I feel like it’s always a complicated answer when people ask me what I do for work and I answer with, “I freelance and work events.”
*blank stares/slow nods* & usually: “And what does that mean?” 😅
Then I launch into my spiel: “I used to work full-time at an event planning company for three years before I left to do some traveling and then I decided that I didn’t want to work a 9-5 anymore, so I started freelancing. I now work for multiple companies, mostly on-site event support and sometimes some pre-planning logistics. I would say half my work is traveling to different cities in the US to help with conferences and half my work is local to the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area.”
That usually confuses people even further, but sometimes people are intrigued and they ask even more questions, so here’s a list of some FAQs:
“Oh, so like weddings & parties, right?”
No, no weddings & no parties haha. Verrry occasionally, maybe, if I’m helping out with a small part. But I like to tell people that the one time I signed up to work on-site for a wedding at the Spy Museum, I walked out of the elevator and saw the mother-of-the-bride YELLING at the event planner in the lobby and vowed never to do it again 😵💫 Too many emotions and high stakes.
I like working conferences, special (corporate) events, and occasionally some public events.
“So who do you work for?”
Basically: myself! I work with a mix of event-planning companies and sometimes directly with clients. I work some events at the International Spy Museum in DC. Occasionally, some brand ambassador work. I’m on the list for a lot of companies and also get a lot of referrals from working in the industry for over 10 (!!!) years.
“10 years?”
Yup, started working as an intern in April 2013, got hired full-time that year in September, and left July 2016 – and I’ve been freelancing ever since! But, technically more than 10 years because I did a lot of events during college: I worked at the student union: booking event requests & executing logistics (making sure events had A/V, tables, chairs, etc.), volunteered at the Women’s Center with events, and hosted events through student organizations.
My favorite role was helping with our alumni weekend in the summer – I started as a volunteer for two years and interned my last year. I saw the event come together and realized that’s what I wanted to do – seeing all your hard work come together in front of your eyes is inspiring 🤗
“Did you study hospitality then?”
Negative – my school had the traditional majors and nothing hospitality-related, so I just tell people that you need some experience and a lot of common sense 😁 Another story for another time, but I majored in Psychology!
“So what do you actually do at events?”
A variety of things! It really does depend on the event, who I’m working for, and what role I’m working. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
– Registration: greeting people, checking them in, handing out badges/swag items/etc., answering questions – lots of questions
– Food & beverage: making sure the hotel/restaurant/venue prepares the meals on time, looking out for dietary restrictions, handling guest flow
– Transportation (no, I am not driving the bus nor the vehicle): airport meet & greets – connecting guests with their chauffeurs/vehicles, coordinating with transportation companies & venues on big moves (multiple vehicles (sedans/SUVS/sprinters/mini coaches/motor coaches)), ensuring guests get from point A to point B
– Overseeing other event things: catering, decor, entertainment, staff – really, anything goes!
Have other questions? Feel free to reach out!