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This week’s theme: Event Experience

The event experience starts with a clear understanding of its purpose and vision. What are we creating, and why? It’s crucial to define what we want attendees to feel and the message we want the event to convey. Thorough research goes beyond just reading reports—it involves understanding the company’s values, branding, and interactions with people. An event should align with the company’s vision, serving as a communication tool that reflects its identity and goals.

Building relationships is key in event planning. As events grow, collaboration becomes essential. Event management, like project management, is about people. The connections you build with your team, vendors, and partners are crucial for success. While logistics like menu planning and risk management are important, my focus is on people and the company’s vision. I’ve witnessed how a journey from doubt to success can be transformative, and that’s what fuels my passion for creating unforgettable event experiences.

From Fear to Fire: Secrets to Overcome Fear, Embrace Your Gifts and Achieve Success

This is the place where real people share real challenges. Where you can find a common bond and uncommon wisdom through their stories. Use tips from the breakthroughs of others to jump start your success. Speaker, author, adventurer, and host Heather Hansen O’Neill takes you on the journey from fear to fire.  Today we talk about designing immersive event experiences involves transforming a company’s vision into a tangible reality that engages and resonates deeply with attendees, creating lasting memories and connections.

Ebony R Loadholt

Ebony Loadholt is a visionary event strategist known for turning ambitious ideas into seamless, high-impact experiences. With over 20 years of experience, she’s led transformative initiatives across multiple industries, from higher education and corporate to tech and nonprofit. Whether orchestrating intimate gatherings or large-scale events for 44,000 attendees, Ebony thrives on crafting experiences that drive engagement and leave lasting impressions.

As the founder of Ynobe Knows Events, Ebony spent a decade honing her unique ability to blend strategic thinking with creative execution. She led and contributed to standout events for Google, Radio One, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Duke University, Shaw University, and #ImBlackInTech, overseeing everything from ideation to execution. Additionally, she managed key logistical elements such as celebrity transportation, vendor coordination, and onsite operations for other events.

Ebony is also a highly sought-after leader and collaborator, excelling in transforming complex logistics into smooth, effective solutions. In 2021, she was honored with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Pinnacle Award, a recognition for leaders who set the bar for vision, excellence, and innovation. During her tenure, Ebony founded EventLife, a dynamic community “for planners, by planners,” that empowered over 250 event professionals. The group fostered professional development, offered unique networking opportunities, and created an information-sharing network, enabling members to exchange resources and best practices.

More about Eboby

Currently serving as Events Manager at the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN). Ebony leads nationwide initiatives that unite 400+ local government sustainability practitioners to learn, collaborate, and accelerate the work of sustainability across the U.S. and Canada. She drives high-impact projects, managing a 30+ person team while ensuring every logistical detail aligns with organizational goals. Known for her strategic mindset and innovative problem-solving, Ebony creates events that not only run flawlessly but also achieve measurable outcomes.

Certified in Hybrid & Virtual Event Management and holding an M.Ed. in Adult Education & Training, Ebony combines her technical expertise with a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Above all, it’s her infectious energy, forward-thinking approach, and dedication to excellence that have made her an industry leader and trusted partner. When she’s not coordinating large-scale events, she enjoys solving Sudoku puzzles, spending quality time with her family, and mentoring the next generation of event planners.

Connect with Ebony:

Website: USDN | urban sustainability directors network

Social Accounts:

Linkedin: Ebony R. Loadholt, M.Ed.

Quote of the Day:

“Every new experience brings its own maturity and a greater clarity of vision.” ~ Indira Gandhi

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