From Corporate Events Manager to Speakers Bureau with Gail Davis

<p>In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Gail Davis of GDA Speakers. Gail started out working for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) after college. She had many different jobs over her 20 year career at EDS. The last job she had was as an events manager. On the final night of an inner circle event, the chairman of EDS asked for a new speaker as he was tired of hearing the same speakers over and over. On a friday night, Gail watched a movie with her husband and the rest is history. Today Gail enjoys what she does and is living her freedom day!</p> <p>Gail and Jeff discuss:</p> <ol> <li>Graduated from the University of Oklahoma and went to work immediately for Electronic Data Systems (EDS).</li> <li>She did a variety of things at EDS and really enjoyed the experience.</li> <li>Her last job she had at EDS was manager of corporate events. Which included a sales incentive program where they recognized the top performers.</li> <li>She loved it; she got to pick the location, the entertainment, the gifts, the excursions and the speakers.</li> <li>In 1994 on the final night of the inner circle event, the chairman of the company asked who next year's speaker would be and requested someone new and different.</li> <li>On a friday night, Gail went to a video store (like Blockbuster) and she chose the movie Alive.</li> <li>10 mins into the movie her husband said this would be perfect for inner circle and after 2 hours of watching the movie she was sold.</li> <li>After pitching the idea to the chairman of EDS and getting his approval Gail went to work to find Nando Parrado.</li> <li>There was no google at the time so she reached out to her network and received some discouraging feedback.</li> <li>Gail persevered anyway and was able to find Nando and talk him into being the speaker for the next year.</li> <li>As Nando was leaving he invited her to Uruguay and she took a trip with her entire family and they became great friends.</li> <li>4 years later the chairman of EDS left, her boss/mentor died and she decided t