http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/rss/feedsChristine DiCarlo is a leading event producer. While Boston is home and her primary residence, DiCarlo's CD Events Co has designed and produced events not only in Boston but also in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix, Seattle & Washington DC. Ms. DiCarlo's client list is diverse and represented by a blueWed, 12 Aug 2026 10:11:40 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/last-gasp-of-summerhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/last-gasp-of-summer Before you know it, someone will be asking me , "can you believe it's already Labor Day?" Every year I roll my eyes when people say, "summer goes by faster and faster," and yet here I am another year older and saying exactly that. I don't know if it's because we're older, busier, or simply paying more attention to being in the moment and realizing how precious time really is, but the calendar seems to be moving at warp speed. June always feels full of possibility. This June we did so much too and spent a lot of time in two of our happy places – Italy and the Hamptons. We were home for a bit in July but then ventured off again this time to Spain and Morocco. So, July is a blur of stooptails, travel, and trying to squeeze every drop out of long evenings. And now suddenly it's August, and before you've finished your cold brew, people are talking about pumpkin spice. Shoot me now. As someone who produces events for a living, I feel the seasons a little differently than most. While everyone else is still trying to figure out one more beach weekend, I'm already mentally living in the fall. My calendar certainly is. Three events in September. One in October. Another in November. Two more in December. And only one of them is in Boston so that means lots of travel coming up too. The pace shifts almost overnight from flip-flops to floor plans, from summer Fridays to production schedules, timelines, budgets, site visits, and revisions. So many damn revisions. There's an excitement that comes with it, but there's also a heaviness. Not in a bad way but more like the weight of knowing that the busiest, most demanding season of the year is about to begin. Event producers spend months building toward moments that may only last a few hours. It's exhilarating, exhausting, and somehow always worth it. One thing I'm especially excited about this fall is welcoming a new intern to CD Events Co. I'm in the middle of interviewing candidates now, and I genuinely love this part of the process. There is something energizing about meeting young people who are just beginning their careers, hearing their ideas, and hopefully giving them the kind of experience that inspires them to stay in this industry. We need more passionate, curious real people who appreciate that events aren't just logistics, they're about creating moments people remember. But this fall, I'm making another commitment to myself. Instead of filling every spare hour with just one more work thing, I'm carving out time for projects that have been quietly waiting in the wings. I'm finally going to invest more energy into creating user-generated content, growing my Substack, and connecting all the pieces that have been floating around separately in my head. For years I've been telling other people to share their stories, document their work, and build their communities. It's time I listened to my own advice. Funny how that works. I think that's what this stage of life is about. Not trying to slow time down (because we can't) but becoming more intentional about where we spend it. Summer may disappear faster every year but that's the reminder we need. To say yes to dinner on the deck. To take the trip. To write the post. To mentor someone new. To build something that lasts beyond another busy season. Fall will arrive whether we're ready or not. This year, I plan to welcome it with a full calendar, a grateful heart, and a promise to make room for the creative work that's been calling my name all along. Because if time is going to fly anyway, I'd rather spend it creating something meaningful than wondering where it went. That can wait just a few more weeks though because now I am headed back to the Hamptons to co-host an event, sit on another beach and enjoy the last gasp of summer. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:32:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/what-i-wore-to-ride-a-camelhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/what-i-wore-to-ride-a-camel Before I left for Europe, I wrote about the freedom of packing light. It sounds great in theory. And now that I had put in on paper and out in the universe, I had to do it IRL. So the real test. Did I follow my own advice? I'm happy to report... yes. The biggest lesson wasn't that I pack less - it is that I pack smarter. And this trip became my unofficial experiment of a new way of packing. I am going to call it bundling (more on that later – wow it works!) And of course sticking to one color palette. Instead of throwing in every "just in case" outfit (because we all know that's really code for I might feel bloated or like a completely different person on Day 6), I committed to one simple color story: neutral with a touch of animal. Truly that is the color palette of my life. It turns out that when everything works together, getting dressed on vacation becomes wonderfully boring and fun, in the best possible way. Every top worked with every bottom. Every layer made sense. I even had the right outfit to wear riding a camel on the beach (neutral, light, airy, covered) and I had room to throw in a couple of fun colorful pieces too (which I tend to wear more on vacation or in the summer). Here's what made the final cut: Tops: black & gray tanks (from Amazon and so great!), Mango