Marla Youngblood loved attending the annual Holiday Lights event. The lighting of the Christmas tree and the party afterward in downtown Homewood are fond memories of her youth.
Now she’ll be managing the event for the village of Homewood as its new events and community relations manager. She steps into the role on Tuesday, Sept. 13, just in time to manage Fall Fest on Sept. 24.
Youngblood said living in Homewood the past 26 years meant attending all the big events the village had, “and I’m so excited to think that I’m going to be managing them now.”
Youngblood is stepping into a role handled by Allisa Opyd, who did the job for 11 years. Her last day with the village was Aug. 19.
The village plans to bump the position from part-time to full-time in recognition of the demands the village’s suite of festivals presents, according to Village Manager Napoleon Haney. He lauded Opyd for always going above and beyond her part-time obligations to make events successful.
“She always gave more of herself which equated to more hours worked than were allotted. The events were stellar and always well planned and well attended,” he said. “With the number of year-round events, it’s clear the position requires a more full-time focus.”
He said the position would include expanded efforts to attract event sponsorship, event budget oversight, community expectations and other internal objectives, including cost containment, metrics gathering and the implementation of multiple-year vendor contracts and agreements.
Youngblood, a 2002 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Illinois State University. Her first job was with the National Roofing Contractors Association as a meeting coordinator. She handled internal events, as well as national meetings and traveled regularly for that job.
In 2009, she accepted a position with the Will County Center for Community Concerns, a non-for-profit organization, where she worked for nine years. She started as an events coordinator and was promoted over time. Her last job was program director.
Youngblood got experience with arranging for events in various communities. She credits that position with giving her insights into working with vendors, setting up out tents and getting electricity to sites, among event needs.
“This is where I kind of shine for larger events. I’m well versed in that,” she said.
Youngblood’s most recent job was working as a hotel coordinator for weddings and social events at The Wit in Chicago. She helped coordinate all the guest’s needs from vendors to hotel preparations.
Youngblood and her husband, Scott, live in Homewood’s Southgate neighborhood.
Marla Youngblood ready to step in as Homewood’s events manager
By Chronicle Staff
Marla Youngblood loved attending the annual Holiday Lights event. The lighting of the Christmas tree and the party afterward in downtown Homewood are fond memories of her youth.
Now she’ll be managing the event for the village of Homewood as its new events and community relations manager. She steps into the role on Tuesday, Sept. 13, just in time to manage Fall Fest on Sept. 24.
Youngblood said living in Homewood the past 26 years meant attending all the big events the village had, “and I’m so excited to think that I’m going to be managing them now.”
Youngblood is stepping into a role handled by Allisa Opyd, who did the job for 11 years. Her last day with the village was Aug. 19.
The village plans to bump the position from part-time to full-time in recognition of the demands the village’s suite of festivals presents, according to Village Manager Napoleon Haney. He lauded Opyd for always going above and beyond her part-time obligations to make events successful.
“She always gave more of herself which equated to more hours worked than were allotted. The events were stellar and always well planned and well attended,” he said. “With the number of year-round events, it’s clear the position requires a more full-time focus.”
He said the position would include expanded efforts to attract event sponsorship, event budget oversight, community expectations and other internal objectives, including cost containment, metrics gathering and the implementation of multiple-year vendor contracts and agreements.
Youngblood, a 2002 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Illinois State University. Her first job was with the National Roofing Contractors Association as a meeting coordinator. She handled internal events, as well as national meetings and traveled regularly for that job.
In 2009, she accepted a position with the Will County Center for Community Concerns, a non-for-profit organization, where she worked for nine years. She started as an events coordinator and was promoted over time. Her last job was program director.
Youngblood got experience with arranging for events in various communities. She credits that position with giving her insights into working with vendors, setting up out tents and getting electricity to sites, among event needs.
“This is where I kind of shine for larger events. I’m well versed in that,” she said.
Youngblood’s most recent job was working as a hotel coordinator for weddings and social events at The Wit in Chicago. She helped coordinate all the guest’s needs from vendors to hotel preparations.
Youngblood and her husband, Scott, live in Homewood’s Southgate neighborhood.