Her Story
About Genevieve
Genevieve Scarlett serves as event manager for Realm Cellars, a winery based in Napa, California. In this role for the past three years, she plans winery dinners and member events both at the winery and at locations across the country. With almost 20 years of experience as an event planner, Genevieve began her career in events and marketing at Mandalay Bay, where she worked for nearly eight years. She later moved to Napa and spent six years at Artessa winery handling corporate events and wine club events. Genevieve earned a degree in hospitality and event management from Cal State East Bay. She brings a deep hospitality heart to her work, finding joy in creating magic moments that make guests feel special and seeing their eyes light up upon entering an event. Her career has included events ranging from intimate gatherings of four to large-scale productions for thousands, always emphasizing meticulous planning, vendor management, and creative concepts.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Genevieve
01What do you attribute your success to?
I just really feel lucky that I got to do what I love for a living. I don't listen to so many people in life who feel like their job is a job, and for me, mine actually sparks joy and brings life to me, so I feel very passionate that I get to do what I love every day, and so I think that's what drives me to want to do such a good job at it. And then also, I thought, like, because I just have a hospitality heart, and I went to school for hospitality, I've always been in hospitality, but I really think some people are born with that, and some people aren't. I've always been this way. I've always liked hosting. When I was a little girl, I always wanted to have tea parties and be the host, and so I think it's so special to make people feel special. Like, to create magic moments for other people and, like, see the joy when they walk into an event, and, like, the way that their eyes light up is just so much fun. And so that's really where the drive comes from. It's making other people feel special.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice would be to get an internship, if they can, in the field to see if it's something that they truly passionate about because you have to actually love it and have the passion because 16-hour days from sunup to sundown, from start to finish to production, and it is so rewarding, and there are amazing programs now. I have a degree in hospitality and event management from Cal State East Bay. I know UNLV has a really good event program, and I believe Cornell has one as well, so I would recommend looking into colleges that offer it. And it can take you really far. It's really as much as you can dream. You can world doing events. You can plan events all over the country, or you can just plan events in your hometown town.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Events are very challenging and very hard, and it can be a very stressful job. But that's what makes it so rewarding, is because they're all so different. Each event, you can never assume it's gonna be easy, even if it's a small event. Sometimes those are the most challenging. So, I've done an event for thousands of people, and I've done an event for four people. Equally. You still have to get a caterer, you still have to make a menu, you still have to come up with a concept, like, it's doesn't matter. They're all the same amount of work, which is funny.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I just have a hospitality heart... I think it's so special to make people feel special. Like, to create magic moments for other people and, like, see the joy when they walk into an event, and, like, the way that their eyes light up is just so much fun.
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