How it All Began

The industry of events is this new world I've grown to love. It has all sorts of varying areas that any person could get involved in; advertising to promo, logistics and PR. The biggest challenge is the reason I do what I do. You never really know what to expect, no matter how much you plan for that day, but as I've been told "everything that could go wrong, will"!

I wait months, weeks and days and the adrenaline builds and the hype grows. and the phone is ringing and people need answers and you get stress induced everything. You barely sleep, you can't avoid the "last minute", entertainment cancels, venue policy's, under budget, and "didn't see that coming"; eat, sleep, plan, plan, eat, plan, plan, nap, plan, coordinate, plan, eat, sleep all in only one week. Licenses and errands, print and design, so many questions, no solid answers, noise, meetings, confused and clueless on occaision and above all else you're nervous, anxious and excited. The day arrives and you wake up. Brew a pot of extra strong coffee. I get 10 minutes of quiet time to calm the nerves. I drag myself to the mirror and and take a long look. I ask myself one question, the same question each and every time. "Why do you do it?"

FAST FORWARD
Breakfast on the go, forgot the linens, meet up for brochures, ring ring ring, brochures still not ready. Fill up on gas, Timmies run, check messages, check texts, check emails, check self, still okay. Meet up with my partner, share a smile, drive and park, moving boxes, heavy lifting, stairs, running, sprinting, set-up, moving tables, checking lists, last minute, open the doors. Ready.

6pm First 2 guests
6:15 10 guests
6:17 unzip sweater
6:30 36 guests
6:31 take off sweater
6:40 55 guests
6:41 deep breaths and fresh air
6:47 67 guests
6:55 89 guest
7:00 121 guests
7:03 139 guests
7:10 168 guests
7:20 192 guests
7:30 241...257...296...313...355...4 something
8:00 pm share a smile with my partner

FAST FORWARD
speech, thank-yous, dinner, speech, dinner, announcement, dinner, cheers with wine. Technical music difficulties, unexpected food allergies, guest seating plan confusion, turn up heat, turn on air conditioning, sip wine, spilled wine, bite to eat, announcement, check on bar, check on kitchen, check on dessert, prepare coffee, check on partner, partner checks on me, forgot coffee stir stick, run out for coffee stir sticks. etc., etc., etc..

FAST FORWARD
Tear down (tables, chairs, linens, bar, signage, paperwork, displays, entertainment, platters, boxes, bags etc.). Load into the car, Timmies run, drive home. Pull into driveway, slow motion, get outta car, slam car door, can't find keys, found keys, open door, drop everything, sip coffee. Drag myself to the mirror, wash my face and ask myself one question, the same question each and every time, "Why do you do it?"

"Because it's the best feeling in the world!"

I stare at myself, make-up worn out, a few extra wrinkles, blood shot eyes, and a ringing phone.

I hop in my car, meet at Tims, sit across from my partner with a pad and paper. Share a smile and ask "What's next?