The 68 Most Innovative Event Pros

Vice president of production and process management, the Recording Academy, Los Angeles, 38
Claim to fame: Overseeing all live music initiatives for the Recording Academy, including the annual Grammy Week events and productions. While many award shows have struggled to stay relevant, the 2011 Grammys earned considerable buzz and their best ratings since 2001.
Launch pad: Volunteering for various charitable events when he first started his career in L.A. Work philosophy: “Set out to accomplish only what you’d be proud to have your name on.”
Hidden talent: Chapman says it’s spotting the potential in relationships, which has allowed him to surround himself with the best team of employees, vendors, and partners.
What’s next: “Expanding Grammy-branded entertainment internationally. We have exciting projects in development in China, the U.K., and other international territories.”

Founder and C.E.O., INK Entertainment, Toronto, 49
Launch pad: Since opening nightspots Club Z and Stilife in the 1980s, Khabouth has transformed Toronto’s hospitality industry. He helped put the entertainment district on the map, and introduced the city to his own brand of nightlife, complete with doormen, artfully designed interiors, and venues that serve a multitude of purposes.
Claim to fame: While Khabouth’s myriad properties, including Tattoo Rock Parlour, Ultra, and This Is London, appeal to a hip, young clientele, he also has corporate events in mind with in-house planning capabilities and large venues like Koolhaus and the Guvernment Complex, which houses eight separate spaces under one roof.
Career highlight: “My proudest achievement is the launch of the Bisha Hotel and Residence brand. Everything I have worked toward has led to this project.”
Hidden talent: “I believe that I sometimes have a crystal ball, as I have a knack for being able to see ahead of the curve and foresee new trends in the event world.”
Twitter: @CharlesKhabouth

Founder, LeaderStrength Systems and BrainStrength Systems, Philadelphia
Launch pad: A background in organizational psychology inspired Sullivan to apply scientific principles to corporate training and management and found LeaderStrength Systems in 2000. In 2007, she began teaching meeting planners her secrets, presenting under the BrainStrength moniker.
Big innovation: “Most sessions involve a lot of sitting and listening. The brain really can’t take in information like that.” Shorter presentations combined with collaborative problem solving increase retention, along with stimuli like the smell of peppermint, dark chocolate, physical activities, and puzzles.
Career highlights: Sullivan presented at the International Association of Conference Centers’ annual conference in March on how food choices impact learning and retention.
Twitter: @BrainStrength

President, Aaron’s Catering, Miami, 30
Claim to fame: Many chefs experiment with molecular gastronomy, but Aaron uses these techniques and other cutting-edge preparations throughout his entire catering operation.
Launch pad: Aaron, who had a sales and marketing background, teamed up with his father to launch a paella catering company. After the chef quit, Aaron enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, then went on to launch his own firm.
Big innovation: Creating a “molecular experience” for the masses, such as serving citrus orbs (edible capsules of orange juice and ginger) to 8,000 people at the 2011 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
Signature dishes: Truffle mac-and-cheese lollipops, and a “caviar” bar featuring a variety of juices frozen with liquid nitrogen.
What’s next: Aaron recently launched his own molecular gastronomy food truck and has a reality show in the works.
Twitter: @Aarons_Catering

President, Nüage Designs, Miami and New York, 33
Claim to fame: Oliveira brings a fashion-forward approach to custom event furnishings, working with the latest fabrics and color trends. Nüage uses embroidered organzas, silks, and hand-pleated fabrics to create beautiful and original looks for tables and chair coverings and offers a customizable line of modern lounge furniture.
Big innovation: “The marriage between our lounge furniture, linens, and accents which allows for a cohesive use of a theme or color throughout an entire event.”
Style signature: Mix and match prints in bold hues like berry red, plum, and dusty rose. The company also has a way with neutrals, using patterns and textures to add interest to shades of black, white, and nude.

President, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences, Miami
Launch pad: Dascal got her start in the 1990s with Roses by Karla, a floral import and delivery business. As demand for her arrangements grew, she expanded her services into event design and created RBK Productions, which evolved into Karla Conceptual Event Experiences in 2005.
Big innovation: Dascal worked with architect Rene Gonzalez to create the Space, an event venue that doubles as her headquarters in the Wynwood arts district. The unique location, which has won design awards, combines an outdoor palm and bamboo grove with sleek interiors.
Design philosophy: “Simple, elegant, and cutting-edge.”
Style signature: Dascal is known for clean lines, sculptural florals, and architecturally minded details, such as Frank Gehry-inspired pendant chandeliers and boxed floral centerpieces at the opening gala for the New World Center.

President and executive producer, Triton Productions, Miami, 43
Claim to fame: Big-name brands including Vogue, Turner Broadcasting, and HBO turn to Velarde’s company for splashy product launches, upfront parties, and fashion and award shows, among other events. Velarde prides himself on creating detail-oriented, immersive environments and handling complicated event logistics.
Launch pad: A background in sports marketing led to a job at Coca-Cola, working on big events like World Cup Soccer and the Olympics. “I fell in love with event planning, logistics, and the behind-the-scenes role of producing something large.” After serving as director of marketing for Latin America at Discovery Channel, he formed his own firm.
Career highlight: Producing an F-16 jet flyover at the 2010 and 2011 Sony Ericsson Open, the first for a tennis tournament other than the U.S. Open.
Twitter: @tritonevents

President, Levy Lighting, New York, 47
Claim to fame: Levy marries artistic lighting designs with seamless installation and cutting-edge technology to create innovative products like motion-triggered projections.
Launch pad: At Stonybrook University, Levy got involved with the student-run concert committee, producing shows for acts including U2 and Eddie Murphy.
Career highlight: “Developing iShadow, my line of interactive bars. It’s one thing to create something that lasts four hours, but this was something I researched, developed, and built.”
Role models: Preston Bailey, Colin Cowie, and Richard Branson.
Favorite restaurant: The Palm in East Hampton.
Major life goal: “Pursue an artistic side to my career, just done as art.”
Twitter: @LevyLighting

