Bees, Bloom Bars, and Building Trust: How Adrianne Prettyman Brings Events to Life with Strategy and Soul
Melanie Zeidlhack
Jul 1, 2025
Adrianne Prettyman knows how to keep her cool—even when a breakout session is interrupted by a full-on bee invasion. With a decade of experience across every corner of the industry, she’s built a reputation for thoughtful strategy, creative flair, and calm-in-the-chaos leadership. Whether she’s planning a nonprofit gala, a Fortune 5 incentive trip, or a Hawaiian cultural activation, Adrianne shows up with solutions, empathy, and a lot of polish.
As the founder of Plan it Pretty, LLC and a consultant with DeSilva Meeting Consultants, she’s made a name for herself as a versatile and grounded planner who gets results without losing sight of the guest experience.
A Career Sparked by Passion—and Persistence
Adrianne’s journey into events began in the nonprofit world, supporting donor galas and fundraising events for an environmental organization in New York City. That early exposure lit a fire. “I realized I’d found my path,” she says. “Even if I didn’t know how to get there yet.”
What followed was a series of strategic moves: informational interviews, continued education (including a CMP and a mini-master’s in marketing and management), and diverse roles that shaped her well-rounded perspective—from corporate meetings to conventions, incentive travel to brand activations.
Today, that breadth is her superpower. “This industry is incredibly dynamic. Every corner of it has something to teach you.”
Venue Selection Is a Craft
When sourcing venues, Adrianne balances aesthetics with logistics. She starts by anchoring on the event’s purpose and format—seated seminar vs. walk-around tasting, for instance—then layers in considerations like location, accessibility, budget, and whether a space is full-service or more DIY.
“Each venue needs to reflect the tone of the event and the audience’s expectations,” she notes. “For culinary-forward events, I might prioritize kitchens or well-known F&B reputations. For trade tastings, flow and space take precedence.”
Her decision-making process is collaborative and research-driven, often informed by industry peers and local partners in each city.
Finding the Right Venue Starts with the Right Partner
For Adrianne, venue selection isn’t just about space—it’s about relationships. “Trust is everything,” she says. “Hotel and venue contracts are full of legal nuances. I work with transparent partners who advocate for us, not just sell to us.”
She leans on trusted partners to protect her clients, navigate fine print, and bring creative ideas to life without compromising logistics. This collaborative approach pays off when things get complicated—and let’s face it, they often do.
Designing Experiences That Stick
Adrianne’s events are full of personality, especially when she finds ways to reflect the local culture. In Hawai‘i, she replaced the traditional lei greeting with a “Bloom Bar,” where guests could handcraft their floral accessories.
“It’s low-pressure and hands-on, which helps people relax and engage,” she says. “It also creates a real connection to the destination.”
That same intention shows up in every detail—from signage to session transitions, guest outreach to team briefings. It’s all about removing friction and building meaningful moments.
Calm in the Chaos: What to Do When the Bees Arrive
Yes, there were literally bees.
During one conference, a colony flew into a breakout room via the HVAC system, sending attendees into a panic. Adrianne sprang into action—looping in venue ops via walkie-talkie, shutting down the airflow, and rerouting sessions through the app and on-the-fly signage.
“It was chaotic,” she admits. “But we had a response plan, and I stayed calm. That made all the difference.”
Her crisis playbook? Plan for problems before they happen. And when they do? Stay solution-focused and lead with clarity. “Clients don’t need to panic. They need options.”
Measuring What Matters
After the last guest leaves, Adrianne quickly wraps up billing and shifts into reporting mode. ROI looks different for every event—whether it’s leads, dollars raised, or satisfaction scores—but it always starts with the same foundation: total event cost.
“Once you know your baseline, you can shape the reporting to fit what your client or leadership team cares about,” she explains. From there, she uses custom tools and post-event data to tell the story of success.
For Aspiring Planners: Protect Your Joy
Adrianne doesn’t sugarcoat it: event planning is high-stress, high-stakes work. “You’re juggling tight timelines, high expectations, and lots of moving parts—many of which are out of your control.”
Her advice? Protect your mental health, prioritize your life outside of work, and take time to reconnect with the magic of the job. “Set up site visits and FAMs not just to vet logistics, but to remind yourself why you love this work. That joy helps you do the job better—and love it longer.”
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