As my time at Penta is coming to an end, I thought I would offer advice to all future event planning interns.

1. My first piece of advice is to NETWORK! I know it might be a little nerve wracking at first to open up and chat with strangers, but it is an essential part of being a successful event planner. Making connections as an intern will advance your future career in the industry.

2. Even when you are not in the office, your mind and creativity is always working. Event planners are inspired by things they see in everyday life. Whether enjoying time with friends or visiting a site with a client, remember to take a mental note of the space for future events. If you are enjoying the venue, it is likely that your potential clients will too.

3. Event planning is not a 9-5 job. It is always important to remember events do not always take place during regular business hours. A 6am start or an end time of 1am is not uncommon. While no one likes to work in the wee hours, event planning definitely has its perks.

Overall I have had a fantastic time networking and working with industry professionals. Remember to always enjoy yourself and good luck!

Michele Verdino Ostler

For the 4th of July weekend, my husband and I are attending the wedding of a very good friend just outside of Boston.  I’ve known the Bride for almost 20 years now…we first met in Junior High and were roommates in college.  She was a Bridesmaid at my wedding and I can’t wait to celebrate with her this weekend.  We’re looking forward to catching up with good friends and returning to NY with some great memories.  Congratulations to Anastasia and Jeremy!

Emily Ohnstad

Every year my family and I enjoy July 4th weekend in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania with my mother’s brothers and sisters.  We attempt to see fireworks but almost always fail, typically enjoying the sweet snap, crackle and pop sounds of fireworks just out of view.  If we are lucky, we see some smoke drift over a mountain top from the fireworks’ actual location and consider it a success, knowing we were only a mile or so from the fireworks that year.  (We could prepare and look up their location, but what is the fun in that?)  Peanut M&M’s are always served on tap with a side of Skittles, for the non-chocolate lovers—otherwise known in our family as heathens! Days consist of laying out lakeside with occasional breaks for jet-ski rides and nights are full of delicious food, drinks and laughter.  This particular year, a Lady Gaga cover band will be performing at a local casino and my aunt, mother and I have deemed it a must see.  We plan to spend more than we save at the Crossings Premium Outlet Mall and break for lunch for a delicious sandwich at Au Bon Pain with a side of strenuous people watching.  Since I have not seen my family since the Holidays, this reunion is especially exciting and worth the 3 hour bus ride on public transit.  I look forward to all the awkward family moments, memories and pictures that this weekend will provide.  Happy Independence Day!

Adam Douglas

Unfortunately I won’t be able to partake in any of the Fourth of July festivities because I’ll be tending to the restaurant I work at the entire day. If I didn’t have to work though, I would probably spend the day doing as little as possible. I might head over to the Hudson River Park with a towel, a book and my iPod, and try and catch up on some much needed tanning time. BBQ’s are fun, but who can be bothered with this heat wave we seem to be going through? I think I’d probably grab a hot dog from a street vendor and call it a day. I think I’d most likely try and watch the fireworks display in the evening. Depending on the amount of effort I felt like exerting, I would either try and watch them from the roof of my building or somehow try and finagle my way up to the rooftop of The Standard hotel. That would have to be the best view in the city. Wish I had the option of actually doing these things…. Oh well, maybe next year! Enjoy your 4^th for me!

Adriana Inglesi

As a born and raised Canadian, I have not yet had the opportunity to experience a true red, white and blue American 4^th of July.  However, I will be in the US for the first time during the holiday! I plan on going out with my friend from Montreal who will be visiting me.  We don’t really have a plan yet, so we’re going to be spontaneous! NYC has a lot to offer for the 4^th of July, so we are bound to find something fun and patriotic to do.  I definitely plan on going to watch the fireworks, hopefully from a rooftop hotel or something to get the full affect.  Can’t wait for my first 4^th of July!

Rebecca Coldwell

Usually, I spend my 4^th of July with a big family reunion barbeque by the beach in Connecticut.  Sadly, this will be my first year not experiencing my grandpa’s slightly inappropriate jokes or my aunt’s delicious triple layer chocolate truffle cake. Instead, I will be celebrating in New York with some friends from home. I hope to bring some of the old traditions of my family BBQs over to my friend’s house, however! Sparklers are a must at every Coldwell 4^th of July, so I will be sure to get my friends hooked writing their names out with the glow of the sparklers. I also plan on attempting to remake my aunt’s truffle cake, adding a little Rebecca flare to it.  We’ll see how that one goes, never as good as the real thing! Of course I will be decked out head-to-toe in red, white, and blue, as that has also been tradition of mine. My siblings and cousins and I would always see who could sport the most patriotic outfit of us all.  Hopefully there will also be lots of corn hole playing and yummy food! As I said, this will be my first 4^th away from the family traditions, so I’m excited to see what’s in store for me and see if anything compares to a good ‘ol fashion Coldwell Family BBQ! Happy 4^th, hope it’s full of tons of laughs and memories!