Anne Urban is the new president of the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club. She started her own company in 2004 after 22 years in the hotel business and now she has a pair of companies specializing in event planning and wedding supplies. She has enjoyed the many wonderful women who are part of the club and share the common belief of community and giving back to others in need as she does. Her involvement in the club has led to lifelong friendships being developed.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I own two businesses, called Destination Planning and Florida Wedding Supplies. We plan and design more than 150 events per year in North Florida.
I moved to Ponte Vedra in 1991 and have lived in the community for over 30 years. I have been married 39 years to Steve Urban and have two daughters, Lauren and Sarah along with four amazing grandchildren.
What led to the creation of Destination Planning, and how long have you been in business?
I was in the hotel business for 22 years and when the community secured the Super Bowl in 2005, I knew the time was right to start my own company to serve the corporate clients that the Super Bowl would bring to town.
I started my company on April 1, 2004, and booked over $1 million worth of Super Bowl business. That event is truly what launched my company and has allowed me to be in business for almost 20 years.
We specialize in assisting companies and organizations from around the country who are bringing groups to our region with all their planning needs. We are their local destination experts.
Florida Wedding Supplies makes up over half our business. We are the largest full-service wedding planning company in North Florida. We do everything but cook.
From in-house floral designs, rentals, custom signage, to full-service coordination, we offer a one-stop shop service to assist our couples with the planning process.
We make it stress-free and most of all, fun to plan their wedding in these very busy and unpredictable times.
What are your goals and objectives for the business moving forward?
My passion is definitely the wedding side of our business. I also love to support the nonprofit community by offering my expertise to help their planners maximize their fundraising efforts.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Getting to know my clients is my favorite part of the job. I get to help them with some of the most important events of their life.
As I get to know my customers and their vision, the fun part is making their vision come to life! I help plan and design weddings, anniversary parties, significant birthday parties and even celebration of life events.
What are some of the aspects of the industry that are more challenging but still fun?
The hospitality industry has been through so much over the last 25 years. From 9/11 to two recessions and one pandemic, it has been a real challenge to keep the industry whole. I have loved using my experience to help my clients and colleagues navigate these turbulent times.
What are you looking forward to most about being the new president of the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club?
I have loved helping the PVWC increase their fundraising by over 100% in the last few years. It is very rewarding especially in light of the economy.
My passion for this club has been getting to know so many wonderful women who share the common belief of community and giving back to others in need.
I look forward to developing even stronger programs, fundraising events and increasing our membership by introducing our club to all the amazing women that continue to grace our community.
How have you enjoyed the club since joining?
Living in a community our size can be difficult to meet friends once your kids grow up. Since joining our Club, I feel I have met lifelong friends.
We share fun activities; common goals and our social events are so much fun! This club has made making friends and getting involved so much easier to do.
What do you enjoy most about living in the North Florida area?
Where do I begin…the beach, the big city/small town feel, the friendliness of our community, the convenience of our location to everything.
Did I mention the beach? LOL
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spending time with family is definitely top on the list. I do love to travel when time permits.
I am involved with several women’s groups because I am so inspired with the women in our area. I feel these groups help me to be a better wife, mother, grandmother, friend and employer. They just make me a better “me.”
