Welcome to the SPIN March 2026 Newsletter with contributions by:
Arel Moodie, Talkadot, Co-Founder & Speaker
Sharon DeFelides, Founder, EIR Meetings
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March Contents
SPIN Events and Programs Senior Planner Education Workshop on AI - AI 301, April 6 AMA, Monica Graves, Soulbare, April 14 Strategic Alliance Partners and Sponsors Talkadot, Innovia, Wildly Different & Soulbare Newsletter Guest Writers Wanted! Share your Experience and Insight on anything Photo Fun Spring is Popping up! |
March Articles 🫂Why Your Speaker Search Deserves a Spring Cleaning 🫂 Arel Moodie, Co-Founder & Speaker, Talkadot 🍃 Spring Greening: Practical Sustainability That Actually Works (and Creates the Warm Fuzzies) 🍃 Sharon DeFelices, CMP Founder, EIR Meetings and Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting ® |
💡Why Your Speaker Search Deserves a Spring Cleaning 💡
Written by Arel Moodie
Talkadot, Co-Founder
He is currently closing one of his 37 browser tabs that he has open…again.
Talkadot, Co-Founder
He is currently closing one of his 37 browser tabs that he has open…again.
Spring is that adorable season where we convince ourselves we’re becoming new people.
You know, the kind of people who label bins.
The kind of people who have had millions of speakers email them and you responded with I’ll file this for later… but actually just hit the delete button.
The kind of people who definitely, absolutely, for sure, will not be panic-Googling “keynote speaker on leadership who is funny but not cringe” at 11:48 p.m. with a sleeve of cookies we are eating because “It’s been a long day and I deserve it”.
And honestly, if there’s one place event planners deserve a fresh start, it’s this, how we find the right speaker.
Because the truth is, speaker search is one of the last places we still accept chaos as normal.
So let’s reimagine it, quietly, powerfully, and with fewer stress snacks.
1) The assumptions we’ve all been working under
Somewhere along the way, the industry quietly trained us to believe:
But you and I both know: none of that guarantees a speaker will land with your audience, on your day, in your room, with your goals.
Booking a speaker isn’t like choosing a chair rental option.
Your attendees are humans. Beautiful, complicated, distracted humans.
They need the right message, delivered the right way, by the right person.
So here’s the reframe: What if “finding the right speaker” wasn’t about guessing well, it was about knowing more?
You know, the kind of people who label bins.
The kind of people who have had millions of speakers email them and you responded with I’ll file this for later… but actually just hit the delete button.
The kind of people who definitely, absolutely, for sure, will not be panic-Googling “keynote speaker on leadership who is funny but not cringe” at 11:48 p.m. with a sleeve of cookies we are eating because “It’s been a long day and I deserve it”.
And honestly, if there’s one place event planners deserve a fresh start, it’s this, how we find the right speaker.
Because the truth is, speaker search is one of the last places we still accept chaos as normal.
So let’s reimagine it, quietly, powerfully, and with fewer stress snacks.
1) The assumptions we’ve all been working under
Somewhere along the way, the industry quietly trained us to believe:
- The “best” speaker is the most famous one.
- Referrals are always enough.
- If you scroll long enough, the answer will appear (like a miracle, but with more LinkedIn headshots).
- A slick website and a highlight reel equals “great on stage.”
But you and I both know: none of that guarantees a speaker will land with your audience, on your day, in your room, with your goals.
Booking a speaker isn’t like choosing a chair rental option.
Your attendees are humans. Beautiful, complicated, distracted humans.
They need the right message, delivered the right way, by the right person.
So here’s the reframe: What if “finding the right speaker” wasn’t about guessing well, it was about knowing more?
