A parrot, a chef, and a duck walk into an event…In this premiere episode, Libby and Alysse share hilarious behind-the-scenes tales and discuss their love for storytelling, connections, and expecting the unexpected at events.
Key Takeaways:
- Winning the Game of Events: The importance of intention and genuine human connection in creating memorable event experiences.
- Event Challenges: The unpredictable challenges that event pros face, from double-booked venues to unexpected animal antics.
- Learning and Laughing: Expect to learn practical tips and enjoy a good laugh through entertaining and candid conversations with guests.
Resources Mentioned:
Quotes:
- “Real connections are truly what keep people going. Because if not, you’re just alone and sad.” – Alysse Bryson
- “Turns out, Polly doesn’t want a cracker.” – Libby Sundgren
Listener Challenge:
Reflect on an event you attended and share a connection or experience that made it memorable with us on social media using #BEATSWORKINGEVENTS.
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com
- LinkedIn: @BEATS WORKING Show
- Instagram: @beatsworkingshow
- Facebook: @Beats Working Show
- YouTube: @BEATSWORKINGPODCAST
Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.
BEATS WORKING is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.
If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email producer Tamar Medford at tamar@workp2p.com.
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Transcript
The following transcript is not certified. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. The information contained within this document is for general information purposes only.
Alysse Bryson00:00:00 – 00:00:32
Thank you for clarifying. I didn’t realize I was sounding so sexy. Okay, so there’s 35 nonprofits, and we had asked all the nonprofits to do something engaging, like at a carnival at their event. So people were doing games, and there were all kinds of things. Well, one of the nonprofits that we had was a parrot nonprofit, and which. I don’t have a lot of experience with parrots, and I don’t know that that you do either. I mean, we do now, but we didn’t at the time. And they were there.
Alysse Bryson00:00:32 – 00:01:05
They got there really early in the day, so we spent a lot of time with these parrots. They made more sounds than I was expecting, which was fine. But the real clincher was. And I want to also let people know, that we had over a thousand people at this event, and it was also being broadcast on live television. Yes, live television. And now this happened during one of the commercial breaks. So this did not get caught on live tv, which I’m actually a little bummed about. But one of the parrots.
Alysse Bryson00:01:05 – 00:01:06
You have to stop slurping.
Libby Sundgren00:01:06 – 00:01:08
You have to stop slurping. I’m sorry.
Alysse Bryson00:01:08 – 00:01:10
I thought that the straw was further.
Libby Sundgren00:01:10 – 00:01:21
Down in the drink. I didn’t think it was gonna make a noise. I’m so sorry.
Alysse Bryson00:01:24 – 00:01:36
Let me get back to my story. Welcome to Beats Winning the Game of Events, where we share stories and strategies to turn any event or life moment into something unforgettable.
Libby Sundgren00:01:36 – 00:01:44
Events are wild, and the people who work in them are some of the most resilient humans on earth. If you know, you know.
Alysse Bryson00:01:44 – 00:01:50
So come with us behind the curtain for a look at their most memorable experiences as they.
Libby Sundgren00:01:50 – 00:02:03
The show must go on. So let’s get on with the show. Elise, why did we decide to start Beats Working?
Alysse Bryson00:02:03 – 00:02:11
I think because we like to hear each other talk or we like to laugh together. We want to get paid to talk to each other.
Libby Sundgren00:02:11 – 00:02:16
Yeah, yeah. We’ve been doing that for, like, 15 years now. So we just. You know, that’s true.
Alysse Bryson00:02:16 – 00:02:41
We have. We really have figured that out. We. You know, I don’t know that it was that we decided. We were asked if we would host season two because the. The topic was changing from winning the Game of Work, which we were not asked to do, so apparently we’re not winning over there, but winning the Game of Events. We definitely said we’re pretty good at events. You know, if.
Alysse Bryson00:02:41 – 00:02:57
If anybody knows us as a pair, which is how I think most people know us in Seattle, I think they know that we’re pretty good at events, at least consumer events. Maybe not like large scale, huge conferences with millions of people, but, like, we can rock a party.
