They are typically behind the scenes. They help hosts look good, relieve worry and stress, avert catastrophes, help non-profits fundraise smarter, create moments that demand attendance, and make celebrations talked about long after they have concluded.

Many people have aspired to the supposed glamorous career of event planning, but there are few who choose to stay once it is evident that they’ve signed up for a career of constant stress, sweat, adrenaline, with no weekends all for the glory of someone else.  These five are part of that minority. And they couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Cassie Brown
Company: TCG Events (Formerly Tribble Creative Group)
After nine years with TCG, Cassie took over ownership in January 2011 after the company’s founder, Mary Tribble, sold her the company.
Event notoriety: Levine Children’s Hospital Grand Opening Parties, NC Conference for Women, Red Ventures’ “One Night Only”, Wells Fargo Championship

Clarke Allen
Company: Charlotte Arrangements/The Clarke Allen Group
As one of the first event planning companies in town, Clarke has been planning events in Charlotte since 1994 and owns popular event venue, Center Stage in NoDa.
Event notoriety: Dr. Maya Angelou’s birthday celebration hosted by Lowes, Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy celebration, Carolina Breast Friends’ Oysters on the Lawn (Inaugural year)

Ivy Robinson
Company: Ivy Robinson Weddings & Events
Though she does events of all shapes and sizes, Ivy has become known as the wedding planning gal in town.
Event notoriety: Her weddings have been featured in Essence Magazine, The Knot, Martha Stewart Magazine, and on the Style Network, Whose Wedding Is It Anyway, and Married Away.

Rhonda Caldwell
Company: The Main Event,Inc.
Another of Charlotte’s event elders, Rhonda has put her stamp on many of the city’s historic moments. She’ll continue to do so this fall as her company hosts the delegates from Florida, Mississippi and Alabama during the DNC.
Event notoriety: National League of Cities Board of Governors Dinner, Johnson C. Smith University CIAA President’s Reception, Hearst Tower Grand Opening for Bank of America, NC Music Factory 5K Rock N Run

Sikky Rogers
Company: Rogers and Gala
In addition to her company’s corporate and non-profit events, Sikky has earned the trust of some of Charlotte’s most prominent families, politicians, golfers, and race car drivers to plan many of their important social and religious affairs.
Event notoriety: Wells Fargo Championship, Davidson College Inauguration for new President, Oysters on the Lawn, Palm Night

Your motto when it comes to events?

Cassie: Event differently.

Clarke: Nothing is impossible.

Ivy: Have fun! Guests 5 senses should be entertained throughout the evening. They need to taste and smell great food, hear fab music, see gorgeous and unique visuals, and be able to touch great linens. You never want people to walk away thinking it was a boring event.  My company motto is not to meet expectation but to exceed it.

Rhonda: The spotlight is on you!

Sikky: If it’s not on fire don’t act like it is.  If it is on fire act like it’s not. I have not perfected this motto yet. I have done everything wrong that one could possibility do wrong.  I could write a book, but then I would have to leave Charlotte.  I never repeat my mistakes; however, there are always new ones.  If you and your team remain calm during a mishap, your client will remain calm, and they will know you will put out the fire.

Of all the events you have done in your career, which one are you most proud of?

Cassie: It’s the collection of events I’ve done over my 20 years in the business that make me proud.  In event planning, pride comes from different places whether it’s doing big things with smaller budgets or the satisfied look on a client’s face when you’ve pulled off the impossible.

Clarke: Really a hard answer to narrow down to one. Either Dr. Angelou’s Birthday Celebration hosted by Lowe’s, the Dr. Angelou’s event honoring Oprah and the graduates of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy or the church installation within a horse barn we created for Preston Bailey for his client Sheila Johnson’s wedding in Middleburg, Va.

Ivy: I am most proud of each one of them in a different way.  All of my clients are different, therefore, each of my events is different and unique in their own way. I biggest compliment is when my clients tell me that was the best wedding they have ever been to and wish they could do it over every weekend.

Rhonda: The Hearst Tower Grand Opening for Bank of America.

Sikky: The one on which I am currently working. Depending on the client, each event has its own soul.  If done properly, the event takes on a certain magic.  In order to keep the magic working sometimes you have to look into the client and see something that they can’t see themselves.  Then you suggest the magic.   Each event requires doing something that presents new challenges and opportunities, therefore, making the magic happen.  I feel very strongly about magic for each client – without it, the event has no soul. It is just an event.

The event industry seems to be back in full swing after taking a big hit during the recession. How have you and your companies been able to show both your value and the value of events?

Cassie: We demonstrate our team’s value through our well-oiled process and expertise.  From the first meeting where we define what a successful event looks like to the post event debrief with the client, we constantly strive to deliver a flawless experience. The value of events in general differs by host but the resurgence of customer entertainment as the economy improves tells me it’s valuable.

Clarke: The industry has certainly changed. I say that if our events/programs aren’t helping our customers generate business, motivate their employees or engage the community, we aren’t bringing value. Events have an opportunity to “tell story”, to put context with content. And whether we are designing the 100 anniversary gala for a medical school or a signature event for a non profit, we have to tell a story through the environment. We have to create context. Events are still a critical tool for creating emotion, generating shared experience and transporting people for that moment in time. We take great intention on helping our clients drive brand, tell their story and impacting the community.

Ivy: My company is based around customer service. We value our clients and through that we were able to remain profitable during the recession.  Actually, during the recession was some of the most profitable times for my business.

Rhonda: The Main Event Inc. has been able to show our value by simply saving the clients’ time and attention on the details. A lot of companies have scaled back on staff and don’t have the extra hands to assist with events. We step in and give the extra hands needed without adversely impacting the bottom line. We’ve also worked to highlight the importance of managing your brand and marketing to attract new clients. Events show appreciation to existing clients and personnel.

