FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

Our mixers are full-on event experiences, not business expos or tabling events. We don’t set up rows of tables or canopies for handing out flyers. Instead, we let the work speak for itself—live, immersive, and in action. Each mixer is brought to life by our incredible Vendor Spotlights, who do what they do best, just like they would at a real wedding, party, or corporate event. 📸 Photographers capture content. 🍴 Caterers serve delicious bites. 🎧 DJs set the vibe. 🌸 Florists decorate the space. 📷 Photo booths capture memories. 🎈 Decor and rental pros create photo-worthy installations. It’s a chance for each vendor to showcase their talent—not just talk about it. Every Vendor Spotlight also gets a 1-minute elevator pitch to introduce themselves and share what they offer. These mixers are all about: 🤝 Real connections 💬 Business networking 💡 Creative collaboration 🎉 Good vibes + good people And yes—there are door prizes! Whether you’re there to showcase or just mingle, this is where the Central Coast event community comes together, supports each other, and has a great time doing it.

Our mixers are completely free for event industry professionals who work on the Central Coast. It’s our way of building community, no strings attached. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, you’re welcome to come connect and mingle!

Visit the Upcoming Events on our website's Calendar page and click on RSVP. You will need to Signup to be a member on our website before you can RSVP. If you have already previously signed up, you will need to Login to RSVP.

f your plans change, no problem! Here’s how to update your RSVP: To cancel your RSVP: Log in to our website and RSVP again, selecting “Not Going.” To add guests: Log in and RSVP again, this time selecting the number of guests you’ll be bringing and fill in their first and last names. Alternatively, if you’d prefer us to make the update for you, just email us at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com and we’ll take care of it.

Please only RSVP “yes” if you genuinely plan to attend. Our Vendor Spotlights invest a lot of time, products, and services to create an incredible experience—and attendance matters. If your plans change, we totally understand! Just update your RSVP via our website or email us at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com as soon as possible. While our events are free, we ask that you treat them with the same level of respect and professionalism you would any business networking event. Consistent no-shows may result in being declined for future attendance so we can prioritize reliable, engaged community members. Your RSVP is your commitment—and we’re so excited to see you there!

Our mixers are for event industry professionals only. Please do not bring clients, non-industry friends, family members, or children. These mixers are not venue open houses or social gatherings—they are professional networking events created specifically to connect and elevate our local event community. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing guests who are not part of the industry, so everyone can stay focused on meaningful conversations, building business relationships, and supporting the incredible work of our Vendor Spotlights. As for kiddos—while we love them, these mixers are not the place. If your child isn’t able to network on behalf of your business, it’s best to enjoy the evening solo, soak up the full experience, and give your fellow vendors your undivided attention.

No. Our mixers and Vendor Spotlights are reserved exclusively for event industry professionals. Since our events are designed to showcase real services in action (like you’d see at a wedding or event), it’s important that all spotlight participants are directly involved in the event industry. That said, there are plenty of amazing networking opportunities out there for other types of businesses! We highly recommend checking out: 🤝 Central Coast Connection Club – @centralcoastconnectionclub 🌐 Alignable Alliance of Central Coast, CA – www.alignable.com/groups/alignable-alliance-of-central-coast-ca 🏛️ Your local Chamber of Commerce We appreciate your interest and hope you find a group that’s a perfect fit for your business!

No. Our mixers are exclusively for event industry professionals. Because our Vendor Spotlights are generously donating their time, products, and services to create a true event experience, we want to honor that investment by keeping the focus on what these mixers are meant to be: a business networking opportunity for industry peers. Opening the event to the general public would shift the purpose and put too much demand on our spotlight vendors. These mixers are intentionally designed as a space for connection, collaboration, and support within our local event community. If you know someone in the industry who would benefit from attending, we’d love to meet them! But for friends, family, or clients outside the industry, we ask that they sit this one out.

We aim to host mixers on the odd months of the year (January, March, May, etc.) on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Mixers rotate across various venues along the Central Coast to include as many local pros as possible. You’ll find us in places like San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and surrounding areas.

✔️ Business cards or flyers – You’ll be meeting lots of fellow event pros, so come prepared to share your info as you mix and mingle. 📱 Your phone (and IG handle!) – We encourage everyone to follow each other on social media and build up those digital connections too. 🎁 A door prize (optional, but awesome) – If you bring a prize to contribute to our giveaway, you’ll earn a 30-second spotlight at the end of the mixer to introduce yourself and share what you do. Most importantly, bring good vibes, an open mind, and a willingness to connect—this is where real relationships in our industry are made.

Not officially—but keep in mind, this is a professional networking event. We recommend arriving camera-ready or dressed to impress, whatever that looks like for your brand. We often have photographers, videographers, and content creators in attendance capturing the event, so there's a good chance your image could appear in CCEN content—or in posts by fellow vendors showcasing the mixer. Whether your style is chic and polished or creative and bold, show up as your best professional self—you never know who you'll meet or what content might come from the night!

Yes—we’d love that! If you're a bookable event venue (for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, showers, etc.), you’re eligible to host a CCEN mixer. Hosting gives you the opportunity to showcase your space to local event professionals in a real-event setting, build vendor relationships, and gain exposure through our community and social platforms. Interested in hosting? Apply on our Spotlight page.

Yes, please! We love working with venues and vendors who want to showcase their space or services. Vendor Spotlights are available for food, drink, decor, swag, and more. Review our Spotlights page for more information and to submit an Application to be a Vendor (or Venue) Spotlight.

