We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” by Charles R. Swindoll has been my favorite quote for as long as I can remember. When faced with challenges, this quote has reminded me that the way I respond to a situation is what matters most. It has been applicable throughout many stages of my life both personally and professionally. Much like events, life can be full of ups and downs, and when we are down, getting back up is up to us. We must react positively to falling by getting back up even if that means potentially falling again. Most events experience unexpected changes and it is up to Event Planners, like myself, to provide a positive, solution-oriented response to create the best possible experience for attendees.

Despite how the pandemic has impacted the event industry, I have maintained a future-forward mindset and earned the CMP designation to prepare myself for when our industry fully recovers. I have learned first hand that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how to react to it so I plan on continuing to do just that!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
It is incredible to believe that nearly fifteen years ago I decided to pursue a career in the event industry. I am one of the few lucky individuals who have always known what/who they wanted to be. Not many people’s career dreams come true and we are not always good at what interests us. I have established a well-rounded career in the event industry. I started planning events at a young age but truly began to develop my event management skills with an event planning and design firm in Washington, DC, where I managed innovative social and corporate events. After gaining this experience, I learned about the hard work it takes to provide five-star service in a luxury hotel. I have had the opportunity to strengthen my hospitality and event sales skills with luxury hotels, including the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Additionally, I have planned various service projects for corporations in the Los Angeles area as the Special Event Coordinator for L.A. Works. I have also recently fulfilled a life-long dream of owning an event planning business, Anna Mitchell Events.

Anna Mitchell Events specializes in creating welcoming events, designed around people. Our goal is to make each event a creative reflection of its hosts. We tailor our events based on what’s most important to our clients. Throughout the entire planning process, we practice integrity, dependability, and trust. We focus on attention to detail, professionalism, and engagement while being approachable and helpful. We bring a seasoned eye, unique skill-set, and industry connections to the table. We are professionally educated and experienced in various wedding-industry backgrounds—ranging from in-house event planning at luxury hotels to event planning and design firms. We love what we do and have fun doing it!
I have worked in hospitality and events for my entire career. I am a city girl with a big heart and lots of experience with weddings, both domestic and international. My hospitable nature allows me to make meaningful connections with my clients and design events that are truly a reflection of them by understanding their needs. It is my goal to bring our clients and their guests together by creating experiences that make them never want to leave. I have learned that every successful event is a result of excellent teamwork and communication. It is important to act with humility and prioritize the attendee experience to deliver the best experience. And without a doubt, always go the extra mile!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday 5:00 PM – Arrive in LA
7:00 PM – Dinner at Cassell’s Hamburgers
11:00 PM – Movie at Rooftop Cinema Club El Segundo

Tuesday
8:00 AM – Quick Breakfast at Home
9:00 AM – Remote Work Day
6:45 PM – Sunset Beach Cycle in Santa Monica
8:30 PM – Dinner at The Rose Venice

Wednesday
7:00 AM – Quick Breakfast at Urth Cafe DTLA
9:00 AM – Remote Work Day
6:00 PM – Dinner at Grand Central Market
8:00 PM – Drinks at Mignon Wine Bar

Thursday
7:00 AM – Hike up to Griffith Observatory
8:00 AM – Quick Breakfast at Trails Cafe
9:00 AM – Remote Work Day
6:00 PM – Dinner at Quarters Korean BBQ
8:00 PM – Drinks at Escala

Friday
8:00 AM – Quick Breakfast at Grand Central Market
9:00 AM – Remote Work Day
6:00 PM – Dinner at Spire 73
9:00 PM – Drinks at Seven Grand

Saturday
8:00 AM – Quick Breakfast at Great White in Venice
10:00 AM – Beach Sound Bath
12:00 PM – Lunch at Sunset Restaurant Malibu
3:00 PM – Walk Along El Matador Beach
7:00 PM – Dinner at Carbon Beach Club Restaurant

Sunday
9:30 AM – Browse The Original Flower Market
11:00 AM – Brunch at Perch
1:00 PM – Outdoor Pottery Class at Still Life Studio
3:00 PM – Shopping at ROW DTLA
7:00 PM – Dinner at Wood & Vine in Hollywood
9:30 PM – Comedy Show & Drinks at Chocolate Sundae at The Laugh Factory

Monday
1:00 PM – Return Home

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Psi Tau Chapter played a huge role in my life during my time at Howard University. With the encouragement of my fraternity Brothers, I started my first event planning internship. During this internship, I learned a wealth of knowledge about planning weddings & events. Several individuals have had an impact on my career in the hospitality industry. From Kimpton to Four Seasons to Omni, my village of hospitality mentors have continued to help me along the way.

Website: www.annamitchellevents.com

Instagram: @annamitchellevents

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalynnmitchell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anna-Mitchell-Events-102643187845630/

Image Credits
ChristianeFe Photography

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