How does an nonprofit or commercial organization successfully get multiple high-profile individuals, community leaders, and celebrities to say yes and attend an organizations signature event?

Today, I talk with Texas Cultural Trust CEO, Heidi Marquez Smith and Tania Schwartz, co-chair, the 2025 Texas Medal of Arts Awards, the organizations signature fundraising event.

For the past 25 years, the Texas Cultural Trust has been a leading voice in highlighting arts education, programs, and advocacy in Texas to spotlight both the cultural and economic impact the arts bring to Texas. Every other year, the organization honors approximately 10 individuals and/or organization who have made substantial contributions in the arts to Texas and beyond.

In this episode, Heidi and Tania talk about a wide range of topics including tips on how to select honorees for your annual signature fundraising event, attracting people from multiple markets to attend your signature fundraising event, and advice on engaging celebrities and high-profile individuals to say yes to supporting and attending your organization's gala. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization successfuly host a milestone signature fundraising event that honors the past, celebrates the present, and provides vision for the future?

Today, I talk with CASA of Travis County Director of Development Erin Kozma as well as Kelly Kopecky and Rachel Pry, co-chairs of CASABlanca, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event.

CASA of Travis County provides children with advocates for children in the legal system to who have experienced abuse or neglect. What makes the CASA of Travis County advocacy system so exceptional, is that the advocates are entirely composed of volunteers who go through a rigorous training process to ensure the children are well represented.

This year, CASA of Travis County turns 40 and will celebrate with a special theme for this years' annual gala: Cheers to 40 Years.

In this episode, Erin, Kelly, and Rachel talk about a wide range of topics including tips on evolving your organization as your community evolves, ton, developing successful relationship between an organization and event chairs, the importance of having a strong committee to help a chair and an organization carry out the event's vision and so much more.

How does an organization successfuly work with an event chair in a way that resepects the organization while putting a personal stamp on an event? Today, I talk with Camp for All Development Director Mary Beth Mosley and Paul Palmer, co-chair of the Krewe de Kamp for All, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event.

Camp for All allows children and adults with special needs the opportunity to experience camping and nature opportunities the the organizations 206 acre camp in Burton, Texas, approximately 85 miles outside of Houston where Krewe de Kamp for All will be held. The space features over 100,000 square feet of facilities, two lakes, nature trails, and wooded areas for campers to experience.

In this episode, Mary Beth and Paul talk about a wide range of topics including tips on building a successful relationship between an organization and event chairs, creating fun and innovative event themes, and the importance of long-term planning in creating a successful gala or signature fundraising event.

How can an organization successfully integrate talent into a gala or signature fundraising event? Today I chat the very talented artist, musician, and philanthropist Mela Sarajane Dailey to find out.

This Grammy Award-winning performer has dazzled audiences on professional and philanthropic stages for many years. During her career, she has entranced many a room with solo performances, sizzle stages with duets, and brought crowds to their feet as a part of musical ensembles. Additionally, she supports many nonprofit causes which gives her a unique perspective as a performer and a donor.

In this episode, Sarajane provides valuable insights on how to successfully engage talent for your gala or signature fundraising event, including how to work with an ensemble of performers to get the most out of your event talent, trends she is seeing from a talent perspective, and advice on how to host an effective red carpet that makes each of your event guests feel special. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the secrets to moderating engaging conversations with a high-profile, headline guest at your event? Today, I talk with Mark Updegrove, President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation to find out.

Over the years, Mark has interviewed and/or moderated conversations with seven former Presidents including the late Jimmy Carter. In addition to speaking with Presidents, he has also moderated conversations with high-profile musicians, journalists, authors, and other cultural icons.

In this episode, Mark shares tips on how to get a high-profile individual to say "yes" to a moderated/public conversation, how a moderator should prepare for a public conversation, and insights on how to handle high-profile individuals who have different onstage versus offstage personas. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the secrets to making live auctions fun, interesting, and successful? Today, I talk with one of the top auctioneers in the world, Lydia Fenet, Founder & CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency to find out.

After a highly-successful 25-year career as an auctioneer at Christie's, Lydia started her own auction firm, the Lydia Fenet Agency. Over the past 25 years, auctions she has helmed have raised over $1 billion. She has consistently and successfully gotten donors, patrons, collectors, executives, and philanthropists to raise their hands and paddles.

In this episode, Lydia shares her inspiring path to becoming an auctioneer, tips on how to effectively command the room, and the keys to successfully working alongside celebrities, including some of the world's best-known names. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to getting publicity before and after an event? Today, I talk three top Public Relations Professionals Cynthia Smoot, Founder of Gangway Advertising, Jesse Parker Stowell, Founder of Parker|Phoenix Public Relations, and Dancie Perugini Ware, Founder of Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations to find out.

These three pros are among the very best in obtaining publicity for the nonprofit galas they have partnered with over the years. Over they years, they have represented top nonprofit galas including Dallas Museum of Art Art Ball, Andy Roddick Foundation Gala, and Houston Ballet Ball among many others.

In this episode, Cynthia, Jesse, and Dancie share their tips on obtaining publicity for your event including what a great partnership between an organization and your Public Relations firm looks like, how to message your event to tap into the soul of your community, promoting red carpet events and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the secrets to hosting fabulous events that have your guests talking about them long after they end? Today I talk with event producer to the stars, Steve Kemble to find out.

A top event producer of five-star events for decades, Steve has produced hundreds, if not thousands of events including galas, weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. His positive attitude and penchant for always bringing the fun, wow, and heart it is easy to see how he has been one of the most successful event producers in the United States.

In this episode, Steve talks about a wide range of topics including how a great emcee helps set the tone for your event, what he looks for from companies, couples, and nonprofits before saying yes to producing their event, how to handle celebrity and high profile guests at your event, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.