Hillary Harris
Executive director of special events, Warner Brothers Studios, Burbank, California
Big innovation: Bringing the resources of a major TV studio to bear on both studio and non-studio events on the lot. Harris makes use of 70 different craft departments for her events, while working around—and with—sets in a way that benefits both the live events and TV productions.
Launchpad: “In the ’80s, I started a catering firm called Cuisine/Cuisine. Little by little, I began to do more production and design work for clients, so I started Mixed Grille Productions. Warner Brothers was one of my clients, as they didn’t yet have a special events department. In 1993 they officially opened [that] division and brought me on board.”
Claim to fame: The 2000 Democratic National Convention, which included several huge events in one day: a governors’ breakfast, a 1,500-person rally, and a Bill Clinton reception on the West Wing set. Plus: a milestone birthday party for Ellen DeGeneres, the Environmental Media Awards, and the 1,300-guest launch of the CW Network, showcasing 90 stars from 19 television shows.
Style signature: “Large-scale sophisticated fun that is on trend with Hollywood and pop culture.” Hidden talent: “I am a walking Rolodex for off-the-beaten-path food discoveries from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and even a few in other states and countries.”
Best place to get inspired: “In the screening room.”
On Twitter: @WBspecialevents
Big innovation: Bringing the resources of a major TV studio to bear on both studio and non-studio events on the lot. Harris makes use of 70 different craft departments for her events, while working around—and with—sets in a way that benefits both the live events and TV productions.
Launchpad: “In the ’80s, I started a catering firm called Cuisine/Cuisine. Little by little, I began to do more production and design work for clients, so I started Mixed Grille Productions. Warner Brothers was one of my clients, as they didn’t yet have a special events department. In 1993 they officially opened [that] division and brought me on board.”
Claim to fame: The 2000 Democratic National Convention, which included several huge events in one day: a governors’ breakfast, a 1,500-person rally, and a Bill Clinton reception on the West Wing set. Plus: a milestone birthday party for Ellen DeGeneres, the Environmental Media Awards, and the 1,300-guest launch of the CW Network, showcasing 90 stars from 19 television shows.
Style signature: “Large-scale sophisticated fun that is on trend with Hollywood and pop culture.” Hidden talent: “I am a walking Rolodex for off-the-beaten-path food discoveries from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and even a few in other states and countries.”
Best place to get inspired: “In the screening room.”
On Twitter: @WBspecialevents
Photo: Courtesy of Hillary Harris
Dana Beatty
Director of floral and horticulture, the Venetian and the Palazzo, Las Vegas, 48
Launchpad: Beatty was hired by her hometown florist in Merritt Island, Florida, after the company saw pictures of the design concept she created for her own wedding almost three decades ago.
Big innovation: In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the exterior and interior landscape and gardens, the flower and decor arrangements for the entire resort, and events and weddings, she is responsible for creating million-dollar displays in the Palazzo’s Waterfall, Atrium & Gardens several times a year. In 2011, she worked with a team to create “Winter in Venice,” a holiday experience that included dozens of 10- to 20-foot snowflakes, 2,000 overhead lights across the exterior, and a 65-foot LED tree on top of a fountain in front of the Venetian.
On Twitter: @palazzolavegas
Launchpad: Beatty was hired by her hometown florist in Merritt Island, Florida, after the company saw pictures of the design concept she created for her own wedding almost three decades ago.
Big innovation: In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the exterior and interior landscape and gardens, the flower and decor arrangements for the entire resort, and events and weddings, she is responsible for creating million-dollar displays in the Palazzo’s Waterfall, Atrium & Gardens several times a year. In 2011, she worked with a team to create “Winter in Venice,” a holiday experience that included dozens of 10- to 20-foot snowflakes, 2,000 overhead lights across the exterior, and a 65-foot LED tree on top of a fountain in front of the Venetian.
On Twitter: @palazzolavegas
Photo: Jacob Andrzejczak, IS Photography/ImagesOfVegas.com
