This weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of accompanying Jeff Kalpak to teach a workshop on producing corporate events at my Alma Mater, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Located in Winston-Salem, UNCSA was the first public arts conservatory in the country. I graduated seven months ago with a BFA in Stage Management, and I’ve been working at BKA ever since.

I thought it would feel strange to be back in Winston (as it’s so affectionately called), but it felt oddly normal. It’s a very low-key, welcoming town with a tight-knit community of artists working and training together.

There were nineteen stage management students who attended the workshop. Jeff kicked off the class with a simple statement: this will be a dreadfully boring day unless everyone participates. And participate they did. The meat of the workshop was brainstorming and creating project plans for two separate events – the first as a class with Jeff leading, and the second in small groups. The kids (kids – can I call them that?) really seemed to enjoy the process. For the group project, we split them into groups of four and gave them what essentially was a request for proposal. They had three hours to work together and come up with a presentation. Although we weren’t originally going to choose a winner, their excitement compelled us to give a prize to the best proposal.

There was also a segment called “From UNCSA to BKA,” where I talked about how I got to BKA and my experiences thus far (including a trip to China for BKA’s production of FAME the Musical.) From this, I realized that I’m quite a nervous public speaker in front of my peers. I first met Jeff at the school’s job fair in March. I began as an intern in June, and since then I’ve been hired permanently. I’ve learned a lot in my time here, but the most important is something Jeff said to me this summer: always say yes to new experiences – and this is what I tried to convey to the students.

It was really great to see how engaged everyone was throughout the workshop. In my education at UNCSA, there was never any experience that could compare to this. The event industry was always such a mystery to me, and I’m happy I was able to help draw back the curtains back for these nineteen future professionals.

My favorite holiday is coming up this week – Thanksgiving.

The combination of friends and family gathering to show appreciation while enjoying a big meal…priceless.

A tradition at our office is the Annual BKA Thanksgiving Potluck lunch. Everyone brings something to the table and we all savor each other’s culinary talents. The word “potluck” comes from the practice of throwing leftovers in a pot – with luck determining how good things will taste. There is way more skill displayed at this feast than luck. Though this wonderful office event is yet another reminder to me how lucky and grateful I am to get to work with such a remarkable group of people.

I asked the BKA team to share with me the reasons why they are grateful. Here are some of the things they had to say:

“I’m grateful for my niece, Noelle; and for having a job that fulfills me, stimulates my mind to think differently every day, and let’s me see the vast world outside my everyday life.” – Adam Suellentrop, Manager, Production Services

“I’m grateful for the four seasons. Visually, they are each beautiful and I look forward to sharing the little traditions and simple experiences with my daughter that make each season special.” -Angela Stassi, Marketing Director

“There are so many things I’m thankful for. But firstly, life and family.” – Sowbagya Gokulrum, Production Assistant

“I am extremely thankful for the support and humor of my colleagues. We might not always agree and we have different styles of working, but they always have my back and keep me going when times gets challenging.” –Kate Boyer, Producer

“I am grateful for my wonderful family and that they are happy and healthy (and a bit crazy) and for great friends and co-workers because you literally can’t get through the week without them.” – Susan Belsky, Meeting Planner

“I’m grateful for the fact that the alarm clock on my iPhone has been replaced by a little girl calling out “daddy.” – Andre Shahrdar, VP Business Development

I’m thankful for working remotely, breathing, and the ability to see my parents daily.” –LaKeisha Williams, Bookkeeper

“I’m grateful for the love and support I get from my family and friends on a daily basis.” –Joyce Clement, Producer

“On this upcoming thanksgiving day, I am certainly grateful for turkey, duck, chicken and the wonderful result that occurs when then they are sewn together and baked throughout.” – Andrew Litz, Creative Development Coordinator

“I am grateful for coworkers with a sense of humor ” –Lilit Kalachyan, Designer

“I’m thankful for smiles.” – Ted Kelso, Business Development Coordinator

“For being able to work with my best friend ” –Jennifer Kauf, Creative Director

“I am grateful for being able to watch my daughter grow, for the unconditional love of my family and friends and for the end of every day and when I wake every morning.” – Frank Pascrell, Technical Director

“I am grateful for the flexibility that BKA allows me so I can actively participate in my children’s lives, whether it’s being the Mommy Taxi, sitting in honor assembly watching my daughter accept her awards or when my son hits the home run and I see the pride on his face.” – Kim Fields, Senior Meeting Planner

“I am grateful for the discovery and virtual sharing of ideas and inspiration.” – Laura Peña, Designer

“I am grateful for the feet that support me and allow me to walk and move and dance through this glorious life.” –Lynnette Barkley, Vice President

“I’m thankful for my healthy family and my loyal friends.” – Sasha Zonsius, Production Assistant

“I’m thankful for my BKA family.” – Ryan Guerra, Production Assistant

PS: A few years back, we asked friends, family and colleagues to share their thoughts on why they were grateful.” We were so inspired, we created a video. When I watched it today, I realized it’s timeless. Check it out when you have a moment.

www.bka.net/thegratefulsaid

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have just come off of the busiest month in BKA history. This October, we had events going on in three different continents and over a dozen different cities. I traveled to three of the events for a couple of our long-standing clients. The first was a customer meeting in Scottsdale, AZ, then a Sales Leadership Meeting in Venice, Italy (complete with a scavenger hunt throughout the city, not an easy feat) and the finale was a full on theatrical production of FAME the Musical in Macau, China at the Macau International Music Festival. Being that I was over on the other side of the globe, Oskar and I decided to continue the adventure and head to Cambodia for vacation, a place I’ve long wanted to visit and explore.

