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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
Trending Speakers
Rex Lewis-Clack: Class of 2013- A Guest Blog from Cathleen Lewis
By: Cathleen LewisJust 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.
Trending Speakers
A Magical Event
Talk about creating an experiential event….my hat is off to Chrissy Nardini. Chrissy wanted to create a memorable kickoff event and thought of everything to make that happen!The theme for her year is “Game Changers”. Chrissy selected NBA legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson as the keynote speaker. They rented out Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis where she had the cocktail party and dinner on the floor of the arena. She had all the attendees' names scrolling on the LED rolling message board across the perimeter of the arena. The floral arrangements on the tables were made with a basketball as the base! All super clever ideas.
Trending Speakers
The Impact of a TED Talk- A Guest Blog From Leslie Morgan Steiner
By: Leslie Morgan Steiner Last August, I got a call from Phil, an old friend I had not seen since our 1977 elementary school graduation. He knew that I was a frequent public speaker and writer. He had a question: had I ever considered doing a TED Talk based on Crazy Love, my 2009 memoir about surviving domestic violence in my first marriage? Turns out that Phil, no longer the 12-year-old soccer fanatic I remembered, had founded TEDxRainier, the Seattle-based offshoot of the big TED conventions held every year in Long Beach, California. On one Saturday in November, Phil explained, 1,200 people would each pay $100 to gather in an auditorium at the University of Seattle to listen to 30 brief, impactful TED Talks. The speeches would be filmed and distributed via YouTube.
Trending Speakers
The Day That Changed Our Lives- A Guest Blog From Steve Palermo
By: Steve PalermoWith July 7th just a few weeks ago, it never fails to get our attention. There has been 22 years of July 7th's that have passed since The July 7 of 1991. That's the day when a young, recently married couple of five months had their lives turned upside down and forever changed.I was shot outside of Campisi's, a local Italian restaurant in Dallas, where I was having dinner with some friends, after having umpired a Texas Rangers baseball game. Two of the waitresses were leaving Campisi's and heading home for the evening, when three young men jumped them outside the restaurant. They began beating and mugging the waitresses and trying to steal their purses. From there, the night became a blur, which at times has blurred our lives.
Trending Speakers
Everyone Should Book John O'Leary
Everyone should book John O'Leary. He has a powerful message and is a very authentic speaker.Our database contains over 4,000 speakers. I will only make a bold statement of absolute endorsement on those whom are deserving. John O'Leary was first brought to my attention by one of my YPO St. Louis clients, Donn Lux. He really encouraged me to meet John so I invited John to come to my office and we met. I have many speaker visits. It is nice to meet a speaker in person but unless I hear them speak live, it is hard to truly understand their message.A few months later in September of 2009, I got another email raving about John O'Leary. This time it was from another YPO member in Los Angeles, Ed Bagdasarian. Here is the text of his email:
Trending Speakers
Eric Saperston is Another Gift
Do what you love and the money will follow. Truer words have never been spoken.Last fall, a generous client reached out to me and introduced me to a wonderful new speaker Eric Maddox. Then, in early January, it happened again.I have worked with Richard Lowry for a number of years. I am always blown away with his attention to detail to create a true event experience – from the smallest concept to the most elaborate set on the stage. Richard impressed me as someone who loves his craft and has the skill to make a vision come alive.When Richard reached out to introduce me to Eric Saperston, he referred to him as “a little known gem.” I was intrigued. And the more I learned about Eric Saperston, the more I felt he was the creative person I was missing from my roster.
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