This article originally appeared on Bold Journey. Read the full article here.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Events of a Lifetime Productions, we don’t just plan events—we engineer experiences that move people and move the needle for brands.

What makes our work exciting (and honestly, a little addictive) is that we sit at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and human connection. Every program starts with why: Why is this gathering happening? What needs to change because people were in the room together? What should they feel, remember, and do differently afterward? From there, we design immersive, multi-sensory experiences that translate brand values into real, lived moments—long after the last guest leaves.

Our cutting-edge approach blends experiential innovation with deep operational expertise. We choreograph everything from spatial flow and lighting to talent, sound, scent, and surprise—because impact lives in the details. For corporations and brands, this matters more than ever. In a world dominated by screens and remote interactions, live experiences are one of the last powerful tools for building trust, culture, loyalty, and ROI. Events aren’t a “nice to have”—they’re a strategic advantage.

What’s most special to us? Relationships. Every client becomes a partner. Every project is personal. We pride ourselves on being fiercely collaborative, wildly creative, and relentlessly focused on outcomes—whether that’s motivating a sales force, launching a product, strengthening internal culture, or elevating a brand in a competitive marketplace.

As for what’s new: we’re continuing to expand our footprint in luxury corporate meetings, incentives, and high-profile philanthropic galas, while deepening partnerships with iconic venues and global destinations. We’re also leaning further into innovation—integrating emerging technologies, unexpected talent, and experiential design strategies that create measurable impact, not just beautiful moments. Also,in addition to being headquartered in Atlanta, and working all over the world, ELP is now a bespoke DMC resource in Sarasota and Longboat Key, Florida.

At the end of the day, our belief is simple:
When people feel connected, inspired, and seen—brands win.

That’s the work we’re proud to do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Ohhh we love this question—because the truth is, our journey wasn’t built on a single “aha” moment. It was built on showing up, trusting our gut, and doing the work. If we had to narrow it down, these are the three qualities that changed everything for us:

1. Emotional Intelligence (aka: reading the room before you design the room)

This is everything. Before floor plans, budgets, or décor, we’re listening—really listening—to what a client needs, not just what they’re asking for. Corporations don’t hire us for pretty parties; they hire us to solve problems, shift culture, motivate people, and deliver ROI. That requires understanding people, politics, pressure, and purpose.

Advice:

Get curious. Ask better questions. Observe how people react, not just what they say. EQ is a muscle—build it intentionally. The better you understand humans, the better your work will land.

2. Courage to Have Opinions (and stand by them)

Early on, we learned that playing it safe doesn’t move brands—or careers—forward. Our most successful work came when we trusted our perspective and weren’t afraid to say, “Here’s what we believe will work—and here’s why.” Clients don’t need order-takers. They need confident guides.

Advice:
Do the research. Know your stuff. Then have the courage to recommend boldly. You can be collaborative and decisive. Confidence, when paired with competence, is magnetic.

3. Relationship-First Thinking

Every opportunity we’ve has come through relationships—clients, partners, venues, vendors, and yes, friendships. We invest in people long before there’s a contract on the table. We show up, follow through, and treat everyone like they matter—because they do.

Advice:
Play the long game. Be generous. Be reliable. Protect your reputation like gold. Your network isn’t a transaction—it’s a community, and it will carry you further than any pitch deck ever could.

One last thing we wish someone told us sooner.

You don’t have to look like everyone else to succeed. In fact, your difference is the point. The moment we stopped trying to fit into an industry mold and fully leaned into who we are—our voice, our instincts, our standards—everything accelerated.

Trust yourself. Stay curious. Care deeply.

And never forget: what you create has the power to make people feel something—and that’s a responsibility and a privilege.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?



Deb & Gillian on the books that shaped how we live, lead, and create

Both of us: The Bible

God’s Word is the blueprint for our lives—personally and professionally. It grounds how we lead, how we treat people, and how we define success. Everything we build flows from faith, purpose, and service.

Deb’s picks (strategy + soul):

📘 The Power of Moments – This book put language to what we already believed: moments matter. It reinforced our obsession with designing experiences people feel and remember.
📘 Everybody, Always – A reminder to lead with love, grace, and humanity—no exceptions. It’s how we show up for clients, partners, and teams.
📘 Building a StoryBrand – Clarity is kindness. This book sharpened how we help brands tell their story in a way that’s compelling, clear, and actionable.

Gillian’s picks (heart + hospitality):

📕 Unreasonable Hospitality – Required reading in our world. It validates our belief that extraordinary experiences come from intention, generosity, and sweating the details others overlook.
📕 Let Them – Freedom in book form. This one is about boundaries, focus, and letting go of what isn’t yours to carry—so you can lead with confidence and peace.

Why this matters to our work:
These books aren’t just on our shelves—they’re in our process. They shape how we design experiences, build relationships, tell stories, and lead with conviction. Faith first. People always. And moments that matter—on purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.EventsofaLifetimeProductions.com
• Instagram: @EventsofaLifetime
• Facebook: @EventsofaLifetime
• Linkedin: @EventsofaLifetime
• Youtube: @EventsofaLifetime