The Team Valerie Smies
Valerie Smies, Director of Event Services
Valerie is a Wisconsin grown, 100 percent Dutch, social butterfly who simply loves to plan events. She is outgoing, a bit quirky, and quite funny at times. She strapped herself to the books for 4 years at Calvin College, graduating in 2007. After graduation, she had a few jobs within the event industry and quickly fell in love. She joined the RSVP events team in 2009, and immediately knew this was the perfect career.
Valerie’s personal passion is planning. Planning a wedding can be scary, stressful and emotional, but Valerie loves to be the one to make each individual’s planning process not only easier and less stressful, but incredibly enjoyable! Valerie would say the most rewarding part of what she does is the relationships that are built with a bride when helping plan their wedding, as it is such an honor to be a part of someone’s special day.
What has been your greatest work accomplishment?
Contributing to the rapid growth of RSVP events. When I started with RSVP events, it was just Nancy Dobry and I working out of her home, and now there are 5 of us less than 3 years later in a beautiful event studio!
What do you see as your expertise within the event industry?
Juggling the details of countless events at the same time
What is your favorite part of being in the event industry?
The relationships that are built throughout the planning process- by the wedding day, the bride and I have often become very close friends
What expression do you use most often?
Not really an expression, but a noise……kinda hard to type out, but here goes a try………gleeech???
What is your favorite food?
Anything at Bonefish Grill- bang bang shrimp, seared ahi tuna, filet….yummm
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?
Watch TV and movies, I am hooked on so many different TV series, and am constantly watching my newest Netflix delivery
What is your greatest vice?
Coffee- without my morning cup of coffee, watch out! And I usually need one around 2pm or 3pm as well. There have been some nights that I was craving coffee at 9pm and gave in, and ended up being up all night- that’s how much I love it!