What does it take host a fashion show luncheon or gala that is engaging, cost-effective, and most importantly fun?

There is no better person to talk about this topic than today's guest and someone I am proud to call my friend, iconic runway model and fashion show producer Jan Strimple.

After beginning her career in retail merchandising, Jan started her trajectory in the fashion industry, walking the runways of Paris and collaborating with top designers, including the iconic Bob Mackie. Jan then moved behind the runway and launched Jan Strimple Productions in Dallas, where she produced many top nonprofit fashion shows in North Texas, including the iconic House of DIFFA, which is Texas's answer to The Met Gala.

What are the keys to successfully merchandising your nonprofit brand in a way that brings in revenue and is fun for guests and supporters?

In today’s episode, I talk with Catharine Recht, Director of Advancement at Frontiers of Flight Museum, to talk about the organization's new store inside the museum.

Frontiers of Flight Museum is a family-friendly space where kids of all ages can explore the wonders of aviation and space flight history through exhibits, programming, and STEM curriculum. For Catharine, the passion for flight comes through in our conversation; it is literally in her DNA to appreciate the awe and wonder of flight.

What are the keys to presenting your live auction items in a way that engages the crowd and increases your revenue?

In today’s episode, I talk with auctioneer and presenter, Jamie McDonald to talk about how effective event emcees elevate the gala guest experience.

After a successful decade as a financial services executive on Wall Street, Jamie's love for giving back took him to the next phase and career as an auctioneer and presenter. Jamie has successfully helmed auctions for leading nonprofits in the United States and Europe. Tapping into his skills as a presenter and emcee gives him a unique ability to quickly understand the dynamics of the room that compel donors to give more.

Jamie shares his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics including how to build a strong relationship with your auctioneer, tips on raising a rooms energy to attract peoples attention, the importance of understanding your audience to make your auctions more dynamic and successful, the ways auctions have changed since COVID, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to effectively staffing your gala or signature fundraising event to elevate the guest experience?

In today’s episode, I talk with Lauren Batterby, Founder and CEO of Life Event Staffing, to talk about the importance of event staffing to grow revenue and develop deeper relationships with your donors.

Since its founding in 2021, Live Event Staffing has been a go-to resource for many of the top nonprofit fundraising galas around the United States, collaborating on over 4,000 events. She has fostered a company culture of employees and collaborators that lays an incredibly strong foundation for nonprofits to meet and exceed their fundraising goals. 

Lauren shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, how event staffing matters from the second guests walk in the door, collaborating with other parts of the event ecosystem to make your event more successful, ways to effectively use technology to boost fundraising results, event staffing trends, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to finding an effective event emcee that keeps the audience entertained and generous?

In today’s episode, I talk with event emcee and media presentation expert Lauren Petrowski, to talk about how effective event emcees elevate the gala guest experience.

Over the years, Lauren has hosted many top galas and business events in Texas and beyond. Her ability to effectively emcee multiple types of events for different audiences gives her a unique and well-informed perspective on how to communicate and engage any type of audience.

Lauren shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, how great emcees set the tone and vibe you want for your event, effective ways to engage an audience to increase the rooms energy, the different types of events and what emcees bring to each of them, tips on engaging multiple types of onstage talent for your program, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization host a successful signature fundraising event during the holiday season?

In today’s episode, I talk with Karen Hughes, President & CEO of Vogel to talk about Day 1 DFW, one of the organization's signature fundraising events.

Held on New Year's Day, Day 1 DFW draws hundreds of families from around North Texas for a day of family fun, with proceeds going towards fulfilling the organization's mission to provide services for children ages six weeks to 12 years who experience the trauma of homelessness. At Day 1 DFW, children and families have the opportunity to enjoy over two dozen fun experiences with everything from a Candyland Obstacle Course to balloon artists.

Karen shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including the similarities and differences between hosting a gala and a family-oriented event, tips on creating experiences that the whole family can enjoy,  how to end your event in a memorable way, and so much moreThis is one episode you will not want to miss.

How can an organization successfully align a board and leadership that drive revenue and impact for their annual gala?

On this episode, sponsored by Frost Bank, I talk with Center for Child Protection Chief Executive Officer and Center for Child Protection Board Chair Shonnery Pettit, to discuss the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Austin.

Over the past 19 years, Dancing with the Stars Austin has been one of Austin's hottest gala tickets in town. Inspired by the hit ABC show, Dancing with the Stars Austin features local (and national) celebrity dancers paired with professional partners. The result has been tens of millions raised through the event, with last year's event raising a phenomenal $2.8 million for the Center for Child Protection. Note: since the recording of this episode, Danny Amendola is unable to perform at this year's Dancing with the Stars Austin due to a schedule conflict.

Michael and Shonnery share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including tips on finding strong event chairs that seamlessly align with the board and nonprofit, how to successfully ask high-profile individuals to get them to say "YES" to your event, how asking board chairs to make a two-year commitment drives stronger results long-term, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

How can the philanthropic arm of a business draw and engage sponsors for it's annual gala or signature fundraising event?

In today’s episode, I talk with Emelda Douglas, Senior VP of Community Affairs for the Houston Astros and Executive Director of the Houston Astros Foundation, to talk about its annual signature event, the Diamond Dreams Gala.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2025, the Diamond Dreams Gala has become one of the city's most anticipated, fun, and impactful signature fundraising events. Held in Daikin Park, the event allows attendees to experience the space in an exclusive and private way. This year's event will also include a concert by acclaimed musical artist Flo Rida.

Emelda shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including tips on collaborating with other nonprofits to expand your impact, engaging celebrities and high-profile individuals to say yes to your event, working with existing partners to support multiple parts of your organization, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How can an organization successfully create a multi-day signature fundraising event that is both fun and impactful?

In today’s episode, I talk with Houston Ballet Chief Development Officer Angie Lane and Susan Binney Market co-chair of the upcoming Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market®.

For over 40 years, Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market® has been one of the area's most successful and widely anticipated signature fundraising events. Over the course of five days, the event seamlessly blends fundraising, commerce, and philanthropy thorugh a series of events including a gala, multiple fashion shows and a multi-day Christmas Market that draws top brands in the area.

Angie and Susan share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including tips on creating distinct experiences while maintaining a consistent feel at multiple events, selecting the right event chairs for specific events to drive event buzz, creating a VIP event series that allows top donors to experience impact, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How can an organization host a signature fundraising event that allows patrons innovative ways to connect with an organization's mission?

In today’s episode, I talk with Chantel Boudreaux, Senior Director of Events and Operations for the Perot Museum to talk about the organization's signature fundraising event, A Night at the Museum.

The Perot Museum is one of the nation's top museums promoting STEM and the mystery of science. One of the top and most fun fundraisers in the Dallas area each year, A Night at the Museum allows patrons to explore the museum in innovative ways to highlight the museum's mission, exhibits, and impact.

Chantel share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics on what it takes to host an effective signature fundraising event, including tips on collaborating with outside event producers to elevate your event, innovative ways to serve food to patrons at your event, creating an after-party that have your guests stying the whole night and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.