“Simultaneously producing Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure and the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental launch. The events took place in different parts of the world, but the seamless creative, planning, and execution effort by every member of the team not only made it possible, but also incredibly successful.”
Fergus Rooney, C.E.O., AgencyEA, Chicago
“Having the opportunity to successfully pull together the viable assets of three companies out of ‘the ashes’ and establish a respected identity as a formidable, strong, and efficient vendor, after what I perceived as the two most devastating years (’09 and ’10) for the event industry in my 30-plus professional years.”
Mike Day, creative director, Max King Events, Orlando
“Does starting a PR agency from scratch count?”
Erika Pope, principal, Vox Solid Communications, Las Vegas
“The long-awaited leap that I took to start up my own business. After 18 years spent working for two major television broadcasters, it was time for me to venture out on my own. It is like moving out on your own for the first time—it’s scary at first, but once you make the break, you wish you had done it sooner.”
Mafalda Caruso, owner, Mafalda Productions Inc., Ontario
“Knowing that my team and I brought happiness and put smiles on the faces of tens of millions of people all over the country by producing live and televised events. We are all fortunate to be able to do what we love and to be able to entertain so many people.”
John Best, owner/producer, JM Best Entertainment, Orlando
“Our governor was reelected in November, and we catered his inauguration at the Boston Public Library for 2,400. The party was a huge success with great design, music, and excellent food.”
Holly Safford, president, the Catered Affair, Boston
“Producing my thousandth event after being in the business for over 15 years. It happened to be the premiere party for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”
Samantha Sackler, president, Events in Motion, Los Angeles
“An event we hosted in the Hamptons this summer, surrounding the launch of Andy Roddick’s new Signature Collection and the opening of the Lacoste boutique in East Hampton. From every point of interaction, each guest was fully immersed in the lifestyle and heritage of the Lacoste brand in an organic way.”
Emily Coppock, vice president of marketing, Lacoste
“We opened our largest restaurant to date: Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace. This feat also made Michel the first James Beard award-winning chef to have a 24-hour experience.”
Carl Halvorson, partner, Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace
“Working side by side with my team on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial dedication. My team never wavered and rose to every occasion despite extremely long hours, an enormous workload, and Mother Nature working against us. Their dedication and teamwork made me extremely proud.”
Marty Mackay, president, GEP Destination Management, Washington
