Hi, I’m Holly!

As a kid, I loved, more than anything else, to draw pictures and make maps. I remember walking from my grandparents' farmhouse to my cousin's home about a mile away.

Before each trip, I would get out my markers and draw a colorful map, plotting the locations of the houses, shops and gas station along the way, with logos and directional arrows showing which side of the street I should walk on for the beginning and the return trip.

Then, I would excitedly set out on the path, with my map in hand.

Looking back, I think the planning was almost as exciting as the trip itself!

I like to believe I’m still creating those colorful maps to make our events and journeys smooth, easy to navigate and filled with beauty and joy!

The Accidental Event Planner

My first professional event planning job came along when I was still in college and was hired to coordinate a large-scale national research conference for 2,000 people.

At the time, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but that early work of organizing communication, transportation, travel, lodging, scheduling, registration and printing for such a large group provided the basis for an enduring career in event planning and program management.

 

My Experience

With more than 20 years of experience in the conferences and events field, I’ve focused the majority of my career in the higher education and non-profit sectors.

As director of Cultural Events & Special Academic Programs at the University of North Carolina at Asheville since 2010, and later as director of Events & Conferences, I organized complex large-scale research conferences, academic ceremonies and programs and produced cultural events, concerts and high-profile lecture series.

As a former campaign manager with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I have a special fondness for non-profit work in the recruitment, marketing, planning and execution of fundraising events and programs.

As an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, I earned a B.A. in Mass Communication. A friendly introvert who thrives on merging big-picture thinking with keen attention to detail, I also love diving into writing, research, communication and presentation projects. I have a passion for learning to live and work sustainably, to treat others with kindness and respect, and to appreciate the things that connect us all rather than those things that divide us.  

It’s my privilege to create stress-free, successful and enjoyable events for my clients!