After spending part of her career in downtown residential real estate sales, Casey Gilmore partnered with Debbie Branscum to create Cincinnati Events Management, Cincinnati’s premiere full service event management and planning agency. Casey was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Ball State University where she studied Communications. Desiring an urban lifestyle, she returned to her roots and completed her Bachelors in Communications at the University of Cincinnati. As a downtown resident at the time, she obtained her real estate license and focused on the sales of downtown condominiums.

With an increased interest in urban living, Casey returned to UC and entered the DAAP program where she obtained her degree in Urban Studies. She was hired at 3CDC as the Sponsorship Manager for the newly renovated Fountain Square in 2008 where she and Branscum were business partners for five years before starting Cincinnati Events Management.

She has been a part of many of Cincinnati’s well-known annual events including Bockfest, Bunbury Music Festival, Cincinnati Cheese Fest, Cincinnati Food and Wine Classic, Taste of OTR, Western Southern Open, Airheads, Buckle Up Music Festival, and so much more.

We were so excited to have the chance to talk to Casey about being a Woman Behind the Music in Cincinnati!

What is something that people may not know about you?
Not a lot of people know my paternal side of the family lives in a small town, Circleville, Ohio, home of the Circleville Pumpkin Show, which I attend every year and so should everyone! I wonder if my enjoyment at this annual event is one of the reasons I love this industry.

As a woman in the Cincinnati music/entertainment industry, how do you feel that gender factors into your work and its reception? Do you feel hindered to any extent, or does working for a business run by females give you the edge to reach out to people that may otherwise seek another company?There are not many companies in the Tri-State area that focus on community event production and sponsorship sales, and the ones that are in place are overwhelmingly male-owned. Debbie and I take pride in being a 100 percent female-owned company and try to hire and encourage other women to join us in this industry first and foremost. Our gender has been a hindrance at times, however, we have overcome these experiences by providing solid work for our clients (and continuing to build more connections based on those relationships).

Who do you look to for inspiration/who do you admire in the industry?
I have been very lucky to work with Bill Donabedian in various capacities since 2008 and hope to continue working with him on community-changing projects in the future. Of course, I admire my wonderful business partner, Debbie Branscum, and Christy Samad with 3CDC! I don’t know how she can be able to do it all and stay sane!   

What legacy do you hope to leave for other professionals in the industry or for up-and-coming talent looking to more seasoned professionals for advice and inspiration? What do you want people to think when they hear Casey Gilmore?
Keep it fun! I am a firm believer that if you’re not enjoying what you are doing, then you should not be doing it.

March is Women’s History Month, in celebration, CincyMusic.com will be featuring important women behind the music scene in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the home of so many amazing women within the music industry. These women include; an activist, a Director of Marketing, Music Editor, Producer, musicians, and many more!

Stay tuned to CincyMusic.com for our Features on these talented women this month!