MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA
"My toolbox for event day contains a range of items from scissors to a lighter to fishing line, but something that really amazes people when I pull them out are ceiling clips. These are made for metal tracks on tiled ceilings so that you don't damage the ceiling when you hang things up. That's important to me because managers I work with know Eventions will put up elaborate decor-but also know that I won't damage their facilities."
Felina Martin, president, Eventions, Tallahassee
"For me every event, I take a first aid kit. I carry a small one with me, and you'd be surprised how many times I've had to use it."
Sheila Banks, event planner, Baptist Health Foundation, Miami
"A BlackBerry to communicate via voice, fax, and email."
Jeff Wagstaff, director of integrated marketing, Clear Channel, Orlando
"A notepad and a lead pencil so I can write down things I need to remember for later-when I would have forgotten, had I not written them down."
Jesse McKenzie, meeting planner, Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee
"A staffing plan. It keeps me organized with who is delivering, who is picking up, whose volunteers are arriving, and everything else. And of course I also bring lip gloss. When you are talking to sponsors, M.C.s, and guests, I think it's important to have your lips ready."
Jessica Hershberger, senior events director/consultant, American Heart Association, Fort Lauderdale
