Kelley Lynn Freeman
Kelley graduated from Shepherd University with a degree in Mass Communications and pursued a career in radio and television where she hosted the Morning Drive Show on Maryland’s WQHQ FM. She entered the special events industry twenty years ago. Spending several years with hotels, she then opened the Dave & Buster’s as a special events, marketing, and public relations coordinator for their 60,000 square foot complex located in North Bethesda.
From 1998 to 2003, Kelley served as the catering sales manager and wedding specialist for the historic Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. During her tenure she created a wide range of special events, from intimate affairs for 30 guest to galas for 1000. Kelley has hosted and entertained some of the world’s most famous people, including First Lady Laura Bush, the King and Queen of Sweden, foreign ambassadors to the United States, Fortune 500 company leaders and a host of well-known political figures.
In 2004 Kelley started her own award- winning company Carte Blanche Events, combining the best of both worlds: professional service with a personal touch. She’s produced successful events for Washington’s most influential decision makers, along with effectively directing and designing weddings, ceremonies and receptions for brides of all cultures and backgrounds.
Kelley has been a member of National Association of Catering & Events (NACE) for over 16 years; she served as the president of the Washington DC Chapter and then served on the NACE National board of Directors as Region 1 Vice President for six years. She is an active member of the International Special Events Society and La Chaine des Rotisseurs. She is involved in a number of philanthropic and charitable organizations including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband Mark, son Hudson & their pug Finnegan Freeman!