Welcome to another edition of Kickin’ it with Kristen — where leadership lessons meet real-world hotel sourcing and event strategy.

If you’ve got an event on the horizon and want an easy, stress-free way to talk through hotels, dates, or destinations, let’s schedule a Virtual Diet Coke and brainstorm together.

#TheHotelWhisperer #eventplanning #hospitality #KIWK

💡Aha! Moment

Family Energy Vampires — A Holiday Survival Guide

After this year, I’m convinced of one thing: Every family has an energy vampire. And the holidays are their Super Bowl.

You know the one.

They walk into a room and suddenly the oxygen leaves. They speak, and your soul quietly packs a suitcase. You try to make small talk, and suddenly you’re trapped in a three-act drama you did NOT audition for.

And listen — I used to think this was just personality differences.

But after illness, loss, and holiday “togetherness,” I’ve learned:

Stress doesn’t turn people into energy vampires. It simply exposes the ones who were hiding among us the whole time.

🧛♂️ Signature Traits of the Family Energy Vampire:

(Scientific accuracy: questionable. Emotional accuracy: 100%.)

• Their crisis always has a sequel. And a prequel. And a spin-off series.
• They treat boundaries like personal attacks. “You can’t talk right now? Wow. Interesting.”
• Your emotional battery goes from 85% to 4% in under three minutes. Faster if they use phrases like “you always” or “you never.”
• They thrive on chaos the way plants thrive on sunlight. Same photosynthesis process, different ingredients.
• You leave the conversation Googling: “How to fake your own disappearance for two hours.” Just hypothetically.

You can’t control the vampire — but you CAN control the voltage they get from you.

Here are 5 brutally realistic ways to protect your energy when the family vampire emerges:

1️⃣ Shorten the exposure.

Think emotional SPF. You wouldn’t sit outside in direct sun for eight hours — don’t give them eight emotional hours either. Small doses. Limited contact. You’re welcome.

2️⃣ Use strategic bathroom breaks.

A classic. Oscar-worthy. “Oops, I need to check on something!” You don’t. But your sanity does.

3️⃣ Master the “neutral nod.”

Not agreement. Not engagement. Just enough to say: “I hear you. I am not entering this vortex.”

4️⃣ Refuse the invitation to chaos.

They will bait you. They will throw hooks. You do not have to bite. You can simply not RSVP.

5️⃣ Remember: You’re not the emotional power plant.

Their mood is not your job. Their reaction is not your fault. Their drama is not your destiny.

Aha Moment: You can love your family AND protect your peace. You can show up AND stay grounded. You can be present AND not be drained like you’re powering the entire holiday season with your emotional electricity.

Some people recharge you.

Some people drain you.

Know the difference — and guard the outlet.

One Thing to Know

🏨 Event Essentials - One of the most common challenges in event planning starts at the very beginning: not fully identifying space needs. Before reaching out to hotels, it’s critical to map out everything your event requires — not just the general session room. Breakouts, registration space, staff office space, speaker prep rooms, storage, exhibit areas, meal functions, and reception space all need to be part of the initial conversation.

Many of these are “invisible” spaces attendees never think about but planners rely on heavily. When they’re overlooked, teams end up scrambling onsite — working out of hallways, sharing rooms not designed for operational use, or trying to solve problems at the last minute. When they’re identified early, hotels can allocate space more thoughtfully, recommend better layouts, and often include these needs in the overall meeting package.

It’s also important to think through flow, not just square footage. Where will breakfast and lunch be served? How close are meals to meeting rooms? Will exhibits get traffic, or be tucked away? Does the reception space invite connection or create congestion? A well-planned flow supports engagement, reduces frustration, and creates a smoother experience for everyone involved.

The takeaway: hotels can only plan, price, and protect what they understand upfront. Clear space requirements at the start lead to stronger proposals, fewer surprises, and a much easier onsite experience.

🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - So long 2025!! To celebrate an amazing year, I took a stroll through the year’s vacation hotspots! It's always a blast to see where countless amazing families decided to make memories. Think of it as my version of Spotify Wrapped, but with a twist—let's call it Magical Moments Wrapped!

Top Disney Destinations:

1) Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort tied for the top spot!

2) Disney’s Riviera Resort

3) Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa

Top Universal Orlando Resorts:

1) Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

2) Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

3) Universal Helios Grand, A Loews Hotel

Planning a theme park adventure for 2026? I'd love to sprinkle some magic on your trip! Follow Katy Lampe with Magical Moments Vacations for the latest deals, snapshots, and all the enchanting extras!

🏫 Learned - I’ve learned that I truly love having my Christmas decorations up. I love the glow, the warmth, and the feeling they bring into the house. What I don’t love is the process of putting them up—or taking them down.

And that’s okay. Not everything we enjoy requires us to love every step of how it happens. Sometimes it’s enough to acknowledge, “This part is worth it, even if I don’t love the work around it.” That mindset applies to a lot more than decorations.

✔️ Accomplished - Last week I finished the things I usually avoid. I spent time on a few things I tend to put off—expenses, planning, and some admin cleanup. None of it was exciting, but all of it made my head feel lighter.

It reminded me that progress isn’t always about momentum. Sometimes it’s about removing the noise so you can think again.

🤔 Insight for the Week

❓A Question Worth Asking

Every week, I’ll leave you with one question—something I’m asking myself or my clients. Take it into your next team meeting, journaling session, or just a quiet moment.

🟡 This week’s question: What’s one small thing I’ve been avoiding that would make everything else feel a little lighter once it’s done?

💬 Let’s Connect! Whether you’re planning an event, looking for leadership coaching, or dreaming up your next adventure, let’s chat. Hit reply, or find Kristen on LinkedIn and Katy on Facebook/Instagram.

Forwarded this email? SIGN UP HERE. Follow me on LinkedIn.​