117: The Number One Obstacle When Starting Your Business With Magdalena Bonnelly

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today we have the great pleasure of speaking with Magdalena Bonnelly, the Founder and President of Event Strategies! Magdalena has worked all over the world, including in corporate America. She has also volunteered in the industry. She has a wonderful story of entrepreneurship, decision-making, and re-inventing herself to share! </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We hope you enjoy listening to today’s inspiring conversation with Magdalena Bonnelly!</span></p> <p><strong>Bio:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magdalena Bonnelly, MS, VEMM</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A well-connected negotiator, Magdalena Bonnelly has spent the last 20 years servicing clients from around the globe–Europe, North and South America, and Asia–securing the seamless acquisition of event space, guestrooms, audio/visual equipment, food, and beverage service, and all the other key items that make your conference a success.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Known for her out-of-the-box thinking in strategic event planning and management, Magdalena was named one of 2021’s</span> <a href= "https://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine_article/smart-women-in-meetings-2021-entrepreneur"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Smart Women in Meetings</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A queen of strategic partnerships, Magdalena collaborates with her clients, vendors, and suppliers to create meaningful events. Her strategic partnerships prove especially valuable in challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic or when the client faces unexpected cancellations/postponement of the conference. Magdalena has helped her clients maintain flexibility and event agility, loyally representing her clients’ best interests while negotiating cancellations and event rebookings with suppliers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tough during supplier contract negotiations and resourceful for last-minute event rescues, she