ISES Denver

Q:  Michelle, you’re the current ISES Denver Chapter President - congrats!  How long have you been involved with ISES Denver and what is your favorite part of being a member?  

 

A:  I have been a member of ISES since 2005 and have been actively involved on committees and on the ISES Denver Board since I joined almost 7 years ago!  My favorite part of being a member is getting to know other members of ISES.  I’ve made amazing business connections through ISES and some of my closest friends now are people I met through this great organization.  We are so lucky to have such a supportive community of event professionals in Denver!

 

 

Q:  Many people know you from your days as a wedding planner, previous to you joining the team at The Brown Palace Hotel.  How would you compare and contrast your experience between the two? 

 

A:  Wow, that’s a tough question and requires a pretty lengthy response!  I would say the best part of owning your own business is the flexibility of making your own schedule and getting to work in your PJ’s at times!  I miss that, but I also love the consistency of getting up every day and going into work – just having the structure of being part of a larger organization.  It’s awesome to have the support of a team and get to work at one of the most prestigious properties in Denver, if not the state of Colorado!  I still get to work with brides, so in some regards not a lot has really changed for me.  I do miss getting to work with a variety of different event professionals including caterers and other florists, but it’s a trade-off that has been more than worth it in the long run.

 

 

Q:  What types of events to you manage at The Brown Palace Hotel?

 

A:  About 90% of what I do is weddings, the other 10% is social events and select corporate groups.  They consider me the Wedding Specialist, so that takes up a majority of my time.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!

 

 

Q: Being a Denver landmark and a celebrity-frequented venue, have you had the opportunity to meet anyone high profile who really impressed you?  

 

A:  I’ve had the pleasure of working with politicians and sports figures, and I’m always pleasantly surprised how down-to-earth people are and it’s nice when they are easy to worth with.

 

 

Q:  Tell me about recent and coming events at The Brown Palace?

 

A:  The largest event we do all year - the Denver Debutante Ball - wrapped up in late December, and I also have FIVE weddings scheduled over the course of only THREE days the last week of December, which also happens to be the week leading up to my baby’s due date!  So I've just really finished a very busy season and look forward to a few months off (starting in January) to settle into my new role as a mom.

 

 

Q:  After this year, how do you plan to stay involved in ISES?  

 

A:  I will be Immediate Past President next year, so I will serve out my last year on the ISES Denver board.  After that, I still plan to remain active and mentor new members as part of our Past President’s mentorship program.

 

 

Q:  Lastly, you’re pregnant! When are you due? Girl or boy?  

A:  We were due New Year’s Eve and I’m having a little girl…so exciting!!!  Still no baby, but the upside is we got to see her again the other day via ultrasound - pouty lips (big surprise), a full head of hair and all!