Twenty Years Forward: Celebrating FORWARD's Legacy and Honoring Two Irreplaceable Souls

Twenty years ago today, on June 25th, 2005, OmniEra produced its first in-house event, FORWARD, in Oakland, California. What began as an artist management company representing over 20 diverse talents—DJs, musicians, producers, dancers, visual artists, and our dance group N-Effect—had evolved from supporting larger production companies around Northern California to a moment of realization: "Hey, we could do something ourselves!" And with the tremendous support of our music and dance community, we did exactly that.

OmniEra Entertainment was born in the late spring of 2002, starting with just two fire poi performers and a dance group. As our collective grew and friendships deepened, we discovered something magical—a place where we could think outside the box, collaborate, innovate, dream, support, and grow together. Coming from San Francisco's diverse underground scene, we printed our manifesto on the back of our first event's flier:

"Calling all party people... We're not here to preach how good it was 'back in the day'. We're not trying to bring back the 'old' vibe. It's time we appreciate all we have right here in our scene, make ourselves better, and move FORWARD."

We couldn't have imagined the impact this event would create. While we were hoping for 250-300 people, about 500 showed up—the only time I've ever gone over capacity. But more than numbers, we created memories that have lasted decades, marking countless firsts for us, our attendees, and paving the way for FORWARD: Step 2 and Step 3 to follow, along with countless other events in the 2000s and until today. The success was remarkable, especially considering we were competing with San Francisco's Pride weekend, EDC in Southern California, and our dear friends at DOTS, who coincidentally had their event the same evening. All were greatly attended, proving the strength of our collective community.
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We wanted to represent the full spectrum of dance music genres and honor the various production crews we'd been part of, resulting in a lineup of 30+ DJs from across Northern California, complemented by artistic activations and performances throughout the evening.

Remembering Two Irreplaceable Hearts

Though dozens of people have supported OmniEra throughout these two decades, we wouldn't have survived without two extraordinarily special souls: Chris "Cloudskipper" Madore and Carlos Alfonzo Lopez, aka Suprimo.

Chris became my right-hand partner starting at the end of 2003. While I handled management and harbored big dreams, he possessed the technical mastery of sound, lighting, and production that I lacked. Our partnership weathered every season—collaborations and arguments, adventures and late-night calls, being there for each other even when we drove each other crazy. He took the words from our FORWARD manifesto and transformed them into a track bearing the same name. For two solid decades, we were integral parts of each other's lives (the only person I talked on the phone with more than him was my mom), until he sadly passed away on November 30th, 2022.

Carlos and I first met in 2002, though our friendship didn't deepen until a year later when he was organizing one of his events. I kept pushing him to promote in San Francisco while he was still living in the South Bay—a dynamic that would define our friendship for the next two decades. We constantly pushed each other, supported each other's growth, served as each other's biggest cheerleaders, and navigated life's countless twists and turns together. In 2006, we fell in love with wine at a downtown SF wine bar, inspiring us to create "Wine Snob SF"—a blog that evolved from the MySpace era through Instagram, with a website that was unfortunately taken down this past year following his unexpected passing on April 11th, 2024. He was my number one person and partner in life. 

Moving Forward with Their Spirit

The loss of these two people creates a heartache I can never fully overcome. Part of me wanted to quit everything—OmniEra after Chris, and everything after Carlos. But over this past year, I've learned that although they're no longer physically here, they remain with me. I feel their support and encouragement in my mind and heart constantly, guiding me forward.

I wouldn't be who I am today, and OmniEra wouldn't exist, without these two extraordinary people. My love and loyalty to them endure eternally, and we will always dedicate and remember Chris and Carlos in everything OmniEra becomes, no matter what direction or turns our future may take.

As we celebrate twenty years of FORWARD today, we honor not just an event or a milestone, but the beautiful souls who made it all possible and continue to inspire us to keep moving forward.

Thank you everyone for all of your support, always.

~ Samantha T. Marie

This last month, I had the incredible privilege of participating in Skift Meetings' webinar "The Wellness Intersection" – a conversation that perfectly marries my two greatest passions: events and wellness. As someone who lives and breathes both industries, I was thrilled to dive deep into what wellness integration actually looks like when you're designing meaningful experiences for meeting and event attendees.

The webinar tackled the big question that keeps event professionals up at night: Is wellness an expense or an investment? Spoiler alert: when done thoughtfully, it's absolutely an investment with measurable ROI.
I was honored to share the virtual stage with Sepideh Eivaz, founder of Dawn of the Earth, with the expert moderation of Andrea Doyle, Executive Editor at Skift Meetings, and Barbara Scofiddio, Editor at Skift Meetings. A huge thank you to our sponsor, Caesars Entertainment, for supporting this important conversation.

