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Trending Speakers
Inside the Ultimate WOW Experience
What turns an event into a true WOW experience? Gail Davis shares her experience being onsite at an unforgettable event in Amarillo, TX, where powerful performances, meaningful community impact, and unexpected moments came together in a way attendees will never forget.
GDA Technology
Your GDA Advantage: Our Client Portal & Polling Feature
At GDA Speakers, we believe event planning should be empowering—not exhausting. Over the years, we've embraced technology not just to keep up with change, but to stay ahead of your needs. Gail Davis dives into how our exclusive GDA Client Portal and polling feature were built to support you with transparency, efficiency, and heart.
GDA Industry Insights
The Future of Event Planning: Trends and Tips for a Seamless Experience
Planning events is always a dynamic process, and staying ahead of trends can make all the difference. In this month's blog, Gail Davis shares insights on key trends event planners can anticipate as we move into the new year.
Trending Speakers
The Husband & Wife Duo That Every Event Needs: Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer
Every organization needs to book Sandra Joseph and Ron Bohmer. It is that simple. Whether you are a non-profit raising money for a great cause, an organization celebrating a milestone anniversary, or an association looking for an experience of a lifetime - Gail Davis shares her experience working with Sandra and Ron and how they will leave your audience entertained, uplifted, and inspired.
Latest Blogs
GDA History
A Woman Owned Business
I recently completed documentation for our Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certification (WBENC). Finalizing the paperwork is no easy task, but I love the process. WBENC is truly committed to assisting women business owners and I am proud to be granted certification from this distinct organization. I am also grateful to our clients who diversify their supply chain to include women and minority owned businesses. The significance and timing of the WBENC certification is particularly meaningful as we celebrate Women's History Month. I think back on when I started GDA Speakers over 22 years ago, and the important women in my career who encouraged and inspired me to leave my 20 year corporate event career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and start GDA. My leader for many years, Vicki Yacovoni, was my role model.
GDA History
2021: To Smoother Roads Ahead
I love a road trip. I often drive from Dallas to my hometown in Oklahoma to visit my family. I enjoy the scenery, listening to podcasts, and just the relaxation of the familiar route. Most of the time, it's an easy drive. But occasionally, I'll run into that dreaded orange road “detour ahead” construction sign and I feel the frustration set in. When the sign indicates 5 or 10 miles ahead, I think to myself “OK, this won't last too long.” But then there are those times, I'll come across a detour sign and there is no mileage listed. Suddenly, I find myself on some uneven, bumpy road that's taking me way off track - and I don't know when it's going to end. To me, that was 2020. I think it's safe to say the last 9 months we've all been traveling a no-mileage indicated detour path.
GDA Industry Insights
Virtual Events are Fun, Engaging and on the Rise.
Like you, we have seen a lot of interesting methods for people “gathering” in groups now. Perhaps you're part of a weekly Zoom happy hour with coworkers. As we look toward the future, we thought it would be constructive to focus on the positives that virtual elements bring to the table.
GDA Industry Insights
Case Study: "Quarantine...let's binge watch our meeting"
Case StudyThe Nautilus Groupwww.thenautilusgroup.com The Nautilus Group is an elite membership-based consulting firm for New York Life Insurance. Since 2015, Nautilus has partnered with GDA Speakers on over 14 speaking opportunities. Three speakers were booked for May 13-15, 2020. They quickly made a radical shift in their plans tweaking their event to feel more like a "Netflix series" that could be viewed by everyone working from home.
GDA Industry Insights
When will large and in-person events make a comeback?
That's the real question, isn't it? And the answer is, we wish we had a crystal ball. Sadly, ours got lost in the mail. But for now, here is how we envision things playing out.
GDA Industry Insights
Case Study: "Virtual Made it Possible"
Case StudyBurgundy Asset Management, Ltd.www.burgundyasset.com Burgundy Asset Management, Ltd. is a global discretionary investment manager. The company has a five-year history with GDA Speakers. Executive Vice President and COO Robert Sankey originally reached out in 2015 to inquire about booking a specific speaker, Nando Parrado. He expressed interest in bringing Nando in to speak at a corporate event. Unfortunately, the timing of Nando's travels and the various event opportunities at Burgundy never matched up. Gail and Robert continued to stay in touch several times a year.
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