BUILD BIG EVENTS THAT MAKE SENSE

Memorable moment maker Susan Stafford shares expertise.

Have you ever admired people who can plan nice celebrations? Think of the last time you attended a great graduation party or a sweet baby shower. Now try to imagine planning a gathering on a much grander scale and to potentially be held in another country! Yikes! Event planner extraordinaire Susan Stafford has been doing exactly that for years and talks about life, fun, and travel. Then she explains how to build big events that make sense by paying exceptional attention to every small detail.

GETTING TO KNOW THE BASIC INFO

What interesting stuff should we know about you?

My bachelor’s degree is from Birmingham-Southern College and my master’s degree is from right here at Florida State University in my wonderful hometown of Tallahassee. I’m happily married. We have three children and four cats.

What do you love most about Tallahassee?

There is so much to enjoy here. Everyone needs to experience the Shakespeare Festival, the Springtime Tallahassee Parade, an exciting football game, and a tour of the Capitol Complex that has so much art and history. Tallahassee is a great hub, too, and close to beautiful small towns such as Havana, Florida and Bainbridge, Georgia. It is also a perfect distance for a day trip to the beach.

What’s at the top of your travel wish list right now?

I do love to travel so much and would absolutely love to go on an African safari and see an amazing variety of wildlife.

I love travel, walking, reading, family, and food.

What can you share about hobbies, passions, and things you do for fun?

Good “Southern grandma food” is simply the best, and my own grandma planted that passion in my heart. I love sharing food with family and with friends. Walking is my favorite form of activity, and my favorite form of inactivity is reading all types of books, including travel logs.

Three fun things I’ve done recently were ziplining, riding an ATV, and (the best one was) when a Bluegrass band in Ashville gave a group of us a lesson in square dancing.

A BIT OF THE BACKSTORY

How did you learn to build big events that make sense?

It started with a fascination for law and having attorneys in the family. I am a meticulous person who loves to be helpful and solve problems. I did not want to become a lawyer but did want to help them plan meetings in memorable places. My ability to turn their general ideas and hopes into an extremely specific plan of action just organically led to event planning and inevitably to co-founding my current business, which is The Event Architects.

GET THE JOB DONE AND STILL HAVE FUN

How on earth do you mix mega planning with memorable moments?

As a corporate event planner and site sourcer, I use my expertise to find out what a group really desires when they think of a retreat. Then I save them lots of time, money, and effort by working out all the particulars and fine points. This would include venue, food, and attendee details. Other extras may encompass excursions, team building activities, and fabulously tailored sessions for entertainment and celebration.

I love to scout out new locations where my clients will enjoy integrating into the local culture and will come away with lasting memories which are so very precious. A big part of my job is to build big events that make sense and be sure they provide a wow factor and great customer service. That way the client’s entire experience is relaxed and remarkable.

SUSAN’S JOY AND MESSAGE

Why are you a joyful person?

Love for family, friends, and clients combines so well with my being helpful and detail oriented. Whether for business or pleasure, I always purposely leave much time for joy and for being in the moment. I remember everything in a good way, and that also brings me immense joy.

Do you have a message for the world?

Oh, yes! GO! Get out there, go see unfamiliar places, meet new people, taste new foods. Go do all the things…big events and memorable moments filled with joy. Do the things!

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Dang, y’all, Susan Stafford turns tiny details into big events which are filled with precious and memorable moments. For over 16 years, she has sourced, planned and pleased with a personal touch. I simply admire her so much. She really can build big events that make sense. I also look forward to speaking with her again about several of the things we have in common, such as a Southern grandma, and a love of food, books, and travel.

Find out more about The Event Architects at https://www.myeventarchitects.com/about-us

For those who love EmbraceSouthernStates, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS SITE…’cause you’re kind & you care! And, for goodness sake, if you love this stuff… then SHARE it with folks so they can love it, too. Thanks y’all.

Marvelous Message Mastery with Gail Dixon

There is a dynamic difference between simply having the gift of gab, having a powerful way with words, and using your unique heart’s voice words. For as long as she can remember, Gail Dixon has been fascinated with how words hold tremendous potential, promise, and power. Interviewing her proved to be every bit as delightful as I had anticipated. These excerpts will excite you and leave you wanting to know more about heart’s voice words and this remarkable lady.

GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS

What interesting tidbits can you share about your background?

I earned two Bachelor’s degrees at Illinois Wesleyan University, one in French and the other in Speech. Three years later I obtained my Master’s degree in Communication and Human Relations at Purdue University. My typical jobs involved being quietly behind the scenes, writing and putting together purposeful messages for other people to use. Eventually, I became a panelist, presenter, and speaker.

Could you comment on your current city and one place that tops your travel bucket list?

Tallahassee, Florida, is a lovely place with captivating history and a growing art scene. It is a good spot for education. What makes it an excellent place to live would be the friendly people, nice flowing traffic, and the mild winters.

The legendary Greek island of Santorini is the one place on earth that I would most love to visit.

What is the most FUN thing that you have ever done?

The best family vacation ever was when I was age sixteen. The entire road trip was fun, and the highlight was the World’s Fair “Expo 67” in Montreal, Canada. The combination of French culture, history, and beauty made that a most wonderful experience.

Do you become impassioned about food, music, or art?

I am not so much into music, but definitely love food and art. My preferences in art tend toward the paintings of Rembrandt and a few of the Renaissance artists.

Beautiful, sweet lady with a heart for powerful words!

NOW FOR THE BACKSTORY

What has led you to the work you currently do?

My interest has always been in using the right words to send the right messages. I kept adding new skills along the way, Writing and speaking expanded to include entrepreneurship, branding, and coaching. Almost eight years ago I founded Masterful Messaging to help others better communicate about their own products or services.

About three years ago I had significant physical and medical issues. There was a phase in which I could hardly breathe or speak. That is when the inspiration for the Heart’s Voice Movement came to me. I became enthusiastic about speaking with the words of my heart’s voice and guiding other people to find and understand their heart’s voice.

Could you explain what that means?

The heart’s voice is the God-whisper that is our very essence. I help budding influencers voice their soul truth for maximum impact. I like to tell everyone, “Speaking from the heart is an act of courage and listening with the heart is an act of love.”

I listen and observe intently to help people identify and amplify their unique truth. That pivotal aha moment is when they know I understand their identity and can help give voice to their vision. We work together for good, using positive language to create and connect. This is how we inform, inspire, and heal the world.

THE JOY AND THE MESSAGE

What makes you a joyful person?

Most everything makes me joyful. Seriously, I just find so much joy in life and in all the wonders of the created world.

What message do you wish to give to the world?

Your voice matters. Seek unity, identity, and the heart love that connects us. Then you will be able to find your heart’s voice words and live into your truth and your purpose.

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Dang, y’all, I find the powerful messages of Gail Dixon to be so inspirational and motivational. Her words are authentic, intentional, and clear. She has authored or coauthored eight books, over 300 presentations, and won numerous awards and honors.

Find more information: https://heartsvoicemovement.com/

Or visit the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartsvoicemovement

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For those who love EmbraceSouthernStates, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS SITE…’cause you’re kind & you care! And, for goodness sake, if you love this stuff… then SHARE it with folks so they can love it, too. Thanks y’all.