I created Brink Events in late 2011 with a desire to raise the level of social events and parties in my hometown. I wanted to design and produce experiences people hadn’t seen before, instilling memories that would last a lifetime. Equipped with that motivation and drive, Brink Events was born. Since that time, we’ve become known for producing the highest quality social events and experiences. Clients of our award-winning agency range from large corporations, to charities and non-profits, and private individuals.
Each event is personalized and customized to fit the vision of the individual client. Incredible event experiences require imagination and creativity that extend far beyond the basic event aspects. Melting all the layers of design, organization, coordination, and execution into a cohesive plan is what we do best.
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
Two industry trends I’m excited about are around lighting and food & beverage service/presentation. These aren’t two specific trends of the moment per se, but they’re two areas that continue to see constant innovation and I’m continually inspired by what I see in the industry. Coloured lights, LEDs, patterned gobos, uplighting, and other lighting elements can transform a room with relatively little effort and budget. Meanwhile, the ways we present and serve food and drinks continues to amaze me – from an upscale tiki bar to a server in costume, to an ingenious buffet set-up, and more… The best is yet to come!
What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?
Pick a few focal points in particular to highlight. Don’t worry about trying to “wow” the audience with every facet of the event. These focal points could include (but aren’t limited to) lighting, draping, bars, stage pieces, entertainment, food & beverage presentation, a grand entrance, etc… By narrowing your focus to a few key areas, these areas will stick out more and guests are more likely to remember them.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
Relationships with your suppliers and vendors are extremely important. We look at these groups as partners – or extensions of our company. What they do and how they execute reflects on us. The overall success of an event is dependent upon all parties working together toward the common goal of the ultimate guest experience. We ensure these relationships stay strong by getting to know our vendors on a more personal level, treating them with the utmost respect, and always making sure payments come on time.
What advice would you give someone who needs to plan a fundraiser but isn’t sure where to start?
Fundraisers are a tricky beast. The biggest piece is determining goals. Raising money from an event is great, but there are usually other goals involved – including donor cultivation, engagement, community awareness, etc… Determining how these goals play into the mix is very important. The most significant question to ask with respect to the “funds” is around a tangible target. What level of money raised (after expenses) would the organization be happy with? Anything above that number is gravy on top… anything below means the event didn’t meet the financial goal. Determining that “number” is key!
What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?
We’re constantly bringing on new clients in new markets with new challenges and goals. This is very exciting, but also very demanding. The ability to produce events at the highest level requires an ongoing commitment to industry education and innovation. But in the end, we’re blown away by the opportunity to be given creative freedom and great budgets to create world-class experiences.
What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
The first event I ever planned was a party in a castle. It sold out and went incredibly well from a guest perspective. From an operational and planning perspective (behind-the-scenes), it didn’t go so well – but no guest saw this aspect. What do you expect – it was my first ever event!
What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?
I had a client once ask if I could fit in a country band the day before the event… and I made it happen! It was a bit bizarre, but it turned out well. As usual, we do our best to make sure our clients are happy – no matter the logistics and timing involved!
