Aundrea Hopkins Leads the Conversation on Event Rentals

0:00 Welcome to the Event Pro show, your ultimate guide to the world of corporate events. Whether you're a corporate event planner, experiential marketing pro, producer, technician, or anyone involved in creating exceptional events, this podcast is your go to resource for valuable insights, expert tips and inspiring stories from the industry's leading professionals. Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Event Pro Show. And I have a great guest today. Actually one of the first people I met when I moved to Charlotte back in, I don't know, 2018, 2019. And I've always been impressed. Like we've worked alongside on different projects and she's always just great to work with. So I knew at some point I need to introduce her to this show. So Aundrea, I'm going to do your bio really quick. Our guest today is a dynamic marketing and events professional known for expertise in social media, public relations and community engagement. She's built a strong reputation for driving awareness through creative advertising and digital strategy. Her deep involvement in community and philanthropic initiatives reflects her commitment to growth, both personally and professionally. Aundreaa Hopkins, welcome to the show. Thank you for the welcome. The some of the things I'm like, who did that writing? That was very nice. So I sent over my highlights, but I will take it. I think being in the event industry.

1:32 Has a huge part, you know, with the marketing and public relations, no matter if it's social or corporate. So. Yeah, yes. And I want to get into that in a little bit because you're really great at connecting with people, whether in person or even digitally. But I like to start the show off with kind of a baseline question that I ask everybody because it's just unique to everybody and their experience growing up. But what is the first event that you could. That you remember attending? And I'm looking for like, as a kid, like the earliest thing you can remember, you know, when you're a little kid.

2:15 This topic comes up very frequently in my family because it was a. Yes, it was a family event. It was my aunt and uncle's wedding. And I really wanted to be the flower girl. I did. But I unfortunately aged out for that. So I got assigned to programs and also passing out the favors. So I did take that very seriously. With my assignments and no hard feelings to the family member that did not pick me as a flower girl. But one thing that's really interesting is this wedding took place in Chapel Hill, which in North Carolina for those that.

3:05 Don'T live here, that are listening in. And that is where I live now. We are a member of the club that the Wedding took place at. As a family now. And the caterer, yeah, the caterer that did the rehearsal dinner is one of my clients now. So no way. Fast forward a number of years, but I can remember packing the Italian almonds in the mesh bag and having the assembly line as a family and doing the prep work. So. Never knew that X, Y, Z number of years that I would be working with that same caterer. But those are. And my kids go to the club during the summer for camps.

3:55 So that is a full circle. So you were getting in there, going to work early. You were, you were in there. You've got more experience than anyone else just because you were, you were jumping in before anybody was even asking you to. Yeah, so I also, my, my grandmother is very, you know, a set table, using linens, using linen napkins, setting this, the flatware properly. So I knew very, very early the formality of it all, don't format it. So I definitely, you know, family. You know, my mom was great at making sure we lived in Tennessee when I was young, but always bringing me back to North Carolina. So family gatherings would be for sure first memories. I love it. I love it.

4:44 You know, that's a great that you're the first, like just family gatherings and that, that makes so much sense because those are events, those are celebrations and, you know, those are core memories for everybody, I think, or a lot of people. So when you, you did that and that was like a good memory, obviously, because you're like smiling the whole time you're talking about, obviously your family's still talking about it to this day. When was the first time you can remember wanting to be involved with events as a career? Like, I want to get paid for this and do this professionally. Also. Another story. There's always stories to be had. My, my first job was at 16. I won't tell you the reason why I had to get a job, but I had to get a job.

5:32 And it was at Domino's Pizza, so. So thank you for choosing Domino's Pizza. Can you hold, please? I am a professional. That was you? Yeah. Then I moved into working in a family restaurant. And in college, I actually went to school thinking that I was going to be a math teacher. My AP calculus teacher was amazing. But then I took a class, a statistics class at 6 o' clock at night on a Wednesday, and I was like, I don't know if this math career is for me. I took an elective in hospitality.

6:13 And really. Knew then that these were my people. This what brought me joy. I wanted to learn more about it. And the way some of my professors at the time went about sharing their experience through storytelling, but bringing it as education, that's liquid. I mean, that's gold. Like you, that's how you learn from people. And so I, I then switched over from working, like at restaurants to banquets and banquets. Then took it very seriously. So did Banquet Captain and really enjoyed, you know, giving, getting the b. Oh. And making sure we had everything set. And when people walked into the room, it was as they expected and being a part of their memories throughout the event. Like, they didn't know that I was there. But it was a joy watching the event take take place.

