I’m guest blogging for Jeff this week, as I recently had the privilege of introducing him at the ISES Big Apple Awards as he was inducted into their “Hall of Legends.”  He was given this honor for his exemplary achievement and tenure in the event industry.

It was an exciting night. The BKA team was there in full support. We even had a “surprise” moment for Jeff as he was announced (you’ll see in the photos.) We also came home with the Big Apple Award for Best Corporate Event for our work on the LG Mobile Worldcup… which made the night even more special.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you all some of what I had said about Jeff and why he truly is legendary to all of us here at BKA.

When Jeff walked into my office and told me that he was being honored by ISES as a legend, he did so with a sheepish grin as if to say, “Can you believe anyone thinking of me as a legend?” We chuckled for a few seconds and then I realized, yes, I could.

Well, certainly he has accomplished a lot. Mere children at the time, Jeff, with his business partner Lynnette Barkley, started BKA over 20 years ago. Today BKA is an award winning event agency servicing the top corporate brands.

A talented theatre director, from Mumbai to Shanghai, Venice to Vancouver, he has produced and directed live events, televised events and theatrical experiences, countless corporate videos, worked with hundreds of actors and celebrities. As a speaker consultant and trainer, Jeff travels the world coaching C-level executives on the art of communication.

He has also given back to the industry by participating on industry boards, speaking at industry events. And to the next generation entering the field, Jeff lectures at NYU and Syracuse University on events and business meetings.

He’s a tireless worker, a constant communicator, a lover of life and people. And anyone who has had the good fortune of spending time with him knows – he speaks and listens from the heart. He engages you the entire time you are with him and you walk away knowing:

He Cares.

In this industry, where projects are temporary and incredible creations, made to look real, are loaded in one night and torn down the very next day, Jeff’s caring is permanent and genuine.

He conducts his business and his life – leading from the heart.

Here is what one of BKA’s clients had to say:

“The thing about Jeff is the intensely personal and loyal relationships he consistently develops. He goes beyond being great at what he does, beyond being a partner for our company, to being a true friend and someone who serves others at a very personal level.”

Life is a series of events, and it’s nice to have somebody with heart leading you through them.

Congratulations, Jeff!

Click the link to see photos, Big Apple Awards Photos

Courtesy of our friends at 5th Avenue Digital.

It’s been a busy month at BKA. Since Oct 1, we’ve had programs in New York, Alabama, Budapest, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Vienna. This week, a client asked me, “how do you all go from event to event to event?”

We’re certainly driven and energized by the work, but also driven and energized by our team.

I’m thrilled that two of our team members, Michael Reese and Adam Suellentrop have been recognized for their hard work by being named finalists for the BizBash Readers Choice Awards.

Michael, a finalist for Event Designer of the Year, has been with BKA for the last seven years. He’s the VP of our design + multimedia department – supervising all production design as well as video and graphic design. There’s rarely an event we produce that doesn’t involve Michael in one way or another. Combined with his vast theatrical background, he’s a prolific and award-winning scenic and lighting designer.

Adam, a finalist for Event Producer of the Year, joined the BKA team 5 years ago and in that time he’s become the head of our Production team. Clients are thrilled with Adam in the lead. He immerses himself into their brands and knows that even the littlest details in execution make or break the big picture objectives.

So, please join in my excitement and cast your vote for Michael and Adam.

Click here to VOTE

BKA also has events that are finalists for Best PR/ Marketing Initiative, Best Scenic Design and Best Fresh Idea. We’re keeping our fingers crossed when the winners are announced on October 27th.

Life is a series of events and being recognized for the work you do is an honor.

This Sunday I’ll be directing the 55th Annual Drama Desk awards show –celebrating achievement for all New York theatre — Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway.

It will be my 15th year directing the show and I’m honored that they keep asking me back.

We have had incredible artists participating in the show over the years. From the hosts — Tony Randall, Bebe Neuwirth, Bernadette Peters, Lily Tomlin, Harvey Fierstein (who has hosted many times), the cast of [title of show], Kristin Chenoweth, Rue McClanahan, Chita Rivera and this year’s Patti LuPone — to the hundreds of presenters, to the terrific musical talent that has performed.

Me and Patti LuPone at a past Drama Desk Awards. Photo by Scott Wynn.

The show has changed a lot in the last 15 years and the production team is always keeping an ear to what the audience wants and what the nominees want. Our show is open to the public and can be watched live on theatremania.com. So while we always strive to create a show that keeps the nominees as top priority — after all this is THEIR night! — we work to ensure an equally fun experience is had by the audience, both in the theater and online.

Through the years of working on this event it is interesting to see how the desires of the talented stars from the theatre, so perfectly parallel the needs and wants of the corporate clients I work with at BKA. And this isn’t just applicable to the talent or client. The same rings true for the audiences we entertain, whether it’s the theatrical community or the corporate awards show spectators we entertain at BKA:

1. Keep it moving.

2. Make the attendees feel special.

3. Prepare the presenters so they know exactly what they are doing on and off stage (including how to pronounce the names of all the nominees!).

4. Make sure the entertainment is relevant (and short!).

5. Eliminate fake “award show banter.”

6. Don’t put pairs of presenters on stage together unless they have a connection to each other.

7. Humor goes a long way. Warmth and authenticity go even further.

8. Keep the elements of surprise and suspense.

9. Walk up music matters — it keeps the pace of your show.

10. Rehearse. Then rehearse some more.

Congratulations to this year’s nominees. I hope we bring you a show that gives you the recognition you deserve….and that we bring it in under 2 hours!