It took walking a mile in their shoes and understanding how I could best support them.”

Purpose-built business

Leadership at Encore, however, extends beyond culture. For Nodsle, building a sustainable company means embedding environmental, social and responsible business principles into every decision.

“Sustainability and social impact are not just a siloed program that we put aside and label,” he insists. “We fold them into almost every organizational business plan that we put into play.”

That commitment covers everything from anti-slavery measures in supply chains to General Data Protection Regulation-level governance in Europe and emissions tracking in logistics.

“Global leadership is great, but local strength is where the impact is,” Nodsle acknowledges.

“We use all of our local sources – locally resourced labor and smart logistics – and we also have an ESG tracker that is available to our customers.”

Those principles come to life in Encore’s outreach programs. One initiative Nodsle is especially proud of is Encore’s outreach efforts in Fiji, where training and internships are creating opportunities for young people and strengthening entire communities.

“We initiated a youth program for the local villages and islands,” he says. “Encore worked with Australian-based Gordon Rugby Association to sponsor the local rugby teams: Drua Rugby team and the Yasawa Island Rugby Club, known as the Somosomo Stags.

“We’ve also recently implemented an internship program, so young adults can learn what it means to work outside of their village. It also teaches them what customer service means and shows them the basics of having a job.”

The impact has been significant, not just for the interns but also for the future of the communities.

“We’ve offered full-time opportunities for those interns and promoted four of them so far, even outside of Fiji, giving them a chance to work in New Zealand,” Nodsle adds.

Human-led innovation

For all of the attention new technologies attract, Nodsle argues that true innovation still begins with people.

“Everyone is talking about AI, but our first priority is to re-educate people on what AI truly is, and what its real impact means for them and their customers,” he explains.

He believes technology only creates value when paired with people who know how to use it to tell a story.

“It’s still the human touch – the connection we bring, the support we offer and the way we manage expectations – that forms the foundation of true innovation,” Nodsle points out.

That same principle applies to how Encore works with its clients. Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens through collaboration.

“We are an end-to-end company that first sits, listens and understands. What’s your vision, what are you trying to accomplish, how can we be your partner on that journey?” he says.

“Everything comes back to following our customer on their journey and ensuring that we provide them with world-class service.”

As the company continues to grow on the global stage, Nodsle believes its best chapters are still to come.

“Encore, as a global organization, has so much to offer,” he says. “We’ve only just begun to uncover how our strengths can be harnessed to support what organizations need, helping them communicate their message effectively and understanding how we can play a role in delivering that message.”

At the heart of it all, he says, is Encore’s greatest strength: its people.

“We’re not just a technology company; we’re a people company,” he says. “We focus on our customers, enabling them to connect and inspire their audiences. And we do that by having the best people in the world.”