“I believe that you let people grow into the job they are most qualified to handle. Lindsay is the perfect example because she has climbed the ladder with jobs at The Event Team into a position that is perfect for her and a godsend for us. We always dreamed of having a person who could take the look and feel of The Event Team and make it better. A person who’s sole job was to improve the brand, the information sent to clients and to work with our vendors to develop better products.  Lindsay does all that and more!  We throw out the term “creative” way too often but in her case it is a vast understatement. I firmly believe that our huge success the last few years is a direct result of her work as Director of Sales and Marketing. I am not always sure what she is working on “back there” but I know it will be good for The Event Team.”
Matt Robbins, President

“Lindsay is a creative genius!!!! The marketing pieces she has created have helped The Event Team standout from our competition and have made an impression on our clients. What will she come up with for this year’s Holiday Photo and card? Aside from what she does in the office, Lindsay is a really genuine person with a great heart and soul, and you instantly want to be her friend. She makes working together fun. And I love her dimples!!!”
Paige Weeber, VP Operations

“Second to none, Lindsay is cool, calm, and casual on the outside, and is an intense marketing genius on the inside! Our collective team has never seen more talent, and Lindsay provides the vision to interpret our place through branding and communications to our clients and partners. In short, she makes us look good!”
Bill Yahres, VP Sales & Marketing

“Lindsay is always such a positive person in the office. She is very open to helping others and will do it with a smile.”
Jennifer Dotson, Operations Manager

“Lindsay is one of the most creative and hard-working people I know. Not only does she organize all of our vendor contact and pricing information but she also continuously produces top of the line write-ups for proposals and was the lead woman on the new brand launch of 2012. There really isn’t anything this girl can’t do. We are missing her here at the office this month while she is on tour with her beautiful music.”
Rachelle Kirchner, Operations Manager

“I love the way she finds the humor in the serious, she sums up a 30 minute meeting with one blunt statement, and when she asks “how are you?” she truly cares about the answer. Lindsay is one of those crazy talented human beings that is good at well, everything. I’m constantly in awe of what she brings to the table at The Event Team, and I know she is meant for great things.”
Rachel Horgan, Sales Assistant

“What can you say about Lindsay? She masters everything she does with a smile and some humor. Though she wears many hats here at The Event Team, she manages them all well and has helped to create the brand of “The Event Team” which makes us stand out among the competition. I’m going to miss having her next to me in the office when she goes on tour with her band in May.”
Jessica Ingalls, Operations Assistant

“Lindsay is a source of such inspiration and motivation – she always has the right song in mind. I adore her creativity and zest for humor!”
Danny Fisk, General Manager

What are the most rewarding/challenging aspects of your role at The Event Team?
The most challenging/daunting part of my position is trying to keep up with the mountains of information we receive on a daily business. We HAVE to stay current, and there are always so many new restaurants, venues, tours, activities, companies to research in order to ensure we are providing our clients with the very best our destinations have to offer. Making sure we have correct contact info, capacity, pricing, descriptions, etc. can be overwhelming. At then end of the day, you have to accept it is a project with no end in sight, which is very hard for someone like me to do because I like crossing things off my to-do list.

By far, the most rewarding part of my job is having the freedom to be creative and incorporate my strengths and passions into my daily tasks. Holiday Marketing, for example, has become a fun lion to tame in this sense because I’m always trying to top what I did last year. My goal is always to show our clients and industry partners what it is about The Event Team that makes us special (and better)! It is very rewarding to see this aspect of my job pay off via brand awareness and recognition within the industry.

You have worked in all departments at The Event Team. Why can’t you stay in one place?
Back in 2007, I started working at The Event Team in the Operations Department. I quickly realized the nights/weekend schedule did not jive with my schedule as a musician, so Matt agreed to let me move over to sales. I was in charge of the office and assisted Matt and Romy with clients for a couple years, but eventually my creative bug bit me hard enough to work up the nerve to ask for my own unique position in Marketing. I’m glad I was able to work within all the departments because it gave me an understanding of what everyone’s needs are and the motivation to make their lives easier by creating efficient systems of information-sharing. The flexibility of my current position allows me to focus on my career with The Event Team as well as my music/writing career in a balanced way, which I could not be more thankful for. I truly believe that you have to find a way to do what you love, or else what is it all for? I think The Event Team also benefits from this because their support has resulted in a happy, loyal, productive employee! Thankfully, I have a boss who supports this mentality and has always supported me through the years.

