Making Someone’s Day: Bryana Polk

Bryana Polk

Meeting Planner, LEO Events

A meeting planner with LEO Events, Bryana Polk has been working in the hospitality industry full time for five years – but has dabbled in the field for almost eight! Her first taste of working in hospitality came when she worked as the registration lead for a nursing conference in Chicago. Although she says she was “thrown into the fire” to run registration, it gave her a passion for helping others that continues to this day. 

Please meet Bryanna Polk, our third Quarterly Pick Award honoree for Tour Guides!

How did you end up where you are now at LEO Events? 

I started as a part time staff member under our event operations team. I was very diligent, outspoken, and vocal that I wanted to be here full time. So when an opportunity came about, I applied and I got the job. So it's been one of those things where it was a long time coming, because I was part-time for about two or three years prior to being full-time.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. 

What is your favorite part about working in the industry?

I love the improvement process. You plan something, lay out the plan, execute it, see improvements, and you're able to implement those improvements the next go round. 

I also love speaking with attendees, via phone or online, and then having the opportunity to meet them in person. 

What are your top three favorite places to visit in Memphis? 

The listening room at Central station, IKEA – it really is an adult field trip – and Shelby Farms. 

What is something you learned in this position that has changed your life for the better? 

A mantra thatI've adopted is: do your best and the work will get done. 

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the industry? 

Be open to challenges, because they will arise. Take them as learning opportunities. Try to absorb as much as you can, because in this industry, there are so many experts you can glean from. Even if you don't think you will be full time, there are still so many learning opportunities available with this amazing pool of professionals.

Thank you, Bryanna, for sharing your experiences with us!