Breaking the One-Size-Fits-All Wellness Myth
Here's the reality check we all need: wellness is not one-size-fits-all. So why do we keep designing wellness programming as if everyone is a 6 AM runner or devoted yogi?
Not everyone bounces out of bed ready for sunrise meditation. Some of us aren't morning people at all, and let's be honest – many attendees are battling jet lag from crossing time zones to get to your event. The key shift? Design your day around managing energy, not just time.
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We're already cramming a lot into our event schedules. The real question becomes: what's going to keep attendees most attentive, efficient, and engaged? If your event goal is meaningful connection, learning, or collaboration, then keeping attendees happy, healthy, awake, energized, and included isn't just nice-to-have – it's mission-critical.

Wellness Goes Way Beyond Food and Fitness
Yes, we absolutely need to rethink those morning pastries and sugar crashes waiting to happen. Swapping high-sugar snacks for vegetarian proteins and nutrients that maintain steady glucose levels is Wellness 101. But that's just the beginning.
Consider this scenario: You've just served a substantial lunch, and your next agenda item is an afternoon keynote in a windowless ballroom. Can you practically see your attendees slipping into food comas? This is prime time for strategic intervention.
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Instead of fighting biology, work with it. Insert a 20-30 minute energizing activity – maybe a group walk or even a Zumba shake-out session to get blood flowing, improve digestion, and boost alertness. For attendees with physical limitations or those who prefer gentler options, offer guided meditation or intentional mindfulness activities that refocus and reenergize minds.

Creating Space for Every Attendee Type
Here's something we don't talk about enough: not everyone is an extrovert. Many attendees may be neurodivergent, finding crowded rooms, fluorescent lighting, and constant noise overwhelming rather than energizing.
One of my favorite inclusive design solutions? Create a dedicated reprieve room – a quiet space with soft lighting where phones stay outside and people can reset for a few minutes. This isn't just beneficial for introverts or neurodivergent attendees; it's a gift everyone can use when they need to recharge.

The Ripple Effect of Mindful Attendee Care
When you prioritize attendees' mental wellbeing, something magical happens. You see increased engagement, deeper interactions, stronger team building, better retention, and attendees who genuinely feel valued and seen.

Think about it: how often do people leave conferences feeling drained, exhausted, and needing days to recover? What if they actually felt rejuvenated instead? Imagine attendees returning home energized, having eaten well, slept better, and stayed mentally focused throughout your program. How do you think they'd feel about attending next year? What stories would they tell about your event?

Small Changes, Big Impact
Even something as simple as room gifts can make a difference. That standard box of chocolates? It might not work for attendees managing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or other health conditions that are increasingly common as our industry demographics shift into their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

Instead, consider gifts that pamper wellbeing – wellness teas they can enjoy in their hotel room, soothing face or foot masks, or other items that support their health journey. These thoughtful touches show you see your attendees as whole people, not just conference participants.

The Bottom Line: ROI That Actually Matters
Here's what excites me most about wellness-integrated event design: the ROI isn't just about attendee experience and retention (though those benefits are substantial). It also impacts your actual bottom line.

Healthy alternatives often cost less than their processed counterparts. Many wellness activities can be implemented at low or no additional cost. When you thoughtfully sprinkle wellness offerings throughout your event, you're able to meet most attendees where they are with their individual wellness needs and desires, maintaining energy and motivation throughout the entire program.

The Inclusive Design Imperative
Event design with wellness in mind is incomplete if it's not holistically and inclusively planned. This means meeting attendees where they are, acknowledging that we all have different wellness needs, preferences, and limitations.
The goal isn't to create a wellness retreat (unless that's specifically your event type). It's about weaving considerate, energizing, and inclusive elements throughout your existing program design to enhance rather than overshadow your core objectives.

Let's Continue the Conversation
Wellness-integrated event design isn't just a trend – it's the future of creating experiences that truly serve our attendees. I'm passionate about helping event professionals discover practical, budget-friendly ways to implement these strategies.
Have questions about integrating wellness into your next event? Curious about specific strategies for your attendee demographic? Want to brainstorm inclusive design solutions? I'd love to chat!

I'm offering complimentary 20-minute consultations to discuss how wellness integration could transform your events. No sales pitch – just genuine conversation between event professionals who care about creating meaningful experiences.
Ready to explore the wellness intersection for your events? Drop me a line or comment below with your biggest wellness integration challenge. I read and respond to every message!

And if you missed the original webinar, you can catch the full recording of "The Wellness Intersection" on Skift Meetings' YouTube channel here. It's definitely worth the watch if you're serious about elevating your event design game. 
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What wellness integration strategies have you tried at your events? What challenges are you facing? Share your experiences in the comments – I'd love to learn from your insights too!

