Women’s History Month: Female Event & Planning Experts Panel Discussion & Breakfast – Houston
Most event planning panels showcase the Instagram-perfect moments – the flawless decor, the seamless execution, the standing ovations. We lift the curtain with Female Event & Planning Experts.
We’re bringing together female event experts who’ve actually lived it. They know the 3am load-ins when vendors ghost. They’ve also dealt with clients who expect miracles on shoestring budgets. Not to mention the physical toll of carrying pieces of furniture yourself and the invisible labor making “effortless” events happen.
This Women’s History Month, join us for breakfast and a conversation that cuts through the highlight reel. Our panelists aren’t here to share pretty mood boards. Instead, they’re here to talk about what it’s really like to be a woman in events. That means managing difficult clients while being labeled “difficult” yourself. Moments you’ve absorbed chaos to keep a timeline intact and how you’ve built businesses through the unglamorous and unnoticed work.
Expect honesty about navigating male-dominated vendor relationships, the financial reality of net-30 payment terms when your bills are due, and the specific strategies these women use to create boundaries. This is because “passion” shouldn’t mean working for free. They’ll share the vendors who actually show up and the contracts that protected them. Also, the pricing mistakes they learned from and the client red flags they now refuse to ignore.
Come ready for real talk about sweeping sidewalks at dawn to assembling chairs for 7am meetings. Then still showing up with a smile that’s genuine – not forced. Leave with actionable insights from women who have done the behind-the-scenes work. Additionally, learn from Female Event & Planning Experts who are revolutionizing how we gather, celebrate, and share space.
Complimentary breakfast provided. Because event planners spend their lives feeding everyone else, and it’s time someone fed you first.
Join us. Help us amplify women’s voices in the events industry.
Moderator: Sara Heald (Sara in the City) Sara Heald is a firm believer that because event planning is a female-led industry, its complexity and high-stakes nature are often underestimated. With years of experience managing everything from intricate logistics to “only-in-events” client demands, Sara brings a refreshing and humorous look at the realities of the job. She chose this career path specifically for its unique ability to blend professional excellence with the flexibility needed to show up for her family. On this panel, Sara shares her perspective on the “invisible labor” of the industry. Explaining why we deserve more credit for the magic we pull off and how she has successfully navigated the path of the “mom-preneur.” (Without losing her sense of humor).
Panelists:
Clarissa Barboza-Cantu (Clare & Co Events) is the founder of Clare & Co Events and a fourth-generation hospitality expert. With a background rooted in a century of family tradition and a personal flair for Quinceañera and wedding choreography, Clarissa is a master of the “modern niche.” She joins our panel to share how she evolved her family’s legacy into a specialized event brand and why emotional resonance is the most valuable tool in a planner’s kit.
Savannah Becerril (Go Savvy) is a founder and experiential marketing expert whose career has come full circle, from musician and singer to certified audio engineer and production manager. By marrying technical precision + creative strategy, Savannah produces ROI-driven events that connect brands with audiences on a visceral level. She joins us to share her “full-circle” perspective on the intersection of technology, marketing, and the live event experience.
Bianca Ferrer (Madpot Creative) With over 20 years in the corporate and experiential events space, Bianca Ferrer is a veteran of the “high-stakes” gathering. Her portfolio reads like an adrenaline-fueled masterclass in logistics and creativity. From the design and execution of innovative multi day meetings, to transforming raw spaces into immersive experiences for private clients. Even big brands to high profile fundraisers; Bianca has seen it all. However, her true passion lies in the “why” behind the “what.” She views event professionals as working at the vital intersection of culture and commerce, effectively building the “new town squares” that sustain and improve humanity. Bianca joins the panel to share how we can move beyond logistics to create the core memories that define people’s lives.
Lauren MacQueen A self-described 25-year veteran of the Houston “Event Planning Battle,” Lauren Macqueen brings a wealth of hard-earned wisdom to the stage. She is a fierce advocate for the “human” side of the business. Lauren has navigated nearly every corner of the hospitality and events industry over two and a half decades. She is deeply passionate about the realities of finding balance in an industry that rarely sleeps. Also, the power of “staying in your lane”—trusting fellow professionals to carry the burden allowing for everyone to shine. As she starts a new chapter of her career, Lauren is focused on the importance of building genuine support networks. She joins the panel to share how to foster industry relationships that go beyond networking to become lifelines.
Not in the Events Industry? We’re hosting a similar panel on Women in HR.