Libby Sundgren00:02:57 – 00:03:26
We can. And clearly we still have a lot to learn. And we know so many fun people in this industry, and we’ve had so many great experiences, good and bad things that were maybe awful that we laugh about now or things that were so great that we cried about because we don’t want them to be over. And it’s fun to share all the behind the scenes stuff with people because you don’t see most of the good stuff that happens at an event as a consumer.
Alysse Bryson00:03:27 – 00:04:06
And like, for those of you listening, you should know, Libby and I, we are definitely not trained podcasters. Like, we are here. We have no idea what we’re doing. We’re just talking into these fancy microphones and we’re just inviting friends and new friends and strangers to come and, like, pour out their hearts and souls and fanny packs and tell us everything that goes on behind the scenes. Libby, what. What do you think makes this podcast different than the other events podcasts that we. That we researched or that we’ve listened to over the years?
Libby Sundgren00:04:06 – 00:04:38
I love telling stories. It is really fascinating sometimes to hear those very kind of technical details about things. I think what we. One of the things we love most about events are the storytelling components and focusing on that with our guests and having them share their experiences so that they’re relatable to people who don’t just do events, but, you know, people who probably have no experience at all with events. I think that’s what’s going to be a little bit different.
Alysse Bryson00:04:39 – 00:04:54
Well, and we’re both very curious people, like, genuinely curious. Now you go a little more hardcore into your Nancy Drew researching, which I appreciate that. That’s not a joke. You know that I appreciate this skill that you have.
Libby Sundgren00:04:54 – 00:05:08
Oh, I know, I know. Sometimes I ask TJ a question. He says, I don’t know. And then he’ll. Ten seconds later he goes, you’re. You’re Wikipedia in that right now, aren’t you? Like I am. I’m going to have the. The entire history of the fruitcake for you here.
Libby Sundgren00:05:08 – 00:05:25
Five seconds, if you can just hold on. I just want to share one of the most bizarre things that has happened to me at an event as a producer. And then I want you to tell me one of the wildest or craziest or worst or, you know, just some kind of funny story about.
Alysse Bryson00:05:25 – 00:05:27
Oh, is this like a competition?
Libby Sundgren00:05:27 – 00:05:28
Yes.
Alysse Bryson00:05:28 – 00:05:31
Okay. It is a competition for the worst. Got it. Okay.
Libby Sundgren00:05:31 – 00:05:32
Competition.
Alysse Bryson00:05:32 – 00:05:32
You go first.
Libby Sundgren00:05:32 – 00:06:02
For the worst, you go first. I show up to set up this event for 150 people. It’s a best chefs event. So it’s food focused. We have these like best chefs in the city coming to each do their own little food station. And the venue had double booked us with another group. And so they said, you, since your group is bigger, you guys, we have to move you upstairs. We don’t.
Libby Sundgren00:06:02 – 00:06:37
This other group is small, they have to be down here. I should have just said no, but I was a sweet little 26 year old event planner just trying to make things work. And they moved us upstairs to the third floor that had no electricity. Okay. I mean it was a green building, but there was no electricity at all in the building because it was completely undeveloped. It was a completely. Barely had any walls, exposed wires, beams, all kind. And metal beams, not like cool old wood beams also.
Libby Sundgren00:06:37 – 00:07:03
Okay, so there’s that. So there’s no power. So, you know, it was in the summertime, but still it started to get kind of dark when the sun was setting. And so people are like squinting. So there’s that. And then also the care. Forgot glassware, any kind of glasses and forks. So we had people eating with their fingers.
Alysse Bryson00:07:04 – 00:07:06
It was squinting in the dark.
Libby Sundgren00:07:06 – 00:07:17
Squinting, eating with their fingers. It was actually kind of cold or maybe it was hot in that. I don’t even remember anymore the temperature, but it was not temperature controlled, so no.
Alysse Bryson00:07:17 – 00:07:24
Didn’t the windows start like randomly opening and shutting on their own because it was like a smart, sustainable building.
Libby Sundgren00:07:24 – 00:07:30
Oh, I don’t really, I don’t remember that. But it probably. They probably did. It was.
Alysse Bryson00:07:30 – 00:07:35
I’m actually surprised we got asked to do events after that, quite honestly.
