Dodlie is a star, simply put. Excelling in event management requires a unique set of skills and gusto. Dodlie has these in multitudes. Coming from someone with years and years of event experience, in multiple capacities, Dodlie regularly exceeds expectations. Tenacious, dedicated, and inventive, she has regularly been a pleasure to work with over the years. When planning an event in Grand Rapids, the first name in coordination and planning should be Dodlie!

For many years now I’ve had the privilege of attending several events put on by Dodlie Benoit. Everything from fashion shows, street fairs, birthday parties, NYE parties, and even her own baby shower. You can always tell how much thought and effort goes into each event she puts her mind and hands to. She’s very communicative, honest, and hardworking. She will work hard so that you don’t have to.
She has this innate ability to take a small idea and turn it into the grandest idea, and it’s never what you expected, it’s always more than what you expected. We also always joke that she’s always ten steps ahead. We have no idea how or when she has the time to get the things done, but somehow, she’s always ready and everything is always complete.
She’s very intentional and you will see that from the first moment you meet her. On top of her amazing skills, she’s also very personable and she makes you feel like you’re the only one that matters in a room. If you’re looking for someone who’s highly detail oriented, quick, and efficient, and an overall amazing human being you must book with Dodlie Benoit.
Trust me, you won’t regret it.

I went on a 2 week trip to Europe spanning 5 countries with lots of different places planned. I’m a very spontaneous traveler so I don’t like to be tied down too much with certain activities. I had him maneuver all the hustle and bustle of travel, air bnb’s and all that time consuming planning of this type of movement in a short period of time. He did a great job finding a few events and helping pick some of the cities to see on the trip. One of the highlights for me was the Rihanna/Weeknd/Big Sean Concert in Amsterdam. He set me up with bungee jumping in the mountains of the Czech Republic when the original bungee place in Prague was closed. He found a wonderful art exhibition of Salivador Dali also in Prague right by my air bnb in Old Town with amazing views. His air bnb selection was absolutely astounding. . All the places were in great locations at affordable rates that simplified so much of the trip. I wanted to eat at a few Michelin restaurants which he booked and gave me multiple options and choices in different cities. He even had me fly to Dublin for a night because the flight from Chicago saved me $700 to fly to Dublin then to go directly to Prague from Chicago. He really does a fantastic job of facilitating hassle free travel experiences. He was great at seeking out concealed gems underneath the hustle and bustle of the crowded tourist attractions and set me up with all the info and booking I needed for this European journey. Highly recommended for any and all travel excursions. His cost is minimal for the amount of enlightening experience you’ll have working with Matt is worth every penny.

Working with Dodlie on the 2023 A Glimpse of Africa Festival was a true delight. The live TV broadcast required juggling a lot of communication and problem-solving, both leading up to the festival and during. Dodlie’s support in orchestrating a complex broadcast in the midst of a large and hectic event was simply indispensable.
As GRTV’s Production Manager for the live broadcast, navigating the chaos of an all-volunteer festival could have been a logistical nightmare. But with Dodlie as my point-of-contact, it was smooth sailing. She always had answers to my questions, and I felt how dedicated she was to our success. It was clear how important it was to her that my team and I felt supported.
In my industry, having a reliable, dedicated, invested, and compassionate partner, especially one who exudes such a charming, can-do attitude like Dodlie, can seriously make the difference between a nightmare production and a successful and exciting show. Work with her if you can!

I worked with Matt on a two week multiple state trip that required in depth planning through multiple states and national park hikes. From starting in Vegas with Dinner and the club DJ scene to switching up the trip’s vibe completely with scenic national parks visits including star gazing in Death Valley, two beautiful hikes in Sequoia, and Kings Canyon and multiple nights in Yosemite. Matt’s attention to detail includes having a list of different hikes and excursions to choose from in each destination along with Latitude and Longitude entrance arrivals to put into GPS to prevent getting lost finding hike entrances without cell service. The hikes and air bnb’s selected outside of the national parks created so many lasting memories on this epic journey. The one of a kind Yurt air bnb outside Yosemite was a highlight. This handcrafted air bnb was a perfect resting place after long tired hiking on the Yosemite leg of the trip. All the precise scheduling and communication made this very challenging adventure planned and executed beyond my expectations. I have the utmost faith in Matt’s ability to execute and take all the research and hassle out of every experience to make your adventure a lasting memory.

