Stepnell’s Post

It was a lively discussion with a diverse group of industry leaders this week, as we unearthed some great ideas on engaging and supporting our industry. Some of the key takeaways include: 💭 Focus on initiatives that are targeted and specific for relevant businesses, think about stage in business cycle, and what they need at each stage. 💭 Connect meaningfully with industry to build relationships (in person trumps all!); and enable thoughtful networking opportunities. 💭 Tone of voice is an important consideration in industry comms. Empathy is hugely important at the moment. 💭 Apply a multifaced approach to ensure messages gets through 💭 Partner with organisations in your ecosystem who already communicate with the industry to streamline messages to achieve greater engagement 💭 Be realistic about the mechanisms you use to engage. If something isn't working, change it up, think differently. 💭 Engagement is a two-way relationship. Consider how to create commitment from both ends. Thanks for sharing your wisdom this week Jess Greatwich, Kim Storey, Jacquie Burnside, Karlie Chevalley, Jennie Curran and Vanessa Costanzo 💫

Being visible and vocal isn't the same thing as being influential. With all the posts promoting the Eventex Most Influential People in the Events Industry, it can feel like a popularity contest. Personally, I’ve always hesitated to participate for that reason. But there are many #eventprofs on the list who genuinely deserve recognition, and I’d love to shine a light on those who regularly influence me to think deeper, learn more, and explore different perspectives. Adam Parry: Adam is brilliant and well-connected, having created one of the top #eventtech gatherings in the industry. Plus, he’s hilarious, down-to-earth, and always up for some good-natured text banter. Jonathan Kazarian: Jonathan stands out because he’s not just another tech bro. Jonathan genuinely understands the importance of investing in relationships and being a part of our community. He has spent a significant amount of time really getting to know the world of event professionals. Bob Vaez: Bob’s content is always insightful, and EventMobi has been a steady force in event tech for a long time (before tech was cool!). Whether sharing job postings or engaging in thoughtful discussions, Bob continuously helps spark important conversations for #eventprofs. Sina Bünte, CMP, DES, TMEP, HVED: Sina is brilliant, with her finger on the pulse of so many corners of our industry. Her creativity and insights are always spot on, which is why she’s constantly earning industry accolades. Veemal Gungadin: Veemal and his team are building tech that will make our jobs easier and more efficient. Their thoughtful, AI-powered software is set to change how we plan and execute events and he's always open to feedback. Michael Shapiro: Michael's writing and reporting are so diligently put together. There is thought, research, fact checking, and balance in everything that he puts out and he's become a great resource for #eventprofs. He can also hold a plank for at least 75 seconds. As I review the list to decide who to vote for, I'd love for you to share a few names of who you are voting for and why? https://lnkd.in/gJR3MBak

🚨 Join Us at the Talent Business Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner! 🚨 Looking for the perfect opportunity to network, gain industry insights, and celebrate success? The Talent Business Awards is your chance! 🌟 📅 Date: November 21st 🎟️ Book your (half) table now with an early bird discount! Here’s why you can’t miss this: 1️⃣ Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Meet top professionals, executives, and industry leaders. Build meaningful connections that can propel your career or business forward. 2️⃣ Celebrate Achievements: Witness the success stories of individuals and organizations making waves in the talent and business sectors. Get inspired and celebrate with your peers. 3️⃣ Industry Trends & Insights: Stay ahead of the curve by learning about the latest trends, innovations, and best practices shaping the future of our industry. 🔥 Why it’s worth your time: Visibility & Brand Awareness: Showcase your agency and let others see your success. Benchmarking: Compare your agency’s performance and discover new strategies. Inspiration & Motivation: Get fresh ideas from the success stories of top agencies. Don’t miss out on this prestigious event—let's celebrate, connect, and grow together! 👥 Secure your spot today! Book your half-table here: https://lnkd.in/euj-nw42 #talentbusinessawards #talentbusinessclub

How have you seen diversity make a difference at your workplace? As a female leader from an underrepresented background in STEM, I've witnessed firsthand the power that diversity brings to our cellQART® multi-culti team. Thanks KEYPLAYER for bringing this topic to discussion!

What success has your organization achieved from diversity? 🌟 Our CEO Dennis Benkmann was honored to attend the KEYPLAYER X-Change event where over 100 top decision-makers gathered to engage in meaningful discussions regarding diversity at workplace! 🙌 At this event, he was invited for an interview to discuss diversity and female leadership at SABEU GmbH & Co. KG. You can watch the full interview below! We believe that true innovation happens when different voices come together. Diversity isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation of creativity, problem-solving, progress and fun! By fostering an environment where everyone’s unique perspective is valued and accepted, we unlock the potential for groundbreaking ideas and solutions. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. Isabell Welpe, Dr. Carla Kriwet, Janina Kugel, Fränzi Kühne, Mirjam Mohr, Björn V., Jens Lübberstedt, Monika Dussen, Lena An der Lan (née Loewer), Falco Weidemeyer, Christiane Wolff and Carla Swayne. Your insights, passion, and expertise created a powerful momentum that sparked reflection and critical conversations where ideas could flow freely at the “KEYPLAYER -X Change meeting” KEYPLAYER, is a leading Interim Management and Executive Search firm, that takes pride in fostering meaningful connections between exceptional female professionals and forward-thinking organizations. Find their link in the comment section! 👇✨ Let’s continue to champion innovation and create workplaces where everyone belongs. 💪🌍 #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenInLeadership #DiversityMatters #InnovationThroughDiversity #StrongerTogether

