There’s a new addition to the Destination South Meetings + Events team, it’s KRISTEN MCFARLAND! With a business and marketing background, and a passion for events, we couldn’t be more excited to have Kristen join the team in the role of Sales + Marketing Coordinator. This week Kristen took some time to chat and answer questions that our team was most curious to know. We love the energy that Kristen brings to the team, and her inspiring insights – enjoy getting to know more about her in this ‘Quick Ten’ interview!

DSOUTH:  Welcome to the team Kristen! We’re so happy to have you join the team, and can’t wait to learn more about you. Let’s start with, where did you grow up and is there any interesting history in your family?
KRISTEN:  I feel as though I bore people when I tell them that I was born and raised in Georgia, but I’m proud to be a Georgia peach! There’s so much to do and see, and Georgia is the epitome of southern hospitality. As for my family history, my great great great great great great great great great grandfather is Patrick Henry,”Give me liberty, or give me death!”

DSOUTH:  What was your education path that led you to your career in the events industry?
KRISTEN:  When you’re just starting college, it’s hard to know exactly what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. I received my business degree because I knew it would open a lot of doors for me. Towards the last two years of college, I discovered that I had the creative gene and figured out I could use that to my advantage when choosing a career. While keeping my business degree, I took as many marketing classes as I could to gain education and experience in the marketing world.

DSOUTH:  If you hadn’t chosen a career in meetings and events what do you think you’d be doing?
KRISTEN:  My career would still have to involve me being creative, like Interior Design.

DSOUTH:  What do you like best about being a part of the meetings and events community?
KRISTEN:  I love the quick pace of the events industry. It always involves meeting new people, seeing new places, and creating a beautiful, memorable experience.

DSOUTH:  What is one piece of advice you would share with others beginning their career in this industry?
KRISTEN:  Although I did marketing in my last job, I’m technically new to the event industry myself. This has been a dream of mine for a very long time and I hope to one day be in a position where I can help plan and decorate all kinds of events.

DSOUTH:  What is something you think people would be surprised to learn about you?
KRISTEN:  I love working with my hands and building things in the shop. I also love working with power tools!

DSOUTH:  When not working, where are some of your favorite places to travel to?
KRISTEN:  One of them is Chattanooga, TN because there’s so much to do in the city and then just 5 miles away, you can go hiking in the mountains. The other is Charlottesville, VA because there’s so much history there and it’s where my entire family is from.

DSOUTH:  When not traveling, what are some of your favorite things to do in Atlanta?
KRISTEN:  My absolute favorite thing to do is ride bikes on the Atlanta Beltline. I also love food, so I like trying new restaurants in trendy areas of Atlanta.

DSOUTH:  What are your favorite things to do when you have time off?
KRISTEN:  When it’s nice outside, I love to go hiking and exploring new places in Georgia. When I don’t feel like going out anywhere, I’m usually at home working on my crafts and hobbies.

DSOUTH:  We’re curious, if you could share a meal with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
KRISTEN:  I love the scene from Woody Allen’s movie, Midnight in Paris, where the main character time travels to Paris in the 1920’s and finds himself in the same room as Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. Imagine having that many creative geniuses in one room and the amazing conversations you would have!