Launched in 2011, BizBash's annual list of Event Industry Innovators is one of our most anticipated features of the year. The idea is to go far beyond the biggest names in the biz—though it has plenty of those too—and dig deep into the industry professionals who are using truly innovative thinking to push the boundaries of live experiences.
Individually, they are rethinking what a consumer show or brand activation should look like, reinvigorating the fund-raising gala, or pushing the boundaries of event technology. Collectively, they are examples of the best type of leadership and strategic thinking that is moving the meeting and event industry forward.
Check out our full Industry Innovator Hall of Fame below—and let us know who we should add next.
Industry Innovators 2024: Planners, Designers & Producers
Claudia Paghunie, Trademark Events
Cynthia West, Glow Events
Gary Solomon Jr., Solomon Group
Helen Bassett, Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal
Jared S. Sampson, JJLA
Jason Williquette, HMR Designs
Katie Pehrson, 2 the 9s Events
Roger Whyte, Stratus Firm
Tina H. Li, THL Productions (and In the Clouds Events)
Whitney Butler, Platinum XP
Industry Innovators 2024: Vendors & Suppliers
Damilola Okuboyejo, By Dami Studios
Danielle Flores-Gary & Katie Hartman, Floral Crush Studio
Elke Sudin, Drawing Booth
Halima Adetona, The Floral Guru
Jacob Towe, Jacob Co Creative
Jenny Blaschke, Olive + Cedar Designs
John Vo, WHOOPLA
Lita Monteiro, Astarte Creative
Moray Smith, Treehouse Fabrication & Scenic
Industry Innovators 2024: Caterers & F&B Pros
Andrew Swanson, Wolfgang Puck Catering
Caryl Chinn, Caryl Chinn Culinary Consulting
Dalana Fleming, The Cake & The Giraffe
Desmond Robinson, D.Arthur's Catering
Elisabeth Vezzani, Sugarwish
Grace Odogbili, Dining With Grace
Megan Walker, MBM Hospitality
Phillip Esteban, Working Class Catering
Shannon Binder, RPM Events
Todd Segneri, Culinary Canvas
Industry Innovators 2023: Experiential Experts
Annie Thompson, Bumble
Anthony Larrisey, Industria Creative
Damien Baines, Meta
DeNeitra Burnett, Savvy Creative Agency
Jordan Kaye, Analog Events
Kendyl Wright, LOUDER Experiences
Lori Hall & Jessica Lane, Pop'N Creative
Margaret Morici Schmidt, Giant Spoon
Michael Farrell, Redstory
Tachand Dubuisson, APT-122
Weston Garret Gonzalez, Westhaus
Industry Innovators 2023: Event Tech Experts
Courtney Jeffries, Virtual Tables
Emeric Noël, Planned
Martin Codd, Pixis Drones
Matt Reynolds, Humanitix
Rachel LeRoy, HipMaps
Taryn Harris, Slack
Dr. Theo Papatheodorou, Random Quark
Vinicius Neris, InEvent
Vinnu Deshetty, EVA Event Tech Hub
Virginia Frischkorn, Partytrick
Industry Innovators 2023: Planners, Designers, & Producers
April Luca, Gold Sky Productions
Billy Butchkavitz, Billy Butchkavitz Design Inc.
Craig D’Amico, CDE
Kate Levenstien, Cannonball Productions
Leah Harper-Lane, Strong Brew
Lynzie Kent, Mad Bash Group & The Pop-Up Chapel Co.
Seth Dolan, Gladiator Productions
Shawna Yamamoto, ENSO Creative
Tom Zaller, Imagine Exhibitions Inc.
Industry Innovators 2023: Vendors & Suppliers
Adina Levin, Collab
Amber Lu, Amber Event Production
Ben Nadler, BDEntertainment
Danny Burzlaff, Attractions by UNIT9
Jeni Maus, Found Rental Co.