What is one of the best things about working for The Event Team or this industry in general?
In a nutshell, we get to do cool stuff. I can’t tell you how many amazing Southern California experiences I’ve had simply by being lucky enough to ride The Event Team roller coaster! This is not your average desk job! Another great thing about The Event Team is the people. We have such a great group of people working here – it really is like a family – one I become closer and closer to the longer I’m here.

Tell us more about your music and hobbies.
I have a few musical projects up my sleeve, but I am most active in a local duo called The Lovebirds. Besides performing, I manage the band, which is also a full time job, which also explains the constant dark circles under my eyes. Sleep is a luxury! We just released our second full-length album via Berkley Sound and will be touring the West Coast throughout May. So far, we’ve been lucky enough to perform with The Lumineers, Jason Mraz, John C. Reilly, Tristan Prettyman, Steve Poltz, Susanna Hoffs, Jack Tempchin and a bunch of other really talented musicians. Other creative projects include freelance writing and social media management for the San Diego Troubadour. I just started writing a screenplay too. I will stop at nothing short of world domination!

Next up for the Month of Lindsay, we’ll ask the rest of the team to share their thoughts on our Director of Sales & Marketing!

“In the 20 plus years of The Event Team I have only had 3 Vice Presidents of Operations. Each VP had different strengths… Organization, Working with Clients, Working with Vendors, Paper Work, Finances, etc.. Only Paige has been able to master all of them, run the HR department and operate more programs than any of her staff. It is a great advantage to have someone who can tell you at a moment’s notice if a program is under or over budget while the program is still running. Paige’s ability to handle an incredible work load and be a loving Mom to Natalie is amazing.”
Matt Robbins, President

“Paige Weeber – renaissance woman!  Knowledgeable, creative, tenacious and extraordinarily well-organized – Paige is the consummate event planner!”
Dick Burson, National Sales Manager

“Paige is totally the modern women – juggling family and career – while always so fashionable.”
Danny Fisk, General Manager

“Paige has been a true mentor to me since we have been working together. I look forward to continuing to learn from her.”
Jennifer Dotson, Operations Manager

“Paige is great at handling all of the different roles she is thrown into. As my supervisor she is great at coaching without micro-managing and is always willing to answer questions. She handles the stress of large events flawlessly. I’m happy to be learning the business from her!”
Jessica Ingalls, Operations Assistant

“Paige is always thinking critically about the programs she handles. She sees what many others don’t and asks the questions essential to pulling off the events we plan. I appreciate her drive and dedication!”
Rachel Horgan, Sales Assistant

“Paige is awesome at her job and helps the operations department run very smoothly, which gives the sales department a great reassurance that clients are in great hands when programs are transitioned over to her team.”
Lindsay White, Director of Sales & Marketing

Our clients also speak very highly of Paige:
“We could not wrap up the year without expressing our appreciation for your outstanding efforts on behalf of our 94th Annual Meeting. By all measures, the meeting was a success due in no small part to your contributions. Your creativity, enthusiasm and attention to detail certainly are unique and set your company apart from the competition. Our special events were spectacular, and we had rave reviews from all who participated.”
Colleen Donohoe, AAOMS


 

The Hollywood theme party. It’s inescapable in our region. We love classic Hollywood decor (Marilyn Monroe backdrops, Oscar statues, film reel centerpieces) at theme parties, but we know that it can get a little tired for clients that have been there, done that.

That is why, with the help of our wonderful decor partners at Studio AD, our creative team offers several alternatives to standard Hollywood event decor. Taking inspiration from the culture and trends of various iconic neighborhoods in the city, these options deliver the feel of the LA/Hollywood lifestyle in a whole new way.

How would you describe a day in the life of Paige (at work?)
There is no one typical day to describe. Every day holds a new adventure. As the VP of the Operations department – I am constantly adjusting my list of priorities. Besides trying to focus on what I need to accomplish for the day – I also need to make sure that I am available to my staff to answer questions, problem solve with them or just listen. When I walk into the office, I start with a cup of Green Tea, sort through email and then try to accomplish something on my to do list. Sometimes I get pulled into a quick meeting (or two), jump on a conference call or assist on a site with clients. I look forward to lunch time, because that is when we all sit at the conference table and relax a little and enjoy each other’s company. At 4:55 pm my reminder on my phone goes off to tell me to start shutting down. Yes – I have to set a reminder to stop working. Sometimes I get so into what I am working on that I lose track of time.