🚨 Join Us at the Talent Business Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner! 🚨 Looking for the perfect opportunity to network, gain industry insights, and celebrate success? The Talent Business Awards is your chance! 🌟 📅 Date: November 21st 🎟️ Book your (half) table now with an early bird discount! Here’s why you can’t miss this: 1️⃣ Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Meet top professionals, executives, and industry leaders. Build meaningful connections that can propel your career or business forward. 2️⃣ Celebrate Achievements: Witness the success stories of individuals and organizations making waves in the talent and business sectors. Get inspired and celebrate with your peers. 3️⃣ Industry Trends & Insights: Stay ahead of the curve by learning about the latest trends, innovations, and best practices shaping the future of our industry. 🔥 Why it’s worth your time: Visibility & Brand Awareness: Showcase your agency and let others see your success. Benchmarking: Compare your agency’s performance and discover new strategies. Inspiration & Motivation: Get fresh ideas from the success stories of top agencies. Don’t miss out on this prestigious event—let's celebrate, connect, and grow together! 👥 Secure your spot today! Book your half-table here: https://lnkd.in/euj-nw42 #talentbusinessawards #talentbusinessclub

Thank you Forté Foundation for continuing to invest in and support women! Yesterday I had the honor of presenting on The Mindful Professional: Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Corporate World, a topic very near and dear to my heart (and mind). We discussed the importance of mindfulness in the workplace - and how it can help to foster authenticity, presence, self-trust, and inclusivity. If you're reading this, I welcome you to (1) take two deep breaths and (2) share any of your mindful practices - we can all learn from eachother :) #mindfulness #mentalhealth

The Gathering Summit has always been something special, but this year there was a shift in the experience to something more elevated. I was struggling to find the words to express what that was and then I found a list of qualities that are essential for developing meaningful relationships. In that list were the words I was looking for to describe that experience. Here we go. People consistently shared openly. It was a true celebration of others' wins. It was an environment of genuine help. There was so much shared gratitude for one another. Lots and lots of thoughtful questions were asked to get to meaningful responses. There was a constant openness to make and accept introductions. So much giving without expecting. Everyone I spoke with agreed there was a sense of shared experiences occurring in real time. The entire event was an opportunity to practice empathy. So much listening without judging. And most poignant was the presence of vulnerability that pushed ego aside. Even the acceptance speeches from representatives of the inaugural Brand Hall Of Fame Awards had a genuine sense of humility about them. Ryan Gill, Gary Vaynerchuk, James Lawrence, Chris Kneeland, Jesse Cole, Laura Nestler, Brian Jennings were just a few of the torches that lit the room under these qualities. An incredible event. I encourage anyone who is looking to be enlightened in their business practices to attend this event at least once in your lifetime. #brianjennings #jessecole #jameslawrence #chriskneeland #lauranestler #garyvaynerchuk #ryangill #thegathering #marketing #banff #USA #america #communications #thegathering2024

Happy to have taken part in one of the most relevant discussions nowadays: how AI can play a role in our work and the world of insights. A great event, bringing together the top insights leaders from the Netherlands to brainstorm and discuss on how to concretely leverage this powerful tool to make us all more effective and impactful. #AI #InsightsLeaders #MarketInsights #Networking

Thank you to Liz Hernandez and Martha M. Garcia for inviting me to speak at WORDAFUL's "Thriving in the Workplace" panel series yesterday in LA alongside such a dynamic group of inspiring industry leaders. Together, we unpacked overcoming obstacles, defining moments of empowerment, sustaining drive and vision, achieving work-life harmony, career fulfillment, and finding balance in the face of burnout. I'm incredibly proud to have participated alongside these talented individuals (and new friends) from varying fields: Debbie Gonzales - Creative Director of Kids Of Immigrants & Co-Founder of EL CHILITO HOT SAUCE Sandy Archila - Director, Brand & Consumer Engagement, NBCUniversal Mica Le John - Chief of Staff, Black Girls Code Daniel Fernandez - CEO, TMC Community Capital Monique Sanchez (Sowinski) - Head of PR & Communications, Live Nation Entertainment The truth is that navigating a career path with purpose and fulfillment is not something we're taught in school or even comes naturally to most us. It requires personal development, mentorship, intentionality, determination, and focus - and above all a commitment to investing in yourself. A few tactics we highlighted included: ☑ Setting boundaries ☑ Separating our self-worth and identity from career success ☑ Establishing unwavering personal practices that prioritize self-care ☑ Constantly redefining your "why" to maintain motivation and drive ☑ Calling upon your relationships and resources for support While "collaboration" and "community" tend to be overused buzzwords in the professional networking and thought leadership world, I truly believe that establishing relationships, putting yourself in new situations, and the sharing of ideas are the true unlock to succeeding and finding fulfillment in your career and life. Events like yesterday remind us that we're all so much more alike than we are different, which is so uplifting, especially at this moment in our history.