Winning the Game of Events with Unreasonable Hospitality

Service gets you in the game — but hospitality is how you win it. In this book-review episode, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren dive into "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara and unpack why unforgettable events aren’t built on flawless logistics alone. From budgeting for joy to empowering teams to create emotional moments, this conversation reframes hospitality as the ultimate competitive advantage in events AND in work.  Whether you’re producing a global conference, a fundraiser dinner, or a backyard gathering, this episode is a permission slip to get a little unreasonable in the name of meaning, connection, and magic.  Takeaways: Service is expected. Hospitality is remembered. Logistics matter — but how people feel is what lasts. Budget for joy. Even small, intentional “magic moments” can have an outsized emotional impact. Empower your team to create meaning. Hospitality scales when people are trusted to act with heart. Flawless execution isn’t the goal, emotion is. Aim for 95% excellence and leave room for joyful surprise. Hospitality is a leadership strategy. It’s not soft — it’s a serious competitive edge.  Timestamps:  [01:39] — Why Unreasonable Hospitality belongs in the event professional playbook  [03:26] — Service vs. hospitality: doing the job vs. making people feel seen  [07:22] — The 95/5 rule: planning for excellence and magic  [08:55] — Why small moments (like surprise treats) leave the biggest impression  [10:00] — Budgeting for joy and empowering your team to create emotional wins  Resources & Links: -Read: Unreasonable Hospitality -Listen: Neuroscience Hacks for Unforgettable Events with Lisa Schulteis -Listen: Creating Community (Not Competition) with the Better Events Podcast -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn Connect with Us: -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast -Facebook: @Beats Working -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. Send Feedback: If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected].   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.