“Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them.” – Priya Parker
There are business books that teach.
And then there are books that make you look up from the page and whisper,
“This is what we’ve been doing all along.”
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker is one of those books.
It’s not about dinner parties or etiquette. It’s about how we gather—strategically, humanly, purposefully.
And it’s become required reading on my shelf. Why?
Because without this kind of intentional design, companies are losing time, money, and connection every time they bring people together.
At E3 Planning, we design experiences that connect, convert, and create momentum.
Parker’s core themes beautifully reinforce what we believe—and what our clients feel—when they work with us.
Here’s how:
1. Purpose First, Always
Parker warns against default gatherings. Meetings that happen because they always have. Retreats without direction. Events that check a box.
At E3, we ask:
What transformation is this gathering meant to create?
Before agendas. Before location scouting. Before themes.
Our strategic intent process ensures every event is a lever, not just a line item. Whether it’s a client summit or a leadership retreat, we design with business impact in mind—engagement, loyalty, referrals, sales.
2. Design a World, Not Just a Moment
“A gathering is a temporary alternative world,” Parker writes.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
We don’t do cookie-cutter.
We craft immersive brand environments.
Places where clients feel seen, teams feel united, and every detail reflects the soul of your company.
This might look like:
- An executive dinner on an aircraft carrier (true story).
- A custom-built retreat space where values are embedded in the walls—literally.
- An awards banquet that inspires actual tears, not forced applause.
The goal?
Emotional resonance that lives long past the event.
3. Curation Is an Act of Care
Parker champions “generous authority.”
That’s a fancy way of saying: a great gathering doesn’t run itself.
You need someone to protect the purpose. To guide the arc. To shut down the side conversations and open up the real ones.
That’s us.
We’re not just project managers. We’re experience orchestrators.
We hold the reins of your vision, so you can show up as a leader—not a logistics director.
4. Belonging Doesn’t Happen by Accident
As a young teen, I stood on the edge of more than one room wondering how to join in.
Now I design experiences that ensure no one is left by the punch bowl.
We engineer psychological safety, inclusion, and access into everything we do—whether it’s an onboarding session or a multi-sensory gala. It’s not fluff. It’s the foundation of high-performing teams and loyal clients.
What Happens When You Get It Right?
One client told us 14 years after an event:
“I still remember the sunset, the orchestra, the way it made me feel.”
That’s what we do.
We make moments that move people—and move businesses forward.
Final Thought
If you’re gathering your team, your clients, or your board without this level of intent and orchestration, you’re not getting the ROI you could.
Read the book.
Then let's talk about how to bring it to life for your business.
Because the experience is the strategy.
And great gatherings are where momentum begins.