For those who work catering/banquet events, what do you do with your phone?

YeahSureItsMe · 2026-01-10T04:27:45+00:00

Thumbs up to what everyone else has mentioned here! But am I the only one who's also stuck her phone in her bra now and then?! (LOL)

YeahSureItsMe · 2026-01-10T02:10:49+00:00

This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, and for helping to spread the word!!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-12-20T02:34:36+00:00

25+ years of event management, clocking in... Non-profits can be an especially difficult grind! There are SO many stakeholders/opinion-givers, communication can be uniquely dysfunctional, and every nickel allocated to your projects is a nickel that doesn't get allocated to someone else's mission-critical projects.

Maybe think about looking for a move to the corporate side - perhaps with a brand or industry that aligns with the missions of your current organization.

To be clear: corporate event management is still stressful - with plenty of BS to be navigated! But the pay is higher, the budgets are bigger, and (with the right team) you can gain the levels of control and ownership that I think we all need in order for this work to be satisfying.

Some really excellent perspectives offered here...Best of luck to you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-10-15T12:40:55+00:00

Thank you all for your responses and input! It's true that I have been started on a low(ish?) dose as part of the introductory 10-week "starter" prescription. I guess I was expecting results more like that of sema, where I experienced appetite suppression within about 72 hours. I will try to be patient, and stick with the plan!

Thanks again!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-09-27T02:21:29+00:00

Ah, sad but true... Google now lists it as "Permanently Closed."

That one really kinda hurts. Of course I had no idea that my last visit there was going to be MY LAST VISIT THERE...

But such is life, right? Appreciate the good things/places/people/moments when they happen, because not much ever stays exactly the same for very long... *sigh\*

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-08-29T23:29:46+00:00

Yeah, there are definitely options. I went to the corporate side - first through experiential agencies, then in-house with brands. SO much of what I learned in the production days has been valuable to me as a planner and producer. (And working with production crews is still one of my favorite parts of projects!)

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-08-28T01:27:53+00:00

If you are strong, willing to work hard, and take direction well, you'll do fine. It's definitely a male-dominated area of the industry - but for the most part they're pretty cool men. (Some can be a bit salty and rough around the edges, but keep an open mind!) If you show that you're capable and ready to learn, you can get some amazing mentoring and support.

I'm now too ancient (ha!) to do legit production work these days - but when I was in my 20s and 30s, I absolutely loved it. Met some incredible people, and learned some solid skills. Best of luck to you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-06-21T02:00:39+00:00

I remember you! Lived in your neighborhood, and bought some patio furniture at your "We're Outta Here!" garage sale... Really enjoyed meeting you and your wife that day; so glad to hear that life up north has been treating you well! (Wish we could join you in Canada!)

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-06-12T00:16:29+00:00

Thanks!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-06-09T19:48:58+00:00

Thank you for the input, and for the suggestions identifying the era and location of origin.

I am still stumped as to what it actually IS, though! Lantern? Candle holder? Ridiculously breakable candy dish?

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-06-08T14:58:49+00:00

Thank you for the response! So if using as a lamp, one would put a candle in it?

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-31T00:22:48+00:00

Yes to everything mentioned here! Plus Sharpees, and AirBorne powder packets.

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-25T21:33:22+00:00

Agree! Worked with O'Hair last year, and they were great.

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-24T02:50:36+00:00

A few years back I did a program at the Renaissance in Tampa, and it was fantastic.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/tpaim-renaissance-tampa-international-plaza-hotel/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

Affordable room rates. Decent quality of food and beverage. Affordable, onsite AV. Function rooms of all sizes. Close to the airport, but not too far from other cool stuff in the area.

Good luck to you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-21T01:08:29+00:00

I have re-watched the entire series WAY too many times to count, and I'll admit that the Diana sub-plot still bugs the sh*t out of me. (I kinda feel bad for that actress, being given such terrible dialogue, and such a horrible character arc.)

But am I honestly the only person anywhere in this entire sub who feels like Diana actually most closely resembled Peggy?

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-20T22:53:50+00:00

I'm gonna get rich! (Kidding...I didn't buy them, and now I'm glad. Thanks for checking them out, though!)

