Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie D. Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Stephanie, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
That’s a great question. I believe its important to have the courage to create what doesn’t yet exist.
“What if I tried?” That question has launched every chapter of my career.
When I entered the world of event and meeting management, I wasn’t handed a roadmap or a mentor waiting to guide my next move. I was often the youngest, only woman—and person of color—in the room. Nevertheless, I learned early on that being “the only one” also meant being the first to show what’s possible and provide a different prospective. Over time, creativity became my compass, risk became my teacher, and resilience became my foundation.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As Agency Principal and Creative Director of Event Logistics & Consulting (ELC), I lead a boutique event management and strategic consulting agency serving clients across multiple industries—including publishing, aerospace, healthcare, finance, and SMBs. From high-profile conferences, luxury executive retreats, golf summits or custom Cvent-powered registration ecosystems, our work is anchored in one guiding principle: create connection through excellence.
My Story: From Corporate Structure to Creative Freedom
After four years at the American Heart Association, Southeast Region as a fundraising coordinator, I transitioned into corporate life at Allstate Insurance Company, managing regional meetings, award programming, and destination sales incentives. While association events nurtured my creative confidence, corporate events refined my precision. The corporate environment taught me that excellence isn’t optional—it’s expected.
After more than a decade, I felt called to something deeper. I wanted creative freedom, broader impact, and a purpose-driven path in my career. Leaving behind the comfort of a corporate title was terrifying—but transformative. I bet on myself, and that decision led me to thrive as a fearless entrepreneur.
In the early days of ELC, I didn’t chase visibility—I was laser focused on builting credibility. Every project was an opportunity to establish relationships, exceed my clients expectations, communicate and lead effectively, and earn trust through desired execution of deliverables. That earned trust led to multi-year contracts and long lasting working relationships with clients Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Synchrony, Amazon, Phantom Pharmaceuticals, and Crittenden Research—producing large-scale conferences, international roadshows, and executive summits across North America and aboard.
When in-person events came to a halt during the global pandemic, I leaned into mastered event management platforms Cvent, ON24, and Airtable, which provided an opportunity leading virtual, hybrid, and audio conference productions. As sponsorship models shifted, I developed consulting strategies to help organizations redesign revenue streams and sustain engagement and Partnerships beyond their contracts. I understand for my business to thrive, creativity could not be about pretty images and social media clout—it’s needed to provide solutions that solved real challenges under pressure, delivered on time and within budget, and crafting impactful experiences that generate measurable results.
In moments of disruption, creativity becomes the bridge between challenge and opportunity. That’s where ELC continue to thrive—and where I continue to lead with vision, strategy, and intention.
The Heart of My Work: Connection, Collaboration & Creative Confidence
What excites me most about my work is the power to design events and meetings that intentional unite people around purpose. From in-person writing retreats for theology scholars in Yosemite National Park—where I introduced forest bathing, a traditional Japanese practice of immersive nature connection—to entrepreneurial business startup pitch events, every gathering leads with an engaging story and purpose. My role is to shape how the narrative unfolds through strategic planning, immersive engagement, and purposeful execution that delivers both strategic alignment with the client’s vision and measurable impact. My professional brand stands at the intersection of strategy and storytelling. I help clients translate their goals into meaningful experiences that meet business objectives and leave a lasting emotional impact so the experience lives far after the end date. That’s what makes event and meeting management both an art and a science.
In addition to my client work, I also host and facilitate transformational experiences designed to educate, empower, and connect communities and business leaders. These include curated masterclasses and executive summits that serve nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives seeking strategic growth, funding partnerships, and collaborative leadership opportunites. These programs are designed to foster bold thinking, human connections, and collective powerful networking—where creativity multiplies through shared insight and intentional
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I appreciate this question—it invites a deeper look at the qualities that have shaped my journey and set ELC apart in the market and hopsiality landscape. Over time, three pillars have consistently guided my approach, elevated client relationships, and generated transformative outcomes:
1. Adaptability
2. Relationship-centered leadership
3. Creative problem-solving under pressure
These aren’t just skills—they’re strategic anchors that define how I lead, collaborate, and deliver with intention. Let’s dive a little deeper to understand how they have shaped my business.
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Adaptability
The event industry evolves daily in the form of shifting client expectations and technology advances. I stay curious, embracing new tools not just for efficiency but to future-proof my skill set. Consider this: Learn before it becomes a requirement. Stay curious—stay ahead of event technology and forecast trends to lead with clarity and innovation.
Relationship-Centered Leadership
I was once told, “True success isn’t transactional—it’s relational.” My business flourished when I built genuine partnerships based on trust. Here’s what I’ve learned: Listen to understand, not just to respond. Every conversation holds a clue to what clients value most.
Creative Problem-Solving Under Pressure
We all know events rarely run perfectly. The lights flicker, the Wi-Fi crashes, or sponsorship shipments arrive late—and you are still expected to deliver excellence. Pro insight: Build a calm-under-pressure mindset. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence fuels creativity.
Success isn’t a checklist—it’s growth. When you lead with adaptability, connection, and creativity, you reclaim the freedom to build, design, and deliver on your own terms.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Betting on Yourself & Building Range
I’m often asked by consulting clients: Should the focus be on strengths or improving weaknesses? My answer is always the same—bet on yourself and build range.
Early in my career, I heard the same refrain: “Event planners only plan parties.” Of course, that’s perception—not fact. Every time I mastered a new skill—project management methodology, sponsorship strategy, marketing campaigns, or business development frameworks—it expanded what I could offer and whom I could serve. Prioritizing the development of transferable skills made me valuable across industries and opened doors I didn’t even know existed within event and meeting management.
In today’s fast-paced world, versatility is power. You don’t have to be perfect at everything, but you should be curious about everything—how it works, how it connects, and how it can serve your growth. That curiosity positions you to meet emerging needs with confidence and clarity.
Opportunity doesn’t wait—and trust me, it shows up daily. Stay inspired by learning, refining your craft, taking risks, and expanding your perspective. That’s how you become the standout—not just among your peers, but across your industry.
Leadership isn’t about waiting for the moment to arrive. It’s about being ready as a leader when it does.
Success isn’t a checklist—success is growth. When you lead with adaptability, connection, and creativity, you reclaim the freedom to build, design, and deliver on your own terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eventlogisticsconsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/event_logistics_consulting_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedwilliams
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventlogisticsconsulting
Image Credits
KaSandra Mitchell – The Humble Lion Photography, Kalii Jackson – So She Creates, Sandra Duvall – Duvall Photography
