November 2002
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the first in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Entering her third decade as an event planner and producer, Michaels has climbed to the top of her profession armed with a clear sense of purpose and an unwavering event philosophy that says if you take the time to truly understand the clients intent, then you hold the key to creating a successful and memorable event. "Im famous for saying, Sell the client what they want to buy and not what you want to sell them," she says. "Every event has a purpose, even if its not an obvious one. And delivering that purpose successfully is the one and only true key." Michaels ability to conceptualize an event and then exceed customer expectations has been her hallmark and a primary reason why she has produced events around the world and coveted accounts, such as 20th Century Fox, NASA, Pepsi, Eastman Kodak, Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft, continue to contract her services. Besides her proven track record, Michaels has a background in entertainment and holds a masters degree in psychologyboth of which play important roles when dealing with customers and planning events. Michaels has said that she approaches each function as if it were a play, complete with an overture, acts and a finale. Like a theatrical production, a Michaels-produced event is designed to provide its audience with a sense of anticipation, building in excitement and enjoyment before finally ending with a distinct and satisfying conclusion. "I want each and every element of any project Im involved in to have content and meaning and a personal experience for everyone in the audience," comments Michaels. "In Vancouver (for the opening of GM Place), when the owners and managers of the arena said, I want the audience to cry, I remembered that in each and every element. The orchestration of what we did was so emotional and impactful that you could watch 22,000 people weeping as they stood and applauded. It was about how the entire event was constructed, flowing and building continuously until you could almost see hearts pounding with energy, excitement and, best of all, emotional investment. Just thinking about it still gives me chills." Although she is admittedly her own worst critic, which is enough of a barometer to judge the relative success of any event with which she is involved, Michaels does have a simple formula for measuring achievement. "Success is when the audience smiles, applauds and, best of all, years later remembers." The same can be applied to an extraordinary Hall of Fame career.
.December 2002
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the second in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Jack Morton caught the bug at an early age and, 80 years later, still hasn't got it out of his system. Born the son of a sharecropper in North Carolina, Morton quickly developed a love for theater and stepped into show business as a 12-year-old, working as an usher, ticket taker, bill poster and sometime janitor in a small-town, silent-movie house. At 18, he was managing an 850-seat theater and helped usher in talking pictures for his loyal clientele. The Depression years took Morton to Washington, D.C., where he worked his way through George Washington University. Before long, he was organizing and booking dance bands for school dances, society affairs and even presidents. His experience in theater and music allowed him to begin producing shows for the burgeoning convention industry, and in 1939, Morton founded Jack Morton Productions as primarily an entertainment production company. Today, known as Jack Morton Worldwide, the company has grown into a 25-office, worldwide agency, boasting 800 employees working on four continents. The company has been a rousing success, in part, because it has never lost sight of the original ideals Morton instilled back in 1939. Then and now, the live experience is the very essence of any work the company performs for its clients. "In whatever form it comes-be it theater, a meeting, Webcast, or one-on-one conversation-a live experience creates the best learning environment," says Morton, who also credits his company's longevity and growth to its ability to continually adapt and expand capabilities to meet customer needs. Jack Morton Worldwide has grown to be a leader in experiential brand communications and continues to evolve by utilizing new areas such as mobile marketing and Webcasts. Regardless of the medium, whether coordinating broadcasts via the Internet or selecting music rolls for a player piano, the keys to creating a memorable event have remained remarkably similar to when Morton first started in that North Carolina theater: set measurable objectives, respect the brand and engage the audience. Morton continues to champion the latter as the ultimate measuring stick for an event's success. At 92, the live experience still holds a powerful allure. "The reaction of a live audience is real," he says. "There's no better measurement than what you can see or hear from a live participant." With an 80-year, Hall of Fame track record to back him up, who's going to argue?
February 2003
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the third in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Thompson founded Images By Lighting in 1983, and was truly one of the industry pioneers in the ways he has used lighting to enhance, accentuate and add excitement to the world of events. "It was always about lighting to me. I loved it. It was in my heart," says Thompson. When Thompson graduated from the University of Central Florida with an electrical engineering degree, he says, "I decided if I was going to find my destiny, it would be in Los Angeles, and I accepted a job offer from Hughes Aircraft." While working in Los Angeles, he designed a lighting project for a friend in Beverly Hills. His friend's friends quickly discovered his talent for lighting, leading to a variety of home and commercial lighting projects. Movie producer Allen Carr was so impressed with Thompson's work in his (Carr's) home that in 1984 he asked Thompson to design the lighting for one of his premiers. The success of the premier led Thompson to team up with the some of the top designers, planners and companies, whose visions gave birth to the event industry as we know it today. Along this storied journey to his Hall of Fame inauguration, Thompson's projects have taken him to countries all over the globe, and across the United States and Canada. His expertise, creativity and easy conversational style have made him a valued speaker, presenter and lecturer on the subject of lighting. More importantly, many top designers and producers look to Thompson when they need their event to be edgy or over-the-top! "I work with designers, decorators and scenic designers who are creating worlds," he explains. "I am there to support them. I want people to see the magic." Thompson and Images by Lighting's excellence has earned numerous prestigious honors and awards. When asked for advice, he says, "I never take so much business that it compromises the quality. I always give something extra to the client that they did not expect. I do that with lighting some aspect of the event that I find is special to me. It is my passion to be able to create with light."
