planning MODE

What is planning MODE?

planning MODE is a Dallas event management company founded in 2009 by Monica Murrell and Desirée Hopper, who first worked together at a third-party management company, Monica on the operations side and Desirée in sales. The name carries both of them: MO for Monica and DE for Desirée. On its site the firm describes its focus as corporate conferences, events and incentive travel, and it names executive retreats and board meetings among the functions it plans. Its case studies describe the work closely. For a company that wanted to thank employees and their families, the firm planned a weekend at Lost Pines Resort outside Austin, starting with safari-themed invitations, greeting children with survival kits on arrival, adding a shaded tent for crafts and adult downtime, and closing with a jungle-themed dinner in an outdoor pavilion. It also arranged a last-minute private dinner in Austin for the sales team. For another client's annual company meeting at Hotel Palomar in San Diego, it organized a regional kickball tournament, handling city permits, brackets, branded shirts, local food vendors and a DJ to close the night. Further afield, planning MODE describes a sales incentive at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, with a morning of sailing on small local boats, a beach club lunch and a final dinner in a historic masseria with an orecchiette lesson from local women, plus pre- and post-trip extensions. Closer to home, it turned a Four Seasons ballroom in Dallas into a circus-themed holiday party. The founders describe a working style built on detailed lists, calm problem solving and learning each client's culture so the event feels like the company's own. For a Dallas team planning a retreat or a company weekend away, planning MODE offers a long-standing local partner with a strong travel side.

Based

Dallas

Founded

2009

Focus

Meetings and incentives

Event formats

• Executive retreats
• Company weekends
• Incentive trips
• Conferences

Past events