Work With Me

Advisory for the people behind extraordinary experiences.

Whether you're leading a global event portfolio, building a flagship conference, or navigating your next big decision—I'm here to help.

Sara Ann Straw

The S.A.S. Framework

I don't believe in one-size-fits-all consulting.

For nearly two decades, I've led the initiatives my clients are working on today—global conferences, executive experiences, and field marketing organizations across four continents.

Every engagement is personalized and grounded in real experience—Strategy. Alignment. Scale.

For Professionals

Advisory for individuals.

For anyone stepping into leadership, transitioning into field marketing, or looking for an advisor who's been in your shoes.

Career Strategy Session

90 min · $495

Clarity on your next career move.

One focused conversation with someone who's been there—for interviews, promotions, major events, or a difficult decision. Leave with a clear path forward.

Ideal for

  • Promotions & new leadership roles
  • Career transitions
  • Interview preparation
  • Strategic event decisions

What's included

  • 90-minute virtual advisory session
  • Personalized action plan
  • Recommended resources & next steps
  • Follow-up summary

Experience Marketing Intensive

3 sessions · $1,500

A strategy that drives real business impact.

Step back from execution and align experiences with your organization's goals. Together we'll evaluate programs, strengthen alignment, and build a roadmap you can confidently execute.

Ideal for

  • Corporate event managers & directors
  • Field marketing leaders
  • Customer marketing & community
  • Professionals moving into strategy

What's included

  • Three 60-minute advisory sessions
  • Customized strategy roadmap
  • Planning templates & resources
  • Email support between sessions

Executive Leadership Accelerator

6 sessions · $3,000

Become the strategic leader your organization needs.

For experienced professionals transitioning from tactical execution to executive leadership—the skills that separate great event managers from the leaders their organizations rely on.

Ideal for

  • Executive presence & communication
  • Strategic planning & budget ownership
  • Stakeholder & team leadership
  • AI & emerging technology

What's included

  • Six 60-minute advisory sessions
  • Executive development plan
  • Presentation & deck reviews
  • Ongoing email support
  • 1-year CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association) membership

Executive Mentorship

Your trusted advisor, all year.

Ongoing partnership for leaders who want a consistent sounding board through the year's most important calls.

Essential Partnership

From $1,500 / month

Consistent guidance for the decisions that matter.

An ongoing sounding board for leaders navigating important calls month over month.

What's included

  • Two private advisory sessions each month
  • Email support between sessions
  • Presentation & document reviews
  • Priority scheduling

Strategic Partnership

From $2,500 / month

Deeper executive support at portfolio scale.

Everything in Essential, plus the cadence and depth executive teams need to lead confidently.

What's included

  • Four advisory sessions each month
  • Executive presentation coaching
  • Event portfolio reviews
  • Budget & planning support
  • Team development guidance

For Organizations

Advisory for teams.

Every organization reaches a point where tactical execution isn't enough. I help executive teams make decisions that create lasting impact.

Executive Advisory

Custom engagement

Elevate events from a marketing function to a business strategy.

Strategic guidance for organizations ready to raise the ceiling on what their event portfolio delivers. Every engagement is customized to your goals.

Ideal for

  • Annual event strategy
  • Executive workshops
  • Portfolio optimization
  • KPI & measurement frameworks
  • AI strategy & adoption
  • Budget optimization

Organization Transformation

Custom engagement

Build an event organization designed for the future.

As organizations grow, event teams outgrow the processes that once made them successful. We'll build a model that scales—ideal during growth, restructuring, or change.

Ideal for

  • Team structure & governance
  • Planning processes
  • Technology & AI opportunities
  • Reporting & vendor ecosystem

Fractional Head of Events

Custom engagement

Executive leadership without a full-time hire.

I become an extension of your leadership team—setting direction, mentoring teams, supporting executive decisions, and leading transformational initiatives.

Ideal for

  • Launching a flagship conference
  • Scaling global event programs
  • Building a new event function
  • Leadership transitions

Specialty Advisory

Seasoned counsel on a single decision.

Sometimes you don't need a full engagement—just a seasoned perspective on the decision in front of you.

  • Destination Strategy

    Destinations and venues aligned with business objectives and long-term growth.

  • Flagship Conferences

    Launching, growing, or reinventing customer conferences that accelerate business.

  • Agency & Vendor Selection

    Evaluating partners, production companies, and technology for the right strategic fit.

  • Executive Experiences

    Advisory boards, leadership retreats, and VIP experiences that deepen relationships.

  • AI & Event Technology

    Practical opportunities to modernize planning, reporting, and attendee experience with AI.

My Process

Working together is simple.

No cookie-cutter recommendations. Honest advice grounded in nearly two decades of experience.

  1. Discovery

    A conversation about your goals, challenges, and what success looks like.

  2. Strategy

    I recommend the engagement that creates the greatest value for your situation.

  3. Partnership

    We develop practical strategies that help you move forward with clarity.

Next Step

Let's build something extraordinary.

Whether it's a single strategy session or long-term advisory, I'd love to hear about your goals.

Book a discovery call →