Pro to Pro

7 Questions with Daniel Hettwer of Solomon Group: On Being the Guide, Not the Hero

As we gear up for the next XLIST, we’re revisiting members of last year’s class—taking a closer look at how they think, work, and shape the industry. (You can stay in the loop on nominations and announcements here). XLISTER Daniel Hettwer thought he would work for nonprofits. Instead, he found himself in renewable energy finance, which led to investing in a dome company and ultimately to spinning off Hidden Worlds. Now, as Chief Strategy Officer at Solomon Group, he's bringing his unique perspective to projects like Tales of the Cocktail, which he envisions as something much more than just a B2B spirits event. We chatted with Daniel about why the word "immersive" is like protein and what happens when we stop trying to overwhelm people with constant stimulation and start designing for balance.  Geraldine Campbell: What's your experiential origin story? Daniel Hettwer: I studied economics, business, and psychology. My goal was always to get into a space with a positive impact and work for a non-profit. But I ended up in renewable energy finance, which sent me to China, where I invested in a dome company. It was ahead of its time. We were essentially building the Sphere or Cosm,...