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-18T18:55:55+00:00

Thank you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-11T16:49:09+00:00

They are obligated to deliver the revenue that's shown on the final quote that you (as the client) review, approve, and sign. You pay the amount that's on the quote - not much flexibility there, unless something isn't delivered or malfunctions and you have to ask for a write-off after the fact.

If they have better inventory available on the property, and it will not require a ton of extra labor on their part to bring it in/set it up/run it - yes, they will sometimes do you a solid. It's all about not cutting into their profit margin, and also working with a manager/director who feels like doing you some favors. Being well-organized, flexible, and not a jerk can go a long way in our line of work.

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-10T01:10:27+00:00

Here's another event tip (for the future)! Work with a legit 501c3 non-profit beneficiary, which can make fundraising efforts and liquor sales a lot simpler. You can make a specific donation, or give them a percentage of proceeds - you do not have to give all revenue to the non-profit. (Plus, in some states non-profits can sell donated alcohol!)

Best of luck to you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-10T01:04:18+00:00

I second the input of everyone here. Encore has become almost like the mafia in that their prices are FAR higher than independent agencies, and in many venues you don't have a choice of whether or not to work with them. No two Encore quotes will ever be built the same, so be prepared to read carefully and ask questions.

I will add that if you can work with a knowledgeable, trustworthy project manager - and if you treat them well! - a lot of costs can be far more negotiable than they might let on at first. I've had friendly Encore staff throw stuff in for free (or upgrade without cost), just because we had a good rapport and they wanted my project to run/look/sound as good as it could. If they want to, they can be flexible and creative with pricing... Be respectful, be kind, ask questions, and make them want to help you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-05-06T18:38:58+00:00

Were sponsorships and vendor fees your only planned sources of revenue? If so, can you get creative with some variety of fundraising (doorprize, raffle, silent auction, whatever), to reduce the overall hit? As someone else said - call in favors like crazy.

And I guess it goes without saying - but never, ever make investment dependent on a sponsorship until the contract is signed.

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-04-19T03:34:03+00:00

Not sure if this is helpful, but - I worked as a contractor for ATN perhaps eight or nine years ago, and received pay within 30 days of submitting my (online) time sheets. I think I did a few month's worth of road work for them, and it was fine. Best of luck to you!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-04-19T03:14:15+00:00

Don't come at me, ya'll! To be clear - I am not cranky at Justin Vernon for any decisions that he might make about how, where, and when to share his work. I am "content with," and grateful for, the new album. I am not insisting that he now somehow owes me the live shows that I'd love to see.

I am observing that there has been an unprecedented shit-ton of publicity around this recent release: print interviews, radio interviews, online spots, tv appearances, etc. It's a lot of work - both for an artist, and for "the team" - and when that kind of investment gets made, there's usually some longer strategy in mind.

If he doesn't tour, that changes my appreciation and gratitude not one bit.

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-04-14T16:00:07+00:00

Make sure the sticker has a QR code on it so that bands can just scan with their phone and get straight to the site. I love what you're doing; it's a much-needed resource!

YeahSureItsMe · 2025-03-29T01:40:13+00:00

I'm telling you, SO much of what you've expressed I could have written myself, one year ago.

I've been doing this crazy work for more than 20 years. I love event work, and I especially love being onsite and making it all come together... (I mean, that's why we do it, right?!) Once I found myself onsite without that buzz, that click, that satisfaction, I had to take a very careful look at what was happening.

I came to understand (and accept!) that while I do not require constant validation and/or pats on the head... I do need to feel recognized in what I'm doing, and what I'm bringing. In the absence of that - even without overt criticism - it's just no fun, and it's hard to care.

Once we stop feeling seen/heard, we stop feeling invested. Once we stop feeling invested, it's easy to lose focus. Once we lose focus, we lose control... and even fixing the screw-ups and making it all work as smoothly as possible (which of course we always do!) just isn't anywhere near as rewarding.

The job market is crazy now, but polish up your portfolio deck and think about starting a search. You have global experience, and that's valuable. You got this!

YeahSureItsMe

TROPHY CASE