April Severson
April has been producing events for more than 15 years and has delighted audiences in London, Honolulu, Chicago, Bombay, Portland, San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas. From the moment a client first presents an idea straight through until the last piece of glitz is swept up April is involved, planning, facilitating, managing, implementing, and designing. She brought a 17'lemon-colored snake named Sunshine to a Maharaja's silken harem tent; twirling aerialists to a hotel's lofty exterior; sparkling fireworks to a rooftop conference; and lots of enthusiasm (and precise coordination) to blowing up a nuclear cooling tower.
April is a woman of great range and her events reflect it -- each one unique and tailored to realize the client's vision, every one a distinct and satisfying experience. Before opening ASE April worked as a public relations director, a communications manager for an Oregon state agency, an account executive in Honolulu and at the London International Fashion Shows.
April is active on Cascade Aids Project's events steering committee and is a member of the Portland Art Museum's Young Patron's Executive Committee.
April lives with her glorious daughter and well-behaved poodle in SE Portland where she can be found most often preparing for dinner parties or digging away in her garden.
"To love what you do and feel that it matters–
how could anything be more fun?"
—George Bernard Shaw
EVENT STAFF
Carly Spoljaric
From a young age Carly has been planning events and pushing boundaries! She was introduced to the world of event planning, spending 10+ years working under her mentor, April Severson, owner of a leading event production company in Portland, Oregon. Carly worked with April in developing the initial event concept and transforming the mundane party, grand opening or corporate summit into world-class extravaganzas. That think-outside-the-box mentality is what brought her to San Francisco as the fourth employee of the maverick start-up Mashery. Carly's success managing all the company's events and working as an assistant to the CEO garnered the attention of its lead investor, First Round Capital (FRC).
Before long, Carly was bringing her unique sensibilities and relentless drive to bear as Event Manager and Executive Assistant in FRC's San Francisco office, roles that cemented her position in Silicon Valley's start-up world.
Kelly Hardesty
Kelly Hardesty plans and produces events throughout the Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Working with corporate, civic and non-profit clients to make a lasting impact on their audiences is her mission. With over fourteen years in the industry, she has developed a wealth of time tested and trusted vendor and client relationships in all sectors.
Kelly earned her events chops working for some of the Bay Area’s most notable non-profits and producing events for civic and business leaders throughout San Francisco. Prior to launching her own company, she spent five years directing events and sponsorships for SPUR, (now a cherished client) producing their hefty roster of regional events; a luncheon for 2,000, the Good Government Awards in tandem with the San Francisco's Mayor’s office, and an unrivaled party that shuts down the streets of San Francisco.
When not writing about herself in the third person, Kelly enjoys imbibing her way through the bay area, skiing, hiking, sketch comedy shows, reading and spending time with delightful people.
