ABOUT THE HENLEY COMPANY
The Henley Company is a San Diego based event, travel and lifestyle concierge firm founded by Nicole R. Matthews, CSEP in 2007. Our accolades throughout our career tell us we are very good at what we do; a look at our international and national portfolio illustrates some of the savvy projects we’ve produced. We are excited to now work with clients that are open to turning their events into experiences. Our clients see us as architects of experiences not just event planners; this suits us just fine. We love clients that allow us to execute projects through a more playful approach, which in turn is sophisticated play.
With the success of our self-produced events, The Henley Company works with event professionals, meeting planners, fundraising experts, small business entrepreneurs and personal concierge businesses to teach our process for producing events that are both revenue-generating and brand building.
Now operating as a concierge firm specializing in event, travel, and lifestyle experiences, our intention has been to design a company that focuses on giving clients the gift of time by managing their projects, and to-do lists, so they can play and experience life!
ABOUT NICOLE R. MATTHEWS
Meet our visionary founder and discover her many facets below
EVENT EXPERIENCE
With over 14 years of event management experience, Nicole Matthews has produced a long list of distinguished events for notable organizations both nationally and in the United Kingdom. Nicole not only works with clients to create unique experiences, significant celebrations and memory-making events, but she is also recognized as a leader in self-producing events and strategic partnerships.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Active in her industry, Nicole is the Past-President for the San Diego Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and is one of 350 professionals in the world to hold the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation. She has earned a Certificate in Event Management from the University of San Diego / George Washington University Event Management Program, a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Davis and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego.
EVENT PRODUCTION
Nicole has self-produced numerous high-profile events, which are original concepts promoted to targeted demographics. Her “Sex and the City: The Movie” premier became a landmark event and established her reputation as an expert in self-producing events. The event was so successful she franchised the concept to event planners in other markets so they could self-produce events around the opening of Sex and the City 2. Nicole now coaches planners about the benefits of self-producing events and the value of strategic partnership.
NICOLE’S FAVORITES
Nicole’s favorite recent activites include trapeze school, swimming with the manatees in Florida, zip lining in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and seeing her beloved Royals, Wills & Kate, in person!
NOTEWORTHY PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Nominee, ISES Esprit Award, an award granted to the best and brightest in the special events industry
2007 Nominee, Women Who Mean Business Award
2008 Recipient of the TWIN Award, granted by the YWCA of San Diego
2009 40 Under 40 Award Recipient, awarded by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine
2011 Nominee, Women Who Move the City Presented by San Diego Magazine
2013 Recipient, Industry Affiliate of the Year, San Diego Ad Club
2013 – Recipient, Instructor of the Year, University of San Diego, Event Management Program
IN HER FREE TIME
When she is not in the office, Nicole can be found with a Diet Coke in hand planning a trip to somewhere that requires a passport, kicking a soccer ball, scanning her social media sites or belly laughing with her family.