Co-owner, 3B Productions, Miami, 40
Launch pad: Stojanovic’s first multimedia company, Creative Web Studio, handled film projects for various clients, who eventually hired him to work on their events. Since then, he has worked on high-concept gatherings for Maxim, MTV, and MAC Cosmetics, among others.
Claim to fame: Stojanovic (along with Alain Perez of EventStar) created Funkshion Fashion Week, Miami’s biannual alternative fashion showcase. Funkshion has attracted labels including Heatherette, Stella McCartney, and Yves Saint Laurent. “It is very interesting and challenging, as you have about 10 to 13 sponsors and about 20 designers you need to accommodate in one venue and still be true to their branding needs.”
Style signature: Custom-made decor. “That is the only way to make an event different and have that ‘wow’ factor.”

President and creative director, David Stark Design and Production, New York, 42
Claim to fame: Clients such as Target, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and the New York City Opera request his colorful, larger-than-life installations, which combine an artistic sensibility with strong brand marketing. Stark has built a reputation for using recycled materials and items that can be repurposed. “I want things to become icons, to have a life beyond the short-term nature of events.”
Career highlight: Creating large sculptures made of $1 million of donated office supplies, clothing, and food for the 2008 Robin Hood Foundation benefit.
Design philosophy: “We are all about invention. I don’t want people saying, ‘There’s David Stark doing that thing again.’ We bow to clients who are collaborators and can embrace a little wackiness and risk-taking.”
Favorite place to get inspired: The hardware store.

Director of entertainment and special events, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 31
Launch pad: Looking for a career change from I.T. consulting, Choudhry got his M.B.A. in marketing and was recruited out of grad school by Harrahs Entertainment. He became interested in festivals and city-wide events, eventually founding the Food Network Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival and a series of other high-profile events.
Career highlight: Producing the Cosmopolitan’s showy New Year’s Eve weekend launch, with its Jay-Z/Coldplay concert.
Big innovation: “Injecting a music-festival model into a resort has created a social and interactive guest experience that has had an overwhelming response in the city.”
Childhood dream job: “Rock star. Every day I get to work with my team to pull together these big events of rock-star proportions.”
Twitter: @rehanc

Founder and chief designer, Wildflower Linen, Buena Park, California, 52
Claim to fame: A longtime fashion designer and textile specialist, Martin recognized an empty niche for higher-style, higher-quality table linens and chair covers.
Career highlight: “I try not to let pride get in the way of reality. But I do take pleasure in hearing acclaimed event planners acknowledge I’ve redefined ‘designer linens’ in the rental field.”
Style signature: “Fashion-forward luxury.”
Childhood dream job: Opera singer.
What’s next: “Selling trend-driven, Youngsong Martin-brand fabrics to interior designers, while also extending my company’s product line with eco-friendly, 100-percent-soy ‘Wildflower Candles.’”
Twitter: @WildflowerLinen

President, Jack Morton Worldwide, New York, 42
Launch pad: Back has more than a decade’s experience at the industry giant, in leadership positions on two continents. In 2008, she was named executive vice president and managing director of New York and spearheaded a dramatic renewal of the office. As president, she is in charge of Jack Morton’s New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago operations.
Big innovation: “Restructuring Jack Morton around creative ideas.”
Career highlights: Producing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2010 Samsung 3-D LED TV launch, the biggest product launch in Samsung history and the largest event held in Times Square, outside of New Year’s Eve.
Style signature: “Black, with a reveal or edge of some kind.”

Senior vice president of production, managing director, KCD Digital, New York, 41
Claim to fame: Baptista has created innovative brand campaigns and events for some of the biggest names in fashion, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès, to name a few.
Launch pad: Baptista started producing photo shoots at Interview magazine after college, which led to event production for different designers.
Big innovation: In December 2010, KCD launched a digital division run by Baptista and Rachna Shah. This arm of the company will focus on social media and all forms of online campaigns, positioning KCD as a one-stop shop for traditional and digital PR. Early projects include the online launch of Nicola Formichetti’s first collection for Mugler, which included a Web-only video and new track from Lady Gaga.

President, Party Barbara Co., Toronto
Launch pad: Before she became “Party Barbara,” Hershenhorn was an interior designer. After meeting Wayne Clarkson (former director of the Toronto International Film Festival) in the mid-’80s, she began producing events for TIFF and has continued to produce events for the festival, as well as other high-profile clients including Casino Niagara, TIFF Bell Lightbox, the World Conference on AIDS, and Luminato.
Style signature: “Understated elegance, with a touch of the whimsical.”
Claim to fame: Producing and reinventing TIFF’s opening night gala for 25 years. Hershenhorn and her team have a knack for interpreting themes through striking decor, like 2009’s underwater-meets-Eden party for Creation, or turning the Liberty Grand into an ice rink for Score: A Hockey Musical.
Hidden talent: “I missed my calling as a detective.”

Director, McNabb Roick Events, Toronto, 45
Claim to fame: When it comes to corporate events, Roick has all the bases covered. He creates elegant party decor for big-name clients such as Hugo Boss and Chanel through McNabb Roick, offers modern rentals through his companies Signature Party Rentals and Eventals, and is the managing partner of the Carlu, a landmark venue from the 1930s.
Launch pad: Roick developed his event planning skills consulting at Daniel et Daniel, before he was hired by Jim McNabb in 1987 to work in New York on a variety of international events. He went on to start his own firm Roick and Associates, and merged with McNabb in 1992.
Big innovation: The Carlu restoration. “Being in the event industry for many years, I knew what elements were missing, and the desire to have everything housed in one venue was very appealing.”
Twitter: @mcnabbroick

