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South Florida Event Professionals to Be Inducted Into BizBash Hall of Fame

From event design to public relations to trade show contracting and more, the honorees have decades of experience in the industry. The ceremony will also recognize an early-career rising star.

New BizBash Hall of Fame inductees are (top row): Larry Carrino, Richard J. Curran, Karla Dascal, and (bottom row): Bruce Orosz, Alain Perez, and Deanna Davis.
New BizBash Hall of Fame inductees are (top row): Larry Carrino, Richard J. Curran, Karla Dascal, and (bottom row): Bruce Orosz, Alain Perez, and Deanna Davis.
Photo: Michael Pisarri (Larry Carrino), Marilyn Scavo (Alain Perez), courtesy of honorees (all others)

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA—Five veteran event professionals from South Florida along with an early-career rising star will be inducted into the BizBash Hall of Fame at a ceremony May 22 at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.

Chosen by the BizBash executive committee for their work, accomplishments, and contributions to the industry, the honorees join a distinguished group of industry professionals from across North America. They are: Larry Carrino, president of Brustman Carrino Public Relations; Richard J. Curran, founder and chairman of Expo Convention Contractors; Karla Dascal, owner of Karla Conceptual Event Experiences; Bruce Orosz, C.E.O. of ACT Productions; and Alain Perez, C.E.O. and co-founder of Eventstar Structures.

The rising star honoree is Deanna Davis, marketing coordinator at Events on the Loose.

Larry Carrino
President, Brustman Carrino Public Relations
With more than 20 years at the helm of the culinary communications agency, Carrino has proven himself to be the quintessential mailroom-to-boardroom success story. Carrino joined the firm in 1995 in an entry-level position. In 2011, he took over the firm as president. Carrino ensures that BCPR is always on the cutting edge of trends in the lifestyle media sector. His role at the firm includes overseeing publicity, special events and marketing campaigns, hospitality, events, and arts and entertainment accounts. He is well known for his work as a publicist for A-list chefs, and he currently spearheads regional P.R. efforts for the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival and maintains the role of P.R. chair for Slow Food Miami. Carrino is the former chairman of the South Florida chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food. He has had the distinction of being named one of the “40 Under 40″ Professionals by Gold Coast magazine and as “Best Flack” by the Miami New Times. In 2015, he was also honored by the South Florida Business Journal’s Miami Ultimate C.E.O. Awards.

Richard J. Curran
Founder and chairman, Expo Convention Contractors
An industry pioneer, Curran began his trade show and conventions career while attending Miami Dade College in 1972. Curran had the foresight to join, learn, and benefit from his employment with Manncraft Exposition Services, GES, Freeman, Gelco, and Sho-Aids Convention Contractors, before becoming president and C.E.O. of Expo Convention Contractors in 1995. Today, the company is the leading convention services company in South Florida with more than 100 employees and offices in Miami and South America. With his team, Curran successfully produces some 300 shows annually. Expo’s clients have included Miami International Boat Show, Maison & Objet, Florida International Medical Expo, Jewelers International Showcase, and BizBash. Curran is also a supporter of Pathways for Change, Women Veterans Initiative, Families of SMA, Lighthouse for the Blind, Relay for Life Cancer Benefit, Miami Children’s initiative, and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center. Curran is a long-standing member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

Karla Dascal
Owner, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences
Dascal takes on several meaningful roles with the community as a true visionary, lifestyle entrepreneur, holistic lifestyle creator, and wellness advocate. Dascal is known for creating the Sacred Space Miami and bringing to life sister entities: Plant Miami, Flow, and Paradise Farms. She is committed to building a lifestyle brand dedicated to elevating consciousness and spreading principles on holistic vibrant living. BizBash has recognized her as one of the top event designers in North America, creating and leading her highly-successful event company, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences, for more than 25 years. Her company is known for producing luxury social events recognized for their impeccable style, gorgeous florals, and exquisite culinary experiences.

Bruce Orosz
C.E.O., ACT Productions
Born in New York City and educated at Hunter College and New York University, Orosz has been based in New York and Miami Beach since the 1980s. Orosz got his start in the production industry by launching a travel/production company called ACT Travel, which served Wall Street and rock band tours. The company’s purpose was to provide more expansive services, which led him to establish a full-service production company, ACT Productions, in 1981. ACT facilitates print, advertising, political, fashion, and sports events and is now a leading commercial event production company working with clients from around the globe. ACT Productions has been a leader in developing and bringing events to Miami, including the Beach Majors Volleyball Championship for five years. Other events he has produced include the Art Basel convention center build out and infrastructure for show layout since 2003 and the halftime show at Dolphin Stadium with Marc Anthony and Flo-Rida during the El Classico Soccer Finals in 2017. Orosz sits on a number of boards and committees, including serving as current chairman of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Alain Perez
C.E.O. and co-founder, Eventstar Structures.
From its inception in 1999, Perez has been at the center of building this award-winning enterprise from the ground up. With his knowledge of engineering and design of semi-permanent structures, Perez has positioned Eventstar as a leading company in the space of temporary and long-term infrastructure. Under his leadership, Eventstar is at the forefront of innovation, and the company partners with the world’s leading brands to create unique structures and unforgettable experiences—from a building that houses one of NASA’s space shuttles in New York City, to structures for the Kentucky Derby, Coachella, LA Auto Show, and Miami International Boat Show, among many other events. Perez intends to continue to push the boundaries in the world of infrastructure for decades to come.

Rising Star

Deanna Davis
Marketing coordinator, Events on the Loose
At the boutique event rental company Events on the Loose, she works with event sponsors to create integrated brand experiences. Most recently, she has worked with Hilton, Sobewff, Peroni, and JetBlue. Davis earned a BFA in graphic design from New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts.

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