Professional conferences and meetings are more than logistics, AV setups, and catering menus. They’re about people coming together and connecting. On The Event Pro Show, Erin Dennis shared her journey, the lessons she’s gathered, and the skills she’s dedicated her life to passing on. Her story isn’t just about success; it’s a living example of how one person can shape an industry by giving back, building real relationships, and nurturing future professionals.
Erin’s earliest memory of events goes back to childhood. Her mother organized a church festival every year and took charge of the bake sale booths. Erin remembers helping decorate gingerbread houses and assisting her mom. The event left a lasting impression: she felt joy in greeting attendees, encouraging them to engage with the festivities, and simply contributing to something larger than herself. That positive feeling was so profound it shaped Erin’s social personality, giving her the confidence to talk to strangers and support her community. Early exposure to the behind-the-scenes elements of events instilled in her the skills she would later refine and teach.
Erin’s professional start was in the hotel industry in the Chicago suburbs. Her first role was as a lifeguard, eventually moving into accounting and then to being the general manager’s assistant at a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. This move shifted her perspective: she could see the work of sales teams and event organizers up close. Being required to attend major events like New Year’s Eve parties gave her firsthand exposure to the potential excitement and fulfillment of working in events. What excited Erin wasn’t just watching others create experiences; she began to see herself as someone who could contribute at a higher level to this collaborative process. The spark was lit. She transitioned her career toward sales and events, soon finding herself fully immersed in the world of hospitality.
Teaching has been a continual part of Erin’s career. Having taught at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) for many years, she invested in guiding new entrants into hospitality and events. Her approach goes beyond textbooks; it’s about developing professionalism and interpersonal skills that cannot be learned on Zoom or behind a screen. Erin observed firsthand how the era of remote learning, accelerated by the pandemic, affected young professionals. They became more socially awkward, finding it daunting to engage in real-world conversations—even making simple phone calls was a challenge. She saw her role as helping students overcome these barriers, teaching them not only the technical skills but also how to navigate the emotions and anxieties that come with personal interactions. To address these issues, Erin didn’t limit her classroom teaching to theory. She brought in guest speakers, organized field trips, and required students to prepare questions and act professionally even before entering the workforce. Her aim: equip them with the social confidence and experience needed to thrive.
One of the lessons Erin emphasizes most for young professionals is the importance of connecting with others within their field. Associations like NACE (National Association for Catering and Events) and MPI (Meeting Professionals International) create opportunities to practice essential skills without the pressure of job performance evaluations. Erin credits her long-standing relationship with NACE as central to her growth, leadership development, and ability to network. Being a member provided a place to learn, to ask for help, and to receive mentorship that would be hard to come by elsewhere. She encourages students to join any organization that offers presentation, communication, and leadership opportunities, even those not directly related to hospitality. Through association membership, Erin explains, you build a network that is always evolving. Sometimes you’re helping others, sometimes you’re getting help, and other times it’s simply about referring each other for opportunities. The support system becomes invaluable, especially in an era where technology connects people but cannot replace the richness of true relationships.
So often, young professionals and event vendors seek instant gratification from their associations, such as making a sale or landing a client. Erin argues the real value is in building a group of advocates, friends, and collaborators. Over her career, she’s seen the intangible benefits grow: recommendations for jobs, invitations to national conferences, and partnerships that arise spontaneously. For example, Erin recounts how she ended up teaching events at CPCC. She originally took a meeting planning class to learn more about the discipline, not realizing the instructor was one of her own clients from NACE. The instructor recommended Erin take over the class after discovering her knowledge and passion. It’s a reminder that sometimes, attending a meeting or joining an association can turn into unexpected opportunities. Business cards and sales quotas have faded as the currency of the industry. What matters now is genuine connection, understanding what others are looking for, and offering help and expertise where you can.
Erin’s role as a mentor isn’t limited to the classroom. Her approach to teaching has fundamentally changed how she consults and manages her own work. Sharing knowledge with others, listening to their struggles, and learning from each interaction keeps her perspective fresh and relevant. She uses real-world examples from her own experiences in workshops and meetings, ensuring students and clients alike get practical advice. When consulting for venues and event spaces, Erin advocates for bringing students and interns into the mix. Internships are mandatory at CPCC, providing students a platform for hands-on learning while helping organizations fill operational gaps. It’s a symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit, reinforcing Erin’s belief in helping others as a way to cultivate excellence.
Erin’s transition to entrepreneurship was born from a desire to scale her impact. After years of running hotel teams, typing up orders, and responding to event details, she realized she had more to offer. She wanted to focus her energy on training the next wave of leaders. Thus, Evergreen Hospitality Solutions was launched. Erin’s consulting fills a need she observed through conversations with corporate and social event planners: many venues lacked systems, processes, and expertise. Commercial real estate investors, often operating these venues, had little hospitality experience. That’s where Erin steps in—helping them set parameters, define rules for decor, and optimize their event management, drawing on her background in venue management and team building. Hotels often believe they can handle everything themselves. Independent venues, by contrast, welcome external guidance. Erin’s success lies in bringing people together to solve problems collaboratively and ensure every stakeholder benefits.
What sets Erin apart as a consultant? She doesn’t walk in with a cookie-cutter approach or a one-size-fits-all strategy. She sits down and listens first, seeking to understand the organization’s unique challenges before recommending solutions. Her extensive experience isn’t just a personal asset. It’s a toolbox she selectively deploys based on the needs of each client. Erin leverages not only her own background, but also the wisdom she’s gained from meeting planners and professionals she’s worked with. She knows the distinct pressures and budgets on both the corporate and social sides of events. For social events, planners must often realign client expectations with real costs, while corporate projects stick closely to set budgets. This nuanced perspective shapes her guidance and ensures her solutions are relevant and actionable.
Her biggest piece of advice for event planners working with AV or hospitality teams: Don’t try to be the expert in every category. Erin stresses the importance of relying on professionals and not pretending to know everything about AV setups, for example. Bring experts to the table, let them educate you, and treat vendors as true partners—not just contractors. By building a team of specialists and asking for help when needed, planners create events that are not only well-executed but often more creative and memorable. This collaborative approach leads to stronger, more resilient outcomes. Erin’s advice is simple but essential: Investigate, consult, and nurture relationships with vendors and colleagues, so you’re equipped to handle challenges and create standout experiences.
The nature of events and hospitality changes constantly. Technology has brought new ways of connecting, but some foundational human skills are at risk of being lost. Erin’s work centers around recovering those crucial abilities: conversation, empathy, cooperation, and leadership. She believes relationships in the event industry will never be replaced by artificial intelligence because the business is fundamentally about people. She encourages professionals at every stage of their career to get involved in organizations. You don’t have to stick to one. NACE, MPI, and others all provide valuable learning and networking opportunities. Erin’s invitation is open: attend, interact, ask questions, and be ready to give help as much as you seek it.
You can learn more about Erin and her work at Evergreen Hospitality Solutions or by joining her at local NACE meetings. Her approach reminds us that the heart of events lies in the people who create them and that the most valuable skill in any professional’s arsenal is the ability to listen, support, and lead with authenticity.
The Event Pro Show is proud to feature Erin’s story, giving us a look at a leader whose impact ripples throughout the hospitality industry. Her legacy is built not only on awards and accolades, but on the countless professionals she’s mentored, the organizations she’s improved, and the vibrant community she continues to shape.