President, EventStar Structures Corp., Miami, 39
Claim to fame: Perez’s company creates unique permanent and semi-permanent structures with its in-house team of designers, engineers, architects, and fabricators. Perez is also a co-founder of Funkshion Fashion Week.
Launch pad: “I began at Diamonette Party Rentals as a part-time job while in high school.”
Big innovation: EventStar constructed Audi’s Art of Progress Pavilion, a 45,000-square-foot temporary space for the premiere of Audi’s A8 model at Art Basel 2009. The award-winning pavilion contained an auditorium, art exhibition space, and an oceanfront outdoor lounge.
Proudest moment: “Building the first temporary field hospital for Project Medishare within 48 hours of the earthquake in Haiti.”
Twitter: @eventstar_

President, Conferences That Work, Brattleboro, Vermont
Claim to fame: The author of Conferences That Work: Creating Events That People Love created “participant-driven” conferences, which replace long lectures with short attendee presentations on topics of the group’s choosing. He designed and facilitated EventCamp East Coast.
Launch pad: Earning a Ph.D. in particle physics and teaching computer science meant attending dull conferences. Segar started producing the kinds of events he wanted to attend and asked others for input, launching the peer-driven concept.
A-ha moment: In the 1980s, the rapid rise of personal computers surprised the industry. “There were no experts; that’s what catalyzed it. The only way we could figure things out was to get together and talk about it.”
What’s next: Segar will produce Exhibit Camp in Washington in August, replicating the EventCamp format for trade show managers.
Twitter: @ASegar

Chef and owner, Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston, 47
Launch pad: “My home economics teacher showed me the world of fine dining in high school, and I have known I wanted to be a chef ever since.”
Claim to fame: The brains and talent behind five restaurants, one cocktail bar, a catering company, and a demonstration kitchen/cookbook store, Lynch has taken the Boston culinary scene by storm, most recently with the unveiling of her upscale, critically hailed restaurant Menton. In 2003, the James Beard Foundation named her best chef in the Northeast.
Big idea: “Bringing three restaurants to one location in Fort Point.”
Role model: “Daniel Boulud.”

President and C.E.O., Syzygy Event Productions, Washington, 52
Claim to fame: Shanklin’s boutique event design firm produces roughly 400 events annually with 25 full-time staffers. “We are not trying to compete with the giants in town; we want our style to be custom, not cookie cutter.”
Launch pad: “Working in a flower shop in college, a local congressman’s wife saw my work at a party and asked if I could travel with her to the Democratic National Convention in 1992. I gladly accepted her invitation, and the next day I started my own company. I started with 10 events in New York for the convention.”
Work philosophy: Last year Shanklin donated more than $200,000 worth of business to charity events, either offering her services for free or at cost. Syzygy’s modern aesthetic could be seen at the Washington Ballet Jeté Society’s edgy Dance Party and the Humane Society’s sleek Fashion for Paws runway show.

President, Bounce-AEG, Los Angeles
Launch pad: Cappelletti started at the Television Academy and Emmy awards, where she moved into special events because “no one else wanted the job.” She went on to produce events like the Governors Ball, and later the MOCA gala.
Career highlight: “I was hired to design, develop, and produce an event in Russia. I ended up taking 500 jaded A-listers to Russia, kept them uniquely entertained over four days, and all without losing any of them, or my mind, in the process.”
Hidden talent: “Stamina. I just finished my 14th marathon.”
Mentor: “Merv Griffin, whose company I helped run for a number of years. For his career longevity, his sincere passion for his work, and his constantly fresh take on a broad range of projects.”

Owner, Caravents Inc. Event Production & Design, Los Angeles and New York
Claim to Fame: Creative, bicoastal, full-service event production for clients like Elle and In Style.
Career highlight: Producing Target’s Party for Good, a 4,000-person event built over six days in an empty warehouse in Manhattan, where attendees packed more than 150,000 meals in three hours to benefit Food Bank for N.Y.C. and Feeding America.
Big innovation: “Our interactive photo montage wall, never seen before in an event. This is not your average photo booth hooked up to a projection wall. Our on-site graphic designers mix photos live, as a D.J. mixes music, and layer with special effects and graphics to create an evolving, morphing photo collage wall.”
Best place to get inspired: “Paris. Food, fashion, people, art, culture. Need I say more?”
Twitter: @Caravents

Owner, 15/40 Productions Ltd., Hawthorne, California, 49
Launch pad: In the late 1980s, Waldman founded a company that produced events primarily for the hospitality industry. After developing strong relationships with major hotel chains, he entered the Las Vegas market, working with the casino tournament and special event departments to create high-roller experiences and events.
Big innovation: “The transformation of the mundane red carpet arrival into a creative piece of art. Eight years ago, we were asked to get into the arrival market by a client and I never would have expected it to turn into what it has become today. Now we produce over 80 arrivals a year.”
Favorite gadget: “I don’t know what I would do without my BlackBerry. It’s sick.”

Chief creative officer and senior designer/producer, 50, and vice president of creative arts and senior designer/producer, 49, conceptBAIT, St. Petersburg, Florida
Launch pad: While working in fashion (McGhee) and interior design (Clemente), “We started to experience the frequent requests to pull together parties for our clients,” says Clemente (right). “We couldn’t find anything out there that met our high-quality creative standards, so we began doing things ourselves.”
Claim to fame: conceptBAIT not only designs award-winning florals and event decor, the firm creates everything in-house, including flooring, and furniture.
Big innovation: “Our latest is the new Sparkle drape, which is available in seven amazing colors and when illuminated seems like a giant, slippery wall of water,” says McGhee.
Twitter: @conceptBAIT

