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Spring is the perfect time for a picnic!

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Who is Karen Gould

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INSIDE BUSINESS

When the pandemic hindered large events, this Virginia Beach planner turned to picnics

By Sandra J. Pennecke

Jul 28, 2022 at 10:54 am

When the COVID-19 pandemic halted social gatherings, event planner Karen Gould had to get creative and adapted to demand for smaller outdoor get-togethers.

Virginia Beach — For years, Karen Gould planned large-scale corporate events and parties.

Nowadays, she prefers to plan smaller and more intimate gatherings for her business, Main Stream Events and PR Firm.

A Southern California native, she relocated to Hampton Roads 30 years ago and has called Chic’s Beach in Virginia Beach home ever since. Her career path took her to USAA and after 10 years in human resources, Gould became the executive assistant for the financial service company’s vice president and general manager.

“Eighty-five percent of that job was to plan all their company events,” she said.

Gould was in her glory as she designed, organized and arranged every detail for more than 20 events each year for more than 1,100 employees at USAA. Events included holiday parties, festivals, recognitions, United Way campaigns, corporate communications, fundraising activities and volunteer projects.

“But in 2009, the economy crashed, they consolidated and my position was eliminated,” Gould said.

Already armed with an associate degree in business management from Tidewater Community College — proudly earned while she worked full-time and raised her two daughters, Gould then pursued a bachelor’s degree in technical management with a concentration in hospitality from DeVry University.

“Event planning has always been part of my life — growing up and as a Girl Scout leader for 15 years for both my girls,” she said.

Established in her niche, Gould couldn’t find a job to use her skills, so in 2010 she set out to start her small business. Familiar with the corporate world, Gould threw herself into the arena, helping with holiday parties and nonprofit galas.

“The Salvation Army was one of my biggest clients; I worked with them for six years planning their Hope Gala, an annual fundraiser for the Kroc Center,” she said. “I love that transformation from an empty space to a black-tie gala.”

Over the past two years, Gould planned both of her daughters’ weddings. One was an enchanted forest theme for 135 people in Virginia Beach and the other was a pop-up for 16 guests on the side of a cliff in San Diego.

At the start of 2020, the pandemic brought a screeching halt to events and Gould had to rethink her business. She got certified in virtual events and held several for corporations, family and friends. But, Gould still found herself hankering to use her creativity to plan live events.

“That’s when I started the picnics on the beach,” Gould said. “And it started taking off.”

Clients choose a type of location like beach, park, porch, field, lake or backyard and a theme then Gould designs the perfect customized picnic — handling everything from setup to cleanup. Prices start at $175.

Ron Dinoso thought a romantic beach picnic would be the perfect surprise for his girlfriend, Flavia Neto.

“I want to keep things interesting with my girlfriend and I,” Dinoso said.

The “just because” picnic included pillows, a charcuterie board and dessert. And, with Gould’s help, it was a big surprise.

“It was amazing and I’ll never forget the look on Flavia’s face,” he said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/inside-business/vp-ib-mainstream-events-0801-20220728-aaewpdon7jei7dvvbzvy3f3tqq-story.html


Karen Gould Main Stream Events and PR Firm 757-204-1416

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A Mission to Bring Joy and Happiness

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I'm on a mission to spread joy and happiness. And today I did just that at The Talbot On Granby .They are gearing up for their own Kentucky Derby. The residents were so sweet and they needed help with ideas and using the hot glue guns. They put their creative hats (literally speaking) and created unique masterpieces with feathers, flowers, ribbons and just put smiles on their faces. I could tell they were smiling through their masks and they all thanked me personally. I felt like a million bucks today bringing so much joy to them. They will be having their Kentucky Derby Races and they have the perfect hat now. 16 residents joined us today (12 ladies and 4 men will be wearing their hats proudly).

I keep looking at these pictures and the smiles on their faces. I just can’t tell you how warm and fuzzy that makes me feel to bring joy to these beautiful people. I can’t wait for more projects like this.

I will be at New Realm Brewing Co. - Virginia Beach and Derby Hat Day at New Realm Brewing for their Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 7 from 12-4pm. Please stop by and put your creativity to work. Look for me in the tent in the back.

Pre-register or buy your hat that day: https://derbyhat.eventbrite.com

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Picnics and Charcuterie Board Workshop

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PicnicsPOP byMain Stream Events and PR Firm and The Twisted Fork are coming together for an awesome picnic experience. A Picnic on Steroids!!!

What you will experience:

  • Mocktails as you arrive 10am-11am

  • Browsing Picnic Set ups 10am-2:00pm (free for guest to browse)

  • Learn how to create your own Charcuterie Board 11am-1pm (ticketed only)

  • Finish browsing picnic display 1pm-2pm

What to Bring:

Pam will be showing you how to create a charcuterie board with her special techniques on creating meat flowers, choosing different cheeses and how to cut and organize them, what to add to your tray and some of her secrets. You will be able to nibble and take some home. Please bring a board or platter.

Who are we?

Main Stream Events and PR Firm

We help you create the perfect date, proposal, bridal, bachelorette, birthday party and any reason to have a picnic. Let's plan a private Beach, Park, Porch, or Backyard Picnic

You choose, location, date and time, package and will offer suggestions

More details about packages

The Twisted Fork

We are an award winning catering company that is known for our upscale comfort food ..with a twist. We believe in great taste and fresh in-house made food, beautiful presentations and service with a smile

Together our love for what we do shows in every event we put our hands on.

https://picnicsandboards.eventbrite.com

Karen Gould Main Stream Events and PR Firm 757-204-1416

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Mother's Day Tea Picnic

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VB luxury picnics for Mother's Day.
Treat your mom to a special day with a picnic made for her. How about a Tea Party?
We have so many themes to choose from. Boho is popular but we have amazing other choices.
PicnicsPop by Main Stream Events and PR Firm.

Karen Gould Main Stream Events and PR Firm 757-204-1416

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Pink Damask Elegant Picnics

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VB Picnics - PicnicsPOP - Main Stream Events and PR Firm - Let’s design a Damask Themed Picnic

We did a Damask Themed Picnic with pops of Pink, Black and just happened to be around the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Karen Gould Main Stream Events and PR Firm 757-204-1416

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Burnt Orange Boho Picnic

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Burnt Orange - Picnics on the Porch

We love Picnics and we created this for the Porch but can be moved to the beach, park, backyard, or lake. This is our Burnt Orange- Blissful Boho Package. These can be great for bridal, baby showers, and baby reveals. Let's set up a picnic for you.

Picnics Pop/Main Stream Events and PR Firm - Book your Beach, Park, Porch or your backyard today!

Main Stream Events and PR Firm

www.yourmainstream.com

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VB Picnics - PicnicsPOP - Main Stream Events and PR Firm - Let’s design a Damask Themed Picnic

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VB Picnics - PicnicsPOP - Main Stream Events and PR Firm - Let’s design a Damask Themed Picnic

I am looking to design a Damask Themed Picnic and could be pops of Pink, Black, or your favorite color. I have many ideas and would love to surprise you with this inspiration of Damask. I haven’t done this in a while, but let’s schedule a Damask Picnic today.

Great for couples who don’t mind a bit of surprise. We will even surprise you with the location and keep it all a mystery? How does that sound?

Karen Gould Main Stream Events and PR Firm (757) 204-1416

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