Our Story
It all started with a Heart for Hospitality...
CKG is a boutique, full service Hospitality & Event Management Agency.
“CKG” Christal Kotchman-Giardina, founder and CEO of CKG Hospitality, started this event business with the purpose to create authentic hospitable experiences.
Celebrating over 10 years in the event industry, CKG continues to work with clients to share their story through meaningful events which create authentic hospitable experiences.
Our attention to detail and personalized event planning approach, elevates the true meaning of hospitality. We love witnessing the moments when clients and guests feel welcome, a part of something special, and served with excellence. CKG creates the “Wow” through gatherings that leave attendees with an experience to remember and desiring more.
We hope to bring hospitality inspiration for our clients brand, business, lifestyle or home.
Hospitality is who we are… It’s in our DNA.
Meet the Founder
Christal Kotchman-Giardina
Founder | CEO | Event Planner
Christal’s personal hospitality and lifestyle, is why professional business exists today. Christal has over 10 years of experience in Event Planning, Event Design and Marketing. She has created, coordinated and marketed, a variety of memorable occasions over the years from Celebrity Chef Dining Experiences, Corporate Events to Holiday Parties, Fundraising & Charity, Sporting Events, Community Festivals, Socials, and much more.
Christal’s hospitality driven passion, love for quality food and joy for creating experiences for others to gather together, lead her to the launch of a local community event series, Toast on The Town. Toast on The Town (sister company of CKG), established in 2017, is a "Pop Up" Dinner concept showcasing Tampa's top local chefs while touring unique venues, creative spaces and locations throughout Tampa Bay.
What you may not know about Christal...
Christal grew up in the Tampa Bay area. Christal loves supporting local businesses and exploring Tampa's best eateries and local coffee shops. You will often find her with a good cup of coffee (especially on event days) more specifically a "cortado". She is a foodie naturally. This may stem back to her Italian roots and growing up around the table with family and friends. Did you know Christal is a former collegiate athlete and national champion in softball? She graduated from the College of Charleston in SC, with her Bachelors in Business & Marketing. She loves creating and designing and finds her own inspiration from other successful leaders in business.
Although Christal is a true entrepreneur and business owner, her pride and joy is with her family, Husband Carmine, son Jayden and fur baby - Boston Terrier pup Sasha.
