While weddings will always have my heart, I occasionally get the opportunity to step into the world of professional events—and I’m so excited to share a recent one that was truly special.
Earlier this month, I had the honor of serving as the event coordinator for the 64th Annual Convention of the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors (LSPS). Held at the beautiful Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, this three-day event welcomed nearly 400 land surveyors from across the state for a packed schedule of education, networking, and connection.
Even though Gatherings by HB is focused on weddings, my background is actually in professional events, expos, and conventions—so stepping into a large-scale event like this one felt a little like coming home. It’s always a joy to return to my roots and support industries and organizations that are making an impact in their fields.
The Planning
Planning a convention of this size takes time and teamwork, and I was fortunate to work closely with Liz Kearney, LSPS Executive Administrator, throughout the process. From early logistics like venue coordination and catering to pre-event details like signage, name badges, and exhibitor communication, we covered every detail to ensure a seamless experience.
Liz shared, “Hanna is amazing! Her attention to detail made everything run smoothly. I’ve run this convention with and without Hanna. The event ran a lot more smoothly having her on my team. Thank you, Hanna!”
During the event, I was on-site managing everything from registration to speaker support to on-time transitions between sessions. I also coordinated an off-site spouse event to make sure guests had a memorable experience from start to finish.
A Personal Connection
This particular convention held personal significance for me—my husband, Lee, is a Professional Land Surveyor and has attended the LSPS convention for years. Getting to play a part in an event that means so much to him (and now, to me) was incredibly meaningful.
One of the kind notes I received came from Derek Wheat, LSPS Board Member, District 6 Chair, and Owner of Land Surveying Services, LLC, who said: “Hanna has been instrumental in helping our professional society put on our yearly convention for the last two years. From day one she started with implementing small changes in our coordination, which has led to profound impacts, making our convention run smoother than ever before. I would 100% recommend Hanna to anyone needing event coordination or planning.”
Hearing feedback like that is such a rewarding part of the work I do—it makes the long hours and logistical juggling all worth it.
Collaboration at Its Best
Bringing this event to life wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the LSPS board.
“Hanna went above and beyond to ensure our event ran smoothly. She was a pleasure to work with and we will definitely be using her for future events!” — Jason Tuggle, LSPS Board Member, District 4 Chair, and LaDOTD
It’s always a joy to be part of a team that values professionalism, efficiency, and a shared vision for excellence.
Looking Ahead
While my focus with Gatherings by HB is on weddings, I have a deep appreciation—and real experience—in the professional event world. Helping bring structure, clarity, and a little creativity to conferences like this one is something I’ll always say yes to when it’s the right fit.
If you’re planning a corporate event or professional gathering in Alexandria, LA, I’d love to be part of it.
Whether it’s a conference, annual meeting, or industry expo, I bring the same energy, organization, and heart to every detail.