President, Fresh Wata, Las Vegas, 35
Launch pad: “I started young, with my mother’s catering company, father’s restaurant, and my sister Kay Dalton, who was flying me around at a young age teaching me the ropes doing events for Fox, Paramount, and MTV.”
Claim to fame: Event production with a clever, techy twist, and an inventory of unique rental items.
Style signature: “The perfect package: a shot of stylish design, an entertaining slice of interactive branding and a splash of technology.”
Big innovation: “I loved the large video projection ceiling we rigged above the dance floor in Miami at the American Airlines Arena; the overall design at the Sprint EVO phone launch that combined a center floating hologram, 81 plasmas, and 3-D curtains; and the custom MapQuest 57 Chevy air hockey table and gas pump computer stations.”
Favorite gadget: “My Sprint BlackBerry connected to Dr. Dre beats.”
Major life goal: Designing a boutique hotel or a Madonna concert.
Next project: An iPad wall.
Twitter: @FreshWataTricia

Principal, Dufour & Co. Productions, Arlington, Virginia, 49
Launch pad: “From the time I was in high school, I seemed to be the one who coordinated events. That interest in events, and politics, brought me to Washington through campaign work.”
Claim to fame: In addition to owning his own catering company, over the years Dufour has worked on the Hill, for a Cabinet secretary, and in protocol at the State Department, which ultimately led to his role as social secretary for Al and Tipper Gore during the Clinton administration. Now his company produces and manages events for clients like Huffington Post, BBC America, and MSNBC’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after-party.
Big innovation: “Making the re-opening of the Georgetown Safeway into one of the most talked-about events of 2010.”
Hidden talents: “I am a pretty good calligrapher and flower arranger. I have put together many a floral arrangement and hand-done many a place card in a last-minute crisis.”

Principal, Marlo Marketing/Communications, Boston, 39
Launch pad: A former attorney with a masters degree in international relations, Fogelman left law for PR, and in 2004 opened her own full-service PR and marketing agency.
Claim to fame: Fogelman’s social media-savvy firm has created strategic, integrated PR and marketing campaigns for clients such as Starbucks Coffee, Kimpton Hotels, and the James Beard Foundation.
Proudest achievement: “Weathering the recent economic downturn while keeping our team [of 15] fully intact.”
Big innovation: “Recognizing the need and value of what would become mainstream social media when we launched our monthly newsletter, Marlo Monthly, in January of 2005. It was our way of connecting our clients directly with the end user in a fun-to-read, quirky voice. We then launched m.blog and m.social to continually position MM/C on top of trends, culture, events, and all things cutting-edge.”
Twitter: @marlomarketing

Partners, Abel McCallister Designs L.L.C., Los Angeles and New York
Launch pad: Abel (right) was decor chairman of his high school prom, moving on to campus events in college and later starting the business. McCallister “freelanced for a roommate’s event company once and was hooked.”
Claim to fame: Producing experiential installations for big brands including L’Oréal, People, and Netflix.
Career highlight: Building an Oprah Winfrey Show set entirely out of Godiva chocolate with a seven-day lead time.
Style signature: “Creative interpretation of bringing a brand to life in a unique way that engages the consumer without feeling like a trade show, or feeling forced,” Abel says. “Simple but impactful statements,” McCallister says.
Childhood dream job: Abel: “This is it.” McCallister: “I always wanted to be a superhero. They always had cool cars, awesome costumes, and don’t forget the cape. And they always lived in the coolest environments.”
Twitters: @RMcCallister, @larryabel

Partner and creative director, Mother New York, 48
Claim to fame: Webster and his partners have run cutting-edge projects for the award-winning creative agency’s experiential division. He has put big-name chefs in food trucks and orchestrated a public stunt in Times Square to promote video game Dance Central with 600 dancers, live performances by Lady Sovereign and Ne-Yo, and video on six LED screens. Mother also produced Virgin Mobile’s activations during Lady Gaga’s recent tours.
Style signature: “Deep, strategic thinking.”
Career highlight: Illuminating the entire southern exterior of the Standard Hotel with a rainbow of LED lights for Target’s “Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular,” a public fashion show involving a performance by 66 dancers to an original score.
Hidden talent: “I’m pretty badass with a yo-yo.”

Lighting department manager, Westbury National Show Systems, Toronto, 47
Claim to fame: Westbury offers the latest in lighting technology, as well as staging, video, and audiovisual production for some of Toronto’s biggest events, including LG Fashion Week, Nuit Blanche, and the Power Ball.
Launch pad: “My start in event lighting came with an invitation to light a fashion show by friends from concert touring connections. I realized it was possible to create high drama even with straight white light.”
Big innovation: “Bringing digital lighting into focus at my company and in this city.”
Career highlight: For the opening-night gala for TIFF Bell Lightbox, Westbury and Party Barbara Co. created an extensive lighting installation and multiple video projections that illuminated the corner of King and John streets.

Director of worklife, Leo Burnett Chicago
Claim to fame: Managing seven to 10 events at a time throughout the year, Mahoney designs functions that always incorporate the creative agency’s vision of corporate social responsibility. Events have ranged from an internal candlelit cocktail reception to celebrate Earth Hour to a Thailand-themed brunch in the office building’s lobby, followed by a fund-raising ping-pong tournament upstairs.
Major life goal: “To meet the 10 billionaires who reside in Chicago. I’d love to learn their philanthropy philosophy and work with them to change some of America’s major problems. I have some tangible ideas that include amazing events.”

Creative director, Heffernan Morgan Ronsley, Chicago
Claim to fame: Heffernan’s elegant aesthetic has set the decorative tone at galas for iconic organizations such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The firm he started in 1979 has merged with two other local firms to form a design collective with different price points, specialties, and points of view. In 2011, Heffernan was the lead designer of Chicago’s most high-profile spring function: a 900-guest tribute to Mayor Richard Daley, for which he employed an Andy Warhol-inspired look.
Got his start in events: “Giving away free flowers on the street.”
Style signature: “Dramatic good taste, well edited.”
Work philosophy: “Make it great or why bother?”