Kevin Hubschmann, Laugh.Events
Mollie Plotkin, Mollie Plotkin Group
Tabia Yapp, Bia Blooms Floral Studio
Toryn Lankford, Exquisite Sounds Entertainment
Tyler Large, OC Ramps
Industry Innovators 2023: Caterers & F&B Pros
Adam Noyes, Proof of the Pudding
Amy Brown & Heidi Andermack, Chowgirls Catering
Cade & Ingrid Nagy, Catering by Design
Dana Pellicano, Patina Restaurant Group
Kabrel Geller, This Messy Table
Manal Kahi, Eat Offbeat
Mary Giuliani, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Matthew Landes, Cocktail Academy
Ron Ben-Israel, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes
Industry Innovators 2022: Vendors & Suppliers
Anthony Santiago, Pink Sparrow
Ariel Glassman, The Temple House & United Projection
Christine Traulich & Dori McDonald, RedBliss Design
Constance Panton, Bifties Gifts
Dawn Crothers, Something Vintage Rentals & Design
Evan Collier, ARCH Production & Design
Gregg Dukofsky, Interactive Entertainment Group
Linsay Moran, Unwrapit
Masha Berenboym, Artists Creating Entertainment
Mose James IV, OMG Booth
Paul Freedman, Rock the Bike
Raymond Thompson, Images by Lighting
Industry Innovators 2022: Event Planners, Designers, & Producers
Adam Rosen, University of Southern California
Bram Goldstein, BIG HQ
Deanna Nwosu, REI
Erika Kulovitz, akire productions
Jeff Consoletti, JJLA
Kristin Banta, Kristin Banta Events, Inc.
Marc Wilson, The Style Marc Inc.
Melva LaJoy Legrand, LaJoy Plans
Monique Ruff-Bell, TED Conferences
Seán Doyle, Pinterest
Tara Melvin, Perfect Planning Events
Industry Innovators 2022: Event Tech Experts
David Nussbaum, Proto Inc.
Giovanna Graziosi Casimiro, Decentraland Foundation
Jennifer Brisman, VOW
Joe Schwinger, MeetingPlay + Aventri
Liz King Caruso, techsytalk
Lola and Richard McClaney, ourBLOC
Maria Shelton, Ardian Group/Ardian Technologies
Nolan Ether, Webex Events
Saroosh Gull, Eventcombo
Todd Moritz, Opus Agency
Wei Li, Zoom
Industry Innovators 2022: Experiential Experts
Adam Sloyer & Lizz Torgovnick, Sequence Events
Aja Bradley-Kemp, Conversate Collective
Anika Grant, Idewild Experiential
Austin Johnston, AKJOHNSTON Group
Bianca Knop & Kelly Thorpe, Wildfire Experiential
Bruce Starr & Brian Feit, BMF
Cassandra Costello, MoonLab Productions
Elle Chan, Trademark Event Productions
Heath Hill, Lime Media
Jack Bedwani, New Moon
Jennifer de Fouchier, We Make Pop
Justin Lefkovitch, Mirrored Media
Liz Castelli, Adette Contreras & Erica Taylor Haskins, Tinsel
Miatta David Johnston & Massah David, MVD Inc.
Industry Innovators 2022: Caterers & F&B Pros
Adam Haverland, JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort
Adelee Cabrera, Elior North America
Alexa Babbin Winter, Pinch Food Design
Bill Hansen, Bill Hansen Hospitality Group
Fausto Pifferrer, Blue Elephant Events and Catering
Kashif Browne, Ridgewells Catering
Lauren Koeppe, Create Hospitality
Lucas Margulis, HIGH BAR Hospitality & Event Group
Robin Selden, Marcia Selden Catering
Thomas Whelan, Levy Convention Centers
Event Innovators 2020
Alexandra Rembac, Sterling Engagements
Andrew Roby, Andrew Roby Events
Bonnie Smith, Studio B Entertainment
Dana Arsenault, BC Cancer Foundation
Jay Rinsky, Little Cinema
Jordan Kentris, A Good Day Inc.
Ricky Kirshner, RK Productions
Sam Eitzen and Joe Eitzen, Snapbar
Simon Miller, Brand Activation Services
Winston Fisher, AREA15
Event Innovators 2019
Alexa Meade, Alexa Meade Art
Ashley Crowder, Vntana
Brett Hyman, NVE Experience Agency
Bruce Orosz, Act Productions
Casey Wasserman, Wasserman Media Group
Dave Clark, OM Digital
David Jacobsen, Invisible North
Helen Stoddard, Twitter
Imani Ellis, Creative Collective NYC
Jonathan Moneta, MakeLab
Moj Mahdara, Beautycon
Sandro Kereselidze, Artechouse
Sarah Grossman, San Diego Museum of Art
Vince Kadlubek, Meow Wolf
Event Innovators 2018
Adrian Scott, Go2 Productions
Angie Fetherston, Drink Company
Brent Bushnell & Eric Gradman, Two Bit Circus
Brett Blumberg, Kilowatt Events
Erica Boeke, Liberty & Company
Jim Denevan, Outstanding in the Field
John Legittino, Advoc8
Kenya Hardaway, FX Networks
Lauren Burmaster, Oculus V.R.