What are the most rewarding/challenging aspects of being in charge of the Operations Department?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being in charge of the Operations Department is the responsibility of ensuring each of our programs is as successful as possible and that we have exceeded our clients expectations. Not just the programs I manage, but every program that The Event Team executes. When a file is turned over from the Sales Department, I review it and assign it to an Operations Manager. I don’t make this decision lightly or base it on schedule alone –but try to partner my ops managers with clients/programs that will benefit everyone involved and also help my managers step out of their comfort zone and gain a learning experience at the same time. Watching my ops managers grow professionally is one of the greatest rewards of my job.

One of the more challenging aspects of my position is following in the footsteps of past VPs of Operations before me at The Event Team.  I often find myself thinking “what would Lani do in this situation” or “How would Holly approach this issue”.  TET has been lucky to have some very strong women in the position I hold today and I although I run the department differently than they did, I still compare myself to them and how to live up to their standards.

You also manage Human Resources issues within The Event Team? What is your strategy for successfully wearing multiple hats?
Human Resources – that is my least favorite part of my position. I want to be everybody’s friend and sometimes in HR you have to be the bad guy. I try to dedicate a few hours each week to tackle the paperwork side of HR. Sometimes it piles up, but I think I do a good job of keeping on top of everyone’s requests. I think to be successful at wearing multiple hats, you have to be organized and have a system.

What made you want to get involved in the events industry? What prior experience did you bring to The Event Team?
I fell into the events industry.  I was always the “social butterfly” with in my circle of friends and during college. I was even Social Chair of my sorority (big surprise!). But my first job in the industry was as an assistant in the Sales Department at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. I quickly realized I didn’t like sales as much as I liked being “behind the scenes” and making the client’s vision come to fruition. I had a great boss within the Sales Department that helped me make the switch to Convention Services and that is where my career began.  Prior to The Event Team I was a hotel CSM for 6 years and then a corporate meeting planner for 5 years. My experience being on both sides of the fence has allowed me to communicate better with CSMs and clients. I know each side’s expectation, the language they speak and how one change can affect 5 different departments.

What is one of the best things about working for The Event Team? What is one of the best things about working in this industry in general?
By and far the best thing about working for The Event Team is Matt Robbins!  He is a great boss in the sense that he trusts the people he has hired to do their job and he doesn’t micromange. He’ll be there to bounce ideas off of or to back you up in a situation. I also love that we go on two retreats a year. We all work so hard in the office, that it is nice to be able to take a break with each other and have some fun outside of the office. It is a great time to bond, reconnect and be silly together.

One of the best things about working in the industry is meeting new people and making new friends. Whether they are a client or a vendor – if you really hit it off with each other, you’ve got a friend anywhere you go.

Describe a shining moment and/or highlight a memorable event you played a key role in.
Last year was the year of block parties in the Gaslamp for The Event Team.  I had my first block party for 4,000 and leading up to it I was very nervous because it was something out of my comfort zone. Party on the Midway – no big deal.  Party at USMC Miramar, I know it like the back of my hand. Party on 5th avenue that encompassed 4 blocks – scary!!  But, I stayed organized, surrounded myself with a team of vendors that had done it a time or two before and together we pulled off a very successful event.

What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of work/ what do you love about these hobbies?
When I am not at work, I am spending quality time with my family. We are usually doing something fun on the weekend: checking out a museum, taking the Coaster downtown and exploring Seaport Village or a quick weekend getaway to LA.  My weekends are rarely spent “relaxing” at home on the couch.

My favorite hobby right now is yoga. I’ve done yoga in the past, but recently won a six month membership to a studio just down the street from my house. After a few sessions, I became a fan!!!  I love the peaceful feeling I have after a session and I enjoy pushing myself and muscles beyond my comfort zone.

Next up for the Month of Paige, we’ll ask the rest of the team to share their thoughts on our VP of Ops. We’ll also find out what clients have to say about her ability to meet and exceed their expectations on programs.

