Today we’d like to introduce you to Cali De Loza.
Hi Cali, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Texas native who moved to San Diego two years ago with my husband, and I’ve always had a passion for events and creating experiences that are both meaningful and memorable. It started simply: setting special tablescapes for holidays, planning family parties, and getting hired by friends to bring their celebrations to life. Over time, I realized how much joy I found in the details, the ones most people overlook, but that make an event feel effortless and intentional.
In college, I became Vice President of my sorority and started planning events for our chapter and my church group. That’s when it clicked, there’s something energizing about bringing people together and crafting experiences that foster connection. Events let me tap into two sides of myself: the organized admin who thrives on timelines and a color-coded closet, and the creative who loves dreaming up unexpected touches that elevate the guest experience.
I worked my way into the professional event space by assisting with weddings during college, eventually joining Allday Events in Dallas, TX as the Director of Communications. I supported planning for up to 20 couples at a time, learning how to balance big-picture vision with small (but important) details. I discovered the power of truly understanding a client’s story and helping bring that to life. It was incredibly fulfilling to be part of someone’s most meaningful day, checking off every to-do, troubleshooting in real time, and making sure every moment felt intentional and true to them.
Before that, I served as Studio Director at Artist Uprising Studios, a film, photo, and event space, where I oversaw client relations, managed social media, and planned community-driven experiences like seasonal pop-ups and photography workshops. During that time, I also gained valuable experience working at a venue and catering company, where I learned the ins and outs of venue operations, logistics, and food service—seeing firsthand how each behind-the-scenes detail contributes to a seamless event. I later joined Terra Coast Events, where I supported weddings and had the opportunity to help lead their rebrand and launch party—another example of how much I enjoy being hands-on across every layer of an event.
I used to say it would be my dream to plan events at a space like Superbloom, and now I do. I’m currently the Event Lead at Mission Bay Beach Club, home to Superbloom Café, Moonlight Bar, and our beautiful waterfront venue. I work with clients on events from weddings and showers to corporate happy hours and internal events like artisan markets, wine tastings, and live music. Entering the San Diego event scene after years in the Dallas wedding world has been incredibly special. I’m so grateful to continue doing what I love: helping people celebrate life’s most meaningful moments through thoughtful, intentional events.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, there’s absolutely a learning curve with events. It’s not quite like the movies! I’ve found myself working in unexpected conditions—setting up in the snow, sprinting across a venue during setup, even dumpster diving. I genuinely love the effort that goes into it, because the outcome is so rewarding.
Every event teaches me something new. There’s always the potential for something to go off-plan, and in those moments, you have to think fast, troubleshoot on the spot, and stay calm under pressure. That constant need for adaptability and growth is what keeps it exciting, but it can also be challenging.
I care deeply about every event I touch, and with that comes pressure. I want each one to be perfect, even though I know perfection doesn’t always exist in events. Things go wrong and that’s just part of it. But the key is being proactive, anticipating needs before they arise, and leading with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset. At the end of the day, my goal is always that a client or guest would never know if something isn’t going to plan.
Over time, these experiences have sharpened my instincts and helped me build systems that allow me—and the teams I work with—to feel prepared and supported. Each challenge makes me better at anticipating client needs before they even have to ask, which is one of my favorite parts of the job.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the Event Lead at Mission Bay Beach Club, I work closely with clients who want to host their special events on our property whether it’s a wedding, baby shower, corporate happy hour, or community event. From the initial inquiry to the day of the event, I guide them through every step of the planning process. I give tours, answer questions, hop on calls or in-person meetings, share inspiration from past events, and offer advice and support that’s grounded in experience.
One of my favorite parts of the job is collaborating with our incredible chef, Taylor Martin Funk, to curate menus that align with each client’s vision. I coordinate across our kitchen team, alcohol partners, and trusted vendors to make sure every detail is accounted for. From layouts and timelines to run sheets and decor plans, I ensure the entire team is aligned so we can execute events seamlessly. On event days, I’m there managing the flow, making sure everything is on time, the space looks beautiful, and the food and beverage experience is smooth and elevated.
Beyond client events, I also lead the planning and ideation for our internal, community-facing events, finding creative ways to partner with local vendors and brands to bring the property to life with artisan markets, wine tastings, and more. I manage our social media accounts, sharing behind the scenes looks at event days, offerings, and more! I also serve on the executive team, helping ensure our events align with broader business goals and contribute to the overall success of the space.
What I’m most proud of is how I make clients feel. I’ve been a bride myself, and I remember how much it meant to feel heard and supported by the venue team. That experience really shaped how I approach my work. I care deeply about each event and every client, and I want them to feel that. I do my best to respond quickly, stay organized, and aim to be a calm, encouraging presence throughout the process.
Planning an event can be stressful and I want to be the easiest, most exciting part of the journey. If my clients look forward to our meetings, feel supported, and trust that I genuinely care about their day, then I’ve done my job well. I want every client to feel like I care about each detail of their event—because I do.
If something is important enough for them to celebrate, then it’s important enough for me to make it the best it can be. These moments matter, and it’s a privilege to be trusted with them. Whether it’s a wedding, a baby shower, or a corporate gathering, I treat each event with the same level of care, intention, and heart, because behind every event is a person or a story worth celebrating.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think the events industry will only continue to grow and evolve. People will always crave opportunities to pause, gather, and celebrate the meaningful moments in life: birthdays, weddings, graduations, and everything in between. There’s something deeply human about marking time and milestones with intention, and events give us the space to do just that.
What I’m most excited about is how personalization is continuing to take center stage. Clients are becoming more bold and creative in how they want their events to look and feel, they want experiences that reflect who they are, not just something that checks the box. I hope we continue to push the mold of what’s possible. I love when someone brings me an out-of-the-box idea and we get to figure out how to bring it to life in a way that’s beautiful and seamless.
From immersive guest experiences to more sustainable event practices, I think we’ll see a lot of innovation in the next 5–10 years. Technology will continue to play a role, but I also think there will be a strong return to human connection, intention, and storytelling. In many ways, I feel like the events industry is just getting started, and I’m excited to be part of where it goes next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.missionbaybeachclub.com/special-events
- Instagram: @calideloza @missionbaybeachclub
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cali-de-loza
- Other: https://www.eventective.com/san-diego-ca/the-mission-bay-beach-club-746346.html
Image Credits
Tablescape image with white chairs: credit to @ashdubsphoto – Ashley Williams Photography
