I’ve been in this business for decades - first as a corporate event planner, and for the past 27 years as the owner of GDA Speakers. And I still get just as excited when I see an event where both the client and the audience are truly WOWED.
That’s exactly what happened recently in Amarillo, TX, where we had the privilege of supporting the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. GDA Speakers had the honor of booking Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer for their annual Power of the Purse event.
I was joined onsite by another GDA team member, Adrienne Metzig, she is based in Lubbock and provides onsite support to all the Laura Bush events.
One of our favorite sayings at GDA Speakers is: “Anyone can book a speaker - we create an experience.” And that’s exactly what happened in Amarillo, thanks in large part to Sandra and Ron.
PATRON PARTY
It’s not uncommon for nonprofit fundraisers to host a patron party the evening before the main event. What stood out here was that there was no hesitation from Sandra and Ron - they graciously attended, engaged with sponsors, and made time for photos with each guest. It set the tone for everything that followed.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Sandra and Ron also brought their Play the Lead Project, a program they offer to our clients. It was created out of their desire to give back while traveling and to help young people maximize their potential. Partnering with leadership experts and educators, they’ve built something truly meaningful.
They arrived early and spent the day before the event at the Amarillo Little Theatre, working directly with students. It was an incredible way to connect with the community - and those students would later play a role in the main event.
SURPRISE & DELIGHT
I love the phrase “surprise and delight,” and this event delivered on that in so many ways.
One special moment: Ron’s daughter, Austen Bohmer, joined them - completely under wraps. Austen, who played Glinda in the 2025 Broadway National Tour of Wicked, is an extraordinary talent, and the audience was blown away when she appeared.
Austen (Glinda) and Sandra (stepping in as Elphaba) performed “For Good,” accompanied by a custom slideshow featuring the Institute’s work. The pairing of those powerful lyrics with such meaningful imagery created a truly unforgettable moment.
They also performed “America the Beautiful,” incorporating visuals of the country, Texas, and Amarillo - making it deeply personal for the audience.
And then, for the finale, the students Sandra and Ron had mentored the day before joined them on stage. The entire room had goosebumps.
EMBRACING THE MISSION
This event raises funds for the Laura W. Bush Institute, including through donated handbags.
Sandra fully embraced the mission by donating a truly special piece: the clutch she carried during the final performance of Phantom of the Opera at the end of its historic 35-year Broadway run in April 2023.
She included a red carpet photo and signed ticket stubs from both her and Ron. It became a meaningful - and valuable - piece of Broadway history for the fundraiser.
I was onsite for the event and couldn’t stop smiling. This note from the client the next morning says it all:
“WOW! I cannot tell you how much I loved yesterday’s event and how very much I enjoyed working with you! Sandra, Ron AND Austen were blessings - extraordinarily talented and thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you for sharing them with us. Our guests were amazed and left feeling uplifted just like I’d hoped. I wanted to take you all home with me! Thank you for a truly wonderful experience!”
Moments like this are why I still love what I do.
What’s a “wow factor” you’ve seen at an event that people still talk about afterward?
-Gail Davis
Founder & President, GDA Speakers
