Every Wednesday we will be highlighting one business woman and her professional story!

Meet Qualena Odom-Royes, EventEssentials’ Principal Event Planner and owner!  Ms. Odom-Royes has over 18 years of experience in event and meeting planning. Accredited from The University of Georgia in Conference Planning and Meeting Management, she also holds the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designations. Prior to opening her own event planning business, her background was in event management and marketing at MCI Telecommunications/WorldCom, handling corporate sponsorships and business to business advertising, and MTV Networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1).

Recognizing her talent for detailed organization and the need for a company that could plan meetings and events from start to finish with an emphasis on return on investment for the meeting organizer, Ms. Odom-Royes opened EventEssentials ten years ago. Since that time, the award-winning company has provided planning and facilitation services to organizations in a variety of different industries. The meetings and events have ranged from high-end executive gatherings for 12 people to large-scale business conferences for over 7,000. EventEssentials’ past and current clients include Cox Communications, The Coca-Cola Company Georgia Supplier Minority Development Council (GMSDC), Piedmont Hospital, Manheim, Scholastic and Taste of Atlanta. EventEssentials is a certified minority business enterprise and was named the 2011 Class 1 Supplier of the Year for GMSDC and earned the 2012 GMSDC Eagle Award recognizing their extensive partnerships with other minority business enterprises.

A fervent advocate also of teaching, Ms. Odom-Royes developed the coursework and has taught the continuing education course (Event & Meeting Planning Certificate) at Clayton State University for the past ten years. In addition, Ms. Odom-Royes joined the online adjunct faculty at Argosy University in February 2012 where she teaches Business Administration courses.

In 2012 Ms. Odom-Royes was awarded the prestigious Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award for her outstanding professionalism in service to the special events industry and the community at large during the Allie Awards Nite Gala hosted by the Atlanta chapters of ISES (International Special Events Society) and NACE (National Association of Catering Executives).

Ms. Odom-Royes’ past positions on the International Certification Committee as well as the Executive Board of Directors of ISES Atlanta, Lambda Epsilon Omega Foundation, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and current appointments at Plan Your Meetings Magazine and Allie Awards have required analytical and technical skills; people management and liaison; meticulous record keeping and accountability. Her capabilities and dedication have earned her tremendous respect; and her general friendly demeanor has expanded her network of business contacts exponentially.

Additional Accomplishments

• 2012 Eagle Award Honoree – Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
• Dale Riggins Humanitarian of the Year Award, 2012 – ISES
• Class 1 Supplier of the Year, 2011 – Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
• Board Member – Plan Your Meetings Magazine 2008 – 2012
• ISES Bob Blaesing Memorial Award 2007
• Atlanta Business League – Success Against the Odds Finalist 2007
• Allie Award for Best Use of Media/Technology 2008
• Allie Award for Best Team Effort 2008 and 2006
• Nominee – Allie Award, Best Team Effort 2009, 2013
• Nominee – Allie Award, Most Creative Venue 2007
• Board member of Allie Awards, Inc. 2007-present
• Board member of Fernbank Museum’s Artemis Guild 2003-2005
• Board member of the Atlanta Chapter of ISES 2004-2007, 2009

Qualena’s Favorite Quote

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.

– Steve Jobs

Listen to us highlight Qualena on today’s podcast!

Join our exclusive BWR Connect! Facebook Group – it’s FREE!