Amelia Worrell first became involved with Palmer House Stable after meeting owner Al Wells at an internship fair hosted by the University of Iowa. That initial opportunity soon developed into a part-time position that she has now held for over a year.
Although Worrell was raised in Austin, Texas, she has deep ties to the Solon community through her family. Her father was born and raised in the community, and she spent many holidays in the area growing up, resulting in her love for the small town of Solon.
These local connections played a significant role in her initial decision to apply when she saw Palmer House Stable was offering an internship.
“When I saw Palmer House Stable was having an internship role, I immediately knew I would love to further my event planning expertise in a town I already had fond memories in,” Worrell said. “Al and I connected with our close ties to the town, and this was ultimately the deciding factor for me receiving the internship.”
She said the workload can vary significantly from week to week.
“During peak season, a typical week would include venue tours and planning meetings with clients and then weddings and events on the weekends,” she said. “The job is flexible as some weeks could have 3-4 events while others may have none.”
In the winter months, when fewer events are scheduled, Worrell works closely with Wells on marketing and promotional efforts to bring new clients into the venue. Worrell said a recent campaign, the “Win a Wedding” promotion running through the end of February, has helped Palmer House Stable stand out in a busy wedding market.
Among her most memorable experiences at the venue are the weddings where she is closely involved in the planning and execution, as well as unique community-based events.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one specific memory as I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing brides and a variety of events,” Worrell said. “I love the weddings I get to be super hands on with when my brides utilize my event planning service, and I love getting to see all the planning pay off on the day of the celebration.”
She also fondly recalled participating in seasonal events hosted at the Stable.
“Some of my favorites include Winterfest where I was an Elf and Al dressed up as Santa and a recent Princess event we did at the Stable,” she said.
Working at Palmer House Stable has deepened Worrell’s appreciation for Solon’s history. Originally built in 1838 as a delivery horse stable, the building was restored with the goal of maintaining its iconic historical aesthetic.
“During my interview, Al gave me the rundown of the beautiful venue, and I was in awe of how the venue was restored yet still held true to the authenticity of the original building,” she said.
Worrell added that the venue’s transformation over the years has made it a central part of downtown Solon.
“Throughout this last year, it has been amazing seeing some of the greatest hits of Solon, like Beef Days, from the venue and appreciating how this longstanding building is at the heart of it All.”
Worrell said her experience at Palmer House Stable has expanded her skill set beyond what she expected when she first began.
“I have grown in my client relations skills and learned how to take preventative measures or have quick thinking regarding crisis management,” she said. “Al has been an amazing mentor, and he
has given me the freedom to try new things and bring new ideas to the venue.”
Looking ahead, Worrell’s future plans remain largely tied to Palmer House Stable. After graduating from the University of Iowa this spring, she plans to continue working at the venue.
“I see no other experience being as fulfilling as being the planner for Palmer House Stable.”
Worrell is also particularly excited about upcoming events at the Stable, such as a Spring Fest planned for April in collaboration with University of Iowa event management certificate students. She encourages interested couples to book tours at the venue before the “Win a Wedding” promotion ends Feb. 28.