Destination: Extra-Ordinary
In 2012, Hope Caldwell was enjoying the early fruits of hard work and hustle at top-tier providers of destination management services. Backed by academic cred and anecdotal kudos, she had built a name for herself in the realm of tourism and hospitality. But a mission trip to East Africa took Hope's spirit for a spin. Embraced by a community almost the antithesis of American society — people achingly impoverished in possessions but resplendent in kindness and character — left her reeling ... then rapturous ... then resolved.
The trip re-framed Hope's view of the world and her role in it. Neither compelled to abandon her career nor called to full-time philanthropy, she was determined to find space for both good enterprise and good humanness. Hope painstakingly blended and balanced these duo-purposes and harmonious virtues. By autumn of 2015, the vision that emerged was vivid enough to claim Hope's undivided attention. The next year, she founded KLH Group.
From the start, the new firm promised equal outcomes: extra-ordinary events and experiences that matter. Today, KLH Group is a Charleston-based destination management and event production company that dreams big and delivers across three key service lines: destination management, event planning and design, and social impact. Hope leads a small team with a big heart who have fresh ideas about creating luxury corporate events that make a positive impact.
Hope’s KLH crew has earned a reputation of simply nailing it, each and every time. They are all-in, always. And exceptional, without exception. Every corporate retreat orchestrated, every team-building event produced, every social impact activity coordinated, each one strengthens the biceps of their mission and stretches the endurance of their creative energy.
Still, on occasion, Hope returns to the question KLH Group has been addressing since its inception: is it okay to link celebration and service? And the constant, consistent, resounding answer is YES.
In fact, time and again it has become clear that the sum is greater than its parts. The KLH team has seen it and knows it to be true and magical. Philanthropy deserves to be festive. Hilarity elevates charity. And frankly, goodwill spreads better in a good time.
Mission
KLH Group is a destination management and luxury event production company that specializes in fun. We combine expert advice, innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail to create high-end experiences that matter.
Core values
Adopted from Simon Sinek's book "Start with Why," KLH Group was founded on the following principles:
People Matter
Truth Wins
Transparency Frees
Quality Speaks
Authenticity Attracts
Generosity Returns
Courage Sustains
Origin Story
Success is sweet, but fulfillment is a necessity.
Meet the team
Hope Caldwell | Principal of KLH Group
Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Hope Caldwell majored in International Travel & Tourism and minored in Event Management at Johnson and Wales University in Providence Rhode Island. Growing up as the youngest of 7, Hope is resourceful and tenacious. After graduating cum laude with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism in 2003, Hope spent over a decade working various roles at a five star property in the luxury event industry including logistics & transportation, destination management, and event design/management.
Hope is passionate about serving the underserved, leads medical missionary trips to Africa annually with One World Health, and was honored with the 2018 Social Impact Award by Local Choice for launching the KLH Group, which is passionately connecting clients to social causes that matter most to them and their employees through high end service events. In 2017, Hope founded Doors to Dream, a 501C-3 who is working to mentor and employ underserved high school students throughout the school year and summer months. Hope is the co-founder of The Spokes Group, a 501C-3 whose mission is to put deserving children on bicycles promoting health and wellness in communities.
Throughout her hospitality career, Hope has successfully produced luxury corporate events for many Fortune 500 companies.
Victoria Hill | Director of Operations
Victoria is a native Charlestonian, born and raised in the Lowcountry. She received her B.S. in Sociology from the College of Charleston in 2012 and it was during this time she quickly found a love for learning about people of various backgrounds, likely rooted in all the history and diversity Charleston has to offer.
Post-graduation Victoria continued to feel a calling to non-profit organizations where her daily work could make a long-term impact. She worked pro bono for East Cooper Land Trust, prior to accepting a job with one of the most reputable craft beverage wholesalers in the Southeast. She spent five years gaining experience in purchasing and brand management and thrived in an environment surrounded by passionate and hardworking individuals. Victoria and Hope met several years ago via an introduction based on mutual passions and long-term business goals. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to follow her heart and be a part of the KLH Group!
Victoria’s passion for nature, wildlife and serving her local community can be seen through her commitment to being involved in multiple organizations. Victoria volunteers with Bridges of Hope and is an active Edisto Beach State Park Sea Turtle Program Volunteer. In 2018 Victoria completed the Ultimate Hike, a 28-mile day hike to raise awareness for Children’s Cancer Research. Victoria is a participant in the 2024 Leadership Charleston class through the Charleston Chamber Metro of Commerce.
In her spare time, you can find Victoria chasing around her toddler, Milo, enjoying the outdoors with her husband, and savoring dessert with every meal.
Laura Hall | Program Manager
Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Laura Hall has called Charleston home for the past six years. Laura graduated from the College of Charleston cum laude where she studied Communication, Hospitality Management, and Political Science. Through the Semester at Sea Program, Laura spent the fall of her Junior year studying and exploring countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. While still a student, Laura gained firsthand experience in Charleston’s event industry, and grew to a position overseeing staff and day off execution.