white eyelet ss blouse, Daydreamers bikini tee Bottoms: Le Bop satin stripe, vintage market find linen stripe (didn’t end up wearing), Deiji cream cotton (love this brand), Rag and Bone Miramar (wore on the plane. . . RT) Dresses: DIISH black sundress, Mapoesie pucci like caftan (didn't end up wearing), Mapoesie brighter caftan, Monrow white two-piece strapless set (pants), Raquel Allegra black two-piece satin set (again pants), Ganni leopard cover up, Lemlem black cover up Layers: Ulla Johnson pareo, Zara black and cream striped sweater, Saint NY black ls sweater, Bathing suitx (throwing into this category) – J Crew black strapless one piece, Andie black tank one piece, Lisa Marie Fernandez black and gold tie suit Accessories: Mansur Gavriel black raffia cross body, black raffia clutch, Matta neutral woven tote, Diega silk fringed pareo (picked up in May when in Italy), Wyeth chocolate brown raffia bucket hat (which I lost in some car ride on the way back from Morocco but don’t worry I already replaced it. . . ), Julietta shell necklace (statement piece) and a few bangles and big earrings (I definitely wear more jewelry on vacation). And then... the shoes. This is where most of us lose the packing battle. I normally convince myself I need shoes for sightseeing, dinner, rain, beach/pool, cobblestones, cocktails, emergencies, and apparently some imaginary red-carpet event. This time I packed just 3 pairs: Gaia brown jelly kitten heels Black leather wedges TKees neutral flip flops Brown raffia Birks (wore on plane) Guess what? I wore the same pair about 80% of the trip. Another surprise? I didn't miss the clothes I left behind. Instead, I appreciated having a lighter suitcase, more room for a few treasures we picked up in Morocco and the ability to move through airports, train stations, and charming little European streets without dragging what felt like a small appliance. Packing this way also made me realize something bigger. The older I get, the less interested I am in having more options and the more interested I am in having better ones. The same goes for travel. More experiences. More spontaneity. More room - for souvenirs, for memories, and maybe even for a few new outfits! Will I still overpack a little next time? Let's not get carried away. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/travel-advice-from-a-former-consummate-overpackerhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/travel-advice-from-a-former-consummate-overpacker We are off on another adventure! This time Morocco and Costa del Sol. "Coast of the Sun" just has a relaxing ring to it dont you think? Every time I tell someone I'm heading to Europe for a vacation, I get the same question. And the answer is, yes I am excited. But there's typically another emotion quietly riding shotgun: my preparation anxiety. And then of course what really takes up all the space in my brain - what am I going to wear? This question immediately convinces me that I need five pairs of shoes, three "just in case" outfits, two layering pieces even though it looks hotter than hot, and enough skincare products to open a tiny Sephora. My husband constantly telling me that I am ridiculous and that anyone who needs all of the above is also downright ridiculous only exacerbates that anxious feeling. I mean I am not an influencer posing in every single outfit, but yet I dont want to be that girl who never looks quite right either or wishes she brought that second pair of striped pants (I did in case you were wondering). Every single trip, I have the same conversation with myself. And I tell myself I need the heels and then I remember the endless cobblestones. I need the fancy dresses but then always wear my sundresses right into the evening. It's summer so I should wear linen but will my pieces wrinkle too much. And then will I need my travel steamer. Eventually, I just take what I want to satify the voices, but drumroll please. . .I have managed to learn to pack ONLY in a carry-on. And I am extremely organized. So this post could be the start of the CD Carry-On Chronicles! In 2019 we went to Italy for 25 days and I made my husband and myself a promise. One carry-on starting then and from here on in. It sounds impossible until you actually do it. Less really is more. Accessories are your best friend. Shopping is always an option. And finding your style and method of packing (bundle, sudoko, Marie Kondo etc) is key. More on that in another CD Carry-On Chronicles post. There is one piece that I just cant seem to shake and leave behind. My laptop. Here's where things get complicated. I'm a business owner, a one woman show and events don't magically stop because I'm sipping an Aperol Spritz on Lake Garda or wandering through a market in Morocco. There's always a client. An email. A proposal. A venue that finally decides to respond because apparently every hotel salesperson in the world knows exactly when I leave the country. So my laptop comes. And it is the most important thing I bring for my own piece of mind. Most vacations, I open it for an hour in the morning while Mike is still asleep. I answer the truly important emails, check that nothing is on fire, and then I close it. That's the key. I've learned there is a huge difference between staying connected and staying consumed. My business deserves my attention. My vacation deserves it too. As event producers, planners, entrepreneurs - or honestly just humans - we've become conditioned to respond instantly. I am guilty as charged. But most things can wait. Europe has become my reminder that life exists outside my inbox. You notice so many more things when you are present aka not constantly looking at your phone. Before every trip I spend a day (okay more like a week) getting both my life and my business in order. Projects are organized. Clients know where