7:13 So through there's switching my career into hospitality. I always tell people, like, I have a degree in hospitality, but nothing can prepare you for this industry other than the everyday experience that you get and give back. Yeah. So I agree. I haven't looked back. This is year 21 of hospitality for me. So it's, it's been a great ride. And I really, I really do enjoy the community that we have. So when you did that transition from restaurants early on to banquets, was it, Was it like a big step up? Like, are restaurants a little more loose and how you operate and then banquets are more corporatized, for lack of a better word, or what? What was it like? What was that transition like? What's the difference to you? I think for me, it was what I was good at.

8:15 I mean, I was not good at being a server at a restaurant. And maybe I could relate it to that. It's, you know, a quick experience versus a planned out experience. Yeah. And so I think the restaurant industry is. Is an amazing industry as well. I just finished a book, Unreasonable Hospitality, which I recommend for anyone to listen to. Keep hearing about that. Not endorsed, but it is good. Is a really good way to, you know, how this restaurant group wants to exceed expectations of the guests. So you can do that through restaurants. I didn't find my joy that way. I found it through the event side of it. I think I just really wasn't good at being a server is why I switched over to. Right, right.

9:11 Yeah. And banquets, more structured, more planning like, like the rest of events as a whole. Um, I think the more. The larger they get. You have to be planning it way out and thinking about it as opposed to what you said. It's like a quicker experience at a restaurant. It's a little more spontaneous and kind of go with the flow. I do think everyone should work as a server. A Dishwasher, a hostess. My oldest is now working as a barista and in a gelato shop. And I'm very excited because he's able to see the importance of what the experience is for the guest, even if it's an espresso or pistachio gelato. So he's learning a lot from, from his new, new job. That's a hard job. Yeah.

10:05 So one thing I will say is I just want to talk for a minute about networking because you're an amazing networker. And what I mean by when I say that is I too go to a lot of networking events. And it seems like for years, no matter where I went, you were going to be there and you were going to everything, and you still do that and you keep kind of a, a fast pace of, of doing these things. But I know that it works to your benefit and it grows your personal business, your, your brand of who you are and, and who you represent. But how do you, how do you approach networking in general? Is it, is it just everything or is there a strategy behind it, or how do you approach it?

10:53 I think there's a value for, for sure to it. So everyone's time is valuable. Your time is valuable at being there. The person that has taken the initiative to put the networking event on is. There's a value to that side of it. So if you go to a networking event and you leave the, the room without making a connection or connecting someone to someone else, that's a, that's a waste of time for, for yourself and for everyone in the room. And I'm sure that's in a book somewhere too, that I've read.

11:37 But it is really important to, to make sure that you do that connection whenever you meet someone in the room. It's not just talking about the next event that you're going to do together. I think we, you and I rarely talk about the next event we're going to do together. At a networking event together, it's the support the community. Maybe an experience that we've had on a job where I say, hey, Seth, can you tell me like, what you would have done in this situation or have you ever experienced this? Because that is how you grow as a professional and you grow your community.

12:19 Another thing to, to remember, and I network very easy now versus if you were to say, you know, 21 years ago, is my network, has my networking skills improved? Absolutely. So I think to remember that too, that there are people in the room, that this is their first networking event and you should take the Initiative as the, you know, the older person in the room or, you know, more experienced networker, more seasoned. To make. Yeah. Season. Yeah. I mean, age has nothing to do with it. To make sure that they feel comfortable too. Have you met someone? Is there someone here that you'd like to meet? Especially if, you know a lot of. Of the attendees.

13:09 I'll use an example, too, of networking. Recently, I joined a new organization. I'm still joining new organizations. So I'm a new member right now of an organization that I think it's really important. Even if the. The group looks at me and says, well, she's been in this industry for, you know, XYZ years, I still might not know more than 50% in the room. So approach me as a new member to make sure that I have those connections. One orientation that I went to, There was about 25 people in the room, and we had the opportunity to give our elevator pitch.

