Katie Curvel, membership director of The River Club has held her position at the club for only a year and a half, but she can already say she wholeheartedly loves the job.
Curvel graduated from the University of North Florida with a marketing and sales degree and now applies her knowledge and past experiences on a daily basis.
Curvel is responsible for recruiting new members for the private club as well as planning and organizing events held there. Company luncheons, wedding receptions and holiday parties are just a few events often scheduled at The River Club.
“My favorite event is probably our New Year’s Eve party,” Curvel says. “We have a really nice dinner, a dance floor and an incredible display of the fireworks.”
The club is located on the 34th and 35th floors of the Modis Building and is composed of two large banquet rooms, two dining rooms and three meeting rooms. There’s also a full bar and sitting area in the lobby.
“The Ortega room is most everyone’s favorite,” Curvel says. “It’s the one with the most original features from before the renovations, especially the woodwork.”
The River Club opened in 1954 and has consistently catered to business professionals, CEOs and executives in the Downtown and Jacksonville communities. It’s owned and operated by Gate Petroleum which also operates Epping Forest Yacht Club, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge.
What Curvel most emphasizes to the Downtown community is the club’s makeup and potential for a great social networking environment.
“I think a lot of the perception is that we’re strictly a business club,” she says. “But we’re so much more. We’ve got all the social events and a happy hour with live music on Fridays. And for social networking, we’re great. The River Club is a very distinguished club and I want people to realize what a great value it is to be a member.”