We're back! After a whirlwind May that had me stepping away from the blog to handle all the chaos that comes with that time of year, I'm excited to dive back in. There was PCMANCC's annual education conference L.E.A.P. in Sacramento (I was Chair of L.E.A.P. a couple years ago), Mother's Day weekend, EDC Las Vegas, BottleRock in Napa, MPINCC's Corks & Forks, and a 25 Year anniversary party celebrating some epic times in San Francisco's music and dance culture. What better way to return than by talking about the destination I should have covered months ago...

This OmniBlog has been going strong for almost half a year now, and while we've explored incredible wellness retreats and incentive destinations up and down the western coast, there's one glaring omission that has me scratching my head: How have I not written about Las Vegas yet?!

Those of you who know me are probably shocked. Those who don't know me yet might be thinking, "Why Vegas?" Trust me, I've heard it all over the past 20+ years: "You don't drink, you don't gamble—Vegas isn't your thing." Well, I've been changing minds longer than some of you have been alive. And though I may be getting older in another state, that doesn't mean I don't know what's happening in Vegas life. Because let me tell you—it's been my second home for at least two decades.
I'm more up-to-date with Vegas restaurants than those in my own hometown these days. I've been trying to move there permanently since before the pandemic, and at this point, they should just give me honorary residency because I'm there at least every other month.

The Vegas Series Begins
Obviously, I can't give you a complete Vegas overview in one blog post. Will I drip-feed you content over a month? A season? A year? Let's see how this flows. What I can give you is the best of the best—the experiences that never disappoint.

Let's be real: my favorite thing to do in Vegas is eat. If you're a foodie or someone who aspires to be one, this is your destination. How could I live on a coast and yet have the best crab legs of my life in Vegas? Maestro's Ocean Club at Crystals delivers fluffy, buttery heaven alongside those Instagram-worthy smoky dry ice cocktails. Not to be outdone by Ocean Prime just a stone's throw away.

"But aren't those chains?" you might ask. Hate to break it to you, but not all chains are created equal. Case in point: my #1 most recommended restaurant ever--Vic & Anthony's at the Golden Nugget. It took me YEARS before I finally brought a group there circa 2014 because, yes, a chain steakhouse in downtown old Vegas seemed questionable. I was seriously mistaken.
For the past decade, I've made it a point to dine there at least once during my birthday week and literally any other time I can sneak in a dinner—whether I'm there for an event, a conference, or flying solo. They're probably the reason I won't give up red meat completely, and their wine list is to die for. (Please tell me y'all know I know my wine, right?)

Beyond the Dining Scene
And the shows? Before I get to the really good stuff, let me say this: my favorite Cirque shows aren't necessarily the top-tier headliners (though those are great in their own right). I completely understand why Blue Man Group has been around for over two decades, and I'm hoping to catch Absinthe again soon.
Let's talk museums. Everyone's different, but I love history and lights, so the Neon Museum Boneyard tour—especially at night—has been a favorite for years. Do the Mob Museum and hit the underground Speakeasy while you're at it.

The Quick Vegas Hit
I was recently asked by someone with a 6-hour layover what to show a Vegas first-timer. That was tough because you need to account for travel time to and from the airport, plus the never-ending construction reality of Vegas. Here's what I recommended:
Take a car directly from the airport to the High Roller at the Linq Promenade. If you're over 21 and willing to have a drink, I highly recommend the High Roller Happy Half Hour—open bar for the 30-minute adventure with a much better vibe than the regular excursion. You can see SO much of Las Vegas from that height, including the Bellagio fountains. It's a must. I probably have eight annual photos of friends there during my birthday celebrations.

After the High Roller, walk across to the Bellagio and visit their Conservatory of Flowers that changes every season. If you're looking to gamble, the less expensive hotels like Harrah's and Flamingo might be in your favor. If you're looking for some more higher end tables with a lux vibe, the Wynn, Cosmopolitan, and Venetian are all within walking distance. With more time? I absolutely suggest hitting Fremont Street at night—the Golden Nugget has that famous pool with a water slide through a shark tank (more on that later), and the Zoomline on SlotZilla is currently the best zipline experience in Vegas.

What's Coming Next
Don't just take my word for these recommendations—but definitely hit me up to see what would be best for YOU! Over the next few months, I'll be diving deep into everything that makes Vegas the perfect destination for both wellness escapes and unforgettable incentive experiences. Yes, you read that right—Vegas wellness is absolutely a thing, and I can't wait to show you how.
Welcome back to OmniBlog, and get ready for some serious Vegas insider knowledge from your girl who's been loving this city for 25+ years.

What aspect of Vegas are you most curious about? Drop me a line—I'd love to hear what you want to explore first!