EIM Advisory Council Member Amber Karson

Amber Karson

Owner
Karson Butler Events

Named by Special Events Magazine as one of the top 25 young event pros under 40 to watch, Amber Karson has excelled over the last 17 years in both the corporate and social event markets. Having planned events around the globe in India, Portugal, Canada, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, England, Iceland, and across the United States, Amber offers a unique perspective to event planning. With experience as both an in-house corporate event planner and now, an independent entrepreneur, Amber has expertise in planning a wide variety of events from large corporate meetings, to intimate and detail-driven weddings. Together with her twin sister, she owns Karson Butler Events, an acclaimed event planning company launched in 2008, serving a wide variety of social and corporate clients across various industries (weddings, celebrations, and corporate events in the finance, automotive, technology, & education sectors to name a few!) Karson Butler Events believes the details make all the difference – from finding one-of-a-kind design elements, to skillfully tailoring and managing complex international events. With this unique approach to event design, they have their pulse on not only what’s happening in California & Washington, DC but also in markets across the globe.

After graduating Cal Poly (BS '01), Amber’s event planning career started in the investment industry as an in-house event planner with American Funds, followed by Franklin Templeton Investments. Her experiences with these two premiere investment organizations provided opportunities to plan events with Senior Management, Boards of Directors, Portfolio Management, and Clients around the U. S. and globe. With one of the most coveted positions a corporate event planner could have, Amber excelled in the investment world and was known for her tough negotiations, creativity, and improving efficiency throughout the events department. Her VIP clientele has included past Presidents, Governors, Dukes & Duchesses, and leaders within the private business sector. Her events have included large complex meetings in foreign markets, gala dinners, golf tournaments, and sporting sponsorship events.

Amber earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credentials in 2007, one of the highest honors in the meetings & special events industry. A leader and industry expert, Amber has appeared on The Today Show and in national publications such as Town & Country, The Washington Post, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot and more!

In addition to serving on the EIM Advisory Council, Amber is also a part-time lecturer, teaching the department's RPTA 320 Strategic Event Planning class & Auction/Dinner Faculty Advisor.