Libby Sundgren00:07:35 – 00:07:57
We had. I had a very, very nasty email from somebody the next morning. I’ve never before or since had a review as biting as that. I think I cried in my office for like two days. You guys brought me lots of Cheez Its and Diet Coke. And you’re like, it’s okay. We’re gonna get through this. Don’t you worry about it.
Alysse Bryson00:07:58 – 00:08:03
Yeah, well, things go wrong at events. You get double booked. People forget things.
Libby Sundgren00:08:03 – 00:08:04
Just gotta figure it out.
Alysse Bryson00:08:04 – 00:08:34
All right, well, I see, I see your event failure and I honor it. But I am, I am gonna top it, I think. So let me set the stage. We have taken over the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle. We have removed all the seats and we are doing an adult carnival that is philanthropic in nature. And we have like 35 different non profit organizations that are setting Up. Their little carnival booths.
Libby Sundgren00:08:34 – 00:08:51
Adult carnival, as in, like, this was for people 21 and up. There was nothing risque happening at this carnival. It was completely acceptable. Nothing offensive. It was just. There was alcohol there. So it was only for 21 and up.
Alysse Bryson00:08:51 – 00:09:25
Thank you for clarifying. I didn’t realize I was sounding so sexy. Okay, so there’s 35 non profits, and we had asked all the non profits to do something engaging, like at a carnival at their event. So people were doing games, and there were all kinds of things. Well, one of the non profits that we had was a parrot nonprofit, and which I don’t have a lot of experience with parrots, and I don’t know that that you do either. I mean, we do now, but we didn’t at the time. And they were there. They got there really early in the day.
Alysse Bryson00:09:26 – 00:09:55
So we spent a lot of time with these parrots. They made more sounds than I was expecting, which was fine. But the real clincher was. And I want to also let people know, that we had over a thousand people at this event, and it was also being broadc. Cast on live television. Yes, live television. And now this happened during one of the commercial breaks. So this did not get caught on live tv, which I’m actually a little bummed about.
Alysse Bryson00:09:55 – 00:09:58
But one of the parrots. You have to stop slurping.
Libby Sundgren00:09:58 – 00:10:00
You have to stop slurping. I’m sorry.
Alysse Bryson00:10:00 – 00:10:02
I thought that the straw was further.
Libby Sundgren00:10:02 – 00:10:12
Down in the drink. I didn’t think it was gonna make a noise. I’m so sorry.
Alysse Bryson00:10:15 – 00:10:43
Let me get back to my story. So we told you guys we don’t know how to podcast, so we. We warned you, and you’re still listening. That’s on you. Okay, so here’s what happens. One of the parrots gets loose and flies. Is flying around inside the Paramount Theater and flies across the stage, takes a poo, and the poo lands in one of the beers. And we did have a beer sponsor.
Libby Sundgren00:10:43 – 00:10:48
Yeah, One of the beers on the table of the show hosts. The live show host.
Alysse Bryson00:10:48 – 00:10:48
Yes.
Libby Sundgren00:10:48 – 00:10:52
So we had to kind of, like, do a little quick magic to swap that out.
Alysse Bryson00:10:52 – 00:10:53
Yeah.
Libby Sundgren00:10:53 – 00:11:15
So, I mean, it did get loose. The thing about that parrot is that he was loose for, like, two hours after the event ended. And we’re like, yeah, we want to go. But this parent is flying around in this beloved old theater in downtown Seattle, and they clearly can’t leave it.
Alysse Bryson00:11:15 – 00:11:23
Well, I’m sure that parrot was having the time of its life. And it turns out, like, you can’t, like, call a parrot like you can like call a dog, like, come here.
Libby Sundgren00:11:23 – 00:11:36
Parrot, like that, or like an eagle. You know those eagle people and they can’t. The birds come and land on their shoulder. You know, you can’t put crackers in your hand and a parrot comes. They don’t care. Well, turns out, probably doesn’t want to crack her.
Alysse Bryson00:11:43 – 00:12:32
So I promise, we give you our promise. I’m promising on behalf of myself and Libby. I have known her long enough that I can speak for her. Listening to this podcast is not going to be listening like listening to a boring PowerPoint presentation at a conference or like a boring how to guide. I think that what you’re going to experience in the coming episodes will be educational, hopefully entertaining, definitely embarrassing, probably. Yeah. Yeah. I do think that the listeners are going to resonate with these stories, even if they’re not people that are connected to the events industry.
