Tyler Sturdivant is Inspire’s Event Planning Assistant Manager, a vital team member behind the execution of our brands’ biggest events. She’s always known she wanted to work in event planning and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration to do just that. What she didn’t expect was an internship that would not only bring her back to her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, but kickstart her full-time career.
As a 2021 Inspire Intern at the Atlanta Global Support Center, Tyler joined a tight-knit team responsible for supporting meetings and events across the organization. From helping plan large-scale franchisee conventions for brands like Arby’s and SONIC, to coordinating an end-of-summer intern celebration, Tyler quickly gained the hands-on experience she was seeking. “I just showed up every day and kept learning.”
Tyler’s background in Hotel Administration turned out to be the perfect foundation for corporate event planning. “Taking classes like accounting really helped with budgets,” she explains. “Learning about hotel brands, room blocks, and revenue management comes in handy when we’re working on event contracts. Even restaurant courses helped with understanding food and beverage, pairings, and preparation, which is vital for planning event menus.”
From the moment Tyler walked into Inspire, she was surprised by how empowering the company’s culture was. “I thought corporate life was going to be really structured and stuffy. But at Inspire, there’s so much flexibility and agency to go about your work in a way that works for you. That trust and support makes such a difference.”
Tyler officially joined Inspire as a full-time Events Coordinator in 2022 and recently celebrated a promotion to Event Planning Assistant Manager in 2024. She now oversees attendee registration and event communications with a focus on event technology, hotel sourcing, and data collection.
To continue developing, Tyler is focused on exploring all aspects of the event planning industry, from logistics and strategy to culture-focused experiences. “There are so many ways to build a career in this space. I’m still learning, and there’s no better place to spread my wings than Inspire.”
Throughout her journey, Tyler says she’s always felt supported by those around her. “People are so willing to help, no matter how small or big the task.” For others just starting out, she says an eager and flexible mindset is key. “You have to put your best foot forward and be open to learn. You don’t have to know everything — you just have to be willing to grow.”
Tyler is one of three interns who has joined the Communications and Corporate Affairs team full-time. Interested in an internship with Inspire and our brands? 2026 internships are now live on the Inspire Careers website.