Principal, Birch Design Studio, Chicago
Claim to fame: With a background in interior design, Birch applies her unique training to developing ornate, whimsical event looks for such organizations as the Chicago Botanic Garden. For a recent benefit, she employed a moonlit-garden theme replete with woodland nymphs who pranced around and encouraged guests to bid in the silent auction. Birch designed the intricate costumes.
Work philosophy: “Be present and involved in every step of each event. My father once told me, ‘The best fertilizer is the farmer’s shadow,’ and I live by that every day.”
Hidden talent: “Rock climbing.”
Twitter: @marinabirch

C.E.O., Event Creative, Chicago
Claim to fame: Cannon and his team thrive on logistical challenges, having designed everything from a 40-foot indoor volcano to a 2,300-guest gala on a runway at O’Hare airport. Event Creative also manages the event space Venue One, which hosted its first event, a fund-raiser for the Museum of Contemporary Art that had an indoor playground and a rock concert, in 2010. In 2011, Event Creative steadily gained new business, and for the first time will design the Steppenwolf Gala and the Joffrey Ballet Gala.
Work philosophy: “Anything is possible.”
Childhood dream job: “Superhero.”

Founder, president, C.E.O., Rafanelli Events, Boston
Launch pad: “This really prominent, smart, successful, and über-respected couple, Stephen and Roberta S. Weiner, took a chance on me.” Rafanelli launched his firm in 1996, producing just three events a year. Now the company has offices in four cities and produces roughly 100 events annually, which includes consulting on branding and fund-raising strategy as well as creating drop-dead decor.
Claim to fame: While he’s been hailed by media outlets both local and national (Town & Country, Modern Bride, and The Wall Street Journal among them), Rafanelli was propelled into the national spotlight in July when he produced Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky’s wedding in Rhinebeck, New York. Rafanelli had produced several fund-raisers for the mother of the bride over the past decade.
Proudest achievement: “Providing more than 100 people with a nice place to work, and a good company to do business with.”
Major life goal: “To be in two places at once.”
Design philosophy: “Learn to dream big and know when to edit.”

C.E.O., Backal Hospitality Group, New York, 49
Claim to fame: Owner of event management company State of the Art Enterprises and Backal Hospitality Group, industry veteran Backal has managed more than 20 venues, including the Plaza and the Waldorf-Astoria.
Big innovation: His latest venture, Apella, is a high-tech, high-style meeting space that dispels the idea of a bland, corporate conference center. Backal played an important role in developing many aspects of the venue, including its state-of-the-art technology, branding, amenities, and smaller details like staffing uniforms.
What’s next: Backal plans to keep the event planning and production side of his business going strong while opening more meeting and event spaces in and around New York.
Twitter: @ArthurBackal

Chief brand storyteller, Ready2Spark, Toronto, 35
Big innovation: A former agency brand strategist who now runs her own consulting company, McCulloch-Carter is at the forefront of social media for the event industry. She founded EventProfs, a worldwide community of event professionals who post under the #eventprofs hashtag on Twitter. It created a new form of dialogue throughout the industry and spawned a series of face-to-face conferences created by members called EventCamp.
Claim to fame: Major companies including Unilever, Shell, and Cadbury-Adams have turned to her for brand strategy and other services. She also runs a popular blog about marketing and the event industry, and maintains a busy international speaking schedule.
Favorite apps: “Evernote, to clip interesting articles and images; Informant HD, the most extensive to-do app Ive found; and TripIt. to keep track of my travel schedule, hotel and flight confirmations, and plans.”
Twitter: @ready2spark

Director of distinguished events, American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, Chicago
Claim to fame: Kite plans the American Cancer Society’s annual Discovery Ball, which has consistently exceeded its ambitious fund-raising goals by raking in more than $2 million for the past three years. Having employed IML devices at the 2009 gala, she was the first local planner to use electronic bidding. Kite also serves as a national event leader and trainer for the society, helping to inspire and shape colleagues across the country.
Her day in three words: “Start your engines.”
Best place to get inspired: “Just pay attention. Inspiration is everywhere.”

Owner, Events by André Wells, Washington, 38
Launch pad: Something of a man about town in Washington, Wells started as a buyer for the May company, became a meeting planner, and in 2004 launched his full-service event production firm.
Claim to fame: Wells has become one of the top planners in town, producing roughly 80 events annually in his signature lush style for the likes of BET, Capitol File, Dell, and members of Congress.
Proudest achievement: “I thrill myself in the delight of helping others. I have had many opportunities to help so many corporations, associations, and individuals achieve their targeted goals.”
Design philosophy: “I am very into details, aesthetics, and functionality. I think something should not only look good, but it has to work. It needs to provide a function.”
Hidden talent: “If the band doesn’t show up, I can sing.”
Twitter: @AndreWells

Executive director of event design, MGM Resorts Events, Las Vegas, 49
Launch pad: Dahl began as a prop designer and fabricator in 1982 with Cheryl Fish at It’s the Main Event in Southern California. In 1992, he began King Dahl Event Design at the Malibu Conference Center.
Claim to fame: Since taking the role of leading the design and sales teams at MGM Resorts Events in 2003, he designs and produces more than 700 events per year with his team of 50.
Style signature: “Large, dramatic productions.”
Design philosophy: “I believe in 100 percent collaboration with my team, whether in the studio or with my creative partners from all disciplines of event production. I speak to groups throughout the world on building a high-performing event team, and I live by the principles of empowerment and collaboration. I never design totally alone.”
Role models: Miles Davis and Pablo Picasso, for the way they kept reinventing themselves and their styles, “always looking forward, never back.”
Twitter: @kingdahl

Founder and president, MKG, New York, 36
Claim to fame: Goyal’s experiential agency has stepped up its game over the past year with a new SoHo office and a wide range of events that incorporate social media and cutting-edge technology, such as the architecturally mapped video projections for Ralph Lauren, and Delta’s fan zone in Madison Square Park, which doubled the airline’s Facebook followers in one day.
Launch pad: “I finished grad school, moved to New York, and was working at a great nonprofit. But I had this sinking feeling that if I didn’t change something, I would have a job as opposed to a lifestyle for the rest of my life. I did some soul-searching to figure out what makes me tick and all the things that go into events--logistics, planning, creativity, drama, putting out fires--define me.”
What’s next: “Deepening our West Coast presence, including further penetration of the entertainment industry.”
Twitter: @thisismkg

