For the past few months, I have been working on an event called The Event Planner Expo. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like – an event for event planners. The event was last Wednesday, October the 2nd, and I could not be more happy with how it turned out.
We had approximately 1,200-1,300 attendees in the events industry. We invited event planners from the tri-state area specializing in all types of events of all different sizes from large live entertainment events, small-scale weddings and mitzvahs, and more. My client, EMRG Media, is very well-connected in the events and meetings space which helped our great turn-out. Being that this is an Expo and networking opportunity for event professionals, we had about 80 event-service companies exhibiting, including: florists, caterers, ice sculpturists, bakeries, performers, attractions and transportation, hotels and venues, and more.
Branded Ice
Planning this event was no easy feat. We were only hired in August, just less than two months from the Expo date. This made it an incredibly quick turn-around for an event of this caliber, but our team hit the ground running. My company managed most aspects of the pre-event stages: exhibit sales, marketing, venue logistics, registration, decoration, etc. These are the things in which I have found that I thrive. It is a very awesome feeling to look back at something and not only realize that it was successful but that you had a good time doing it (even through the daily stresses).
Set-up stress
On the day of, we showed up to the Metropolitan Pavilion at 6:30 am ready to go (the Expo did not start until 3 pm, by the way). Well, the rest of my team was ready to go. The night before, I had vowed to get to bed early, get a good night’s sleep. I certainly was in a deep sleep because I slept through my alarm and woke up 10 minutes before I had to leave. The worst feeling is knowing that you really, really should shower but don’t have time to, and you’ll be working and networking from 6:30 am – 9 pm. Making the best of a situation, I showed up rocking a sock bun – the lazy girl’s Hail Mary.
Fast-forward to 9:30 am. There was a lull in the set-up process. The exhibitors were doing their own thing to get their booths ready, and we were stuffing gift bags. I asked my boss Amy what I could do to help out besides gift bags and she said, “shower”. After I protested, saying that I would feel bad leaving set-up, she said “I know you, and I know that you’ll complain the rest of the day if you don’t, so go.” So, I left, found the nearest New York Sports Club (my gym) and took a quick shower. You have no idea how glad I am to have the bosses that I do.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch (or at least, without any major issues), which is the biggest relief for an event planner. The atmosphere was great, and the Expo felt like a fun party with a side of business. It is refreshing to see everyone having a great time – networking, dancing, sampling food. The vibe was all-around happy, which makes me happy.
My two wonderful bosses
[Side-note: not only did I see people in attendance that I know from college, but it turns out that my childhood neighbor is an intern at one of the companies who exhibited. Small world!]
You can also view more photos HERE.
BED in NYC 