13:56 And of course I'm going to take it, but you can't go in a room without giving an elevator pitch. And the gentleman next to me. He was a new member as well. And I said, are you. You can go after me? And he's like, no, I'm. I'm nervous. And I was like, oh, okay. And I said, hand me your card. So I gave my pitch and did my thing. And then I said, I'm. And that's me. And I was like, but I have one more person that I'd like to share information about. And so I introduced the gentleman next to me. One, to make sure his voice was heard in the room, and two, to show him, like, there's support in the room.

14:37 So that's a very. Like, those are different answers, but I think making sure you know the value of your time, everyone's time in the room, the company that you're representing, the. That's value as well, and the growth that you can get from your community. I love it. And I love that your. Your recurring theme in all of that is helping others. You know, like, if I don't. If I don't make a new connection or help others, you know, or as I go about a networking meeting, I'm looking for opportunities to help others. And I. That's. I think that that is like a maturity thing that happens as you go. You realize that the more you help others, that things kind of come back, you know, like. But you're not doing it necessarily for that. It's just, you see the value in that. There's value to that, and it all kind of Feeds in on, on itself there when you do these events like that. So it's not just like this selfish motivation all the time you're going. Because there's several reasons like yeah, I'd love to, to meet people and I'd love to make some deals or something, but that's really not how it works, you know. So I'm going to try to help others out at the least, you know, go in and, and help others. So that's amazing. I, I actually am tucking that away for the, the next one. I'm headed out to here in just a little bit and keep that first and foremost. And then that what you were saying is like, you know, it's, it's somebody's first event, you know, so making sure that you're bringing people in, you're being inclusive and,

16:10 and pulling people in. And I feel like that's so important in our industry right now that we, we still need more talent to come into our industry. You know, some kind of left in the last few years. So that's one way to do that. So now I have sat with you in, and I alluded to this before, but you and I have worked together specifically on one show. I'm thinking about where there was a pre production meeting or was like a site survey and we sit down at a table with a client and they're talking about what they need on the rental side and then I'm there talking to them about AV stuff. And after a 30 minute conversation, not only had you had, you had like the entire quote built for them, you had like drawings prepared, you had like versions. And I'm like just finishing my notes, you know, like I can get you something in a day or two, I don't know, you know, and you're done. Maybe, maybe we had a pre meeting before the meeting. Let's go with that. Okay. Yeah, probably.

17:14 But I think I remember watching you start from scratch and it was just crazy. Crazy. So you have an awesome approach when you, you approach clients. But if you were, if you were talking to an event planner kind of learning how to interact with a, a rental company, what would be the first questions that an event planner that you would recommend they ask when they're beginning to plan for things like furniture, tents, linens, these types of things as they're thinking through their event, like what should they start. Be. Start thinking about? You know, as they start to ideate. Yeah, I think to talk about the vision of what they want to see. What, what is their, when they, the guest experience, when they walk into the room when they walk into a tent. And sometimes, you know, tenting. You're creating a venue when you're working in a warehouse. I mean, I've done transformations of space before.

18:16 What do you want that experience to look like? And then me looking in my toolkit of how I can achieve that look for you and listening to the clients, I mean, is very important with that. Because what I envision is completely different, maybe Seth, than what you envision for the event. So making sure that. The value of their rentals and design is achieved for their event and providing guidance along the way of. I do think that that will work. Would you be interested in maybe trying this too? And so offering without forcing a product or a design on someone? Yeah, I think that that's a mark of a great vendor partner, is if you're the client and you're saying, I want to do this thing, a bad partner would be like, absolutely not. And that's it. They leave it at that. But a great partner would be like, let's think about that. Well, maybe you couldn't do that, but here's a couple ideas that you could do, and you kind of guide them through that journey instead of just always being like, no, that's not going to work. That's not a great. That's not a good partner. No, that's not a good partner. And. I always share as well that the product that you

19:47 select, if you tell me to remove it or redesign with it, you're not going to hurt my feelings. I want to provide what you want to have at this event. And so. I've learned a lot too, because especially when we talk about design and if I. If they give me the creative freedom to maybe start from scratch and I please mark it up, please tell me, move this here. I'd like this to be wider. And this is a recent experience that I had for. An event that's taking place next year where they're completely revamping the footprint of the event.

