From San Fran to Albuquerque: Spectacular Highlights and Lessons from Last Week

Last week was nothing short of SPECTACULAR 🤩! From the tech-packed energy of Salesforce TrailblazerDX in San Francisco to the inspiring fellowship of the National Speakers Association Thrive Winter Workshop in Albuquerque, this whirlwind adventure was all about growth, connection, and FUN. Let me share some of the incredible highlights and takeaways with y’all!

Stop #1: Salesforce TrailblazerDX 🛫

Kicking off the week in San Fran, I had the privilege of working alongside my partners at GridMate, led by the brilliant Rey Perera. The Salesforce TrailblazerDX Conference was all about collaboration and innovation, proving once again why proximity and partnerships matter in driving success. 🌍

Stop #2: Albuquerque and the NSA Thrive Winter Workshop 🎤

From San Francisco, I jetted off to Albuquerque, New Mexico—a first for me! The NSA Thrive Winter Workshop brought together some of the most talented, driven, and inspiring speakers from across the globe.

Golfing Through the Weather 🌡❄

Before diving into the workshop, I teed off with an incredible group of fellow NSA golfers at the stunning Sandia Golf Club. Shoutout to Alan Berg, CSP, Cait Donovan, and Stan Phelps, CSP®—we braved the cold, snow, sleet, and hail (yes, ALL of it!) for some unforgettable fellowship on the green. And here’s the kicker: I shot an all-time best 77! 🏌🏾‍♂️

Later, thanks to Dan Dominguez, MBA, I got to enjoy a round at the Albuquerque Country Club with Stan and Jerry Lujan. Let’s just say my score of 90 reminded me to stay humble. 🤕

Moments That Matter: Community & Connection 🙌🏾

Some of the best lessons didn’t come from the stage but from the hallway and bar chats with my NSA family. These candid, insightful conversations about the professional speaking business were priceless.

Special thanks to legends like Anton J. Gunn, Jodi Orgill Brown, Dr. Brenda L Carter, Crystal Washington, Meredith Allan Breitstein, Marcus Sheridan, Mary Kelly, Commander, USN, Bill Cates, Mark Hunter, Verl Workman, and so many more. You all inspire me to keep reaching higher and striving for excellence. 🫶🏾

Key Learnings from the Main Stage 💡

The Thrive Workshop delivered one powerhouse speaker after another, each sharing golden nuggets that I’m already applying to my business. Here are just a few standout takeaways:

🎉 Shari Levitin: A phenomenal intro sets the tone for an unforgettable experience. She reminded us how to use our “Dominant Pillar” to build and sell 7-figure courses via live virtual masterclasses.

💫 Dr. Shirley Davis: Thriving in business requires strategic revenue streams, organization, and resources.

🎯 Meridith Elliott Powell, CSP, CPAE: Her pipeline-filling strategies—excellence, relevance, and professionalism—were spot-on and packed with actionable insights.

🏃🏾‍♂️ Martinus Evans: His authenticity and journey to building the Slow AF Run Club reminded me of the power of connection through genuine storytelling.

🤖 Robert Kennedy III, Terry Brock, and Beth Ziesenis: AI isn’t the future—it’s the NOW. They shared tools like CastMagic that can help speakers grow their businesses and even write mini-books!

⭐ Rene F. Rodriguez: Using neuroscience to activate audience feelings was a game-changer. His closing keynote left a lasting impression.

✨ Brent Adamson: The “Spaghetti Bowl” of B2B decision-making was an eye-opener, especially in today’s uncertain times.

🌟 Scott Halford, CSP, CPAE: Trust is the foundation of every great relationship. His “Trust Formula” provided actionable steps to build trust with economic buyers and audiences alike.

Wrapping It All Up 🎯

From the innovation of TrailblazerDX to the inspiration of Thrive, last week was a reminder of the power of community, learning, and connection. A HUGE thank-you to Maureen Mahoney for ensuring these valuable sessions are available for replays in The Vault—I’ll definitely be diving back in!

Here’s to embracing every opportunity, building lasting relationships, and taking our journeys to the next level.

Make it a Marvelous Monday—it’s YOUR choice!

✌🏾 Larry Long Jr.

P.S. What’s the best thing YOU learned or experienced last week? Drop me a note—I’d love to celebrate your wins with you! 🎉