Okay, let’s tackle this. So Denise Hiatt has 18 years of experience as an event planner, which is a solid foundation. Skills like event management, wedding planning, and corporate events are in demand. Location is Murrieta, California, which is a suburban area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, event planners in the California region can earn around $40,000-$60,000 per year. Considering Denise’s experience, I’ll estimate her hourly rate to be around $75, which is slightly above the average for event planners in the area. Some event planners with similar experience might charge higher rates, but $75 seems reasonable for Denise’s skill set and location.