I'll be. Invoicing is done. Tailoring and laundry is done. Plants are watered. The refrigerator is cleaned out and Willie is packed for his own adventure. Personally, I am pampered and polished. Toes and nails are done, hair is touched up, travel sizes restocked and I have a running packing list organized on my phone (side note do this while you are sitting in the salon chair waiting for your hair to process). Then I start to get really excited. Every trip changes me a little. Not because of the landmarks but because of the perspective. Travel reminds me why I work so hard in the first place. So if you're getting ready for your own adventure, here's my advice. Take the carry-on. Find your color palette. Slowly build a capsule wardrobe that you know will work on holiday. If needed, wear the same outfit or at least the linen pants twice. Find your packing method and remember that no one really cares or is subtracting points if you add a piece to the sudoko style or throw in that extra dress. And bring your laptop if it makes you feel better. Most importantly, give yourself permission to disappear every once in a while. Your inbox and your clients will survive. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/who-wrote-thishttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/who-wrote-this A couple of weeks ago someone read one of my blog posts and asked, "Did AI write that?" I see this topic a lot lately and its frustrating. We are told to be more effective and utilize better time management skills - so in other words use AI. And then we are criticiczed for using it too much and are called out for using it even if we have not. AI is becoming a very hot topic. The dangers, the indicators, the "cheating". Mention you used it and someone immediately says, "I can always tell." But can they though? How can you tell - that extra long hypen or those overused SAT words. So when I was asked, I'll admit it. . . I laughed a little. And the answer is yes and absolutely not. Maybe sometimes. We've all read those stupidly obvious posts full of insights and politically correct opinions and they are followed by a list of five bullet points that sound like they were written by a very enthusiastic robot who has never attended an actual meeting. Ha, I just used two of those lists in one of my last posts. Sometimes those deserve the criticism and sometimes they make sense. But using AI isn't cheating. Using AI instead of thinking for yourself is wrong. And that is cheating you. As event producers, we don't look down on someone for using Photoshop instead of drawing every invitation by hand. We don't criticize accountants for using Excel instead of a calculator. We don't expect graphic designers to create logos with crayons. These are all tools. AI is another tool, a super smart one that can help us get unstuck, organize our thoughts, tighten our writing, brainstorm ideas, or spit out a spreadsheet faster than any intern. Where I think people get into trouble is when they only copy, paste, and hit publish. That's where the magic disappears. Because AI has never stayed up until 2AM fixing a seating chart. It doesn't know the feeling of watching a client burst into happy tears when every detail comes together. It hasn't survived hurricanes, pandemics, power outages, missing speakers, fire alarms (I had 3 in one night) delayed flights, or the one guest who always insists they're "on the list." But we have. Our experiences are our greatest competitive advantages. AI can't manufacture those. Use AI to support and organize your very own thoughts. I use it all the time. But I give it a draft and then I add the passion - the stories, the humor, the inside jokes, the sarcastic commentary and the real life examples. And I remove words I would never actually say. I put it in my perspective and make it sound like me. Because people don't connect with perfectly polished content and lots of SAT words, they connect with passion and authenticity. If someone can instantly tell AI wrote your piece, it probably means you didn't take the time to think it through or finish writing it. Think of AI as your intern. A really fast, incredibly knowledgeable intern who occasionally makes odd assumptions and still needs a ton of supervision. We love interns! Would you send a proposal to your biggest client without reviewing something your intern wrote? Of course not. The same should apply here. Don't be embarrassed to use AI. Be embarrassed if you stop thinking. AI needs our perspective. And thankfully, there's still no shortcut for that. So what do you think? Did I write this post - you better believe I did.Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:20:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/happy-birthday-americahttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/happy-birthday-america I am going to make my famous ice box cake again for your special day. And then I am going to sit back and watch the craziness that is about to take over the Back Bay. I am very lucky to have one of the best seats in the house for the 4th of July weekend festivities. I live on the Charles River in Boston, where preparations are underway for one of the biggest celebrations our nation has ever produced: America's 250th birthday. For event producers, it's hard not to see this milestone through the lens of our profession. While most people see fireworks, tall ships, concerts, ceremonies, crowds and partying, we see timelines, permitting, contingency plans, endless meetings, production schedules, crowd flow issues, and at least one person asking for a major change 48 hours before showtime. In other words, we see all the work. