Small Businesses: Event Coordination in San Diego

No matter what type of event you are looking hold, whether you want to throw a corporate event, a wine tasting, or plan your wedding, San Diego has the perfect backdrop for anyone.

With beautiful sandy beaches, and sunny weather all year around, there is no wonder why San Diego is a hotbed for all types of events.

With concerts, comedy shows, wine tastings, and different events every night of the week, it takes a lot of planning and coordination to make these events run smoothly.

The SD Entertainer recently sat down with Diane Peabody, owner of Diane Christine Events, to learn more about the behind the scenes of the Event Coordination industry, and what it takes to run a successful event.

SD Entertainer: Hi Diane, what type of events does your company coordinate?

Diane: We coordinate weddings, non-profit events, private parties, and corporate events.

SD Entertainer: Why is San Diego a good place to be an event coordinator?

Diane: The weather! It always astounds me when the big day comes for an event, whether its January or July, chances are we will have sunshine. San Diego is such a beautiful city, with very diverse options for venues.

SD Entertainer: What made you want to enter the event coordination industry?

Diane: I started doing fundraising events in High School for a humanitarian non-profit organization, and discovered that I loved both the process and the outcome. There was one big event that sticks out for me. It was a silent auction. All of the items were donated by community members and businesses. The theme was “Around the Word”, and we had the club members serving tray passed appetizers, which were traditional foods from multiple regions.

We made about twenty thousand dollars that year, and the money went to building an orphanage and school in Kenya. There was nothing highly unique about the event itself, other than maybe the fact it was put on by a group of very motivated 15 year old girls (with help from my amazing mother).

I loved working towards that event, and loved watching it come to life.

SD Entertainer: Who are normally your clients?

Diane: Currently, my clientele is entirely referral based. Of course, I am open to new clients from anywhere, but I love referral based clients because there is a bit more trust in the relationship from the beginning, which can create a great collaboration.

SD Entertainer: What type of events do you normally run?

Diane: There is a pretty wide range of events that I manage. Some are on the smaller end, such as mixers and panel discussions. And then others are on the larger side, which include weddings and annual dinners for local organizations.

SD Entertainer: When is the busiest season for your business?

Diane: Strangely enough, the business is pretty consistent throughout the year. Again, I think it’s San Diego. There are no seasons, so clients are willing to gamble with the weather for outdoor events. I just coordinated a wedding that was partially outdoors at the end of January, and it was spectacular!

SD Entertainer:  What are some benefits of running your own business?

Diane: I make my own hours, which for events is really nice. If I am working all weekend for a wedding, I can take a little time for myself Monday morning, which would normally be business hours.

There is also a huge benefit in learning to set boundaries. Regardless of whether a person owns a business or is an employee, there always seems to be a balancing act between work and personal life. By being my own boss, I feel that I am learning that skill set far younger than I may have otherwise.

SD Entertainer: Where do you see your company going in the future?

Diane: I want to build on a balanced client base, focusing on different types of events. I would also love for the company to become large enough to be able to do more charity related events, which has always been a personal passion of mine.

Whether you have a corporate event that you would like to plan, or fund raising gala you would like to organize, San Diego is the perfect place to do it. With hundreds of available venues there is something for everyone.