These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to brittany.trevick@tigeroak.com.
Nick Redd was recently hired as COO for NOAH’S Event Venue.
1. What are you looking forward to in your new role as COO at NOAH’S Event Venue?
NOAH’S is known for driving change and raising the standard of event venues nationwide, and I am excited to be a part of that. We’ve never been concerned with how other venues are doing things and because of that, we’re changing the way that people host meetings and events. I am looking forward to implementing new ideas and continuing to drive change both at NOAH’S and in the industry. It’s refreshing and exciting to work for a company where new ideas are embraced. At the end of the day, if an idea gives our clients more options, makes their lives easier or makes their events more successful, then we do it.
2. How do you think your past industry experience has prepared you for this role?
I have a marketing and graphic design background. I think that has given me an eye for events but also for the overall look of the business from the website to our marketing materials to the actual aesthetics in each of our buildings. I’ve worked at NOAH’S for 10 years. I’ve seen the company grow from a single building in Utah to 37 buildings nationwide and counting. I feel like being a part of such a rapidly growing company has prepared me for the unprecedented growth that we’re projecting for the next decade.
3. What goals do you have in mind for the corporation for this year and further down the line?
NOAH’S is going to continue to grow and our goal is to become a household name and a trusted brand nationwide. We are also excited to announce that NOAH’S recently launched a linen rental company, NOAH’S Linens and a brand-new startup called EMZARA. EMZARA is going to be the Airbnb or the Uber of the event industry and it will pair up brides with unique private properties where they can host their weddings. But as we grow, it’s important that we keep a laser focus on our simple objective: to provide world-class events and world-class customer service.
4. How did you get into the industry?
I met Bil Bowser, the founder and CEO of NOAH’S Event Venue, back in 2005. Because of my graphic design background, I was contracted to create consistent branding, develop the logo and create their website even before the first venue opened. After working as a contractor for about six months, I was hired as a full-time employee the following year just before NOAH’S really took off. Neither Bil nor I come from an event background, and I think that’s become a really important part of our story as a company. Because we aren’t industry insiders, we see everything from the perspective of our customers—the businessmen and women, the couples getting married, the guests at these events—and we make all of our business decisions through that lens. We also don’t feel any pressure to do things the way that they’ve always been done in the industry (like requiring in-house catering or charging for audiovisual equipment).
5. What do you enjoy most about the events industry?
I enjoy the events and the people. This industry is about bringing people together, whether it’s a group of people meeting to further their business or to celebrate a big life event, at the end of the day, it’s about people coming together. We feel honored to be even a small part of that.
