I spent 24 years with Marriott hotels in operations and sales helping different hotels of all shapes and sizes be more efficient, emphasize service, and drive sales

I’ve been with Annabell Gardens Hotel for the past 2 years

I’ve been a Chamber Ambassador with the Chamber of Commerce for the past 15 years

I have an amazing 23 year old daughter, that works to help veterans everyday and I couldn’t be more proud

In my free time you can usually find me on the lake or hiking with my dog shady

Why Great Event Spaces Matter – Business Events

Sets the tone for professionalism and credibility before the first word is spoken

Supports Focus, engagement, and productivity, helping meetings achieve their goal faster

Why Great Event Spaces Matter – Leisure & Social Events

Enhances the overall experience, making guests feel more comfortable, welcomed, and valued

Creates lasting impressions and memories that guests associate with the event, and the venue

• CLARIFY THE PURPOSE OF THE EVENT: IS IT TO EDUCATE, CELEBRATE, COLLABORATE, PERSUADE, OR PROBLEM‑SOLVE

• IDENTIFY THE DESIRED OUTCOMES: WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR ATTENDEES, AND ORGANIZERS

• DEFINE THE MUST‑HAVES VS. NICE‑TO‑HAVES SO EVERY DECISION SUPPORTS THE CORE OBJECTIVE

• Align the space with the event’s purpose — trainings need focus, celebrations need flow, and networking needs room to mingle

• Match the layout to the experience you want — classroom for learning, rounds for collaboration, theater for impact

• Choose a venue that supports your must‑haves — AV needs, catering, accessibility, breakout rooms, or that one guest who always needs an outlet for their laptop

• Match the room to the humans — if people are shoulder‑to‑shoulder, it’s not “cozy,” it’s a fire code violation waiting to happen

• Choose layouts that support the mission — classroom for learning, rounds for bonding, theater for when you want zero excuses for not paying attention

• Plan for real‑world behavior — someone will bring a giant laptop, someone will need an outlet, and someone will rearrange the chairs the moment you turn your back

• Test everything early — microphones, projectors, clickers, and that one HDMI cable that always acts like it’s on vacation

• Plan for backups — extra batteries, extra cords, extra patience… because technology has a sense of humor

• Keep it simple for presenters — clear controls, labeled inputs, and a setup that doesn’t require a PhD in “Why Won’t This Connect”

• Set the mood with lighting — bright for learning, warm for networking, dim for when you want everyone to look 10% more photogenic (a trick we fully support at Annabell Gardens)

• Control the soundscape — clear audio, no echo, and zero surprise “mystery hums” that make everyone look around like they’re in a sci‑fi movie

• Create an intentional atmosphere — décor, temperature, music, and layout should all whisper the same message: “We planned this… on purpose”

• Confirm, reconfirm, and triple‑confirm — vendors, deliveries, and schedules are always easier weeks and days before an event rather than minutes (Annabell Gardens teams are big fans of this step)

• Build milestones and checkpoints — contracts, layouts, menus, AV tests… all the glamorous stuff that keeps chaos from winning

• Start early and map it out — the best events aren’t “thrown together”

• Communicate early and clearly — vendors aren’t mind readers

• Confirm responsibilities and timelines — who’s delivering what, when, and where… because “I thought you were bringing it” is the enemy of smooth events

• Build real partnerships — treat vendors like teammates, not transactions; at Annabell Gardens, we ensure everyone works like one big, well‑caffeinated family

• Arrive early and walk the space — catch anything that’s off before guests do (chairs have a talent for migrating overnight)

• Do a full tech + layout check — screens on, mics working, signage placed

• Assign point people — one for vendors, one for tech, one for guest flow… and one to keep the coffee replenished because morale matter

• Assuming the layout will stay put — chairs migrate, tables multiply, and someone always creates a “mystery aisle” that wasn’t in the plan

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• Trusting technology without supervision — projectors freeze, mics rebel, and laptops decide it’s the perfect moment to update

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• Forgetting the human factor — late arrivals, early snack attacks, and that one guest who treats the agenda like a suggestion

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• Flexible layout, zero drama — whether it’s classroom, rounds, or theater, we have a the right layout to meet your needs

• Built‑in AV that actually works — clear sound, bright projection, Smart TVs with Bluetooth

• Comfort that keeps guests happy — easy parking, nearby restrooms, strong Wi‑Fi, and a space cozy enough that people forget they’re technically “at a meeting”

• Personalize the details — a warm welcome, a thoughtful touch, or remembering someone’s coffee preference turns “nice event” into “wow, they get me”

• Create moments worth talking about — a fun surprise, a standout snack, or a perfectly timed transition that makes guests think, “Okay, this place has its life together”

• Make it effortless for them — clear signage, smooth flow, and staff who appear exactly when needed (Annabell Gardens is basically a ninja at this)

• Walk the space one last time — if something looks “a little off,” it is, and it will haunt you later

• Test the tech (again) — mics, screens, clickers, and anything with a cord deserves one final pep talk

• Confirm vendors & deliveries — a quick “You’re still coming, right?” message saves lives

• Check signage + flow — guests should never have to choose between guessing and wandering

• Prep your team — roles, timing, and who’s in charge of keeping the coffee flowing

• Take a breath — you’ve planned, prepped, confirmed, and triple‑checked; now let the magic happen