Extraordinary Eventz owner celebrates 8th anniversary
A resident of the island of 15 years recently celebrated her 8th anniversary of starting her own business, which helps others plan and execute their special occasion.
Extraordinary Eventz owner Lisa Reece said she began working in the hospitality industry in the 1980s right out of college. Her career took off with event planning with hotels and groups, along with creating destination meetings with the travel industry.
From there, Reece started working with the American Heart Association and began planning community events. She said she enjoyed working with the association because it gave her an insight of working for a non-profit organization.
After leaving the American Heart Association, she became the international meeting planner.
She began to think, “I can do this on my own.”
The Matlacha resident created Extraordinary Eventz because she has always loved to entertain. Reece said she has thrown lots of parties herself over the years and watched everyone else have a great time because she was always working as the hostess.
“I love it,” she said about event planning. “It is the perfect job for me.”
Her favorite part of assisting her clients is helping them conceive an idea and bring it to fruition. Reece said she wants her clients to enjoy themselves in the situation she created.
Extraordinary Eventz offers full-service planning for social celebrations, weddings and business events. Reece said she provides event planning for everything if that is what her client desires.
“One call does it all,” she said about her A-Z planning.
For those who need assistance with one portion of their occasion, Extraordinary Eventz can also provide their services for that as well. Reece said if an individual is planning a party and they decide they need entertainment, they can contact her for that as well.
“We are very flexible,” she said, adding that it is all about what they are comfortable with letting go in terms of planning.
When someone calls for her services, the client talks about what his or her idea or vision is of that particular event, along with a budget.
“I create the vision they have in mind,” she said and then takes it from there.
Due to her full service, she said it is easy to fit vendors with the individual’s vision, so they can bring all the details together.
Although she plans many events here on the island, she also does off-the-island planning as well. She has planned weddings at Tarpon Inn and several events at Tarpon Lodge as well.
Her services are mainly used for weddings, which are either destination weddings for brides who live out of the area, or unique venues or interesting settings for local brides.
Reece said since she is a minister, she can perform weddings as well. She said the atmosphere of a wedding is very loving and enjoyable to be a part of.
In terms of time, Reece said it is never too soon to start planning for that special occasion.
“That way you have the most options available to you,” she said in terms of venues.
In addition, Reece is also a step-on guide for motor coaches. She said it is usually a group from out of state or out of town that she creates activities for.
Reece planned a historical tour for Midwest farmers who wanted to learn more about what grows locally on Pine Island. She said it was about combining local flavor with history and fun.
For information about Extraordinary Eventz, call 239-282-9526 or visit www.extraordinaryeventz.com.