Okay, let’s tackle this. So Candy Zilli has extensive experience in event planning, catering, and management, with 38 years at the helm of Zilli Hospitality Group. This level of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry typically commands a premium. According to industry benchmarks, event planners and managers with her level of experience can earn around $100-$200 per hour. Considering her role as Executive Event Planner, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $125, on the higher end of the spectrum for this type of position.