Cassandra Cayson utilizes her passion for service to bring your vision to reality By Jillian Chandler
Locals may recognize Cassandra Cayson from Forty-One South and Shoga Sushi, which she owned and operated in Sandpoint for more than a decade. Once she closed the doors to her beloved restaurants, it was time to refocus her passion for serving people and dishing up an incredible experience, and Events On Point was born.
“I grew up with a big family and have always been ‘the planner’ of the group,” Cassandra shares. “I guess I took that role as big sister pretty seriously and wanted to make sure everyone was always taken care of.”
In high school, working in restaurants was an easy fit for Cassandra because of her love for the fast-paced environment while ensuring the guests were happy with their experience. She would go on to get her business degree at the University of Southern California, while continuing to work in restaurants and intern with public relations and event planning companies. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she managed restaurants and assisted companies such as Levi Strauss and Revlon with major event planning projects.
“I moved to Sandpoint and hit the ground running with Forty-One South and then opened Shoga in 2012,” she smiles. “We had an amazing run but sadly had to close in 2021 when the property sold to a developer. Although I didn’t plan to open another restaurant, I still wanted to work with people in a service-oriented role while utilizing my organization and management skills. This led directly to the creation of Events On Point!”
With a passion for planning, production and overall operations of events, the idea of being able to create something unique for each client resonated with Cassandra. “We hosted so many wonderful events at Forty-One South and had the opportunity to work with great clients and vendors throughout the years. Stepping into my own event planning business felt like a natural transition for me professionally.”
Events On Point launched in the fall of 2022, though Cassandra has been working on events throughout a majority of her career.
With Events On Point, Cassandra helps both businesses and individuals create unique and memorable events from start to finish. From location scouting to vendor coordination, timeline management to guest lists, she handles every little detail to make each event a huge success. “I also provide concierge services for families or small groups needing help with arrangements such as dinner reservations, a private chef, or even a fun excursion,” she adds.
As Cassandra shares, the most important aspect of the job as an event planner is to provide each client with the trust to fully participate in their event, knowing that the operations are handled professionally. “With over 20 years in the restaurant industry, I developed skills focused on customer service, team leadership, conflict resolution, and time management,” she affirms. “Ultimately, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes for the successful production of an event. It is my job to make sure it all flows smoothly, so that you and your guests get to enjoy the event to its fullest.”
Cassandra credits the many wonderful mentors she’s had throughout her career for the success she’s found, but ultimately believes the success she’s experienced in Sandpoint is all thanks to the community. “The support and encouragement throughout my years with Forty-One/Shoga and now, with Events On Point, is so appreciated,” she shares.
“I love the sense of togetherness our community maintains. I have experienced this both professionally and personally in many ways. With the restaurants, I was embraced by this community, and I have lovingly felt the continued support with my new venture, Events On Point.”
If you have a special event planned for 2023, let Cassandra and Events On Point bring your vision to reality.
Events On Point
212.920.4457