General manager, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Claim to fame: Formerly Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ North American vice president of food and beverage, Scott came to the Swan and Dolphin in 2009, raising the hotel’s meeting and convention events. For the 2010 International Pow Wow, a travel conference, he transformed one of the property’s courtyards into an Italian-themed theater, with surrounding guest-room balconies as stages for an intimate opera concert.
Big innovation: Wanting to get in on some of the action during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, Scott launched the Food & Wine Classic in 2010, drawing crowds to the Swan and Dolphin for a weekend of live music, tastings, and seminars.
Work philosophy: “I believe in the balance between accountability and fun. If you have one, I find it is best to have the other.”

C.E.O. and founder, Great Performances, New York, 52
Launch pad: Trying to make ends meet as a photographer, Neumark founded Great Performances in 1979 as a staffing service for private parties. It evolved into an award-winning, full-service catering company with a 60-acre organic farm and nonprofit that promotes childhood nutrition.
Style signature: 100 Mile Menus, which source ingredients near New York City.
Career highlight: “Making a farm before the green movement.”
Hidden talent: Boxing.
What’s next: Launching a food truck, releasing a cookbook, and expanding culinary education programs for New York City children.
Twitter: @GPfood

President, Skylight Group, New York, 34
Claim to fame: Blumin has built a reputation for transforming underused spaces into premier event venues. Her projects include penthouse-turned-event space Sky Studios and Skylight West, a formerly abandoned parking garage.
Career highlight: Launching Skylight One Hanson in the former Williamsburg Savings Bank, a Brooklyn landmark. “It is an icon of the city’s past and it was an honor to blow the dust off and bring it back.”
Work philosophy: “Fly by the seat of my pants.”
What’s next: Blumin wants Skylight Group to become a one-stop industry resource for event planners, not only for its three properties, but for venue and vendor recommendations.
Twitter: @jenblumin, @skylightnyc

President, Amaryllis, Washington, 44
Launch pad: “I got my degree in greenhouse management, moved to Washington, and the closest thing I could find to do was floral design.”
Claim to fame: Davis joined Amaryllis in its inaugural year in 1989, and took over the ownership in 2002. Today a full-service floral and event design firm, Amaryllis produces roughly 350 events annually for clients like Exxon Mobile.
Proudest achievement: “Being able to work in the White House.”
Hidden talent: “Raising Heritage breed animals on my farm.”
Big idea: At an ISES luncheon years ago, Davis opted to include live baby ducklings in a spring garden tablescape, a move that he still gets comments about today.

Founding partner, Production Glue, New York, 41
Launch pad: “I was too shy to dance as a kid in middle school, so I set up the speakers and one thing led to another.”
Claim to fame: Brands turn to Bussey and his team when they need to bring complicated ideas and designs to life, as well as for set design and execution, technical direction, and other services. Projects include the Virgin Galactic launch in the Mojave Desert, a holiday pop-up installation for Bank of America, and the opening party for the Hearst Tower.
Career highlight: “Time and again we hear, ‘We’re so happy Production Glue is part of this project,’ from production partners, venues, and crew. Client praise is important, but hearing that from other integral people involved makes me incredibly proud.”
Best place to get inspired: “It’s that very first brainstorm/pitch meeting, where limitations aren’t part of the conversation and conceptive creativity reigns. Navigating uncharted territory keeps me coming back for more.”
Childhood dream job: Astronaut. “I almost came full circle working on the Virgin Galactic SpaceShip Two launch.”
Twitter: @gluetom

Chief creative officer, co-founder, Obscura Digital, San Francisco, 38
Claim to fame: Obscura specializes in impactful and immersive branded environments created with the latest technologies, from architectural and video mapping, to interactive displays and 3-D cameras. Recent projects include projecting video onto the Guggenheim Museum and Sydney Opera House for YouTube, and creating a holographic touch screen for Heineken.
Launch pad: “I started doing projection installations as a teenager and got more and more obsessed with it. My first professional job was really an art installation for an award party, and that just kicked it off.”
Not-so-hidden talent: Threlkel is a former guitarist for neo-psychedelic band the Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Design philosophy: “I should be impressed by the project, or something’s wrong.”

Production designer and account representative, Frost, Chicago
Claim to fame: Combining intricate lighting schemes with audiovisual tropes ranging from videos to atmospheric projections, Remer has created immersive environments at big-name events such as Macy’s Glamorama.  Remer has an innate skill for quick, efficient work. For the Joffrey Ballet’s Couture and Cocktails benefit, Remer and his team had less than three hours to erect a fully built-out runway in the lobby of the Palmer House Hilton, and less than an hour to dismantle it.
Signature style: “Theatrical and transformative. Over the top, but never out of control.”
Hidden talent: “Don’t challenge me to a dance-off.”

Co-founder and chief operating officer, and co-founder and chief creative officer, Siinc Agency, Miami
Launch pad: Former media buyer Novas (right) partnered with Chattas, who handled marketing for several companies including IMG, in 2008 to launch Siinc Agency, which offers event design, production, and management to big-name clients including Nokia, Audi, Discovery Networks, and Microsoft.
Big innovation: Siinc collaborated on the concept and design, and handled event management for Audi’s Art of Progress Pavilion during Art Basel 2009.
Style signature: Chattas: “Clean, easy, problem solving.” Novas: “Sophisticated, whimsical, chic.”
Career highlight: “Fighting for Grace Jones to perform at the Florida Room for a client event that blew the house down and had the best guest list in town in 2009 and since,” Chattas says.
Twitter: @ichattas

