Event Venue Archives - Infinity Hospitality

Employee Spotlight: Kelly Vick

Infinity Hospitality — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 02:00:44 +0000

A Q&A WITH KELLY VICK

SALES SPECIALIST WITH ECD

Kelly, originally from New England, grew up in south Florida before moving to Nashville 8 years ago! “I was working for a Nashville-based financial tech company and spending a week or so here every month, but the food, music, and energy of the city all drew me in, and I moved here full time in fall of 2014,” she explained.

Kelly returned to the events industry 6 years ago. She grew up around catering and private events with her mother, who worked for Martha Stewart when she was young. Her mom always jokes that she started training Kelly for the event industry from day one!

“Growing up, my sisters and I spent many late nights in the kitchen with my mom before events, and as a teenager I started working in restaurants and with catering companies,” Kelly told us. “Before working with Infinity, I was handling private events for a Nashville-based restaurant group for several years.”

In her free time, Kelly Ioves being creative; home decor projects and collage art are two of her favorite artistic outlets. She started taking figure skating lessons a few years ago and is still trying to convince her husband it would be fun to start a pairs team! They reside in The Nations with their cat Lucy and love being able to walk in some of their favorite spots, including Percy Warner and Radnor.

How long have you been with Infinity and the Estate at Cherokee Dock?

I have been with Infinity since the beginning of 2022 and am finishing my first year at The Estate at Cherokee Dock.

How did you get into sales?

I was offered my first opportunity in sales after approaching an executive in my former company with a list of reasons he should participate in a blood drive I was organizing. He asked if I had ever considered a career in sales and whether I liked to travel. The next five years saw me in and out of airports across the country, and I have been in sales ever since!

What is one of your favorite events the Estate at Cherokee Dock has done?

My favorite event at Cherokee Dock is probably the first couple that I booked [there]! Watching the details we discussed during our first meeting go from just an idea to real life was incredibly special, and I cherished Michael and Meredith's happy smiles on wedding day.

The most memorable details I've seen would be a tie between acrobats and synchronized swimmers as cocktail hour entertainment. Both definitely got the guests (and the staff) talking!

Do you have any advice for clients who are shopping for a venue?

My advice for clients who are shopping for a venue is that the most important thing about your wedding day is the moment you walk out of your venue as a married couple and begin your lives together! Beyond that, knowing what key details are most important to you (having your pets involved, lots of room for a big guest list, great music, beautiful scenery, etc.) and sharing those with your venue/planner will help make sure it is the right fit and give you the confidence to say “I do” to a venue.

Photos by John Myers Photography

What's one of the most commonly asked questions?

One question I get asked all the time is "what will the weather be like?" I can't predict it, but I've gotten pretty familiar with the average highs and lows and precipitation throughout the year. Cherokee Dock offers multiple event spaces, indoors and outdoors, so I help my couples understand how we would use the spaces year-round and in any type of weather!

What's one of the weirdest questions you've been asked on a venue tour?

One of the most unusual questions I've received is probably "can we do our wedding exit on jet skis?" The answer was yes!

Photos by John Myers Photography

What’s your favorite part about your job and why?

My favorite part of my job is that I get to meet couples at such a happy time in their lives and be a part of the exciting moment when they decide when and where they will say "I do!" Creatively, seeing our venues transformed week after week for each of our couples brings me so much joy and inspiration. I never get tired of watching florists work their magic.

What's the most challenging part of your job and how do you overcome it?

The most challenging part of my job is when I have multiple couples interested in the same date! I hate for anyone to be disappointed, so try to understand early on how much flexibility they have with their date and do everything I can to help them make their decision before anyone else snaps up their date.

Photos by Sabrina Englehart

The post Employee Spotlight: Kelly Vick appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

10 Questions to Ask While Looking for A Venue

Infinity Hospitality — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 02:00:05 +0000

BE INFORMED

MUST-ASK QUESTIONS WHILE FINDING A VENUE

Finding the perfect venue for your event can be a tricky task! We created a list of 10 important questions you should ask while you shop. What’s included in a venue rental can drastically affect how much you spend on your entire event, so it's always a good idea to make sure you’re in the know.

