Insights From Happily Fest, A One-Of-A-Kind Experiential Event

Hi Moon High Readers,

In today’s newsletter, I’m going to recap a really amazing event I recently attended that had nothing to do with cannabis. It was great to get out of my comfort zone and connect with a whole industry of professionals that I wouldn’t usually meet.

Organized by Happily, the first-of-its-kind marketplace for freelance media and event professionals, Happily Fest brought together a vibrant community at Level 8 in DTLA, nestled within the Moxy hotel. Happily Fest exceeded all expectations and left me feeling inspired and more connected to marketers, creatives, and event producers.

The event, founded by Sarah Shewey, the visionary CEO of Happily, was initially expected to draw 100-150 attendees, but the energy and excitement were palpable as 170 people gathered, eager to connect and share ideas. This summit was more than just an opportunity to network; it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the future of the experience economy.

Throughout the day, I had the chance to meet incredible individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. The atmosphere was electric, with conversations flowing easily as we discussed everything from the latest trends in experiential marketing to the challenges of producing world-class virtual and hybrid events.

One highlight was meeting AJ Eckstein, who provided an engaging demo of his new LinkedIn Chrome extension by his company Creator Match. This innovative tool promises to revolutionize how content creators and brands find and collaborate with each other, making it easier than ever to match the right talent with the right opportunities. I was blown away by the features he showed me! P.S. Thanks, AJ for the ticket to Happily Fest!

The workshops were another standout feature of the event. Each session was designed to be both informative and interactive, offering insights into various aspects of event production and creativity. I walked away with new ideas and strategies that I’m excited to implement in my own work. My favorite workshop was held by Jenny Sauer-Klein, which was about the power of connection in the workplace.

My takeaways from Jenny’s session were to: connect early, connect often, and gradually increase vulnerability to create an even deeper connection. Jenny had us connect with the person sitting next to us by sharing with them about a time we had re-invented ourselves. Once we exchanged stories, we were then assigned to write a haiku about our connection’s experience. I absolutely loved what my new friend wrote as my haiku (see image below).

Happily Fest was a reminder of the power of community and the incredible potential that arises when passionate professionals come together. I look forward to continuing the conversations and collaborations that began at this one-of-a-kind inspiring event.?

As noted in this drawing above by Adam Rosendahl, Sarah’s KPI for Happily Fest was for attendees to make a new best friend. Sarah, your KPI was met. Shoutout to my new friends Brian Vicente, Austin Johnston, and Gisselle Iglesias for being amazing humans! The day after Happily fest, I spent the day in Malibu with Gisselle who is now a bestie for life!

Can’t wait to see what Sarah and Happily do next!

Alice Moon

P.S. shoutout to my boss Lisa Weser who let me take the day off last minute to experience this enhancing conference! Supportive bosses help employees grow and thrive which lead to an even better workplace experience. I know I surely will be taking my learnings from Happily Fest into the workplace :)