Hannah Smith Appointed to Director of Venues, ILEA Greater Philadelphia Programs and Education Committee
Have you met Hannah Smith?
If you’re at a party or an association event in the Philadelphia area, it’s likely you might run into her. Not only is Hannah part of our team of rockstar Business Development Managers, but as of June 25th, she’s also a Board Member of the Greater Philadelphia ILEA Chapter. Hannah was sworn in as Director of Venues on the Programs and Education Committee of the ILEA Chapter of Greater Philadelphia at last night’s 2019 Liberty Awards Party in the Park. The ceremony took place at VUE on 50, a scenic new venue set on the 50th floor of the Three Logan Square building.
“I have always known the benefit of attending ILEA meetings and events for the networking and education,” Hannah says. “Joining the board is going to allow me to take advantage of my membership even more, to continue to develop relationships with fellow industry leaders, and ultimately make more connections with Party Rental event partners. ILEA is an extremely valuable organization to be involved with for event professionals and I’m honored to have been asked to be a part of this group of board members.”
Hannah also took home the ILEA 2019 Rising Star Award, and she and fellow Business Development Manager Sandra Donahue were recognized once again when Party Rental Ltd. was awarded 2019 Sponsor of the Year.
“Our annual Liberty Awards Gala is an evening meant to recognize our members for their dedication to our association, along with showcasing their outstanding achievements in live events, ” stated Erin Crofchick, 2018-2019 ILEA Greater Philadelphia Chapter President, “ILEA is an organization that promotes their members as leaders and front runners for inspiring creativity and in setting industry standards. Each year we make it a point to highlight the companies and its members who have been true advocates for what we stand for, and we couldn’t be happier to shine the spotlight on Party Rental Ltd. for all of their contributions this year and to their amazing members, Hannah Smith (2019 Rising Star Award Winner and incoming Board Director of Venues) and Sandra Donahue!”
More on Hannah…
Hannah has been a member of the Party Rental Ltd. team for seven years. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006 with a degree in Communications and minors in Sociology, Psychology, and Italian, spending a semester abroad in Rome along the way.
NACE meeting at the Fitler Club 
With Terrain at Terrain Gardens
After college, she spent some time bartending before entering the event industry in catering sales. This eventually led her into sales management, and later venue management as one of Party Rental Ltd.’s star clients. We eventually approached her to join our Business Development team, and the rest, as they say is history.
An avid animal lover and sun worshipper, Hannah spends her free time seeing live music and spending time outdoors whenever possible. She and her fiancé are first-time homeowners and pup parents in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
What’s her secret to building successful relationships?
2019 May Meeting- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel 
With DFW Event Design at The Inn at Barley Sheaf
“When I work with my clients, I’m often thinking big-picture,” Hannah says. “It’s just as important to me that the rentals fit with their menu or decor as they fit with their timeline and floor plan.”
Building strong relationships with the other vendors is equally important to Hannah, as creating a solid event ‘ecosystem’ allows her to see the bigger picture and really help her clients elevate their experiences.
Hannah also likes to partner with her clients by getting involved in the logistical details. “When we begin the planning process, I like to really hone in on my client’s vision, often by process of elimination!”
Her latest notable project:
About The ILEA Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The International Live Events Association (ILEA) is a global community of thousands of creative event professionals whose skills, expertise and experience power some of the most influential live events around the world. The Greater Philadelphia chapter is committed to ILEA’s mission to educate, advance and promote the special events industry and its network of professionals along with related industries.
For more information visit https://www.ileaphila.com/home