What are the secrets to moderating engaging conversations with a high-profile, headline guest at your event?  Today, I talk with Mark Updegrove, President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation to find out.

Over the years, Mark has interviewed and/or moderated conversations with seven former Presidents including the late Jimmy Carter.  In addition to speaking with Presidents, he has also moderated conversations with high-profile musicians, journalists, authors, and other cultural icons.

In this episode, Mark shares tips on how to get a high-profile individual to say "yes" to a moderated/public conversation, how a moderator should prepare for a public conversation, and insights on how to handle high-profile individuals who have different onstage versus offstage personas. This is one episode you will not want to miss. 

What are the secrets to making live auctions fun, interesting, and successful?  Today, I talk with one of the top auctioneers in the world, Lydia Fenet, Founder & CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency to find out.

After a highly-successful 25-year career as an auctioneer at Christie's, Lydia started her own auction firm, the Lydia Fenet Agency. Over the past 25 years, auctions she has helmed have raised over $1 billion. She has consistently and successfully gotten donors, patrons, collectors, executives, and philanthropists to raise their hands and paddles. 

In this episode, Lydia shares her inspiring path to becoming an auctioneer, tips on how to effectively command the room, and the keys to successfully working alongside celebrities, including some of the world's best-known names. This is one episode you will not want to miss. 

What are the keys to getting publicity before and after an event?  Today, I talk three top Public Relations Professionals Cynthia Smoot, Founder of Gangway Advertising, Jesse Parker Stowell, Founder of Parker|Phoenix Public Relations, and Dancie Perugini Ware, Founder of Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations to find out.

These three pros are among the very best in obtaining publicity for the nonprofit galas they have partnered with over the years. Over they years, they have represented top nonprofit galas including Dallas Museum of Art Art Ball, Andy Roddick Foundation Gala, and Houston Ballet Ball among many others.

In this episode, Cynthia, Jesse, and Dancie share their tips on obtaining publicity for your event including what a great partnership between an organization and your Public Relations firm looks like, how to message your event to tap into the soul of your community, promoting red carpet events and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the secrets to hosting fabulous events that have your guests talking about them long after they end?  Today I talk with event producer to the stars, Steve Kemble to find out.

A top event producer of five-star events for decades, Steve has produced hundreds, if not thousands of events including galas, weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. His positive attitude and penchant for always bringing the fun, wow, and heart it is easy to see how he has been one of the most successful event producers in the United States.

In this episode, Steve talks about a wide range of topics including how a great emcee helps set the tone for your event, what he looks for from companies, couples, and nonprofits before saying yes to producing their event, how to handle celebrity and high profile guests at your event, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to hosting epic holiday events that have guests talking about them well into the new year?  Today, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with Stephanie Nass, author of Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes & the New Art of Gathering. 

Founder of the culinary lifestyle Chefanie, Stephanie has hosted successful events and gathering for years. She has put her expertise on paper in her new book, features 16 fun, festive ideas for creating unforgettable gatherings. In addition to holiday gatherings, the book also features great entertaining ideas you can use all year long including standing soirees, seated suppers, and outdoor dining.

In this episode, Stephanie talks about a wide range of topics including her evolution into the catering business, the importance of having great music that sets the right tone for your event, and what goes into hosting a great holiday celebration. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization get majors donors actively involved in their signature fundraising event months in advance?  Today, I talk with Bridget Ramey and Amy Beard, co-chairs of the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Austin benefiting the Center for Child Protection.

One of Austin's top fundraising events each year, Dancing with the Stars features 12 local (and national) celebrities who are paired with a professional dancer practicing their routines for several months before the big event. Each duo then dances at DWTSA in front of 1,000+ guests. After the performances, the audience votes for their favorite dancer where the winner receives the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. 

In this episode, Bridget and Amy talk about a wide range of topics including tips on how to get prominent, busy people in your community to say yes to your event, putting your own stamp on an annual event while respecting the history of it, and tips on created a devoted following for you gala or signature fundraising event. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization effectively engage with high-profile individuals to obtain top-level talent to headline their gala or signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Chief Development Officer of the Andy Roddick Foundation, Michael Kitner about the organization's upcoming signature event the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala.

The Andy Roddick Foundation works to expand opportunities for young people to learn, thrive and succeed with special attention paid towards activities that happen outside of school hours where children are most at risk of falling behind their peers.

In this episode, Michael talks about a wide range of topics including how having your gala on different nights of the week each year helps keep your audience engaged, tips on attracting celebrities and other high-profile individuals to headline your event, and how to select the right venue for your gala or signature fundraising event.

How does an organization host multiple successful signature fundraising events throughout the year that appeals to different aspects of their donor base?   Today, I talk with Joni Krieg, the event chair for the upcoming Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden's A Writers Garden and the events strategic advisor, Dorothea Melzer.

Each year, A Writer's Garden give donors and members the opportunity to mingle with acclaimed, well-known authors and artists in the nature, fashion, design, and lifestyle space. This year's event features acclaimed designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard author of Star Style, and Stefani Bittner, author of The Fragrant Flower and Harvest.

In this episode, Joni and Dorothea talk about a range of topics including how to discover the ideal writer or panel speaker for your audience, tips on engaging with celebrities and high-profile individuals so they say yes, and how to build a large loyal following for your signature fundraising events.

How does a gala or signature fundraising event effectively utilize receipients to help recruit and sustain new donors in an authentic, organic way?   Today, I talk with Meredith Allen Connally and Liz Scott, Regional Development Officers for Folds of Honor and Liz Brees, a recipient of the organizations services.

Folds of Honor is an organization that provides scholarships to families of fallen or disabled first responders and military veterans. Each year the North Texas Chapter of the organization, holds their annual gala on the field of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

In this episode, Meredith, Liz, and Liz talk about a wide range of topics including effectively utilizing a unique, highly sought after space to recruite and attract donors, how the organization has positively imacted Lis Brees' life, and tips on creating a successful fund-a-need and/or paddle raise that gets your donors to give generously. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization create fun, inventive themes year after year that keeps donors continually engaged and surprised?  Today, I talk with Allison Chávez and Whitney Burns, co-chairs of the upcoming Children's Museum Houston Noir Ball

Held at The Corinthian, one of the most beautiful event spaces in Texas, the Children's Museum Houston event leaders and co-chairs continue to dazzle and lure donors to this majestic space by coming up with fun, innovative themes year after year.

In this episode, Allison and Whitney talk about a wide range of topics including tips on creating a devoted following for your signature fundraising event, why a strong committee is vital to a successful fundraising event, and how to create different themes that are fun keeps donors intrigued and engaged. This is one episode you will not want to miss.