“hi, my name is…”
The world knows me as: Maribel Rivera
I’ve also been known to respond to the names: Mari, Mar, Bella, Maribella
I am wicked good at: Putting on a great event. Problem solving. Social media including posting inspirational quotes daily. Being a beach bum. I’m also a phenomenal networker connecting with people and connecting them with others daily. I almost forgot shopping. I am wickedly good at shopping.
Least favorite house chore: Ironing. It seems to be a project and that’s why I bought a steamer.
My go-to guilty pleasure food is: Chocolate chip cookies for the win. I can eat a whole box of Chips Ahoy in one sitting.
Favorite App: Influenster, but I also like LinkedIn and am now getting into Snap Chat. It’s the face filters.
Favorite quote: Only one? I did say I am wicked good at inspirational quotes. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.” – Paulo Coelho
“The Hustle”
Job Title: Principal but I may have to borrow Chief Unicorn. Better yet just call me Chief Make-It-Happen.
Professional Superpower: Shape Shifting. In events its great to be organized and by the book but flexibility is often necessary. Shape shift to fit the needs of the event, attendees, etc.
My primary role in the events industry is: Event Management and marketing. I build it and promote it before, during and after.
Years in the events industry: 9 years.
To me, being an event hustler means: Doing everything it takes to make sure that every person in that room walks away feeling like they were special. You hustle to make that happen.
The top 2 most surprising things I’ve learned about the events industry since starting are: 1) No event is ever 100% perfect or the same even if it is a cookie cutter event. Things can go wrong; you just have to be flexible enough to plan for every possible problem. 2) Herding! It’s an invaluable skill and you become an expert at rounding up people and getting them to where they have to be.
How did you get your start in the events industry? My eagerness to learn and expand my skills got me started. I was an executive assistant and wanted to take on new responsibilities. The global marketing team tasked me to work on internal events and sales events. I took on the task and was instantly hooked. There was never a dull moment and there was always a new learning opportunity. And I think my organizational skills played a big part in me continuing to grow in the industry. It still hasn’t changed.
My biggest event industry pet peeve is: Venues that are supposed to serve hot food but it is always very cold. That is biggest pet peeve.
“No such thing as TMI”
One thing that would really surprise people to learn about me is: I have 8 sons – two of my own and 6 others that came to live with me when they were each pre-teens or early teens and now they’re all in their early 30s to early 20s and they tower over me.
You can only keep 2 albums in your entire music collection -those albums would be: Any Marc Anthony album and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller.
10yr old me thought I’d grow up to be: A lawyer. My dad told me I loved to argue a point. I also wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader.
Text or phone call? Phone call
Android or iPhone? Android is life.
Toilet paper roll – Over or under? It should always be over. I’m OCD and will walk into a bathroom and fix it if it isn’t. And if you look at the original patent submission it’s supposed be over.
Connect with Maribel:
Telephone: (347) 871-6632
SMART TECH FOR EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
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