Most Interesting People 2017: Carrie Samek

Why She’s Interesting: Samek is a Cleveland sports fan just like the rest of us. But the Cleveland Cavaliers event and arena marketing manager got the ultimate task of planning the Cavs championship parade. For two days, Samek met with police and city officials, coordinated car rentals, marching bands and confetti trucks, and lined up notable Clevelanders such as Bernie Kosar, Machine Gun Kelly and Jim Brown. The result was a citywide party that 1.3 million fans will never forget.

Parade Marshal: Her boss gathered a few staffers the Friday before Game 7 to dole out possible celebration responsibilities. “No one was allowed to say, ‘parade.’ It was ‘the P-word.’ ” Samek was assigned the parade but wasn’t allowed to do anything until Sunday. “I literally went back to my computer and Googled parades. I had no idea how to plan a parade.”

Party Favors: After the Cavs won, Samek went into parade-planning mode, working 24/7 calling people such as Stipe Miocic, Machine Gun Kelly and Jim Brown to participate in the parade, finding floats and trucks, and meeting with city officials. “I feel like I asked so many favors in such a short amount of time. It was a whirlwind.”

Step Off: The kickoff of the parade was delayed about 15 minutes because so many people were spilling onto East Ninth Street. “My heart just sank. I remember thinking, What are we going to do? So finally the chief of police gave me the thumbs up. The motorcycles revved up and the horses started marching. I just started crying. I was like, Oh my God, this is real. This is really happening.”

Kodak Moments: “The photos from the parade are so magical: Kyrie giving people hugs, LeBron going past his banner. It was so cool and I feel like it really represented Cleveland as a city.”

Water Cooler: After the rally, Samek was sitting with her feet propped up. Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown was sitting next to her. “He looked so beautiful in his nice suit. It was so hot outside, and I just remember tossing him a water. It was just a really cool moment.”

Musical Chairs: Before the Cavs, Samek spent 11 years in marketing and promotions for Live Nation. During that time, she served as a production assistant for the the Black Eyed Peas’ 2006 world tour, setting up dressing rooms and making sure the crew had food. “I was pretty much like a baby sitter for adults — a glorified baby sitter.”

Rocket Man: Of the more than 2,000 concerts she’s seen, Elton John remains one of her favorites. “His songs are so iconic. He’s just so entertaining live, and his outfits are always crazy.” She also loves Cher. “I even cut my hair like hers.”