Best Corporate Event Planners in San Diego

San Diego Corporate Event Planners & Corporate Event Planning Services

San Diego isn’t just sunshine and surf—it’s one of the most quietly influential business ecosystems in the U.S. From biotech and life sciences in Torrey Pines, to defense and aerospace near Point Loma, to fast-scaling tech, hospitality, and remote-first companies across San Diego, Chula Vista, and Carlsbad, the region runs on people. And wherever people work, Human Resources leaders are shaping culture in real time.

Corporate events here aren’t just parties. They’re retention strategies, employer-brand statements, change-management tools, and sometimes the glue holding distributed teams together. HR professionals across the San Diego metro area increasingly rely on high-trust, highly capable event partners to help them onboard talent, reinforce values, celebrate milestones, and reconnect teams after seasons of growth or disruption.

At Digital Reference, we spend a lot of time thinking about how people show up at work—and how trust is built, documented, and shared. Our work around modern professional references, radical transparency, and human-centered storytelling naturally overlaps with the world of corporate events. Events are moments where culture becomes visible.

To support this ecosystem, we’ve curated a list of San Diego–area corporate event planners who consistently stand out—not because they’re flashy, but because they’re thoughtful, reliable, and deeply attuned to how HR teams actually operate.

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🏄 Our Methodology - How We Built This List of San Diego Corporate Event Planners

This is not a rankings list—and it’s definitely not pay-to-play.

Every consultant featured here went through a research-heavy evaluation process that included:

• Deep reviews of LinkedIn profiles, career paths, and leadership narratives
• Analysis of company websites, service offerings, and positioning
• Cross-checking for local San Diego presence and credibility
• Evaluating how each professional supports HR, People Ops, and internal stakeholders, not just marketing teams
• Looking for alignment with Digital Reference values: authenticity, clarity, accountability, and people-first design

Some of these professionals are solo operators, some are co-owners, and others lead established firms—but all of them operate with a level of care and intentionality that HR teams notice immediately.

Below, you’ll find in-depth spotlights on each professional. We encourage you to explore their work directly and understand what makes each one uniquely effective in a people-driven organization.

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🌟 Meet the Best San Diego Corporate Event Planners

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🔶 Michael Esposito

Founder & Managing Partner at Julep Venue

Michael Esposito brings a rare blend of venue strategy, operational rigor, and human-centric hospitality to San Diego’s corporate event landscape. As Founder and Managing Partner of Julep Venue, Michael operates at the intersection of space design and employee experience—a sweet spot for HR leaders tasked with creating meaningful, inclusive gatherings.

Rather than treating venues as static backdrops, Michael approaches space as a strategic lever. His work reflects a deep understanding of how physical environments influence behavior, engagement, and psychological safety—concepts HR teams increasingly prioritize.

What stands out most is Michael’s ability to collaborate seamlessly with internal stakeholders. HR leaders working with Julep Venue often describe the experience as “calm,” “predictable,” and “solution-oriented”—three traits that matter enormously when events are tied to executive messaging or sensitive organizational moments.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Expertise in corporate offsites, leadership retreats, and internal celebrations

🟢 Strong operational systems that reduce HR admin burden

🟢 Thoughtful venue layouts that encourage connection, not just attendance

🟢 A hospitality-first mindset grounded in professionalism and trust

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🔶 Stephanie VandenBerg

Co-Owner & Event Planner at Events Inspired

Stephanie VandenBerg is the kind of planner HR teams quietly hope to find: organized, emotionally intelligent, and deeply invested in outcomes—not just aesthetics. As Co-Owner of Events Inspired, Stephanie has carved out a reputation for delivering corporate and social events that feel intentional and culturally aligned.

Her background and leadership style make her especially effective with People & Culture teams navigating growth, mergers, or evolving workforce expectations. Stephanie understands that events often carry emotional weight—whether it’s welcoming new hires, honoring long-tenured employees, or reinforcing values during change.

Stephanie’s approach is collaborative by design. She listens carefully to internal constraints, timelines, and sensitivities, making her a trusted extension of HR rather than an external vendor.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Deep experience with HR-led corporate social events

🟢 Strong emphasis on inclusivity and employee comfort

🟢 Clear communication and proactive planning

🟢 Events that reinforce—not distract from—company culture

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🔶 Cara North

Owner & Lead Designer at Luxe Events

Cara North brings design sophistication with operational discipline, a balance that’s surprisingly rare. As Owner and Lead Designer at Luxe Events, Cara is known for translating abstract cultural goals into tangible, beautifully executed experiences.

For HR teams, Cara’s value lies in her ability to interpret brand and values—not just logos and color palettes. She understands how visual environments impact belonging, pride, and morale, especially during milestone events.