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2) Innovation through micro-reinvention
We’re not asking you to reinvent your entire planning style. No big dramatic overhaul. No “new year, new me” energy required. This is a micro-reinvention, a tiny shift with a big payoff: Stop relying on vibes. Start relying on real event feedback. That’s what Talkadot is built on. Before Talkadot became a speaker matching platform, it was a feedback tool. For the last four years, 12,000+ speakers have used Talkadot after their talks to collect ratings and comments from real audiences and meeting planners (like you). That feedback becomes trusted data. So instead of “I think they’re good,” you get things like:
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3) Spring is your metaphor, and your moment
Spring is not just flowers and allergies, it’s a permission slip.
Permission to refresh what isn’t working.
Permission to make the next event easier on Future You.
Permission to trade “hoping it goes well” for “I feel ridiculously confident about this choice.”
Here’s how Talkadot works for SPIN planners:
Spring is not just flowers and allergies, it’s a permission slip.
Permission to refresh what isn’t working.
Permission to make the next event easier on Future You.
Permission to trade “hoping it goes well” for “I feel ridiculously confident about this choice.”
Here’s how Talkadot works for SPIN planners:
- You tell us what matters, in your own words.
Audience, tone, topic, goals, budget, what you want, what you absolutely do not want, all of it. - We match your needs against real data, not guesswork.
- You get a short list of strong fits, usually starting with three.
Each match comes with clear profiles, ratings, audience quotes, and proof from real events, so you can choose with confidence.
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It works whether you’re planning a scrappy, brilliant program on a tight budget or a big mainstage moment that needs a commanding presence. Local rising stars, established headliners, niche experts, broad appeal, one speaker or a whole series, Talkadot can flex.
And the best part for SPIN members: it’s free to use and you actually make a little something something by using Talkadot. Why SPIN planners use TalkadotBecause you have enough decisions to make already.
Great events start with great speakers. With Talkadot, you don’t have to guess. You get data you can trust, and speakers who fit what you’re trying to create. Click here to see how buttery smooth your new version of speaking searching can be. SPIN will provide the SPINner a $100 rebate that can be sent directly to the member, their organization, or you can donate your referral fee back to SPIN. Cool? Definitely a Win-Win. |
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SPIN Events
Use A.I. to Plan the Event of the Century
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INSTRUCTOR: Shawna Suckow, SPIN Founder
DATE: April 6, 2026 TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM COST: A contribution of any amount to SPIN (after the course) First 30 Minutes is Beginner Intro to ChatGPT Actual Session Starts at 12:30 CST In this session, I'm giving you the most over-the-top case study I could imagine: you're going to learn how to use A.I. to produce an ultra-high-profile celebrity event: Taylor Swift's wedding! Yes, I know you're not wedding planners, but this extreme example is a fun way to teach you how to use A.I. to move from concept to full plan faster than you can say "Travis Kelce!" You’ll get hands-on experience learning practical tools that you can bring straight back to your real work: easy venue layout and diagramming, A/V and staging recommendations, décor theming, timelines, staffing plans, and contingency thinking. It'll pressure-test your decision-making and creativity in a no-risk environment while learning how A.I. can help you build clearer proposals, smarter plans, and quicker concept-to-implementation strategies on every meeting and event you produce. Register Here! |
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ASK ME ANYTHING Series
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SPIN Ask Me Anything: Leadership, Self-Trust & Regenerative Wellness with Monica Graves García
In the meetings and events industry, leadership rarely happens under perfect conditions. We’re constantly navigating shifting priorities, tight timelines, stakeholder expectations, and decisions that come without a clear roadmap.
And when uncertainty is part of the job, the question becomes: how do planners stay clear, grounded, and confident enough to guide others through it?
Join us for a SPIN Ask Me Anything with Monica Graves García, international speaker and certified master educator whose work explores the intersection of self-trust, mindful leadership, and cultures of belonging. After nearly two decades working in the arena of regenerative wellness and transformational events, Monica’s work centers around a simple but powerful idea:
The real challenge leaders face today isn’t just stress or burnout - it’s uncertainty. And the skill that allows us to navigate uncertainty is self-trust.
