Welcome to my blog!

It’s been a journey since I first launched Meaningful Experiences in 2023. Like many entrepreneurial endeavors, it took time for the vision to take shape. At its core, my company is about sharing origin stories—so let me take you back to how it all began.
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In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic had turned our lives upside down. I was home with my two kids—ages four and a newborn (by adoption, which is a story for another post!). By fall, I was really missing my friends, my city, and the simple joys of being out and about. But I wanted to do it safely—this was before vaccines. That’s when I had the idea to charter a double-decker bus—an outdoor activity for the kids and a way to reconnect with friends. I reached out to a few moms, and one by one, they signed up. Before long, we had a full bus.
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The tour day arrived, and the bus picked us up in our East Village neighborhood. Families climbed aboard, and we were off on a glorious sunny fall day. Masks were still required outdoors, but the excitement was palpable. It was my first time on a double-decker bus—and for many, theirs too. High above the streets, we passed iconic sites like Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and even hopped off for a short stroll. We cruised past Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, and the Intrepid. Down Fifth Avenue, onto Broadway, through SoHo and Canal Street toward the FDR—we were seeing New York City from a fresh, exhilarating perspective.
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Going over the Manhattan Bridge was a revelation. Manhattan behind us, Brooklyn ahead, the East River below—it hit me: so many New Yorkers had stayed through the pandemic. We didn’t leave. This was our home. In that moment, I felt the soul of the city again—the life I’d lived here, the experiences I’d had, and the ones still ahead. It was euphoric, grounding, and deeply moving. I knew right then that this was a meaningful experience that needed to be shared.
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Fast forward to today. That feeling—exhilaration, connection, and the heart of New York—remains the foundation of Meaningful Experiences. Originally, I envisioned offering these experiences to local groups. But I discovered something even more meaningful: corporate groups and their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
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With 25 years in NYC tourism, hospitality, economic development and asset awareness across NYS and NJ, I have the relationships and access to curate world-class experiences. Corporate groups are looking for more than just the typical happy hour—they want immersive, enriching activities. Every city, especially New York, offers art, dining, live performance, and iconic attractions, yet companies often lack the knowledge to tap into this. That’s where ERGs come in—affinity groups that embrace the strength of diversity.
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As a woman of the world with a diverse background, it brings me joy to align experiences with ERG interests and use tourism as a tool to support and uplift communities. According to the 2023 jobs report, tourism in New York State supports over 500,000 direct jobs and more than 700,000 total jobs including indirect sectors—so there’s a huge opportunity for companies to leverage these experiences as part of their corporate responsibility.
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With the launch of my revamped website, this is my first official blog post. I’ll be sharing curated group experiences, as well as my personal and professional stories. I hope you’ll join me on this journey—reach out if you’re interested in connecting.
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Mahalo, Zai Zhen, Sige, Namaste, Adios, Shalom… till we meet again.
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— Rowena