Planner Perspectives

Learn from our community of event industry experts.

16 Years of Event Planning Hard-Knocks: Lessons from Five Grain Events

June 16, 2026

Joan Cinquegrani turned a non-profit side gig into a 16-year Chicago event planning agency. Here's what she's learned about assumptions, pivots, client trust, and why saving your event timeline as your phone wallpaper will change your life.

Real Stories from Events

Planner Perspective

16 Years of Event Planning Hard-Knocks: Lessons from Five Grain Events

Planner Perspective

What 13 Years in Corporate Events Actually Teaches You (If You're Paying Attention)

Planner Perspective

The Art of the Pivot: How a DMC Senior Sales Manager Turns Chaos into Confidence

Planner Perspective

How to Build an Event Agency That Clients Never Want to Leave

Planner Perspective

Four Cruise Ships, a Fake Bar, and 70 Countries: Event Planning Lessons From Someone Who’s Seen Everything

Planner Perspective

From Country Clubs to Corporate Boardrooms: Event Planning Tips from Kristen Hawley, CMP

Planner Perspective

Event Planning vs. Event Managing: Hard-Won Lessons From 40 Years in the Industry

Planner Perspective

Event Planning Secrets From a Boutique Agency Owner Who's Seen It All

Planner Perspective

7 Event Planning Lessons From a Planner Who Once Staged a Rooftop Elephant

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