NEW WIMBISH HOUSE MANAGER HAS PASSION FOR SERVICE (1/5/15)

     "Every event planner or coordinator has a war chest filled with horror stories about things that have gone wrong," said new Women's Club of Atlanta Event Manager Karin Holben.  "You do your best, put out the fire.  The biggest thing is to have a passion for service and making people happy."

     Originally from Maine with degrees in Food and Beverage Management and Computer Science, Holben was an excellent choice to lead the Wimbish House.  You could say it was the snow that brought her. 

      After a very heavy Boston winter, Holben decided she was tired of having to shovel her driveway. She moved from Massachusetts after meeting her husband on an airplane.  He was from Roswell, Georgia.  She's been here for 18 years.

     After leaving corporate America, she worked for Atlanta's Erica Pruitt of 'A Big To Do' Event, where she learned to...write everything down. 

     "I also learned that having a bit of computer savvy would help me be more creative, and communicate better with vendors and clients," said Holben.

     For the historically beautiful Wimbish House, that also might require her to sweep, set-up tables, whatever it takes to make a successful event.

     Holben talks about the many lovebirds that she sees.  "We tell our brides to plan ahead for anything.  Is it an outside wedding?  Then...have a Plan B.  Tents or our galleries and ballroom are just as magical as an outside venue."

     Commissioned by prominent Atlanta attorney William A. Wimbish as a residence befitting his family’s social status, The Wimbish House was designed by W. T. Downing, Atlanta’s most noted architect.

     For years, the Wimbish House has been owned by The Atlanta Woman’s Club, and funds from its operation are used to support the Club’s charitable activities.

     Every summer, Holben takes her family back to Maine to experience a taste of what it was like growing-up there.  "There's nothing to me like New England in the summer," said Holben.

     As far as her own war chest of stories, there;s the one about the time that the Groom Cake came in with a rival college's emblem and message. Before the bride could see it, Holben took the cake to the kitchen, scraped-off the offending text, and smoothed it out with fresh icing.  She told them afterwards, but the party was happy with her added service.

      "At Wimbish House, we want the event to be special, and have the passion to make it our own," said Holben,  "As in days of old, brides are welcome on Peachtree."

    

      To tour the facility and learn more, visit http://www.thewimbishhouse.com