Staff Spotlight: Michele Miller

Q: What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you in the industry over the years?

A: What first drew me to hospitality was an internship with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine while I was in college. Through that experience, I was introduced to one of Boston's premier wedding planners, Linda Matzkin, and became an intern with Hopple Popple. She taught me everything about the industry, from what she called "soup to nuts" planning, where clients could come to us for every aspect of their event. That experience gave me a strong foundation in luxury hospitality and showed me how rewarding it is to create a seamless experience where clients know every detail is taken care of.

What has kept me in the industry is that no two events are ever the same. Even with repeat clients, every event brings new goals, new challenges, and new creative opportunities. Seeing everything come together after months of planning is what continues to excite me year after year.

Q: What experiences have most shaped your career in events, and what continues to excite you about the industry today?

A: Some of the most rewarding experiences range from intimate ones, like helping a family celebrate an 80th birthday, to large-scale productions and unique opportunities, such as helping Brown University set a Guinness World Record by stuffing backpacks during Staff Development Day. Bringing an entire community together to make history while supporting a great cause was an experience I'll never forget. 

What continues to excite me about the industry is that there is always something new to learn. Every event presents a new opportunity to learn, whether it's developing a complex production schedule, managing countless moving pieces, or designing an experience from the ground up. Those are the projects that have pushed me to grow the most, while also adding to my toolbox and better preparing me for whatever comes next.

Q: What stood out to you about Corinthian Events, and what are you looking forward to with this next chapter?

A: What stood out to me about Corinthian Events was its longstanding reputation in Boston and throughout New England, along with its true boots-on-the-ground approach. Our team doesn't just know the region, we know the people, the venues, the hidden gems, and the trusted partners who make exceptional experiences possible. We know what's new, what's worth recommending, and where to turn when a client is looking for something truly unique.

What I'm looking forward to most in this next chapter is being part of such a talented and experienced team. While I bring years of experience of my own, I'm excited that every client I work with will also benefit from the collective knowledge and creativity of the entire Corinthian team. 

Q: What’s something about you that might surprise people?

A: I had a pretty extensive softball career growing up, and was also a competitive cheerleader! Those two activities seem like complete opposites, but together they taught me a lot about teamwork, discipline, and balancing strength with creativity.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant or activity in Newport?

A: If I'm in Newport, you'll rarely find me in just one place. It's such a walkable, picturesque town that the best way to experience it is by exploring. If I had to recommend one activity, it would be renting one of Newport's iconic Scoot Coupes from Scooter World. They're tiny, street-legal cars that are perfect for sightseeing!

Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given, event-related or not?

A: The best piece of advice I've ever been given is: Never assume. It's a lesson I learned early in my career, and it's one that's stayed with me ever since. If I'm unsure about something, I always ask, because I've learned that assumptions create mistakes, while communication creates successful events.

Q: Can you share a favorite or most memorable moment from your events career so far?

A: I've been fortunate to have quite a few memorable moments throughout my career, but two stand out. Early on, I had the opportunity to help plan a Sweet 16 celebration for the daughter of a Boston Red Sox player. It was one of those events that made me realize just how exciting and rewarding this industry could be.

Another favorite memory was working with comedian Seth Meyers during a corporate event. Having the opportunity to interact with someone of his caliber behind the scenes was a unique experience and one I'll always remember. It's moments like these, mixed in with all the incredible clients and events over the years, that have made this career so much fun.

Q: Are there any event trends or design approaches you’d love to see more of this year?

A: I'd love to see lighting become one of the first priorities when designing an event. Great lighting has the power to completely transform a space and shape the way guests experience an event. It's one of the most impactful design elements, yet it's often underestimated!

Q: Outside of work hours, what is something you enjoy doing?

A: Outside of work, my favorite place to be is with my four boys. It may sound like a typical mom answer, but it's the truth. Whether we're running around together, spending time with friends, or just hanging out, seeing them happy is what makes me happiest. If I do find a little time for myself, you'll probably find me soaking up the sun while listening to music.

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