Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Bahr.
Hi Linda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Linda serves as the owner and founder of Raising the Bahr Events.
I always had a love for planning events. Family events, school events, wherever there was a need to create, I raised my hand. At my place of employment, I volunteered to be a part of the social committee. I became more involved with each and every event until I was asked to lead the committee for all the events that took place. That was the beginning of a career that I fell in love with. A corporate planner for a public accounting firm I managed the Midwest Region for meetings and events. I was responsible for the design, planning and execution of meetings and events creating unique experiences for both staff and client. I enjoy the challenge of transforming a vision into reality and ensuring that each event exceeds clients expectations and creates memorable experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A corporate planner for 18+ years, I loved my job and all that it entailed. COVID changed it all as face to face events were non-existent in the corporate world. I did transition to the virtual & hybrid side of the event planning, but it did not provide the same fulfillment as live events. I made the decision to “try something new” and left the role I knew so well along with all the great people I worked for. It was scary going from a corporate role to self employment. You had to make your own itineraries everyday along with all the personal management of insurance and perks that were always provided as an employee. I reached out to all those relationships I had established over the years letting people know I was on my own and looking for opportunities. I also helped a friend get her business off the ground. I was busy and soon my phone was ringing asking if I could assist with events. It took approximately 9 months to get a steady flow of events. As I continued to be more and more busy, I decided to create “Raising the Bahr Events”. I used this name when I did a project to obtain my certification for Meeting Management and thought it would be a great play on words since I always love to “raise the bar”.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Over the past decade, I have planned and executed hundreds of events ranging from small, intimate gatherings to large-scale holiday parties, corporate and nonprofit galas, networking dinners, team-building events, conferences, seminars, and social functions. As any seasoned planner knows, success lies in the tireless energy and attention to detail required to bring every component together seamlessly.
I am deeply passionate about the events industry and take great pride in the strong relationships I’ve built and nurtured over the years—relationships that are instrumental to the success of every event. Trust and collaboration are key when working with teams and vendors, and I value the accountability that comes with my role. If I don’t have the answer, I will go above and beyond to find it.
One of my proudest achievements is the wide variety of successful events I’ve been responsible for over the years. In addition to my professional work, I am also committed to giving back through several volunteer organizations that I actively support.
Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Leadership Development for the Michigan Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), where I continue to grow professionally while supporting and mentoring others in the industry. I also serve as a “Distinguished Clown” in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade which is one of my favorite mornings of the year.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Network, Network, Network! Join professional organizations and get involved! Get as much knowledge as you can – knowledge is power – Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://raisingthebahrevents.com/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lindabahreventprofessional
