In this episode, Michelle Culpper, the Director of Partnerships at edgefactory Creative Works and President of the MPI Greater Orlando Chapter, shares her extensive experience in the event industry. From her early days teaching scrapbooking classes to her role in event production, Michelle discusses the evolution of her career and the challenges she has faced. She emphasizes the importance of feedback, the value of pressure, and her volunteer work with MPI. The discussion also highlights edgefactory's capabilities in creating dynamic events, the impact of time constraints, and key elements that make an event memorable: energy, emotion, and edge.

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In this episode, Selina Mullenax, a regional sales director with CORT Events, shares her journey from planning parties as a teenager to managing a sales team for a Berkshire Hathaway company. She discusses overcoming ageism in her career, the value of mentoring, and the importance of inclusivity, marketing, and personalization in event planning. Selena also provides essential advice for newcomers to the event industry on being open to diverse experiences and learning from every opportunity. Join the community and stay up to date with our latest content here! https://joineventstandard.com

In this episode, we meet Laura Lawton, the owner of Bash Event Planning based in Winter Park, Orlando. Laura shares her journey from organizing parties for fun to running a full-service event planning company that specializes in special events and corporate milestones, excluding weddings. She details her professional path, including her education from Vanderbilt University and the certification from Emory University that solidified her standing in the event planning industry. Laura also discusses the challenges she faces, such as time management and retaining great employees, particularly during peak seasons in May and December. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of cohesiveness in event branding, leveraging relationships with vendors, and creating a multi-sensory experience for guests. Laura's passion for originality in event planning stands out as she strives to create memorable and unique experiences for her clients. Join the community and stay up to date with our latest content here! https://joineventstandard.com

Jo Fostock of Xpodigital shares insights from her 25-year career progression from the hospitality industry to leading event internet and network services for conferences, festivals, and events. She discusses the influences of her past in food and beverage, the pivotal career changes during the pandemic, and the challenges she faced growing as a leader. Jo highlights her achievements, such as being named a catalyst winner for Smart Meetings, and emphasizes the importance of open communication, attention to detail, and efficiency. She encourages aspiring professionals to seize opportunities and take bold steps before feeling completely ready. Visit our website at joineventstandard.com to stay up to date with the latest Event Standard content!

In this episode, Shannon Tarrant from Wedding Venue Map in Central Florida discusses the need for a local wedding venue search platform due to the shortcomings of national directories. Shannon shares her journey from working in restaurants and corporate events to becoming a wedding industry expert. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability, customer experience, and continuous learning in the fast-evolving wedding market. Shannon also offers valuable advice on team collaboration, staying ahead of industry trends, and the critical role of maintaining trust through consistent communication.