My Portfolio

What meeting planners need to know about bleisure, flexibility, sustainability, and emerging tech. Corporate travel and event planning have changed dramatically since the pandemic, and conference planners, venues and vendors are trying to adapt to the ever-changing needs of corporate America and conference clients. 

The See Ya Later Foundation was formed to create a legacy for Scott Banke, a 12-year-old from McMinnville, Oregon, who lost his battle to osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2001. Despite his two-year struggle, Scotty (as he was known to his loved ones) remained cheerful and upbeat, leaving a lasting impact on the lives he touched. 

I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face when he held Betty for the first time. Cradling her almost reverently with a sparkle in his eyes and a childlike sense of wonder, Jim examined every facet of her sexy, smooth skin to ensure she was flawless and virginal, as promised. It was the way he used to gaze at me. He spent days researching Betty’s numerous talents and learning how to best use and care for her.

Imagine having a personal AI assistant at your fingertips 24/7—a productivity partner who knows your style, history and event needs. Available online and on the go, a well-trained AI tool tracks your successes and remembers every event, client and vendor, increasing an event planner’s bandwidth while improving user experience. 

Two years ago, my dad passed away at the age of 88. While I am sad to have lost him, he is always in my heart. I think of him every day and of the unconditional love he gave me every day of my life. Today, I reflect on the good man that he was and lessons I learned. My dad was born in the 1930s to strict parents. 

By day, Oliver Scott is a business loan officer for Red Canoe Credit Union. On his own time, he is the founder and executive director of Urban Business Support, a nonprofit that supports underserved entrepreneurs in gentrifying neighborhoods in Pierce and South King counties. Based in Tacoma, Urban Business Support started as a passion project...