$3,324,721 in donations =

• 8 border monitoring stations and safe homes in Nepal
• 23 rescue operations and a two-year aftercare program for freed forced labor slaves in India
• 12 apartments for survivors of sexual exploitation and a Child Exploitation and Online Protection Squad in Atlanta
• 1 crisis center for rescued victims of human  trafficking in South Africa
• 1 safe house for rescued child slaves in Haiti
• and much more.

“One of the greatest things is when we see the impact a story can have in the lives of our clients. As we tell great stories and see other people resonate with that story, that’s a win for us.”
—Andy Thoms, See.Spark.Go

“I love what I do and to work for the church I grew up in is an amazing opportunity.”
—Sara Hotchkiss, The United Methodist Church

“The people and the challenge of the job. I love that each day is new and different, and there’s a new challenge and new people to work with. And it’s great that I’m helping by offering a service to them.”
—Angela Hammond, CASE, Experience Columbus

“Even if I’m only setting off a chain of events that leads to someone coming to know Christ, it’s making a difference.”
—Zach Norman, Midwest Christian Retreats

“My faith in Christ gives me inspiration, as well as knowing that I’m a role model for my family. And I understand that I represent not only the Little Rock CVB, but also a number of employees and organizations and attractions—and essentially the city—to many people.”
—Joshua Townsend, Little Rock Conventions and Visitors Bureau

“Having the opportunity to encourage people.”
—Annette Frisby, Lifeway’s Ridgecrest Conference Center

2. Why are face-to-face events important?
What it does is create a shared experience for the audience. When you have a shared experience, you have alignment, which is one of most important things one can create in an organization. If they can get their minds around what I’m presenting and leave with the same body of knowledge, they can act on it together.

3. What advice do you have for planners when selecting a speaker?
Don’t get misled by what I would call secondary things when booking a speaker. The best speakers are not always the ones with impressive academic credentials—we’ve all been bored by people with Ph.D.s. And don’t get sidetracked with who just happen to be best-selling authors. It’s not all about [the speaker]. It’s about the audience, and focusing on their needs, their dreams and tapping into that. When booking, does the speaker have a way to get the word out about your event? Can they be proactive and actually be a marketing channel that you use that’s helpful as well?

4. How has life changed since you retired as CEO of Thomas Nelson this past spring?
Retired? I call it re-fired. I would say what’s different is practical things. I don’t have a commute. I’ve reclaimed that time. This is the most creative time of my life. My whole life is spent speaking, thinking, writing—writing every morning, all morning long. I love this season. I’m busier than I’ve ever been, but I rarely go to meetings any more. My meeting today is lunch with guys in a mentoring group. For me at this point in my life, giving back and making sure I’m passing the baton to the next generation is really important. I was challenged to start that group—eight young men who meet every two weeks at my home. We read through books together, talk about things from marriage to business ideas to life planning.  I think you’ve got to be the illustration of a healthy lake or body of water and not the Dead Sea. You have to have an inlet and an outlet. You’ve got to have something you’re pouring life into, giving back. If you’re not developing other people, you’re really not a leader. You may be a very effective manager.

5. How do your leadership messages apply to meeting planners?
I can almost measure growth spurts in my life from either a book that deeply impacted me or a conference that deeply impacted me. I believe in the power of live events to change the course of people and make a life impact. Meeting planners are leaders. The very fact that they have the willingness to assemble a group of people, figure out what this group needs, and to prepare and anticipate the needs of the audience is the essence of leadership.

— Ryan Claborn, Christ in Youth

“Don’t make a rule for the exception. As an event coordinator, you can often allow a few disgruntled voices steer you to make a sweeping change for everyone.”

—Amy Cato, LifeWay Christian Resources

“Always do what you say you are going to do.“

—Chris Devine, Campus Outreach Ministries

“My mentor, Rev. George E. McKain II, CMP, would often tell me, ‘Make sure you learn all you can and make sure it never seems you do not know your own program.’
Also he would remind me, ‘Everything before signing a contract is negotiable, anything after is nearly begging!’”

—Deacon Jermaine A. Collins, Life Center Fellowship

“My dad told me ‘Be the first one in and the last one to leave and you’ll get opportunities.’ It was great advice to a young guy trying to make it.”

— Jeff Shinabarger, Plywood People

“The best advice was practice what you preach and be a good example. People tend to watch what you do more than they listen to what you say.

—Collette Johnson, Visit Orlando

“Have integrity in everything you do, and listen to your clients. I remember a director telling me when you receive a message, you need to return it within two hours or it is unacceptable. That really hit home, and I have always been very detail-oriented and very responsive to the client’s needs.”

