How to: Create Connection-First Events That Don’t Just Look Good—They Work

​About the Session:

​HOT TAKE: Most events are “fine.” And that’s exactly the problem.

They look pretty on Instagram. The cocktails are great. The playlist’s on point.
But ask a guest what they actually took away from it? Crickets.

I’ve spent 20+ years designing events for brands like Google, the NBA, and LVMH—and here’s the truth:
✨ A gorgeous space doesn’t guarantee connection.
✨ A full room doesn’t mean your message landed.
✨ And a packed agenda doesn’t make something “high-value.”

If your event isn’t engineered with intention, people feel it.
(And worse—they forget it the second they leave.)

⸻

If you’re hosting a dinner, offsite, retreat, or activation this year (whether it’s for your community or your clients), here are 3 quick shifts that instantly elevate the experience:

🔁 Design for energy, not just content.
Stop stacking back-to-back panels with no air. Give people a moment to breathe, move, connect.

🎯 Set the tone in the first 10 minutes.
What happens right at the start shapes the entire vibe. Don’t save the good stuff for later.

💥 Make moments, not just schedules.
What will people remember in their bones? Build for that.

​About the Host:

​I’m Kelley—Chief Astonishment Officer at Clandestine Events + Experiences.
I specialize in bold, strategy-first event design that sparks real connection, drives ROI, and yes—delivers a damn good time.