Denver NACE Podcast
The Denver NACE Podcast is a show dedicated to the events industry in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by members of the Denver chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), the podcast features interviews with a wide range of professionals in the industry, including bakery owners, wedding planners, venue owners, DJs, musicians, and photographers.
The aim of the show is to share the stories and lessons of these industry experts and help grow the Denver events industry by bringing the community together.
Whether you're in the wedding industry, corporate events industry, nonprofit events, or other social events, the Denver NACE Podcast is a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the industry and the people behind it.
Denver NACE Podcast
9. Kyrstin Schomberg's Behind the Scenes Brilliance: NACE is a Calling
Imagine stepping behind the scenes of Denver's most electrifying events with Kyrstin Schomberg, the producer of the Denver Nays podcast and a maestro of memorable experiences. She joins us to unpack the tapestry of her career, from the hospitality classrooms to the vibrant corridors of the Rally Hotel. Kyrstin, with a knack for conjuring up unforgettable events, offers a treasure trove of career insights and stories. She delves into the evolution of her role within the industry and the essential entrepreneurial verve that propels her success. It's a candid look at the gears that drive event planning, from meticulous budget management to ensuring every celebration leaves a lasting impression on both hosts and guests.
As the catering and sales manager at Denver's newest gem, the Rally Hotel, Kyrstin crafts events that are the talk of the town. She recounts moments when personal and corporate worlds collide in a symphony of planning and execution, like weaving a customized spectacle for Google. Her anecdotes span the spectrum of emotions tied to life's milestones—be it tying the knot or marking another trip around the sun. But it's not just about the glittering façade; Kyrstin also touches upon her inaugural year with NACE, the networking hub that's become her compass in the events universe. Tune in to share in the experiences that make Kyrstin Schomberg a beacon for budding and seasoned event professionals alike.
Welcome to the Denver Nays podcast where we help you grow your events business and plug into a community of amazing Denver event vendors and companies. And today we have a very special guest, somebody who is actually the producer of the Denver Nays podcast. I'm very excited to welcome catering and sales manager at the Raleigh Hotel, Kirsten Schomburg. Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2:Yes, thank you so much for having me. I'm super excited to be on here.
Speaker 1:Oh, my pleasure, I got all the information correct.
Speaker 2:Yes, you did that's awesome, very cool.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you for all the work that you do making this podcast a success. Kirsten takes our amazing audio interviews of our audio files of our guests and turns them into MP3s and then uploads them to our podcast platform, and that's how you are hearing this right now. So we just love what Kirsten does. So thanks for doing all that.
Speaker 2:Oh, thank you so much. It's super fun and it's nice too, because I get to listen to everything and get to hear what everybody has to say. So I feel very lucky that I'm in this role as well.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, and you also get to edit out all of our mistakes, so I'll try not to make too many today.
Speaker 2:Oh, you're so good, it's not many, it really is not many.
Speaker 1:That is awesome. So today is all about you. First off, tell us a little bit about who you are and your experience in the events industry.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I went to school for hospitality. So I've been in the events industry for a while. I've been in it for probably about seven years now. So all of my internships through college were in events, with corporate events, and then my senior year I really shifted over to the social side of things so weddings and wedding planning and things like that and I just absolutely loved it and I got a lot out of it and so I've been in it ever since and now I am in Denver, colorado, which I did it in St Louis and Omaha, nebraska before then. Yeah, but now I've been in Colorado for about two years and I absolutely love it and it's so fun being on the social side of things.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, that's awesome. You said a bunch of things there that I would love to follow up on, because from my experience my limited experiences, a musician in the events industry I know that many people don't go to college for hospitality, and then there are some that do. What does a collegiate hospitality program train you on, and what does that look like?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so they, I would say they go over budgets. I remember taking a lot of accounting classes. That was probably more on the business side of things, but they kind of take you through planning the events and like what it takes to be in a good or to put on a good event. And I just remember doing a lot of internships. So I had three internships in college and I honestly think that that's where I got most of my experience from was those internships.