Mark Stewart, Wondermakr
Maryellis Bunn & Manish Vora, Museum of Ice Cream
Nicky Balestrieri & Luigi Tadini, The Gathery
Piera Gelardi, Refinery29
Sarah O’Gleby
Event Innovators 2017
Chiara Adin & Aaron Mason, NA Collective
Natalie Angulo, Hyatt Regency New Orleans and 1718 Events
Daniel Arsham & Alex Mustonen, Snarkitecture
Aidan Augustin & Aleksander Levental, Feathr
Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez & Linda Sarsour, Women’s March on Washington
Justin Bolognino, Meta.is
Taylor Carlson, Goop
Cathi Culbertson, Forbes
Claire Cummings, Bon Appétit Management Company
Steven Dyme & Jo Dickstein, Flowers for Dreams
Jeremy Gocke, Ampsy
Scott Harrison, Charity: Water
Jennifer Heaton, Adobe
Cynthia Hornketh, Gartner Summits
Suzy Jack, Los Angeles Times
Christian Lachel, BRC Imagination Arts
Betsy McHugh, Hurdl
Charles Melcher, Melcher Media and Future of Storytelling
Anthony Sargent, Luminato Festival
Faith Smith, Slate
Jeff Stober, Drake Hotel
Richard St-Pierre, C2 Montréal
Event Innovators 2016
Brian Diamond and Rob Badgley, The Visionary Group
Candace Montgomery, Essence magazine and the Style and Entertainment Group, Time Inc.
Chris Cavanaugh, Freeman
Chris Drury, Drury Design
David Goldstein, TeamBonding
David Sinopoli and Erica Freshman, III Points Festival
Gaby Etrog Cohen and Spencer Rice, SoulCycle
Gaëtane Verna, Power Plant
Jeff Krasno and Sean Hoess, Wanderlust
Jeff Sinclair and Ben West, Eventbase
Joachim Splichal, Patina Catering
Karly Giaramita, WeWork
Kate Hurst, U.S. Green Building Council
Les Goldberg, LMG
Mauricio Parise, Delta Air Lines
Max Haot, Livestream
Michael Murphy, Michael Murphy
Natasha Mulla, Mashable
Patrick Whelan, Soberoo
Peter Harper, Guinness World Records
Phil Colicchio and Trip Schneck, Colicchio Consulting
Rana June, Lightwave
Russell Holt and Jon Retsky, Got Light
Scott Miles, Mosaic
Scott Williams, Quince Imaging
Sebastien Centner, Eatertainment
Stephen Dahlem, Corporate Magic
Tony Conway, Legendary Events
Event Innovators 2015
Amanda Slavin, CatalystCreativ
Barry Ross Rinehart, Multi Image Group
Brian Loucks, Creative Artists Agency
Celestine Johnson, Innovation Endeavors
Christine Renaud, E-180
Clint Paton & Brit Whitfield, The Revel Group
Daniel Griffis, Target Corporation
Daniel Wurtzel, BSD Productions Inc.
David Evans, Catering by Seasons
Dominic Gagnon & Anthony Palermo, Connect & Go
Dominique Ansel, Dominique Ansel Bakery
Félix Lajeunesse & Paul Raphaël, Felix & Paul Studios
Frankie Solarik, BarChef
James Moody & Graham Williams, Fun Fun Fun Festival
Jay Weintraub, Grow.co
Jennifer Dunn, VH1 Save the Music Foundation
Joel Beckerman, Man Made Music
Kat Gordon, The 3% Conference
Lisa Chu, Coltrane Curtis & Sky Gellatly, Team Epiphany
Lylle Breier, Walt Disney Studios
Meredith Valiando Rojas, DigiTour Media
Michael Trovalli, SAP
Nicolas Jammet, Sweetgreen
Peter Corbett, iStrategy Labs
Robert Krumbine, Charlotte Center City Partners
Sean Holladay & Tim Holladay, Crowd Mics
Shelley Zalis, Ipsos Girls' Lounge
Stefan Beckman, Stefan Beckman Studio
Talaat Captan, Air Hollywood
Event Innovators 2014
Alejandro Gonzalez, Kryogenifex
Camilla Andersson, NeueHouse
Chris Anderson, Sapling Foundation
Dan Berger, Social Tables
David Aubespin, Topi
David Campbell, Boxman Studios
Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event
Derek Pacque, Coatchex
Ed Several, Reed Exhibitions
Eddie Mullon, Event GPS/Fashion GPS
Elizabeth Pinkham, Salesforce.com
Erik Muendel, Brightline Interactive
Etienne Russo, Villa Eugenie
Frank Supovitz, Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment
Greg O'Dell, Events DC
Heidi & Julian Bailey, Iceculture
Kathryn Arce & Rebecca Grinnals, Engaging Concepts
Kimberly Bailey, Butter End Cakery
