Meet our newest edition to the elm Planning/nest Event Rentals team!

My name is Claire O’Brien and I am so excited to be joining the elm/nest team! This past May, I graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona where I studied Business Management, Hospitality, and French. Throughout my college years, I bounced around different ideas of what I wanted to do after graduation, but within the last couple of years, drew a strong interest to the world of event and meeting planning, which is what led me to an internship last summer with elm.

Summer internships typically don’t have the best reputation among college students. Many students go into these jobs knowing that we will likely be the “gofer” or be passed mundane busy work, not necessarily gaining real-world experience or making meaningful contributions to the company. This was not even close to my experience with elm. Over the course of just a few months, I got a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a planner. Working with elm allowed me to take on tasks and projects that otherwise would be in the hands of the planners themselves. I learned about the detailed hours of work that go into every aspect of planning a meeting, from researching locations all the way to financial closeouts. Working at elm also showed me that no matter how busy the job can get, it’s possible to enjoy what you do and have fun along the way!

As last summer ended and I headed into my final semesters of school, I knew that this was the field of work I wanted to pursue, walking away with a clear picture of what it means to be an event and meeting planner, along with more knowledge than I ever could’ve gotten just in a classroom.

I feel so lucky to be back full-time with elm now as a graduate! In the midst of COVID-19 and the toll it has taken on our industry, it is inspiring to see how the company is pivoting and adjusting to the current situation. I am confident that the planning industry will be back soon in full force, and I cannot wait to be a part of it! 

Why did you want to get into the event/meeting planning industry?

 This industry combines many things that I am passionate about: organization and logistics, variety in work, communication, creativity, making clients happy, and more! The opportunity to travel to the beautiful locations where events and meetings are held is an added bonus.

What are your hopes for this industry since it’s been hit so hard?

 I am hopeful that this tumultuous time will allow the industry to pause and evaluate what aspects of our jobs can be updated to be more effective and efficient, letting our creative juices flow and envisioning a future brighter than we could’ve ever imagined.

Where are you eager to go when we can travel again?

 Everywhere! I am especially looking forward to the day when I can explore East Asia, experience their culture, and eat all their delicious food! 

What’s your favorite decor/balloon/party theme?

I love birthday parties and adding personalized touches for the person celebrating! Who doesn’t love feeling special on their birthday?