We recently caught up with our new Vice President of Catering, Chelsea Pashnick, to dive into what led her from the fast-paced world of Las Vegas arenas to SSA, how her background as a studio-trained dancer taught her to master the fundamentals in events, and why she believes the best experiences start with nailing the basics—before you bring in the flash.
Could you tell us a bit more about your background and why you chose to work in the events space?
I was born and raised in Colorado, where hospitality was woven into daily life, especially in the ski town I grew up in. By the 5th grade, I knew event planning was my passion—I was always the one organizing dances and community events. I loved every detail that went into creating an experience. I lived for the quiet moment before an event would begin, where you looked in the doorway at all the hard work coming to life.
After high school, I moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV and majored in hospitality administration: meeting and event management. Las Vegas is the event capital of the world, and it fast-tracked my career, teaching me more in one year than I could have learned anywhere else in three. That intense environment set the stage for everything that came after.
After graduating, I joined MGM Resorts’ management associate program and worked in various areas, but I quickly realized my heart was in sales and event management. I went on to take major roles, including helping open T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium, and eventually Sphere, one of the world’s most innovative venues. It was through these experiences, working across teams from construction to operations, that I discovered my true passion—bringing teams together to create unforgettable events.
What led you to transition to SSA at this stage in your career, and how does it align with your future goals?
After spending years in arenas, stadiums, and major venues, I was ready for something more personal. I had just opened Sphere in Las Vegas, which was an incredible experience, but I started craving a role where culture and people were the priority, not just the next big event. When SSA approached me, I saw an opportunity to take everything I’ve learned—about sales, operations, and team building—and apply it to a company that deeply values its people.
The decision wasn’t easy because I loved the fast-paced world of arenas, but SSA’s culture really resonated with me. It felt like a place where I could truly grow a team and make a long-term impact. Plus, SSA is at a really exciting point in its journey, and I wanted to be part of shaping that future.
How does SSA’s culture resonate with you, and how do you see it evolving as the company grows?
Sean’s vision of creating a company culture rooted in a welcoming, inclusive environment really struck a chord with me. His story about 452, the address of the home where he grew up, being a place where everyone felt welcome is something I try to live by in my own life. My home is always filled with friends, whether it’s a random Tuesday or Thanksgiving. I want that same sense of warmth and inclusion to be reflected in the teams I build and the events we create.
As SSA grows, I think the biggest challenge will be maintaining that culture. But if we keep focusing on taking care of people first, I believe we can scale without losing what makes this company special. It’s about hiring the right people who care deeply about others and building processes that support that philosophy.
What’s your vision for SSA’s culinary and event operations in the next five years?
Right now, I feel like I’m in “Rain Man” mode, taking in so much information and figuring out how to streamline processes. My immediate goal is to put the right systems in place so we can focus on what we do best—hospitality. We need to automate the mundane tasks so our teams can spend more time creating memorable experiences for clients.
In the next five years, I see SSA becoming top of mind for high-level event planners. I want to elevate cultural attractions—zoos, aquariums, and more—as premier event spaces. There’s so much potential for corporate events to be more sustainable and family-friendly, and that’s a shift I’m excited to lead.
What innovative event experiences are you excited to introduce at SSA?
For me, it's really about going back to basics. I was a studio trained dancer, and something that has always stuck with me is this idea: it’s really cool if you can do five pirouettes decently, but can you do one perfectly? That’s something I think we miss in our culture today—we get caught up in doing these big, flashy things, but sometimes we lose sight of the fundamentals. It's great to have impressive, over-the-top elements, but if the food isn't warm, the setup isn't aesthetically pleasing, or the guest flow is off, then we've missed the mark.
My goal is to focus on nailing those basics—making sure every detail is flawless—before layering in the more innovative and creative elements. Once we have the fundamentals locked down, we can use tools like AI to streamline processes and enhance the guest experience in a meaningful way, without losing sight of the essentials.
What advice would you give someone starting their career in event planning?
You have to be passionate about what you do. Event planning can be incredibly rewarding but also very draining. My biggest piece of advice is to take care of yourself first. At the end of the day, we’re not saving lives—we’re creating moments and serving food in amazing places. It’s important to stay grounded and not take yourself too seriously.
In my early career, I was so focused on the “go, go, go” that I forgot to take care of myself and set healthy boundaries in the workplace. You have to balance personal growth with your career. If you know who you are and take time for yourself, you’ll be a much better event planner and leader. Keep your passion alive, and it will show in your work.