Senior vice president, strategy and planning/worldwide, George P. Johnson Experience Marketing, Boston
Launch pad: “I was a professional magician in theaters, night clubs, restaurants, trade shows, and on TV in my late teens and early 20s. It’s given me a way of thinking about how to engineer experiences to move audiences to action that’s been invaluable.”
Claim to fame: Rich began working for George P. Johnson, one of the country’s largest event marketing firms, in 1999, and Cisco, Motorola, and I.B.M. are among his clients. On the road 50- to 90-percent of the year, Rich is also a frequent speaker, whose engagements include being a moderator at the Forbes Insight C.M.O. program on Engagement Marketing, guest lecturing at Columbia Business School, and speaking at dozens of event and marketing-related conferences.
Proudest achievement: “Building the first and largest strategic marketing practice in the event industry, and through that helping our client I.B.M. win the first-ever EX Award for Best Business-to-Business Event Marketing program.”
Twitter: @richexpmarkting

Founder and C.E.O., Rockwell Group, New York, 52
Claim to fame: Rockwell’s award-winning architecture and design firm focuses on a diverse array of high-profile projects. Recent work includes Andaz Wall Street and the Cosmopolitan Hotel, staging for the 2010 Academy Awards, and the sets for the Broadway show Catch Me If You Can.
Launch pad: “It all began when I was quite young, when my brothers and I would create fantasy Halloween environments and magic shows in our backyard and garage.”
Design philosophy: “I always make sure my designs foster connections, push boundaries, explore new materials and techniques, and embrace both handcraft and state-of-the-art technology.
What’s next: Current and upcoming projects include the Nobu Hotel in Las Vegas, Untitled restaurant at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and W Hotels in Paris and Singapore.

President, UIA Management, Miami, 50
Claim to fame: Wennett has made a career out of conceiving and developing urban environments, including New York’s meatpacking district and Dupont Circle in Washington. His latest project, 1111 Lincoln Road, is a parking garage/minimalist art piece designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.
Big innovation: While the decidedly industrial space houses high-end retail shops and provides parking, the building’s dedicated top-floor event space has become one of the hottest spots to throw a party in Miami.
Style signature: “Quality design.”
What’s next: “Bringing South Beach to the next level.”

Chief sustainability strategist, Meeting Change, Calgary
Launch pad: After a stint as director of corporate social responsibility for Meeting Professionals International, Henderson joined with a partner in 2010 to form Meeting Change, which helps companies implement sustainable practices in meetings and others parts of their business.
A-ha moment: After reading a book about virtual games, Henderson realized they were an exciting and green way to engage attendees. “I thought, ‘I bet we could apply this to a conference. They can get a little boring.’”
Big innovation: As chair of the Green Meetings Industry Council’s 2011 conference, Henderson created “Game On,” an app- and Web-based game for the 253 on-site and 60 remote participants, in which randomly chosen teams competed to solve meeting sustainability challenges.
What’s next: Henderson will chair the G.M.I.C.’s 2012 conference and build on the gaming tool, which garnered nearly 20,000 pageviews.
Twitter: @ehenderson

Co-owner, Limelight--Food Illuminated, Chicago
Claim to fame: Working with business partner Marguerite Lytle, Gutekanst brings upscale, farm-fresh fare to high-profile events ranging from Lollapalooza to the Steppenwolf Gala.
Proudest achievement: “Catering Obama’s election night in Grant Park in 2008.”
Childhood dream job: “Country-singing superstar. But I can’t sing. And I’m not Southern.”

Principal, Marc Hall Design, Boston, 53
Launch pad: In 1987, Hall began working as head designer for a floral boutique on Newbury Street, where he produced small parties. He says of the experience, “I was hooked.” Hall moved to the city’s premier florist, Winston Flowers, as creative director in 2003, and then launched his own event and garden design firm just last year.
Proudest achievement: “One of them was being part of the design team to produce the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky.”
Big idea: “To launch Marc Hall Design, a comprehensive design firm that conceptualizes every aesthetic either inside or outside, where people enjoy and celebrate life’s moments.”
Major life goal: “I just achieved it. I married the man I love.”

President/C.O.O., PBD Events, Braintree, Massachusetts, 38
Launch pad: “I started at Party by Design in 1995 when I was looking for a studio to create sculpture and paintings in.” Today the firm, now known as PBD Events, produces roughly 400 events annually for clients like Cisco Systems and TV show Style Boston.
Claim to fame: Last year, Nedeau produced high-profile events including The Fighter’s hometown premiere, as well as the multi-venue I.C.A. Gala.
Design philosophy: “Keep the design simple and let the lighting, texture, and shapes create valuable impact. Bring in pops of color through botanicals or objects d’art.”
What’s next: “We are expanding our custom offerings, and are building new design collections twice a year.”

Co-owner, Max Ultimate Food, Boston, 52
Launch pad: After working on events in the ’80s in Los Angeles, Mathieu launched East Meets West Catering in Boston before selling it in the ’90s to go into restaurants. He returned to catering in 2001, launching Max Ultimate Food with partner Neal Balkowitsch. Today the firm caters roughly 400 events annually.
Claim to fame: “Max is known for innovation in food and presentation. We tend to be the catering company people come to when they are looking for an event that is not traditional and where you can expect the unexpected.”
Proudest achievement: “Creating Kids Can Cook, an after-school cooking program.”

