Truths, Responsibilities and Opportunities

Excerpt from pg.6 Our KPI is Joy: How live events catalyze happiness, productivity and trust. Available globally on Amazon March 21, 2025. I believe in the power of events and recognize their complexities.

Truths. Happiness is elusive. Stories are shared memories. Memories are fleeting and flexible. Humans are complex and needy. Experiences are fundamental to feeling alive. Memories are built through storytelling and emotional connection.

Responsibilities. Experience designers carry the weighty responsibility of designing formats and flows that allow participants to connect to each other and to the ideas crafted and created within an experience. We share an excitement inherent in the incredible opportunity to create meaningful journeys.

When we build a sense of belonging, we are catalyzing happiness.

Opportunities. The power of events is real. Our world is changing faster than we can keep up, and machine learning and AI are pushing forward at an unexpected and sometimes frightening pace. As our world faces continuing challenges, most human-made, we need human solutions that are created when we gather to talk.

The 2024 Q1 Freeman[i] report stated: “80% of respondents say the most trusted channel of all available marketing channels is in-person events—a trend that continues to rise.”

The imperative to meet face-to-face has never been greater.

If you are seeking inspiration anchored in history, data and real life, sprinkled with and event design tools, nudges and leadership challenges, my new book was written for you, my fellow event professionals in any sector.

[i] 2024 Freeman Attendee Intent and Behavior Report  https://www.freeman.com/about/press/freeman-launches-new-attendee-intent-and-behavior-trend-report/