What are five (fun) facts I can read in your profile?

I come from the city that supposedly doesn't exist (Bielefeld, Germany) and I feel at home all over the world. I lived in Amsterdam for eight years, then spent a few months in Spain and South Africa. Currently, I live in Bonn, Germany but I will be moving abroad again soon. (1)
I love traveling and adventure. My friends say I have a Latina heart, which is why I enjoy spending time in Spain or Latin America. In the spring, I spent three weeks traveling around Colombia – a fantastic country.
On vacation, I love scuba diving. It is a perfect balance to a stressful job because you just glide through the water. (2)
I am a very social person and enjoy having people around me. It brings me joy to bring people together – both professionally and privately. (3)
I am one of the few event planners who doesn't drink coffee. The adrenaline in the job keeps me awake and active. (4)
I am energetic and don't like wasting time. My impatience drives me to work efficiently and purposefully – my "German efficiency" is often appreciated. (5)

What news or topic is currently occupying your mind?

At the end of June, I will be leaving the organization IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature. Currently, I am working intensively to complete my projects and tasks. At the same time, I am preparing to resume my self-employment full-time by networking in the industry and analyzing current trends and needs. I am an event planner for various types of events with a strong interest in event technology. Especially the topic of artificial intelligence is very present at the moment. I read a lot about AI, participate in webinars, and want to dive deeper into the subject to understand how we can use this technology optimally.

You are still a Hybrid Events Producer at the IUCN. Please describe your nonprofit organization and your tasks.

The IUCN is the oldest and largest international conservation organization dedicated to influencing, encouraging, and assisting societies around the world to preserve the integrity and diversity of nature and ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. As a Hybrid Events Producer, I am responsible for all hybrid aspects of our events. This includes selecting and preparing the virtual platform, integrating it with existing systems, registration, interpretation, AV, and supporting virtual participants to ensure they have a great event experience.

Before your position at IUCN, you founded DigitalMind.events and supported your clients with their virtual and hybrid events. What three trends do you observe?

1) Virtual events are increasingly being used in the association world as a complement to the annual main congress to engage members and stakeholders throughout the year and enable continuous interaction.
2) The demand for inclusion and sustainability at events is steadily increasing. Hybrid events offer the opportunity to reach both physical and virtual participants, addressing a larger audience and creating more flexible participation options. Automatic subtitles and translation services are now standard and further enhance accessibility.
3) Organizers are increasingly focusing on personalized experiences by catering to the individual needs of participants. This is often achieved through the use of AI in targeted marketing and networking matchmaking.

You say: "Online and hybrid events are my passion!" How come? After all, most people have a passion for in-person events.

I appreciate all types of events, but I am excited about the versatility and advantages that hybrid events offer when they meet the goals of an event. Virtual events help connect people who might not be able to meet physically. They often serve as first touchpoints that can pave the way for future in-person meetings. Many of my contacts I initially met online before we met in person. Additionally, it is important to me that education is accessible to everyone. By broadcasting sessions and content during the event, more people have the opportunity to continue their education. Moreover, sustainability is a key concern for me. The digital extension of an event helps reduce the carbon footprint of an event by giving attendees and speakers the option to participate digitally.

Sina the warrior princess is deep in preparation mode for her upcoming talks at IMEX Frankfurt where she'll be delving into the exciting world of AI in event planning....(Image created by Snapmatic)

At the She Means Business 2024 conference, you were a speaker on the panel "AI: Women unlock new dimensions" and called for a change in our mindset. Why?

Humans are naturally resistant to change, and the event industry is known for being risk-averse and skeptical of new technologies. However, this attitude can hinder innovation and progress. We need to change our mindset to be more experimental and use artificial intelligence to make our events and working methods more efficient. AI offers the opportunity to optimize processes and create personalized experiences through data analysis and targeted marketing. By adopting a more open and courageous approach, we can unlock the full potential of AI and achieve sustainable improvements in the event industry.

What drives you?

A combination of several factors: The people around me and the power of communities inspire me greatly, especially the intercultural exchange that brings new perspectives and ideas. Virtual networking platforms, social media, and professional networks play an increasingly important role in my life. I am very active on platforms like LinkedIn to expand my network and connect with like-minded people. I take great joy in sharing knowledge and insights and engaging in discussions. I love passing on knowledge while learning from others. Additionally, I have a passion for trying new things and exploring innovative approaches. This experimental spirit drives me and helps me constantly grow and evolve.

One idea of the She Means Business community is that women support and empower each other. Here is space for your three shout-outs.

1) Women Who Advance Associations is a campaign for International Women's Day initiated by various partners in the association industry. Each year, inspiring women who promote inclusion are featured. I had the privilege of being recognized in 2023. From this initiative, the "Leading Inclusive Associations" community has emerged, which is open to everyone.

2) Women in Events DACH is a community for us, by us. Monthly online meet-ups take place with networking opportunities and keynote speeches.

3) SheSharp: The main goal of SheSharp is to facilitate the entry, retention, and growth of women and non-binary people in the tech industry. The meet-ups usually take place in Amsterdam, but there is also an online community and numerous resources on the website. I co-founded the association in 2016.

What question was missing?

Did artificial intelligence write your answers?

And did it?

No, AI just edited my answers a bit.

Who should be "Woman of the Month" in July 2024?

I nominate Christina Strohschneider. She is an energetic and wonderful young woman with creative ideas and a lot of motivation to make a difference in the event industry.