Kathy Hendrick - Reno Gazette-Journal

It could have been any child’s party, but this one was a party to remember. The eleven-year-old girl had received her last round of chemotherapy in her battle with cancer and the party was a celebration of her survival. Missy Green recalled this event as one of the most memorable during her 15 years as the owner and events planner of Parties To Remember, a local party planning company in Reno.

Green organized the party and arranged for face painters, magicians and clowns during her first few years in business. Attending the party were friends, classmates, and the people the girl knew from the hospital, such as nurses and attendants.

“I put so much love and passion in an event, but this event was special because the sparkle in her eyes told me it was a real party to remember,” Green said. Green has that same sparkle in her eyes when she talks about her business.

Green oversees the details involved in planning events including parties, weddings and banquets. Green works out of her office, located on 85 Keystone Ave., and she subcontracts the services of approximately 30 to 40 local businesses to help her coordinate events for clients. She works with caterers, entertainers, decorators, photographers, bakers, and florists. Green does not have employees and she is the one who takes care of the logistics involved in event planning and consults with clients.

Green plans events for a wide range of clients, locally and nationally. During the first five years of her business, Green said she coordinated “about 50 events per year.” For the past 10 years, Green said she coordinated “between 50 to 75 local events.” Since putting up her Web site about two years ago, www.partiestoremember.com, Green’s number of national clients increased.

Before using the Internet to promote her business, Green said she didn’t have many national clients, but her Web site resulted in 12 to 18 national clients per year. Clients include a senator, local businesses, and local schools.

Green started her business by organizing children’s parties and then went on to organize events, ranging from a dinner for two people at home to large sit-down dinners for 1,000 people. Green said that every event is unique and it does not matter how much money a client has because she customizes “each and every event around a budget.” Green said that her job is to take care of every detail so all people have to do is show up for their events and enjoy themselves, without having to worry. Green has been known to clean dirty windows at events held at other locations because she wants the event to be the best it can be.

“Her excitement does not escalate or decline in regards to a client’s budget, and she works equally hard on every client,” Emerald City Café Owner Debbie Zener said, who provides catering services for Parties To Remember.

Today, more than 50 percent of clients are repeat business. Most of her business comes through referrals, about 75 percent. Twenty-five percent of her business comes from her Web site and the telephone book, combined. Green’s mottoes from the beginning were, “From your first wish to your last dish,” and, “You bring the guest, we do the rest.” Green’s goal is to take the stress out of an event and maximize the fun for clients.

When Green started her business 15 years ago, she said that with the exception of the event planners at the hotels and casinos, there “really was no other company doing everything from invitations and party favors to complete event planning.” During the last 15 years, other complete event planning services have emerged in the local area, such as Rutherford’s Premiere Events & Catering in Sparks.

“I think there’s plenty of business for everyone. I don’t see a problem with saturation in the industry,” Jan Blevins, office manager and event planner at Rutherford’s said about the event planning and catering businesses locally.

Green does not look at other businesses as competition either because, she said, “we all need air to breath,” and there is room for everyone. Green started Parties To Remember in 1986 because she “loved” arranging and organizing parties while growing up.

However, the first five years in business were challenging, mainly because people “were reluctant” to hire her because she worked out of her home.

Green credits her family with providing her with the love and support she needed to make her business a reality.

“I love what I do. I can’t believe it’s been 15 years,” Green said.

Read some customer testimonials!