The road to SoBe, Pt. 6

Alexis Andrade is a hospitality student at FIU. She is working as a student associate for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which kicks off Feb. 25. Panthers such as Andrade who are working on the event have been keeping us posted on their experiences leading up to “SoBe.”

Week of Feb. 15, 2010

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has opened up a world of possibility through networking for countless Panthers, including hospitality student Alexis Andrade.

I recently got back from New Orleans, where earlier this month I accompanied Kelly Murphy of Panache, one of the largest special events décor and production companies in South Florida, to the annual Special Event Show 2010.

The day I met Kelly a few years ago, I was blessed and I didn’t even know it. I know she will continue to be my mentor for the rest of my life.

As a graduation gift, Kelly invited me to join her at the annual gathering of special-event professionals. The first thing we did was hit the convention center floor to check out the displays. Everything you could need to produce an event was there, from new table linens to china. I felt so comfortable because Kelly made me feel comfortable. She introduced me to everyone she knew. It was absolutely incredible to meet and talk to so many professionals, all in the field I want to pursue.

That night we were able to get reservations to Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant. It was phenomenal! We chose to eat there because Emeril is the host chef at this year’s BubbleQ during SoBe. It was great fun to have a little preview.

My favorite part of the trip was when Kelly was asked to participate on a panel with five veteran event professionals. Joining her were New York City-based wedding expert Marcy Blum; CEO Tony Conway, of Atlanta-based catering and event management company A Legendary Event; Comcor’s Mona Meretsky, who is based in Fort Lauderdale; and Someone’s in the Kitchen founder Joann Roth-Oseary, of Tarzana, Calif.

They each shared personal stories about how they found their way to special-event management and production and how they got where they are now. It was absolutely eye opening. It made me think: “I can be in their shoes in a few years.”

After the panel, we returned to the main hall to scoop up all the goodies, fabulous new items and ideas. Kelly’s good friend Sasha Souza gave me her latest book and signed it for me. She is a modern-bride wedding consultant based in California, and her book is amazing.

Kelly made sure I did not leave New Orleans – this being my first time there – without eating beignets at Café Du Monde.

On our plane ride back to Miami, I was a lucky girl sitting in the middle of two presidents of special-event rental companies, Greg Zalkin from Room Service Rentals and my mentor Kelly. My trip could not have been any better…I couldn’t have asked for a better graduation gift.

Weekend of Feb. 15, 2010

Things are running along smoothly. We have been updating the layouts constantly. I finally got the chef layouts of Burger Bash and their equipment orders, so I was able to pair it up with that of BubbleQ.

Since these two big events are back to back, we work very closely with the Burger Bash team to make sure the transition from Burger Bash to BubbleQ runs smoothly. I have been in charge of matching up the Burger Bash chefs with the BubbleQ chefs to keep them in the same location according to their equipment needs.

We have also had an operations meeting, committee meeting, as well as conference calls with some sponsors, and I have been collecting quotes on different types of entertainers we can have at the BubbleQ.

This week I also worked on the student orientation Power Point presentation for the student associates who will be working the BubbleQ. I want them all to know what to expect, what to wear and have information on meals provided and more. And we finalized the date for final orientations to take place.

A challenge I face is not being able to be at the office as much I would like due to school – I always need to play the catch-up game. Sometimes people come to me for the answers, but I don’t know them. So, most of the time I have to turn to my boss.

The most difficult time with this was when I first came on board. This is only a three-month internship and I came in late. So many things had already been decided and lots of things change from one year to the next. I do feel like every day I learn more and more. The more time I am able to spend in the office and in the different meetings the better because I am able to answer more questions when I’m asked.

To read more blog entries from Panthers working on the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival, click here.