Sara Stark Mikolich – Founder & Lead Planner
Experienced Meeting Professional & Leader
As a noted lead project manager with 20+ years of experience in professional meeting & event planning and consulting, Sara has worked with distinguished companies, non-profits and industry trade associations on a local, national and international platform. Sara brings her high energy, organizational and communication skills, ability to multi-task as well as her diverse experience in the hospitality and marketing/communications industries. Sara’s unique background runs the gamut – from booking bands and working in the catering industry to managing technology expos to running large-scale, international investment conferences. Equipped with an inherent project manager’s savvy, Sara uses her talents to take the wheel of high profile and large conferences and events – often helping build them from the ground up. Her business moxie, technological dexterity and resourcefulness make her among the most organized and capable project managers in the industry.
Industry Involvement & Leadership Roles
Sara is active member of the Senior Planner Industry Network (SPIN) and involved with the Twin Cities branch leadership team.
Awards & Recognition
Recognized as Minnesota’s Meeting Planner of the Year in 1999 and named as one of the Top Five Event Pros in 2002 by Minnesota Meeting & Events magazine, Sara is the founder and owner of The Stark Group. The Stark Group was nominated for Best Planner for Minnesota Meetings & Events “Best Of” Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Previous Experience
Before forming The Stark Group in 2004, Sara co-founded an event services/consulting firm and high-tech meeting facility company called The Venue in 2001. As President and co-Founder of The Venue, Sara helped create the new Meeting and Conference Center in Saint Paul in 2001. Sara formed the business concept, secured start up investments and relationships to proceed with the build out. Sara was responsible for building the brand for The Venue and generating promotion through an integrated, grass roots marketing approach and also managed the day-to-day business operations, staffing, marketing and sales activities.