Narimel Tarver
National Sales Manager, Guilford County/Greensboro Tourism Development Authority
ntarver@greensboro.live
Number of events in 2025: 10+
Types of events: Trade shows, sales missions
Average number of attendees in 2025: 1,500
What is your role associated with meetings and events?
My primary role as national sales manager for Guilford County/Greensboro Tourism Development Authority is twofold: securing business and building relationships. I actively connect with clients to secure conventions, trade shows, and other large-scale events, showcasing why Greensboro is an exceptional host city. I serve as a key liaison, connecting planners with the resources and hospitality services we offer. Ultimately, my success is built on the principle that relationships are everything, making long-term connections crucial to our organization’s success.
What skills do you think are essential for planning successful meetings and events?
The skills I consider essential to planning successful meetings and events are patience, attention to detail, organization, and good listening and communication skills.
What is your philosophy or approach to challenges and unexpected issues?
Everything happens for a reason. If you stay calm and keep your focus on the goal, everything will work out. As planners in the hospitality industry, we plan to make everyone happy. When things don’t go as planned, we might forget that we’re human and some things are out of our control. It’s important to learn to give ourselves grace.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
I keep in touch with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments by attending industry conferences and educational programs and communicating with my peers. While we all have the same goal, we have different ideas to get there. Some ideas might work for you; others might not. Listening to others, trying new ideas, and embracing new trends will bring a well-rounded perspective to our profession.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the opportunities to meet new clients and reconnect with existing ones. Networking is part of our industry. Some connections might not become clients initially, but could lead to an event collaboration in the future. I also enjoy traveling and learning the history of the cities I visit.
How would you describe your biggest professional success?
Hard work pays off. I’ve climbed the ladder in the hospitality industry, starting as a reservation agent for a hotel, working my way into management, opening my own event-planning business, then returning to hotels at one of downtown San Francisco’s biggest hotels before transitioning to the DMO side at Guilford County/Greensboro Tourism Development Authority.
Please share an anecdote about a unique or unusual event that you organized.
One unforgettable project was working with Disney during my time in convention services. Disney was launching the movie Space Buddies and commissioned a massive creative transformation. Operating with a true “the sky is the limit” mindset, the client tasked us with turning a 35,000-square-foot ballroom into an intricate, futuristic spaceship—all for an intimate group of 40 sales directors. The planning logistics were complex, but the most unusual and rewarding task was helping secure the true stars of the show: five Golden retriever puppies and one bull terrier puppy. It was an incredible spectacle that demonstrated how successful events often require fulfilling the most imaginative and unique requests.
What is the best professional advice you ever received, and what advice would you offer others in the industry?
Networking is important in our industry. You never know who your next client, boss, or longtime friend could be.
What do you hope to achieve or look forward to as you plan events in 2026?
I hope to achieve my CMP certification and continue my growth in the DMO industry.