Cara’s leadership style is confident but grounded. She sets clear expectations, respects internal approval processes, and consistently delivers on her commitments.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 High-touch design without losing sight of logistics

🟢 Excellent partner for employer-branding initiatives

🟢 Strong alignment with DEI-aware event planning

🟢 Trusted by teams that want polish and purpose

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🔶 John Grindle

Founder & Chief Purveyor of Fun and Games at Grin Events

John Grindle has built his entire brand around a deceptively serious mission: helping teams reconnect. Through Grin Events, John specializes in team-building experiences that feel genuinely fun while still serving clear organizational goals.

HR professionals appreciate John because he understands that engagement isn’t accidental—it’s designed. His virtual and hybrid offerings are particularly valuable for San Diego companies managing remote or distributed workforces.

John’s facilitation style is inclusive, energetic, and respectful of diverse personalities—something HR teams are acutely aware of when planning group activities.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Expertise in virtual and hybrid team-building

🟢 Activities designed with psychological safety in mind

🟢 Ideal for onboarding, re-engagement, and morale boosts

🟢 A refreshingly human approach to “corporate fun”

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🔶 Shannon McQuade

Co-Owner at SD Event Production LLC

Shannon McQuade represents the operational backbone of successful corporate events. As Co-Owner of SD Event Production, Shannon brings structure, scalability, and executional excellence to complex programs.

HR leaders often turn to Shannon when stakes are high—multi-day conferences, executive gatherings, or events involving multiple departments. Her calm, systems-driven approach makes her a stabilizing presence.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Strong project management and production oversight

🟢 Excellent for large-scale corporate programs

🟢 Clear timelines, budgets, and accountability

🟢 Trusted by HR teams managing executive visibility

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🔶 Doris Goodson

Owner & Event Producer at San Diego Events Company

Doris Goodson brings decades of perspective and a relationship-driven philosophy to her work. As Owner of San Diego Events Company, Doris is known for her steady leadership and deep understanding of stakeholder dynamics.

HR teams value Doris for her discretion and professionalism—especially when events intersect with sensitive organizational narratives.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Longstanding San Diego market expertise

🟢 Strong vendor and venue relationships

🟢 Trusted partner for leadership-level events

🟢 Calm, experienced, and people-first

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🔶 Thomas Bui

CEO & Creative Director at Thomas Bui Lifestyle, Wedding and Event Designer

Thomas Bui approaches corporate events with the eye of a storyteller. His work emphasizes emotional resonance, making him an excellent partner for HR initiatives tied to recognition, culture, and belonging.

Thomas’s designs often feel elevated yet personal—ideal for organizations that want their internal events to feel genuinely meaningful.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Strong narrative-driven design

🟢 Elevated experiences without corporate stiffness

🟢 Excellent for recognition and culture-building events

🟢 A creative partner HR teams trust

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🔶 Jessica Jensen

Owner & Creative Director of Events at My Right Hand Events

Jessica Jensen lives up to her company’s name. As Owner of My Right Hand Events, she operates as a true extension of internal teams—anticipating needs, solving problems, and keeping things moving.

HR leaders appreciate Jessica’s adaptability and reliability, especially in fast-paced environments.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Highly responsive and detail-oriented

🟢 Excellent at supporting HR timelines

🟢 Calm under pressure

🟢 A true operational partner

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🔶 Leila Oberdorfer

Founder & Lead Planner at BRILLIANT EVENT DESIGN

Leila Oberdorfer brings intentionality to every layer of planning. Her work reflects a strong understanding of experience design as culture design.

HR teams working with Leila often cite her listening skills and strategic thinking as key differentiators.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Thoughtful, values-aligned planning

🟢 Strong collaboration with People teams

🟢 Design rooted in experience, not ego

🟢 Ideal for culture-forward organizations

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🔶 Elizabeth Agia

Owner at EA Events, Inc

Elizabeth Agia is known across San Diego for her structured, dependable approach to corporate event planning, making her a strong fit for Human Resources and People Operations teams. As Owner of EA Events, Inc., she supports organizations that need events to reflect leadership priorities while delivering a polished, employee-centered experience.

HR leaders value Elizabeth for her clear communication, operational discipline, and ability to manage timelines and vendors with confidence. Whether planning internal celebrations or executive-facing programs, she brings consistency, professionalism, and calm to every engagement.

✨ Highlights:

🟢 Strong planning frameworks

🟢 Reliable execution across formats

🟢 Clear communication with stakeholders

🟢 Trusted by growing organizations

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Why This Matters—and Why Digital Reference Exists

San Diego’s HR leaders are shaping the future of work every day. The consultants on this list support that mission by creating moments that build trust, reinforce values, and make culture visible.

At Digital Reference, we believe people deserve better systems for telling their professional stories—through modern references, video testimonials, and transparent signals of credibility. Just like great events, great references make work more human.

👇 If you’re building people-first teams—or supporting the professionals who do—we invite you to explore how Digital Reference helps organizations document trust at scale:

• Best Executive Recruiters in San Diego
• Best HR Consultants in San Diego
• Best Corporate Event Planners in San Francisco
• Best Corporate Event Planners in Los Angeles‍

Because culture doesn’t live in slides—it lives in moments, relationships, and the people who make them happen.