Meet Karen May of Scottsdale Private Event Venues

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen May. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Karen, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

We’ve all heard it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Generosity doesn’t come instinctively to most of us—not the kind of generosity the Bible urged us to have as kids. I believe generosity is an attitude, not an amount, and I have never seen an unhappy, generous person! Most of us would gladly give if we thought the reason was well-intentioned and we felt we could afford it. I think generosity is a learned trait, and I do not believe all humans are hard-wired for it! Generosity is the readiness to give or share with others when needed. Probably like you, I take that on faith. I think it must be a part of your lifestyle to take its full effect. My generosity came from watching my parents. I grew up in a Midwest family from Minnesota, where giving and attending church every week was a given. God respected my parent’s faith by providing for our family. We also grew up in an amazing neighborhood with families much like ours. We spent so much time with all these families it was like one big one. One kid got sick, and you could not reach Mom. You called another mom from the block. It was just how it was. So, I learned from my family and

all the other parents too. Don’t get me wrong—we ate day-old bread and had cereal for dinner sometimes; Mom got a 2nd job, 1st being a mom to six (6) kids; money was tight in our family—but none of us starved, and all went on to successful careers. If you want the full effect of generosity, it must be part of your lifestyle. It’s been proven that generous people live longer, it lessens stress, gives us a boost and makes us healthier.

Even with six kids, my mom volunteered at Sunshine Acres, a boys’ ranch in Mesa, Arizona. My sister and I played with the boys, and Mom cooked meals for all the kids. My father was in Real estate, working six days a week in a shirt and tie. My parents found time to do the annual neighborhood pool fundraisers and school booster clubs for all six kids. Dad volunteered for the Touch Down club at ASU, and Mom chaired any event her kids participated in. If a dog was found wandering, either my dad or I would get it to safety. My love of animals came from him.

I realized life was too short to spend my time making money for other people and doing nothing to better the world. I now have the freedom to choose the industry I want to operate in and give my time to who I want to, and “Do It My Way.” I was not driven by money, I never have been, but rather by a desire to create a better world for those who need help, and the money I now make helps support that. Supporting the community, non-profits, and other social efforts by giving back to my community has changed my life. I wanted to be generous and have a career, but I did not always have the funds I do now. I needed a way to be generous as an Event Planner because I could raise money like no other and plan events in my sleep to help a nonprofit raise their own money. Did you ever hear, “No talent is too small in the eyes of God?” Once I realized my talents were sometimes more valuable than the money, I was off to the races. Giving gets under your skin in the best possible way …I dedicate time to helping those less fortunate who need our help and resources. The event industry is generous, and with our connections and reach, the rewards I’ve gained from helping others have made my success much sweeter. You know that feeling – the warm, fuzzy one you get when you give a gift? Turns out, it’s good for your health and your heart. A growing body of research shows that giving a gift, as well as volunteering or donating to charities, positively impacts your physical and mental health and can contribute to a longer life.

I have the flexibility to determine when and how I work. I can inaugurate systems and schedules that are adapted to my preferences and are most effective for me. Building my own company allowed me to pursue my passions and ideals with greater independence and control. With this flexibility, I have been able to help, give back, and contribute to my passions of working with Seniors, Helping our Veterans, Human Trafficking, and my 1st love, Animal Rescue.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a native of Arizona and one of the few who did not get transplanted here! I am Momma to 6 crazy rescue dogs who are my kids, just with more hair. I have planned events since I was 17, when I fell into this field. I am the CEO of Scottsdale Private Event Venues & Hangar Parties, an Event Design Expert, and a Cause-Related Event Producer. We turn blank-slate jet hangars into fabulous corporate event sites. Corporate events are important for nourishing relationships between employees, employers, and clients by connecting unique event spaces with professional event planning and designing robust, awe-inspiring event experiences that mesmerize the audience. Scottsdale Private Event Venues & Hangar Parties has created outstanding corporate parties for Kurt Warner, the NFL, GE, MLB, Accenture, Capital One, and more.

Scottsdale Private Event Venues and Scottsdale Hangar Parties are your go-to partners for event planning in Scottsdale, accommodating anywhere from 100 to 1500 guests. Our meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment have been key to our success, leading us to 2024 with immense gratitude. With a solid track record spanning 8 years and nearly a thousand successful events, we are dedicated to making every event unforgettable. The best part about my job is turning a blank slate into a jaw-dropping, amazing event that the client cannot stop talking about. A blank slate venue transcends convention and lets you rewrite the rules. We also believe in the power of bringing people together and think face to face events are the only way to go. Witnessing individuals gather around and engage in conversations is a sight that resonates with every event planner. The essence of great events lies in creating memorable experiences among the guests, and it’s a joy to witness this vibrant energy come alive in every attendee. The look and feel of an event play a significant role in its success and ours. Larger spaces offer opportunities for more extravagant elements, creating striking experiences. Corporate events foster relationships among employees, employers, and clients. Organizing a corporate event involves considering numerous factors. Leading-edge event planners understand the pivotal role of event venues in shaping guests’ experiences. They focus on seeking out unique private spaces and unusual venues to create transformative event experiences. We have 14 that are very unusual and can accommodate thousands of guests. Twelve (12) are private jet hangars of various sizes!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My mother has always said, “Karen is not happy unless her hair is on fire.” That is true my mom was my biggest supporter. If I am not doing 50 things simultaneously, I wonder why and who is doing the other 50. I am a serious multitasker and have always been. It’s a fabulous and necessary trait. When I was getting into events, there were no classes, no colleges, and no places to learn the trade. I started in hotels and resorts in Sales/Catering and took every class the hotels offered. The three qualities that I think you need are a background in business, marketing, or a similar discipline. Business acumen for budgeting and managing expenses. Creativity for developing unique event ideas. With that said, there are many more you need. Strong communication skills for interacting with clients, venue hosts, and local businesses. Ability to remain calm within high-pressure environments. Flexibility for adopting changes to event programs on the fly. Meticulous attention to detail for overseeing every stage of the event process. The Scottsdale Private Event Venues and Scottsdale Hangar Parties team have decades of experience planning memorable events. We are dedicated to helping our clients host successful events that strengthen their brands. Scottsdale Hangar Parties features an impressive assortment of hangar venues, has proven a desirable reputation, and has become a leader, producing extraordinary moments for its clients, one event at a time.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Vendors or as we call them, Friendors are critical to our success. When producing a large-scale event, selecting qualified vendors is key to ensuring a smooth process and staying on track with our timeline. Prioritizing vendor quality over cost can save you money in the long run. While opting for the lowest price might seem appealing, cutting corners could lead to costly issues later on. Reputation for us is everything Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. We take it very seriously who we work with

“Planning a special event can be stressful, from curating your guest list to creating a seven-course menu. Having great collaborators and vendors is the key to success. We always look for the next fun IT thing to see, hear, or do. We prefer only In-Person events, so we are always on the hunt for something or someone fun and unique. Finding New Ways to Reimagine Engagement. Do you have a new sustainable product? Do you have a new application we might love? How about a new freakishly weird entertainer? tell us we would love to hear from you.

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