Melissa Cossette, the Founder and Chief Event Strategist of MAXevent, is changing the event planning industry with her creative approach and thoughtful solutions. With her rich background in the hospitality industry, Melissa has dedicated over two decades to mastering the art of event planning.
Her journey has taken her from intimate private dinners to large-scale conferences, honing her skills in logistical planning, client service, and team leadership. Now, with the establishment of MAXevent Academy, she is committed to helping others achieve their event planning goals with the same level of care and creativity that has defined her career.
Melissa’s passion for event planning was ignited by witnessing the enthusiasm of young women eager to enter the industry. Many aspiring event planners find themselves at a crossroads, fueled by their success in hosting personal events but needing more formal training. Recognizing this gap, Melissa envisioned MAXevent as a solution to bridge the experience gap and provide the necessary training and mentorship.
MAXevent Academy empowers novice planners to create well-run events, compete with seasoned professionals, and build credible, sustainable businesses. Through years of coaching and mentoring, Melissa has developed strategies to unlock a planner’s natural strengths and accelerate their learning curve, ensuring exceptional client experiences from the outset.
As for many, the pandemic presented a significant challenge for event planners, forcing Melissa to reevaluate her career path. With the event industry at a standstill, she saw an opportunity to create something new. This challenge ignited her passion for mentorship and led to the creation of MAXevent.
Instead of merely entering the competitive event planning space, Melissa focused on coaching and mentoring aspiring professional planners. This strategic shift addressed a critical need within the industry and disrupted the status quo. By empowering newcomers to navigate the competitive landscape, MAXevent is helping them build sustainable businesses.
Melissa believes that human connection elevates celebrations beyond glitz and glamour. Celebrations mark significant milestones and deserve intentionality and lasting impact. This philosophy is the foundation of MAXevent Academy, which empowers students to build authentic relationships with their clients.
The curriculum goes beyond logistics, focusing on understanding a client’s true purpose and motivations for their celebration. By fostering a people-first culture, MAXevent Academy equips planners with valuable business skills and relationship-building strategies, ensuring they can create transformative experiences for their clients.
Melissa’s career is marked by notable achievements. She is recognized as a Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) by the National Association of Catering and Events, the gold standard for event and catering professionals nationwide. In 2022, she was featured as a Rising Entrepreneur by NEXTonSCENE Media. Her accomplishments also include being featured in Collabs.io Mag (Subkit) in May 2023 and as a Woman To Watch by Boston Business Women in August 2023. She also shared her insights on Business Growth Strategies for Entrepreneurs as a panelist at the 2023 Metrowest Conference for Women.
In the coming years, MAXevent aims to transform the event planning industry even further. By 2024, they plan to launch an Apprenticeship program, providing a valuable pathway for newcomers. In 2025, the Planning Collaborative will connect experienced planners with clients while fostering a supportive community. By 2027, MAXevent aspires to serve event professionals and their clients nationwide, leaving a lasting impact on celebrations across the country.
A deep commitment to mentorship is evident in Melissa’s success stories. One client, initially apprehensive about a full coaching program, transformed her career within a month. She identified a unique event planning niche and became the first to enroll in MAXevent Academy. This story is a testament to the value of coaching and the potential for significant career shifts.
Melissa further encourages future event planners by engaging with planner communities online, addressing common questions about finding clients, pricing services, and proposal responses. MAXevent’s mission is to help new planners establish foundational success. They focus on practical daily actions that lead to consistency and growth, moving beyond social media strategies that often yield little traction.
Melissa Cossette’s MAXevent is transforming the event planning industry by empowering planners with the tools and mentorship they need to succeed. With a focus on human connection, innovation, and sustainability, MAXevent is setting new standards for celebrations worldwide.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
