38 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca JENNIFER PARKHILL, founder and CEOof Parkhill Events by Richard Woodbury CM&E:How did you get into the business? JENNIFER:I started in the hotel industry when I was in university, and I fell in love with it and the hospitality industry. My first summer job coming out of high school was in housekeeping and the following year I went into waitressing, restaurant and banquet sales, so the banquet aspect of what I did has been very helpful in what I do today in understanding venues and understanding the staff. You have to understand the logistics that are involved. I also did some internal control stuff for the hotel and ended up being an event manager. I took a five-, six-year hiatus while I started my family and went back into event management, sales. And when I left, I was Director of Catering for two properties. CM&E:What did you love about the industry that you knew this is where you wanted to spend your career? JENNIFER:A couple things. It’s never the same day twice. Predominantly, the people you are working with are happy — it’s the hospitality industry. They’re like- minded and looking to provide a great experience for guests, so it’s pretty upbeat. CM&E:Why did you decide to hang your own shingle? JENNIFER:I decided to go out on my own to be able to have the flexibility to work for myself and work from home because I had three young boys. I adapted what I liked and what I knew and decided I would start Parkhill Events.