Smart Start guests from 2024 share stories of gratitude
This year, we have so much to be grateful for at Smart Meetings; one of those things is that it’s the year our newest podcast, Smart Start: Bright Ideas from Planner’s Toolbox, was born.
Throughout the year, we’ve gone through the process of launching an idea and watching it blossom; Eming and Sara spending hours in the conference room scribbling on the whiteboard to map out a rebrand from Meeting of the Minds to the Smart Start we know and love; and most importantly, those cherished moments of recording brilliant conversations with our outstanding guests.
Consider this story a highlight reel of gratitude from those very wonderful guests themselves—and while you’re at it, revisit the inspiring conversations they took part in to make sure you’ve filled up your toolbox with every inkling of their insights—or to just have some more fun with us chattering away and celebrating the wonderful industry we get to be a part of.
Read on for expressions of gratitude from some of our esteemed guests-turned-friends as we wrap up 2024 and look towards 2025 equipped with more skills, insights and ideas to build an ever-better and brighter meetings industry.
Last of all, we’d like to share our gratitude for you, meeting prof/listener/reader/friend, for coming along on this journey with us. It’s been an adventure, and we can’t wait to bring you even more content down the road.
With thanks,
Your Smart Start Hosts,
Eming and Sara
Navigating Event Work/Life Balance
Spencer Glazer, event management specialist II, Global Event Management, Wolters Kluwer
- What is one thing you are grateful for this year that has helped you excel in your profession?
I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship and support from industry peers, which has inspired me to bring fresh ideas and innovation to every event I’ve worked on this year.
- What are you grateful for that has enriched your ability to have personal time?
I’m grateful for the flexibility offered by hybrid work models in the events industry, enabling me to balance the demands of planning complex events with meaningful personal moments.
- What are you most grateful for this year?
I’m most grateful for the opportunity to create experiences that bring people together, sparking connections and collaboration that make a lasting impact.
Discover Professional Growth Secrets
Jaclyn Bernstein, president & owner, Empire Force Events
- What is a relationship you’ve developed this year that you are thankful for?
Sara Robertson of Smart Meetings & being honored by this humbling feature:
“Just as thrilling is meeting those we’ve only so far met digitally (I’m talking to you, Jaclyn Bernstein. This lady and I have been emailing back and forth for months, since we first did a podcast episode together and later when I asked her to submit a journal response for Notes to Self, a self-reflection activity in the back of each magazine. I had never met her in person until today, and it was one of the highlights of my first IMEX experience).”
And, becoming friends in real life with @SubwayCreatures on Instagram, who has 3,000,000 followers—a third of NYC’s population! It truly shows all that happens on NYC’s subway (that I am proud to ride!) and the wild and crazy that is NYC!
- What was your biggest win that you are most proud of this year?
Producing an incentive we started working on in 2019, pre-pandemic!
Highlights include:
- 18 days onsite
- Two waves of 500 guests per
- NYC Mayor’s Office Street Activity Permits for staging vehicles
- 40 Event Managers/NYC Licensed NYC Tour Guides/Transfer Escorts – Dispatchers – Receivers
- Two exclusive Breakfast @ Tiffany’s Events
- Two fireworks shows by the Statue of Liberty
- Our team, proud of what we accomplished!
- What are you most grateful for this year?
Being here!
It’s Empire Force Events’ 30th anniversary of buying the Destination Management Company I worked at since college—so still being respected and prominent in our profession means we are resilient, doing Whatever It Takes (an Empire mantra), in servicing our clients and our industry that we love and that gave me my life.
Alexis Dick, event planner, HARDI
- What is a relationship you’ve developed this year that you are thankful for?
Thankfully, I’ve met so many wonderful people this year in the events industry who have just taken me under their wing and have been constantly available to chat as friends or colleagues. I’m thankful to be able to run into them at conferences and keep up with everything on LinkedIn.
- What was your biggest win that you are most proud of this year?
Professionally, I made it through the 1-year marker at HARDI, and I’ve fully seen a calendar year of events. I’m very excited to see everything from its inception in 2025. Personally, I’m proud of myself for getting back into a workout routine even with the craziness of event travel and planning!
- What are you most grateful for this year?
I’m most grateful for my friends and family, and being able to spend an abundant amount of time with them this year!
Better Together: Championing Women in Events
Tyra Dyson, CMP, DES, chief events strategist, TDC Events & Hospitality, LLC
- How has a professional relationship inspired you or helped you grow this year?
