Team Spotlight: Carly Chinitz, Event Production Manager

Carly Chinitz is the Event Production Manager at Convene One Boston Place. Originally from Acton, Massachusetts, she moved to the city when she attended Boston University. She was almost a dance major but ended up majoring in another performance-driven subject: hospitality management.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Carly and learn about her time at Convene (two years and counting!), her love for Boston, public transport, and how she spends her time outside of work. 

Can you tell me about your career journey before coming to Convene?

I ended up in hospitality administration in college because I’ve always felt like there was a performance side to hospitality which I love. Before I graduated, I got my first full-time restaurant management role and I went head first into it. 

I eventually got promoted and handled private events for the restaurant for several years until January of 2020 when I left to open a restaurant. The restaurant opened in February of 2020 but that experience was cut short and I was laid off as many hospitality workers were due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I had a lot of time on my hands, so I started studying wine to keep my brain active. This led me to a job in wine sales on the floor in a store and hosting private tasting events. I eventually went back and opened another restaurant, which left me feeling burnt out. I wanted a lifestyle change, which led me to Convene! 

How would you describe your role at Convene?

I am an Event Production Manager at Convene, but I do a little bit of everything as I work closely with our clients to help produce their events at the Convene One Boston Place venue. I also have the opportunity to interact with a lot of other departments within the entire Convene portfolio of brands across the U.S. and U.K. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Convene?

The elevated hospitality that Convene consistently delivers is important to me, and I have some amazing coworkers who truly believe in that mission. I also love the production side which allows me to have long-term relationships with our clients as they plan their meetings or events at Convene. 

What is the coolest event you've worked on while at Convene?

When our clients opt for a full buyout and lean into transforming the space. I also love it when our partners come in and add extra elements to the pre-existing space - such as front desk branding - which is the first thing a guest sees when they enter our space. Other cool examples that I’ve seen include some clients branding the windows in The Gallery and bringing in large backdrops for The Forum. 

How has Convene supported your growth and development?

Coming to Convene, I had experience planning social events at restaurants, but I had to learn a new style of event planning. Convene focuses on corporate meetings and events, which was a whole new world for me, as it was not a focus in my previous position. Learning more about the A/V and technology we deliver for our corporate events at Convene was a big part of that.

You received a Convene WISH this year, which is a special grant the company offers to employees to pursue a personal dream or give back to the community. What was your WISH? 

I leaned into the philanthropic side of my Convene WISH and donated to an organization called the Sacred Heart Village which is a low-income senior housing facility in Wilmington, Delaware. 

In 2022 I went with my partner, who is from there, and volunteered to serve Christmas dinner. To be surrounded by people that have all sorts of struggles in their life, and to cook and serve this meal on a special holiday was so impactful. I specifically remember there was a resident who was deaf, so we looked up how to say Merry Christmas on YouTube, and the look on this man's face - who was already so thrilled to be there - was just so meaningful. I wasn't able to join in 2023 so  I wanted to donate to support the amazing work they do, since I wasn't able to be there in-person. 

What is your favorite space at Convene One Boston Place?

Definitely The Library! It’s very different from the rest of the meeting spaces and it’s obvious that it has the same impact on our clients because everytime we walk into the room someone goes“WOW!” 

What is your go-to snack and beverage combo at a Nourish bar?

When I go to Nourish, which is what we call our unlimited snack bars that all meeting attendees have access to, I’m a big sparkling water person, specifically from the tap! If I’m really treating myself I go for a La Croix but I try to avoid additional waste where possible. As for the snack, I love the Nature’s Bakery apple and oat granola bars. 

What is something that brings you joy? 

I love, and live by, the beach! People don’t really believe me when I say that because I live in Boston, but just north of the city, on the other side of the airport, is the first public beach in the United States called Revere Beach. When it's warm, I'm probably there four days a week.

You mentioned you started studying wine more intensely during the pandemic, when did that interest begin?

My mom has always had a love for wine. I remember when I was a teenager, she told me that Chianti is very important. When I got to college, I worked at a luxury resort called Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod. I learned a lot from a certified sommelier and then took my first formal wine education class in college. 

Where is the best place in Boston to drink wine?

The best place to drink wine in Boston is haley.henry on Province Street. One time, I went there for dinner and had a really magical hospitality experience where the server was so engaged and knowledgeable about their wine list but in a very approachable and casual way. We were talking about a wine producer and they got so into it that they pulled out a chair and sat down at the table with us for a minute so that we could have this conversation at eye level.

Where is the best place in Boston to have dinner?

I can’t narrow it down to one so the three best places for dinner in Boston, in my opinion, are Bar Mezzana, Moo Seaport, and Ostra. 

Convene prides ourselves for our hospitality, where else have you experienced high-class hospitality?

I was at Ostra for my birthday one year and they had printed out a special menu that said “Happy Birthday Carly” on the top. When I sat down and opened up the menu it kind of took my breath away and made me feel really special. 

Beyond the Freedom Trail, what's a hidden gem or quintessential Bostonian activity that would make a visitor say 'wow'?

If you can swing it, I think a baseball game at Fenway Park is magical and a must-do! It’s so historic and a huge landmark in the sport of baseball and you’ll have a fun time even if you don’t like the sport. 

And finally, what is your dream job?

Run the world? But in all seriousness, it has to involve hospitality. I’d love to grow and help oversee a large hospitality operation where I set up systems and oversee large groups of people. 

Convene is a premium work experience company with a network of 35+ meeting, event, and office locations across the globe, and a range of industry-leading virtual and hybrid meeting products. We're on a mission to power the best work day for today's most innovative companies and brands, through premium, hospitality-driven, tech-enabled solutions. Our passion for powering the best workdays for our clients extends to our employees as well.

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