Speaker 2:So the first one that I did was actually a bike tour through Nebraska. So I was in the hospitality tent, so I always set up those and then we planned out where each stop was going to be along the route of Nebraska. And then my second one was for Planet Omaha, which was a corporate planning company, and I was very lucky because I got to travel to Las Vegas for a huge convention that they held and so I was able to be a part of that and just learn how the corporate events work and the planning for all of that and all of the details between check in and check out and breaks and all the different segments of the meetings and general sessions and things like that. And then my last internship was for complete weddings and events, which is selling DJs, photographers, videographers and yeah, and it was super fun. It was a great experience and I got to learn literally every aspect of the wedding industry.
Speaker 1:So Wow, that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And that's truly the value of on-the-job training. It was like there are some things that can't be taught in the classroom. You have to be in the field to encounter those problems as they come up and learn how to handle them.
Speaker 2:Totally yeah, lots of last minute planning or some needing contingency plans. There's always a huge thing in events for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. And then so you went to Omaha, nebraska, and then did you say St Louis, missouri, or what?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I was in St Louis. So out of my internship in Omaha with complete weddings and events, I ended up getting a full-time job out in St Louis and so I got to move out there and kind of honestly start my career in the events industry. So I learned a lot being out on my own and there I was specifically doing selling of DJs, photographers, videographers, things like that, and then on the side I was also doing wedding planning. So I got the full experience doing that, which was super fun.
Speaker 1:Yeah, was the wedding planning your own company, or was that still part of another business?
Speaker 2:So it was still part of complete weddings and events. So it was something that we added on once I moved out there. So it was a completely new service that I started up for that company in.
Speaker 1:St Louis. That's pretty cool. It's kind of like you acted as an entrepreneur within an established business.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:What was that? Like starting up something new.
Speaker 2:Great question. It was really good. I think the most challenging part of it was just getting to know all the other employees and how they work and how they sell the service to and I also was selling myself at that time too. So it was just learning how to work with other sales managers, kind of telling them about myself and them getting to know me so they could sell my services as well. And then I was just kind of figuring out the processes and having strict deadlines for everything and the clients and the sales managers, and so that was probably the most challenging part, I would say.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's just systemizing everything.
Speaker 2:Yes, can you track? Yes, exactly yeah.
Speaker 1:I get that. I think that's something everybody struggles with every level of this game. Yeah, absolutely. Were there any differences between the different events industries, like between St Louis and Denver, that you noticed?
Speaker 2:Not really, honestly. I feel like the weddings were pretty similar. I would say the main difference was the food, like a lot of St Louis weddings. St Louis, I think, is definitely known for their barbecue, so there was tons of just amazing barbecue at these weddings. And then in Denver I guess I'm working at a hotel that does catering, so we have tons of different options there. But yeah, I would say the food was really the big difference between, culturally, st Louis and Colorado weddings.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's awesome. I've been to St Louis a couple of times and you're so right, the barbecue is second to none.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, it's so good, it's delicious.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then last question, before I start to ask about your position at the rally, which is why social events, like I know, you had experience with both. Is there something about social that you prefer over corporate?
Speaker 2:Just being able to have my clients trust me, I think, is the best feeling ever and knowing that I can provide a good service for them and seeing them so happy at the very end of everything is huge for me. And I feel like in corporate events it's pretty cut and dry, Whereas there's a lot of emotions that go through social events and I kind of love the emotional aspect, I guess, of social events more than corporate.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that totally makes sense. Me as a musician, I have a limited view into what goes into the whole event, but I have noticed that too With corporate events it can feel a little more transactional, like let's get this done, let's check off these boxes and it'll be great. But when it's somebody's wedding, it's like I really get to know them and I realize like the song that they've chosen to walk down the aisle to was the same song they danced at at their first high school dance together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, there's like just so many memories and I don't know you get to know the couple so well or just in any social event too, like even if it's like a birthday party or something like that. Like clients always have stories of like why this day is so special to them, and like I love hearing those stories, mm, hmm.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's awesome, very cool. Well, I love both and I'm sure you love both as well. Now about the Rally Hotel. Tell us about the Rally. Is it relatively new or did I miss hear that?