This year, my professional relationship with my good friend and industry partner, Eric Kincaid of Choose Chicago, profoundly impacted my career. Because of our relationship, I was afforded the incredible opportunity to join the planning team for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Living and working in Chicago while contributing to such a historic event has been the pinnacle of my career so far. I’m deeply grateful for Eric’s support and for him putting in a good word on my behalf to be considered for the position. The experience not only enriched my professional journey but also inspired personal growth, reminding me of the power of collaboration and the significance of meaningful connections.
- What women inspired you this year and why?
The woman who inspired me most this year was my mom, who sadly passed away in April.
Watching her throughout my life, and especially during her 20-year battle with a terminal disease, was nothing short of extraordinary. She faced countless challenges in life and overcame so much, and even in her toughest moments, she stayed true to who she was—vibrant, strong, and graceful. She refused to let her illness define her or accept defeat, and I’ve never seen someone face life, and even death, with so much courage and dignity. Her strength and resilience will always inspire me, and I hope to carry those lessons forward in my own life.
- What are you most grateful for this year?
This year, I am most grateful for my faith, family and friends. My faith has been my anchor, giving me strength to navigate the profound loss of my mom. The unwavering support of my family and friends reminded me that I didn’t have to face grief or life’s challenges alone. Their love and presence filled my heart with gratitude and joy, and I am forever thankful for the way they showed up for me during such a pivotal time.
Embracing Empathy in Meetings
Naomi Clare Crellin, founder & CEO, Storycraft Lab
- Share a moment from this year that you feel is a good example of how empathy can make a positive difference.
Earlier this year, I saw Katy Mull, our vice president of creative strategy, create empathy-centered artworks to express each of the Experience Profiles. Katy is someone for whom giving the gift of creativity is a love language. I’ve watched her give her gift to colleagues, clients and partners, and it is beautiful to behold. At our first Storycraft Lab retreat, we printed these on canvas and presented them to team members as a personalized gift. With Katy Mull, empathy is an art, a science and a gift—and I’m thankful for all she does to channel, embody and express the work of empathy.
Editor’s Note: In the spirit of gratitude, Crellin shared some of Katy Mull’s artworks that she had posted on LinkedIn: one on The Adaptor and The Seeker; one on The Creator and The Explorer; and one on The Harmonizer and The Thinker. Crellin also shared Mull’s fantastic video on how she extends her empathetic mindset throughout the industry.
- Share a moment from this past year when someone made space for you when you needed it.
There have been a few communities this year that have made space for me to share my voice and perspective on belonging and empathy, and I’m deeply appreciative of these gestures of true community. The World Experience Organization, who have encouraged us with heart and gusto as a collective; MPI NJ, who made space for me on their main stage; Sarah Shewey and Happily, who curated me into their Happily Fest this summer; BYU’s Marriott School of Business Alumni Magazine, who featured me in their article on the Experience Economy; and of course Smart Meetings, who reached out to include me to convey my mission and vision—the space to share helps me feel connection through shared purpose, and to feel appreciated for the work we do.
- What are you most grateful for this year?
It’s the Storycraft Lab team. As we grow and evolve, there’s a lot of change and adaptation. Transformation is exciting but it’s not easy—I think often about the butterfly and how what happens in the chrysalis is hard work. We emerge transformed, but getting there can be a testing process. Last week we gathered at our first retreat and shared our belonging stories with one another. It was a moment of love, authenticity and appreciation. 2024 has been a chrysalis year for Storycraft Lab, but the empathy and grace that the team offers to one another in collectively navigating this process leaves my heart so full.
Elevating Events with Joy
Jacques Martiquet, The Party Scientist
- Share a moment from this year where you made a new connection that felt truly genuine.
While at Google XI’s event in Las Vegas, I had an hour-long conversation with the famed neuroscientist Paul J. Zak. He and I nerded out about the science of behavior change and happiness. Despite his stature, he asked me good questions and took an interest in my latest event business: JoyCamp. I felt heard and valued!
- What is one moment from the past year that brought you feelings of pure inspiration and joy?
I produced my first sober festival this year…I got a sense of the stress and pressure a typical event producer experiences…but here’s the twist: despite torrential downpours and cold weather, everyone stayed together and helped each other. My moment of joy was during the opening ceremony—despite the cold, everyone was participating at 100%, dancing, singing and connecting. It made me think to myself, “If we can create joy in these conditions, we can create joy anywhere.”
- What are you most grateful for this year?
This sounds crazy, but I’m most grateful for negative social media comments. Ever since I went viral on social media, I’ve learned to forgive and love at an exponentially deeper level. The negativity I’ve received for dancing in public and spreading joy has made me a better person…I now accept human suffering so much more. And I want to alleviate it!
