A Closer Look: Angela Caraway

By Libby Hoppe

Angela Caraway is a busy person. As president of her own planning firm, TCMG Inc., she organizes five events every year, the largest one being an education conference for 350 attendees that includes breakouts, general sessions, receptions, a philanthropic event and vendor trade show. She’s planned events all over the country, and we wanted to find out more about her favorite destinations, the resources she trusts and how she got into this business.

What are your favorite destinations? Destin, Fla., because of the friendly people and its beautiful white beaches; Chicago for its architecture; New Orleans for the food; Atlanta because of its culture, food and entertainment; and Cancun, Mexico, for its beautiful sunsets, food and Mayan history.

Do you use volunteers for your events? Yes, I love using volunteers. We reach out to the local community colleges and universities as well as utilize volunteermatch.org.

What’s your favorite planning resource? Other planners. I appreciate learning new things from my peers and trying new approaches to my sometimes outdated routine. I also utilize the online resource MeetingsCommunity (MeCo).

How do you stay informed on the industry? I subscribe to and read many industry digital and printed publications and participate in several online webinars and conferences. I am a member of National Association of Women Business Owners, MPI-Carolinas Chapter, Christian Meetings and Conventions Association and Senior Planners Industry Network.

Did you always want to be a meeting planner? At first, I wanted to be a marketer and focus on product launches. I was going to travel the world promoting a Fortune 500 company’s products within various venues. Little did I know, I was thinking like a planner.

How did you get into meeting planning? I worked as a front desk clerk at a local hotel while I was in college and I noticed that we bent over backwards for this one particular lady when she had her meetings at the hotel. So, I asked her what she did and she changed my path from marketer to meeting planner. I began my pursuit to become a planner by working on a local conference and then moved to Maryland and worked for several nonprofits within their events departments.

What’s your best advice for fellow planners? You must be comfortable with change. A change to your program can happen one week before the event or one minute before the event begins. You must be able to handle it with grace under fire. If you cannot adjust to the idea that there will be changes all the time, maybe this is not the career for you.

In Caraway’s words:

When I’m planning events…
I always visualize the event from the attendee’s point of view.
I can’t live without a massage and a pedicure. We all know being a planner is hard on your feet. As soon as I return home from the conference, I am at the spa and nail salon. Oh, and my lip gloss!
I communicate with my mother, daily.
I most miss salespeople being genuine and truly appreciating your business, from the signing of the contract to the event payment.
I am most inspired by the people that implement my details—the convention service managers and staff. They become an extension of my team and show me that I’m in their “house” and they are going to take care of me, my client and the attendees.
I learn the most from my grandmother. She taught me that even if you don’t have a high school diploma, you can always learn. Things change all the time in this industry and if I am not willing to adapt to new technology and other changes, my business and my professional growth would suffer.
My favorite music is tough to choose as I appreciate R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul, rock and jazz. I love Mary J. Blige, U2, Adele, Jill Scott, Lady Antebellum, Anthony Hamilton, Kem and Boney James.
My favorite book is the Bible and books by James Patterson.
My favorite movies are “The Color Purple” and “The Notebook.”