We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel & Lynn Bagnell & Toornman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel & Lynn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The dream of working for ourselves, along with our love of fun and creative event planning, inspired us to create Innovative Events. Besides the notion of leaving a legacy for our children, we are damn good at event planning! We take the time to get to know our clients, and we add the perfect personal touch to all that we do. The satisfaction of our clients, the sponsors, and the smiles of the attendees after one of our events is what drives us. We have the ability to adapt while keeping our personal touch at the center of all we do. Since the pandemic began, we have launched interactive virtual events and special gift delivery services for our clients. As a 100% women-owned business, our goal is to utilize other women-owned businesses/vendors in all facets of our event planning. It’s amazing what we can do when we lift one another up!
What should our readers know about your business?
With over thirty-five years of combined event planning experience, Innovative Events knows how to achieve the vision for any upcoming event. Whether it’s a small business meeting, corporate party, or conference, Innovative Events is the right choice for all event planning needs. Our services include: Site/Venue Identification Budget Management Contract Negotiation Diagrams and Floorplans Conference Branding and Design Integration Vendor Management Catering and Menu Planning Audio Visual Production Run of Show Management Meet & Greets VIP Events On Site Management Innovative Events is passionate about achieving the goals of our clients, while keeping the budget and the attendee’s experience in mind. We will find the best value for the event and create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. We are a woman-owned business and are focused on having a majority of women-owned vendors. We have small town relationships with our clients and vendors, and a big city feel related to our accomplishments. Rachel Bagnell – Rachel has over fifteen years of corporate and non-profit event planning and management experience. Before Innovative Events LLC, Rachel worked for a Fortune 50 company, so she intimately understands the needs and expectations of business clients. She has planned events as small as an Executive Roundtable and as large as a three-day leadership conference with over 1,500 attendees and a vendor expo with over 250 booths. Rachel is astute at branding and marketing and has expertise in creating unique experiences for business professionals. Superpower = Business Brilliance Lynn Toornman – Lynn has been focused on creating intimate gatherings with a creative flair for over twenty years. She has had a strong focus on celebrations, including parties, holidays and small events. She is creative and is skilled at mixing and matching ideas and personalities in order to produce something truly original and meaningful. When a client describes the vision of their upcoming event, Lynn has the ability to translate that into reality. Lynn’s artistic eye allows Innovate Events to create inspired and imaginative themes for our clients. Superpower = Creative Genius
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is filled with so many places to go and see and do and explore and enjoy, that it’s hard to pick one favorite! From the zany fun with our children at the aquarium or the zoo, to the quiet and beautiful calm of a dinner atop the Westin Peachtree looking down on the twinkling lights of the city at night, to hidden gems like “Poor Calvin’s on on Piedmont Ave”. But, for me (Lynn), my favorite place is outside Atlanta, about five miles from my front door, on a stool at a little restaurant called the Twisted Oar in Holiday Marina just outside of Lanier Islands. And I’m not talking about in the heat of summer when the boaters throng and the music plays and the energy is high and fun…rather it’s the quietest days when I can take a break from my reality and steal away for fresh air, some fish tacos, a glass of wine, my Kindle, and the still of the lake. This is where my mind is clear and it can travel to wherever the story I’m reading can transport me or my creativity can wander and take form. It is my zen.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Women in Technology (WIT) – a 501(3)c organization that is one of our clients. The President and CEO, Penny Collins, is a phenomenal woman and has taken WIT to the next level! A story on them would be phenomenal. https://mywit.org
Website: http://www.innovativeevents.net/index.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeevents.ie/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18980485/admin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InnovativeEven4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innovativeeventsllc
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDs5H4Wncz2CZvhJJR2QtkQ?view_as=subscriber
Other: Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/156100263@N07/
Image Credits
Bellatti Photography