Alysse Bryson00:12:32 – 00:13:27
And so many people are, like you said, in front of the scenes, behind the scenes, off the stage, that don’t even go to the event, but they do things in the days and weeks and months before so many different people touch of events. And people don’t know that they show up to an event that’s three hours or five hours and they have no idea the amount of hours and people and planning and strategy and emails and shipping and ordering and assembling. They have no idea how all that magic happens. They just. But even if you’re listening and you’re not in the event industry, you go to events, right? And so you at least experience the front end experience of attending events which are like, I love events because they’re memorable. They make memories, sometimes core memories, like some of the crazy things that have happened. But I just think there’s a lot to learn from in the coming episodes.
Libby Sundgren00:13:27 – 00:13:51
You’re either gonna feel like you’re in the trenches with them and oh my gosh, I totally relate to that, or we’re gonna be revealing what’s behind the curtain and you’re gonna say, I didn’t even know that’s how that worked, or oh my gosh, that’s so fascinating. The next time I don’t see something on the menu at that event, I might not yell at the service staff.
Alysse Bryson00:13:51 – 00:13:52
That’s such a good point.
Libby Sundgren00:13:52 – 00:13:55
That’s not that any of you would. You guys wouldn’t do that.
Alysse Bryson00:13:55 – 00:14:38
I definitely think you’re going to learn some things. I mean, we’re going to learn some things we’ll be learning out loud for you. Which ironically, learning out loud acronym is lol. So you’ll also be laughing. You’ll be learning and laughing. And I think you’re right, Libby. I think that when people start to understand all the things that happen behind the scenes, when things go wrong, maybe they will give a little more grace to the event planner or to the person at check in because they, you know, so many times they just don’t have an understanding or an appreciation of how much work and effort goes into producing these memorable experiences.
Libby Sundgren00:14:38 – 00:15:09
And I think that everybody is gonna find some kind of a tip, like, to make their own personal experiences memorable, you know, whether that’s Thanksgiving dinner or St. Patrick’s Day party or like your kid’s birthday party or something. I think that you’ll find a very common thread of intention through all of these guests stories, and that is one thing that you’ll take out of every episode.
Alysse Bryson00:15:09 – 00:15:39
And I want to double down on that, because I actually believe that’s so true. After all the years of experience that we’ve had professionally doing events, when I have hosted events personally or helped a friend or a family member host their events, all the tricks of the trade that we’ve learned professionally, I have been able to take them and, you know, downsize them, rescale them appropriately to be helpful for even those small gatherings like you just mentioned.
Libby Sundgren00:15:39 – 00:15:41
Elise, what’s your event superpower?
Alysse Bryson00:15:42 – 00:15:58
There are so many. How do I narrow it down? How much time do we have? I’m just kidding. There are not that many, but there I have some. I’m a connector at heart. I’m a connector. I’m a magnet. I love bringing people together and make. And being.
Alysse Bryson00:15:58 – 00:16:29
Making those connections. I always like to joke that, like, I want to be like Kevin Bacon, everybody, you know, six degrees, seven degrees of separation. So I love. I love the connecting part, and I love being able to introduce people to each other that I know, but they don’t know each other, but I know that they need to know each other, which is, I think, the exact definition of connecting. But I’m good at that. I think I’m good at that. I’m also really good at asking for money, for sponsors, for promotion.
Libby Sundgren00:16:29 – 00:16:30
You are good.
Alysse Bryson00:16:30 – 00:16:38
Those kinds of things. And I’m. I’m good at. I’m good at being bossy. I’m good at delegating. Now I’m just. Now I’m just making a list. I think you only asked for one.
Libby Sundgren00:16:38 – 00:16:48
So tune in for our next episode. It’s Elise’s first superpower. Basically, every episode is just going to be about one of Elise’s superpowers Okay, okay, just.
Alysse Bryson00:16:48 – 00:16:54
Well, let me, let’s just do the digs back. What is your superpower, Libby?
Libby Sundgren00:16:54 – 00:17:30
Only one superpower. You know, I would say probably I’ll talk about this on the show, but just swim like a duck is kind of my favorite phrase. Just act like a duck. And I am good at being real calm up here, even if inside my head it’s like a hurricane, tornado, stress case. So I’m good at given that calm demeanor and just not letting people know that we don’t have forks or power.