When it comes to event coordination, Dodlie is in a league of her own. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on two of my fashion shows, and let me tell you, she’s the human embodiment of a Swiss Army knife – versatile, reliable, and somehow has that one tool you didn’t know you needed until she pulls it out! From the drawing board to the final bow, Dodlie has been the crux of it all. Her attention to detail is so precise, I’m starting to believe she has a sixth sense for event planning. If Dodlie were a superhero, her power would be anticipation; she meets needs before they even arise. Honestly, her name might as well be Dodlie ‘Dot-the-I’s-and-Cross-the-T’s’ – she’s that meticulous. Working with her is like discovering the secret ingredient to a master chef’s recipe (which she also happens to be a chef) you can’t imagine the success of your events without her!

Dodlie is an outstanding event coordinator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work in her various roles at A Glimpse of Africa.
I wholeheartedly recommend her because I believe she would be a tremendous asset to any event or program that requires detailed planning and seamless execution.
As a volunteer with AGOA Dodlie, has been instrumental in planning and coordinating the logistics of the AGOA largest African Cultural festival in Michigan among other events. Dodlie’s work ethic is truly commendable, and her due diligence in every assigned task is evident in the smooth execution of events she has been involved in. I have witnessed firsthand her ability to handle pressure with grace and to adapt swiftly to unexpected situations, making her an invaluable asset to any team.
What sets Dodlie apart is her ability to tackle challenges head-on and to do so with a positive and collaborative spirit. She takes lead and ownership of her responsibilities and consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that all logistics are well-managed, volunteers are organized, and the overall event experience is seamless for both organizers and attendees.
I have no doubt that Dodlie’s passion for event coordination, coupled with her strong work ethic and attention to detail, will contribute significantly to the success of any event.

I went with my sister on a special trip for my first time visiting California. Being a single mother of three, I don’t ever have the time off or energy to book and do the proper research for putting together an itinerary that helps me get the most out of the places when traveling. It’s mostly spontaneous which can allow you to miss some great aspects of a destination including missing out on great dining and hidden gems while making a trip full of little hassles and wasted time. Working with Matt, I got the most out of the experience within budget that I was working with for the trip. Matt was so well educated about options in the bay area he had a magnificent plan on how we could spend my week in California. I love wine so he made sure to focus part of the trip around Napa Valley but also had hiking in Muir Woods to see redwoods, to some great places in San Fran and Sonoma. He asked lots of questions, gave you space for spontaneity while having an airtight hassle free itinerary that makes traveling a breeze. There were so many different adventures packed into one trip. The wineries and restaurants he chose in every city were fantastic. It’s a no brainer that all my upcoming vacations I will consult Matt’s advice and take advantage of his traveling expertise. He is very affordable and the memories you’ll come back with will be well worth it.

I was looking for an easy going relaxing vacation where I could experience new places with premium culinary delights while getting some beach and sunshine without dealing with the headaches of over crowded cities. I’ve been traveling mostly to the west coast the last few years and was looking for a different experience then So-Cal or Florida. Matthew suggested a Charleston/Savannah trip for my 6 day vacation. I was blown away by the quiet and convenient nature of Charleston and my air bnb was centrally located where I was able to walk for most of my trip, outside of spending the day in Folly beach. The dining experiences in Charleston that he reserved blew out my expectations. He told me it was his favorite food town in USA to be able to get reservations at the top restaurants and his recommendations did not disappoint. I had reservations set at Circa 1886, Magnolias, and Halls Chophouse and I felt like when I came back from this trip food didn’t taste the same to me. The Savannah experience was also unique and beautiful. I couldn’t believe how many parks were located in the town. I was suggested to rent a car so I could drive from Charleston to Savannah and be more mobile to see some of the beautiful sites like Wormsloe State Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, and try Sandfly BBQ out that way. He told me the parking was not much of a hassle and I only had one time that I had to pay for parking for my entire time in Savannah. He also booked some fantastic dining spots and my entire vacation was truly relaxing, wonderful and a 5 star experience. Matt’s attention to detail and ability to simplify trips with his attention to detail will help create the least amount of effort or hassles. This was one of his amazing skills I found out when working with him.

In my experience as a production vendor, Dodlie was extremely easy to work with. She is effective at communicating to outline clear goals and tasks, as well as being committed to solve challenges as a team. She will make the calls and get out there to get things done! Most of all, she is personable, kind, and collaborative, willing to work with anyone and build bridges. Any event would be privileged to have her behind the scenes.