A woman sitting cross-legged on a white studio background, smiling, wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, white top, blue jeans, and beige sandals.

Meet Hannah

I founded Modern Elm Events with a simple belief: the best events don’t just look beautiful, they feel meaningful, effortless, and intentional.

With a background in professional event planning and management, I bring a calm, organized approach rooted in clear communication, thoughtful timelines, and a focus on the details that matter. My goal is to create experiences that feel smooth, grounded, and truly considered for you and your guests.

At Modern Elm Events, I don’t just ask for your trust, I work to earn it. With regular updates, proactive planning tools, and transparent communication, you’ll always feel informed, supported, and confident in the journey ahead.

I'm proud to call the La Crosse area home and love being part of this community. Check out the community event discount page to learn how I give back. Not in La Crosse? No problem. Reach out and let me know where your event is. I’d love to see how I can support you, wherever you are.

I believe planning should feel just as rewarding as the event itself and I’m here to make sure you can enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

With over a decade of experience in event planning and management, I bring a well-rounded background spanning intimate gatherings to large-scale public events. My experience across these settings has equipped me with the strategic insight, adaptability, and attention to detail needed to execute events at every level.

I’ve previously worked as:

  • Executive Director for one of the largest and longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S., leading the strategic planning and execution of a multi-day, citywide event, overseeing vendor operations, cross-functional teams, sponsor relationships, and the guest experience for hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.

  • Member of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Special Events Department, supporting the execution of high-profile, large-scale events at Miller Park (now American Family Field).

  • Event & Operations Coordinator at UW–La Crosse, managing campus events with a focus on logistics, organization, and cross-department collaboration.

I’m skilled in managing corporate, personal, and community events, and my work is defined by seamless logistics, thoughtful planning, and a deep commitment to creating events that feel grounded, intentional, and genuinely enjoyable for all.

Awards & Recognition

  • Young Professionals Future Five Award - La Crosse Chamber of Commerce (2024)

  • Rising Star Under 40 – 7 Rivers Alliance (2023)

Community Involvement

Experience

Smiling woman sitting on a wooden stool against a dark patterned wall, wearing a light green shirt and jeans.
  • Hannah was so amazing and helpful during my bridal shower and wedding! It was so nice not to feel the need to articulate every specific detail because I fully trusted her judgement and knew that she had me and my event in mind with every decision she made. I would absolutely hire Modern Elm Events for any future events! Being able to enjoy the major events in your life, and not be overwhelmed by the planning and execution of it all, is such a blessing and Hannah made that possible for me!

    Tristyn V

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