“About 20 minutes after opening, when the crowd is flowing in, the admissions process is working smoothly, and all of the event activities are up and running.”
J.C. Davis, event coordinator, Springs Preserve, Las Vegas
“As soon as the concept is completed, as well as when a display opens to the public. I look for our guests’ responses and body language. It is then I know we have a winner.”
Andres Garcia, executive director of horticulture, Bellagio, Las Vegas
“When guests leave our events buzzing about our brand.”
Hillary Self Barney, senior event marketing manager, Fiji Water, Los Angeles
“When you hear about how amazing the event was from someone who wasn’t even there.”
Kim Rzemien, sales manager, rentals and events, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
“Triple overtime. Everything is flawless, the client has gone to bed with instructions to cut it off when 100 people are left, and the group at 2 a.m. is still 500 strong.”
Stacey Paul Barabe, president and creative director, Exhilarate Events, Orlando
“When the next day your voicemail and mailbox are full of messages from people calling and saying that they had an amazing time last night.”
Sale Stojanovic, Funkshion, Miami
“Did it run smoothly? Was it well attended? Did it generate good PR? Did we introduce some new people to our brands?”
Pam Dzierzanowski, director of events, Patrón Spirits Company, Los Angeles
“When attendees walk away understanding and feeling a new sense of excitement about my brand … and say, ‘That was the best party I have ever been to!’”
Brian Klein, head of global marketing for hotels & casinos, Hard Rock International, Orlando
“When you exceed your fund-raising and attendance goals, and when guests ask for next year’s event date as they depart.”
Lucretia Gilbert, director of special events and development, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, New York
“When each guest has a smile on their face and exudes that euphoric look of not wanting the night to end.”
William Milligan, president, William Milligan Events, Washington
“When an audience is moved to spellbound silence, raucous laughter, or heartfelt tears, I know we have beautifully expressed the mission of an organization and created a transformational moment.”
Liz Page, principal, Liz Page Associates, Boston
