“My team has a laid-back brainstorming session about what we loved about the party and need to repeat and what didn’t work. We find that a quick powwow is the fastest way to have a laugh, re-inspire each other, and recharge. Coffee helps, too.”
—David Turk, president, Indiana Market & Catering, New York
“I like to treat my crew to a massage at the nearest spa or even just a good foot therapy soak and pedicure the next day. It does wonders for morale.”
—Suzanne Smith, owner, Suzanne M. Smith Designs, Orange County, California
“I buy myself a really amazing pair of shoes. Then I have a debrief with my team—hearing the feedback gives me great ideas for making next year’s gala even bigger and better.”
—Monika Halarewicz, national director of special events, Outward Bound U.S.A., New York
“By the time the post-event analysis and reports are done, so is my energy level. I recharge by taking a yoga class or going on a hike. I find that calming my mind, which both of these activities do for me, helps me recharge the batteries and hit the ground running sooner.”
—Cynthia Moricz de Tecso, president, Original Cyn, New York
“I do a survey of my clients and the people who worked for me. The feedback recharges me and makes me want to do better the next chance I get.”
—Gloria Goldman, director, A Pampered Affair, Washington
“As a fund-raising event planner, I can’t allow myself any fun, recharging luxuries until all the incoming money has been counted and acknowledged, all vendors paid, and results reported to the board. But once that is in process, I like to treat myself to a ticket to a fund-raiser that I don’t have to plan and enjoy the open bar.”
—Sharon Becker, assistant director of development, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York
“I usually try to take the day off to clear my head. That way, when I get back to the office, I’m able to focus on the post-event wrap-up that needs to be done, like final budgeting, deleting emails, and cleaning files.”
—Leila Marie Eid, assistant director of events, Northeastern University, Boston
“I sleep! A hibernating-for-the-winter type of sleep. I pull down the shades, turn off my cell phone, and crash. Then I treat myself to a massage, lunch, and a few hours on the couch watching some frivolous show.”
—Jennifer Williford, senior development officer, Nontraditional Employment for Women, New York
“Three Bloody Marys and about 12 hours of sleep.”
—Burke Giblin, hotel sales manager, New York
“I always like to come up with some kind of fun project or activity. In running an event, I continually use one side of my brain—the strategic, logistical, organized part. After the event is over, I like to tap into my creative side and schedule a fun date with friends—organizing a wine tasting, going to paint pottery, taking a sculpting or art class, attending a sporting event, or planning a pub crawl. It’s a great break from the monotonous event planning that had preoccupied me for the previous months.”
—Jenn Shetsen, event planner, Evergreen Partners, Warren, New Jersey
