Above And Beyond Corporate Events believes in supporting other local small business owners. These partnerships are mutual and built upon trust, event collaboration, and friendship. The partnership program is called Referral Partners: Above And Beyond Corporate Events. Currently, the partners include: Deb’s Dragons And Other Misunderstood Creatures, F.A.B.R.I.C, Follow Your Heart Animal Rescue, Marcelle And Company Realty, BarMagic, M&M Accounting, Bark And Brittle, Embajador Tequila, Azy’s Photography, David Apeji Photography (commercial), Rebeca Steele with State Farm Insurance, Dave Waltzer with Opes Finance Solutions, FrenchMe, LLC Food Truck, The Gorilla’s Kitchen, and Print It Prints.
Previous Clients/Events: Pancake Picnic in the Park, Gilbert VFW Diamondback Game Fundraiser, CTS Concert Fundraiser to benefit Post 97 Joe Foss VFW, A Swing For Change Golf Tournament & Fundraiser, Warehouse Event Featuring Black Sheep Skid and Fear Factor Challenge with Deb’s Dragons, Ugly Swim Suit Party 2019, Off the Hook Halloween Party 2019, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Network Mingle, Network & Golf event, Marcelle And Company Client Appreciation Events, and themed network events at different happy hour venues
Above And Beyond Corporate Events was recognized nationally in April 2018 for the Above And Beyond Trunk Show held in March 2018 at F.A.B.R.I.C in Tempe, Arizona as part of Arizona ECO Fashion Week. This trunk show featured a variety of local business owners who specialize in environmental products. Each exclusively chosen vendor had their environmental products on display at F.A.B.R.I.C, which was open to the public during the Above And Beyond Trunk Show.
How long has your company been producing events? What is your main focus?
Above And Beyond Corporate Events, LLC was launched in January 2018. The mission is to help businesses thrive through various types of events that increase cohesiveness with the employees/staff, boost morale, and connect the company with the local community. Above and Beyond Corporate Events helps small to medium business owners with a variety of events and services: Fundraising, Team Building, Client Appreciation, Themed Networking, and Promotional Items/SWAG.
What do you enjoy most about your role in corporate event planning?
Helping business owners with their corporate event needs so that they can focus on what they do best…running their business. I can help them share the passion of their business through a variety of events: Client appreciation, fundraisers, themed networking, promotional items, etc.
How do you keep up with the constant change in the industry?
I have formed relationships/partnerships through consistent networking in which I keep open communication to find out the needs/wants for local business owners. I am a part of an exclusive network group called Networking Made Fun, which I hold the title as the Vice President of the Gilbert chapter.
In addition, I belong to several Facebook groups that connect to the local community, which are attached to my business page. I have a presence on Facebook and Instagram, which connects me to business owners both locally and nationally.
Do you have any advice for a company having a hard time choosing a theme? Is a theme necessary?
Having a theme isn’t always necessary when planning a corporate event, however, there must be a GOAL as to what the client is hoping to gain from the event. My job as a corporate event planner is to ensure that the GOAL is accomplished within the budget of my client.
The majority of my clients come from personal referrals, networking, or from Facebook. When I meet with a potential client, we have a consultation so that I can deliver the corporate event need and help them make their vision come to life. If they need help with that vision, I can give suggestions that I feel would best support their guests to meet my client’s goal.
What are some ways to personalize a corporate event?
Having SPONSORS is a great way to personalize a corporate event. It gets the local community involved and creates an excitement for the business to have this support.
What do you see as the corporate event industry’s greatest challenge, currently?
Budget is typically the greatest challenge that can be faced with a small business owner. I have several options that I can offer to create the event the client desires but stay within the budget or find creative ways to increase the funding from other sources.
How do you leverage event technology and what would you consider the biggest game-changer?
Eventbrite is the best tool that I have found for corporate events. It has a built-in database collection, creates a professional “ticket” for the participant, and allows for either Free or with a charge/ticket fee. It also has built-in marketing for events that are public.
What is your favorite city for events and why?
I have done events primarily on the East Side of Arizona, as that is where I have done the majority of my networking. I have had a great experience in the East Valley, however, I feel that is because I’ve built a relationship with the venue contact, which helps the communication and overall production of the event become a success.
What are some practices to follow that will help you to create the Wow factor that attendees seek with a limited budget?
Getting sponsors for the event from the local community.
How do you measure the success of an event?
The attendees enjoyed themselves, my client’s vision was achieved, and the budget was maintained.
