ABOUT US
Meet the Team
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Michele Smith
FOUNDER
A 2x Olympic Gold Medalist and current ESPN Analyst, Michele has been a part of some great teams, but none greater than the one created here at TWE.
As a Two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA in 1996 and 2000, Michael knows what it’s like to be a part of a winning team. Played 16 years in the Japan Professional Softball League, leading her team, Team Toyota Shokki, to eight championships.
Michele is now a prominent sports commentator, working with ESPN as the lead college softball color analyst since 1998. She's also been a commentator for NBC during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2021 Tokyo Olympics and made history as the first female commentator for a nationally televised Major League Baseball game in 2012.
Inspired by Michele's remarkable career, our venue and business was founded on a simple yet powerful vision: crafting spaces where unforgettable memories are made.
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Laurie Davidson-Smith
OWNER - MARKETING - MEDIA
With a background in sales and marketing, Laurie came to the event world after running several small hotels both rated #1 on Trip Advisor. She loves helping couples and clients create lasting memories.
Laurie graduated from the University or Georgia where she pitched the final game to clinch the SEC Conference Championship in 2003.
Laurie’s specialty is taking old buildings and giving them a second life. The newest project, The West Events, is an old laundromat that she converted into an events venue. The event site is perfect for weddings, birthday parties, bar / bat mitzvahs, corporate events and more!
Aside from working at The West Events, Laurie loves golf, road cycling, mountain biking, collecting wine (1000 bottles and counting!), boating, travel, and more. Laurie and Michelle head to their Napa Valley home and vineyard in the summer. They became vintners in 2023 and will be releasing their first wine, Title IX Wines in the Fall of 2026. The only thing Laurie loves more than wine is her puppy, Emmy Lou.
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Aria DeSantis
VENUE MANAGER
Hi, I’m Aria!!! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the Venue Manager at West Events! With several years of experience as a wedding/event planner and a background in venue management, I truly have a passion for every detail that goes into bringing an event to life. As a local, I’m very familiar with the area’s vendor community and have built strong, trusted relationships that help make the planning process seamless and enjoyable for couples/clients.
I believe the best events come from genuine connection, thoughtful details, and a planning experience where you feel supported every step of the way. My goal is to ensure your vision is not only heard, but beautifully brought to life in a way that feels uniquely you. I also look forward to working closely with our preferred vendors to deliver a smooth, collaborative experience—one that consistently exceeds expectations and reflects the high level of service we’re proud to offer at West Events.
I can’t wait to connect with you and be a part of your special day!
An Unrivaled Beach Events Venue
Paying homage to its industrial roots when locals knew it as The Blue Ribbon Cleaners, The West Events now exudes an inviting, yet raw, elegance from its original exposed brick and beams.
The newest blank-slate venue space to the Tampa/St. Pete area
The West Events
The West is an unrivaled event space offering its guests a modern, industrial-chic venue in the heart of its iconic, Old Florida location in Madeira Beach. This space honors the history of its Gulf Coast neighborhood, which it has graced for over 65 years, by preserving one of the last remaining mid-century buildings. The West maintains the soul of its original industrial roots while integrating contemporary design and versatility.
Mere steps away from white-sand beaches, The West provides clients with a non-traditional backdrop of raw brick walls and polished concrete floors and the freedom to transform this blank canvas into the Instagram-inspired, Pinterest-planned venue of their dreams.
Our open floor plan provides multiple space options under one roof, so whether the occasion is an intimate affair or a grand soiree, The West is perfectly suited to accommodate the scope of virtually any type of event. From cocktail parties, birthday celebrations, and private dinners to weddings, fundraisers, and large-scale receptions, or from corporate meetings and trade shows to pop-up markets and photo shoots, our space can be customized in limitless ways to meet the specific needs and creative vision of our clients.
The West Events Venue Floor Plan
