Martha Stewart

Last week was crazy! My week started Monday morning at 9 a.m. for a logistics meeting regarding Martha Stewart's visit. People from event services, public relations and food/dining all gathered to make sure everything was in place for Martha's book signing. The Georgia Aquarium was selling two of Martha's cookbooks for her to sign. We ran through the schedule of events and discussed what each team needed to do. The rest of the day was spent doing any necessary tasks in preparation for her arrival.

Tuesday morning started bright and early at 6:30 a.m. with the arrival of the production crew. The other members of the PR department as well as myself divided among the crew and helped them with anything they needed. We started in the Aquarium ballroom where Martha had her book signing, so the production crew could set up the proper lighting. At 10:30 a.m., I went with one of the camera men into the Aquarium kitchen to film one of our chefs making cookies that would be passed out with milk to people waiting in line. Martha arrived to the Aquarium at 11:00 a.m. and had interviews with WXIA 11 Alive News, WXIA Atlanta & Company and the AJC. I thought she was skinnier in person.

The book signing went very well. We believe more than 500 people attended, and two women who worked for Martha said this was one of the best book signings they have ever had! The signing lasted around three hours, so Martha was very tired by the end of the event. I helped with crowd control as well as media who came to the event.

After the book signing, Martha filmed an interview at the Ocean Voyager wall with Billy Hurley. There was also a diver in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, so Martha could ask questions about the fish. I had a very important role in this interview because Martha asked a question, which I heard from a speaker at the top of the exhibit. I then asked the diver in the water Martha's question through a special radio, and he answered her question under water. That was an exciting experience I had never done before! Martha finished her day at the Aquarium helping the trainers with a beluga whale feed.

We were supposed to film a few more feedings; however, we ran out of time because Martha had a dinner to attend. We helped the crew store their equipment because we had additional footage to shoot in the morning. After a long day, I feel asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Wednesday morning was not as early, but we had to arrive by 8 a.m. The camera crew was filming additional footage for Martha to use on her show, which airs March 5. We filmed animals in the Aquarium as well as different feedings, including whale sharks, alligators, penguins and sea otters.

Those three days were hectic. I was so tired by the end of each day. I had never done a filming like this before, but I really enjoyed the experience. It was great meeting Martha and her staff!