Expanding
Kay May of Scottsdale Private Event Venues and Scottsdale Hangar Parties often incorporates classic and antique cars into events. (Karen May/Submitted)
Entertainment Scottsdale Private Event Venues flourishes with new partner and event locations
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By Laura Latzko
he event-planning industry took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scottsdale Private Event Venues and Scottsdale Hangar Parties, local companies out of Scottsdale, have had to adapt to changes in the industry, but they are growing thanks to the expertise of the woman behind the business, Karen May. The companies help with planning a range of different types of corporate, business and private events in different parts of the Valley, but they are best known for their hangar parties. May started the companies in 2017. She has worked in different parts of the hospitality industry and wanted to get away from ballroom environments.
“I love a blank slate. I love something that I can turn into something else,” May says. The company is poised to expand to new venues. There are new hangar builds in Deer Valley and in Mesa at Falcon Field Airpark, and a new event venue in Scottsdale Airpark called Micks Place, which will have luxury cars and memorabilia. May says having hangars in other locations, such as Mesa, will expand on what her company is able to offer. “We think it will be a good addition out there with all of those big companies coming in to do holiday parties or brand launches,” May says. The owners of the hangars and event venue have sought out May’s advice on what is needed for the space. “We don’t usually get to be involved in what the building is like,” May says “We always work around things, but it’s neat when you get something that you wanted.” May recently brought on a new partner, Julie Hannigan. Originally from a small town in Oregon,
20 / SCOTTSDALE AIRPARK NEWS / AUGUST 2022
Hannigan has a background working in the hospitality industry, in hotels and restaurants. May has known Hannigan since 1989 and brought her to Arizona from Texas to work with her at a local hotel. “I don’t have the time or patience to bring some youngster in and try to train them. Julie’s been on the hotel side forever, so she knows food and beverage. She knows operations. We are very similar. It was the perfect fit,” May says. May says having a partner has allowed her company to do more events, sometimes on the same day. “I know that it’s going to get done, and it’s going to get done right. There’s not a lot of times that that happens, but lately it seems to be more and more, especially around the holidays,” May says. Having a partner has also allowed May to be able to travel other states, such as North Carolina, to produce conferences. With their events, the company always tries to bring custom, out-of-the-box experiences for guests. They can include classic and antique cars,