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of people launched what may be the longest-running event in history: the USA. Did they know this at the time? My guess is probably not. But the original production plan was ambitious, the budget was questionable, the stakeholders couldn't agree on much (ha nothing changed there), and nobody had a clear understanding of what success would look like (ditto). Sounds like many of the majors event I've produced. The Boston area will once again become the center stage for history. Fireworks will light the sky. Communities throughout New England will celebrate the courage, sacrifice, and vision that launched a nation. Standing over the river watching it all come together, I'm reminded that events are about more than entertainment. They're about creating moments that help people remember who they are and where they're going. They are creating an experience - a shared story and in this case, one that would become our backbone. And here we are, 250 years later, still showing up. To me, 250 years feels like enough time to have figured a few things out. You'd think after two and a half centuries we'd be a little better at this by now. And listening to each other would be the easiest task at hand. A little better at solving problems. A little better at disagreeing without assuming the other side is the enemy. A little better at remembering that progress requires participation. Instead, many days it feels like we've simply upgraded our methods of arguing. Dont worry I am not going to use this platform to voice my political opinions, but you can read between the lines The challenges facing our country today are real. Political division, economic uncertainty, global conflict, social tensions, and rapid technological change can make it feel as though we're all trying to navigate a production where nobody has the latest run-of-show. But maybe that's exactly why this anniversary matters. Every event producer knows a secret that audiences rarely see. No event is perfect. The weather changes. Equipment fails. Schedules slip. Someone misses a cue. The talent suddenly wants a teleprompter. And yet the event happens. Not because everything goes according to plan, but because people adapt, collaborate, communicate, and keep moving forward. The same is true of nations. America has never been perfect. But the story of this country has always been about process, resilience, and the willingness to keep improving. That's an event producer's mindset too. We don't jump ship because something goes wrong. We solve the problem. Then we solve the next one. And then we open the doors. The best events create momentum. They remind people of what's possible. They reconnect us to purpose. They help us see ourselves as part of something larger than our individual challenges. America's 250th birthday is an opportunity to do exactly that. Not to pretend everything is perfect. Not to ignore our differences. Not to romanticize history. But to remember that every generation inherits an unfinished production. The founders built the stage. Generations before us added scenery, lighting, sound, and structure. Our responsibility is to leave the production better than we found it. So this weekend, I'll be watching and celebrating through the eyes of an event producer. I'll see logistics. I'll see all the planning. I'll see thousands of people working behind the scenes to create a meaningful experience. And I will see hope. Because every great event begins with a belief that bringing people together matters. At 250 years old, America remains a work in progress. We can't have our cake and eat it too. Maybe that's the point. The show isn't over. And if history has taught us anything, it's that the most important part of every production isn't what happened before. It's what we choose to create next. Happy Birthday USA - lets hope you make a great wish. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:06:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/its-about-timehttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/its-about-time Want to know what scares me? Not AI, but people blindly trusting it. Because AI is a little like that overly confident vendor who promises everything is "absolutely handled." Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. And you don't find out until much later. AI can be brilliant. It can also be hilariously wrong. The problem is it delivers both answers with exactly the same confidence. Just recently I asked Chad to make me a graphic using two photos and some copy I wrote. It was gorgeous, but when we put on our readers and looked closer, we saw the faces in the photos were completely different people! Same color hair, some clothing, but different freaking faces! Which means experience still matters. Judgment still matters. Double and triple checking still matters. Time management still matters. And asking "Are we 100% sure about that?" remains one of the most valuable skills in business. But guess what? We (the event peeps) have seen this before. Every few years, we're told some new technology is going to change everything. Social media Apps Virtual events Hybrid events (my god I despised those!) QR codes The truth is technology evolves. The fundamentals don't. People still want connection. People still want experiences. People still want to gather, learn, celebrate, network, and be inspired. Events are, and always will be, about humans. These days, I don't see AI as competition. I see it as support. It handles the repetitive tasks so I can focus on the work that actually moves the needle: The strategy The creativity The relationships The experience The moments So no, I'm not worried that AI is coming for my job. Now I am kind of excited. Because if AI wants to take over speaker bios, agenda drafts, timelines, workplans, meeting summaries, and the 47th revision of a Run of Show? Please. Be my guest. I'll be over here doing what event professionals do best: creating experiences, solving problems, making magic happen, and carrying an emergency phone charger that somehow saves the day every single time. Event jobs aren't being replaced. They're being upgraded. And honestly. . . it's about time. