Hello! My name is Tamryn Gromley, and I recently joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Young Professional Board. I currently serve as a Venue Sales Manager at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, where I’m responsible for booking private events at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bojangles Entertainment Complex.
Before moving to the Queen City, I lived in Indianapolis, IN. I graduated from Butler University (Go Dawgs!) and, through several internships, found my way into the hospitality and tourism industry. I worked as a Catering Sales Manager at a downtown hotel, booking and servicing weddings. A lot of times when I tell others this, I receive a specific look which is followed by a “Wow.” But I truly loved what I did, and it was incredibly rewarding to help make each couple’s wedding day everything they had dreamed of.
Eventually, life brought me to my own wedding season and I was ready to step away from the wedding industry. In fact, the night I applied for my current role, I asked for a sign that it was time for a change. The next morning, I received an email from my future boss asking for a phone interview, and the rest was history. My fiancé and I packed up our apartment and two cats within 48 hours and moved to Charlotte after I accepted my current job. We didn’t know a single person here, but were so excited for a new start in a new city.
Charlotte welcomed us with open arms, both professionally and personally. I remember the first networking event I attended here, where I didn’t know anyone and felt a bit nervous. Someone noticed this almost as soon as I had sat down. She came over, introduced herself and immediately began a genuine conversation with me. It was after this interaction I knew that this was the city for me. I knew that this was a place I would call home for a long time.
I lived in the Uptown area for a couple of years after moving and there was always something going on. Whether it was a concert, sporting event, or market, I found myself constantly exploring anytime I had a free moment. My favorite activity was walking or taking the light rail down to South End. On Saturdays, I would stop at Wooden Robot, which has some of the best coffee in the city before continuing on down to the farmer’s market. This was actually how I met someone who owned a flower cart who I would later hire for a client event my team hosted!
As I became more involved in the community, I found myself attending more and more events hosted by the CLT Alliance. The content at YP events is so valuable, with top-level executives taking time to come and speak to the Charlotte young professionals. It’s truly a testament to how this city not only welcomes us, but also actively invests in our growth and success. I was honored to join the CLT Alliance YP board and am excited to play a part in supporting both the continued growth of our city and the development of fellow young professionals who call Charlotte home.
To the young professionals: be intentional about where you invest your time and energy. Find a community, whether it’s a board, networking association, or volunteer group, that surrounds you with others who challenge you to grow. Step outside of your comfort zone! Try the new restaurant, attend the networking event where you may not know anyone, or say yes to an intimidating opportunity. Take advantage of everything the Queen City has to offer because moving to Charlotte was the best risk I ever took.
Tamryn Gromley is a venue sales manager at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
