Speaking from the Heart: My Experience at the PartySlate West Coast Summit

Photos: Courtesy of Duke Images

Recently, I had the honor of speaking on a panel at the PartySlate West Coast Summit, held at the beautiful Candela La Brea in Los Angeles. It was one of those days where the energy in the room felt genuinely inspiring — full of fellow creatives, planners, and designers who are passionate about this industry and eager to grow, connect, and support one another.

I was invited to speak on a panel focused on digital marketing for event professionals, alongside the incredibly talented Inna Savluk of Butterfly Floral Design. We shared our stories, struggles, and strategies — offering insight into how we’ve built our brands, embraced digital tools, and evolved with the industry while staying grounded in personal values and creativity.

One of the things I shared—and something that has guided me both personally and professionally, is: “Don’t be afraid if you don’t know something. Don’t let that hold you back. Be willing to listen and help. You will figure it out.” That simple truth has gotten me through the toughest moments, from building our business with my husband Herick to navigating this ever-changing industry with heart and humility.

The entire day was filled with rich conversations and powerful moments. A highlight for me was hearing the creative wisdom of incredible stationer Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York. Julie Roth Novack and the PartySlate team curated the event beautifully, mixing fun, inspiration, and new ideas, including a preview of their latest AI features designed to help event designers and wedding planners work smarter, not harder.

I left feeling deeply grateful — not just for the opportunity to share, but for the community of which we are a part. If you’re in this world of events and design: keep showing up, keep learning, and lead with kindness. Everything else will follow.