Team Introductions: Meet Marketing & Customer Success Whiz Claire
Claire Morrison joins the Kennedy Events team from one of the most exotic locations yet. While the rest of the team is dispersed around the U.S., Claire is currently based in Florence, Italy. She’s a Bay Area native but moved overseas to pursue her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Though positioned abroad, her heart still remains tethered to home, and working for Kennedy Events allows her to maintain ties back to her California roots.
KE: What’s your favorite event?
Claire Morrison: As a marketing person, I’m new to the event industry, but I received my Master’s degree from Polimoda in Florence, Italy in Creative Direction. During my studies, we had one module focused on exhibition installations. My favorite project from this course was a brand activation that was designed to take place in Carraia, where the marble for all the historic statues such as the David are carved from. While the exhibition could not take place in the marble caves due to COVID, it provided the perfect opportunity to bring my vision to life using 3D rendering techniques. I’m excited to bring these skills to a KE event in the future!
What’s one thing that surprised you about working for KE?
The core values are truly embedded in the company culture, the processes, and the people. I’ve never been a part of a team that lives and breathes its values the way KE does. Clarity rang through from the get-go. From day one, I was oriented around KE-specific processes and given a clear path outlining success in my role. Kennedy Events does everything possible to communicate clear expectations and set its team and clients up for success.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My career has taken me in many different directions but I’ve always been drawn to marketing. To me, it's just another aspect of storytelling; figuring out how people connect to an idea, spinning that into an engaging and compelling story then developing the processes, programs, and other pieces you need based around that story to make people take action.
This role enticed me due to its highly cross-functional and dynamic nature. I’ve only ever been a part of small teams and it’s fulfilling for me to see the impact I have and know that I’m making a difference. I’ve always thrived in small business culture, and hands-on jobs and this role has given me the opportunity to continue to learn and expand my skillset.
I’m also deeply passionate about small, agile teams. I’ve always believed that a hands-on approach fosters better learning and greater contribution to the business as the responsibilities are more diverse. This likely stems from dad, who’s started multiple small businesses over his career.
What are the five tools you can’t live without?
Asana. This project management system holds me accountable, keeps me organized, and helps me prioritize tasks.
Personal Planner. If I don’t schedule out my personal to-do’s, they won’t get done. Laundry is written in bold font, starred, and circled.
Nespresso Machine. I am fueled by caffeine. My partner Marco and I have every flavor available in Nespresso capsules and are likely consuming way too much caffeine every day.
White Noise Machine. I focus best in complete silence, so my white noise machine helps cancel out the cacophony of church bells in Florence and noises from the nearby train station so that I can focus.
Google’s Time Zone Calendar Setting. This keeps my Google calendar in sync with the KE team. Without it, being nine hours ahead of our home base can get rather confusing.
Where do you find inspiration?
Travel, art, culture, design, experiences, people. I’m most inspired when I’m engaging with life and appreciating all the little details. Outside of work, I love to paint. Photography is also a favorite pastime of mine. If you’ve ever been on my Instagram page you’ll find I’m inspired by color, the people I hold close to my heart, and destinations.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Peru has been on my list from the very beginning. I’ve spent so much time in Europe and Africa but I haven’t had the chance to explore South America. The Alpacas in Peru and the Rainbow Mountain are at the top of my list as soon as travel becomes saner.
What’s your favorite after-hours activity?
Exploring Florence and beyond. No matter how many years I’ve lived here, I always manage to stumble across a new gem or kindle a new friendship with a barista, restaurant owner, or artist. I feel the most at-home in myself when I’m exploring and the wonderful part of Italy is I can hop a train and be in a new city in a matter of minutes.
What’s your typical weekend activity?
I love making flower arrangements. I don’t have a green thumb, but my dried flower bouquets bring me so much joy! I’ve befriended an elderly Italian woman on a small sidestreet in Florence and no weekend is complete without stopping in her shop. She reminds me of my Nonna so I feel closer to home when I spend time with her and she teaches me about all the different types of plants in her shop. When Marco has a weekend off from work, we love to bop around the city, stop at our favorite restaurant in Florence for gnocchi, porchetta, and the fullest glass of wine you can imagine then wander the streets. This city will always hold so much magic for me.
What’s your comfort food?
My palette definitely changes based on the place I’m in. In Italy, there’s a gelato flavor in Puglia called Palle di Mozart. It literally means balls of Mozart, but it’s made of Marzipan and chocolate and deliciousness and it’s the only thing I want when I’m feeling sad, stressed, or overwhelmed….or just hot from the summer sun. Back home in the Bay Area, I can’t pass up a burrito from Gracias Madre. It is on the list every time I return home.
Excited to Learn More About What the KE Team Can Bring to Your Event?
The team at Kennedy Events excels at incorporating opportunities to delight at every stage of the event planning process. With a clear roadmap to event success, we champion our knowledge, resources, and connections to ensure your event goes off without a hitch or a glitch. Whether you’re planning a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event our event experts are here to guide you. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with us today.
MAGGIE KENNEDY
Maggie Kennedy is the co-owner of Kennedy Events is a large-scale event management company based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. Our team creates stress-free conferences and events with a positive impact, which allows our clients to resonate with their audience. Kennedy Events specializes in producing flawless product launches, award ceremonies, fundraisers, and multi-day conferences while keeping our eye on retention and engagement goals.
About Kennedy Events
Kennedy Events began with one goal in mind—to produce high-level corporate events with just as much strategy as style. Maggie founded the company in 2000, found her match in Paige, and in 2011 the two became official partners. Since then, these two resourceful and brilliant creatives have pooled their strengths to build one one of the most the most sought after corporate event companies in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
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