Vol. 22, Issue 3, April 18, 2024

Besides a major disruption in every aspect of our lives, one of the many things that COVID left in its wake was the opportunity for all of us to look at things differently. Since the pandemic, for example, it’s been more challenging to attract people to events, to get them out of their houses. Perhaps it’s time for a fresh approach to the standard conference format, a conference that is more focused on the participants — and their stories – than the speaker and her story.

 

Let’s Talk HerStory

I was talking with our speaker Kelly Swanson the other day, fresh off her experience at a very large women’s event, and she was excited about some new possibilities she visualizes in the world of women’s conferences.

“Whether it’s corporate, a hospital marketing or community event, a women’s event is all about gathering women together, and these groups all pretty much want the same things,” she said. When I asked her to say more, she explained further.

“They want to put a face on their brand. They want to educate and inspire women, and I think that behind it all, they want to empower women. They want to get them connected and networking because that makes for a better conference, and being connected means that the women will come back again.

“Women need a place to talk with each other, laugh and share, make friends, and realize that they’re going to be okay — to have their hearts touched and at the same time learn something.

“Networking opportunities are a way to get there,” she said, “but I think they must be more strategic than the traditional practices that happen over a croissant and a cup of coffee with a stranger. It needs to be more about gathering, and it needs to be facilitated – orchestrated to give people the chance to talk, to express themselves. When women get a chance to express themselves and feel heard and listened to, I think they’re more likely be loyal to that sponsor.”

How to do that?

This is where the concept of story — storytelling, actually — comes in. Kelly is the master of storytelling. She teaches it, performs it, lives and breathes it. Storytelling speaks to the human need to be seen, heard, and appreciated.

“’HerStory in the Making’,” she told me, “is a theme that can encompass everyone’s story.”

This story theme and networking can be woven into the format of an entire

conference. It can include Kelly’s theater show, “Who Hijacked My Fairytale?” which is built around the idea that it’s never too late to change your story. It’s her story of how she tried to be the princess in her own fairy tale.

“The fairy tale sets you up to think you’re supposed to be a certain way,” she continued, “and through telling my real-life story, I dispel that myth — with tons of humor that every woman can relate to.

“In it, I convey a strong message that if you don’t look like the story that the world wrote for you, you can change it — no matter where you are in life.”

Especially for women’s conferences, she has adapted her theater show by cutting it to a 60-minute combination keynote/show format. People get big entertainment value along with a compelling keynote message that captures the “Her Story in the Making” theme.

And the networking magic?

Bring on Kelly’s Master Class — “You. Your Story. Your Impact” — a 90-minute workshop, where Kelly, the master storyteller, engages women in expressing themselves, owning their stories, and sharing them.

“This is where you give attendees a chance to share a piece of their own stories, whether it’s in a small group, a dyad or a triad,” she told me. “I give as many women as possible a chance to be heard. This is where they feel validated — they feel like somebody listened to them. I’ve experienced it. It’s magical.

“I weave all three of these elements – the HerStory theme, the theater show, and the Master Class workshop – into one event, one day. So there’s this theme all the way through the conference of owning your story, embracing your story, telling your story, living your story. The theme can be choreographed into the whole day, extending to the sponsors telling their stories, as well all as all the presenters.”

Intrigued? Kelly and I would be happy to explore the possibilities with you. Drop me an email at barbara@speakwellbeing.com or give me a call at 503-699-5031.

 

Tulip Time

One of my favorite spring outings is to drive to the Holland America Tulip Fields in Woodland, WA, a quick 40-minute drive up I-5 from Portland.  They have show fields (for viewing only) and U-Pick fields – 50 cents a stem. Walking through the fields, and picking favorites is my idea of a little bit of heaven and taking home a part of it. You can’t find tulips like these in the grocery store!

Until next time, take care of yourself, for your well being and those you love.

Barbara

 

For Your Well Being is published with the intention of bringing you insider speaker reports, exclusive stories about special events around the country, meeting planner tips, and fun stuff from the worlds of health and well being. Be well and be in the know!

The Speak Well Being Group is a specialized speakers bureau, focusing on health and wellness for all types of organizations that want to foster health and well being for their employees, members, clients, and in their communities.

Our speakers are hand-selected. They are not only experts in their fields; they connect with their audiences while bringing them life-changing information, smiles of recognition, and ultimately a sense of well being and hope.

Finding the perfect keynote speaker for your special event or conference is my personal passion, not just once, but year after year. It brings me great joy to know that your audience was delighted and moved by the speaker we selected together. I’m committed to making the process easy, pleasant and fun.