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:16:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/my-new-assistant-chad-gpthttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/my-new-assistant-chad-gpt It seems like everyone is talking about AI. And when this talk started, I'll admit it, my first thought wasn't "Wow, this is exciting." It was more along the lines of: "Well, now robots have finally come for the event industry." As someone who's spent years producing events, managing timelines, navigating last-minute changes, calming stressed clients, and somehow locating a missing podium five minutes before doors open, I was skeptical. Because if you've ever worked in events, you know one thing: Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan. And honestly - that's half the job. The other half is pretending everything is under control while internally freaking out and calculating seven backup plans and wondering if you've remembered to eat today. Event Producers Are Basically Professional Problem Solvers People think event production is so glamorous and its all about pretty tables and color palettes. Ha bless their hearts. It's actually about logistics, diplomacy, project management, psychology, crisis response, negotiation, and occasionally therapy sessions for executivrs or keynote speakers. I've had speakers miss flights. I've had AV fail. I've had weather decide to become the main character. I've had clients call me with an "easy little change" three days before an event that somehow required rebuilding an entire program and stage. And through all of it, the secret ingredient has never been technology. It's been people. Experience. Instinct. Relationships. And an alarming ability to function under pressure. Then I Started Using AI... And I had a moment. Not a "the future is here" moment. More of a "wait... you can make my life easier?" moment. Because it turns out AI isn't particularly good at producing events. But it IS shockingly good at helping produce events. Need a first draft of a sponsor email? Done. Need twenty new theme ideas because the first nineteen sound terrible? Done. Need social media captions, attendee communications, speaker questions, event descriptions, marketing copy, post-event surveys, thank-you notes, and a meeting summary from the call you barely remember attending? Done. Done. Done. Done. It's like hiring an assistant who never sleeps, never gets annoyed, isn't cuter or younger than you and doesn't charge overtime. And remember AI Doesn't Know What Happens Behind the Curtain AI can write a run of show. It cannot run the show. AI can create a speaker briefing document. It cannot look a nervous speaker in the eye and say, "You've got this." AI can generate an event timeline. It cannot walk into a ballroom and instantly notice that the room feels off because there are not enough seats at each table. AI can suggest a floorplan. It cannot convince a hotel CSM we need to move that registration desk right now. There is a magic that happens in live events - its called human magic. It's the energy in a room. The relationships. The creativity. The ability to read people and solve problems befure anyone even realizes there is a problem. That's not something you automate. So relax my fellow producers, we still got this. I am going to use my slower summer months to learn more about how to use it effectively and enthusiastically. Of course there are dangers and mistrust (more on that in my next post) but again it comes down to US and always reading between the lines (or prompts). See you all in a week - me and Chad are going to build a workplan. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:10:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-start-of-summerhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-start-of-summer There is something about the arrival of June that always feels like a reset. The pace slows, the days get longer, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the calendar isn't dictating my every moment. For me, this summer begins with a needed break from events. After a busy stretch, I have a few months without anything on the schedule. While I love the energy, excitement, and connections that come with event season, I'm embracing this pause. It's an opportunity to relax, regroup, and recharge before the fall madness arrives. Come September, it feels like there will be an event nearly every week, so I'm determined to make the most of this lazy season. We've been on the South Fork for more than three weeks now, and surprisingly, I'm already feeling a little sad about leaving at the end of the month. This place has quickly become an oasis, a welcome escape from the constant motion of everyday life. The slower mornings, the never ending farm stands and the simple beauty of summer out here have a way of reminding you what matters. Plus we have a new adventure to tend to. We have been working on the yard, fixing up the front porch and back deck and doing lots of planting. Owning a home here has been a dream, but like any dream, it comes with realities like always having to fix something and new expenses that come with homeownership in the Hamptons. Thank goodness for renters. Remind me I said that, when I am in the city heat in late July! But as June unfolds, there is plenty to look forward to. Summer friends reuniting, more travel on the horizon, including time in Portugal with dear friends, along with other adventures yet to come. We love to travel anytime of year, but there is something special about reconnecting with people and places that have a summer vibe and