Director of education and engagement, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, Dallas
Claim to fame: In addition to co-founding the EventCamp series of participant-driven industry gatherings, Hurt consults with organizations ranging from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to BlogWorld.
Launch pad: This former kindergarten teacher turned his observations about how the brain retains information and responds to environmental cues into a 20-year career in nonprofit and association planning, including forays into hybrid, peer-led, and unconference formats.
A-ha moment: At a 2007 conference for 500 C.E.O.s, Hurt let attendees talk to the speaker via text. “We saw a dynamic where, suddenly, the audience had a new toy. Little did I know at the time, that was our entry into using social media.”
Big innovation: For the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting in January, Hurt created a small-group forum for 3,000 attendees, carving the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino’s Garden Arena into more intimate spaces.
Twitter: @JeffHurt

Executive design director, Hargrove, Lanham, Maryland, 49
Claim to fame: Since landing at event management firm Hargrove in 1998, Solsbery has worked on dozens of high-profile events, including the 2008 presidential inauguration at the Capitol.
Launch pad: “At 24 I started working part-time for a theme party decorating company in San Jose, California. We did stage sets, theme decor, floral, weddings, bar mitzvahs. My specialty was scenic painting and prop design.”
Proudest achievement: “Designing several G20 summits. It was a great honor to be an adviser to the South Korean government during their preparations for the 2010 summit. Creating plenary rooms and sets, meeting spaces, dining rooms, briefing rooms, lounges, almost entire cities inside exhibition spaces for the world’s leaders and press is a great challenge and an amazing experience.”
What’s next: “We’re part of the team producing the memorial dedication and official events for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial.”

Director, BrandLinkDC, Washington, 31
Launch pad: After graduating from American University, Sandman landed at Washington Life, scooping up the newly created marketing director position. Next stop was Capitol File, where she helmed and grew the magazine’s annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner’s after-party.
Work philosophy: “Because we’re a public relations, events, and marketing company, we’re constantly thinking of every event aspect and how it will positively affect the client, from the messaging we need to relay to each attendee to how it is going to play in the media landscape.”
What’s next: “The Week magazine’s 10th annual Opinion Awards. It’ll be hard to top last year’s combination of top-tier politicos: Rahm Emanuel, Joe Scarborough, and Tina Brown to namedrop just a few.” Also: Raising son Owen, born just weeks after her portrait sitting.

Chef and owner, Lucques Catering, Los Angeles, 44
Launch pad: Goin began as a restaurant chef and added catering when customers told her team they wanted to experience the same food at home and at events. Her group catered the Hammer Museum’s annual gala for 500 and the luxe SAG Awards dinner, which requires both camera- and tastebud-friendly fare.
Career highlight: “No matter how many chef jobs I’ve had or how many restaurants I have opened since then, when the doors opened at Lucques and I had my very own restaurant, it was definitely the most intense and monumental time in my work experience.”
Style signature: “Rustic, local, chic.”
Big innovation: “When we opened A.O.C. in 2002, it was revolutionary. We took the idea of a tapas bar and made it something that spoke to a modern American audience. It was a watershed moment in the Los Angeles culinary scene, and it hasn’t stopped since, with others emulating our model here and around the country.”
Role models: Alice Waters and Alain Passard.

Owner, Taylor Creative Inc., New York, 47
Claim to fame: Taylor created a niche in the crowded rental market with an inventory of high-end contemporary furniture custom-manufactured in the U.S. or imported from Europe.
Launch pad: Before he got into events, Taylor worked in marketing for fashion brands including Joseph Abboud, Calvin Klein, and GQ, as well as merchandising and events at Saks Fifth Avenue. Taylor also worked as a stylist for national advertising campaigns, catalogs, and retail brands.
Signature products: Moooi horse lamp, Pucci chair.
Career highlight: Attending the Milan furniture fair in 2002. “It introduced a world I’d never seen--the marriage of high art and commerce.”

Managing director, Interactive Meeting Technology, Minneapolis
Claim to fame: Smith co-founded and ran EventCamp Twin Cities, created hybrid events for financial services and medical corporations, and produced the award-winning Boston Scientific Minnesota CVR Experience.
Launch pad: The Ford Motor Company and 3M veteran got into the meeting technology business five years ago in Europe, when he signed on with the company that developed Spotme, a device to help attendees locate colleagues at large events.
Big innovation: At EventCamp Twin Cities in August, 580 remote participants joined 75 on-site attendees for the daylong event. Smith used a remote moderator and a virtual M.C., Skype, and Twitter to give virtual attendees the feeling of being there.
Twitter: @samueljsmith

Owner and chef, T2 Resto-Lounge and Events, Toronto, 38
Launch pad: After making a name for his “modern Canadian” cuisine at Match Restaurant and Tazza, Chiaromonte launched a catering arm, emphasizing cutting-edge culinary techniques and presentation.
Claim to fame: Artfully presented party food that goes beyond the typical mini burgers and spring rolls. For an event for HGTV, he shaped salmon into pairs of lips covered in beets and served them with sundried tomato and bacon butter in lipstick tubes.
What’s next: A cooking show, My Favorite Dish, for the Rogers Network.

Owner and creative director, Occasions Caterers, Washington
Launch pad: A cater waiter in college, Michael founded Occasions with his twin brother, Mark, in 1986. Today, they cater roughly 2,500 events annually.
Claim to fame: Last year’s highlights ranged from the Opera Ball’s Fabergé egg-inspired cakes to Frito pies at MSNBC’s White House Correspondents Association dinner after-party. Michael also produces the massive Corcoran Gala.
Proudest achievement: “Presidential inauguration 2009. In addition to managing one of the official tribute dinners for 1,200, we catered dozens of events over a three-day period, [serving] more than 25,000 guests.”
Biggest idea: “My brother and I saw a need in technology and helped conceive and create CaterXpert, a software program for off-premise caterers that has become the standard for the industry.”

Partner, Design Cuisine, Washington
Launch pad: After catering private events during graduate school, Homan launched Creative Edge Cuisine in 1980 with two partners, then changed the name to Design Cuisine in 1983.
Claim to fame: Catering some 3,000 events annually, Homan is the creative force behind Design Cuisine, where he’s worked with clients like Bloomberg (producing the company’s high-tech White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after-parties in 2007 and 2008), AOL, Vogue, and the White House.
Work philosophy: “Never say ‘no’ and always come up with workable solutions to decode reality.”
Childhood dream job: “I have it.”
What’s next: “To create a better relationship with our planet. Nature is a source of inspiration for exciting images and ideas.”