Hitting the Ground Running
Texas Meetings & Events (Winter 2004)
Cindy Lo, a new independent meeting planner in Austin says, “I’ve seen quite a bit in the 14 months I’ve been in the business. One of the things I’ve noticed is that my clients sometimes don’t seem to realize that I don’t for just one customer. If they think theirs is the only event, it’s challenging.”
Lo worked corporately, although not as a meeting planner. But, she says, “I was reliable and the people planning meetings often asked me to help out, which I would, and I now have 20 years of experience.” Upon deciding to become and independent planner, “a lot of people discouraged me at first,” she says.
Red Velvet Events, named after the red velvet cake, one of Lo’s favorite desserts, is in tune with the events and theming that are her trademarks. “I am really involved with Meeting Professionals International and the ISES in Austin (a special events group); I’m here to stay.”
Her message to those who are considering meeting planning careers: “It is possible for someone who wasn’t doing it previously, or at least with an ‘official’ title, to do this.” She often explains to people who attempt to coordinate meetings for their companies, that there are deadlines, communications, legal and emergency plan issues that need to be addressed.
Lo says her biggest competitor is the administrative assistant in a company with approximately 20 employees, who may feel a meeting planner is not necessary. “My being there prevents meeting mistakes,” she asserts.
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"When our marketing team works with the RVE team, we know we have a sure formula for success. The RVE team is results-driven and extremely detail-oriented, just like Lombardi. Every time we work with them, we feel like all their energy is directed at our event."
Alan Godfrey, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Business Development Lombardi Software, Inc.
"When I work with the Red Velvet Events team, I know I’m going to get a memorable event for Chinatown Center and for the Asian-American community in Austin. We just produced the largest Chinese New Year celebration ever in Austin, and the RVE team made it happen."
Alex Tan, CEO, Tan International Group & Chinatown Center
"Can’t ask for much more when it comes to working with an event management company – Cindy and her team are extremely organized and they helped us turn around our event in a short time frame and most importantly, they handled all of our last minute changes! We’re a rapidly growing firm, and we need someone that can keep up with our pace."
Mickey Millsap, Vice President, uShip, Inc.
"Hiring Cindy and RVE to plan our wedding was the smartest decision we made during our engagement. A consummate professional, Cindy was available around the clock to answer our questions promptly and politely. Her knowledge of weddings and event planning put us at ease at every step in the planning process and helped us blend our families’ traditions, our personal tastes, and the needs of our guests into our big day. The day we got married, RVE took care of the “chores” while we focused on enjoying ourselves with our family and friends. Our wedding day was more fun, joyous, musical, and touching than we anticipated.
Not only was working with RVE a total blast, it gave us the wedding of our dreams. RVE receives our highest recommendation, and we look forward to working with Cindy and RVE again."
Ella & Francisco
"Cindy’s services were invaluable in every aspect of the planning and execution of our event. She created the event’s theme and kept us on task. She was extremely organized and communicative throughout the planning process. Cindy was respectful of our limited budget as a non-profit organization and creatively stretched every dollar by negotiating great deals with vendors.
Knowing that the event details were in Cindy’s extremely capable hands allowed me to enjoy our fundraiser and effectively do my job as Development Director by greeting guests and raising money!"
Megan Heredia, San Juan Diego Catholic High School, Development Director
"Working with Red Velvet Events was a pleasure. They handled all the logistics to ensure a successful Grand Opening and continued to provide support on the following weekends where traffic flow is the generally the heaviest. I was especially impressed with Cindy’s ability to think thoroughly on all the details and make sure we had a plan for everything."
Nicole Miller, CarMax, Grand Openings Manager
"What we envisioned as our dream wedding, Red Velvet Events helped made come true. From the walk down the aisle, to our first glimpse into the reception, it was a moment that took our breath away.
We are thankful for Red Velvet Events and for what it stands for – excellence. Cindy accommodated to our needs, was patient and professional, delivered quality work, and was a pleasure to work with. She referred us to extraordinary vendors and incorporated tradition into our wedding. We can truly say that our wedding is a day we will always remember. Thank you Red Velvet Events!"
Aloisy & Van
"Red Velvet Events was able to help me organize transportation, gift bags, dinner reception and the overall schedule for a team competition with only two weeks of notice. Their flexibility, organization and constant communication made me feel very secure about the success of the event. Red Velvet Events was a great choice for an event planner, and I look forward to working with them again to plan our competition next year."
Lauren Davis Director, Liemandt Foundation
"Red Velvet Events performed in a most professional manner and carried off a first time event very smoothly."
Representative Martha Wong, Houston, district 134
"Since I've known Cindy, she has never ceased to amaze me with her level of creativity, energy and eagerness to help. I could always depend on Cindy to exceed my expectations. Having known and worked with her at Trilogy, I know she will always put her customers' needs before her own."
Jeanne McNeil, Trilogy Software Inc., President of Trilogy Employee Foundation
"Having Cindy plan my husband's 30th birthday party was a life-saver for me. I just had a baby and did not have the time or energy to put this together. Cindy took care of everything - from invites and favors to scoping out potential venues and decorating the cake! She knew exactly the kind of party I wanted and was able to do it well under my budget. Cindy's enthusiasm, energy and her dedication to perfection made the night a huge success. I definitely plan on having Cindy take care of all my future parties."
Ann Kim
"My dear friend Shelley and I decided to throw a BIG party for our 40th and 30th birthdays. This was going to be, in our words, THE party of the year! We were introduced to Cindy, who willingly took on the project of planning a birthday bash in Houston, Texas. Shelley and I, both very busy with work, were extremely grateful at how flexible and accommodating Cindy was through the whole planning process.
The night of the event, Cindy managed the entire party, making sure everything was taken care of to every last detail. She even took the time to bring her digital camera and capture candid photos of the event. Shelley and I were able to enjoy our evening and our guests without a worry in the world. Cindy handled everything like an industry expert and thanks to her services, the party was a great success..."
Melissa Arriaga
"Cindy, our wedding reception was amazing! Your organization shined through -- from the name place cards to the elegant menus you personally designed, to making sure the whole evening went just the way we wanted. We will definitely refer you to our other friends who are getting married."
Ardis Peterson
© 2008 Red Velvet Events Inc., a member of ISES and MPI.