Acknowledgements

I couldn’t have launched this endeavor without a great team of collaborators. First and foremost, I’d like to thank Calvina Yang Nguyen of Calvina Photography for the amazing branding photos – view all of them here. Calvina nudged me into formalizing my passion for connecting people and our ongoing collaborations bring me so much joy. I’d also like to thank Donna Kato of DKato Media for helping me connect the dots. Donna invited me to participate in my first official function as “The Party Evangelist” (The Santana Row Beauty Bash on May 7, 2014; I co-hosted the After Party in the V Bar with Hotel Valencia and GEV Magazine).

Thank you to 1) Peter Crosby for copywriting polish on The Party Evangelist site; 2) Rosaura Sandoval for taking such beautiful images at our 2013 Sangria & Tapas party and the 2014 Brown Adams Agbayani party and allowing me to use them; 3) Becky Jevons, my behind-the-scenes “party fairy” for favors to numerous to mention – you’re a gem; 4) Sascha Lupeksi, the best website developer I know, for mentoring and customization assistance; 5) Marisa Lyssand of Marisa Lyssand Garden Design for creating flower arrangements to match my dreams; and 6) Julia Prodis-Sulek of the San Jose Mercury News, for designating me The Party Evangelist in 2009.

Most importantly, I want to thank my wonderful family for supporting me in this new, exciting venture. My husband, Paul, and sons, Dane and Tate, have been my willing tasters, decorators, party helpers and more. They are the most adventurous travel partners a vacationista like me could hope for. I love you guys.