Christine Cashen and Tami Evans of Emcee Squared will serve as emcees for MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), June 15-17 in Las Vegas. Dubbed the “Tina and Amy” of events, the two have a combined 40 years of speaking experience at more than 1,000 events.
Cashen has worked as a university admissions officer, corporate trainer and broadcaster and is the author of The Good Stuff: Quips & Tips on Life, Love, Work, and Happiness and It’s YOUR Business: Good Stuff for Your Personal, Professional, and Funny Business.
Evans, formerly the president of the National Speakers Association of New York City, has worked as a corporate manager, university professor and communications specialist and has experience as a fashion designer and professional actress. She is the author of Half Full of It: Activating Optimism and Other Hard-Core Soft-Skills.
How excited are you to be in front of a live audience again?
Tami: Straight up pee-my-pants excited.
Christine: It is surreal. To feel and feed off of that live energy is going to be like taking a long cold drink after a desert run. However, I may have to start with some “training heels” to be ready for real footwear.
How will you customize your approach to the WEC audience?
Tami: Just like all of the attendees, we have experienced a huge shift in the way we speak at and host events, but one thing remains the same, whether it is in-the-real or online: attendees need to connect! We will be providing ways for everyone attending WEC to have the chance to connect, and in some cases hug, their fellow meeting professionals.
Christine: Tami got it right. Connection! We also want to make sure the people joining virtually feel included and part of the experience.
What did you learn about yourself during the COVID pandemic?
Tami: We learned that no matter what is going on around us, we love laughing with people. Early on, like the second week of quarantine, Christine and I had a Zoom meeting and asked the question, “How can we continue to serve people and help them connect and laugh through whatever this year is going to be?” We launched “Tale Time Tuesdays,” where we hosted an online storytelling circle open to anyone who wanted to tell or listen to a story. It was a joy to see so many people get involved and we are proud we only had one naked surprise guest, although Christine wanted to make it a running feature—Q&A with Zoom bombers.
What inspired each of you to pursue your career path?
Tami: The long and winding road of my career led me to this perfect fit, and I was lucky enough to collect tools along the way from my time as an actor, university professor, fashion designer, manager, executive assistant, communication consultant, coach and every kind of waitress you can imagine. That allowed me to help others cut their sandbags, spread their wings and fly. As anyone who has experienced the rare gift of working with a business partner they love will recognize, Emcee Squared is one of the greatest joys of my life. Christine and I would keynote the same conferences one after the other, and our clients often commented how they wished they could have us both at every event, so we decided to give them what they asked for. We love to join organizations for their large meetings to weave an energy thread throughout the event and make sure everyone from the valuable first timer to the priceless lifer feels engaged, included and connected.
Christine: I was the person who got in trouble during school for talking. Is anyone reading this raising your hand? After college, I worked in university admissions and when I gave presentations about my alma mater (Central Michigan University) it lit something inside of me. Being able to influence and make a difference in the lives of others spoke to my soul. After years of working with a seminar company, I wanted to speak about the topics that I felt would have the greatest impact and broke out on my own. It has been over 20 years now and I haven’t worked a day in my life. This career is an absolute joy and I’m grateful for every opportunity. To add another opportunity with Tami is just a dream come true.
Tami, you talk about how personality and passion upstage perfection every time. Explain.
Tami: It was not until I stopped trying to be exactly like all the successful people around me that I realized that what makes us different is what makes us great, and that is when I put my perfection on pause and let my personality, flaws and all, take center stage. I always encourage audiences to join me and Embrace Their Inner Dork, because when you take risks and try new things, and you do so with your passion and personality, you will be aDORKable.
Christine, talk about BOOGIE?
Christine: BOOGIE is Be Outstanding Or Get Involved Elsewhere. It is just a reminder to “bring it” to your job and rock it. What is “it?” Expertise and a good attitude. Learn, grow, aspire and maximize your talents. Some people retire and forget to tell anybody. Do your best, rise above obstacles and have a great time while doing it all. Success will follow. Are you with me? Let’s BOOGIE!
Tami, what inspired you to publish your book?
Tami: When Christine and I keynote or emcee events, we find so often that some of our biggest challenges are universal. Helping people live their best life is our passion and each of our books and keynotes represents that. Really my book is a love letter to everyone who feels that they don’t always have everything figured out and could use a few tips, tools and laughs to help them through.
Christine, what motivated you to write your two books?
For many years, people asked if I could come back to their office with them. My kids and husband didn’t think that was a good idea. So, I put together small and mighty books that had my top tips. This way people could open them up anywhere and get a great idea to use immediately.
