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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.
GDA History
Celebrating 25 Years of Setting Stages Worldwide
Have you noticed GDA Speakers' new logo? You guessed it - 2024 marks our 25th anniversary! In the coming months, we will be reflecting on the last quarter of a century through a series of blogs that offer insight into our journey, who we are as a business, and the impact we have had the privilege of bringing to stages worldwide. Read Gail's first blog of the new series.
Latest Blogs
GDA Industry Insights
The Story of the GDA Podcast
In the 18 years since the founding of GDA Speakers, one of the many benefits of the speaking industry I've come to appreciate is the constant exposure to those that inspire others. Whether it be for business or personal improvement, common business phrases and buzzwords often shared are: Grow or Die, Innovation, Disruption, Value-add, Culture, Intentionality and Surround yourself with people smarter than you.
GDA Industry Insights
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same: 30 Years Of Perspective
With nearly three decades of industry experience GDA Speakers president, Gail Davis, share's her thoughts and insight on what has changed, as well as what has remained the same in the speaking industry.
Trending Speakers
An Inspirational Story of Perseverance
I founded GDA Speakers because I believed in Nando Parrado and his story. I set myself and my business apart because I found someone who was new and different. I was able to passionately describe his story to potential clients and how it could profoundly impact audiences. Nando has been our most booked speaker for 17 years. I often hear, “Gail, we need another Nando.” Quite frankly, Nando is a tough act to follow. His story is so unbelievable and so powerful – that, coupled with his humanity and humility always produces a crowd favorite. Then, I encountered Amanda Lindhout.
GDA Industry Insights
Less Is More
In 1995, while working on the other side of events as a meeting planner, I was in Maui with Rob Schneider. He was so funny and I was looking for every opportunity to use him at EDS for our general session, awards night, recap video, anywhere he would fit. Then he looked at me and shared something he learned on Saturday Night Live, “less is more.” He explained to me it is always better to leave the audience wanting more. This advice has been valuable to me over the years in coaching speakers and clients for the maximum impact. I recently found another great application for his lesson. This month my company turned 17 years old. In the beginning, I tracked the number of speakers in our database. I was constantly updating the website to say GDA Speakers works with over 500, 1,000, 2,000 speakers. Somewhere along the way that number got to 5,000. That is when I remembered less is more.
GDA Industry Insights
Six Speakers, Six Days, Three Cities….. Impressions.
There is nothing like going on the road to gain a new perspective or to remind you of the basics when it comes to event planning. I spent 20 years working on the other side of booking speakers as the Director of Corporate Incentive Events at EDS and now for almost the same length of time, I have been on the bureau side. I walked away from my recent onsite visits with this collection of thoughts:
GDA History
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Nando Parrado is the inspiration and reason Gail Davis founded our company. Recently, Gail was invited as an EO (Entrepreneur Organization) member to travel with Nando and introduce him on a three city Canadian tour. On our 16th anniversary, we want to share Gail's introduction of Nando which takes us back to how she discovered Nando, the friendship they developed and how it lead to her entrepreneurial journey of founding GDA Speakers. It is my privilege and honor to introduce to you our next speaker, especially to a group of entrepreneurs. The fact Nando is here today speaking to you has a very strong tie to the entrepreneurial spirit. When Nando shares his story with you today, I want you to notice how decisions were made, how they adapted to an unknown environment and the innovation they used to lead them out of the Andes. Just like many of us, Nando and his teammates found themselves in a situation they knew little about, but their drive to get out was stronger than their lack of knowledge. With the same spirit and determination leading Nando to safety has driven his career the last 40 year. He is unlike any other speaker I represent; mainly because he isn't a speaker. Nando runs five businesses in Uruguay. He owns a chain of hardware stores, has an advertising agency, produces a number of television shows, is involved in real estate and more. He is a typical entrepreneur who loves being involved in a variety of things.
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