Candice Hicks is the member program specialist at the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, an organization that helps local businesses by providing tools and advocating for changes in federal and local laws. Hicks plans roughly 60 events annually, ranging from after-hours networking functions and educational seminars for 30, to 200-person luncheons.
Caterer, Gifts: “We have been working with Leah Todd, the owner and chef of Feast in a Basket, for about three years now. Leah is a one-woman show and has a lot of energy, and she is very affordable and reasonable when it comes to delivery [charges]. She is very flexible, even up to the day before an event, which is very important with businesspeople since their schedules often change at the last minute. Leah is also a perfectionist and produces high-quality work. She bakes all of her cookies in her kitchen and will only serve them if they are perfectly round. She will bake batches until they are just right.”Design, Production: “For a number of years, the chamber has worked with Mance & Associates president Safisha T. Mance and special events director Liz Reynolds. As an event planner, when I am able to work with an event planning firm, [it] relieves a lot of stress and allows [me] to take on more in terms of innovation. Mance & Associates are experts at what they do. For a recent event that involved a few V.I.P. speakers, we had an issue because the venue wouldn’t let me bring in a lectern. Safisha remedied the situation with a mic attached to a stand that acted as a pseudo-lectern. They provide audiovisual rentals as well, and can be on-site to manage at an event.”
Signage: “We’ve been working with Signs by Tomorrow for three years now. They always provide all of our event signage for our annual Chamber Choice Awards, and I go to them because they are extremely reliable, affordable, and easy to work with. I can ask for something two days before an event, and they will design it and ship it out. One time, I gave them an idea of what I wanted, they sent me a proof a couple hours later, and I had the finished product the next day.”
Venue: “For the past 10 years, we’ve held award breakfasts, speed networking events, and educational seminars at the City Club of Washington, because every interaction with them is first-class. The venue is a country club, but for an urban area, and to secure the [space] you have to be a member. As far as the decor, there are a lot of dark woods that [offer] a classic Washingtonian feel. The staff provides superior customer service in every way, and they are extremely professional and very polished. The club gives us a great deal, and they accommodate last-minute requests.”
Caterer, Gifts: “We have been working with Leah Todd, the owner and chef of Feast in a Basket, for about three years now. Leah is a one-woman show and has a lot of energy, and she is very affordable and reasonable when it comes to delivery [charges]. She is very flexible, even up to the day before an event, which is very important with businesspeople since their schedules often change at the last minute. Leah is also a perfectionist and produces high-quality work. She bakes all of her cookies in her kitchen and will only serve them if they are perfectly round. She will bake batches until they are just right.”Design, Production: “For a number of years, the chamber has worked with Mance & Associates president Safisha T. Mance and special events director Liz Reynolds. As an event planner, when I am able to work with an event planning firm, [it] relieves a lot of stress and allows [me] to take on more in terms of innovation. Mance & Associates are experts at what they do. For a recent event that involved a few V.I.P. speakers, we had an issue because the venue wouldn’t let me bring in a lectern. Safisha remedied the situation with a mic attached to a stand that acted as a pseudo-lectern. They provide audiovisual rentals as well, and can be on-site to manage at an event.”
Signage: “We’ve been working with Signs by Tomorrow for three years now. They always provide all of our event signage for our annual Chamber Choice Awards, and I go to them because they are extremely reliable, affordable, and easy to work with. I can ask for something two days before an event, and they will design it and ship it out. One time, I gave them an idea of what I wanted, they sent me a proof a couple hours later, and I had the finished product the next day.”
Venue: “For the past 10 years, we’ve held award breakfasts, speed networking events, and educational seminars at the City Club of Washington, because every interaction with them is first-class. The venue is a country club, but for an urban area, and to secure the [space] you have to be a member. As far as the decor, there are a lot of dark woods that [offer] a classic Washingtonian feel. The staff provides superior customer service in every way, and they are extremely professional and very polished. The club gives us a great deal, and they accommodate last-minute requests.”