Sikky: I have never focused on the value of our company or the value of an event.  My husband has always said “Do the work and everything else will come.”  I was affected by the recession, and started offering consultations by the hour.  If I focus on what others see as the value, or my value, then I am not giving my client the personal service and design they deserve.  If I do my job well and focus on their event then they find value in both. The need to gather, to celebrate, to grieve, to learn, and to find community are part of human nature, I don’t think we need convincing.

The one piece of advice you would give non-profits in regards to their fundraising events?

Cassie: Explore new audiences to avoid donor fatigue.  A good mix of faithful supporters and new blood should always be the goal.

Clarke: Make them experiential. Try to create events (experiences) that are unique to the organization and engages everyone in the moment and ensures the entire experience communicates the right message. Create events that have a lasting impression.

Ivy: Guests typically pay a nice donation to attend a fundraising event, therefore in return the non profits need to provide a memorable event.  Don’t throw a stuffed teddy bear and confetti with balloons on the table and charge $250 a person…

Rhonda: Raise the bar and show your supporters a great experience. Make it memorable, make it cost-effective, and communicate with the board.

Sikky: Know who you are, what you want to say, and what you want people to do. If you know the first two you can communicate them effectively.  If you know the third you are better able to meet that goal, whether it be pure fundraising or some combination of fundraising and consensus building or cultivation.

What are three must-haves for hosting a party in your home?

Cassie: 1) A server so you can enjoy the party and not have as much clean up.  2) Ice, ice and more ice (there never seems to be enough). 3) A great guest list – there’s no substitute.

Clarke: 1) Create a theme. Helps guide the menu, music, beverages, napkins/linens and possibly the way the guests can dress. 2) Use your five senses: Taste, touch, smell, sight and sounds – consider each of the elements when planning events. This gives you a quick and many times affordable sources for event enhancements. You control the environment that your guest will enjoy for this moment in time. Have fun with it! 3) Make it a reflection of you. It’s your home so make it as unique as your personality. This is where your guests get the opportunity to know you a little better.

Ivy: Great music, alcohol and food.

Rhonda: Theme/Invitation – Can help you be more creative on a budget; Music/Entertainment; Inspired Menu

Sikky: Inviting the right mix of people.  Placing the bar and awesome food in the right location.  Having a generous spirit.

You have a bride who wants her wedding to have a unique flare, while still honoring tradition.  What can she do?

Cassie: Weddings should demonstrate personality. A bride doesn’t have to dance down the aisle to make it memorable.  Instead focus on personal touches such as charity donations in place of party favors and a fun groom’s cake to make the day special.

Clarke: I feel that traditions are many times being sidelined for the younger generations desire to be new/different. However many times there are families involved and weddings honor those members, rituals and traditions that have been carried on for generations. Traditions may have to do with the formatting or procedure inherent to the event. You don’t have to do away with the traditional cake by substituting cupcakes just to be different. Instead maybe the cake table is hanging form the ceiling, or is served in a unique way. There are many ways to add flare and still preserve the families traditions. I think the key again is to make the event a true reflection of the couple and their families and tell their story through the entire experience.

Ivy: There are so many options to add a unique flair while still adding tradition based on the bride and groom’s favorite things to eat, drink, and their heritage. We recently had a wedding where the groom’s background was Vietnamese and in the middle of the reception we had Dragon Dancers surprise the guests and perform. I had another client that was born and raised in the South but her groom was from Europe so we had a southern gospel choir walk down the aisle right before the bride and the Europeans loved it.

Rhonda: Use a unique venue and incorporate a theme. You can see I am BIG on themes.

Sikky: Follow her instincts, add her own magic, and be empathetic to the guests who will attend.  If she is always intentional about the comfort and joy of her guests nothing she does will be wrong and her guests will think she has a wonderful and unique spirit.

Speaking of unique flare, what new trends are you seeing in events?

Cassie: 3-dimensional step and repeats (backdrops on red carpets or press conferences). Molecular gastronomy.

Clarke: Technology is really allowing designers to create amazing work. Through multimedia we can create virtual scenery transforming environments, illuminating design, and communicating story.

Ivy: Step aside brides. Grooms are more involved in planning the weddings this year.  Out of the past eight weddings, I have planned all the details and design with six of the grooms and the brides just show up for a great party (oh and to say their vows).

Rhonda: Events are “going green” with invitations and tickets being distributed through social media. Marketing for events is also being handled through social media via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Eventbrite, etc. Moving forward, the hottest events will be in homes -backyard mini-concerts, cocktail receptions, and unique dinner parties. Other venues making a big hit are historic mansions, castles, and industrial buildings.

Sikky: 1) Different table configurations; longer and mixed up tables. For weddings, so many clients love the understated but elegant look of Jacqueline Kennedy looking down a long table at her guests. Mix round tables of different sizes, square tables of different sizes and rectangular tables of different sizes.  Instead of having one table arrangement have a mixture of different shapes and sizes with votives interspersed among arrangements.
2) Neon Colors – lime green, hot pink, tangerine and bright red.  Put all four colors together and choose one neon color linen to tie the look together.
3) Dessert Bars. Most people will splurge and eat dessert if there is a dessert bar.  You can have a room filled with different desserts, all shapes and sizes.  Use all the different senses.  Visual – put dessert on stands of different heights to make them all look different and appealing;  Smell – have a hot apple dessert with cinnamon and have a scoop for guests to choose an ice cream to put on top;  Taste – the desserts; Touch – let people interact and put toppings on ice cream, brownies, and cupcakes.

Read the original article in nFocus.