Fun In Fundraising

Using Event Software To Elevate The Guest Event Experience With Leya Simmons

How can an organization effectively utilize event software to elevate the experience for your event guests? 
In today's episode, I talk with Co-Founder and CEO of BetterUnite, Leya Simmons to talk about how event software is a core, critical component to any successful event.
Since its founding in 2017, BetterUnite "helps the helpers" in taking their nonprofit fundraising events to new heights. In addition to providing software that has helped elevate the event and event guest experience for thousands of organization, BetterUnite also hosts A Better Conference, a multi-day event that provides valuable tools and resources to help nonprofits take their events...and their organizations to new heights.
Leya provides countless valuable insights on what it takes to effectively market and promote your event including utilizing software to elevate your auction or raffle, how galas are an important part of the nonprofit fundraising pipeline, trends in how nonprofits are utilizing event software,  what to expect at this year's A Better Conference, and so much more. This is one episode you will  not want to miss.

Creating An Effective Event Promotion Strategy With Henry Yau

What are the keys to creating an effective media and promotion strategy for your event? 
In today's episode, I talk Vice President of Public Relations for Children's Museum Houston, Henry Yau.
Hosting over 90 events per year ranging from community family events, to million-dollar black-tie galas, Henry and Children's Museum Houston are the gold standard in creating effective event publicity for events large and small. Henry also serves as Children's Museum Houston's Marketing Communications Spokesman where she shares the organizations mission to everything from morning TV show appearances to podcasts.
Henry provides countless valuable insights on what it takes to effectively market and promote your event including, tips on understanding and pitching to different types of media outlets, how to create strong long-term partnerships with media and corporate partners, the importance of having a pre-event and post-event media strategy and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

How Event Catering Elevates The Guest Event Experience With Cameron Lockley

What are the keys to creating a menu for a gala or signature fundraising event that is both delicious and cost-effective?
In today's episode, I talk with one of Texas's top event caterers, Cameron Lockley, Founder of Flavor Hospitality Group.
Over the past several years, this top Austin restaurateur has expanded his offerings to include event catering. During this time, Cameron has developed strong relationships with many top Austin philanthropic organizations through offering elevated, delicious meals for guests of all budgets and sizes.
Cameron provides countless valuable tips and insights on what it takes to create a great gala meals such as creating a menu that resonates with your audience, tying a meal to your event theme, selecting wine and spirits pairings for your food, the benefits of family-style meals at events, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

The Art Of Signature Cocktails Kara Newman Author Of The Cocktail Cabinet

What are the keys to creating a great signature cocktails that help you set the tone for your event? 
In today's episode, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with Kara Newman, Spirits Editor for Wine Enthusiast and author of The Cocktail Cabinet.
The Cocktail Cabinet features two different books: one about gin, the other about whiskey. Instead of a traditional book, each of the two The Cocktail Cabinet books contains 50 cards. Each of the 50 cards features a delectable, signature cocktail recipe that is bound to dazzle and wow your guests.
Kara provides fantastic insights on a range of topics including how signature cocktails set the tone for your event, the reason Gin and Whiskey are timeless spirits with broad appeal, tips on effectively integrating wine with spirits at a gala, event, or dinner party, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Capturing The Essence Of Your Event Through Photography With Tamytha Cameron And Celeste Cass

How does a great event photographer an essential part of any successful gala or signature fundraising event? They serve as the eyes of the event.
In today's episode, I talk with two of the very best event photographers in Texas, Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass. 
For many years, this mother-daughter duo has photographed just about every high-profile and successful nonprofit gala in North Texas. Their ability to capture great moments of an event allow organizations to showcase how they positively help the North Texas community...all while having fun.
Tamytha and Celeste provide countless valuable insights on what it takes to lead effective and dynamic live auctions including how to make celebrities and high-profile individuals comfortable when being photographed, traits of great event photographs, trends they are seeing in the nonprofit and gala space to give and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

The Art Of Dynamic And Dazzling Auctions With Bobby D. Ehlert

What are the keys to creating a dynamic, dazzling live auction that both raises a lot of money and has guests talking about your gala...and auction long after your event has ended?
In today's episode, I talk with one of the very best auctioneers in the business, Bobby D. Ehlert, Co-Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspire Hearts Fundraising.
Over the past 25+ years, Bobby D. has helmed many top live auctions around the United States. He is a master at commanding the room to get donors to open their hearts and wallets during live auctions and fund a needs so nonprofits can provide valuable services that help positively transform their communities.
Bobby provides countless valuable insights on what it takes to lead effective and dynamic live auctions including how to establish a strong relationship with your auctioneer, tips on creating an auction that taps into the soul of the room and the community it serves, creating emotional ties to the organization that compels new and existing major donors to give and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

