The Core Values That Drive Our Team and Our Events
There is nothing quite like a crisis to really show you what you’re made of, and over the past year, we realized that the core values of Kennedy Events were in need of an update. Core values can and sometimes should be dynamic. One principle in particular—already embedded within our company—merited recognition and inclusion in our company’s core values.
First, a Little History
Two years ago, Partners Maggie Braff and Paige Buck—along with Senior Event Producers Marianne Jackson and Shelly Kim—sat down with a pile of Post-It notes to brainstorm who Kennedy Events really is; both as people and as a company. To really think about what fuels us as a team, we wanted to drill down to the values that guide all of our decisions as well as the work we do. When we were defining our core values, we looked at the best things that our individual team members already do, rather than what we wish they would do. What started with dozens of sticky notes on a whiteboard has turned into five values we are so proud to say define Kennedy Events at its heart.
Do we take our core values seriously? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! We embed each value across every touchpoint—from our hiring process to the way we give internal shout-outs. These core values aren’t aspirational. They are an everyday reality for Kennedy Events.
Clearly communicating our ideas and our approachesis a big part of our DNA.It guides our team andthe work we do.
We are Clear Communicators
Our newest core value may have emerged from a crisis but it’s definitely not a principle that’s ever been a stranger. At Kennedy Events, clearly communicating our ideas and our approaches is a big part of our DNA. It guides our team and the work we do. The intricate details that go into a successful event require that clarity rings through. As a remote team, we must be deliberate in our communications; casual conversations at the water cooler are few and far between.
We pride ourselves on being delightful and direct. We’ve realized that communication is one of our strongest tools. We strive to deliver on the hopes and dreams of every client. When faced with a challenge, we rise to the occasion and we’ll be honest with you about what can be done and how to turn any potential problems into opportunities. We see ourselves as both collaborators and partners with our clients. We believe that there is no such thing as over-communicating to get it right. As Maggie often says, “We don’t like surprises unless it's champagne!” With clear communication, we keep the unpleasant surprises at bay and the corks popping.
In the event industry, the ability to see the larger vision while also keeping an eye on the tiniest details is an absolute necessity.
We are Macro to Micro
We love that our team is full of big-picture thinkers. The fact that all of our macro visionaries also excel at the very crucial micro view of event planning is what makes Macro to Micro a core value for Kennedy Events. In this industry, being able to see both the larger vision and the tiniest details is an absolute necessity. We’ve seen this in action while helping clients bring their events to life because our team members are pros at taking a step back to see the bigger picture while also delighting in every last detail—using our strong vendor relationships and (at least) a half dozen spreadsheets to make it happen.
This is a core value that comes into play throughout our planning process, from the first planning call to the final debrief, as well as in our own internal tasks on a daily basis. Jess, our resident logistics wizard, is a powerhouse when it comes to being Macro to Micro. You can find her managing clients’ sponsors and their VIPs with a level of care that leaves them swooning. Whether we’re managing vendors or dissecting feedback from an event in order to map out ideal steps forward, our Macro to Micro core value is just business as usual for the KE Team!
When faced with a challenge, we ask smart, thoughtful questions so that we can execute on the underlying need or desire.
We are Solution Seekers
We love to solve problems and our team members are insatiably curious. At Kennedy Events, we make a point to hire people with a “can do!” attitude. When faced with a challenge, we ask lots of smart, thoughtful questions so that we can execute on the underlying need/desire and make it happen.
The dynamic duo of Marianne and Shelly provides a great example of KE’s Solution Seekers springing into action. They were working load-in and set-up for an event when the client decided they wanted more elaborate stage lighting than previously planned. The challenge: the vendor didn’t have any more lighting on-site AND it was 9:30 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday. Shelly and Marianne immediately called around to our most trusted vendors to find a solution and got calls back within minutes; all during the big game! The lighting was delivered, it all went up without a hitch, and the client was thrilled. We think that’s a testament to our team’s core value of being Solution Seekers, as well as the solid gold relationships we have with our vendors.
Events are obviously the what of our business but creating connection opportunities for others is definitely the why.
We are People People
When we think about why we do this work and what fuels us, it’s people—our team, our clients, and our families. Obviously, events are the what of our business, but creating opportunities for connection for others is the why. If we weren’t doing events, this would still be our #1 value, because it’s so important to us; both as individuals and as a team. No matter the size of a client’s event, we want everyone to know that they mean more to us than the business they bring us. We care on a personal level, and this extends to our team, our vendors, and our clients. If we’re not focusing on caring for people, then what else is there.
Events can be stressful (spoiler alert!), but we’ve found that being positive and upbeat is essential in this industry.
We are Delightful
Last, but certainly not least, is the core value that keeps us sane. As we looked around at the team we’ve brought together, the clients we work with, and the vendors we’re so lucky to partner with, our final core value was actually one of the easiest and most obvious. The Kennedy Events team truly is Delightful. We’re fun and funny, and we love to work with people who are the same. Events can be stressful (spoiler alert!), but we’ve found that being positive and upbeat is a necessary quality for working in this industry.
Another reason Delightful was an obvious choice for a core value is that for every event we design, produce, or manage, we make it our mission to seek out opportunities to delight. This includes how we work with our clients, guest considerations on-site, and even in the way that we wrap up our events. It’s these opportunities that make every moment of the event process both unique and special.
Onward to More Corporate Events
Looking ahead, we’re excited to take on more challenges that support these core values. If you’re not on our calendar yet, we recommend getting in touch today. Send us a note and we’ll be in touch right away—responding quickly is kind of our thing!
Maggie Kennedy is the co-owner of Kennedy Events; a large-scale event management company based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. Our team creates stress-free conferences and events with a positive impact, which allow our clients to resonate with their audience. Kennedy Events specializes in producing flawless product launches, award ceremonies, fundraisers and multi-day conferences while keeping our eye on retention and engagement goals
MAGGIE KENNEDY
ABOUT KENNEDY EVENTS
Kennedy Events began in 2000 with one goal in mind: to produce corporate events with just as much strategy as style. Since then, Paige, Maggie, and their team have built one of the most sought after corporate event companies in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
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