DINEvent is proud to be celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month! Time has flown but we are so proud of all of our accomplishments to date. Since 2010, DINEvent has been at the forefront of the site selection process for thousands of corporate events across the world! DINEvent Premium takes DINEvent's signature venue sourcing to the next level by flawlessly delivering full-service event management and on-site support. We are also delighted to brag about our incredible Associate and Dining Partners and look forward to hitting the gas pedal hard with them in our 10th year!
We asked DINEvent’s Founder & CEO, Amanda Lange, to reflect on her last 10 years in business. Read all about what Amanda had to say below!
How was DINEvent started?
I was working as the Director of Business for Parasole Restaurants in the Twin Cities - which has 7 restaurants, all with private dining. One of my clients requested private dining in St. Paul for 50 people, but the space was already booked so I referred him to a competitor. I was disappointed that I was not only unable to assist my client with his event but worse yet, Parasole was losing out on that revenue! That’s when I had the idea… what if I worked with all of the restaurants that offer private dining? I could book my clients at not just the 7 restaurants I represented, but many others, thus creating a one-stop shopping for my customers! I quit my job two weeks later.
Which of DINEvent’s milestones are you most proud of?
The biggest game-changer for us was when we partnered with HelmsBriscoe in 2011. One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is solving the distribution issue. Partnering with HelmsBriscoe created a huge distribution channel. It was a natural partnership. Given they book corporate events at hotels, why not offer event dining procurement too!? I often say, “They sell burgers, we sell fries”!
Which aspects of owning a business have been the most rewarding and the most challenging?
By far, the most rewarding aspect of owning a business is working with the most amazing group of women I could have ever imagined. My team is (was LOL) so talented, kind, smart, caring and driven. I love watching them grow as professionals as well as individuals. Similarly, unfortunately, we are living amongst the most challenging time. The same group of people whom I have enjoyed working closely with are now laid off due to the impact the Coronavirus Pandemic has had on the event industry. Laying off my team was by far the hardest thing I have had to do as a business owner.
How have you seen the sourcing/event industry change in the last decade?
As would be expected, the biggest change I’ve seen in the event industry is the advances in technology. Gather, EventUp! and Cvent have made it exponentially easier for people like us to find venues, procure the necessary information and choose a location for our events.
What are DINEvent’s goals for the future?
I am really looking forward to what’s in store for our future as a company and as a team, once we have weathered this storm. Covid has shown all of us the importance of togetherness. Once we get through this “season”, I think we will be busier than ever. People have an innate desire to be together and events allows us to come together, laugh, break bread and celebrate – something we are all desperately in need of now.
