A fresh take on event planning
Name: Gregory Fast Age: 27 Position: Event planner and designer
Job description: I am the owner and lead for Gregory Fast Events & Design, a full-service event planning and design company. Clients come to us for curated, original, breathtaking, memorable events. We plan and design birthdays, weddings, social events, milestone celebrations, corporate functions and intimate dinner parties. In the past, we have been fortunate to work with a number of influential clients in Hamilton and the GTA, with one of our favourite events being an intimate birthday party featuring Juno Award winner Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. Past corporate clients include McMaster University, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association, Charles & Hunt, True Hamiltonian and Cottage Life Magazine.
We have some really exciting projects coming up. On the corporate side, we have a Venetian carnivale, a black magic evening and a futuristic-themed gala. We also have several weddings, each with a different flair. One in particular will feature a ferris wheel cocktail reception with custom hedge mazes and strolling guest entertainers.
Is this the job you thought you’d be doing?
Event design is my passion. The path has been winding and I am creating a career that brings together everything that is most important to me: family, friendships, love, art, business and a strong work ethic. I have always had a passion for design and have always loved breaking boundaries, creating those “wow” moments. Making someone feel appreciated is always my goal in my personal life and I apply that same value to the work I do on any event — through the details and design, I always strive to make people feel special and important.
Advice to others on launching a career:
Watch, listen, be patient. If you have a dream, work hard at it, learn from others and take nothing for granted. You are not better than anyone else because you are different than everybody else, be original, be you. Every contact you meet is an opportunity and every opportunity is a stepping-stone.
Roots: Born in Hamilton, took a 20-year break while being raised in Burlington, now back and loving every minute of this amazing city. #hamiltonishome
Instagram handle: @GREGTFAST
iPhone, Android or BB? iPhone, Gold Recent Facebook update: A link to a video of my youngest sister, Renata Fast, being interviewed on Sportsnet — she is absolutely killing it with her hockey career.
Networks: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, YEP, Hamilton Hive
Favourite restaurant in the downtown:
Tough one — brunch at Saint James or the French, treats from Democracy, dinner at Aberdeen Tavern, late night cocktails and conversation at The Brain.
Best feature of life in Hamilton:
The parks — specifically, Gage Park. How lucky are we to have that big city feeling with such amazing green spaces? Gage Park will always be somewhere I go for inspiration.
What would make Hamilton a better city:
Ensuring the protection and restoration of the beautiful architecture and heritage this city carries. These buildings are part of what makes Hamilton so amazing — let’s not lose that.
Contacts: greg@gregoryfast.com; www.gregoryfast.com
Quote: “All that really matters is that the people you love are healthy and happy, everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.” — Paul Walker
If you know a Hamilton Professional who would make a good candidate for this profile series, send an email to shenderson@thespec.com.