Question 1

Who is CCEN for?

Accepted Answer

CCEN stands for Central Coast Event Network. We’re a community of passionate, talented event professionals across California’s Central Coast—coming together to connect, collaborate, and elevate the local event industry.

CCEN is for anyone who helps make events happen! That includes planners, florists, photographers, DJs, venues, rental companies, caterers, stationers, beauty pros, calligraphers—you name it. If you work in events or weddings on the Central Coast, you belong here.

Question 2

Who made CCEN? Who is it run by?

Accepted Answer

CCEN (Central Coast Event Network) was co-founded by Vanessa Grossman of That One Photobooth and Vanessa Rae Media, and Krissy Arnal of Events by Krissy. Both are passionate Central Coast event professionals who saw a need for genuine connection, collaboration, and support within the local industry—and decided to do something about it.

Today, CCEN is proudly run by a volunteer committee made up of local event pros who pour their time, heart, and creativity into building this incredible community. We’re not a business. We’re not a nonprofit. We’re simply a grassroots network fueled by passion, purpose, and a deep love for the work we all do.

Want to get involved or support the mission? Reach out to us at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com—we’d love to connect.

Question 3

What’s the purpose of CCEN?

Accepted Answer

Our mission is to build a supportive, inclusive network where local event pros can share resources, grow professionally, and form real connections. We believe collaboration is better than competition—and we’re here to help everyone rise together.

Question 4

Is CCEN just for wedding vendors?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! While weddings are a big part of our community, we also welcome professionals who specialize in corporate events, social gatherings, nonprofit events, and more. If you’re in the business of creating meaningful moments, you’re in the right place.

Question 5

Is there a formal membership or sign-up process?

Accepted Answer

Nope—there’s no formal membership process or dues. If you're an event professional based on the Central Coast, you’re already part of the community!

To get involved, just:
 📅 Visit the Calendar on our website and RSVP to an upcoming mixer or event
 🌟 Want to be a Vendor Spotlight? Head over to our Spotlights page and submit an application

That’s it! Show up, connect, and be part of the movement to support and uplift our local event industry.

Question 6

How do I contact CCEN?

Accepted Answer

For Spotlighting, you can submit an application via our website form, or email us at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com

Question 7

Why is CCEN free to attend?

Accepted Answer

CCEN is free to attend because it's built on community over competition. Our goal is to create a space where Central Coast event professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow—without cost being a barrier.

We don’t charge for attendance because we believe that real relationships, referrals, and support should be accessible to every event pro, no matter their business size or budget.

CCEN is run entirely by volunteers, and our events are made possible thanks to the generosity of our Vendor Spotlights and host venues, who donate their time, talent, and services to bring each mixer to life. Their investment is what makes this community thrive—and why we can keep it free for attendees.

If you find value in what CCEN offers, the best way to give back is to show up, support your fellow vendors, collaborate, and spread the word!

Question 8

How can I stay involved with CCEN?

Accepted Answer

We love that you want to stay connected—this community thrives because of people like you! Here are some easy ways to stay involved:

🎉 Attend our mixers and events
 Show up, connect, and build relationships with fellow event pros. Your presence matters!

📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
 Stay in the loop on upcoming events, recaps, Vendor Spotlights, and industry inspiration. (Tag us so we can share your wins too!)

🙋‍♀️ Volunteer with our CCEN Committee
 Want to help plan events or support behind the scenes? We’re always looking for passionate, reliable volunteers.

📣 Spread the word
 Know a planner, DJ, florist, or other pro who should be part of this community? Invite them to join!

🌟 Apply to be a Vendor Spotlight
 Showcase your talent, gain visibility, and contribute to making each mixer an unforgettable experience.

CCEN is built by and for the local event industry—and the more involved you are, the more you’ll get out of it!

Question 9

Can I volunteer with CCEN?

Accepted Answer

Yes—we’d love to have you! CCEN is completely volunteer-run, and we’re always looking for passionate, reliable individuals who want to support our mission and help keep this community thriving.

Most of our volunteer tasks revolve around:
 💻 Social media + content scheduling
 📧 Email communication + inbox management
 🗂️ Google Suite organization (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.)
 🌐 Wix website updates
 📆 Event planning + coordination
 🤝 Excellent customer service + communication skills

We value teamwork, consistency, clear communication, and meeting deadlines to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

If you're tech-savvy, well-connected in the industry, and love working as part of a purpose-driven team—we want to hear from you!

Reach out to ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com and let us know your strengths and how you’d like to contribute.

Question 10

How can I share feedback about a mixer?

Accepted Answer

We’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps us improve and continue creating valuable experiences for our community.

Send your thoughts, suggestions, or ideas to us anytime at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com. Whether it’s something you loved or something we could do better—we’re all ears.

FAQs