During my summer at the Rutherford, I’ve had the opportunity to attend the monthly NACE events. (NACE stands for the National Association for Catering and Events, so working at a venue fits right into this!). At these monthly events, vendors and other event professionals from all around the Upstate get together to network and discuss relevant topics in the event industry. I even got to hear my boss speak about legal considerations in event planning!
To celebrate the summer, NACE held a luau event, appropriately at a rooftop pool (#goals), and it provided me with such a unique opportunity to get to network with other professionals in a potential career field.
Our team got all dressed up in our fanciest luau gear and soaked in the sun all while making meaningful connections with other professionals in our industry. (Spoiler alert: we wore sundresses and flowy tops). Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly, especially to both me and Katherine, who are just dipping our toes in the field.
Our entire team was greeted at the door with leis and headed upstairs to the party. Having been to a few events this summer, it was nice to see some familiar faces, as well as make new connections with vendors who will be at the Rutherford in the future. Themed music, food, and drinks made the evening feel more relaxed than like a networking event.
My highlight of the evening was all the luau-themed food. We got to sample different bites from Chef 360, Table 301, Couture Cakes, and Holly’s Cakes—including popsicle Rice Krispies, snow cone cupcakes, and lemon bars! Shrimp and tomato caprese bites were also there to balance out all the sweet offerings—and were also just as tasty.
What a fun way to celebrate the summer and continue to learn about the event industry!