Lance Broumand, UrbanDaddy
Lance Fensterman, ReedPop
Lisa Kaz & Terri Toennies, ANSA Productions
Martin Ferro-Thomsen & Jon Schäffer, Conferize
Michelle Rosen Sapir, Google
Nick Di Donato, Liberty Entertainment Group
Nick Smith, AV Concepts
Paddy Cosgrave, The Summit
Patrick Payne, QuickMobile
Randy Weiner, Variety Worldwide
Ryan Hutmacher, The Centered Chef
Scott Stedman, Northside Media Group
Stephen Starr, Stephen Starr Events
Tina Brown, Tina Brown Live Media
Tony Hsieh, Zappos
Tony Loschiavo, L-Eat Catering
Vello Virkhaus, V Squared Labs
Walt Mossberg & Kara Swisher, Re/Code
Will Dean, Tough Mudder
Event Innovators 2013
Bart Kresa, Bart Kresa Design
Billy Jurewicz, space150
Campbell Hyers, Control Group
Chad Issaq, Superfly Presents
Chantelle Fraser, Flawless
Charles Miles, Mix on Wheels
Charlie Horsey, MKTG
Chris Courtemanche, Renhaus Visualization Studio
Chris Gasbarro, Creative Community Connections, LLC (C3)
Chris Kelly & Ryan Simonetti, Convene (formerly Sentry Centers)
Christina Sion, California Science Center
Elliott Bisnow & Ryan Begelman, Bisnow Media
Eric Ly, Presdo
Garin Baura, Baura New York
Heather Arak-Kanofsky & Susan Turnok, Gifts for the Good Life
Hugh Forrest, SXSW Interactive Festival
Hugh Lee, Fusion Productions
Ivan Wicksteed, Old Navy (formerly Cole Haan)
J.B. Miller, Empire Entertainment
Jane Feigenson, Clarks
Jean-Francois Bouchard, Sid Lee
Jim Lasko and Frank Maugeri, Redmoon Theater
Joel Thevoz, A Main Event, Caterers Creating Delicious
John Daniels, Karpe Diem Inc.
John Norman, Arts & Exhibitions International
Jordan Fogle, The Mint Agency
Josef Dunne & Mayel de Borniol, Babelverse
Kelsey & Mike Sheofsky, Shelter Company
Meredith Silberg, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company
Michael Trainer, Global Poverty Project
Mike Ellery, Sparks
Mircea Manea, Blueprint Studios
Nick Fehr & Aaron Fisher-Cohen, The Bosco
Omar Seyal, Tagstand
Pam Dzierzanowski, Patron Spirits Company
Paul Salinger, Oracle
Paul Tollett, Goldenvoice
Peggy Fang Roe, Marriott International
Peter Callahan, Peter Callahan Catering
Ray Bloom, IMEX Group
Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association
Ryan Hogan, Reed Street Productions
Sakchin Bessette, Moment Factory
Scott Schenker, Microsoft
Shintaro Okamoto, Okamoto Studio Custom Ice
Tal Ronnen, Wynn/Encore
Todd Hawkins, The Todd Group and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Tony Lorenz, bxb Online/BOBtv
Vince Thompson, MELT
Vincent Drolet, Circo de Bakuza
Event Innovators 2012
Alexandra Shapiro, USA Network
Alison Bossert, Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution
Alison Slight, Candice Chan, Candice & Alison Luxury Events
Annie Senatore, A Vista Events
Barton G. Weiss, Barton G.
Benjamin Newbold, Winston Flowers
Benji Tschudin, Atmosphere Inc.
Billy Melnyk, Bacardi
Bronson van Wyck, Van Wyck & Van Wyc
Carla Ruben, Creative Edge Parties
Chad Hudson, Chad Hudson Events
Dana Beatty, The Venetian and the Palazzo
David Cohn and Stuart Ruderfer, Civic Entertainment Group
Fergus Rooney, AgencyEA
Frank McClelland, New France L.L.C.
Gillian Hoff, Design Exchange
Gina Crowley, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Gregory Boroff, Amfar
Hillary Harris, Warner Brothers Studios
Hugo Thibault, L’Oréal Paris Canada
James MacDonald, Life Is Good
Jason Wandere, Precision Event Group
Jeff Kaplan, Discovery Communications
Joel Hock, Solutions With Impact
Jonathan Murnane, Activision
Josh Wood, Josh Wood Productions
Kapila Chase, Design Miami and Design Miami Basel
Karl Vontz, Clio Awards
Kim Graham, Kim Graham & Associates
Lenny Talarico, MGM Resorts Events
Lindsay Arell, Arell Logic
Marc Thuet, Thuet Caters
Mark Wells, Hello Florida!
