Getting to know PlannerMix.com member Liz King:

Q: Who are you, and what do you do?
A: My name is Liz King, and I am the Programming Coordinator at Columbia University's Center for Career Education. To make a long story short, I plan large-scale career fairs and networking events that serve Columbia University's undergraduate, graduate, and alumni populations.

Q: How long have you been involved with meetings and events?
A: I have been planning events for as long as I can remember (think teen talent shows) but have been doing this professionally for about five to seven years now.

Q: How did you get into the industry?
A: I got into the industry by doing what I love—it’s as simple as that. I was always drawn to the event planning side of any job that I had. Over time, I realized that this is what I was passionate about. I started making a more concerted effort to start my career as an event professional. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know other professionals in the industry by using social networks and have really found my career growing through those connections.

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?
A: My favorite part of planning an event is the rush right before an event happens—all the little details falling into place. I love taking the time to walk around to see all the tangible results of your hard work. That's the best reward you can get: happy customers leaving with great memories!

Q: What has been your #1 professional all-star moment?
A: In 2004, I had an idea to host an event for homeless folks in the Bergen County area of New Jersey, one of the wealthiest counties in the country. I worked with the church I was attending at the time, Metro Community Church, to bring in almost 125 adults and children who had been ravaged by homelessness for a night of delicious food, live music, and fun. Each person went home with new clothes, a Christmas gift, and a smile on their faces. This event has been run every year since then, and I couldn’t be more proud. It made me feel like a million bucks to have the chance to serve those in our community who are so often overlooked!

Q: Describe the best event you ever attended:
A: In my opinion, the greatest events are not the ones executed perfectly but the ones that elicit a certain response in you as a participant at the event. I was in my sister’s wedding about a year ago, and, while there were some glitches on the day of (like the makeup artists who didn’t arrive), everything else was so special that none of the small details mattered. In the end, two people in love were married, and the wedding and reception were beautiful and memorable for all those involved! This is my goal as an event planner—to make the memories and experiences so good that the inevitable small glitches won’t even be remembered in the long run.

Q: What professional words of advice have you heard and passed on?
A: "If something can go wrong, it will. Plan for it so you won't be surprised by it." I have kept this in mind at every event I have ever planned. The more you prepare for the worst, the less you need to think about it! Of course, caterers will get into car accidents, and it will rain, but with backup plans, there is no need for stress.

Q: What is the most unusual item you carry with you on your travels?
A: I am a huge fan of the Not-For-Tourists Guide Books. Even if I've already been to a location many times before, I rely on the NFT books to help me get out of any bind. Need a last-minute florist? I have access to listings and reviews at my fingertip. Many people think it's too touristy to carry guidebooks, but they are my lifesavers!

Q: It's 3:00 a.m. and your hotel room phone is ringing. Who is it and what do they want?
A: If the phone is ringing at 3:00 a.m., it must be a wrong number. Seriously, though, I have had calls in the middle of the night to open the office or to work through something with a colleague. I try to be available to colleagues at all times, as they are there for me, too.

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Serenity J. Knutson is the Editor in Chief of PlannerWire.com, the News, Information and Community website for meeting and event planners. Contact her at Serenity@PlannerWire.com.

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