If you’ve experienced New Year’s Eve on a rooftop, seen abandoned or under-utilized downtown properties transformed into exciting and record setting events, stepped foot into the closing night party for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, or even taken a swing at golf in the middle of downtown Tampa, then you’ve probably heard of Monica Varner.

Monica is the Owner and Senior Planner at Elan Event Studio, co-owner of Big City Events, and Executive Director for the Gasparilla International Film Festival. Monica is a planning powerhouse who has received rave reviews in Biz Bash, Crave Tampa Bay, Tampa Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, and more. From corporate functions to social events to charity bashes, Monica has transformed venues across the Bay area and beyond into big moments and meaningful occasions. This year she has been recognized on the Biz Journals Up and Comers list, and she is a graduate of the Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2012.