—Angela Hammond, Experience Columbus

“Boyd Bailey from Ministry Ventures told me to listen first, then share the story. A lot of times, people will try to craft a story, rather than actually share the real story that’s taking place. With our clients, if we can understand what their story truly is, it makes it so much easier to share. The reality is, people want to hear what is happening inside an organization. They want to know the heartbeat of it, and that’s really what we try to provide.

—Andy Thoms, See.Spark.Go

“Faith-based meetings serve a number of important functions for their church or organization. They allow conference-goers to network with one another and build relationships and connections. In many cases, they give opportunity for inspiration in worship, learning through workshops, community-building through fellowship and organizational decision-making through business meetings.”
—Chris Douglas, Church of the Brethren

“We are now living in the 21st century, with tools at our fingertips that we’ve never had before…As ministers we are challenged today to learn both a language and a culture of this digital world…The conference provides us with conversations, workshops and exhibits that we need to be exposed to. The world is changing. Communication is changing. Ministry needs to change to share the Word of God in the 21st century.”
—Caroline Cerveny, Interactive Communications

“I am honored to serve my organization in the function of meeting planner. It is important to get the right venue for our ever-growing organization. With a very stressed economy, I feel it necessary to do everything I can to make every meeting a success.”
—Ed Harris, Messianic Israel Alliance

“I feel my role is essential to my organization because I help to create and expand relationships between our indigenous ministry partners from non-Western cultures with U.S.-based donors, staff and other mission-minded audiences. Without events, we would be more limited to print and online pieces, which cannot compare with the live version of a person’s challenges, triumphs and development of projects in the countries we serve. A dynamic speaker at an event can help bring new donors and advocates to our organization, can continue to strengthen and enhance current relationships, and can encourage staff that God’s Kingdom is furthered through our partnerships with one another.”
—Jessica Varang, Partners International

“The Gospel Heritage Praise and Worship Conferences are important because they portray the mission of the organization in a tangible format. People experience God and grow in their ability to worship Him.”
—Teresa Hairston, Gospel Heritage Foundation

Why are you valuable to your organization? Tell us at rejuvenatemeetings.com/planner-value.

1. President Obama

2. Oprah Winfrey

3. Dr. Patricia Hicks”

—Derek Anderson, Richard Allen Young Adult Council, AME Church

“We have Ken Ham, co-founder of the Creation Museum and Answers in Genesis, as our keynote speaker this year. For our group, he is one of the best.”

—Robert Kaiser, IFCA International

“Russell Simmons. I would love to get insight on building an empire!”

—@AllStarTalentMB

“Matt Chandler, Andy Stanley, Francis Chan. I’ve been blown away by the intensity of Steven Furtick. I like Andy Andrews, Simon Sinek. I love comedians; I study them because they do it without notes and materials. It’s a great challenge—how they frame things—like Brian Regan. He’s really funny, but has really clean comedy, which is rare.

—Jon Acuff, Dave Ramsey Speakers Bureau

“Bishop T.D. Jakes.”

—Randy Walser, D6 Conference

“We have been very fortunate to work with Beth Moore for the past 13 years and Priscilla Shirer for the past seven to eight years. Since LifeWay is first and foremost a publisher, we have a deep roster of women’s authors to use at various events. However, as I polled some of my coworkers, I believe our dream speaker would be someone who is living out their faith, whether that be in overseas missions or in their U.S. neighborhood.”

—Amy Cato, LifeWay Christian Resources

“I, of course, would love to have Francis Chan because he can throw down and you still feel loved.”

—Tommy Nobis, Christ in Youth

“My choice for a dream speaker for Impact would be Dr. Tony Evans, the first African American graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a solid biblical teacher, a fatherly figure, a distance mentor and a passionate man. He brings everything God has equipped him to say to each audience. He is not afraid of man’s opinion. My second choice is Andy Stanley. He is a solid biblical teacher, creates visuals and great application of God’s word so it creates life-changing, lasting transformation in our lives. He also is not afraid of man’s opinion, thus giving him the freedom to fully live out the call God has given him. He’s challenging, very funny and accessible.”

—Kimberly Y. Moore, Impact Conference

Who’s your dream speaker? Tell us in the comments below.

“In 2008 the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion set out to make [our appreciation dinner] a great experience. The chef customized a Tex-Mex meal that was within our budget. The food was delicious and creatively presented. The catering manager located complimentary decorations and made the room feel festive and the guests really enjoyed themselves. They provided chips and salsa as the guests entered the room. For dinner, guests built their own tacos, nachos and/or fajitas with all the great toppings.