20:31 So we are coming in. It's an annual event, but there's a completely new footprint. And for. For me to make sure that those visuals were there to know that they saw the value of the rental items to the. To the new look was really important. So. And diagramming has come a long way. I mean, I can remember doing circles and paint and saying, I promise this will fit in this room. And now we have so advanced so much with software, so I think the visuals, too, really help.

21:13 Whenever you're able to express that value of the rentals and how the design will look. Absolutely. So on that note, if you have a brand new client, brand new event you've never looked at before, what are the first few initial questions? Like, where do you start when you sit down with a client? Like, what are you asking them? You know, you're like, share with me your vision. You were talking about that. But from that point, where do you go? What are you thinking about? I think asking if there's an opportunity for us to partner together because you want to open that door and, and show that you're interested in being a part of their team.

21:58 There are so many great professionals locally within our community and then nationally as well. So how do they see. Me and my team partnering with them and making sure that we can improve their experience Experience? Because if they're potentially happy with their existing partner, share that. I'm here if you'd like to expand your, your network with another partner. But also I think you, it's, it's best to put it in the client's court for sure to make sure that they are open too. Yeah, I love that. And, and you and I both probably experience, like clients are different.

22:48 Like the path they walk down to get where you need to get to so you can get them a solution. It's interesting the different personality types and how people think and, and what's important to them at first. And I, I agree. Like, there's, you have to kind of feel that out at the beginning of like, who am I dealing with and where, where, where's. Where are they mentally, you know, and where should we go with this conversation? Like, can we text or do we need to keep this email? Like. And I think with the communication, because we're dealing, you know, with so many different generations too within our industry. To making sure that you understand what they're comfortable with and so that you can service the client where they will have a good experience. Experience based on their expectations. Love it.

23:43 I think that's the goal right there. That's the goal. So you are heavily involved in the event rental industry. So what are some trends, some trends right now in that space that are exciting to you because you've been doing it for a little bit and there are new things coming out all the time. What are things that are exciting or really popular right now in that space? So one thing that I really enjoy and express to everyone, we learn something new every day. And so moving into the tenting side of rentals and even the staging side of rentals, because I can plan someone's Backyard barbecue, or I can be doing a groundbreaking event for a major pharmaceutical company. So they're.

24:38 There are all categories that we work with for trends. On the tenting side, the structure tenting that we're seeing corporate and social across the country. And the customization of these structure tents is really amazing that you're able to go out in a field or do an extension of a venue to create that. And the level of engineering and design of it matches the level of event experience that you want to have your guests, that the guests need to have too. So I think that that is, it's. It's a great, you know, elevation to the tenting side.

25:28 And for me, it is great to be able to create a new venue. Yeah. So there's a lot of flexibility and new engineering technology involved, so you can do more. So that's cool. It goes back to what your client's envisioning and like, there's less. No, there's more. Yes. You know, with those type of structures, that's really cool. It's a space that I don't, I don't understand as much because I don't, I don't live in that space. But I'm always amazed, you know, when I come in and see these huge structures and what you can do and in a field or some odd place, and all of a sudden it's this beautiful environment. I love it. There's a lot of creativity in that too. I think there's also a big value in showing the process of what it takes to get to the finished product too. We have some time lapse video, amazing job of last year. And it really just shows the amount of hours, the level of experiment, expertise, and, you know, backing this, this product that we're able to offer. But it, they, it takes skilled professionals too. I mean, the, the tenting team and the, the amount of knowledge that we have in, within our organization is amazing too. And the continuing education.

26:53 With the American Rental association and so on that side. And trends for decor is. It's. It's so different from person to person and can be driven by things that are happening, you know, in Europe or overseas. And the colors. But then you have. You know, weddings that are very light in color and sometimes very bold in color. And then corporate branding. Are we staying on brand guidelines? Are we able to move out of brand guidelines? So I, the trend of, I think to making it feel more personal and like you're in a home per se is, is reflecting both in corporate and in social.

27:54 Got it. Okay. So that's what's happening right now. I love it. I, I think that it would be challenging. This is me knowing nothing about the industry, but it would be challenging to keep up with current trends and also having enough inventory of the classics and kind of balancing the need for that. But I did tour your Charlotte facility. Yeah. Earlier this year, maybe late last year. So really amazing, amazing operation. I love a good process. I love good design in warehouses and workflow. Amazing. It was exceptionally beautiful, if I can use that word for a warehouse.