In this conversation we’ll explore how cultivating self-awareness, self-trust, and courageous action can help leaders make clearer decisions, develop stronger teams, and design environments where creativity, collaboration and compassion can thrive.
Together, we’ll talk about:
As always with SPIN conversations, this will be candid, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Come curious. Bring your questions.
In the meetings and events industry, leadership rarely happens under perfect conditions. We’re constantly navigating shifting priorities, tight timelines, stakeholder expectations, and decisions that come without a clear roadmap.
And when uncertainty is part of the job, the question becomes: how do planners stay clear, grounded, and confident enough to guide others through it?
Join us for a SPIN Ask Me Anything with Monica Graves García, international speaker and certified master educator whose work explores the intersection of self-trust, mindful leadership, and cultures of belonging. After nearly two decades working in the arena of regenerative wellness and transformational events, Monica’s work centers around a simple but powerful idea:
The real challenge leaders face today isn’t just stress or burnout - it’s uncertainty. And the skill that allows us to navigate uncertainty is self-trust.
In this conversation we’ll explore how cultivating self-awareness, self-trust, and courageous action can help leaders make clearer decisions, develop stronger teams, and design environments where creativity, collaboration and compassion can thrive.
Together, we’ll talk about:
- The nature of uncertainty as an unavoidable aspect of life and leadership
- How to build self-trust that fosters individual courage and collective belonging
- What regenerative wellness means for professionals working in high-demand industries like meetings and events
- Practical ways planners can design experiences that support both short-term desired outcomes and long-term human vitality
As always with SPIN conversations, this will be candid, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Come curious. Bring your questions.
SPINCon 2026: Conversations are Happening!
SPINCon Regional is coming!
SPINCon Regional is coming!
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The SPINCon Planning Committee is in conversations with several potential locations for SPINCon 2026 - proposing the November / December 2026 timeframe.
In the meantime, we are actively planning a SPINCon Regional event that will be a hybrid event with in-person meetings in St. Helena, CA and Dallas, TX, and online webinar, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Registration will launch shortly. Want to join the Planning Committee? Calls are held on Wednesday, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Central. Next calls: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Email Carolynn if you'd like to join our planning committee. |
🍃 Spring Greening: Practical Sustainability That Actually Works (and Creates the Warm Fuzzies) 🍃
Sharon DeFelices, CMP
Founder, EIR Meetings and Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting ®
Founder, EIR Meetings and Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting ®
Sustainability has quietly become part of the job description for event planners.
Clients ask about it. Attendees notice it. Venues are being asked to prove it. And somewhere in the middle, planners are trying to figure out what actually makes sense without blowing up the budget or creating operational chaos.
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I do this in a way that’s meaningful but still practical?”— you’re not alone.
The good news is that sustainable event design doesn’t require sweeping gestures, complicated certifications, or dramatic reinvention. In my experience, the most effective changes are often the smallest ones: the decisions that reduce waste, shorten supply chains, and invite attendees into the story.
When sustainability is “baked” into planning decisions from the start, it becomes less about pressure and more about thoughtful design. (Sorry, I can’t help a good culinary pun)
Here are three areas where planners can make real progress — and often create those little “warm fuzzy” moments for both you and your client along the way.
Clients ask about it. Attendees notice it. Venues are being asked to prove it. And somewhere in the middle, planners are trying to figure out what actually makes sense without blowing up the budget or creating operational chaos.
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I do this in a way that’s meaningful but still practical?”— you’re not alone.
The good news is that sustainable event design doesn’t require sweeping gestures, complicated certifications, or dramatic reinvention. In my experience, the most effective changes are often the smallest ones: the decisions that reduce waste, shorten supply chains, and invite attendees into the story.
When sustainability is “baked” into planning decisions from the start, it becomes less about pressure and more about thoughtful design. (Sorry, I can’t help a good culinary pun)
Here are three areas where planners can make real progress — and often create those little “warm fuzzy” moments for both you and your client along the way.