March 2003
In August 2002, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the fourth in a series profiling each of the inductees.
He moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a "nanny," and in his off time dressed as a mime, performing magic tricks for the people waiting to tour the FBI building. Through this, Goldblatt met his wife, Nancy, who taught clowning and was a performing artist. He reminisces, "We fell in love, got married and started performing as mimes as part of the Artists in our Schools program." For two years, they traveled to schools nationwide, but when Nancy became pregnant, they decided, " ... it was best if we did not travel with our son." The Goldblatt's began entertaining at special events held by Washington area shopping centers. Their successful performances evolved into producing shopping center events and starting their own company: The Wonder Company, Inc. "Our real motivation was to stay home with our child; to have as normal a family life as possible." As The Wonder Company grew, they added staff. Goldblatt developed training procedures for their staff and freelancers. "I developed a training program, so that I could manage the business and send trained staffers out to produce events while I stayed in Washington with my family." The Wonder Company grew in size and reputation. Goldblatt again found himself on the road, away from his family. So, he sold The Wonder Company to a decorating firm in Nashville, relocated there and worked for the new owner a year. With the downturn of the economy, the new owner defaulted and The Wonder Company returned to Goldblatt. Simultaneously, Goldblatt began his career as an expert witness in the field of events. As he researched cases, the quantity of information available inspired him to develop a curriculum for professional event planners, including writing the necessary texts for instruction. In 1992, he began exploring colleges and universities as possible sites for this curriculum. The George Washington University (GW) deservedly offered Goldblatt a full scholarship to earn his master's degree and doctorate, plus resources to develop his program, office space and library support. From 1993 to 2001, the GW program grew from 25 students to 4000. Goldblatt then licensed it as the Event Management Certificate Program to 20 other universities around the world. When asked why he felt so passionately about creating this Event Management Certificate Program and the ISES Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) professional designation, Goldblatt responded, "I knew that every industry, in order to be taken seriously, needs a certification program." In 2001, Johnson and Wales University, with 15,000 students of hospitality, recruited Goldblatt. "They wanted to draw on my expertise in events to develop their program," he comments. Johnson and
Wales also made Goldblatt the Dean of the Alan Shawn
Feinstein Graduate School, and today, Goldblatt,
affectionately known as Dr. Joe, continues to inspire
hospitality students and faculty alike. Goldblatt is also
an internationally recognized speaker and has received
numerous awards for his work, including his induction
into the 2002 Event Industry Hall of Fame.
July 2003
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the fifth in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Daly reflects upon his global body of work. Overseas, they dont do events the same way we do, because they havent seen it, he says. But once they see what we are doing its amazing. They really get on board once they understand it. You cant translate a feeling, but you can translate art. Art has a language of its own. Daly thrives on the interaction with artists of different cultures and languages. He thrills at developing the common communication between himself and the artists, and realizing the vision together. Who would believe that he started as a part-time florists delivery boy working his way through college? I happened to be at the right place at the right time. From delivering, I began to freelance in floral design. I also worked for what they called at that time a party shop that did a lot of weddings and parties. In the early to mid 70s, at a time when no such thing existed, Daly decided to open his own company, strictly an event company. Everybody thought I was absolutely crazy to consider such a thing! He started with 300 square feet of workspace. Within four years, he took over the whole building, ran a fleet of trucks, and had built his team to 35 people. Dalys team continuously took events to new levels. There were no specialty linen companies then; they made their own linens. There were no prop houses; they made their own props. People were stunned, totally stunned. Thats why it worked, Daly mused while considering the early days. The Beverly Hilton, The Bonaventure, The Armitage all welcomed him as their florist, while he still had his own special events company and warehouse. From his initial venture as one of the original event production companies, Dalys work has provided extraordinary experiences: Los Angeles area great events, the State Department, corporate events around the world, creating the Papal Altars, and most recently, being selected to give roses to the loved ones of those lost at the World Trade Center during the memorial service. John Daly has not only created a Hall of Fame career, he has created the prototype of a Hall of Fame person: thoughtful, creative, energetic and good.
