FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
After spending a summer in college as an intern for a large music festival, I knew I wanted to work in special events. The dream was to work for a resort in Vegas, but I ended up planning alumni events for Illinois State University. I moved to Nashville hoping to find a job similar to my internship, but life had different plans! My current "day" job is event planning for a major Nashville university, and in my free time I coordinate weddings and not-for-profit events because it's what I love to do and what I shine at!
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I spent August 2010-May 2011 as the event committee chair (and board member) of ReTune Nashville -- a not-for-profit created after the May 2010 flood that collected damaged musical instruments and gave them to local artists to create new art. This art was then auctioned off online and at two ReTune events and the proceeds were donated to MusiCares to help uninsured musicians who lost their gear in the flood. The ReTune events were held at Soundcheck studios and involved caterers, live art auctions, multiple bars/bartenders, msuicians, dozens of volunteers, full stage/lighting for music performances, and hundreds of attendees. The scope of the events were beyond anything I had been in charge of before, but are the most memorable and meaningful events I've been a part of.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
While many people choose event planners and coordinators via a "price is right" philosophy, what's most important is to choose someone who you get a good vibe from and who is close in personality (and even age) to you. Having a solid and trusting relationship with your planner makes all the difference when contract issues and guest drama have to be handled!