Faces - Amanda Arganbright

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

UNC Charlotte Center City has been open for less than a year, but it quickly has become a popular venue for meetings and events. Juggling the many requests for space in the facility is Amanda Arganbright.

As manager for reservations and special events at UNC Charlotte Center City, Arganbright assists individuals with all the details related to holding an event at the University’s Uptown presence.

“We have a lot of academic space in the building, but there is some great event space, too,” said Arganbright. “I assist people with everything from parking, to working with Chartwells, to arranging for audio/video support, to event setup.”

The only UNC system classroom building conceived and designed specifically to serve the business, organizations and residents of an urban center, UNC Charlotte Center City is generating a lot of positive comments.

“People are really overwhelmed by the facility. They talk about how beautiful and clean it is and how it is so modern-looking,” Arganbright stated. “It lends itself very well to many types of events, from small meetings for as few as four people to conferences of up to 350. Our spaces are very flexible – for example our flat classrooms can be configured from lecture-style to conference-style to reception-style and all include smart podiums to accommodate audiovisual needs.”

In addition to the building’s classrooms, there are atrium, mezzanine and terrace spaces available for events.

Demand for UNC Charlotte Center City as an event venue is high from campus units as well as community groups, so the challenge for Arganbright is to “keep all the balls in the air.” Communication is the key, she noted. “In working with clients, it is important they understand not only the University’s policies and procedures, but those specific to UNC Charlotte Center City. Our goal is to always be at the top of our game, to help every event run smoothly and to provide the best customer service possible.”

A UNC Charlotte alumna, Arganbright completed a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She transferred from Augusta State University after her husband Bryon was reassigned with First Union (now Wells Fargo). As a non-traditional student, she appreciated the family atmosphere of UNC Charlotte and how easy it was to become integrated into the life of the campus. “I bleed 49er green. I remember helping with the groundbreaking for UNC Charlotte Center City as part of the special events team in the Advancement Division, so it is rewarding to be part of the history of this facility and help it fulfill its role in the mission of the University.”

Arganbright’s duties necessitate some night and weekend work, which she shares with an events coordinator. When not on the job at UNC Charlotte Center City, she and her husband enjoy boating on Lake Norman and looking after their “furry children,” which is how they refer to their three cats. An avid reader, Arganbright also helps a friend with her shop Freshly. The store specializes in organic and eco-friendly products.