Oct. 1, 2019

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kali Trautman, an event designer at The Event Company.

Name: Kali Trautman

Age: 23

Hometown: Clear Lake

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I moved to Sioux Falls to attend Augustana University. It was an easy choice to make Sioux Falls home following graduation.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

While at Augustana, I quickly learned Sioux Falls was a special place — a place where I could find success, support and opportunities as a young professional. We have entertainment and amenities of a larger city, yet it provides the connections of a small town. The people, the vibrancy and the futuristic focus of Sioux Falls create an environment to thrive. That’s something that I want to continue to be a part of as Sioux Falls develops and grows.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Through my role as an event designer at The Event Company, I have the opportunity to play a role in the good work that our clients are accomplishing in their communities. Whether it’s assisting a corporate client with their annual conference or helping to raise life-changing funds for a nonprofit, I enjoy that we get to be part of making a difference within those organizations — both for the organizations’ employees and the individuals who benefit from their mission. To have a small hand in that is what I love most!

How did you get connected to your industry?

Events have always been an interest of mine, especially after my experiences in planning golf tournaments with the SDGA and putting together student events at Augustana. It was a mentor during my time at Augustana that guided me towards a career in event design and introduced me to Addie Graham-Kramer and The Event Company. I started with the team as an intern during my senior year of college and was hooked from the first event.

Describe The Event Company in three words.

Collaborative. Passionate. Innovative.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I am fortune to work for a company where giving back to the community is an integral part of who we are and our clients’ missions are at the heart of what we do. I love that my work is a way I can give back to a variety of organizations. But I enjoy when our entire team can get involved outside of events — like serving a meal at a food giveaway or collecting supplies for a local donation drive. The game of golf has also given me so many great opportunities over the years, so I like to give back and stay involved with those groups that did so much for me growing up.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Trader Joe’s.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself continuing to advance my career as an event designer and playing a role in helping The Event Company grow in our community over the next five years. I hope the years will be full of opportunities to learn and develop my leadership skills, to push boundaries and innovations in our industry and, of course, some great new events!