Mack, Jack & McConaughey And Dell Children's Partnership With Jennifer Stevens and Susan Hewlitt

What are the keys to creating a strong partnership between philanthropic organizations and beneficiaries to maximize impact in the communities they serve?
There are no two better people to discuss this topic than today's guests: Jennifer Stevens, event producer for Mack, Jack, and McConaughey and Susan Hewlett, the Executive Director for the Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation.
For the past 12 years, Dell Children's Foundation has been one of the five beneficiary organizations of Mack, Jack, and McConaughey, Texas's largest annual fundraising gala. The 2025 event raised $17 million, which will benefit Dell Children's and four other nonprofit organizations that fulfill the Mack, Jack, & McConaughey mission to empower kids.
Jennifer and Susan share valuable tips and insights on creating a successful nonprofit partnership roadmap including how to effectively communicate so that both organizations are on the same page, highlighting key initiatives that positively impact the communties they serve, and sucessfully evolving a partnership so both organizations grow together. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

Houston Children's Charity Chariots For Children With Laura Ward

How does an organization effectively showcase how the funds raised from a signature fundraising event benefit the community they serve?
In this episode, I talk with Laura Ward, Founder, President & CEO of Houston Children's Charity to discuss the organization's upcoming Chariots for Children event.
For nearly 30 years, Houston Children's Charity has been one of Houston's top nonprofit events. This is due in large part to Laura Ward's vision, strong leadership, and passion for helping children in the Houston community.
Chariots for Children, a Van Distribution Event provides children with disabilities vans to give them and their families more independence. The van distribution is the end result of an innovative Paddles Up at the organization's annual Houston Children's Charity Gala, Houston's top annual fundraising gala. Attendees raise their paddles to provide one family with a van. This year, a record 66 vans will be distributed to children at Chariots for Children. 
Laura Ward provides a masterclass on what it takes to effectively lead a nonprofit organization including tips for creating an efficient application process for services that benefit anywhere from tens to tens of thousands, the importance of understanding the specific need you can fill in your community, and how to attract a top-tier board and hold them accountable. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

ReuNight For The Family Place With Jess Bass Bolander, Melissa Keeling, And Holly Krug

How does having a strong event committee help event chairs successfully execute their vision for a gala or signature fundraising event?  
Today, I talk with Holly Krug, Board Development Chair for The Family Place, and Jess Bass Bolander, and Melissa Keeling, co-chairs of ReuNight one of the  organization's signature fundraising events.
Featuring one of North Texas' strongest event committees, ReuNight is one of Texas' most anticipated galas each year. Proceeds from ReuNight benefit The Family Place, which is Texas' largest nonprofit organization providing services for victims of domestic violence.
In this episode, Jess, Melissa, and Holly discuss a wide range of topics, including tips to successfully hosting a signature event at a different location each year, the importance of having a strong relationship between event chairs and a nonprofit organization, and creating strong themes that compel donors to attend and give. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

House Of DIFFA With Jacob Samson and Payton Martin

What are the keys to hosting a successful fashion and runway show at your gala or signature fundraising event?  
Today, I talk with Jacob Samson and Payton Martin, co-chairs of DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising event House of DIFFA 2025: Dreamstate.
Over the past several decades, DIFFA has consistently been one of Texas' most anticipated, successful, fun, and fashionable signature fundraising events. As Texas' most fashionable gala, it features an epic jacket auction where the organization partners with acclaimed designers known locally, regionally, and globally. It all culminates with a hour-plus fashion show that ties into the event theme, complete with cutting-edge, avant-garde fashion mixed in with choreographed numbers making it an unforgettable night for their guests.
The substantial amount of funds raised from House Of DIFFA support HIV prevention, awareness, and treatment programs in North Texas.
In this episode, Jacob and Payton share their thoughts on a wide range of topics including creating innovative themes that keep donors on their toes and wanting more, how to host a successful kickoff party that creates buzz for your gala or signature fundraising events, establishing strong partnerships with production partners, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.