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Meet Karen May

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen May.

Karen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a native of Arizona who discovered as a teenager an enthusiastic interest in events. I have been in the special event industry one-way or other since I was a teenager. I by chance landed in this industry at age 16 by complete accident and have been here 40 years now.

(My falling in consisted of) I was 16 and worked at small golf & country club in Scottsdale now known as Starfire Golf Club. The Catering Manager was in a car accident it happened to be the day of a club member wedding shall I say more? I put on my first chair tie on that day and decorated tables. That was it was all over it was love at first sight at someone else’s wedding!

I am as passionate about it as my pets! When I am not planning events I am working with dogs rescuing them, finding new homes and raising money to help them. I am a volunteer with National Mill Dog Rescue. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

It starts with the customer understanding them, their goals, personality, humor, vibe, background, and then from there, it is about the end result. Admittedly 75% of my clients are unsure of what they want. So I get to be very creative, which is one of my favorite things about what we do – I am very involved in the design, decor, and overall look of the events that I organize. During the season it’s non stop, and never a dull moment! It’s also the time when you get to see all of your hard work come to life, and my client’s dreams come to reality, which is always the most incredible feeling. Every day is completely different which is why this job is so much fun.

My constant curiosity, my Mothers eye for details, being perfectionists but also grapple with the operational side of an event and business are all essentials that come into play. Producing a corporate event with all the hundreds of particulars that go into designing something fabulous requires a strong discipline or all the balls can come down at once.

Having killer venues can be the savior of any event so once the venue is selected the hard work starts. So I say Don’t be fearful to push your inspired boundaries, it’s electrifying to experiment. Use every corner to make the best of your area. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, we offer access to privately owned airplane hangars, Jet Hangars, Helicopter Hangars, and a few very luxury high-end car vaults. We added a multi-million-dollar man-cave and just this week a palatial mansion in Scottsdale.

To get my inspired juices flowing I enjoy spending time with my 5 rescue dogs, friends and family. My loyal sidekicks are Android and caffeine so that no deadline feel hopeless.

I’m inspired by…Creative Thinkers and My work inspiration have no division from my own inspiration, those who will not take no in making any kind of positive impact on people’s lives.

The most insane thing that happened at an event I produced…We had to drain a 5-star resort pool to find a lost Diamond Ring!

The weirdest thing to happen at an event. I was asked to be a bodyguard for Leslie Nielsen

The coolest thing that happened at an event…I was able to attend the laying of the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery with my client The Security Traders Association. Life-changing moment.

I believe anything can be achieved through hard work and dedication. I believe in creating my own path. I believe my life is an incredible gift. I believe in always trusting your gut. It is the best guide and wisest advisor. I believe our flag is more than a cloth. That which has not killed me has made me stronger. People may not agree with me, and that is fine. But I have a right to my own opinion and feelings. And I have a right to express them when and where I want to. I used to think it was important to conform to what other people thought about me. The day I realized it wasn’t was the day I became free.

Has it been a smooth road?
There’s a lot involved in event planning – finding new venues, fabulous speakers and amazing caterers, marketing and sales, and having it all come together at once. Event coordinators have the fifth most stressful job in the world! My biggest challenge has been 100% going with my gut or what I call my spidey sense when I talk myself out of it I kick myself.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
It has been an amazing experience working with some well-established events, but I knew I wanted to work somewhere I could have more creative control. So I introduced Scottsdale Private Event Venues and Scottsdale Hangar Parties in 2017 after becoming bored stiff working in Ballrooms.

During the season it’s non stop, and never a dull moment! It’s also the time when you get to see all of your hard work come to life, and my client’s dreams come to reality, which is always the most incredible feeling. Every day is completely different which is why this job is so much fun. Having killer venues can be the savior of any event so once the venue is selected the hard work starts. So I say Don’t be fearful to push your inspired boundaries, it’s electrifying to experiment. Use every corner to make the best of your area. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, we offer access to privately owned airplane hangars, Jet Hangars, Helicopter Hangars, and a few very luxury high-end car vaults. We added a multi-million-dollar man-cave and just this week a palatial mansion in Scottsdale.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I hate that other people have discovered this place. I totally dislike our education system and always being last out of all 50 states. Scorpions

Our sunsets look as though they were hand-painted by God himself. Our restaurants have come into their own.

You can swim one day and ski the next, Monsoon season rocks wish we had more of them. The Grand Canyon and Sedona are amazing.

I fully appreciate where I grew up, but I couldn’t be more proud to call myself an Arizonan. No matter where I go or where I may wander off to, this magnificent place will always be home.

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