Stepping through the red door: My 80’s time machine experience

As an entertainment journalist who has seen Toronto’s social scene evolve over the decade, I thought nothing could surprise me anymore. That changed the moment I walked through the unassuming red door on Commercial Road. Instantly, I was transported temporarily. The 80’s wrapped around me like a familiar blanket, awakening memories I had not realized were dormant.

The air buzzed with energy as Depeche Mode, and Madonna filled the space. Guests in power suits with shoulder pads and neon accessories mingled, their laughter creating a soundtrack that complemented the era-defining music. AVC’s “Back to the Future” event was a masterclass in experiential storytelling.

I watched as Joycelyn David’s eyes reflected the event’s neon lights, capturing the essence of what made this evening extraordinary. Joycelyn, the visionary behind AVC and Tulong Technologies, understands something profound about human psychology. We are drawn to experiences that make us feel, that transport us beyond our everyday reality.

The DeLorean photo station was a portal that allowed attendees to become part of the narrative. What fascinated me most was watching how the environment transformed guests. Professionals who entered with reserved demeanors soon found themselves striking poses in the time machine, their guarded expressions melting away to reveal genuine joy.

This emotional alchemy is precisely what Joycelyn discusses in her new documentary and her book, “The Multicultural Mindset.” The evening demonstrated how cultural intelligence (what Joycelyn terms Multicultural Quotient) can be harnessed to create meaningful connections across differences. In a world increasingly divided, her work offers a blueprint for building bridges through understanding.

As I sipped my cocktail, surrounded by 80’s memorabilia that triggered forgotten memories, I realized something profound; Joycelyn and her team at AVC had created and crafted an experience that spoke simultaneously to our rational minds and emotional hearts. The exclusive performances, and release of her documentary-maintained anticipation throughout the evening, while the executive networking happened organically, facilitated by shared experience rather than forced interaction.

Guests from diverse backgrounds found common ground in their appreciation for the era’s culture, creating authentic connections that transcended typical networking boundaries. When Joycelyn took the stage to introduce her documentary, the room fell silent. It gave guests a glimpse of her life, and some of the challenges she faced as a young Filipina in Canada. In a chat with her after the documentary debut, she shared that one of the best parts of making the documentary was that she had a chance to work with her two nieces. It was an emotional moment for her, and I was happy to be able to share that moment.

Her passion for multicultural marketing and cross-cultural business leadership was palpable. As she spoke about transforming from effective leaders into global changemakers, I saw heads nodding in recognition.

Joycelyn’s journey, from acquiring AVC in 2019 to founding Tulong Technologies in 2023, represents a new paradigm in multicultural marketing. Her recognition as one of the “Most Influential Filipinas in the World” and her companies’ inclusion in the Globe and Mail’s “Top Growing Companies” list speak to her effectiveness in bridging cultural divides in business.

Walking back through that red door at evening’s end, I carried more than memories of a well-executed event. I left with a renewed understanding of how emotional intelligence and cultural awareness can transform how we connect as humans. The AVC team had succeeded in creating an immersive experience; they had demonstrated the power of cultural intelligence in action.

You have an opportunity to experience this transformation too. Whether you’re a C-suite executive, entrepreneur, or rising professional, developing your Multicultural Quotient is essential. Take the first step by exploring Jocelyn David’s work and considering how your own cultural intelligence might be the key to unlocking new possibilities in our interconnected world.