Who We Are
Founded on Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Events has grown from a local event rental company into a full-service event management and planning studio serving Bainbridge Island and the greater Kitsap County region. With decades of combined hospitality and event experience, our team brings calm leadership, thoughtful execution, and community-rooted creativity to every gathering.
We offer event management, coordination, rental services, and The Lightning Booth, our premium open-air photo booth experience, allowing us to support events of all sizes from weddings and milestone celebrations to community events and private gatherings. Our approach is designed to feel seamless and well-organized while remaining flexible to the unique needs of each event.
Our goal is simple: to handle the logistics, details, and behind-the-scenes work so hosting feels effortless and your event unfolds smoothly from start to finish.
Meet the Team
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Samantha Christopherson
Founder, Event Director
Samantha founded Bainbridge Events with a vision for creating well-run, welcoming experiences rooted in community and thoughtful execution. With a background in strategic communications, event planning, and hospitality, she leads projects from concept through completion, overseeing logistics, creative direction, and on-site management with a steady, detail-oriented approach.Known for her calm leadership and ability to bring clarity to complex events, Samantha specializes in weddings, community gatherings, and large-scale productions where organization, communication, and guest experience matter most. Her work is guided by a belief that great events should feel intentional, effortless, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone involved.
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Doug Christopherson
Founder, Operations and Logistics Director
Doug oversees operations and logistics at Bainbridge Events, ensuring each event is supported by efficient planning, safe execution, and reliable delivery. With extensive hands-on experience in event setup, transportation, and on-site support, he manages the behind-the-scenes details that keep events running smoothly.Focused on problem-solving and practical execution, Doug plays a key role in coordinating equipment, timelines, and on-site flow. His steady presence and commitment to getting things done right provide a strong operational foundation for every event, allowing clients and guests to enjoy the experience without distraction.
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Alissa Swanson
Operations & Logistics Manager
Alissa has been a cornerstone of our team for more than three years, supporting the business both on the road through deliveries and logistics and in the shop through daily operations and inventory preparation. A seasoned expert in event execution, she brings deep knowledge, consistency, and care to every rental and event we support.
Known for going above and beyond, Alissa takes pride in making each client and event feel well supported, ensuring details are handled thoughtfully and reliably from start to finish. Her ability to anticipate needs and problem-solve in real time makes her an invaluable presence behind the scenes and on site.
With deep roots in the Kitsap community and decades of experience as an educator in the North Kitsap School District, Alissa brings the best of both worlds: structured leadership, clear communication, and a genuine commitment to people. She also brings hands-on experience in catering support, event coordination, and photo booth assistance, and may be on site for events requiring coordination support or Lightning Booth services.
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Lilly Acevedo
Sales & Photo Booth Operations Manager
Lilly serves as our Sales Lead and primary Lightning Booth operator and has been a cornerstone of our operations for the past two years. She plays a key role in client communication, booking, and execution, often serving as the bridge between initial inquiry and on-site event delivery.
In addition to leading Lightning Booth services, Lilly is frequently on site for events, supporting setup, guest experience, and coordination. She is a MAST-certified bartender and brings hands-on experience in catering support, event coordination, and service flow. Lilly also offers design and décor support, contributing to visual details and event styling when needed.
With a background in education, Lilly brings strong communication skills, organization, and adaptability to every event. Her ability to manage details, support guests and clients, and step seamlessly into a variety of roles makes her an essential and trusted member of the Bainbridge Events team.

