Dillon Tyler
Executive Assistant & Tour Coordinator, International Civil Rights Center & Museum
dillon.n.tyler@gmail.com
Number of events in 2025: 40
Types of events: Conventions, weddings, arts/performances, corporate/organizational retreats, lectures, panel discussions
Average number of attendees in 2025: 50-500
What is your primary role associated with meetings and events?
While I serve in multiple functions at the museum, I picked up the additional role of rental coordinator roughly six years ago when rentals were somewhat sluggish. I now serve as the primary point-of-contact that both actively plans events with our outside stakeholders and executes the actual event (i.e. set-up/clean-up, logistics, catering).
What skills do you think are essential for planning successful meetings and events?
Two immediate things are attention to detail and empathy. Our guests look to our site not simply because of its strategic location or its indelible historic significance, but rather how I tailor my approach to their concerns and proactively present solutions to logistical issues—large and small. In many cases, folks I work with have never organized an event and, as such, don’t consider all the variables. I took it upon myself to create a user-friendly event checklist and adjustable floor plan, among other projects, to both lift their burden and ensure we’re taking a comprehensive approach to maximize the success of their vision.
What is your philosophy or approach to challenges and unexpected issues?
Brevity and humor. Your guests will often emulate your demeanor in the planning process and launch day; if you become panicked, they will be doubly so. As such, remain cool and collected and take it upon yourself to find an answer to a snafu as quickly as possible. Even something small, like providing or moving some extra tables or troubleshooting a connection issue with a projector and laptop, gives your guests a sense of agency.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
I proactively seek out professional development, particularly through industry publications and regional/national conventions. In the last year alone, I’ve attended a number of key gatherings across North Carolina, in Atlanta, and in Charleston, S.C.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I appreciate being able to take on the full weight of planning—collaborating on spaces and amenities, offering suggestions, assisting with creating materials, handling registration, connecting them with caterers, etc. It is a joy to feel you can be a one-stop shop of success for your guests, and it is reflected in their satisfaction during their time with us.
How would you describe your biggest professional success?
This year, we had perhaps our largest event, a three-day civic conference using every interior venue we had available. Our museum has a small staff, and, wearing many hats, I knew I would need to step in to help with technology, media, and even early and after-hours janitorial clean-up. Pulling long days during that time was an understatement, but it was worth it. The group plans to host their conference annually with us and possibly open an office in Greensboro.
Please share an anecdote about a unique or unusual event that you organized.
Some colleagues from another organization had their wedding venue fall through, so they called me at the last minute to help organize their wedding ceremony on our patio. Obviously, they were concerned about the expedited window to plan the itinerary, floor layout, and send out information about the new location, so I jumped in and helped them with a turnaround of one week.
What is the best professional advice you ever received, and what advice would you offer others in the industry?
Be timely and available in your communications and do what you say you’re going to do. Guests often send out proposals to numerous sites, noting who is responsive and courteous.
What do you hope to achieve or look forward to as you plan events in 2026?
I’m already gauging interest in our venue for 2026 and am confident it will shatter what we’ve achieved in 2025. I am heartened by the variety of events we hold, and our guests consistently are united in their commitment to touring the museum, thereby enhancing their civic knowledge and appreciation for our museum and the significance of hosting their event with us.
