In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we dive into one of the most powerful and misunderstood growth engines in the non-alcoholic industry: Event Planning & Event Management.

If you run a non-alc bar, kava bar, bottle shop, sober lounge, or third space, you already know that events drive everything: foot traffic, community-building, customer retention, brand visibility, and revenue spikes. But most business owners treat events like last-minute ideas instead of what they really are: a core department inside your business.

In Part 5 of the Department in a Box™ Series, Marina breaks down:

• why events must function as an internal department, not a chaotic side project

• the three pillars of an effective event system: Planning, Management, and Debriefing

• the most common mistakes businesses make when hosting events (and why they keep happening)

• how to reduce stress, eliminate last-minute scrambling, and turn events into predictable revenue drivers

• the templates, SOPs, timelines, checklists, and systems behind high-performing event programs

• how the right structures can help you scale community events, vendor activations, tastings, pop-ups, sober meetups, live music, workshops, menu launches, and more

If you want the plug-and-play tools Marina uses with top NA bars and kava bars across the country, grab The Event Planner Box™, which includes ready-to-use event workflows, run-of-show templates, vendor coordination guides, permit checklists, marketing rollout calendars, Notion event databases, and full department SOPs.

🎁 Get instant access to The Event Planner Box™: https://themodernmocktail.thrivecart.com/the-event-planner-box/

This episode is essential for any founder or operator who wants to host smoother events, drive consistent traffic, and build a real community around their business without burning out.