How to launch EventCheck Knox? With a party!

Thank you to Maria Cornelius of Moxley Carmichael for writing this guest post for the Blue Streak. This also was posted on EventCheck Knox. -Cynthia Moxley 

Cynthia Moxley introduces EventCheck Knox.

EventCheck Knox officially launched with – what else – a party!

Cynthia Moxley, CEO of Moxley Carmichael, addressed the party-goers, along with Natalie Haslam, to officially unveil the website and explain the purpose and necessity of EventCheck Knox.

Haslam entertained the attendees with her account of how Knoxville has evolved from a town with little to do when she was in college at the University of Tennessee to one in which every week seems to bring worthwhile events.

It was Haslam’s idea to start a calendar specifically for planners – though she will not take any credit – so that events would be much less likely to overlap, especially when planners were seeking to attract the same audiences.

With sponsorship from Moxley Carmichael and Pilot Flying J, the site quietly launched this summer, and the response from event planners has been overwhelmingly positive. The intent is to help planners prevent overlap of similar events by not having to sort through every event on multipurpose community calendars to try to pick a date. EventCheck Knox focuses on galas, dinners and fundraisers, particularly for nonprofits.

From left, Mary Bogert, general manager of the Knoxville Convention Center; Natalie and Jim Haslam; Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville; and Phyllis Nichols, president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League.

The calendar extends well into the next year, as event dates are confirmed, so planners will have an efficient way to check for an event that could conflict with theirs.

“While the site is open to view, and we expect members of the public to check it for noteworthy events they would like to attend, the calendar is not an overall community one,” Moxley told attendees.

“It is there to help you. That niche was missing for event planners, and EventCheck Knox aims to fill it.”

Nearly 100 people involved in local event planning from development to venue selection gathered Aug. 26 at the Knoxville Convention Center, a co-sponsor of the party with Moxley Carmichael, to enjoy delicious food and drink, listen to an EventCheck Knox presentation, learn how to make submissions and chat with Moxley Carmichael staff members about the website.

Mary Bogert, the general manager of the Convention Center, also spoke at the event about the website and welcomed attendees to the facility. It was an engaging evening, and we thank everyone for engaging with EventCheck Knox!

Kailey Kritch, Erica Coffey and Sharon Moore, all of the Knoxville Zoo.

Natalie Haslam speaks at the launch party. Cynthia Moxley is at right.

Lauren Miller of Moxley Carmichael demonstrates the site to Ryan Parker, assistant program director for the Wesley House. Maria Cornelius of Moxley Carmichael is in the background discussing the site with another attendee.

From left, Le’Sean Stewart of the Knoxville Area Urban League; Danielle Velez of Knoxville Botanical Garden and Aboretum; and Cherel Henderson of the East Tennessee Historical Society.

John McCulley of Moxley Carmichael demonstrates the site for Phyllis Nichols.

The food was delightful. Chef Chris Moore planned the menu to feature local and seasonal selections. These are caprese skewers garnished with the Convention Center’s garden lemon basil.

Benton’s bacon pimento cheese crostini.

Seared scallop martinis with Riverplains Farm hickory cane grits and house-made spicy pepper jelly.

Individual peach cobblers were delightful.

Pilot founder Jim Haslam, center, talks to Bill Lyons, deputy to the mayor of Knoxville, in the Rotunda of the Knoxville Convention Center.

The beautiful view looking up in the Rotunda.

From left, Amanda Brummerstedt and Lisa Hurst of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley; and Kim Severance of the March of Dimes and husband Chuck Severance.

The centerpieces, done by Samuel Franklin, were beautiful.

As guests departed, they picked up “Look Before you Book” glasses and calendar cookies made by Yummy Cakes & More.