Work = Cheap Entertainment

Weddings, Fairs, and Drunks... Oh My!

An Event Coordinator for special events.. in particular for alcohol.. can get very interesting at times.

My summer consists of a non-stop party. We handle most of Oregon's largest festivals, fairs, concerts, rodeos, weddings, and just about any other event you can imagine that needs alcohol.

From the beginning, people call or email to set up an event. They deal with me, or now Kristi. I have decided to mainly handle the large events and events I have handled for years. While Kristi is handling Washington State events, as well as new or small private events.

We establish what the needs are, and pending the size.. we bring in the owner for his feedback. But for the most part, we are a well oiled machine. Once our client establishes their needs.. we get down to the nitty gritty. Much of this requires state licenses approved by various law enforcement agencies. Then there is layout, timing, staffing, product, decor.. you name it. We are behind the scenes.

Eventually when we have created a full summary on the event, and every detail is seen to. We send our file off to the warehouse. This is where they prep for the event, putting everything together for delivery, or pick up. Then the staff handles the event on site.

Again, depending the type of event, size and style... I may or may not need to be present to manage the event. There are a few other event managers who also handling the on site management. I have particular clients which refuse to work with others.

Anyway, when it comes to the summer.. I dont have a life. I put in 20-30 hours in the office, that doesnt include at home hours, nor event hours. On a busy week.. it is not unlikely for me to have worked 96 hours between office/home/site.

The upside to the constant party is the cheap entertainment. Whether it is the drunk groomsman hitting on you, or showing off super sweet dance moves, or maybe the drunk buckle bunny whos muffin top has better moves than her attempted swagger. We have it covered!

Probably my most favorite part is when someone needs to be cut off. Some have said I have the "magic touch", because I have a great success rate. I should probably touch base with that in another blog.

But lets just put it this way... I can go in to someone who is clearly combative and looking to fight... and end up in a hug and handshake with them, as they decide to comply with my wishes.

I like to think it is simple.. it is called treating someone with respect.. treating them as your friend. But I we are talking about drunks here... so who knows.

Many people dont understand my job, nor understand why I work so hard. I for one, have good work ethic. But more importantly, I love my job. I am appreciated by my boss/owner, and respected by the rest of the employees. Our job is fun, and I love the constant change. I love that I am not always just behind a desk.

I am able to get out of the office.. even if I am just going to the warehouse, or to a site check or meeting.

I am able to go on site to the actual events and see them take place, and see the success of my hard work.

But even better, through the years I have forged realationships with these clients, they have become my friends (like Becky above). Where else can you go to work, where it is a constant party, and you get to hang out with cool people and make cool friends?

I doubt there are many jobs out there, that are too similiar. I know it is not for everyone. We joke around about being glorified carnies. Well, we do work fairs.. so I can see that. What people dont realize is, we are the biggest business of this type in all of Oregon and SW/E Washington, and likely north of Sacramento, Ca.

We are actually kind of a big deal.

Added perk to working this business... getting to do cool ass things. For one... backstage passes. I am not going to say that is for everyone. But, lets just say... when you know people, wear a badge, have a radio and an ear pc, you can get in just about anywhere. So, in my ealier years, I always enjoyed meeting some of the famous musicians. Now in my old age, I really dont care. I use backstage as a reprieve from all the madness.

Above is the Skybox at OSU Beavers. Yes.... this is part of my job. You can see where the perks are here. Again... cheap entertainment.

The only downside to all of this... I go to all of these events, I put them together in one degree or another, and I work them. My kids totally get robbed. For one, I am usually working.. which means I cant take them. But when I am not working... guess where I dont want to go? Yeah.. so those very events they would like to attend. I know, that if I show up.. I will be asked questions and will need to problem solve.

Case in point.. we have the state fair. Bitsy (pictured in top pic, in black) is one of my best friends. She loves my boys, and loves to take them to do fun stuff. She used to work with us, but she is now a nurse. So she misses out on all the fun. She wanted to go to the state fair, yet she really didnt want to go alone, or with family. So, she wanted to take my kids. Naturally I agree to go along.. because I really dont want her to need to drink too much. HA!

Anyway, I was asked to come to work that very day, I said I would be in that night, but the kids were going to enjoy the fair. Naturally I arrive and stop by one of my specialty bars to check in on the bartender. In particular I needed her file for information in regards to some other things going on. So after roughly 30 min of standing there and working, I am asked to meet at the Tap House for a meeting. I know my kids are hating me already. At this point we had done nothing but go from bar to bar. Bitsy had the pleasure of being able to drink.

We hit the next bar, wait around for the meeting, only to find out they really didnt need me. Either way, the kids finally had, had it and start running around like wild animals. They were my get out of jail free card. I escape. At this point we had been there for 1.5 hours. You can see how this is a problem. Yet another reason why I do not attend my events in my unscheduled hours.

The truth is tho, I freaking loved it! I loved problem solving and being "off the clock" but really still on the clock doing what I do best.

As our is winding down, I cant help but feel a little sad that it will be another 9 months before the madness starts all over!