Mary Dolaher, IDG World Expo
Mary Pat Heftman, National Restaurant Association
Matt McKenna, Red Fish Media
Meg Holderman, So Cool Events and the So Cool eVenue
Michelle Gubitosa & Nilda Martin, Phi Design Group
Midori Connolly, Pulse Staging & Events
Mike Hines, Epoch Floral
Myron Wolman & Sandi Hoffman, Sandi Hoffman Special Events
Natasha Koifman, NKPR
Nick D'Annunzio, Tara, Ink.
Noelle Provencial, Groupon
Paula LeDuc, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering
Rachel Gross, AOL
Robert Gilbert, Walt Disney World Resort
Roy Choi, Kogi BBQ
Rrivre Davies, Rrivre Works Inc.
Ryan Costello, Event Farm
Serge Hunkins, Kadan Productions
Shai Tertner, Shiraz Events
Sharon M. Siegel, DECO Productions
Suzi Molak, Long View Gallery
Talia Mashiach, Eved
Tara de Nicolas, Fashion for Paws
Todd Fiscus, Todd Events
Tom Kehoe, Kehoe Designs
Tom McPhillips & Mike Rhoads, Studio 10A
Tomiko Iwata, Fox Broadcasting Company
Wendy Pashman, Entertaining Company
Event Innovators 2011
Adrian Segar, Conferences That Work
Alain Perez, EventStar Structures Corp
André Wells, Events by André Wells
Andrea Sullivan, LeaderStrength Systems and BrainStrength Systems
Arthur Backal, Backal Hospitality Group
Barbara Hershenhorn, Party Barbara Co.
Barbara Lynch, Barbara Lynch Grupp
Bill Heffernan, Heffernan Morgan Ronsley
Bill Homan, Design Cuisine
Bobby Taylor, Taylor Creative Inc.
Branden Chapman, The Recording Academy
Brian Aaron, Aaron’s Catering
Bryan Rafanelli, Rafanelli Events
Cara Kleinhaut, Caravents Inc. Event Production & Design
Carleen Cappelletti, Bounce-AEG
Charles Khabouth, INK Entertainment
Christopher Pegg, Westbury National Show Systems
Craig Waldman, 15/40 Productions Ltd.
Dan Mathieu, Max Ultimate Food
David Michael Rich, George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
David Rockwel, Rockwell Group
David Solsberry, Hargrove
David Stark, David Stark Design and Production
Dennis Remer, Frost
Domenic Chiaromonte, T2 Resto-Lounge and Events
Elizabeth Henderson, Meeting Change
Eric Michael, Occasions Caterers
Ira Levy, Levy Lighting
Isabel Chattas & Sandra Nova, Siinc Agency
Javier Velarde, Triton Productions
Jayne Sandman, BrandLinkDC
Jeff Hurt, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
Jeffry Roick, McNabb Roick Events
Jennifer Blumin, Skylight Group
Julie Shanklin, Syzygy Event Productions
Karla Dascal, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences
Keith Baptista, KCD Digital
King Dahl, MGM Resorts Events
Lara McCulloch-Carter, Ready2Spark
Larry Abel & Raymond McCallister, Abel McCallister Designs L.L.C.
Lee Kite, American Cancer Society, Illinois Division
Liz Neumark, Great Performances
Lynn McGhee & Frank Clemente, conceptBAIT
Maneesh Goyal, MKG
Marc Hall, Marc Hall Design
Marina Birch, Birch Design Studio
Marlo Fogelman, Marlo Marketing/Communications
Michael Nedeau, PBD Events
Michelle Mahoney, Leo Burnett Chicago
Pablo Oliveira, Nüage Designs
Paul Scott, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
Philip Dufour, Dufour & Co. Productions
Rehan Choudhry, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Rick Davis, Amaryllis
Rita Gutekanst, Limelight--Food Illuminated
Sale Stojanovic, 3B Productions
Samuel J. Smith, Interactive Meeting Technology
Sean Cannon, Event Creative
Suzanne Goin, Lucques Catering
Tara Back, Jack Morton Worldwide
Tom Bussey, Production Glue
Tom Webster, Mother New York
Travis Threlkel, Obscura Digital
Tricia Costello, Fresh Wata
Youngsong Martin, Wildflower Linen
*note: company names and titles were accurate at the time of original publication
