Meet Jennifer Ellison | Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Ellison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, I was looking for a new challenge. For 12 years, I served as the Director of Events for Abilene Christian University. It was an exceptional experience filled with great opportunities and incredible events. But at some point, I knew I had reached the height of my career at ACU and I was growing restless. I knew it was time to take on something greater, and few challenges are greater than breaking out on your own. So, I moved to Fort Worth and started my event firm, Ellison Event Productions.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Ellison Event Productions, we focus on planning events with a purpose. We specialize in everything from large scale productions like concerts and festivals, to intimate weddings and social gatherings. We pride ourselves in being a boutique firm that allows our clients to truly customize their event. Whether it’s a production for 12,000 or a small dinner party for 12, we tailor each detail specifically to the clients needs and goals. When a client contacts EEP, they speak directly with Jennifer or a high-level coordinator. We don’t have a sales team. Clients aren’t shuffled around to multiple people before landing with their planner. Our clients receive VIP treatment at all times, no matter the size of their event.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fort Worth is such a fun city! I have truly fallen in love with it over the last five years. It has a great small-town feel, with the perks of a big city, and one of those perks is that there is always something to do! I love taking guests to the rooftop deck at Tinie’s on South Main. They have a great view and have created such a fun vibe. And their food and drinks are fantastic! In fact, there is a lot of fun to be had on South Main. New shops and boutiques are constantly popping up along Main Street and there are plenty of places to find delicious refreshments such as Nickel City, The Bearded Lady and Bodega South Main. The EEP office is right up the street, so this area feels like home.
We also like to take guests to the Northside of Fort Worth to visit the Stockyards. It’s quintessential Fort Worth. The new Drover Hotel is quickly becoming a favorite stop, but it’s hard to beat the cocktails at Side Saddle Saloon or the burgers at Hooker’s Grill. And of course, you can’t come to Fort Worth without a visit to Joe T. Garcia’s. It’s an experience all on it’s own.
One of our current favorite spots is the newly re-opened Fort Brewery. It’s a cool place to catch live music while enjoying delicious pizza and other fun snacks.
Other Fort Worth favorites:
River & Blues Festival (shameless plug for one of our productions)
Heim BBQ on the River
Live music at Rahr Brewing
Fort Worth Food & Wine Fest

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been blessed to have amazing mentors in my life. From a young age, my parents always had people in our home and they instilled a deep sense of hospitality in me and my siblings. My mother was a successful caterer which later transformed into a restaurant. Hospitality is in my DNA, so becoming an event planner came naturally. My parents also instilled a strong sense of business ethics and have always encouraged me to maintain a deep faith and moral code. Two of my greatest professional mentors came early in my career. I was fortunate to work with Amber Peck and Betsey Craig while at Abilene Christian University. Both taught me valuable lessons in leadership and how to manage a team, thinking logistically while also creatively, how to navigate workplace politics, and how to achieve a work life balance while having a personal life. Having strong female mentors early in my career helped shape me into the business owner I am today.

Website: www.ellisoneventproductions.com

Instagram: ellisoneventproductions

Facebook: Ellison Event Productions

Image Credits
File EEP1 – BJD Photography Files EEP4, 5 & EEP 7 – Crandallography File EEP 8 – Photo By Joy