Recently, I found myself immersed in an audiobook about food and mental health that challenged my personal views and habits about nutrition. As someone with certifications in nutrition who embraces a predominantly plant-based lifestyle, listening to a staunch advocate for keto and carnivore diets felt like venturing into uncomfortable territory.

My first instinct? *Cringe* Maybe I can return it... But if I wanted to walk my talk about being open to other perspectives that don't necessarily align with my own, I had to keep listening.

Tucked away where California and Nevada meet, Lake Tahoe is a breathtaking destination—a vast, sapphire-blue lake cradled by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Just a short 40-minute drive from Reno’s major airport, your journey to this stunning alpine retreat is as scenic as the destination itself.
At OmniEra, we specialize in curating unforgettable incentive travel experiences and transformative retreats, so revisiting Lake Tahoe post-pandemic was a must. And let me tell you, this mountain paradise continues to impress with its endless charm and versatility.
Whether you’re looking for vibrant energy or serene relaxation, Lake Tahoe offers an array of accommodations to suit your vision. Indulge in the lively atmosphere of Nevada’s iconic casino resorts like the Golden Nugget and Harvey’s, or opt for a cozy, intimate escape at The Coachman Hotel. No matter the season, there’s a perfect lakeside setting for you.

DEIA policies and practices offer a host of advantages that drive business success and financial growth. Here are five key ways DEIA makes good business sense:

1. Enhanced Innovation
   Diverse teams bring a wealth of perspectives, sparking creativity and innovative problem-solving. This leads to groundbreaking ideas and unique solutions that give businesses a competitive edge, fueling long-term growth.
2. Access to a Broader Talent Pool
   Embracing DEIA opens the door to a wider range of qualified candidates from all backgrounds. By attracting top talent, businesses boost efficiency, performance, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
3. Improved Employee Engagement
   When employees feel valued and included, they thrive. A culture of equity and accessibility improves job satisfaction, boosts productivity, and reduces costly turnover. Happy employees create a powerful foundation for sustainable business growth.
4. Stronger Customer Connections
   A diverse workforce reflects and understands the diverse global customer base. This strengthens relationships, drives loyalty, and opens doors to new markets. Notably, the disabled community alone accounts for an estimated $8 trillion in disposable income annually—$13 trillion when including their friends and family. Businesses that embrace accessibility can tap into this massive market.
5. Better Decision-Making
   Inclusive teams make well-rounded, informed decisions. By considering diverse viewpoints, they develop smarter strategies, reduce risks, and achieve better outcomes, ultimately maximizing profitability.

DEIA isn’t just about doing what’s right—it’s about doing what’s smart. It’s a strategic investment in innovation, talent, and growth, ensuring businesses not only survive but thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

Let us know your thoughts. 

Earlier this January, the Northern California and Napa-Sonoma Chapters of ILEA (International Live Event Association) led their annual joint program at the Lighthouse at Glen Cove Marina with a very important theme: Mental Wellness, particularly focusing on those of us in events and hospitality, but a key topic for us all.

Shining a light on mental wellness and reducing the stigma is a much needed push we need to continue to have in our society. While everyone in any occupation is affected, those of us in hospitality and live events face a unique type of challenge with both being one of the top 5 most stressful jobs reported year after year, and in such a public facing role where we all need to be "on" all the time. (The world is burning! ...As we have a big grin on our face to make everyone else feel like things are going smoothly). 

I was thankful to share my story briefly alongside fellow speakers Jill McDonald, Patrick McMichael and Elizabeth Becker. Each of us has gone through a transformation in our lives from a mental health perspective and are now able to share to give strength and hope to others that may be struggling with similar processes. After my introduction I was able to lead the group through a short exercise in becoming mindful and present at the beginning of the program to set the tone and intention for the rest of the program, which included activities such as sharing circles that I was able to lead one of the two. I must say, I don't think I've ever attended an event with such transparency, vulnerability, strength and support as this one! It truly took the attendees having a safe place in which to share their own stories, create connections, and help each other with suggestions and ideas on how to get through the difficult times and experiences that we all must face at one time or another. 

The joint program featured healthy meal and snack offerings, as well as a variety of delicious (not sugar overloaded!) healthy mocktails alongside the always highlighted signature cocktails from Chris Evans Catering and San Francisco Cocktail Club. There were areas to have a quiet reflective space, a beautiful sunset walk along the marina, and plenty of networking time for everyone to regroup and connect on their experience and how we can continue to support each other's businesses. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible. It was a perfect example how what we need to do, how we need to do it, and why it is so needed in our work and homelives, especially these days!
Thanks to our other event sponsors: The Lux Productions, CORT Rentals, AM Party Rentals, Snap Fiesta, Peace of Kate and Duy Ho Photography.