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Dianna Shitanishi has opened Hawaii Weddings and Events, a new event-planning company.

She is the former director of catering and conference services at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii.

Shitanishi, 42, has coordinated more than 800 weddings and special events during her 20 years in the hospitality industry. She has planned President George W. Bush's Honolulu layover visit, a press conference for golfer Michelle Wie and a number of other events for Hawaii's business executives.

She also has worked in numerous positions at Waikiki hotels and airport hotel properties.

Why I started the business: I've always dreamed of having my own business and I love event planning. It allows me more flexibility with my schedule to spend time with my children.

Immediate priority: Developing my business and creating new theme events.

Essential business philosophy: Everything is about quality and servicing the guest and making sure they get the experience that they anticipate -- putting customers at ease through the event-planning process.

Best way to keep the competitive edge: Continually learning. I go to educational conferences every year to keep up with current trends.

Best business decision: Starting my own business. It allows more creativity. I have the opportunity to not only work at one property, now I get to work with different people in the industry.

Worst business decision: It's not having my own office, because there are some clients who expect to meet at an office.

Longer-term challenge: We're looking at expanding to the Neighbor Islands, so developing that market will be a challenge because I'm physically not there and also because of the tight labor market.

Biggest problem in the industry: Not everybody is reputable. Just making sure that you're getting value for the price that's paid and ensuring you have quality goods.

Strategy to overcome industry problem: Educating your clients as to what things to look for. As far as my business, I'm a firm believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket. So it's working with a number of individuals and companies and diversifying.

Goal yet to be achieved: Continuing my public relations efforts. That's something I'm slowly working on.

Favorite way to spend free time: Watching my kids play sports.

Stress reducer: Walking and spending time with friends.

Word that best describes me: Detailed.

courtesy of:
http://pacific.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/pacific/content/story.html?story_id=1303279

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