The life of an event planner is not an easy one – especially if it’s the life of a student trying to break into the industry. University of Wisconsin – Stout student, Angie Toth is doing just that.
Toth is a sophomore originally from Waukesha, WI who is majoring in Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management at UW – Stout. Even though she is only a sophomore, Toth already has about five years of event planning experience under the/her belt. One experience includes simultaneous jobs as an Involvement Special Assistant and Reservations Receptionist for Stout, two jobs that have her working long days considering she is also a full time student.
Toth knew that she wanted to get into event planning after beginning her work with The Legend at Brandybrook LLC in Wales, WI. She says that, despite how cliché it sounds, she saw a beautiful transition from a simple ballroom to a beautiful event. “I got to witness the entire ballroom transform from what appeared to be a cluttered room of tables, chairs and dirty napkins, to an elegant, sophisticated and picturesque ballroom fit for a queen.” Sounds like the event planning version of Cinderella, right?
She says that contributing to that amazing sight was what made her know that this was the career that she was meant to follow: “it is my passion and what I am meant to do the rest of my life.”
Four years later, Toth works as the Stout Involvement Coordinator’s Special Assistant. In this position, Toth works closely with the Involvement Coordinator to help in planning, advertising and accomplishing many of Stout’s campus events. Along with these daily tasks, Toth is responsible for operating the ever-confusing OrgSync and training people to use the site (uh, where can I sign up?).
That’s just one of the jobs – Toth is also responsible for reserving all rooms in the MSC and Price Commons for meetings and events on campus. She says that through email, phone or web reservations, she checks “availability and confirms the reservation with the client and ensures that they have all of the equipment necessary for their event.”
It’s no secret that the key to a career as an event planner takes a lot of experience. Toth even says that her “personal experience has been years in the making.”
As a junior in high school, Toth was hired at The Legend. She says that this experience initially had her doing set ups and take downs of events but she quickly moved onto working with décor and day-of wedding setup. She then again quickly moved up to serving hosting and being fully emerged in the complete process. Toth continues to work at The Legend and is going on four years with the company.
Toth also interned with a Milwaukee event planning company called Professional Events and Consulting (PEC). During her summer there, Toth got the opportunity to expand her knowledge “of both behind the scenes event work as well as on site event management.” She claims, though, that the best experience was the opportunity to be the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager for a large private event on the Milwaukee lakefront. This event, the largest she has ever worked with, hosted 3500+ attendees. The event: the national convention for sales company, Lia Sophia.
If you think that is a ton, just wait. In the summer of 2013, Toth worked as a wedding planner for a couple different events. She “served as the wedding planner and setup, decorated, facilitated and conducted an entire wedding.” She considers it an honor to be a part of a bride’s most important day and to have the trust of someone to make sure her big day was perfect.
These events were very important to Toth considering her favorite type of event to plan is a wedding. “Everyone is in love with love, and as cheesy and cliché as that may be, it’s the truth! Why else do we watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette or stay tuned during movies—because we want to see the happily ever after. I want to be the one that creates the fairytale dream wedding and exceeds the expectations of what the couple thought they expected as a celebration of their love. Most of all, I want to create the memories that will last forever.”
Luckily, this is the kind of job that one can do anywhere. Toth’s ideal place of work would be in Colorado or somewhere in the south. “I love the southern hospitality and charm, but also love life in the mountains.” But with that being said, she also admits that she would still like some city life thrown in there. “I would love to work close to the big city so that I can make use of all of the resources that the city has to offer, but far enough away that I can appeal to the peaceful, kind hearted couples as well.”
So does one really need an event planner? Why not? According to Toth, an event planner is a great way to relieve stress and frustration that comes with hosting an event. Event planners LOVE to coordinate events and they’re professionals, so why not leave it in the hands of someone who enjoys that rush.
But don’t worry too much about the price, event planners can merely be responsible for managing the event rather than coordinating it. But if you don’t know what you’re doing and want to hire someone to do all the booking, hiring, etc., then it’s going to cost you a little more. But make sure when looking for and hiring a planner, don’t, I repeat DO NOT call them a party planner… they hate that.
Toth clearly knows what she’s doing and has a great head on her shoulders. For not even being halfway done with her college career, she already has so much experience. She’s even just landed another internship! This time, with Odyssey Resorts at Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors, Minnesota for this summer! Toth’s mindset and passion for this career takes her above and beyond the call of duty and proves she has what it takes. She tells Her Campus, “I strive to create an experience that people will remember and refer to when it comes to other related activities.” Her passion rubs off on everyone she meets and it’s kind of making us want to plan a wedding. Just for fun, obviously. Good Luck, Angie!
FUN FACT:
“After a long day of interning in Milwaukee, I went to The Legend to serve the event, when I noticed that Buzz Williams was the celeb speaker. (For all of you who don’t know who that is he is the head coach for Marquette Basketball). And being the HUGE Marquette college basketball fan that I am, of course I started to freak out and wanted to cry. Well, a member that was seated at one of my tables found out that I was a fan and was personal friends with Buzz. A few moments later he introduced me to him after the event and I got to meet and talk basketball with Buzz Williams! It was by far the coolest, most memorable thing that has happened while working an event.”