Chelle, our daughter, is excited to meet Snow White and show her she is in her shoes at Disney World at Magic Kingdom. [Nikon D100, 24-120mm, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 1/180]

Do you remember meeting your hero? Our daughter had just turned four years old when we were visiting Disney World. She was usually dressed in pink but loved her Disney princess sneakers.

She ran over to Snow White to talk to her. Snow White even came out of character for a brief moment when Chelle told her to have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The Disney Princess Alice in Wonderland wasn’t just staying on script. They interacted with my daughter where she was and made her day. Isn’t that what happens to our hero.

For my daughter, she fell in love with their stories. Isn’t that how it happens no matter our age? We fall in love with their account.  We want to meet them and interact with them.

I created a group called FOCUS. It stands for Fellowship of Communicators Uniting Socially. We are professional communicators who meet in various locations around Atlanta throughout the year to support each other and our work.

I had reached out to Billy Howard, Billy Weeks, and Robin Nelson in the past to speak to the group. This is the first time that all three have agreed to be our keynote speakers.

All three of them are my Storyteller Heroes.

Here I am with two of my other Storyteller heroes, Bill Bangham and Eugene Richards.

There is one thing to see your Hero from afar, and it is quite another thing to meet them and ask questions.

This Saturday, I will have an opportunity not just to see Billy Howard, Billy Weeks, and Robin Nelson but also to ask them some questions that have been on my mind.

You are also invited to see their work and hear them talk about what they do in Storytelling.

Go to the FOCUS Facebook Page for more details and how to get there.

You can show up and hang out with us, or you can let me know today you are coming, and I will have a FREE Chick-fil-A Meal for you. I have to know today to have the meal for you.

If your plans change and you can join us, please show up tomorrow.

Here are some tips for meeting your Hero:

Be a photojournalist – Take lots of candid photos. Tell a story with them. Capture emotion, not just posed smiles. Include shots of the venue to set the tone of your account. The little details matter. By doing this, you’ll be able to look back at your photos and relive the experience.

Stop taking photos – Don’t forget why you’re there. Put the camera down, breathe deeply, and let your gratitude fill you. Look around at everyone else and know that you are sharing a special moment. Be present.

If you speak with your hero – do one or more: express gratitude, ask a good question, say something funny, or share a short but fantastic story about how your hero changed your life.

If you don’t know about these guys’ work, go to their websites and learn all you can. They each have a following, and clients seek them out for their projects. Come and know why they are so special. I promise I will tell you more about them at the event.