“I have worked on events of all scales from intimate occasions for 25 people to 3-day festivals and concerts for 3000+ people, all around Lake Tahoe and California to out of state events for Fortune 500 companies.”
As the Events Coordinator for South of North Brewing Co. and Tahoe Investment Capital & Stewardship, Chelsea Grabham-Mader uses her diverse event experience to help grow and excel the company’s venues in South Lake Tahoe. Spending the last 5 1/2 years in the event world, Chelsea hopes to see the event industry spring back safely post COVID-19.
Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, Chelsea Grabham-Mader!
Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?
Being in the professional event industry for the last 5 1/2 yrs, I’m used to planning and running all aspects of events, big and small, from weddings & corporate events to concerts, festivals & fundraisers. I have worked on events of all scales from intimate occasions for 25 people to 3-day festivals and concerts for 3000+ people, all around Lake Tahoe and California to out of state events for Fortune 500 companies. In the spring of 2020, I made the decision to accept a position with South of North Brewing Co. and Tahoe Investment Capital & Stewardship, in an effort to settle into a local venue and use my expertise in the event industry to help grow and excel the amazing South Lake Tahoe venues Tahoe Investment Capital & Stewardship has to offer, including South of North Brewing Co., Ten Crows BBQ, Beach House, Community Speakeasy and more.
What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?
In 2019 I was fortunate to work on some very exciting events, including Barton Health’s 1st PINK Heavenly (an on-mountain fundraiser to help locals with cancer support services), two large multi-day festivals at Northstar California (the Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival and the Autumn Food & Wine Festival), as well as getting the opportunity to plan and execute multiple out of state events for Google. Unfortunately, COVID threw a wrench into the event world for 2020, but I am hopeful the event industry will be able to come back strong in 2021!
Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?
“Lead by example” – Which starts with keeping a positive mindset and environment, and having patience. However, I also understand that we are all human and everyone makes mistakes. Most of the on the job lessons I’ve learned are due to someone’s mistake; my own, a client’s, a guest’s, or a vendor’s. Remembering and learning from them and using it to excel your performance the next time is what is important. I think this goes for personal life experience as well!
Who is your role model?
I have many… my parents, my husband, my brother, my best friends, prior bosses and colleagues, but if I had to choose one it would be my 94yr old grandmother. Coming to America with her parents and two siblings at 4yrs old during the Great Depression, living through and losing friends in WWII, to thriving in the real estate industry as an adult, and having and growing an amazing family of 7 kids, 14 grandkids, and 10 great-grandkids.
Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?
Tahoe is and always will be home. Growing up in South Lake Tahoe, spending summers on the lake and in the woods, winters at Kirkwood, and snow days in Christmas Valley you don’t really realize how incredible that kind of upbringing is until you move away for awhile. When I left for college, traveled and then started a career in Interior Design, I never intended to come back to Tahoe for good, yet roots are strong and deep down inside I always knew there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?
Having come from a pretty demanding job previously, my time was spread thin and finding a work/life balance is very important. However, I love to volunteer when I have the opportunities to do so and hope to be able to find more once things have settled back down. I was previously a member of TWIG (Tahoe Wedding Industry Group) and NACE (NaAon Association for Catering and Events) in my last position, and also feel honored to have been involved in many community events and fundraisers, including Barton Health’s PINK Heavenly and the City of South Lake Tahoe’s 50th Birthday.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
When the weather’s good, I love hiking our various secret river spots with my husband and our two dogs, hiking, camping, or cooking up all the yummy garden goodies my husband grows! When the weather’s bad, you’ll find us at Sierra at Tahoe!
Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds?
Depends on the day, the hour and the time of year, too many favorites to list just a few! However, these days you can find me mostly in Hope Valley away from the crowds.