Meet the Team
The people behind every perfectly executed bar, every custom cocktail, and every event that runs without a hitch.
Courtney Smith
Founder & Owner — Chesapeake Bartenders & Events | 1631 VenueCourtney Smith is the founder of Chesapeake Bartenders & Events and owner of 1631 Venue — an intimate micro-wedding and event space in Historic Stevensville on Kent Island, Maryland. With over 20 years of hands-on bartending experience and a background that spans luxury hotel marketing, public relations, and executive-level event management, Courtney built Chesapeake Bartenders from the ground up into one of Maryland's most trusted mobile bar and event staffing companies.
Before founding CBE in 2019, Courtney held senior marketing and public relations roles in the hospitality and luxury hotel industry, where she developed the sharp operational instincts and client-first standards that define the way Chesapeake Bartenders operates today. That background — equal parts creative and strategic — is why CBE events look polished, run smoothly, and feel effortless to the clients who hire us.
Courtney was named Queen Anne's County Entrepreneur of the Year and has been recognized as a Shark Tank finalist. She is also a seasoned marketing professional with deep expertise in SEO, entity SEO, schema markup, digital advertising, and brand building — skills she applies across all three of her businesses and through Smith and 7, her digital marketing agency focused on local and home service businesses.
Away from work, Courtney is an endurance athlete who has completed Ironman Maryland, qualified for USA Triathlon Olympic Distance National Championships, and finished a 50K ultramarathon. The same discipline and commitment to preparation that defines her athletic life is exactly what she brings to every event she staffs.
Our Businesses
Chesapeake Bartenders & Events is part of a family of hospitality businesses built and operated by Courtney Smith on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Each one exists to make the events, celebrations, and milestones of our clients simpler, more beautiful, and more memorable.
Chesapeake Bartenders & Events
Founded in 2019, CBE is a licensed, insured mobile bar and event staffing company serving Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware. Our team of 20+ TIPS-certified bartenders provides professional bar service for weddings, corporate events, holiday parties, and private celebrations of every size.
From full open bars and mobile bar rentals to bar catering and corporate mobile coffee service, CBE is a single-vendor solution for the complete food and beverage experience at your event.
Explore CBE Services →1631 Venue
1631 Venue is an intimate micro-wedding and private event space located in Historic Stevensville on Kent Island, Maryland — minutes from the Bay Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay. Designed for couples and hosts who want a beautiful, curated setting without the overhead of a large traditional venue.
1631 offers thoughtfully appointed packages for micro-weddings, elopements, anniversary celebrations, and private gatherings in one of Maryland's most charming historic districts.
Learn About 1631 Venue →The CBE Team
Behind every event is an extensive team of TIPS-certified bartenders, catering support servers, bar backs, and event staff — all vetted, trained, and held to the same standards Courtney has built the company on. Every professional we work with is selected for their experience in hospitality, fine dining, and professional event service.
Every bartender we staff arrives in uniform, prepared for the specific requirements of your event — whether that's security clearance at a Washington DC federal building, a white-glove experience at an Annapolis waterfront venue, or a relaxed and polished setup at a Maryland backyard celebration.
The People You'll Work With
Courtney Smith
Founder & Owner20+ years bartending experience. Luxury hotel marketing and PR background. Queen Anne's County Entrepreneur of the Year. Ironman finisher.
Bridgette
Client Communications SpecialistBridgette manages client communications and day-to-day operations, ensuring every inquiry is handled professionally and every event detail is coordinated seamlessly from first contact through event day.
Our Bartending Team
TIPS-Certified ProfessionalsAn extensive network of vetted, TIPS-certified bartenders with backgrounds in fine dining, luxury hospitality, and professional event service throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Delaware.
Catering & Event Support
Bar Backs, Servers & MoreOur event support team includes experienced catering servers, bar backs, and setup staff — all trained to CBE standards and ready to ensure your event runs without a hitch from start to finish.
Based in Maryland
Stevensville, Kent IslandHeadquartered in Historic Stevensville on Kent Island — the heart of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Serving the full state, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware.
Get In Touch
We'd Love to Hear From YouReady to book or have questions? Request a quote or call us directly at 443-276-9911.
Credentials & Recognition
Chesapeake Bartenders & Events has built its reputation through consistent, professional execution across hundreds of events — not through marketing claims. Here's what backs it up:
Licensing & Certification
Chesapeake Bartenders is a fully licensed and insured mobile bar and catering company operating in Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware. Every bartender on our team is TIPS-certified — trained in responsible alcohol service, intoxication recognition, and legal compliance. We carry a multimillion-dollar general liability policy plus umbrella coverage and provide a Certificate of Insurance for every corporate and venue event we staff.
Awards & Recognition
Courtney Smith was named Queen Anne's County Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of her work building Chesapeake Bartenders & Events from a solo operation into a multi-team, multi-service hospitality company based on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She has also been recognized as a Shark Tank finalist, and her CBE corporate events page ranked position one in Google and appeared in Google AI Overviews shortly after publishing — a testament to the depth of expertise she brings to both hospitality and digital marketing.
Professional Background
Courtney holds deep professional experience in luxury hotel marketing and public relations, including a role as VP of Marketing and PR at an asset management company and a marketing career that includes a Google AMP scholarship to Tokyo (2019) and a Facebook Ads certification (2022). She brings that same strategic marketing expertise to every business she operates, and makes it available to local and home service businesses through her digital marketing agency, Smith and 7.
Her full professional background is available on LinkedIn →
Ready to Work With Our Team?
Whether you're planning a wedding, a corporate event, or an intimate celebration — we'd love to be part of it. Request a quote and we'll be in touch promptly.
Request a Quote