815.323.2645
Smile Events
Grace Colleen
Owner & Founder
I have been passionate about events ever since I can remember. I love every aspect of events from the first planning phase to the end result.I graduated from Roosevelt University in 2014 with my Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management specializing in meetings and events, and I completed my masters in Hospitality Management from University of Central Florida in 2021.
I started working at the Pavilion as a full-time event coordinator in 2014 and coordinated over 200 weddings with my time there. I have assisted in planning Forest City Beautiful, Stroll on State, Shop on State, and 12 Bars of Christmas with The Rockford Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. I have also been the event specialist for Courtyard Marriott, event manager for Merrill & Houston’s/The Eclipse Center, assistant manager of Event Floral, and event coordinator for a State Representative. I hope to be a part of your event to create an unforgettable time for you and your guests.Cheers!
Inspiration Behind Smile Events
The woman on the left is the inspiration behind smile events: My bestfriend. My hero. My mom.
My mom started her own catering company when I was 9 years old, and I helped with every event. I always thought, "wow, I wish I could do this forever". When I got to high school I realized I could, and decided to get my degree in hospitality management at Roosevelt University. The day I was picking out my courses in Chicago was on my mom's birthday, and the day we got a call from the doctors office. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Smile had always been a part of our life, that's how we got through things - we would find the lighter side and try to smile through it. In 2011, that's exactly what we did. I had my mom write inspirational words down, one being smile, and didn't tell her what they were for. I took the "smile" that she wrote and got a tattoo on my wrist, so I could look down at any moment if I ever needed a reminder.
While sick, my mom planned her entire funeral. I graduated in three years with my bachelors, and my mom was there to watch me do it. A few weeks after graduation, my mom took a turn for the worse and passed away. With her planning her funeral, she had gathered rocks from around our yard and signed each one with "smile" and her initials. Her instructions were for me to pass them out at the end of the service to everyone who attended so they could always have the reminder to smile.
Smile Events means the world to me, not only because of my love for hospitality but because of how it originated. I hope Smile Events can be apart of your day, and make you smile at the end.