Party Pros Make Money

Local Event Planners Fill Their Dance Cards

Good times are good business for party professionals. Large gatherings and swanky affairs keep behind-the-scenes coordinators busy, and Special Events, a trade magazine for event professionals, estimated their 25,000 readers’ total 1999 revenue to be $52.5 billion.

Local planners prefer to keep their business sales figures private.

“It’s a very closed-mouth industry,” said Shellie Morrison, owner of The Event Group in Fayetteville. “We’re all very protective of our clients.”

In Northwest Arkansas, event specialists would only say that they are constantly busy. Although wedding-related activities fill most of the schedules for area coordinators, most party planners want to work the most extravagant private galas. Social events were predicted to be the second-fastest growing area of event organization by the readers of Special Events.

The Fayetteville law firm of Odom & Elliott throws one of the oldest and best-known shindigs in the area. Since the late ’80s, the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville has been home for the Shrimp Jubilee.

Party founder Bobby Odom invites “the whole community” to the July feast, including every lawyer and politician in Arkansas and their guests. Preparing more than 2,000 pounds of shrimp and crawfish for at least 1,000 guests, about 25 people work to present the event. This year will be the gathering’s 29th anniversary.

“That’s the biggest party of the year,” said Bill Clodfelter, manager of the Fayetteville and Bentonville Clarion Inns. Hotels, convention centers and independent coordinators all seek such happenings.

Established by Morrison in 1996, The Event Group in Fayetteville is one company that competes for the big parties. Offering catering, wait service, bartending, decorations and party-equipment, The Event Group handled more than 500 jobs last year — executing at least one event per day and often two or three. One part-time and four full-time employees staff the venture daily, but as many as 25 people are available for hire.

Cost for almost any party depends on the number of people invited. Morrison estimated that a full party package for 100 costs about $4,500. That covers the expenses of a live local band, a barbecue buffet dinner, beer and wine, decorations, invitations and party rentals.

Although she would not disclose her annual sales figures, Morrison did say that private, non-wedding-related parties make up a small percentage of her schedule.

With the help of Catering Concepts in Bentonville, Bassett Law Firm hosts a soiree to kick off the holiday season. About 400 people attended last year, and this December will be the 18th annual Christmas party. Judges, lawyers, public figures and professionals mingle at the casual affair in the 13,750-SF law offices.

About five people from Catering Concepts work the party, and this year will be the business’ third time to cater Bassett’s gathering. Carolyn and Rich Siker own the catering firm, and they estimated private, non-wedding affairs make up about 15 percent of their work. Last year, the Sikers’ venture catered more than 1,000 events.

The Sterling House in Bentonville also hosts a few private parties, and customers usually book celebrations a year in advance. Although owner Susan Kennedy mostly uses the 100-year-old farmhouse to serve wedding parties, she said 20 percent of her business stems from other festivities.