Don’t Drop the Ball on Introductions

Gail Davis, 24 September 2014

Recently I had the privilege of introducing world-renown speaker Nando Parrado at an EO St. Louis learning event In addition to representing Nando for more than 15 years, he is my friend; so introducing him was a very easy and natural thing to do.

But, I, like most people, have learned from experience.

One of my biggest learning moments came years ago after working for months to place the perfect speaker at an event. As I sat proudly in my chair waiting for the presentation to begin, something went terribly wrong. The executive assigned to introduce the keynote speaker was MIA, and, before I could get to the stage to assist, one of the company’s directors stepped up to the podium and started to wing it.

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A Role Model for Those Who Stay, Leave and Everyone Else

Gail Davis, 10 September 2014

As the nation focuses on the Ray Rice controversy, I am deeply grateful to Leslie Morgan Steiner for helping me understand this very troubling topic of domestic violence. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Leslie for more than eight years and I continue to be in awe of her passion as an advocate to help educate our society and inspire other women and men to break free of the vicious cycle.

As I watched her recent interviews on MSNBC and on Anderson Cooper 360, I suddenly gained a deeper insight into Leslie. She is much more than just an inspiring example of breaking free from domestic abuse; she is a role model on how we can and should use our suffering to help others— abused or not.

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Secret Weapons

Gail Davis, 17 July 2014

I have two secret weapons when it comes to internally selling an idea to decision makers: focus groups and industry knowledge.

After an event, I like to run informal focus groups. It is important to get a nice mixture of participants in the group. Ideally I like to find:

-a person who attends the event each year
-a person who attended the event as a first timer
-someone from leadership/board
-if it is an incentive trip, invite a spouse or guest to participate.
-if it is a nonprofit fundraiser, invite various sponsor and patrons.

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Celebrating 15 Years With HR Houston

Gail Davis, 15 May 2014

I spent yesterday at the 2014 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues.  It was a perfect place to be as I reflect on the past 15 years of business.  HR Houston became a client in 2002 and I have booked their speakers every year since then.  It has been so rewarding to have a client for 12 years and watch their conference grow from 200 to over 1800 human resource professionals.

This year was really amazing.  I loved their theme, Infinite Possibilities.  I knew I was not missing this year’s event once I saw this clever video promoting the conference.  The video is worth the watch… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAWZ5SobY-w. 
 

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A Unique Speaker You Need

Gail Davis, 20 November 2013

I am known for falling in love with unique speakers and creating opportunities for their messages.

My quest for finding new and different speakers comes from 20 years on the corporate side. My management was easily frustrated with the “same ole sameo” recommendations. So when someone says to me I have a unique speaker idea for you….my ears perk up.

This was the case seven years ago when one of my clients reached out to me to discuss his wife as a potential speaker. Talk about a potentially awkward conversation!! That was 2006, when Perry Steiner suggested I take a look at his wife, Leslie Morgan Steiner.

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Rex Lewis-Clack: Class of 2013- A Guest Blog from Cathleen Lewis

Gail Davis, 17 October 2013

By: Cathleen Lewis

Just a few months ago, Rex donned cap and gown with the other members of his high school senior class and made the final campus walk to receive his graduation diploma.

It was a day of raw emotions – a sense of pride and accomplish washed over the ceremony when Rex’s classmates spontaneously erupted, “Rex, Rex, Rex … Way to go!” It was an ever-supportive shout from classmates who would be heading off to college, stepping out into independent lives.

But what about Rex? Where was he in all that coming of age stuff? It seemed a good question, given how long it had been hanging out there.

It’s been ten years since CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl first chronicled Rex’s life, and the intriguing interplay of his two extremes of disability and musical genius. A full decade! And out of a not quite 18-year life! Three separate 60 Minutes profiles, beginning at age 7, a Discovery Health documentary at age 11, and The Science Channel documentary, “Ingenious Minds” at age 15.

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