The Grounding Principles of Excellent Gatherings: Lessons from Unforgettable Events

As the CEO of Eventbrite , I have witnessed countless gatherings that have left a lasting impact on attendees. Today, during Global Loneliness Awareness Week, I want to emphasize the significance of human connection and discuss the grounding principles that make excellent gatherings possible. By examining three exceptional events— Sequoia Capital 's Base Camp, a private women founder/CEO retreat, and the class at Stanford University Graduate School of Business led by Jennifer Aaker called "Humor: Serious Business"—we can uncover valuable insights that promote meaningful connections and combat the pervasive issue of loneliness. These lessons are for anyone who gathers people and builds community. I hope you find them helpful.

Sequoia Capital's Base Camp: Fostering Authentic Connections

This annual retreat stands out as an exemplary event that nurtures authentic connections among participants. Two days with fellow founders/CEOs in a remote location is a can’t-miss event for me every year. Why? Because by curating a small, intimate gathering of like-minded individuals, Sequoia ensures that attendees can engage in meaningful conversations, share their experiences, and build long-lasting connections. The event's focus on quality over quantity enables participants to form deep bonds, leading to a sense of belonging and a more robust support network beyond the event itself.

I had the chance to catch up with the magic makers of this gathering, and their advice was simple and powerful. It starts with the fundamentals: deep preparation is embedded in how they work (e.g., weekly planning meetings all year long, for starters). When conceiving of the content, a “through line” is identified that grounds the experience; for example, this year’s was Expert Mode, and every moment was thoughtfully woven together to create a connective tissue to the theme. While planning activities and moments, the organizers allow for “magical pixie dust” moments to reveal themselves, and they lean right into it (for example, a popsicle stand at the top of a grueling founder hike). To make this gathering excellent year after year, the team prepares fiercely, allows the magic to happen, and always seeks to improve year after year.

Private Women Founder/CEO Retreat: Empowering Community

Another incredible gathering that holds its own in my calendar is a private retreat for women founders that a great friend of mine has hosted over the last three years. The experience is artfully and painstakingly designed for women founders and CEOs to showcase the power of creating a safe and empowering community. This event allows women leaders to share their unique challenges, triumphs, and lessons. This gathering provides an environment where attendees feel understood and validated by focusing on inclusivity, empathy, and support. It reinforces the idea that they are not alone in their journey, bolstering a sense of belonging and helping combat the isolation often experienced by women in leadership positions.

The grounding principles for this event were first, to be diligently curated with only 50 participants. The leaders organized meals and activities as carefully crafted groups of diverse participants to avoid cliques of those who know each other previously. The agenda was kept to 50% programming and 50% downtime, which allowed the group to profoundly decompress. The setting is always somewhere in nature. And the most powerful principle, in my opinion, was that the organizers strongly opposed people showing up late or leaving early. Imbuing the event with "generous authority" (as outlined in Priya Parker's book, The Art of Gathering), allowed all of us to stay present and mindful throughout.

"Humor: Serious Business" Class at GSB: Inspiring Connection Through Levity

Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) offers a class,?Humor: Serious Business ?(taught by Dr. Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas , and Connor Diemand-Yauman )?that demonstrates the transformative potential of incorporating humor into gatherings. Levity has an incredible power to connect people and create a positive, inclusive atmosphere.?The?class focuses on leveraging humor for effective communication, building rapport, and fostering connection. By encouraging participants to explore the role of humor in their personal and professional lives, the class facilitates genuine interactions and encourages attendees to embrace their authentic selves. Laughter is a unifying force, breaking down barriers and creating bonds beyond the classroom.

In the last class, students are invited to tell their 90-second “Signature Story” which they have been working on over the term. Aaker describes this story as "an intriguing, authentic, involving narrative with a strategic message that enables individuals to grow by clarifying or enhancing their brand, relationships, and/or career. What I found so impactful in witnessing this last class was the ritual steeped in the gathering. Each student knew exactly what was expected of them, with each classmate showing up to applaud them onto and off the stage. After the stories were told, the professors stood on stage.

They gave the most heartfelt, hilarious, and?personal?ode to each student and their story. Watching it was incredible and one of the highest moments of intention I’ve witnessed at a class or workshop.

The grounding principles behind excellent and can’t-miss gatherings are essential to combating the loneliness epidemic affecting many people?today. By examining events that have recently impacted my connection to the community, I noticed a few commonalities in these exceptional experiences: authenticity, empathy, inclusivity, “planned” spontaneity, and levity. These principles remind us that gatherings can catalyze profound connections, support, and personal growth. As event organizers, we are responsible for incorporating these principles into our events, ensuring that participants leave with more than just a collection of business cards; they gain a network of genuine connections that enrich their lives.

During Global Loneliness Awareness Week, let us renew our commitment to creating excellent gatherings that uplift, inspire, and combat loneliness. We can forge a future where events connect people and contribute to their well-being.