Meet our newest Experience Design Manager, Erin Altman
We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest Destination South team member, ERIN ALTMAN, as our new Experience Design Manager!
Erin will be working alongside the Destination South Coastal team ensuring all details are carefully planned out and fully executed for a successful event. With a background spanning over a decade in restaurants to wedding planning, Erin thrives when it comes to jumping into “organized chaos” that surround events and seeing how a blank canvas can be transformed into something truly magical. We love Erin’s passion for all things Lowcountry—find out more about her in our ‘Quick Ten’ below!
DSOUTH: Hi Erin! Thanks for taking some time out of your day to chat with us. Can you tell us a little about where you are from and where you call home?
ERIN: Charleston for both. I have attempted to leave a handful of times, but just keep coming back. Why try and fix something that is not broken. 😊 Plus, both my husband’s family and my family are local Charlestonians. Not many folks can say that in Charleston these days.
DSOUTH: That’s impressive! It really is hard to find folks who are true locals to their cities. What is your education background that led to your current career in the events + meetings industry?
ERIN: I studied at Trident Technical College for their Restaurants + Tourism Management program.
DSOUTH: Did you have a different type of career before joining the Destination South team?
ERIN: I have worked in restaurants for most of my life and then transitioned into wedding planning for the last 4 years. Joining the Destination South team was a great next step in my career path in hospitality!
DSOUTH: When and how did you know that working in the event and meetings industry was what you wanted to do?
ERIN: After years in the hospitality industry on the food and beverage side of things, I knew I wanted to dive in more to the events side of things. I worked as a wedding planner for the last 4 years. My love for this industry only continues to grow.
DSOUTH: Do you have a favorite event that you’ve worked on to date (before or with Destination South)?
ERIN: I worked on a wedding in September of 2018 that was amazing. The set up for their rentals for the event was very different than anything I had done before. And the couple was so kind and grateful during their entire planning experience and it was just a seamless and beautiful event.
DSOUTH: Who has influenced you the most (in life and/or your career)?
ERIN: My father. For both my personal life as well as my career, he is someone I strive to be just like. He is not only an amazing father, brother, friend and son. But he is also hands down the hardest working man I have ever met. He continuously encourages me to work hard, be a good and honest person, and always challenge and grow as an individual in all facets of my life. I am impressed by the person he is on a daily basis.
DSOUTH: What is the one piece of advice you would share with others at the beginning of their career?
ERIN: Work hard. Never give up. Never be afraid of “new”. When you are learning you are growing.
DSOUTH: What do you love to do when you’re not working?
ERIN: Boating on the Charleston Harbor with my family and closest friends.
DSOUTH: Any pets?
ERIN: Grady Mae – She’s our sweet little black lab. (She was named Grady Mae because my husband and I met on a Grady White fishing boat 8 years ago.)
DSOUTH: Anything else you would love to have mentioned in this spotlight interview?
ERIN: I am just so grateful to be a part of this team. I have felt extremely welcomed by everyone I have met and continue to meet. I can’t wait to grow as a professional and learn something from all of you.
DSOUTH: We are so grateful to have you on our team! Thanks for joining the Destination South team—we can’t wait to watch you grow with us.
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