We were welcomed into this beautiful country by wonderful, warm people. Especially Reaksmay, our guide. As we spent more time with Reaksmay we couldn’t get past his incredible optimism and perennial smile. He is passionate about his life in Phnom Penh. Incredibly hospitable, warm, funny and genuine with vast knowledge of history, architecture, culture and customs, it was a joy to spend time with him learning about his country.

Through his story we learned about Cambodia, its history and how the people who have been through so much still manage to have a spirit that is indisputable. After all, Reaksmay, his mother and sister all survived the war — a war that wiped out 20% of the Cambodian population.

Reaksmay led us on our tour of S21 and the Killing Fields, two areas where the Khmer Rouge performed acts of torture and ultimately the genocide of its own people during the war.

These visits were made more vivid for us as we learned Reaksmay’s personal story. He was just 1 month old when his country was invaded. His parents fled. His mother taking Reaksmay and his 2 year old sister, his father realizing that his family was more in danger if he stayed with them ventured into the jungle area to hide.

30 days on foot, 19 without food, his mother found refuge. His father reunited with his family briefly, only to die from an illness borne during his time in hiding. Reaksmay never knew his father, who during better times held a government position. His mother, realizing that any evidence of her connection to a government employee was dangerous, burned any evidence of her husband’s existence. Clothes, papers and sadly, all photographs — all connections to Reaksmay’s father were gone.

After leaving S21 and the killing fields with a sinking feeling, I finally had to ask him how he functions on a day-to-day basis. How was it possible for him to tour such sad sites and relive stories of devastation?

“Forgiveness,” Reaksmay told us. “As a child I wanted revenge, but as an adult, I learned that forgiveness allowed me to be free of the burden of pain.” I was stunned by his answer. I felt it was almost superhuman that he could even set out to forgive those who caused such pain for him let alone sincerely living that way.

I thought of the things that I’ve been unable to forgive over the years. And, although I can’t say I’m at the point where Reaskmay is, I am incredibly humbled and honored to have met him and learned from him. Reaksmay’s name translates to “Sunshine” in English. Not only was his mother a survivor, but she also had a knack for naming her son.

At the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

My adorable niece is going to turn 1 next month. And, like every loving uncle, all I want to do is spoil her.

I’m tempted by every cute outfit and soft plush toy. But, knowing that kids outgrow clothes and you can only play with so many toys at a time… I’ve decided that I’m going to be giving the gift of travel to my little ray of sunshine.

She has her suitcase — Mom and Dad made sure of that from a very early age — and now my job is to make sure she gets to take it with her and see the world.

We’ve started her travel fund, savings allocated for future trips so she can plot her course and choose her adventures. She’s just starting to walk now — so she’s got some time before she raids the piggy bank.

So, in the meantime, I’ve been sending her postcards from all the places I get to go. Sometimes she holds them, sometimes she eats them, but mostly her Mom collects them for her. One day, she’ll read them herself and start to get the idea that the world is bigger than her neighborhood.

For me, the postcard routine gives me a chance to stop and think of her while I’m on the road. I’m generally glued to my keyboard. So taking a moment to actually write something down feels good. And to think that my cute little imp is one day going to get to visit many of the places I have been makes me happy.

Travel has been a great gift to me. And, I’m appreciative of everywhere I get to go…. even if I miss my connection or get stuck in the middle seat.

Life is a series of events, I wish you safe travels and hope you get to travel with someone who approaches the journey with the wide-eyed wonder of a child.

I’m just back from a trip to Casablanca, Marrakesh and Istanbul. I spent many hours allowing myself to get lost in the streets of Casablanca and Marrakesh and an incredible day catching up with an old friend in Istanbul who I found on Facebook.

Casablanca — not at all like the movie — not at all what I expected. And that’s often the best part about traveling. I stumbled upon Jnane Sherazade (www.jnanesherazade.com) and since it was after the lunch hour, I got to enjoy their beautiful dining room all to myself. With the owner himself fussing over me — I had a feast. I was glad I had allowed myself to get lost, otherwise, I never would have found my way to this great experience.

Getting lost is even easier in the medina in Marrakesh. Within the walled city, all sense of direction is gone and you are quickly absorbed in the fun and chaos of this exotic locale. We found ourselves staying at the absolutely perfect Riad Farnatchi (www.riadfarnatchi.com) where the extraordinary staff’s singular goal is to help you fall in love with Marrakesh. This was easy to do.

But the highlight of my trip was found in the final destination — Istanbul. My Dad was born there (back when it was Constantinople) and our home was filled with my grandfather’s paintings of the spectacular domed city. I have a connection to Istanbul — as anyone in Turkey was quick to notice – as my last name Kalpak translates to “tall sheepskin hat.”

It’s always a treat to return to a familiar place – to find your way back to your favorite restaurant or shop or in this case — to get to catch up with an old friend. I hadn’t seen my friend Erdal in over 25 years. We had worked together on a cruise ship, became fast friends and then, over time, fell out of touch.

Through social networking, we found each other picking up right where we had left off. Erdal ended up in Special Events as well –(www.catalystturkey.com) — and getting to spend the day with him was wonderful. He and his wife Serap live just a few streets away from where he grew up — on the Asian side of Istanbul. So, I found myself living a local’s life. Tea at their favorite place, a tour of the residential side of things and some of the most delicious Turkish food I’ve had. It was a true insiders experience.

Life is a series of events, and sometimes allowing yourself to get lost (whether in new cities or on Facebook) is the best way to find your way to unique experiences.