My Year of Yes

As we stand at the intersection of Valentine's Day and the commencement of the Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon, I find myself pausing to reflect and look ahead with renewed energy. This unique confluence of celebrations marks not just a time of love but also symbolizes strength, fortune, and transformation.

After a whirlwind start to 2024, filled with conventions, conferences, festivals, and industry gatherings, I am reminded of the continuous cycle of beginnings and endings, joy and discovery. This life, with all of its ebbs and flows, acts as a reminder of the perpetual motion of our personal and professional journeys. Each ending ushers in a new beginning, each discovery sparks joy, and every moment of joy is a discovery in itself. Each of these gatherings have transcended dates on a calendar, serving as milestones on a map of growth and self-reflection.

2023: My Year of Joy

Transitioning from this backdrop of continuous motion and reflection, I turn to the chapter of 2023, which I fondly termed my "Year of Joy." Sparked by a poignant farewell to Young's Custard Stand, a fixture in my hometown community in Pennsylvania for 75 years, this serendipitous discovery of "Joy" served as my inspiration for the year. A three-letter-word on an ice cream cone wrapper connected me to family, to my childhood, and to taking time out to enjoy every moment.

While watching the Super Bowl last night, I reflected on previous year's joyful moments. Spending more time with my neice and nephew. Going out with friends after too many years in quarantine. Seeing live music again.

My professional journey last year took me through familiar and new terrains—CES, NAMM, SXSW, and, for the first time, the Music Business Association 's Music Biz in Nashville and KCON in Los Angeles. These engagements were defined by profound connections and unforgettable experiences. The opportunity to spend meaningful time with our global clients in vibrant cities such as Las Vegas, Austin, and Nashville was particularly rewarding. Additionally, our ventures extended beyond the conference rooms and convention halls into the vibrant cultural scenes of these cities, including memorable outings to various tiki bars.

The TED Conference in Vancouver was particularly transformative, serving as a "Mind Spa" that refreshed my perspective on technology, creativity, and personal growth. There, I discovered that joy was more than a feeling; it was a superpower that enabled me to create and embrace unforgettable experiences. Check out my event recap: "TED 2023: Supercharging Possibility."

But the highlight of 2023 was a personal one, and it came right at the end of the year. In celebration of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary, our family traveled to Disney World for a week in Orlando the day after Christmas. My parents surprised my 4-year old niece and 9-year old nephew with the trip, telling them just three days before we left that we were "Going to Disney World!" Experiencing the wonder and magic through their eyes was an unparalleled joy.

A New Chapter Begins

New Year's Day 2024 marked a thrilling new chapter in my life—I got engaged at Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando! As a longtime fan of the Star Wars universe, there couldn't have been a more exhilarating backdrop than the Millennium Falcon itself! This moment, marked by a unique proposal featuring a video message from Joel McHale (see links below), was the perfect segue into 2024 - my Year of Yes.

You can watch Allen's proposal via Joel McHale here. And my response via Dom Monaghan is here. (Shout-Out to Cameo for giving us the opportunity to make this an even more memorable occassion.)

This journey from joy to affirmation, from reflection to action, encapsulates a narrative of growth, embracing opportunities, and celebrating life, savoring every moment. Saying YES.

2024: My Year of Yes

Our team at memBrain kicked off this year in a whirlwind, activating high-impact events with KiTbetter at CES , deepening industry connections with incredible clients like Ultimate Ears Pro at the NAMM Show, and celebrating music's biggest night during GRAMMY week.

And now, with these accomplishments behind us, we are now actively gearing up to release the 97th issue of the membrane STORM Report for February, along with our annual CES 2024 report (subscribe here for FREE access).

** Check out our 2023 report here! **

Now, as we navigate the early days of the Lunar New Year and embrace the spirit of Valentine's Day, I am propelled by the dynamic energy of the Dragon to seize opportunities and cultivate growth. I've made it my objective to embrace life’s opportunities with open arms.

That means:

• I am seeking avenues to speak, lecture, travel, and network (hit me up).
• I will continue to lead with innovation and curiosity, leveraging my unique background to bring fresh perspectives and solutions to the table.
• I will invest in relationships and collaborations. Building and nurturing meaningful connections will be a priority, whether it's strengthening existing relationships or forging new alliances.
• I am going to show up for it all. Fully present and engaged, I am ready to embrace each moment, challenge, and opportunity that comes my way.

My team is planning an ambitious slate of activities at SXSW 2024 in Austin in March, which will be announced soon. Bringing together the worlds of technology, creative marketing, and music all in one place, SXSW is the ideal place for memBrain to shine, and we can't wait to share what we have in store!

I've also decided to return to Vancouver for TED 2024: The Brave and the Brilliant in April to celebrate the conference's 40th Anniversary and to find inspiration with ideas worth sharing. This is a personal investment in myself as I left last year's event energized for human potential and the power of big ideas.

As we celebrate love and embrace the transformative power of the Dragon, let us look forward to a year abundant with possibilities, change, and the excitement of new adventures.

Here’s to a year ahead brimming with potential, change, and the excitement of what's yet to come.

I can't wait to share it with you.

Let's make every moment count!