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1. Local Partnerships That Naturally Reduce Your Footprint
One of the easiest sustainability wins is also one of the most enjoyable: working locally. When food, materials, and services come from nearby partners, transportation emissions drop dramatically. But the benefits go far beyond the carbon math. Local partnerships make events feel rooted in the destination. For food and beverage programs, that might mean collaborating with chefs to build menus around ingredients that are already abundant in the region. Seasonal produce, bread from a neighborhood bakery, honey from a local farm — these choices reduce freight while also delivering food that simply tastes better. There’s something special about hearing that the pastries came from a bakery five blocks away or that the coffee was roasted in the same city where the meeting is taking place. It creates a sense of connection that imported products just can’t replicate. It adds personality to the attendee experience. And attendees notice. |
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2. Eco-Friendly Swaps That Don’t Blow the Budget
One of the biggest myths about sustainable events is that they’re expensive. In reality, many of the most effective changes are simple swaps that save money and reduce waste at the same time. A few examples planners use all the time: Plastic water bottles → Hydration stations Water refill stations dramatically reduce plastic waste and are easy for attendees to use. Many planners also provide reusable bottles that double as a useful attendee gift. Typical Swag → Thoughtful local items Instead of giveaways that end up abandoned in hotel rooms, consider sourcing small items from local artisans or food producers. It introduces attendees to the destination and supports local businesses at the same time. Buffet excess → Smarter menu planning Working closely with culinary teams to stagger replenishment and monitor consumption patterns can significantly reduce food waste without anyone feeling like something is missing. |
None of these changes disrupt the attendee experience. But collectively, they can dramatically reduce landfill waste while simplifying logistics. The secret is choosing adjustments that blend naturally into the event rather than adding more complexity to the planning process.
3. Inviting Attendees Into the Sustainability Story
Sustainability works best when it isn’t hidden behind the scenes. The key is to keep it simple and natural. Today’s attendees appreciate knowing that thoughtful choices are being made — and many are happy to participate when given the opportunity.
For example:
Visible waste sorting stations
Clear recycling and compost stations make it easy for attendees to dispose of items properly. Good signage (or even a friendly attendant) helps prevent confusion.
A quick explanation of the event’s initiatives
A slide, screen message, or app notification can briefly highlight sustainability efforts like local sourcing, waste reduction, or food donation.
Small participation moments
Some events invite attendees to sign pledge walls, contribute to carbon offsets, or participate in a small community initiative connected to the destination.
Food recovery programs
Partnering with local organizations to donate unused food after the event is another meaningful step. When attendees know this is happening, they often feel like collaborators rather than bystanders.
Designing Sustainability That Feels Natural
Perhaps the most important principle in sustainable event planning is restraint. Sustainability doesn’t need to be loud or performative to be effective. Attendees don’t need to see carbon calculations or lengthy explanations to appreciate responsible planning. What they notice instead are the quiet signals: less waste, better food, thoughtful sourcing, and environments that feel intentional rather than excessive.
For planners, the opportunity isn’t to create a separate category called a “green event.” It’s simply to design events where sustainability is part of how things are done. When local partnerships, practical substitutions, and attendee engagement come together, sustainability stops feeling like an obligation and starts becoming something better — a natural, thoughtful layer of event design that everyone can feel good about.
Sharon DeFelices, CMP is the founder of EIR Meetings and Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting ®. Sharon is a chef, wellness expert, and corporate event planner who believes the most effective gatherings are those that nourish people as thoughtfully as they inform them. She partners with clients, planners and venues and designs experiences that engage, include, and refresh—bringing together event strategy, hospitality, and wellness-driven food and beverage.
3. Inviting Attendees Into the Sustainability Story
Sustainability works best when it isn’t hidden behind the scenes. The key is to keep it simple and natural. Today’s attendees appreciate knowing that thoughtful choices are being made — and many are happy to participate when given the opportunity.
