A chat with Andrea Driessen, creator of Gracenotes, in advance of her trio of IMEX America sessions, sponsored by Tourism New Zealand.
Join Andrea Driessen Oct. 7 for the session "Creating cultures and communities of mattering and meaning" and, on Oct. 8, sessions “The power of mattering: Turn interactions into impact” and “Messages of mattering: Harness Gracenotes for more impact, meaning and purpose.”
Your sessions at IMEX America involve a focus on well-being, belonging and making an impact—including your Gracenote concept. Can you briefly introduce readers here to the Gracenote and share why you feel it’s important to spread this message to meeting and event professionals?
It’s a timely and important message, because nearly one-third of employees report feeling metaphorically invisible at work.
Beyond that, event professionals can feel quite literally invisible. Consider how many event-production duties actually go on behind the scenes—that is, off stage.
But when we share Gracenotes—“messages of mattering”—with one another, we feel more seen, heard and valued. And when we are more seen, heard and valued, we physiologically feel calmer and safer. (But being ignored or dismissed can trigger depression and distress.)
There’s an enormous swath of data that supports the healthfulness of mattering—I call it the Math of Mattering and the Science of Being Seen.
Maintaining a genuine sense of belonging, value and purpose can at times be elusive for busy professionals. Why do you believe we can so easily overlook something of such importance?
Because we humans believe the illusion that there will always be more time to tell others how they matter to us. We get distracted by “not enough,” by noise, by constant busyness. So, we can miss opportunities to truly see and honor each other—before it’s too late. Said another way, we shouldn’t have to be dead to have our eulogies read.
But when we know how we matter, we can do more of what we’re built for. And live with more meaning, impact, purpose and, yes, wellness.
What are two things you hope attendees take away from your sessions?
- See how Gracenotes are a quick, easy, powerful way to show others how they matter.
- Discover how these notes can reawaken our professional “why,” improve focus, boost trust, make life less mean—and more meaning-FULL.
Do you have any other wellness/well-being practices that you swear by for which event pros could benefit implementing in their daily lives?
My besties and I started a gathering called “human and liquid tonics.” All busy women, we get together at our homes about once a month to support each other and laugh in this wildly uncertain time. And we concoct (nonalcoholic) tonics made from some of the many delicious zero-proof beverages now on the market. These get-togethers are a fun, meaningful and memorable way to be well—together!
What are you most looking forward to with your IMEX America experience this year?
The singular experience of drinking from a fire hose of event-themed experiences and content!