Laura also interned with a national nonprofit and local hospital contributing to fundraising event planning. After graduation, Laura began her professional career in the non-profit sector. She successfully coordinated logistics for fundraising events from intimate committee meetings to 800 person black-tie galas. Laura prides herself on anticipating potential issues and resolving them before they occur.
In her free time Laura enjoys painting, yoga, spending time at the beach, and trying new restaurants.
Jenna Garrison | Program Manager
Jenna was raised in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York and attended the Culinary Institute of America where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management.
Upon graduating, Jenna moved to Boston, turning her focus toward fine dining. Her search for the best restaurant in the city landed her at the acclaimed French-inspired Back Bay restaurant, L’Espalier. Here, she studied the fine details of service, food and wine as a dining room Captain. She also discovered her passion for executing events in a luxury setting.
Jenna & her husband Greg traded in big city life for the coastal vibes of Charleston in 2015. For the next six years, she worked at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. Here, she planned and executed a vast array of high-end corporate programs, including events for the 2021 PGA Championship. She says as soon as she experienced what true “Southern Hospitality” felt like, she was hooked on the Lowcountry and hasn’t looked back.
Jenna and Greg recently welcomed their first baby Julia! In the free time she has left, Jenna is likely spending time cooking at home, enjoying the outdoors with her family and two Labradors, or traveling to see family up north. Jenna has also dedicated time to raising a puppy for Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Rachel Fair | Business Development
Rachel was born in Colorado and has lived in ten states, but she loves the South best, particularly the Lowcountry.
Rachel graduated from the University of Delaware, and taught in Delaware, Maryland and California. Her experiences helped her discover a love of people, creating a purposeful environment and enriching lives.
She has thoroughly enjoyed raising two girls and serving in her local community, organizing events for church and schools.
Rachel enjoys building relationships with clients and vendors, creating valuable and memorable experiences, and highlighting the best of what The KLH Group offers.
She spends her free time with her family and her golden retriever and enjoys exercise, college football, photography, exploring area beaches and waterways, and experiencing local restaurants.
Megan Edwardson | Chief Financial Officer
Megan grew up near Atlanta, GA before attending Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. After loving being in a historical coastal town, the next logical step was Charleston, SC. Charleston is where she found her path, and nobody was more surprised than her when it revealed itself as accounting.
In 2014 Megan began her post-undergrad education by working at an accounting firm by day and tending bar by night. In 2016 she became a federally licensed tax practitioner and earned her Enrolled Agent credential via the IRS. She also began her own tax and accounting firm and volunteered as the treasurer for the Folly Beach Business Association. Her focus and passion are for small businesses and helping them navigate the ever-intimidating financial world. As her firm grew, she has been fortunate to work with many industries and met an eclectic and impressive mix of hard-working people from all walks of life.
In her almost 15 years in Charleston, she married a local musician before moving back to St. Augustine to be close to her family. Even though they are both technically Floridians now, she and her husband are back and forth between the two cities frequently. Usually in the back seat is their trusty rescue dog, Shrimp Boat.
Megan began working with The KLH Group in 2017 and has truly loved watching it blossom with the positivity Hope and her team bring to their industry. She’s honored to be able to take on a larger role in assisting KLH with both everyday and overall financial operations.
Courtney Reardon | Program Manager
Courtney considers herself a midwestern girl whose heart was captured by Charleston. She graduated summa cum laude from Purdue University (Boiler UP!) in 2020 with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Managment with minors in Event & Meeting Management and Political Science.
In addition to Courtney’s passion for events throughout college, she wanted to explore and develop her hotel operations skills, so she worked her way through different departments in roles such as Assistant Executive Housekeeper and Director of Front Office. While she loved her time in hotels, Courtney is excited to focus on creating unique and memorable experiences that made people feel seen and valued. She believes The KLH Group provides the perfect melting pot for her love for serving people, high energy interactions, and the opportunity to create joyful, fun experiences.
When she is not at work she can be found flying high in bungee fitness classes, watching college basketball, traveling to new cities, enjoying Purdue sports, and exploring local restaurants and bars.
Ann Alyse Messick | Program Coordinator
Ann Alyse is a native of Aiken, South Carolina, but has spent the past few years enjoying the Lowcountry. She pursued a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the College of Charleston Honors College where she learned to love Charleston’s hospitality industry. During this time, Ann Alyse gained first-hand experience in wedding planning, event/logistics coordination, and destination management.
Beyond her studies, Ann Alyse finds joy in reading, traveling, indulging in board games, and spending quality time with her family. Most recently, she enjoyed a study abroad opportunity in Iceland where she learned the key aspects to growing a destination’s tourism.
With an attention to detail and passion for the hospitality world, Ann Alyse looks forward to bringing her practical expertise to the team at KLH Group.