28:36 Just how you can guys run things over there. You can. I mean one thing to kind of that's our team in back of the house taking pride in our products, protecting the investment and making sure. One panel that I was on recently, I kind of, you know, shared with a few other planners the importance of protecting the product for your. The event that you're renting it for now so that it's available for the next client to rent for maybe the next week or if you're coming back and using it again. And you know, we, we do that in the warehouse and our clients do as well. And I think that's what keeps us up there. Top notch. Oh absolutely. And it, and it is top notch.

29:25 I have seen other facilities and it's, it's probably the prettiest that I've seen. You guys do a great job of taking care of your stuff, you know, and making sure it's ready for your next client. So one thing we kind of touched on, we're kind of what, four years or so post Covid. We had a big drain of talent over Covid and both of us worked kind of through that time and the rebound afterwards. But we still have this talent drain that we're trying to backfill. Backfill, bring, bring younger people into the industry. And so if you were, you were advising someone at the beginning of their career on how to get involved and learn more about the rental industry, what would you tell them?

30:11 We talked about the associations, mpi, aylea, nace, wipa, American Rental association and I have been a member of the some of these for years. I'm a past president of one of the chapters and the Aylea chapter in Charlotte and I'm also a new member of wipa and so whenever also I have spoke at Johnson and Wales in Charlotte to some of their senior. Students about the rental industry because going back to my hospitality career, it was very over a broad overview of the industry and now it is more segmented. Restaurants, production and you know, hotels, sports.

31:06 So being able to share to the future about the rental side of it and how the segment that we're in impacts locally and internationally. With trade shows, you're building a mini city on a convention city floor. And then with the sporting events, you are working months sometimes to get these together and the how fast they have to come down is still mind boggling. So working through those logistics and how. Having somewhere to sit and eat and be within that event is equally as important for the future of events. I mean, I think if you would have told me in 2004 when I, you know, graduated from ECU that I would spend 11 years in rentals, I probably would have said no. Like I had a different vision. But.

32:11 This is one that I've enjoyed for a very long time. I love it. I love it. Well, on that note then, what's the favorite event, your favorite event that you've ever been involved with? So you've been in events for like we just said, a little bit and you've been involved in different capacities with different events all over the place. So do you have a favorite? So the Virgo in me will not allow to pick a favorite because I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. So I can share, I can share some favorite memories.

32:52 Meeting a president, a past president of the United States in a very small setting and getting a team picture. Very cool. Giving a private tour of a venue to a Supreme Court justice. Very cool. Working in the event industry. Being able to connect and support supports my team members and also the referrals. Whenever someone says Seth told me to call you Aundreaa, like that is why, Because I want to be able. If you had enough confidence that I'm going to take care of your client, you better believe they are going to be in good hands if they call me. So that part of our industry and I love a transformation of space, space. I think that is a really cool thing to be a part of and walking into a blank canvas and then 11 days later it is, you would not recognize the space. I think that that is really cool. It is cool. It's one of the most fun parts about events. For sure. I agree with you there. Well, this has been a wonderful conversation. Thank you for spending time with us. If people wanted to learn more about you and what you're up to or interested in seeing if you could help with one of their events, how could they get a hold of you? Do not shy away from connecting with me on LinkedIn. All of my contact information

34:24 is there. I am in North Carolina, have a car. We'll travel to meet for coffee, lunch, see you at the next networking event. And I'm happy to meet with someone virtually, I think. I mean, I did two virtual calls yesterday and do not be afraid to reach out. And if you're in Raleigh, come to the Party Reflections showroom. We just had a renovation, so there's I'm easy to find. Love it. And we'll link to your LinkedIn in the description of the podcast. But Aundreaa, thank you so much for taking time with us today. It's been a lot of fun.

35:04 Thank you. And congratulations on your success of bringing this community together with this podcast. It is. I'm very thankful to be a part of it. So thank you for having me on. Thank you. It's been one of the most fun things I've been a part of in this last year. And if, if you're enjoying what you're listening to, you can hear all of our episodes on@the eventproshow.com or wherever you listen to your podcasts, where we release an episode about once a week. And I have to say, if you need help with some av, go to LEMG Live. That's what we do. Absolutely. But we will see you on the next one. The Event Pro show is a production of LEMG video by Nick Barrett, audio and post production by Prince Thompson. You can learn more about us at LEMG Live.