How does an organization successfully create an event season that has patrons and donors anticipating its signature fundraising event for months on end?

Today, I talk with Dallas Symphony Orchestra League President Claire Catrino and Maggie Kipp, co-chair of the DSO League 2026 Presentation Ball.

One of the most successful presentation balls in the United States, the 2026 Presentation Ball will celebrate two significant milestones: the 80th anniversary of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and the 40th anniversary of the Presentation Ball. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which is also celebrating a milestone of their own: their 125th anniversary.

The DSO League has a nine-month season of events that includes a kickoff party that gets patrons excited for the upcoming festivities, culminating with the Presentation Ball. The upcoming 2026 DSO Presentation Ball is set to draw a record 1,400+ patrons.

Claire and Maggie provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including creating a strong relationship between a guild and an organization, building a devoted following for your event that spans generations, how to make that kickoff party one that creates buzz and momentum, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to creating strong partnerships between nonprofits and mission-aligned service providers?

Today, I talk with Texas Health Huguley CEO Penny Johnson and Maggie Beaird, Development Director for the American Heart Association, to talk about one of AHA's North Texas signature fundraising events, the Tarrant County Go Red For Women Luncheon.

One of North Texas's most successful and impactful luncheons each year, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon in Fort Worth draws hundreds of top community leaders and medical advocates to raise awareness for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. One of the keys to the events success is creating strong partnerships with top medical facilities in the region such as Texas Huguley Health Hospital.

Penny and Maggie provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including the importance of long-term planning in creating successful community partnerships, giving events with a national/global mission a local feel, utilizing fundraising events to develop deeper relationships with top donors and community leaders, plus so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization create a great first impression for gala guests that inspires, energizes, and creates an environment for donors to give more?

Today, I talk with CASA of Travis County CEO Emily Rudenick LeBlanc, as well as the organization's Sr. Director of Advancement, Erin Kozma, about their upcoming CASABlanca: Where Futures Take Root Gala.

One of Austin's top nonprofit fundraising galas each year, raising over $2 million from their gala last year, the CASABlanca Gala has an established base of supporters, while also always making sure to bring in new potential donors to experience this incredible night of giving. A big part of their success is how the organization has a seamless and fun check-in process that has guests excited for the evening ahead.

Emily and Erin provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including the importance of long-term planning in creating a successful gala, tips on developing a devoted following for your annual gala, engaging your existing volunteer network at your annual gala, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to create a great first-impression for their guests to inspire and encourage giving.

What are the keys to creating effective partnerships between nonprofits and foundations?

There is no better duo to talk about today's guests, Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of the Naples Children's Foundation and Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Healthcare Network, one of the beneficiaries of the Naples Children's Foundation's signature fundraising event, the Naples Winter Wine Festival.

This episode, the third in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. The $35M raised at the festival funds children's programs throughout Collier County, Florida and today we will dive into the end result of these important funds - the impact they have on the Southwest Florida Community. Maria and Jamie provide a masterclass of insights on a range of topics, including highlighting partnership initiatives in your community to maximize impact, the importance of communication in maintaining strong relationships between nonprofits and foundations, how to evolve partnerships in a way that is beneficial to both organizations, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate the impact of how to effectively use funds raised from a gala or signature fundraising event.

What does it take to create and provide one-of-a-kind live auction packages for your audience that raises millions?

There is no better person to talk about today's trio of guests, Bill Beynon and Ashley Gerry, co-chairs of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, as well as founding member of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Valerie Gargiulo.

This episode, the second in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. A large part of the funds raised at the Naples Winter Wine Festival benefiting the Naples Children Foundation comes from an epic, multi-hour live auction filled with so much energy that it requires to of the nation's top auctioneers, Lydia Fenet and Humphrey Butler rotate their time on the stage to keep guests on their toes and the energy elevated. Bill, Ashley, and Valerie share smart (and fun) stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including building and utilizing your event committee to bring your auction and event to life, creating strong partnerships with donors, corporate sponsors, and vendors, curating auction packages that resonate with your audience, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their live auction from the leadership behind one of the most successful gala live auctions in the world.

What does it take successfully produce a multi-day gala that provides a five-star experience for guests and raises millions for the community it serves?

There is no better person to talk about this topic than today's guest, Lisa Juliano, Senior Vice President of the Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production.

This episode, the first in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. Over three days, Lisa and her organization produce a spectacular, white-glove experience for several hundred guests, resulting in over $35 million raised for the Naples Children Foundation to provide a range of services for children in Collier County. Lisa shares smart (and fun) stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including tips on establishing a strong relationship with your event venue, successfully executing multiple events that occur simultaneously, managing talent, accommodating unexpected guest/donor requests, and so much more. This is one episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their event production game from the event leader of one of the most successful galas in the world.

What does it take host a fashion show luncheon or gala that is engaging, cost-effective, and most importantly fun?

There is no better person to talk about this topic than today's guest and someone I am proud to call my friend, iconic runway model and fashion show producer Jan Strimple.

After beginning her career in retail merchandising, Jan started her trajectory in the fashion industry, walking the runways of Paris and collaborating with top designers, including the iconic Bob Mackie. Jan then moved behind the runway and launched Jan Strimple Productions in Dallas, where she produced many top nonprofit fashion shows in North Texas, including the iconic House of DIFFA, which is Texas's answer to The Met Gala. Jan seamlessly shares fun stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including what organizations need to do to determine if a fashion show concept is the right thing for them, the importance of understanding your audience when selecting a designer or a collection to showcase, the differences between a daytime luncheon and nighttime gala fashion show, her favorite event moments over the years, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

What are the keys to successfully merchandising your nonprofit brand in a way that brings in revenue and is fun for guests and supporters?

In today’s episode, I talk with Catharine Recht, Director of Advancement at Frontiers of Flight Museum, to talk about the organization's new store inside the museum.

Frontiers of Flight Museum is a family-friendly space where kids of all ages can explore the wonders of aviation and space flight history through exhibits, programming, and STEM curriculum. For Catharine, the passion for flight comes through in our conversation; it is literally in her DNA to appreciate the awe and wonder of flight. Catharine shares his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including how to successfully reimagine a space that grows revenue and enhances the guest experience, tips on successfully merchandising new items in your store, creating merchandising collaborations with other nonprofit organizations, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.