TaylorMade 2¢

August 13, 2026
in Lessons Learned, TaylorMade Best Practices

Written: July 28, 2026 By Melissa Cather, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Finance Relationship expert Esther Perel has explored the idea of "Artificial Intimacy".  The illusion of connection created through technology without the depth of genuine human presence. Her work asks an important question: What happens when technology satisfies our need for interaction without requiring the vulnerability and spontaneity that make relationships meaningful? It's a concept that resonates deeply with those of us in the events industry. Every day, we witness the extraordinary difference between interacting and truly connecting. As artificial intelligence continues to...

July 13, 2026
in Culture, Events, TaylorMade Best Practices

In 2024, I wrote about taking my daughter Sofia to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour finale at London’s Wembley Stadium. Watching 92,000 fans light up in perfect sync was a masterclass in experience design, and I pulled four lessons from that night: craft the experience first, cultivate engagement, keep the excitement alive, and show genuine appreciation. Those touchstones have been on my mind again this summer as two slightly different headlines fill my feed: The FIFA World Cup 2026 is already the most attended tournament in history, drawing more than 3.6 million fans...

July 22, 2025
in Lessons Learned, TaylorMade Best Practices

In the wake of recent headlines, many professionals are asking themselves: what privacy expectations can we have in large event settings?  Step onto the show floor of a 5,000-person conference, a high-energy product launch, or a nonprofit gala, and you’ll notice cameras everywhere, roving crews capturing highlight reels, smartphones posting real-time stories, drones sweeping the room for sweeping overhead shots. At TaylorMade Experience (TME), we orchestrate these moments with purpose: to amplify our clients’ missions and extend the life of their events long after the lights dim. Yet one question surfaces...

September 9, 2024
in Culture, Events, TaylorMade Best Practices

My daughter Sofia and I recently returned from London, where we attended the final show of the European leg of The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium. Saying it was an unforgettable experience feels like an understatement. The show was brilliant, and it reaffirmed that Taylor Swift is not just a music icon but a master event orchestrator in every sense. As the post-concert glow faded, my business instincts kicked in. I found myself reflecting on what made the event so extraordinary. With over 25 years of experience planning and executing...

March 31, 2023
in TaylorMade Best Practices

TaylorMade Experience’s Must-Reads When we’re not reading Colleen Hoover’s latest romance novel, our team at TaylorMade Experience can be found diving deep into literature and podcasts to better understand the industry, our team dynamic, and our clients. When our experienced Executive Team was asked to evaluate their favorite professional must-reads, these are the books they had to recommend. Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage The MillennialsBy Bruce Tulgan ✔️ Management Style      ✔️ All Professions      ✔️ Short Read Available on Amazon: Hardcover or PaperbackAbout: Not Everyone Gets a Trophy:...

October 26, 2022
in TaylorMade Best Practices

We all know how vital adaptability has been in event planning in recent years. The ability to shift gears and plan for non-traditional and virtual events has been the saving grace for most organizations and has led many to thrive despite challenging conditions. But have you considered how the new generation of event attendees and donors moves very differently than previous generations and what that means for your organization? Let’s look at some of the changes you should consider implementing to welcome Millennials and Generation Z donors and attendees.  Food and...

August 18, 2022
in Events, Vendor Partner

TME partners with trusted vendors to provide our clients with a seamless experience in assembling the audio, visual, marketing, and production needs for an event. Several years ago, we were introduced to Dynamic Productions and their Director of Accounts, Ashley Lehrman, who has since helped us to deliver a number of successful virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. A/V contracts can be overwhelming to review.  With that in mind, we sat down with Ashley to discuss the must-haves, extras that might be worth your investment, and how to choose the right...

June 7, 2022
in TaylorMade Best Practices

There’s no question that one of the most creative ways to capture attention and engage audiences with your event marketing pieces is through the effective use of elements like graphic design.  Yet, as eye-catching, creative, and colorful graphic designs are, they must also maintain brand consistency for your organization, since your event marketing pieces are ultimately a part of a larger brand story. As such, each marketing piece created for your organization’s events should always be cohesive with your brand. But how do you ensure that happens? Here are four...

April 13, 2022
in TaylorMade Best Practices

If you’ve ever hosted a meeting or function you know that event-day jitters are quite common. After all, you’ve likely spent months preparing for the big event and you want everything to come off without a hitch. However, there’s a big difference between anticipation of the event and anxiety about it. If you want to ensure that your emotional state on event day is calmer and more collected than frazzled and frantic, here are three surefire tips to banish those event day jitters.  Preparation is Key  Create a working staff plan including...

February 10, 2022
in Events, TaylorMade Best Practices

So far 2022 has proven to have the same level of unpredictability as Washington DC’s weather. There have been ups and downs…but TME is optimistic this year will mark the return of in-person events. As we prepare for what’s sure to be a busy spring season, we wanted to break down the trends we’re seeing in the event space from vendors, clients, and attendees.  Outdoor Events:  Attendees and organizations alike remain hesitant to host a completely indoor event.This spring you can expect to see an increase in the number of events hosted...