have become part of our story over the years. Another summer outing I'm particularly excited about is spending the Fourth of July at home in Boston. It will be the first time in years that we're there for the holiday, and this year's celebration is a milestone. There is something about being a Bostonian in Boston for Independence Day, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it again. For now, though, I'm trying not to rush ahead. Summer has only just begun and we have a few more weeks here. There are still plenty of sunsets to watch, long dinners to enjoy, houseguests to entertain, beaches to visit, and memories to make before we get back on that ferry to the city. Ask me again at the end of June, when the temperatures have climbed a little higher and the reality of leaving the South Fork is closer. I'm sure I'll have a few more thoughts to share. What are some of your favorite summer memories and plans for the coming months? Would love to hear show you all enjoy the warmer months. Cheers all - here's to the start of summer.Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:52:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/its-been-a-minutehttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/its-been-a-minute It's Been a Minute...Actually, it's been years. Almost ten. Yikes. And for reasons I can't fully explain, I've decided to challenge myself to do something creative just for me every week. Between planning events, managing clients, putting out fires, and keeping all the balls in the air, carving out time for creativity often ends up at the bottom of the list. So here we are.I have been thinking of my blog a lot lately and it feels like the perfect outlet, a place to share ideas, express thoughts, tell stories, and hopefully spark some conversations and collaborations along the way. A lot has happened since my last post. And by "a lot," I mean there was a global pandemic and AI seems to be taking over the world. Beyond that, there have been countless events, amazing clients, memorable trips (bless!), unexpected adventures, and enough lessons learned to fill several books. Professionally, my workload seems to have tripled. The funny thing is, I'm actually much pickier these days about the events and clients I take on. Experience has a way of teaching you what energizes you, what drains you, and where you can make the biggest impact. Personally, there have been challenges too - some anticipated, some not. The kind that stretch you, humble you, and ultimately help you grow. While I wouldn't necessarily volunteer to repeat all of them, I can honestly say they've shaped who I am today. One thing that has not changed - I am a planner. So my plan for this space is simple: each week (ish) I'll tackle topics that inspire me, challenge me, make me laugh, or keep me up at night. Expect stories from the event world, travel adventures, lessons learned, behind-the-scenes moments, business insights, personal reflections, and probably a few unexpected detours along the way. Most importantly, I want this to be useful and interesting for you. If you enjoy what you read, please share it with others. If you have suggestions, questions, or topics you'd like me to cover, I'd love to hear from you. Some of the best conversations start with a simple idea. So, wish me luck. Here's to showing up, creating something new, and seeing where it leads. See you next week. CD (That's me.) Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:59:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/event-modehttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/event-modeEvent Mode is a state of mind. It is when you are a couple of days, a week or even a month out from an event and all you can do is focus on getting through and making it a success. It is when you double and triple check the flight itineraries, the ground transportation, the menus, the scheduled activities, the vendor installation schedules, the hotel resumes, the Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and the staffing plans. It is when you do your job and everyone else's because you become a control freak, or in my case, more of a control freak. It is when you neglect your own well being and then wake up, look in the mirror and the realize you need to make a few beauty appointments and fast. It is when you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about some little detail and writing it down so you don't forget it the next day. Or worst yet, waking up in the middle of the night convinced you have completely missed a scheduled Committee Meeting and then actually get up, rush to get dressed and try to catch some of the meeting. This just happened to me this week and when I finally calmed down and looked at my phone it was only 3:37AM and the meeting was the next day! Event mode is how they describe one of us when we are in this state. It becomes an all encompassing excuse for our behavior. "Oh don't mind her, she is in event mode." It is when the work life balance becomes extremely difficult. My husband and friends have dealt with me and this for years now. It is when you try your hardest to smile, to be polite and to appear interested in the conversation someone is trying to have with you while truly you are looking over their shoulder at the lighting that is being installed incorrectly or the sound tech who missed a cue. There is no time for tolerance, please and thank you's or trying to calmly explain things. It's just get it done. Minus the bags under my eyes, half chewed finger nails and tired looking skin, I actually love event mode. Event mode is exciting and challenging. It's a head spinning rush and a whirlwind of activity. And it's a way of life. Event mode is what makes me good. Please and thank you. Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:34:00 -0700