Alysse Bryson00:17:30 – 00:17:34
Or cups and that there’s poop in the beer. Bird poop.
Libby Sundgren00:17:34 – 00:17:36
To be clear, it’s the bird.
Alysse Bryson00:17:36 – 00:18:19
Oh, yeah. Bird poop. Bird poop. Yeah. Here’s why I think events matter and are so impactful in today’s world. We’ve never been more connected with social media, with our phones, but we’ve also never been so distracted and especially, you know, on the backside of a pandemic, which was traumatic for all involved. I think that people are desperate for true, real, meaningful connections and experiences. I think they’ve tired of a lot of other things and I think they’re looking at building out community and getting to know other like minded people.
Alysse Bryson00:18:19 – 00:19:05
And so I think that is a reason to come back and listen to our future episodes. And I also think it is a reason to go to events to support events in your local community, in your local metropolitan areas of all kinds. Whether it’s the farmer’s market, it’s a Broadway play, it’s a B2B networking happy hour. Like real connections are truly what keep people going. Because if not, you’re just alone and sad. I have a question for you, Libby. As we, as we wind down here, our tagline is winning the game of events. What does that mean? What does that mean to you?
Libby Sundgren00:19:05 – 00:19:38
There are so many ways that I think you can win the game of events. You know, for me, I think it’s really having guests leave your event and even just one person knowing that they’re thinking to themselves, that was so amazing. That was so great. I felt, you know, connected to people. I felt, you know, I didn’t feel alone. I had amazing food and amazing drinks and nothing ran out. So I’m very big on that. All kinds of snacks.
Libby Sundgren00:19:38 – 00:19:40
Too many snacks actually is my problem.
Alysse Bryson00:19:40 – 00:19:41
True.
Libby Sundgren00:19:41 – 00:19:59
You know, everyone doesn’t have to think it’s the best event of all time. But if you can have one person leaving and knowing that you, you know, really made their night or their day or their month or their year even. Yeah, events can be that big of an impact. What about you, A.B.
Alysse Bryson00:19:59 – 00:20:47
Just the fact that it’s making an impact on someone else in a positive way. I love being of service to people. I love making people feel good. I like being motivating and inspiring and entertaining. And I think all of those components are always found in a good event. Because when those things are at play, people stop being less anxious and they’re more likely to just lean into being awkward with each other and truly getting to know each other and making connections so many times with people that you might not have ever connected with before. And I love meeting new people and new business owners and having new experiences. And the events world, there’s always something new happening.
Alysse Bryson00:20:47 – 00:20:59
You know, a different play off of a photo booth or a different type of swag item or just any kind of surprise and delight. And those are the things that just really light me up.
Libby Sundgren00:20:59 – 00:21:07
Let’s light it up, people. Hit play on episode two right now. I mean, I think this is gonna be probably really fun.
Alysse Bryson00:21:07 – 00:21:09
This is gonna be really fun.
Libby Sundgren00:21:09 – 00:21:26
You know, this can be fun for people listening. I don’t think they’re gonna get annoyed. And if you do ever feel annoyed, just, I think it’s gonna make you really empathize. For the people in our lives who can’t just turn us off on that.
Alysse Bryson00:21:26 – 00:21:53
Podcast, I will say, I think if you’re listening to this and you are in the events world or you know somebody in the events world that you know has good experiences and great stories, we definitely want to hear from you. So slide into our dms email us and we would love to explore the opportunities to have you on the show so we can learn from you or from them.
Libby Sundgren00:21:53 – 00:21:55
Slide into our DM.
Alysse Bryson00:21:58 – 00:22:05
Thanks for listening to Beats Winning the game of Events, where we explore what it takes to make moments unforgettable.
Libby Sundgren00:22:05 – 00:22:14
If you’re leaving with a little more inspiration, a little more perspective, and a big sideache from all of the laughing at our funny jokes, then we’ve done our job.
Alysse Bryson00:22:14 – 00:22:24
Beats working is a work. P2P production if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on your favorite podcast platforms.
Libby Sundgren00:22:24 – 00:22:27
Your support helps us keep the magic going.
