Her Story
About Kimberly
Kimberly Snelson is a hospitality and events professional whose career has been built on creating memorable experiences and meaningful relationships. As a Wedding and Special Events Manager at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, she oversees every stage of the event journey, from initial inquiries and venue tours to detailed planning and flawless day-of execution. Known for her energy, positivity, and client-centered approach, Kimberly has earned a reputation as a trusted “dream maker” who helps couples and organizations bring their visions to life while delivering exceptional customer service and attention to detail.
With more than seven years of experience in hospitality, Kimberly’s career reflects a steady rise through hard work, adaptability, and a passion for people. After relocating from Illinois to Florida, she began her hospitality career as a breakfast attendant and quickly advanced into management and administrative leadership roles before stepping into weddings and special events. Her responsibilities today include managing contracts, leading wedding tastings, coordinating food and beverage selections, designing event layouts, collaborating with vendors, and overseeing events across Sandestin’s expansive resort property. Prior to hospitality, Kimberly also worked as a preschool teacher, youth minister, and licensed cosmetologist, experiences that strengthened her communication skills, creativity, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
At the heart of Kimberly’s work is a commitment to authenticity, kindness, and relationship building. She believes that every person has a story worth hearing and approaches each client interaction with empathy, professionalism, and care. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes trust, active listening, and creating experiences that make people feel valued and supported throughout life’s most important moments. In recognition of her impact and dedication to the wedding industry, Kimberly was honored by Scarlet Magazine as Wedding Planner/Woman of the Year for 2026, a reflection of both her professional excellence and her passion for serving others through hospitality.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to great, great leaders. I have a great team that I work with at Sandestin that trust me, that encourage me to make sure I have the tools that I need. We just had a GM that has recently quit, but he was my biggest cheerleader. I loved him, loved him. But yeah, just I have had some great directors and leadership that has really helped me grow my career.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge, I think, especially where I live, is there's a lot of competition, so it's not just a one-stop-all. Brides come in and they have many, many choices on where they host their event, their wedding events. So capturing that and earning that, earning their business, earning their trust, selling the property, selling myself to get them to choose the resort to host the event, but in a way I feel like they're choosing me also, because it takes a lot of trust to let somebody help plan your wedding. You also have the challenge of only doing what you can do. I work for a resort, so my hands are tied by some things. You want to make everybody's dream come true, and so I can only do what the resort will allow. So that's also, you know, just wishing I can make everything happen that everybody wants to happen.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are people-first service, active listening, relationship-building, and making others feel secure, cared for, and genuinely valued.
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