I don't really know how to explain to people what I do for a living. I plan events. I'm in marketing. Sometimes I do PR. Branding? Definitely. The one thing I can say for certain is that I do a lot of cool shit.
I work really hard. I often work long hours, live on airplanes, and deal with jerks. There are many days that I have not the slightest clue why I stay in this industry.
But I've also gotten to plan, experience, and take part in some of the coolest events in the world.
Let's review:
- Sat court side at too many NBA games to count
- Been on the field at the University of Alabama looking up at 102,000 fans
- Watched an NFL game on the sidelines with the team
- Led the event planning for the first ever Cheetos themed restaurant (which Mariah Carey attended)
- Been on ESPN (terrible hair day guys, that one I’m not proud of)
- Took dancing lessons from Casper Smart
- Worked with the Commissioner of the NBA
- Played a prank on PJ Tucker
- Ate a $5,000 dinner at a steakhouse at The Wynn
- Flown private multiple times
- Planned a bowl game tailgate
- Stood beside Tiger Woods at the Waste Management Open
- Assisted the College Playoffs in planning their hospitality for the National Championship
- Attended Super Bowl media day behind the scenes
- Met Elton John by running directly into him in the basement of an arena
- Started tailgating at my alma mater
- Interviewed Randall Park
- Planned the first ever State of the Suns
- Published an article in the Sports Business Journal
- Worked alongside Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi (two of the best to ever play)
- Haven't paid for a ticket to a sporting event since 2010
- Led the planning for the first ever Wendy's college tailgate tour
- Written talking points for athletes, owners, and Presidents of teams
- Sat in John Elway's private suite at Mile High Stadium
- Engaged in some joke telling and witty banter with Joel McHale
- Executed the auction that helped to raise over $500,000 for my Alma Mater Athletic department
- Put on a private event in a home that housed the 2007 NBA All star court
- Traveled to Hawaii 3 times completely paid for by my company
- Exhanged emails with Troy freaking Aikman
- Calmed down nervous NFL players before they took part in half time just for fun games
- Executed the most successful WNBA All Star fan fest in league history (with truly the most talented group I’ve ever worked with)
- Had my photo(s) hung in an arena as part of the apparel Shop campaign
- I have a WNBA championship ring (with Diamonds, duh)
...and the list goes on.
The things is - I often get so wrapped up in the work of it all, I rarely stop to take a look around at what I've had the honor of being involved in. Recently I've made it a goal to stop at each event and take in the magnitude of what I've done (usually in conjunction with one bad ass team).
As much as I often question this world I work in the older I get, I also don't know what I would ever do if I didn't get to check off my bucket list because of what I do.
My challenge to you - take a look at your job and if even on the worst days you find a reason to smile, understand that you've found your fit. And if you can't say that, for the love of everything short in life - get a new job!