Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Bareijsza.
Hi Christy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised in Pompton Lakes, NJ, I recently added Dallas as a city I call home, and truly excited to blend my experiences from NYC, Miami, and Los Angeles to this new chapter. I graduated with a BA from Hofstra University and honored in May 2012 as “Alumni of the Month”. I advanced my education with an MS in Event Management from NYU and Certification in Post-crisis Hospitality Management from the University of South Florida. My industry designations include Certified Meeting Manager (CMM) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) which includes me in an elite global membership held by less than 950 hospitality professionals.
A second-generation entrepreneur armed with a combination of corporate, agency, and venue experiences, I have been recognized as a hospitality leader and featured speaker for Catersource, Event Solutions National Conference and the Event Planner Expo. I had the opportunity to co-author of the #1 best seller book “How to Create Events to Remember” and have become a regular contributor to magazines and podcasts. In addition, I’ve served on the Corporate Meetings Advisory Board for the Four Seasons New York and Planning Expert for Macy’s, Clinique Bridal Salon, Bride Magazine, and Rent My Wedding. Valuing the importance of giving back and inspiring the next generation, I continue to mentor up-and-coming event professionals as a University Lecturer for Emerson, Cal State Long Beach, NYU, and Hofstra. In 2021, I was honored as “Smart Women in Meetings Entrepreneur of the Year” by Bright Business Media.
Positioned as an industry expert with renowned sophistication that has been recognized by Fortune 500 companies and influential tastemakers alike, as the Creative Director of By Red Carpet Events, I develop innovative event concepts that encompass full sensory experiences with a signature style that surpasses expectations. My refined breadth of work is actualized through a unique portfolio that maintains timeless appeal, while my distinct combination of talents has helped create a myriad of press-worthy events for a notable list of corporate and celebrity clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The short answer no. The long answer is making the career choice to provide an intangible service that surrounds frivolous spending and requires face-to-face exposure in today’s climate is not for the faint of heart. But the successes gained from strategically pivoting to expand my services and client reach is so worth the struggle.
Despite weathering the industry impact from the post 9/11 and the financial recession by shifting client industries and service locations, I was far from prepared to combat the pandemic which ultimately shut down the hospitality industry globally. Strategically utilizing what felt like frozen time, I had the opportunity to analyze my business services, complete overdue administrative tasks, further educate myself and reposition my marketing and branding to speak directly to my target demographic. The pandemic allowed an unforeseen opportunity to scale and grow my business in a more efficient manner, which I am fortunate to be experiencing a positive response from this forced multi-year preparation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider being called “authentic” the biggest compliment. When creating experiential events, I pride myself in curating full sensory environments to allow the guest to be immersed within the event itself. Utilizing a complimenting elements consisting of distinct smells, tastes, textiles, sounds and decor pieces tied to a theme in a subconscious way, truly develops a fond memory that can last a lifetime. Having the ability to transform a guest’s mood or create a fond experience ultimately makes me most proud.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The pandemic created an environment that sparked a variety of emotions including frustration, helplessness, and underlining negativity. Most experienced a downward spiral perpetuated by fear, isolation, and skepticism that forced individuals to not only deal with their insecurities but also required a tremendous amount of soul searching in order to accept the temporary circumstances and redirect with a positive momentum. Quickly grasping the understanding that the pandemic was going to extend much longer than the media initially anticipated, I utilized the time to strengthen my company’s foundation through restructuring, certifications, and education in preparation to expand beyond the traditional network of clients and services when business naturally resumed. I also conceptualized and developed a series of projects leveraging my industry expertise extending beyond the realm of hospitality, which have received everything from blatant rejection to acceptance with modification to immediate success. The pandemic lesson is that renunciation comes in many forms; you must always continue to forge forward daily with determination, strategy, and blind faith in both yourself and the ideology that genuine hard work will pay off nobly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theredcarpetevents.com
- Instagram: @byredcarpetevents
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eventsbyredcarpet
- Twitter: @byredcarpet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrnFHpZj7D5OU-TbJwAwsQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/events-by-red-carpet-los-angeles?osq=events+by+red+carpet
- Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/Byredcarpetevents/_saved/
