A few weeks ago, I met with Exxon Mobil’s Global Event Manager, Leslie Slama. First them me start off by saying, Exxon Mobil’s headquarters in Las Colinas is a sight to see! XOM is known for being one of the most conservative companies in the nation; this would explain my chic business attire strategically planned for the afternoon.
After signing in and receiving my very own visitors badge for the day, Leslie’s assistant Elise, escorted me quietly through the building to a conference room. The table could fit at least 20 people but there were only two chairs placed directly across from each other. I noticed a pen, notepad and an ice-cold
Leslie and I talked for an hour about the event planning business. After telling her about my previous experience in entertainment event planning out in
Leslie described her work at XOM as heavy but also very steady at the same time. “Any event planning business outside of the corporate world is going to be less stable,” Slama said. She explained the main difference between entertainment and corporate event planning; it doesn’t entail a broad variety of events. Leslie spends a lot of time traveling as XOM’s Global Event Planner but loves every minute of it.
Leslie provided me with some great tips to becoming a solid event planner. Every event planner must be meticulously detailed and creative. It is imperative that they visualize every function and are prepared to handle stressful situations.
Her best advice for me was to do anything and everything for 10 years. After providing me with a contact at the Four Seasons, she informed me that hotels are fabulous training grounds because you learn customer service and that is KEY to a successful event!
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