If you’ve ever attended a corporate event and marveled at the seamless flow, the inspired ambiance, or the meaningful interactions, there’s a good chance someone passionate was behind that experience, someone who brings a unique perspective and a tapestry of outside skills. Few illustrate that better than Rah-mah Pelzer-Elue, who recently shared her story and wisdom on The Event Pro Show.
Rah-mah is not only a dynamic event entrepreneur, she’s an award-winning poet, playwright, and spoken word artist. Through her company, Our Stop Shop, and leadership of SHIFT Performance Staffing Agency and SHIFT Event Rentals, Rah-mah has become an advocate for Black economic empowerment and innovative event solutions. Her journey blends creativity, business savvy, and a profound sense of community.
The Power of Early Experiences
Every passion has roots, often reaching back to childhood. For Rah-mah, powerful events have shaped her worldview from a very young age. She shares two key formative moments, both infused with the dynamism of live events. The first: a surprise trip to a Lil Bow Wow concert as a child, where the atmosphere and energy forever colored her perception of what an event could offer.
But it was an even earlier memory- meeting Rosa Parks as a kindergartener after a school presentation- that left a lasting imprint. In her words, “It was humbling. Something you just learned and you were presenting, but you didn’t really understand the magnitude of it. And then the person you’re talking about is there, present.” That sense of bringing history and emotional resonance alive would later thread through Rah-mah’s own approach to crafting events.
From Navigating Adversity to Artistic Discovery
Rah-mah’s route to the world of events wasn’t linear. Middle school brought personal upheaval: her father’s deportation to Nigeria and the emotional turbulence that followed. Prompted by her mother, Rah-mah turned to writing as a coping mechanism: “The art saved my life…I was never a diary person, but at some point, writing became a way to rewrite the story.” Soon, creative journaling morphed into narratives and spoken word, transforming personal pain into a broader message.
Attending the celebrated Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington D.C. further fueled her discipline and ambition. This wasn’t just a talent incubator, it was an intensive program preparing students both artistically and professionally. From the rigorous audition process to the extended days and comprehensive arts curriculum, Rah-mah learned that artistry goes hand-in-hand with preparation and adaptability.
She even took it further, earning paid opportunities through musical theater programs and rubbing shoulders with local celebrities. These experiences, she notes, “humanized” the industry: “It made me realize how attainable it was.”
Bridging the Arts and Corporate Events
Rah-mah’s creativity didn’t end at the theater’s edge. Relocating to North Carolina, she stumbled into event marketing through a Chevy-sponsored Little League campaign. What began as an event staffing gig highlighted a gap: while her resume brimmed with creative achievements, translating these skills into a new marketplace required reframing and “packaging” them.
Soon, she realized that clients weren’t just looking for bodies to fill roles. They needed comprehensive solutions. She explains: “We became their back-of-the-house supply chain as well as their quota meter on the front of the house.” Recognizing transferable skills, not only in herself, but in other creatives looking for meaningful, sustainable work, became a defining passion.
“There are so many people who have been trained [in the arts],” she says, “but they have no idea those skills are more valuable in a more conventional space. You don’t know what you don’t know.” Rah-mah’s business model became a vehicle to help others recognize and leverage those hidden strengths.
Elevating the Event Experience: Client-Focused Problem Solving
So what does Rah-mah actually do day-to-day as head of SHIFT Event Rentals and SHIFT Performance Staffing? Her approach centers on recognizing her clients’ pain points in a post-pandemic landscape:
- People want to hold onto their dollars as long as possible.
- Organizations need to bridge generational gaps with their audience.
- The old way of doing things is often no longer viable.
Her ability to channel artistic innovation into corporate pragmatism stands out. The goal: proactive, measurable solutions, not reactive cover-ups. As she notes, “We’re passionate in ways where you can see how it works and you can measure the efficacy in solving the problems.”
One of her specialties: helping businesses and organizations realize that to reach new audiences, they must move past “what has always worked” and embrace both fresh ideas and new technologies.
The Influence of Artistic Training
Rah-mah’s artistic background isn’t just a footnote, it’s a game-changer for how she approaches event challenges. Whether it’s creative brainstorming, seeing problems from multiple angles, or innovating under pressure, she credits her arts training with giving her an edge.
The arts, she says, taught her resilience, adaptability, and the ability to see and shape meaning- all skills that are directly transferable to orchestrating large-scale events, solving logistical puzzles, and forging genuine connections with audiences.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Corporate Events
The disruptions of recent years have accelerated change in the events industry. Rah-mah sees an imminent shift from purely functional gatherings to highly personalized, experience-driven events. She predicts a world where:
– Technology elevates accessibility and connection (think holographic orbs, next-gen data collection, and immersive interaction)
– Attendees invest in exceptional “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences, just as they do with travel or high-end dining
– Events become not just a professional obligation, but a community-focused, lifestyle-driven destination
And above all, she notes, understanding the “why” of an event, from both producers and attendees, will become the true differentiator. “Even events have to comprehend the why, instead of the what…to actually want to hear from your audience, not just get a check from them.”
Practical Tips for Event Planners
Rah-mah’s advice for those planning events? Start meaningful conversations from the outset. Rather than defaulting to “How many tables and chairs do you need?” she encourages planners to dig into logistics, client pain points, and the desired impact. Her intake process builds intentionality into every project, ensuring both the creative and practical bases are covered.
And there’s a unique benefit to this approach: clients not only receive a tailored solution, but they learn more about what’s possible in their own domain.
The Case for Networking and Community
Rah-mah’s closing words underscore the importance of peer connection. Event professionals often devote so much energy to creating connections for others that they neglect their own networks. She urges planners and producers to prioritize getting together with like-minded peers: “What’s said out loud, in front of folks, is even more in-depth when the cameras or the mics or the formal part of the interaction ends.”
Rah-mah Pelzer-Elue’s story is a testament to the power of crossing boundaries between art, advocacy, and industry. Her path illuminates how adversity can forge empathy, how creativity can fuel entrepreneurship, and how intentionality can transform not just individual events, but the entire corporate culture surrounding them.
If you’re looking to elevate your next event, focus less on “how it’s always been done,” and more on why you’re doing it, who you’re serving, and the unique magic you can bring to the table. That’s where transformation begins.
And for those seeking expertise? Check out LEMG’s podcast, The Event Pro Show, where guests share their passion for the events industry. Tune in here:
