Julie Noda '05

Owner and CEO,

Something Borrowed Weddings & Events

q: What do you do?

a: I'm a full-service wedding consultant - handling all of the details from "I will" to "I do." After having managed events at the Orange County Regional History Center and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, it's a pleasure to be on the opposite end, representing the client. I problem-solve to get everything done according to the bride's plan. My job is to put out fires before they happen, making sure everyone can relax and enjoy the big day!

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: I get to be there for someone's special day. It feels like I'm part of their family for a day and it's a truly rewarding experience.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Adapting to different personalities.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07, Kim Hawkes '07, Jason Ring '07, Adam Bailey '05, Rachael Vogel '05 and Rachel Perez '07.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: I love to cook, so in the kitchen or at the Farmer's Market. I'm even going to the Food and Wine Festival in Miami. I also could be Downtown having brunch with friends.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Being my own boss and setting my own rules.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: My internship at The History Center set me on the path to meeting the right people. I got keyed into the industry and involved in organizations like NACE, ISES and ABC.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Hospitality Law with Rosemary Krebs was interesting and engaging. Catering Management with Kim Severt was hands-on, so most helpful to what I do every day. We learned the details of running an event, like table settings.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More hands-on experience; instead of mock events in a controlled environment, the students should be working on more real-life events. The first time you tell a client they're in attrition, that's experience. Also, the guest speakers were older and very established in their careers. A mentor program with alumni who are just a few years out of school would be helpful, to help set realistic career expectations.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Roadtrips and, of course, football. Even now we're season ticket holders. It's fun to see how everything's grown with the new stadium and the hospitality program too. When I did my orientation as a Hospitality major, it was just me and one other student.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Super Crunch Roll at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything but Rock. Happy, upbeat music - songs where you can understand the words, that have a good beat.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I fell down the stairs of the stage after receiving my high school diploma. Thankfully my UCF graduation went well and so has everything since.

Adam Bailey '05

Director of Production,
The Coordinator

q: What do you do?

a: Manage production and sales for a special events company. Whereas a typical caterer might take two hours to prep for an event, we may take two days to set up since our events are highly-produced -- not just including food and beverages, but also details including florals, themed decor, transportation and promotional items. We just completed a 500-person sit-down dinner and concert at UCF.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Considering this is my seventh year in this position...all of it! I enjoy what I do.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: In these times, the first thing cut from many budgets is events. Whether it's a private homeowner or a major company, everyone's scaling back.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: So many! Top of mind are Erin Durning '05, Candi Evett '06, Jillian Johnson '07, Taylor Mackey '07 and Aaron Thompson '06. Aaron's the warehouse manager here at The Coordinator.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Downtown. I don't like to sit around so am always out doing something.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Holding on to my college friends and making new ones. Also: "Building Adam Bailey" -- growing as a person.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: UCF helped me grow socially. Rosen's courses helped me discover my passions in the hospitality industry. The internships helped me see every aspect of the business and get the great job I have now.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Rosen College was brand new and the student housing wasn't completed yet, so I lived on the Main Campus. It was a long drive! Also, at the time, the content of many of the courses seemed to overlap. That may be different now.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My fraternity, socials and intramurals. College life was like a sprint -- I wanted to do everything.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The brisket we serve on our carving stations at The Coordinator is amazing.

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything including rap, country, rock and dance.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: Most people don't see my crazy side since they know me professionally. I'm still a silly big kid.

Erin Durning '05

Sales and Marketing Manager,
Dubsdread Golf Course

q: What do you do?

a: Promote and manage group golf sales for Dubsdread Golf Course, which is owned by the City of Orlando and managed by Kitson & Partners. This can include any groups of eight or more people, including pre-wedding outings, charity tournaments, and corporate events. Most book very far in advance; right now I'm putting together an event for 2011! All food and beverage is handled by the Tap Room, which is a completely separate entity so I only handle golf. Part of my job is being out-and-about, promoting Dubsdread - recently renovated and reopened in July '08 - at networking events and to local businesses.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: People are happy when they're golfing. I enjoy meeting all the people who come to Dubsdread and building relationships with them so they'll come back to hold their tournaments here, year after year.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: In this economy, getting corporate sponsors and players for charity tournaments. Thankfully events are still successful with an average of 80-100 players versus 144 in past years, because bidding on auction items is a large percentage of the charity's total profit.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Adam Bailey '05 who works at an event-planning company called The Coordinator.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Definitely at L.A. Fitness. I live in Thornton Park, so frequent places like Shari Sushi and Hue quite a bit too.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Serving on the board of directors for a non-profit called COMPACT, which helps reduce the number of student drop-outs by providing mentors. It's been rewarding to follow the stories of high school kids and hear about them going on to college, and also meeting influential people who help the charity.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The Yacht, Country and City Club Management course inspired me to pursue a career in golf. At that time, the class was held in a portable behind the Classroom Building on Main Campus. The computer and accounting courses were extremely valuable too; I use Excel worksheets with formulas I learned for nearly everything I do, including sales contracts and the reports I prepare for the City of Orlando.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I disliked the Quantity Food Production class, especially knowing I wouldn't use the knowledge after graduation. Also, I lived on Main Campus since at the time Rosen College didn't have the dorms and pool.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Since I was from out of state, joining a sorority gave me the opportunity to meet so many people, including my fiance (also a UCF grad) who I've dated for seven years. It was great for socializing and getting involved with charity work.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Boston roll and Mexican roll at Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park.

q: On your iPod?

a: Being from New Jersey, I love Bon Jovi. Every Bon Jovi CD ever released is loaded on my iPod. Even when I shuffle it randomly, every other song is Bon Jovi.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I was a gymnast for 14 years and almost chose a college in Maryland so I could be on its gymnastics team. I ended up choosing UCF, even though it didn't have gymnastics, because I wanted to live in Florida.