Behind the Hustle: Kristen Carvalho (@kristencarvalho)

Kristen is a content and marketing aficionado with a keen key for detail and consistency. With a background in content production, she is focused on creating creative marketing pieces that inspire audiences. Speaking at events across the globe on social media and content, she is able to share her best practices on how to create content that people actually want to read and share! As Sr. Content & Social Media Manager at etouches, she develops creative strategies for the event technology company in an effort to expand global reach, online brand awareness and loyalty.

"hi, my name is..."

The world knows me as( name): Kristen Carvalho

I've also been known to respond to the names: Killer Carvalho, Kris

I am wicked good at: Finding deals - I almost never buy anything online without finding a coupon first. If you need to go shopping, I'm your girl.

Least favorite house chore: tie between taking dishes out of the dishwasher and hanging up clothes. I'm really good at getting both things dirty and cleaning them but someone can put them away.

My go-to guilty pleasure food is: Pretzels - if it is on a menu at a restaurant, bar, in a cart down the street I GET IT!

Favorite App: Instagram is so basic to say, but it really is - I've nailed down the perfect hashtags

Favorite quote: Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you know.

"The Hustle"

Job Title: Sr. Content & Social Media Manager

Professional Superpower: Finding out everything about anything. I am an expert researcher

My primary role in the events industry is: Content marketing. I create content pieces for my organization (etouches) focused on event industry best practices or marketing best practices. I am a content creator from whitepapers to blogs to social media.

Years in the events industry: 2

To me, being an event hustler means: Getting the job done at all costs. Hustlers never quit and know how to create amazing experiences, events, content and design that won't cease to amaze you.

The top 2 most surprising things I've learned about the events industry since starting are: 1. How close knit the community is. Everyone knows everyone and is willing to help you in whatever you need. I have met so many influential and great people that introduce me to other great people who are always willing to help you get to the next step. 2. That events are magic. Events are like Murphy's Law everything than can go wrong will but last minute it all just comes together.

I got my start in the events industry when: I joined etouches and was offered the opportunity to speak in London at the Meetings Show. It was my first taste of what the event industry and community is like in person and I was hooked. Everyone was engaged and ready to learn.

The top 2 pieces of advice I'd give to an aspiring planner are? 1. Find a mentor in the industry. There are so many veterans in this space that know so much and are ready to pass on their knowledge to you - don't be afraid to reach out. 2. Don't be scared to make mistakes. Everyone does and things will go wrong - but you will learn from them and like I said before somehow everything ends up working out and your attendees won't even know anything happened!

My biggest event industry pet peeve is: How we rely so much on buzz words. Just because you say something is "innovative" doesn't mean it really is.