“I knew Danny was the right man for the job when after a particularly tough client; I apologized and told him that they won’t always be this difficult. His response was ‘It wouldn’t be any fun if it was easy.’”
Matt Robbins, President

“Danny, AKA Danimal, has embraced his role at The Event Team with ease and a smile on his face. Whatever we have thrown at him, he has exceeded our expectations. Danny is a perfect addition and can make anyone around him feel comfortable and special.”
Romy Linde, Senior Sales Manager

“Danny Fisk is our man in Los Angeles. Knowledgeable, articulate, and ever upbeat, he always manages to deftly  tend multiple programs – all at the same time.  We’re lucky to have him on the Team!”
Dick Burson, National Sales Manager

“Danny has a contagious positive energy that can be felt even when he’s miles away in the LA office. No matter the day, how stressed he is, or what obstacles stand in his way, Danny approaches everything he does with a can-do attitude. With his outgoing yet sensitive personality he quickly makes clients feel like friends and co-workers like family. Not only is he fun to be around but his knowledge of the city and the event industry is unparalleled. I feel lucky to be able to learn from him both personally and professionally. Good work Danimal!”
Rachel Horgan, Sales Assistant

“I love, love, love Danny, his wonderful attitude and positive approach to all aspects of his job. It is a pleasure to know our LA office is in such great hands.”
Lindsay White, Sales & Marketing Manager

How would you describe a day in the life of Danny (at work?)
No one day is the same. Post-it notes all over the place!! Email, phone, email, email, phone…. When did it turn 3’oclock? The world of events really provides so many interesting avenues; I feel I get to learn something new every day – from the industry a client works in to researching a new part of the city to checking out new venues.

What are the most rewarding/challenging aspects of heading the LA office?
Getting clients excited about coming to LA is very rewarding. Being born and raised in LA, I have a deep appreciations for this vast land. I love that I get to make others fall in love with its charm, beauty and yes, even its traffic. Sometimes the biggest challenge can be deciding exactly which venues and activities to propose to clients since there is SO much to do in LA and so many different areas/cities/neighborhoods!

What made you want to get involved in the events industry? What prior experience did you bring to The Event Team?
Events found me somehow about ten years ago and never left me alone! I began working a production company who managed national fundraising walk/runs which then turned into working for nonprofits managing their special events. I have worked for many friends in the events world, learning everything there is to know about weddings, bar mitzvahs, launch parties, film events… you name it, I have probably done it or can figure it out. Being successful in events really comes down to three skills: organization, attention to detail and stress management.

What is one of the best things about working for The Event Team?  I love how I don’t just have co-workers, I have friends! From day one it has felt like being part of a family. Plus getting to work with some pretty cool clients does not hurt.

What is one of the best things about working in this industry in general?
Overall working in events provides the excitement of new projects all the time.

Describe a shining moment and/or highlight a memorable event you played a key role in.
While totally cliché  – every event matters and provides memories. There really is nothing like helping someone’s dreams of an experience come to life – flawlessly of course! I love that I get to work behind the scenes orchestrating my own show.

What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of work/ what do you love about these hobbies?
I recently got bit by the cycling bug, so I’ve been spending my weekend morning out on a ride. Reaching for the 50+ mile ride soon!  You can also find me in the kitchen as I love to entertain and host a dinner party or Sunday brunch.

Stay tuned for Month of Danny – Part 2 in the coming weeks! Want to learn more about Danny and his “super” powers – click here!

“Very rarely do you hire someone who says she wants to learn all she can so that in a couple of years she can open up her own company. We did with Rachelle and we don’t regret it.  Rachelle is a detail oriented person with an amazing ability to take ownership of a program. She is fearless and not afraid to take on any challenge.  (Please tell her to stick around for at least 10 more years!)”
Matt Robbins, President

“I adore Rachelle for her courage and spunk – always dancing to her own beat!”
Danny Fisk, General Manager

“Rachelle is an amazing multi-tasker. She manages to get through everything in her busy schedule while still helping others in the office and keeping a smile on her face. It’s a fantastic asset and makes her an integral part of the team.”
Jessica Ingalls, Operations Assistant

“I love that Rachelle incorporates her contagious smile, sense of humor and fun-loving personality into her position at The Event Team. It’s been great to see her move up in the company with such poise and confidence.”
Lindsay White, Director of Sales and Marketing

“Rachelle has been a great mentor since I have been with The Event Team. She is always available to answer my questions and explain procedures.”
Jennifer Dotson, Operations Manager

“Rachelle is so full of life, and I admire her passion! She is a quick learner and not afraid to do anything!”
Romy Linde, Senior Sales Manager

