How One Holo Speaker Reminded Every Event Planner of Their True Worth
As an event planner, you’re often the first to arrive and the last to leave. You’re the glue holding everything together—the person who knows where the microphone batteries are, how to handle the VIP’s last-minute request, and how to turn a blank ballroom into an immersive experience. Yet your work is rarely in the spotlight. And that’s precisely why I delivered my keynote at MIC Colorado—to change that.
Key Takeaways
- The role of the event planner is indispensable—and deserves far more recognition.
- Success in this industry isn’t just about logistics; it’s about intentional choices in how you show up and connect.
- Emotional intelligence, digital presence, and storytelling are critical tools for today’s event planner.
- Incorporating innovation, from immersive staging to holo speaker tech, positions planners at the forefront of the industry.
- Embracing your unique style, confidence, and leadership is the key to transforming not just events—but your entire career.
Recognizing the Architects of Unforgettable Experiences
At the annual convention of MIC Colorado (Meetings Industry Council of Colorado), I had the incredible honor of delivering a keynote address to a powerhouse audience of event professionals—each one a skilled event planner creating seamless, transformative moments that attendees remember forever.
MIC Colorado is more than just a gathering. It’s a movement—one that champions innovation, connection, and community among event professionals. In my keynote, I shared how every event planner holds the power to influence perception, elevate client relationships, and architect not just memorable events—but remarkable experiences.
The Chameleons of the Event Industry
Every event planner I’ve ever met shares one superpower: adaptability. You blend into the background when needed, yet without you, there’s no show, no speaker, no transformation.
You are the ones who hold everything together. The magic on stage? That’s your coordination. The learning in the breakout session? Your planning. The transformation that happens in a networking hall or gala dinner? Your vision.
Too often, you’re taught to stay in the wings. But the truth is, the event planner isn’t just part of the cast—you’re part of the story. You are the reason the story gets told at all.
Embracing the Power of Choice
During my keynote, I invited attendees to embrace what I call the Power of Choice—the conscious decision to become more of who you already are, intentionally and authentically.
For every event planner, this means recognizing the incredible influence you have in shaping environments and relationships. From how you present yourself to how you communicate with clients, every decision leaves an impression.
And when you choose to be intentional with your appearance, your behavior, and your brand—you stop operating behind the curtain and start owning your rightful place on the stage.
Appearance: The First Impression That Lasts
- Dress for impact: Your appearance sets expectations. Show up like the strategic professional you are.
- Own your style: Add a dash of personality—it makes you more relatable and more memorable.
- Pay attention to details: Grooming, accessories, and presence signal that you care (and that clients should too).
As a holo speaker, I know firsthand how important visual presence is—even when delivered via technology. Whether you’re seen in person, on screen, or as part of a digital production, you are seen. Make that first impression count.
Behavior: Confidence Is Contagious
- Command the space: Good posture, strong eye contact, and a grounded voice convey authority.
- Own your expertise: Speak with the confidence of someone who knows what they’re doing—because you do.
- Stay calm under pressure: When tech fails or a speaker is late, your steady presence is the anchor everyone needs.
These aren’t just soft skills—they’re leadership signals. And they’re part of what makes an event planner indispensable.
Communication: Build Trust with Every Word
- Be adaptable: Shift your tone and messaging based on who’s in front of you—client, vendor, speaker, or sponsor.
- Listen deeply: Real listening builds trust faster than a flawless timeline.
- Use story as strategy: Sharing your wins and your learnings is how you elevate your value and deepen relationships.
Storytelling isn’t just for mainstage keynotes. It’s for every event planner navigating human emotions and client expectations.
Digital Presence: Let Your Reputation Work for You
- Polish your digital brand: Prospects and partners will Google you—give them something impressive to find.
- Embrace video: Whether it’s a walkthrough of an event space or a quick behind-the-scenes tip, video builds authority.
- Behind the Scenes: Be active during the event, record videos, take pictures, and showcase the behind-the-scenes world and the impact of your work online.
The modern event planner isn’t just live—they’re also virtual, hybrid, and tech-savvy.
Digital Presence: Let Your Reputation Work for You
- Polish your digital brand: Prospects and partners will Google you—give them something impressive to find.
- Embrace video: Whether it’s a walkthrough of an event space or a quick behind-the-scenes tip, video builds authority.
- Behind the Scenes: Be active during the event, record videos, take pictures, and showcase the behind-the-scenes world and the impact of your work online.
The modern event planner isn’t just live—they’re also virtual, hybrid, and tech-savvy.
Environment: Surround Yourself with What Supports Your Excellence
Curate your inner circle: The people you choose to work with—and work for—shape your growth, your mindset, and your reputation.
Protect your physical space: Whether it’s a home office, a backstage production room, or your on-the-go tech setup, your workspace should support focus, creativity, and calm.
Model leadership through presence: You set the tone for every room you enter. Your energy becomes the baseline for your team, your clients, and your vendors.
As an event planner, the environment you create doesn’t stop at venue schematics or seating charts—it starts with you.
Be Bold Enough to Craft What No One Expects
In a world flooded with templated agendas and recycled conference formats, standing out as an event planner means refusing to settle for the ordinary. Excellence is no longer about checking boxes—it’s about daring to color outside the lines.
The most memorable events aren’t the ones that run on time; they’re the ones that break expectations. That doesn’t mean chaos—it means courage. Courage to pitch a new format. Courage to swap the predictable keynote for something never seen before. Courage to prioritize meaning over comfort.
If you’re always doing what’s expected, you’ll always be seen as “one of many.” But when you design events that surprise, provoke, or delight in ways nobody saw coming—you become “the one they remember.”
Take MIC Colorado, for example. They didn’t ask for another speaker. They asked for something different. They invited me to showcase what’s next in the event industry—not just in content, but in delivery. With the use of holographic technology, we redefined what a keynote could look and feel like. Attendees weren’t just listening—they were immersed. And that kind of experience sticks.
Boldness isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being intentional. And when you’re willing to take creative risks in service of your audience’s transformation, you don’t just plan an event. You set a new standard.
Elevating the Role of the Event Planner
You are not “just” the event planner. You are the visionary, the risk mitigator, the people connector, the orchestrator of details and dreams. You make the experience happen.
It’s time to elevate your role—not just in how others see you, but in how you see yourself.
By choosing to be intentional in how you show up—visually, verbally, digitally, and experientially—you claim the influence and recognition you’ve long deserved. And that’s not ego. That’s leadership.
Sylvie di Giusto helps professionals make intentional choices about how they show up and how others perceive them. A keynote speaker known for her use of immersive staging and cutting-edge technology—including holo speaker experiences—Sylvie brings a blend of emotional intelligence, business insight, and unforgettable presence to every stage.
MIC Colorado is a premier organization for meeting and event professionals, uniting industry leaders across sectors to drive innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Through its conferences, workshops, and community programming, MIC Colorado empowers every event planner to grow, lead, and elevate their impact.
Visit mic-colorado.org for more.