August 2003
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the sixth in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Besides having over fifteen years of hands-on experience managing his familys catering business in Chicago, Roman is also a college level instructor with a Masters Degree in Education. While a caterer, Roman produced everything from simple box lunches to corporate galas serving thousands! In 1986, after the family catering business was sold, Roman began to teach and consult on a full-time basis. Roman has assisted some of the nations largest hospitality businesses as well as hundreds of entrepreneurial catering businesses to accelerate their catering successes! Romans greatest strength is to teach proven, useful and daring skills to existing sales teams. Roman is President of catersource, which is a consulting, seminar, and publishing business helping all types of food service business achieve better profitability. The new catersource Magazine, which is being launched in October, 2003, will add greatly to Romans ability to bring education, products and news to professional caterers. Roman has worked hard to earn the trust of caterers. He has personally visited more catering operations and met with more caterers than anyone else in the food service industry. His mission is to continue to be the most aware educator/consultant to the catering segment of the hospitality industry. One of Romans proudest accomplishments was the writing and publishing of his book CATERING: The Art, Science & Mystery. And caterers like to listen to Mike Roman because he has experienced first hand the good and not so good of catering! He is the caterers caterer.
September 2003
In August, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the seventh in a series profiling each of the inductees.
With his plans for a career in veterinary medicine gone up in smoke, Shapiro changed his major to business. Upon graduation, Shapiro worked operations, production and sales for his familys garment business. He then started work for a tent company as a purchasing agent, later to become assistant to the owner. Says Shapiro, This was probably just before tents became a major event venue. They were still pretty much a Mom and Pop garage industry. About three and a half years later, he started Academy Tent & Canvas with his friend and partner Maury Rice. We started on a shoestring, Shapiro recalls. Maurys father-in-law donated an old truck to the cause. It was so old that it didnt have any paint on it. Says Shapiro, One of our first customers was a caterer who was doing a rock stars wedding. Our truck chugged into the driveway, and just like in a cartoon, it collapsed. Smoke started billowing out, the tires went flat, the crew jumped off the back. The caterer ran up to me and said, Tom, Tom, promise me everythings going to be OK. We put the tent up and the rock star was so pleased she invited us all to attend the wedding. Progressing from this humble start-up, the 1984 Olympics created a major tipping point, at which Shapiro and Academy provided a lot of tenting. Since then, they have done work at three different Olympics, at Super Bowls, and in foreign destinations. What I am most fond about in our success would be the company reputation, where people have enough confidence in us that they take us with them, says Shapiro. Regarding the work that produced the growth and success of Academy, and the high esteem with which event professionals regard him, Shapiro says with a smile, I dont deserve any credit...because you know what? Its the people who work with us that deserve the credit. As an owner, I get the credit because I have the title. But the reality is, its really those people who make it happen.
October 2003
In August 2002, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the eighth in a series profiling each of the inductees.
Steeg is considered the sports worlds special events guru, the visionary who has made the Super Bowl the extravaganza it is today. His secret? Steeg believes hes the conscience of the fans. Jim understands what the Super Bowl means how it feels to pay $400 for a ticket, and what kind of show you should get, says Jerry Anderson, a member of Steegs Super Bowl team for two decades. Born in Boston, raised during his teen years in Fort Wayne, Ind., Steeg, the son of an engineering professor at Purdue, grew up a sports fanatic. His favorite memory? At age 9 in 1960, he skipped a day of fifth grade so he could sit in right field at Fenway Park for Ted Williams final game. After receiving a bachelors degree in political science from Miami University in 1972, followed by an MBA in finance from Wake Forest in 1975, Steeg was unexcited at the prospect of working for an accounting firm. He wrote to every professional sports team in the country, except those in New York. In July 75, the Miami Dolphins hired him as an accountant. Within four years, Steeg was the teams business manager. On Jan. 2, 1979, then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle handed Steeg the newly created position of NFL director of administration. Only 28, Steeg took charge of the leagues events outside of its New York City headquarters, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, AFC and NFC Championships, and NFL Draft. Over the years, he has added others, including running American Bowl games; managing the Pro Football Hall of Fame reunions; overseeing the NFL 75th Anniversary Celebration; coordinating the NFLs made-for-TV shows, and handling the NFL Owners and other league meetings. Steeg is responsible for all aspects of the Super Bowl, both inside the stadium and out, and before, during and after the game. Throughout his tenure, Steeg has implemented many Super Bowl-related elements and activities that have become staples throughout professional and Olympic sports: Jumbotron screens; audio TV broadcasts throughout the stadium; individual radios featuring broadcasts at every seat; TV access at all concession stands; outside entertainment plazas and a corporate hospitality village. Also, Steeg directs league-sponsored Super Bowl charitable events, raising millions of dollars for programs in local host communities. Theres no problem Steeg cant solve, no crisis he cant handle, no stone he leaves unturned. Its supposed to be fun, he says. For players and coaches, its life or death. But were not electing a president, and this isnt the end of the Earth. Its a football game. If things dont go right, well play again next year..
November 2003
In August 2002, Event Solutions proudly inducted an inaugural class of 10 industry legends into the Event Industry Hall of Fame. This is the ninth in a series profiling each of the inductees.
December 2003 Martha
Stewart |