“Rachelle is amazing at how she tackles a project – she really thinks the entire thing through before jumping into it – which allows her to be proactive instead of reactive.  This is a quality in her that I need to practice using more often.”
Paige Weeber, VP Operations

“A California lady with Midwestern values!  Rachelle is our Minnesnowta connection.  On one of her trips to the heartland she brought  back some home grown cheese for me . . . what a treat!  Glad to have her on the team.”
Dick Burson, National Sales Manager

“Rachelle has grown so quickly into one of our top Operations Managers, and nobody runs a more efficient and enthusiastic program than her. She is our resident “Dancing Queen” and always lights up the room with her fun personality!”
Bill Yahres, VP Sales & Marketing

A recent client also sings Rachelle’s praises!
“Thank you for all your help in organizing all of this on behalf of Paradise Point and making the evening such a success for Accela. Rachelle and her team were extremely courteous, outgoing and organized!”
Taline Tabakian, Mosaic Event Management, Inc.

Here are some fun shots of Rachelle living life to the fullest!

Rachelle, In a Nut-chelle:
On January 2nd, 2010 I loaded up my car, picked up two of my friends and hit the road for California from Minnesota. Once I was settled my friends flew back home and I have been “living the dream” ever since. After a couple different roommates I have finally found a family friend to live with in North PB where I couldn’t be more happy. Whenever there is the slightest excuse to throw a party you can bet I will be hosting one! Inviting friends over and hosting out of town guests are two of my favorite things to do.  Who knew there would be so many people from Minnesota who want to visit San Diego in the middle of winter?   My family is very important to me and I would do anything for any one of them. They are the reason I am who and where I am today and I couldn’t be more appreciative of them.

How would you describe a day in the life of Rachelle (at work)?
A day in the life of Rachelle begins with a working breakfast. Usually something healthy unless one of our vendor partners bring in treats, it’s Christmas, or someone does a Starbucks run. (Rachelle is famous for having the fastest metabolism known to man!) From there I go into anything from discussing event details with clients to selecting staff for upcoming programs to negotiating with vendors to going on warehouse runs. Every day I am faced with new and exciting challenges which keeps me busy and on my toes.

What made you want to get involved in the events industry?
When asked the age-old what do you want to be when you grow up question, my answer was never the same until my junior/senior year of college when I would answer, “a back-up hip hop dancer and a wedding planner.” Although I haven’t performed in any professional music videos, I have been extremely fortunate to be involved with many weddings and now corporate events. Not only do I get to be creative in the overall feel, theme and decor of the events, but I also get to continuously creatively solve problems which is also right up my alley. In other words I’m not exactly sure what it was that attracted me to the events industry other than the fast-paced, think on your feet, each day is different kind of world we live in, but I am very happy I’m here!

What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?
My favorite part about working in the events industry is meeting and working with so many different people. There doesn’t seem to be a day that passes without someone in the office saying the name of someone new we are working with, or have worked with that I haven’t met yet. From vendors to clients to staff to friends of The Event Team, I am always meeting new people and growing my network, which is one of the most important and valuable parts of my career.

Describe a shining moment and/or highlight a memorable event you played a key role in.
Here are just a few memorable moments that come to mind:
*Staying in the office until 9pm to finish staff packets that needed to get out for a HUGE Minute to Win It teambuilding event at the  Anaheim Convention Center.
*Having a program assigned to me on a Wednesday for a sailing regatta and successfully operating it less than a week later (with Labor Day in between).
*Organizing a last-minute Sports of All Sorts teambuilding event in Santa Monica for a very high-end client.
*Responding quickly and successfully after receiving a 6:30am call on a Sunday from a client letting me know they would like to add sailing to their program for the very next day.

What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of work?
When I’m not working you will more than likely find me at the beach, in the gym or catching up with friends. At the beach I enjoy ocean-side yoga, surfing or running. And going to the gym isn’t just lifting weights for me. Instead, I go to an aerial gym where I take silk classes. In other words, there are two pieces of silk fabric hanging from the ceiling and for the last month or so I have been learning how to do tricks on them. A combination of flexibility, strength and sassy-ness…I think I have found my niche!

Check back in soon for Month of Rachelle – Part 2, where we will ask the rest of the team how they feel about Rachelle “Rocky” Kirchner.

Want to learn more about Rachelle and her “super” powers – click here!