Jane Goodall Institute Chooses A VistaJane Goodall Institute Chooses A Vista

Elizabeth Crocker is the director of special events for the Jane Goodall Institute, a global nonprofit committed to wildlife research, education, and conservation. She has been in the event planning industry for nine years, including five years working with nonprofits. Crocker plans two large-scale events a year and helps with 30 to 50 smaller fund-raisers and cultivation events nationally. She has been at JGI since February, and works out of their headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

Decor: “Annie Senatore of A Vista Events is wonderful for event design—she’s so creative. I think she has more business than she knows what to do with.”

Catering: “Occasions Caterers is really and truly one of the only caterers in the area who can create a completely unique black-tie event for 4,000 people. They’re great because they strive to make every event a little bit different and a little bit unique.”Plant Rentals: “I love Plants Alive. I’ve done events with [their special events coordinator] Dale Harmon all over the city. He does plant rentals, flowers, everything. He’s kind of an institution in this town.”

Catering: “I’m doing my first-ever organic and vegetarian event with Design Cuisine, and they have been great. I really think we’re going to surprise Washington and make them say, ‘Wow, this is vegetarian food, and it’s phenomenal.’ For events in someplace like Los Angeles, that’s far more typical, but in D.C., it will be one of the first large-scale green events.”

Entertainment: “Kevin Olivera of Olivera Music Entertainment has put together so many different kinds of bands and groups—he can put together any type you want. He does dance and swing and pop; he does everything, and always gets the best musicians in the area. People always talk about the music at my events when I use Kevin. He’s a pleasure to work with.”