Why the Smallest Events Often Matter the Most
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, host Jorge Lopez sits down with Bobby Fader, Director of Catering at La Valencia Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California, to explore a decades-long career built on work ethic, relationships, and genuine care for people. Bobby shares his journey from starting as a dishwasher at age 13 to leading one of Southern California’s most iconic boutique hotel catering programs. The conversation dives into what truly makes events successful, from personal connection and listening to clients to mentoring teams, navigating staffing...
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The New Standard for Luxury Events Isn’t What You Think
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, host Jorge Lopez welcomes Annette Zeller, Director of Catering and Conference Services at 1 Hotel West Hollywood, for a deep dive into the realities of hospitality, luxury events, and the psychology behind high-expectation clients. Annette shares her journey through some of the most iconic luxury hotel brands, including Park Hyatt, Beverly Hills Hotel, Four Seasons, and Beverly Hilton, and how those experiences shaped her approach to service, creativity, and problem-solving. She offers an inside look at what makes 1 Hotel unique,...
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Why Leaders Should Stop Running Their Own Events
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, host Jorge Lopez sits down with Brenda Biggers, a seasoned administrative leader at Setpoint Medical, to explore the realities of planning internal corporate events inside a fast-paced, highly technical organization. Brenda shares her journey into event planning, not through a traditional events background, but through organization, adaptability, and trust earned over time. From leadership offsites and milestone celebrations to company picnics and themed events, she walks through how thoughtful planning, leadership buy-in,...
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The Hidden Reason Some Events Sell Out, and Others Don’t
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary Creativity doesn’t come from chasing the newest platform or piling on more tools; it comes from listening. In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, Jorge Lopez sits down with Josh Weaver, a marketing leader whose career spans Zappos, Exploding Kittens, Amazon-owned brands, and experiential campaigns that connect deeply with audiences. While Josh doesn’t come from the traditional events world, his perspective offers a powerful reset for event professionals feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or pressured to constantly “out-create” expectations. Together,...
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Why Repeating a “Successful” Event Is a Dangerous Move
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, Jorge Lopez sits down with Dan Reback, Event Strategist for the West Coast and Mountain States at Jewish National Fund USA, to explore what it really takes to design events that deliver meaningful ROI. Dan oversees more than 150 events annually across five states, blending strategy, creativity, and hands-on execution to ensure events aren’t just polished productions, but purposeful experiences. He shares why “strategy” isn’t a buzzword, how ROI goes far beyond dollars raised, and why staying boots-on-the-ground is...
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Secrets to Crafting Seamless Events for High-Stakes Clients
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Jorge Lopez speaks with Brooke Erickson of K&L Gates, where she leads sophisticated, high-touch client experiences for one of the world’s largest law firms. Brooke shares how she designs bespoke events ranging from zoo buyouts to multi-day destination programs, all built around relationship-building and strategic engagement. She breaks down the psychology of attendee types, the importance of airtight logistics, and the planning frameworks she uses to create seamless, memorable experiences for high-level corporate clients. Key Takeaways Successful events...
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Secrets from a Veteran Who Has Worked Three Super Bowls
The Events Solutions Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Jorge Lopez sits down with hospitality veteran Susan Avery, who brings more than 35 years of hotel and event expertise from Marriott’s flagship property, the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. Susan shares insights from her work on major citywide events, including three Super Bowls, the 1996 Republican National Convention, and large medical and scientific conferences. She breaks down what it truly takes to manage high-pressure, multi-stakeholder events where hotels, cities, vendors, and national organizations must operate as one team. Key Takeaways ...
info_outlineEpisode Summary
In this episode of The Event Solutions Podcast, host Jorge Lopez sits down with Bobby Fader, Director of Catering at La Valencia Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California, to explore a decades-long career built on work ethic, relationships, and genuine care for people.
Bobby shares his journey from starting as a dishwasher at age 13 to leading one of Southern California’s most iconic boutique hotel catering programs. The conversation dives into what truly makes events successful, from personal connection and listening to clients to mentoring teams, navigating staffing challenges, and maintaining perspective under pressure.
Through candid stories, Bobby reveals the realities behind catering costs, the unseen labor that powers events, and why smaller, more personal gatherings often require more attention than large-scale productions. He also shares a powerful real-world crisis moment—when a wedding lost power, and how calm leadership, strong community relationships, and collaboration turned a potential disaster into a success.
At its core, this episode is about people: how you treat them, how you listen to them, and how relationships, more than any checklist, are the true backbone of the event industry.
Key Takeaways
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Work ethic starts early. Early hands-on experience builds responsibility, discipline, and respect for the craft.
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Small events can be harder than large ones. Intimate gatherings often involve first-time hosts who need guidance, reassurance, and structure.
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Catering costs go far beyond food. Labor, preparation, utilities, insurance, and staffing all factor into pricing.
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Listening is a competitive advantage. Understanding who the client is and what truly matters to them creates trust and better outcomes.
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Voice-to-voice communication matters. Phone calls and real conversations often solve issues faster than emails or texts.
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Mentorship means letting people grow, even if they leave. Developing talent and celebrating their success strengthens your leadership and reputation.
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Calm leadership solves crises. When things go wrong, breathing, pausing, and focusing on solutions keep teams grounded.
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Relationships save events. Strong community connections and vendor relationships can turn impossible situations into wins.
Guest Bio: Bobby Fader
Bobby Fader is the Director of Catering at La Valencia Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California, a historic boutique hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
With over 30 years of experience in catering and hospitality, and a career that began at age 13, Bobby has worked across restaurants, private clubs, hotels, and event-driven properties. His expertise spans social and corporate events, with a deep passion for weddings and highly personal celebrations.
Known for his people-first leadership style, Bobby is respected throughout the Southern California hospitality community for his mentorship, calm problem-solving, and commitment to treating clients, vendors, and team members with genuine respect.