It’s always great to connect with other event planners and learn about what kinds of experiences they have had, pick their brains for tips and tricks, or gain any advice they can give about advancing your career.
Meet Kasandra Jenkins - an event planner of 6 years who has planned numerous corporate workshops, conferences, sales meetings, galas, and incentive trips.
I had asked her to answer a few questions about her career and experiences and here is what she shared!
What Was The Most Memorable Event That You Have Planned?
The National Sales Meeting for my previous company. It was a week-long event at our company, ending with a huge gala event at the end of the week. It was a ton of work and a lot of stress. Every year I would complain and wonder why I asked to do this event because it is too stressful, and at the end of each one I would be so happy and remember why. It was the hardest to plan and the most rewarding to be a part of. I loved working with the entire sales organization and getting to know so many people I would not otherwise. I loved planning all the activities for sales, the dinner outings, insane AV for the gala, and booking our surprise guest speaker and managing to keep it a secret. At the end of the week, after barely sleeping and working 16+ hour days every day, all the event planners got to have our fun after the gala which was one of the best parts!
What Is In Your Event Planner Survival Kit?
I always make sure to bring a printer, paper, office supplies, a box cutter, lint roller, water, Advil, chimes, phone charger, band-aids, and an extra USB - just in case!
How Do You Handle The Stress Of Planning An Event?
One of the things I have learned over the years is to try and not let stress get the best of me. I am the type of person who naturally becomes anxious and freak out a little bit at the first sign of things not going to plan. I think the most stressful times can be onsite, and at that point, we have done all we can to properly plan and execute the best event. Things are always going to come up that throw us for a loop, and instead of freaking out, which I've learned makes things worse, I try my best to remain calm and reassure myself that things always work out. It may not happen the way it was originally planned or envisioned, but it usually always works out. The other thing to realize is that from the planner side of things, we know every little detail. So when one small thing goes awry or differently, we may think it is a big deal but from the attendee side of things, most of the time wouldn't have known either way. So in summary, breathe, communicate, and reassure myself it will work out. And wine, that always helps too :)
What Is Your Favorite Part About The Job?
Favorite parts of the job include getting to travel to cool places, stay in great hotels, and watch the months of hard work all come to fruition. I also like getting to work with so many different people in the company who you would otherwise probably never even meet working in other areas.
What Has Been Your Biggest Event Fail?
I was managing a room block for our event, and I completely forgot to send the rooming list with the latest round of attendee cancellations to the hotel, so they were marked as no shows and we got charged for about 10 rooms that we never even needed. Never made that mistake again!
BONUS QUESTION: What Is Your Favorite Food To Sneak Off The Buffet
Everything! I have no self-control when it comes to food at events. I probably gain a few pounds every one.