Vegetables at Nashville Station. Photo by Kenny Holloway

In 2010 we hosted our appreciation dinner at the Nashville Sheraton—the dinner was held in the revolving room at the top of the hotel. The catering manager and chef worked with us to create a wonderful meal of heavy appetizers. Attendees were offered a drink as they entered the room and the food was outstanding!  Some of the highlights were the lobster mac and cheese, grit cakes (and I don’t like grits), ham carving station, and grilled vegetables. For dessert, they served warm chocolate bread pudding and apple crisp with ice cream.  The food was delicious and the view was wonderful watching the sunset and the city light up—the evening was magical.”

— Sherry Eschenberg, Presbyterian Church in America

“Rosen Single Creek blew us away when it came to preparing vegetarian and vegan meals; the staff went over and above in the area of professionalism and courtesy to the guests. Many greeted the VIPs by name and accommodated us every step of the way. The food was delicious, fresh, hot and just amazing. The banquet staff [was] wonderful. They received a standing ovation from our group during the last meal. We had many compliments on the desserts, especially the bread pudding. Many also liked the yucca dish and the fresh variety of salads and vegetables.”
— Sharon Linna, Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries

“My best food and beverage experience [was with] the team at the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D.C. Jessica Sewall and her team amazed me with creative menus to fit our budget. They excelled in their professional approach to even the smallest of details like presentation, flexibility with inevitable changes and attentive service. All that wrapped up with great personalities—they were a joy to work with.”
— Leesha Hazel, Aglow International

“@Hilton_Orlando hosted a reception for us in July. Guests and clients said best ever.”
—@repkbrooks (Kevin Brooks) on Twitter, Church of God International

“Levy Restaurants at the America’s Center/Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. We have a great relationship with them and they go above and beyond to make sure that our meals are a success. Their wait staff is especially accommodating and they truly want everything to be the best it can be for our group.”
— Tiffany Harris, Joyce Meyer Ministries

“After our event at an arena, the women staying the night at Richmond Marriott came back to a very high-energy hotel lobby that was created just for them—a customized menu tailored for late-night chatting and snacking! And all staff, even up to the GM, were helping host the women.”
— Amy Cato, LifeWay Christian Resources

Tell us your favorite F&B experience below.

When I’m planning abroad, I …

Can’t live without … my team.

Communicate with … my iPhone.

Most miss … sleep.

Am most inspired by … the vastness of God and how he’s at work around the world.

Have learned the most from … seeing how the Church can come together.                             

How would you answer?

Tell us how you would respond in the comment field below.

A recent conversation with a young woman who was an event planner for the conference I was attending reminded me why I do what I do. During the course of our conversation, I shared my story with her — my story of how the events that I plan are born out of a passion and purpose that transformed my professional identity.

You see, for the longest time I thought of event planning as simply a job, something that I did for seven years while finishing college. Eventually, I completed my BA in psychology and began a career as a licensed professional counselor. But as graduation rapidly approached, I increasingly felt like I was a square peg desperately trying to squeeze into a round hole. During the last semester of college, I finally realize that my genuine passion and true calling had been right under my nose the entire time — planning events.

Even when I was up to my elbows in event details each and every day, I could not see how God had placed me exactly where I was supposed to be. Little did I know that attending a Hillsong United concert at my home church in Dallas, Texas, would turn my perceptions upside-down and inside-out.

My purpose for going to the concert was because in only a few short months, I would be planning the first U.S.-based Hillsong conference, and I was there to scope out the breadth of the task. But sitting in the midst of the crowd, listening to the worship music, I knew that God had other plans for leading me to the concert that night. I felt as if God looked right into my heart and whispered, “This is why you do what you do. This is why I gave you the gifts and abilities that you have. You lay the foundation with each detail that you plan, so that the speakers and artists can get up on that stage and share the message I want to speak through them to move the audience — and ultimately, to change the world.”

At that moment, I realized that event planning was, in fact, God’s divine plan for my life. Recounting my story to that young fellow event planner, I encouraged her to take a couple of minutes when running an event to step into a session and see the affect that it is having on the attendees, and in those quiet moments, to let God speak to her.

Jennifer Winn, president of Winn Events and creator of myeventaudit.com, plans meetings, conferences, concerts and trade shows across the globe. You can contact her at jennifer@winnevents.com or visit winnevents.com for more information.