Tara Messelt - FIDM's Star On the Strip … Las Vegas Strip, That Is

Imagine a career not only surrounded by the glitz, glamour and glitter of the Las Vegas Strip, but imagine that YOU are the one who creates it. What a dream job; what a fantasy career! Tara doesn't have to imagine it; Tara produces it!!!

In 1994, Tara graduated from FIDM with a degree in Visual Presentation and Space Design. After working as a Fashion Editor while still attending FIDM, she went on to freelance as a fashion stylist and display artist. Then, she took off to the adventuresome world of advertising. Tara's career took her from Palm Desert to San Francisco and Manhattan.

Village People

She landed an Assistant Account Executive in 1997 at a Los Angeles based public relations, advertising, and event planning agency, Year--2K Communications. This is where the real excitement began...with her primary clients being The Rio All-Suites Casino Resort in Vegas, Kahlua, Fox, Rhino Records, Moveline Magazine, Bloomingdale's, and radio stations KOST, KBIG, and Arrow 93.1.

Major Success So Far:
Special Events Producer of the Las Vegas "Rio-- Re-Live the 70's" special event, the KOST Listeners' Party, and Fox's New Year's Eve Live Special.

What's Next:
Rio Christmas Promotion; Fox/Rio New Year's Eve Event; Rio Carnivale; Valentine's Event; Century of Fashion Event.

Unique Talent:
Interpersonal skills with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Inspiration:
Parties. Crowds. Special Events.

Biggest Career Challenge:
Strategizing to maintain follow-through on a multitude of details.

Surprise of Her Career:
That her marketing, budget, and research classes at FIDM were the most beneficial in the business world.

Favorite Fashion Designers:
Prada and Dolce & Gabbana

Personal Philosophy:
"See yourself as what you want to become. Project that image to others. Act confident in order to inspire others to have confidence in you. Be passionate about what you do. ALL of this makes your job FUN, rather than WORK."

Wildest Dream for the Future:
"I hope that our generation and the ones that follow will work to make this world a more genteel and happy place."

Goal for the Year 2000:
"I want to continue to grow and then be in charge of my own events. I want to plan a New Year's Party for 1999!!!"

Most Notable Event of her Life:
Planning her own wedding for Fall 1998!!!

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication