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

Sometimes the Best Goals Are the Ones You Actually Make Space For

I finally sat down to create my vision board for the new year, and for once… it didn’t feel overwhelming. Why? Because I used a vision board kit that required no glue, no cutting, no mess, no perfection.

You literally slide the cards into the slots. Images, quotes, dreams — all ready to go. Simple. Peaceful. Doable.

And that ease gave me a moment to pause and reflect on last year.

Because last year was the first time I ever created a vision board — and although I didn’t accomplish everything on it, here’s what I did do:

• Wrote my first book
• Became a best-selling author
• Won an award for the book
• Tripled my business goal
• Made more time for friends
• Traveled more than I have in years

Not because the board magically made it happen… But because for the first time, I actually made space to name what I wanted.

Here’s the real aha:

It’s not the pictures on your vision board that change your life. It’s the clarity you create when the process is simple enough that you actually do it.

When the friction disappears:

• You get honest about what you want
• You see what matters most
• And you start making decisions that quietly align with that vision

This kit made it effortless. No glue. No cutting. No magazine mess. Just me, my intentions, and a tool that made the process feel fun instead of overwhelming.

My vision board came together in minutes — not because I rushed it, but because simplicity gave my goals room to breathe.

And that’s the lesson I’m taking with me into this year: Remove the friction, and the vision becomes clearer. Make space for the dream, and you start moving toward it.

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One Thing to Know

🏨 Event Essentials - How a Hotel Sourcer can actually help you? A hotel sourcer doesn’t just “find a hotel.” We manage the entire front end of the process so you don’t have to. That includes identifying the right destinations, matching properties to your goals and budget, negotiating rates and concessions, reviewing contracts for risk, and keeping timelines on track. The biggest benefit? You’re not spending hours chasing proposals, comparing apples to oranges, or worrying about fine print you shouldn’t have to decipher.

When you work with a sourcer early, you gain an advocate who understands how hotels think, what’s negotiable, and where flexibility exists. It saves time, reduces risk, and often results in better terms — all while allowing you to stay focused on strategy, content, and your attendees.

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🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - As 2025 waves goodbye, it's time to roll out the welcome mat for 2026! Is a Disney Destination vacation on your 2026 bucket list? If so, dive into these blog posts to see what magic awaits in the new year!

• ​Walt Disney World 2026 Snapshot​
• ​Disneyland 2026 Events​

🏫 Learned - I started watching Taylor Swift’s The End of an Era and was caught off guard by how emotional it made me. At first, I couldn’t tell if it was the memories flooding back from a special weekend in Chicago with my sister, nieces, and cousin—or if it was watching how thoughtfully she shows up for her fans and her crew. Probably both.

What I realized is that emotion doesn’t need a single explanation to be valid. Sometimes it’s nostalgia, sometimes it’s admiration, and sometimes it’s just a reminder of how meaningful shared experiences really are. And honestly, I think that’s a good thing.

✔️ Accomplished - I went to the theater to watch holiday movies I’ve seen more times than I can count. No bigger reason than I wanted to. It reminded me that joy doesn’t need to be justified. Sometimes doing something familiar and fun is exactly what you need to reset

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🤔 Insight for the Week

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❓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 brings me joy that I don’t need to explain, improve, or turn into something productive?

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💬 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.

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