To be a Vendor Spotlight, you must have: ✅ A current and valid business license ✅ Active business insurance Many of the venues we partner with require a Certificate of Insurance (COI), and for the safety of our guests, hosts, and vendors, we require all spotlight vendors to be licensed and insured. We believe in spotlighting legitimate, professional businesses—and having these protections in place is a key part of that. Not licensed or insured yet? No problem! We highly encourage you to take that step, and we’re happy to help. Reach out to us at ccen@centralcoasteventnetwork.com and we’ll point you to trusted resources to get you started.

As a Vendor Spotlight, you're helping bring the magic to life at our mixers! Whether you're showcasing your space, creating a vibe, feeding the crowd, or capturing the moment—we welcome your unique contribution. Here are some ideas by category to guide your donation: 🏛️ Venue / Space Host the event at your location Provide tables, chairs, and in-house rentals if available Offer a tour of your space or a special promo for attending vendors 📸 Photographer / Videographer Capture the event with candid photos and/or video Deliver a highlight gallery for CCEN and fellow vendors to use Share your content on social and tag collaborators 📷 Photo Booth / 360 Booth / Content Booth Set up your booth for guest use during the event Provide digital or printed photo keepsakes Customize the backdrop or overlays with CCEN branding 🍽️ Caterer / Food Truck / Private Chef Provide passed apps, tasting bites, or a snack spread Set up a display that shows off your culinary style Offer a special dish or menu item that reflects your brand 🧁 Dessert Artist / Baker Share mini cupcakes, cookies, dessert shooters, or a treat bar Bring branded sweets with your logo or style Offer take-home goodies for vendor guests 🥂 Bar Service / Beverage Cart / Mobile Bar Serve signature cocktails, mocktails, or wine tastings Provide glassware, garnishes, or custom drink menus Set up your mobile bar or display cart 💐 Florist Design centerpieces, entry arrangements, or bar florals Create an Instagram-worthy floral moment or install Collaborate with balloon or rental vendors on a feature space 🎈 Balloon Artist / Installations Provide a fun pop of decor with a balloon arch or wall Coordinate colors with the venue or CCEN branding Pair with florals or signage for an elevated look 🛋️ Rentals / Decor Company Provide lounge furniture, backdrops, signage, or tablescape pieces Showcase trending or seasonal inventory Set up a small styled vignette or “brand moment” 🎤 DJ / Live Musician / Entertainment Play background music, emcee the evening, or provide live tunes Share your setup and mix style Highlight interactive entertainment offerings 💄 Hair & Makeup Artist Offer quick touch-ups Do a glam demo on a live model Have models walk around that had their hair and makeup done by you 🖋️ Calligrapher / Stationer / Signage Designer Create welcome signage, drink menus, or name tags Customize a takeaway or keepsake for attendees 🪩 Event Planner / Coordinator / Designer Help plan or style the layout and flow of the event Create a mood board or concept for the event design Oversee event setup, transitions, and vendor coordination 🕯️ Candle / Favor / Gifting Company Provide candles, gift bags, or favors for attendees Set up a “make & take” station Offer a giveaway 🧺 Picnic Setup / Mobile Lounge Experience Set up a small styled picnic area or photo moment Showcase what a client experience would look like Collaborate with other vendors for a complete look 👗 Bridal / Formalwear / Fashion Have a model wear a gown, suit, or accessories Provide fashion sketches or lookbooks as takeaways No matter what your specialty is, your contribution helps make each mixer a unique and memorable experience for our community. We see you, we value you, and we make sure attendees do too!

Being a Vendor Spotlight is an incredible opportunity to showcase your talent, build visibility, and create genuine connections within the Central Coast event community. Here’s what you’ll receive: ✨ Live Demo of Your Work You get to do what you do best—live, in action. Whether you're a caterer, florist, DJ, or photographer, attendees get to experience your work just like they would at a real event. 📣 One-Minute Elevator Pitch You’ll be given the mic for a dedicated 60-second spotlight to introduce your business, share your services, and connect with fellow pros. 📸 Professional Photos/Videos of Your Work We often have photographers and or videographers on site capturing the event, including your setup and services. You’ll receive content to use in your portfolio or social channels—and we’ll tag you in ours too! 💻 Social Media & Website Features You’ll be featured in CCEN’s social media promotions, tagged in recap posts, and listed on our Vendor Referrals page on the website. As long as you attend at least one CCEN event every 12 months, you’ll remain listed for as long as CCEN exists. 🏛️ Venue Relationship-Building You’ll have the opportunity to form a direct connection with the host venue—an invaluable chance to get on their radar for future referrals and bookings. 🤝 Networking & Industry Exposure You’ll meet and mingle with a wide range of local event professionals—potential collaborators, referral partners, and friends who truly get what you do. 🎁 Gratitude & Recognition CCEN events are only possible because of vendors like you. Your contribution makes a lasting impact, and we make sure to celebrate and acknowledge your role in bringing the event to life.

No. CCEN is not a business or a nonprofit—we’re a community-driven network run entirely by volunteers who pour countless hours into making these mixers and connections possible. We don’t make any money from our events. Instead, we rely on the generosity of our Venues and Vendor Spotlights who invest their time, talent, products, and services to help bring our events to life. That said, we absolutely believe in giving back to our Vendor Spotlights! We offer meaningful perks like social media features, recognition at the event, a listing on our Vendor Referrals page on our website, and the opportunity to showcase your work to a room full of fellow industry pros.

There’s no set fee—the investment is entirely up to you. We ask that you contribute what feels right for your business, reflects your brand, and aligns with what you're able to give. Whether that’s a product, service, experience, or monetary donation, we appreciate your support in making our events shine.

Yes! Members get regular spotlight opportunities. We love showcasing our community—whether it’s your recent work, your behind-the-scenes, or your business story. Tag us in your posts on Instagram and we will re-share to our Stories.