Speaker 2:No, it's relatively new, so we opened up in March of 2021. So we've been open for a little while now and it's only getting better and better each year, which is great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure, and Rally obviously comes from baseball terminology, because you guys are right across the street from Coors Field, which is pretty awesome. What was the whole inspiration behind that concept?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so we're actually they name the rally or at least the feel of the rally is to be Denver's playground. So within McGregor Square we have the Rally Hotel, we have McGregor Square condos and then we also have McGregor Square businesses, and in the Plaza area it's an outside area we have this huge screen that we put a bunch of games on, so that's why we consider it Denver's playground, and so that's kind of where the rally comes into is because it's right across the street from the Rocky Stadium. So we get a lot of Rockies fans out here either watching the game on the big screen, we get their competitors teams and their fans out here at the rally as well, and it just creates a really great experience for guests all around, all ages, all demographics, and so we're very lucky to be in such a cool part of town too.
Speaker 1:So that's awesome. What kind of events do you personally have a hand in planning and helping facilitate?
Speaker 2:Yeah, all the social events. So weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, surprise parties, things like that. I do all of the social events here. We have a handful of spaces, so we've got our third floor event space, which also has beautiful terraces that overlook Montgomery Gregor Square. And then I also have a hand in the OG restaurant, so private events that happen in the OG restaurant as well as the rally bar. Call me Pearl. So we're super excited for those renovations.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, and the third floor space is that where we held Naughty or Nace in December.
Speaker 2:It is, yes, in the Winkoo Ballroom, and then it also has that terrace space connected. So yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was super fun, a great Nace event. What does the job of catering and sales manager involve?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so selling of the space, so basically start to finish process looks like coming in for tours, so I handle all of the tours and kind of guide them into the space that I think that would best fit their needs, and then from there I service the event. So help them pick out food, set up in the timing of the event and then from there just making sure that everything's executed in a timely manner. Yeah, that is the job, awesome. So I'm there for every event, which is really nice to see it come to fruition.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so you kind of provide like coordinate excuse me, coordination as well, Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:Yeah, very cool.
Speaker 1:So what have been some of your favorite events that you have hosted at the rally?
Speaker 2:There have been a couple weddings that I've absolutely loved. I mean, I've loved every single wedding that I've done. But there are some couples that just love to have fun and so it's so fun working with them. We did a big event for Google in the OG restaurant, where we basically stripped the restaurant, took out most of the tables and created this really cool lounge feel in the original which. Have you been to the original before?
Speaker 1:No, not yet.
Speaker 2:Okay, yes, you definitely need to come, because it's super cool, it's already decorated, it's a really cool diner feel, and so you don't have to put much decoration into it, which is really nice. All we did was added some furniture, some soft seating, had an open bar. That was probably one of the coolest events that I've ever had a hand in here.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Very cool. So how long have you been a member of NACE?
Speaker 2:This is my first year.
Speaker 1:Oh yay, congratulations.
Speaker 2:Yes, thank you Super excited to be a part of it. It's so fun. I'm so happy to be a part of it. I'm so happy to be a part of it. I'm so happy to be a part of it. I'm so happy to be a part of it. I'm so happy to be a part of it.
Speaker 1:Awesome. How did you find out about NACE in the first place?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I found out actually through my well, she was my boss at the time, so Brittany Vales. She was the director of events here at the Raleigh Hotel and then she actually transitioned into a new role this year. But that's how I found out about it and she kind of introduced me to some people and it's been great ever since.
Speaker 1:Yeah, how did you feel about networking groups before joining NACE?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I liked. I mean I love any chance that I can get to talk to people, especially people in this industry. So I definitely have loved every opportunity that I have, but I think NACE for sure for me has been probably the most involved that I've been in a networking group. So I've just been enjoying that journey.
