Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Smoot.
Hi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m excited to be here. Thank you for the opportunity. I am a proud bisexual man and the founder of conference/festival Unleashed LGBTQ. I’ve worked in marketing and event production for 15+ years. I published Weslo’s Home-O-Erotic Cookbook and have interviewed many prominent LGBTQ+ figures. I’m currently working to bring many of these huge names together to share ideas for our event, Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 in Dallas, TX.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Patience is more than virtue; it’s essential in business. We had some major setbacks with our first attempt at this event being cancelled by the Covid-19 pandemic. We pivoted to create a virtual event that I’m glad to say brought in some huge names in entertainment, business, marketing, advocacy as well as LGBTQ+ brands, and corporate partners.
Persistence is just as important. Looking back, I almost gave up several times. Losing money and support can strip you of moral and motivation.
While I thought my background would make this a smoother journey, I could never imagine some of the unanticipated obstacles that would come. I think we handled them all the best way possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I took it upon myself to develop the programming for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023. I wanted it to be a great balance of education and entertainment. We’ll host conversations with Billy Eichner (Bros/Universal), Indya Moore (Pose/FX), Dyllón Burnside (American Horror Story/FX), even Antoni Porowski (Queer Eye/Netflix) will be doing a live cooking demonstration followed by a Q&A. But we will also have some very impactful conversations. A live interview with Zach Herrin, a gay stock car driver (NASCAR), he will discuss his experience competing in a sport that is inherently conservative. We have two survivors (Patience Murray and Angelica Jones) from the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida, an unspeakable tragedy that took almost fifty lives. Attendees will hear their experience from that night and how the two are using their pain to create insight through a memorial for the fallen victims as well as raise awareness about gun violence and hate crimes targeted to LGBTQ+ communities.
We will also have speakers and panels with topics pertaining to advertising, marketing, DEI, AI, finance and more. There will be something for everyone. We have companies sending staff, management, and an even executives to take advantage of the educational and networking opportunities.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love being outdoors. I get a lot of inspiration from being in the fresh air. I get some of my most creative ideas with a bit of exercise, so often my lunch includes getting out for a bit. I always come back energized and with fresh eyes.
Contact information:
- Website: http://www.unleashedlgbtq.com/
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