Event Planners on Tech: Juvale Regala, Senior Operations Director at TaylorMade Experience

Detail-oriented, flexible, easy to work with: Jae Regala is a perfect package deal in the US capitol event world. But Jae’s day-to-day goes way beyond planning the next big party in Washington, DC.

Juvale (her friends call her "Jae") didn’t start off in event planning. Many other gigs came first, but all of them prepared her for what she does today: she ran a licensed daycare facility, was processing manager for a non-profit organization, and served as a liaison to the police handling complaints. No wonder that her non-traditional trajectory led her to an event agency that does things a little bit differently.The shop Jae works for, TaylorMade Experiences, offers fundraising alongside event planning, a rare hybrid approach. Jae’s team works with clients to develop lists of possible sponsors in order to come up with funding throughout the event planning process. It is designed for clients with an underdeveloped donor Rolodex. And that’s a savvy niche in a city where most event producers work with one or more government agencies all the time.Jae notes that that particular part of the event industry has been hard to break into, which makes non-profit organizations and corporations the perfect fit. Not only do they recruit fundraisers for events but they also manage the relationships beyond an event’s date. It’s a good fit for Jae: “I’m a people person and I pride myself on the relationships that I am able to build with my clientele.”

Besides working with people, why do you love working in events?

I enjoy the organizational part of having to put together an event from start to finish. The involvement in creating a planned out event on paper and watching it all unfold and come together, is the most rewarding part of my job.

What applications are you using to stay organized on event days?

Excel and Google Docs. I am definitely a paper and pen person. I’m comfortable with a clipboard and a pen in hand, but definitely keep an iPad on hand as well.

Are you using any tools to manage your entire planning process?

Really depends on our clients’ needs and the database that they use in-house. We typically try and incorporate a platform that coincides with their existing database, so we are able to cut costs for them in the process. We have our internal standard procedures, documents, and templates to maintain and keep track of our client information.

What is your biggest event nightmare?

That all of my electronic platforms set for the event do not operate, but then there are these documents to fall back on – so not that big of a nightmare.

Are you an Android or an iPhone person?

iPhone all the way!

How have you used technology to add a special or unique touch to your event?

zkipster has definitely been our go-to application for registration. It’s quick and easy to set up and reports are immediate. Clients appreciate the attendance reports that are available minutes after the event. We have also used BidPal to promote silent auctions and ask for night of donations. We can promote sponsors and be in real time with guests to let them know they have been outbid on the spot, it creates an interactive environment at events.

What websites, applications or services are you using to find event venues and what do you like about them?

We have used Cvent’s platform and our own in-house Google research. We like having information at our fingertips and not having to wait for someone from a property to call us back.

What’s your favorite application or service for marketing your events and why?

We have used social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter to market any upcoming events. And other than those sites our clients use their websites for marketing.

What applications are you using to engage your event attendees?

We have used Attendify for a conference just recently and although it was not used as much as we would have liked, it definitely was a start. We realize that transitioning completely to an electronic program is still difficult for guests to get adjusted to, but plan on continuing to implement the digital applications.

Now for the rapid fire round! Tell us which application or service you’re using for…

• Event Registration: Cvent, Eventbrite or zkipster
• Ticketing: Cvent or Eventbrite
• Check-in: zkipster
• Meeting and scheduling: Doodle Poll
• Team management: Basecamp
• Floor plan design: Social Tables

What applications or services are you using after your event to help you evaluate its success or gather feedback?

We provide our clients an “After Action Report” of our feedback on how the event went, who showed up and who didn't and also provide suggestions for the following year to try and keep our foot in the door to return and do the same event next year.

Finally, what piece of event tech can’t you live without?

Guest list and invitation management with zkipster.