For example:
Visible waste sorting stations
Clear recycling and compost stations make it easy for attendees to dispose of items properly. Good signage (or even a friendly attendant) helps prevent confusion.
A quick explanation of the event’s initiatives
A slide, screen message, or app notification can briefly highlight sustainability efforts like local sourcing, waste reduction, or food donation.
Small participation moments
Some events invite attendees to sign pledge walls, contribute to carbon offsets, or participate in a small community initiative connected to the destination.
Food recovery programs
Partnering with local organizations to donate unused food after the event is another meaningful step. When attendees know this is happening, they often feel like collaborators rather than bystanders.
Designing Sustainability That Feels Natural
Perhaps the most important principle in sustainable event planning is restraint. Sustainability doesn’t need to be loud or performative to be effective. Attendees don’t need to see carbon calculations or lengthy explanations to appreciate responsible planning. What they notice instead are the quiet signals: less waste, better food, thoughtful sourcing, and environments that feel intentional rather than excessive.
For planners, the opportunity isn’t to create a separate category called a “green event.” It’s simply to design events where sustainability is part of how things are done. When local partnerships, practical substitutions, and attendee engagement come together, sustainability stops feeling like an obligation and starts becoming something better — a natural, thoughtful layer of event design that everyone can feel good about.
Sharon DeFelices, CMP is the founder of EIR Meetings and Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting ®. Sharon is a chef, wellness expert, and corporate event planner who believes the most effective gatherings are those that nourish people as thoughtfully as they inform them. She partners with clients, planners and venues and designs experiences that engage, include, and refresh—bringing together event strategy, hospitality, and wellness-driven food and beverage.
SPINners - Newsletter Guest Writers Needed!
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Did you enjoy this month's articles? What if the byline was yours?
Join us! The Editorial Team is looking for SPINners who would like to share their voice and expertise with the industry and over 2,000 of their peers. Please consider being a SPIN Newsletter guest writer for an upcoming edition (or two or three or twelve!). Each month we'll have a theme and can provide topic ideas if needed. As a writer your voice will be heard in the Community and beyond, providing you with professional development hours for that CMP renewal, while showcasing your thoughts on a subject. Q2 themes, topics and talking points have been curated and are available for anyone interested in submitting an article to share. Please let us know you're interested here or by emailing Carolynn. |
Strategic Alliances Program
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We are excited to announce our first alliance is with Talkadot!
Find the Right Speaker Every Time Talkadot makes it easy to discover your perfect speaker match by using feedback from over 11,000 speakers and over a million data points. Our tool leverages our unique database and AI to match you to the perfect speaker for any topic, budget, or audience size, Talkadot helps you book with confidence. Best of all, there’s no cost or obligation, just smarter, data-driven matches. EARN A COMMISSION! SPIN receives a small commission for each speaker a SPIN member books through our link with Talkadot. YOU receive $100 commission that can be sent directly to you, your organization, or you can donate your referral fee back to SPIN. NOTE: TO GET YOUR REBATE, YOU MUST BOOK THROUGH SPIN's referral link!! Please reach out to Carolynn with any questions. Note: Please let us know when you book a speaker with Talkadot. We are recruiting senior-planners who have used the service for an upcoming white paper. Please let us know if you are interested. |
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Recommend Sponsors & Receive a Referral Fee!!!
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SPIN is actively doing outreach for our 2026 Annual SPIN Sponsors.
The sponsorship program has been completely revamped and includes many new and exciting opportunities for Sponsor to engage with the SPIN community. If you know a supplier company that would be a great partner for SPIN, please send contact information to Carolynn. If the Sponsor signs on the dotted line, the SPINner will receive a $100 referral bonus that goes right into your pocket (or your company's, or you can gift it back to SPIN). Winner-winner chicken dinner! Send contact details to [email protected]. |
Spring is Springing!
SPIN SUPPORTERS
Strategic Alliance Partner
In-Kind Sponsors
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