Speaker 1:So far, that's awesome. Yeah, what do you feel like made you get more involved in it compared to other experiences?
Speaker 2:I just kind of felt called to it because, I mean, I know you live a very busy life as well, so the fact that I was able to do it and put the time into it and have the time to do it was probably a really big factor. But I'm so happy that I did, because I've gotten to meet so many great people.
Speaker 1:That's awesome. We could even title this episode NACE is a calling.
Speaker 2:Yes, nace is a calling, I love it.
Speaker 1:That is so fun. Yeah, very cool. And so what are some of the ways that you've been getting involved in NACE, aside from just going to the networking events and shaking hands?
Speaker 2:Yes, well, the producer of the podcast has definitely got me in talking with people and kind of learning the ins and out, I feel like, of NACE, so that's been really great.
Speaker 1:One question that comes up a lot is, like you know, If you don't run your own business, what is the value of these networking organizations?
Speaker 2:I think it gives the opportunity to showcase a ton of different local vendors within Denver to my clients, which I think is great, and it creates different experiences for these events as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a huge thing. A lot of people perceive corporate events as all kind of being the same or every wedding is the same, but they don't realize the depth of uniqueness that you could bring to every single event and you, by joining these networking events, you get to actually shop around and curate these different experiences that maybe wouldn't have found otherwise or even had the time to find otherwise.
Speaker 2:Exactly Like I said before too. I feel like we're all so busy, so it's so cool going to these things and learning about different services that people provide that could really create something so different for people.
Speaker 1:Yeah for sure. Why is giving back to the events industry important to you?
Speaker 2:I don't know. I feel like everybody puts in so much work and so much dedication to their events and just people in general, because we're in hospitality, we're in the service industry, so we always want to create the best service that we possibly can to our clients, and so I think it's super important because everybody deserves a chance, deserves to have every opportunity to showcase, I guess, their best work and I don't know, it can always lead to new and cool things.
Speaker 1:I like what you said about. Everybody deserves a chance and the events industry it's not the easiest industry to be in. I feel like this is one of the hardest working industries out there. There are easier ways to make money with your job than running an events company or being an employee for a business in the events industry. But similar to what you said about NACE is that it is a calling and it's through the act of service and helping other people out that we enable other people to live their calling while also fulfilling our own, which is pretty cool.
Speaker 2:Yes, that was beautifully said. That is what I was meaning to say, I just couldn't find the words for it. Awesome, very cool.
Speaker 1:So this is going to be another big question, but I promise you it's one of our last ones. What pieces of advice would you give to either younger or more established people in the events industry? Just in general about being a good member of the events industry?
Speaker 2:I would give the advice of always being open to new ideas, never shooting anything down right away. I think it's, I don't know. I just feel like there's so many cool ideas out there and you should listen to what everybody has to say, and because there's so many good ideas out there, so I definitely would say being open to one another and what our ideas are and how we can all help each other. I think helping each other within this industry is huge and having each other's back is huge, just because it is hard sometimes and having that extra support is always very nice to have.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah, for sure. Beautifully put. So thank you so much. If somebody is interested in getting in touch with you after this, what would be the best place for them to find you?
Speaker 2:Ooh, probably my email. So it's kirstenshomberg at therallyhotelcom and I can also link it in the bio as well.
Speaker 1:Perfect, and then, if you're interested in coming to a NACE event or learning more about our wonderful organization, you can go to nasedenvercom. Kirsten, thanks so much. This was a wonderful interview. I am fired up, I'm ready to rally and I can't wait to be back to your venue at some point soon. So thanks so much.
Speaker 2:Yes, hopefully you'll definitely have to come to the OG and check it out.
Speaker 1:And call me Pearl. What is that?
Speaker 2:Call me Pearl is the new rally bar.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Well, congratulations on all the renovations and updates. Thank you again for being our producer and for this amazing interview. So take care. Thank you for listening to the NACE Denver podcast. We'll chat again soon. Bye.