From weddings and special events to business luncheons and galas, event planning is an important part of any event. These ladies are committed to ensuring your event is absolutely fabulous.
Mandy Hamlin, Co-Owner, 212º Event Planning
Tell us about yourself.
My husband Mike and I lost our jobs in 2020. We both had experience in the hospitality industry and decided to start Kitchen 212º Food Truck & Catering. Most recently we’ve expanded to include event planning.
How long have you been an event planner?
I have been planning for the past 12 years.
What types of events do you organize?
Weddings, galas, birthday parties, corporate events. Pretty much anything.
How did you get into event planning?
While I was in college, I had a summer job at Mon Ami Winery (now Gideon Owen). It was an incredible experience to start out as a banquet server and then work my way up to planning and managing events. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, I worked as an Event Manager on Mackinac Island at Mission Point Resort for two seasons. It was a really great experience, and I made a lot of friends. Afterwards, I moved to Columbus where I was Sales & Event Manager for the Sheraton Hotel at Capitol Square. Then I moved on to Senior Events & Sales Manager at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. I am grateful for the years of hotel experience. It really molded my event career today.
What do you enjoy most about it?
I love that every event is different and enjoy getting to know my clients and their friends and family throughout the process. It is so neat to meet them at contract signing and then to see how everything comes together on event day. It is truly remarkable.
What tools do you use to stay organized?
I love having my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. I create a file for each client and event, which is accessible wherever I go. I also use Google Docs to share information, checklists, and details with my clients to assist with planning.
What is a memorable event you planned, and what made it special?
There are so many, but the one that comes to mind was Governor DeWine’s inauguration in 2019. The event was planned for the Ohio State House, but the space was not large enough to accommodate the 1,200 expected guests. At the time, I working at the Sheraton Columbus Capitol Square, which is directly across the street from the State House. We were contacted only 10 days before the event date. We pulled off the most amazing decor, music, theme, and food you can imagine. It was an amazing experience. Having the opportunity to meet Governor DeWine was pretty cool too. His team was a joy to work with.
Debbie Crain, Rentals Manager, Hale Farm and Village
Tell us about yourself.
I worked for a private medical practice as a medical assistant specializing in pain management for many years. I also owned and operated my own event planning business with my sister. COVID was very brutal for the medical field, and I had planned to retire last year. But my son, who worked at Hale Farm, told me they had an opening in the rental department and convinced me to look into it. So I did. And I fell in love with the place.
How long have you been an event planner?
I have been in event planning for nearly 30 years.
What types of events do you organize?
Mostly weddings; however, Hale Farm has several spaces suitable for business meetings, corporate events, and fundraisers.
How did you get into event planning?
Many years ago, my sister and I were guests at a wedding that was completely falling apart. We both jumped up to help. After the wedding, the bride thanked us and said we should start our own business. A year later, we opened Two Sisters and a Party, which we operated for 26 years.
What do you enjoy most about it?
The people. I enjoy meeting all the wonderful clients and making their event as special as possible.
What tools do you use to stay organized?
I work at an extremely busy event venue. I use BriteVenue software to help keep everything organized.
What is a memorable event you planned, and what made it special?
I have so many great memories, but my favorite one is the time I was asked to hire an ice cream truck for a wedding reception. I’ll never forget watching the bride run for the truck like her mother remembered her doing when she was a little girl. It was great fun for me and all of the guests. Truly memorable.
Jamie Ternes, Event Sales Director/Member Experience Director, Silver Lake Country Club
Tell us about yourself.
I have a degree in Hospitality Management from Kent State University and have worked at Silver Lake Country Club for five years.
How long have you been an event planner?
One year.
What types of events do you organize?
Breakfast and lunch business meetings, CE classes, all-day business events, Celebrations of Life, bridal and baby showers, and weddings.
How did you get into event planning?
I began as the pool snack bar manager at Silver Lake and worked my way up to banquet bartender, banquet supervisor, and private event manager. I became Event Sales Director in May 2022.
What do you enjoy most about it?
Giving clients a stress-free experience so they can enjoy their event. I am a big believer in “you only get each day once.” Whether it is a business meeting, shower, or wedding, I strive to make it the best for the client. I tell my clients it’s their job to show up and enjoy themselves and my job to handle the rest.
What tools do you use to stay organized?
My Outlook calendar is my lifeline. We also have a catering system, which was built for our company, called CaterPro.
What is a memorable event you planned, and what made it special?
This fall we hosted VMI Group’s 75th Anniversary. They flew in their company leaders from eight different countries. It was a night of music, games, and celebration. Our chefs prepared food from each of the eight countries. It was an amazing and collaborative event that I will never forget.
Kari Pekar, Event Sales Director, Firestone Country Club
Tell us about yourself.
I am a graduate of Kent State University where I studied business and marketing. I started my career in nonprofit but have since been in some form of sales with most of my time in hotel and event sales.
How long have you been an event planner?
Nearly two years, but I’ve planned events in previous careers.
What types of events do you organize?
I plan meetings and events for companies from around the country that bring their employees and clients to Akron. I coordinate the monthly breakfast for the Greater Akron Chamber. I also work with several local and national nonprofits on large-scale golf tournament fundraisers, such as the Bruce Baskin Golf Classic for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Northern Ohio Chapter.
How did you get into event planning?
I started event planning right out of college with the American Cancer Society, planning fundraising events such as Relay for Life.
What do you enjoy most about it?
I enjoy getting to work with new people regularly and learning what works best for each company and organization. Some companies just need a little help to navigate their events. Others need me to be hands on from early in the process. My days are always exciting with something new happening. I get a rush at the beginning of each event and a sense of satisfaction as each event ends.
What tools do you use to stay organized?
I am a list maker. My to-do list is always nearby. I get a feeling of accomplishment each time I cross off an item. I also use block scheduling in my calendar to make sure I have enough time each day to get all of the needed tasks completed.
What is a memorable event you planned, and what made it special?
Last year I worked with our members at GOJO. To make attendees feel the magic of the historic Firestone Country Club, we recreated the atmosphere of Tiger Woods’ famous Shot in the Dark from 2000 and challenged golfers to see how close they could get. It was also the first time we tried glow golfing on the Firestone Reservoir. Guests were given glow-in-the-dark golf balls and attempted to hit a floating target in the reservoir. It was hard to tell if the attendees had more fun attempting the shot or watching others.
