My First Two Months as an Event Assistant at AE

From the desk of: Arianna Fiorentini

I’ve been an Event Assistant at AE for two months, and in these past two months I’ve had the opportunity to assist my coworkers in important tasks and help plan many events. The first two events I was onsite for were the 2022 galas for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Ballet.

The BYSO Gala included performances by the petite ensemble and the youth orchestra and a live auction component to raise funds to support the young musicians.  Boston Ballet’s Ball, honored Mikko Nissinen, on his 20th year as the Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet, and his contribution to the Boston Ballet. The Ball included a live auction, seated dinner, and four special performances by the Boston Ballet dancers.   The evening ended with a toast to Mikko from the whole dance troupe, where we had kabuki drop revealing a hidden dance floor with all the dancers from the Boston Ballet.

Both events were FUN and have taught me that there are so many little details that go into making an event perfect. Some examples, placing linens and positioning chairs in just the right spot, or thinking through challenges like we don’t have enough space to fit this 72-inch round table—can we swap it with two 6-foot tables to fit the same number of people?

But I’m not always supporting the Event Manager and Event Coordinator on an event. Sometimes I’m in the office helping in other ways like researching florists in the Boston area, sending emails to rental companies, caterers, and venues for availability and pricing, and updating production schedules, or stuffing invitations, folding napkins, and putting together welcome bags for upcoming social events.

My two months have shown me that there is never a dull moment in event planning, and with each day, I’m learning something new.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer holds!