Erika L. Watson

About Erika L. Watson

My mom has never admitted it but looking back, I was probably born with zip ties in my hand and a devilish twinkle in my eye. No really…I was THAT kid. We all know the one. When I was little I would’ve given anything to be Julie on the “Love Boat.” Cruise Director = Event Planner…same thing. For my tenth birthday I asked for clipboards, files, and a filing cabinet. But I didn’t want just a “normal” filing cabinet. That would\'ve been WAY too easy. I wanted a RED filing cabinet, clipboards, and colorful files. Nothing in the world made me happier! Yep…I was that kid. So, fast forward thirty years and it should come as no surprise that my entire career has been spent in hospitality. From majoring in Music Performance at Arizona State to owning an Event Production company in Las Vegas, my life and career have taken many colorful detours getting to Sin City! And even now…several years later… the fact that a small but mighty team of five people executed an award-winning, celebrity-studded event, all from my couch and kitchen island, can only put the cherry on top of a storied career path! But above all of the colorful Strip lights and festive events are, most importantly, the people I have met designing them. Every single client has grown into a close friend. Someone brilliant once said that “it isn’t work if you love what you do.” Between my adorable dogs, amazing clients and friends, and a company that challenges me every single day, at the age of (almost) 41, there isn’t a single thing I would do differently. I have three FABULOUS labra-dorables, a #DreamTeam like no other, and a life story that goes well with white wine and vodka tonics. As I see it, I wouldn’t have it any other way! XOXO! Erika

Experience

1. Principal Designer & Owner

   White Hot Events

   Jun 2010 — Present · Las Vegas, NV, US

   Whether it is love for what I create each day, the people that I create it with, or the clients and brides that I create it for, the passion for what I do is evident in every single detailed moment of the event-production process. From designing beautiful wedding flowers to planning/producing impactful corporate events, every aspect is customized to the attendees and guests. In addition to the “making it pretty” part of my job, some of my entrepreneurial strengths include:• Successfully branded White Hot Events, White Hot Wedding Day, and White Hot Ideas;• Established policies and procedures for employees and vendors;• Developed client / vendor contracts for event related services / products;• Oversee the hiring and training of key employees;• Meet all prospective clients and develop those relationships;• Design, execute, and produce events of all sizesRight here it would be very easy for me to add “other duties as assigned” – because, as a business owner, it is difficult to “bullet point” my responsibilities. So to summarize, I can: sell it, find it, buy it, build it, set it, strike it, break it, weld it, drive it, dream it, and most importantly make it happen. And I even make it fun!

Education

• Arizona State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), International Marketing

  1997 — 2002

Skills

• Private Events
• Event Producing
• Sponsorship
• Concerts
• Corporate Events
• Time Management
• Tour Management
• Holidays
• Festivals
• Venue
• Catering
• Resorts
• Event Management
• Live Events
• Talent Booking
• Av
• Meeting Planning
• Production Managment
• Coordinating Special Events
• Projection
• Trade Shows
• Parties
• Advertising
• Restaurants
• Special Event
• Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Interior Design
• Entertainment
• Birthdays
• Sales
• Training
• Hotels
• Emcee
• Marketing Strategy
• Marketing Communications
• Fundraising
• Event Planning
• Coordinating Events
• Direct Mail