And through our partnership with The Bell Tower and The Bridge Building, we thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to share what they include as well. Subtle plug? Maybe.

Read on and read up!

1. Do you require the use of a planner?

Most venues will require you to have, at minimum, a licensed day-of coordinator or planner for your event. Some may even offer an in-house planner. If the venue does not offer in-house planning, ask if they have any suggestions for a planner that’s familiar with the space so your day is as stress-free as possible.

Here at Infinity, we offer in-house planning at both The Bell Tower and The Bridge Building and can also provide full planning services at other venues as well.

2. What is included with the venue rental?

When it comes to budgeting, this is an important question— and not one you can assume! Some venues may offer items like tables,chairs, and silverware, alleviating further costs and the need to coordinate another vendor. And if not, it's something to consider while trying to find the right one!

The Bridge Building and The Bell Tower both offer select tables, chairs, fine china, silverware, and glassware within their venue fees.

3. Do you have preferred vendors?

Some venues have a preferred vendor list of companies they partner with, while others may have vendors they work with exclusively, which might disallow others from working in their space. It’s important to know this information up front, especially if you have your heart set on a specific vendor.

However, choosing from their preferred list can make your day run seamlessly since they have worked with that venue before.

4. How early can I arrive at the venue and how late can I stay?

Different venues will have different options on when or how long you have access to the space. Asking exactly when your rental begins and ends will determine your event’s schedule and other aspects of your day, like if you’re able to get ready on site.

For example, the all day rental at The Bell Tower and The Bridge Building begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 12 a.m., which includes allotted time at the end of your event for clean-up after guests leave.

Photo by Rebecca Renee

5. Do you provide in-house catering?

Whether food is at the top or bottom of your list, be sure to ask about catering! Some venues may offer in-house catering, which could help streamline your event. Other venues might have a preferred list of caterers, if you need help finding one to create your dream menu!

The Bridge Building and The Bell Tower both have full on-site kitchens with great chefs serving up restaurant quality food made fresh on the spot.

6. What is the maximum capacity?

Knowing how many guests you can invite to your wedding will directly affect your budget and other planning decisions, even the layout of your event. For example, the capacity can vary based on how your wedding ceremony is set up, if your cocktail hour is seated or standing, or if your dinner needs space for a buffet.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a venue’s normal capacity might be affected. . Make sure you’re aware of any changes that could then affect your guest count.

Photos by Lindy Beth Photography

7. Is there a space to get ready?

If you’re planning a wedding, you’ll want to ask if the venue has a room or private space for you and your wedding party to get ready. A space to store your belongings, prepare for the ceremony, or change during the reception is a major game changer! This will make your day run a little smoother, and you won’t have to worry about finding a nearby location instead.

Both The Bridge Building and The Bell Tower have lounge areas for your wedding party to get ready and relax.

8. Is event insurance required?

Many venues require event insurance. It’s important that you know beforehand so you can be prepared. While they may offer different types, many insurance companies have liability insurance to cover unforeseen incidents or accidents at short-term, private events.

While event insurance isn’t required at The Bridge Building and The Bell Tower, it is highly recommended. It’s always better to be prepared and protected.

9. Who’s responsible for cleaning up at the end of your event?

You’ll want to know if cleaning is taken care of by venue staff and if it’s included in the price or if it will be an extra charge. You’ll also need to know if the breakdown time is built into your rented hours.

If the cleaning and breakdown process is not provided, then you will need to find a way to handle it yourself or look into hiring a separate cleaning company.

Our team at Infinity Hospitality takes care of breakdown and clean-up and includes it in our labor fee.

10. Are there any restrictions for event decor or wedding exits?

Every venue space is different when it comes to their rules and regulations, particularly with decor and wedding exits. It’s important to know what’s allowed and what isn’t so there aren’t any last minute disappointments. If your heart is set on a sparkler send-off, a smoke machine for the first dance, or open flame candles, you’ll want to make sure they are approved in the early stages of the planning process.

Featured image by Nyk + Cali Photography

The post 10 Questions to Ask While Looking for A Venue appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.