Okay, let’s tackle this. So Ellen has 34 years of experience in event planning, which is impressive. However, her role is more focused on event management and planning, rather than high-level strategy or leadership. She’s also in a smaller market, Great Neck, NY, which might impact her earning potential. Considering her experience and skills, I'd estimate her hourly rate to be around $75, which is on the lower end of the spectrum for event planners with similar experience. This rate is more in line with what you might expect for a local, smaller-scale event planner.