In this episode, Mark speaks with Tom Williams from Kadan Productions. Tom is a veteran of special event production. Thomas brought the vision of designers and producers to life for over 35 years, including New York Fashion Week, where he is been a staple for his 56 seasons. So if you can imagine it, Tom can build it.

1:33     -  Degree in TV & Radio
2:05     -  Went from TV Weatherman to Advertising Marketing Director 
2:27     -  Used Theater background and became an Actor
6:25     -  Being open to all different options
8:20     -  Meeting in the middle
10:01  -  Layering New York Fashion Shows
13:00  -  Napkin Drawings & Inspirations comes from anywhere
16:10  -  Production Process
21:30  -  Learn from everything you do. Never the same way twice
23:00  -  Success and being flexible
25:05  -  Develop relationships with trusted shops
26:33  -  Theater Tech roles
32:11  -  Ideal designer/producer. Come with a specific design/concept

Tom Williams
Instagram @kadanpro
https://kadaninc.com/

Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Eva Clark, who has planned over 500 weddings in the US and Europe, was named one of the best wedding planners in America by Brides Magazine. In 2003, she started a customized invitations business before shifting into wedding planning. Now, she’s one of the best in the business. She offers tips for prospective event planners as well as an overview of her own planning process.

0:31        Organic Beginnings
3:56        Starting Business in 2003
6:25        Travel & Destination Weddings
9:26        Network of Vendors
11:20      Planning Process & Budgeting
16:32      Wedding Timeline & Bookings
18:46      Art of Saying “No” & Vetting New Clients
22:22      Memorable Events
27:30      Future Events
29:20      Advice to Aspiring Planners


Eva Clark
[email protected]
https://www.evaclarkevents.com/
https://www.pinterest.com/evaclarkevents/
Instagram @evaclarkevents
Twitter @EvaClarkEvents


Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

In this second solocast, Mark discusses event strategies and shares some of the common issues marketers encounter in producing events. Sponsorships, finances, staffing shortages, timeframes, current events, and social factors are a few things to take into account. It's never too early to begin strategizing and planning for your event.  

0:31        Solocast  
1:25        Lead Times and Budgets 
2:35        Staffing Shortage  
3:10        Timeline  
5:00        Defining Success  
5:50        Finding the Ideal Event Date  
7:45        Summation  
9:15        Outro  

Mark Testa  
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber 

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Christina Neault has over 25 years of experience in fashion events and has been involved in New York Fashion Week from the start. She’s witnessed NYFW move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, to all over NYC. She spent eleven years as the Executive Producer at IMG Fashion and is still assisting designers with organizing fashion shows. Christina also mentors’ students at the High School of Fashion Industries. Today, she opens up about some of her favorite events and lessons learned throughout her accomplished career.

1:11          Early career
3:52          Freelance to IMG 
6:00          NYFW at Bryant Park
10:00        Evolution of NYFW
14:55        Advice to younger self
17:18        High School of Fashion Industries
20:30        Memorable events
23:15        Advice to designers
27:50        Connect with Christina


Christina Neault
linkedin.com/in/christina-neault-60243684
https://www.instagram.com/cdn32/

Mentioned
https://www.hsfi.nyc/
https://nyfw.com/home/

Mark Testa
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Teena Mobley is the Brand Experience and Events Manager at CBS. Her most recent project was "Summer of Ghosts," an immersive campaign to celebrate the hit CBS television series Ghosts. She studied business and sports management but was drawn to the "spice of life" in the events industry. Teena nearly died from cystic fibrosis when she was 10 years old and is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She credits her inspirational career path to taking risks and seizing opportunities.

1:10  -  Career path
5:50  -  College experience & Freelance/Internships. Sales, Marketing & Events
6:00  -  Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis 
10:20 - Role at CBS
11:14 - "Summer of Ghosts" events
14:40 - VIP “Upfront” Event
16:20 - Get comfortable, being uncomfortable
19:20 - Teena's favorite events: Price is Right & Revolt Summit 
22:15 - Advice to young professionals
24:01 - Connect with Teena
24:08 -  Event Planning business Teemo Events

Teena Mobley
https://www.linkedin.com/in/teena-mobley/
Instagram @teemo.events
teemoevents.com


Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Colin Cowie is a highly regarded expert in experiential design, high-end events, luxury, and style. Royalty, Oprah, Ryan Seacrest, and Jenifer Lopez make up a few of his clients. The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted, his most recent book, is a manual for creating exceptional customer experiences. Originally from South Africa, Colin moved to LA and got his start in events while working in catering. Later, he moved to NYC and found himself working at InStyle, on television, and planning over-the-top parties and weddings. He shares his wisdom on resilience, accountability, and the small and important details.

1:57 -    Start in South Africa Army
3:06 -    Move to LA, the start of his event planning business
4:19 -    Move to NY, business taking off
6:00 -    InStyle and television opportunities
6:55 -    Influences and trends
9:58 -    Most memorable events & projects currently in the works
12:20 - Emotional seduction / Bespoke luxury experiences
15:00 - Feedback, lessons learned, accountability
23:00 - Small details
23:56 - Advice to clients
26:25 - Hospitality Group


Colin Cowie:
Book: The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Standard-Giving-Customers-Wanted/dp/1400224004
Instagram @colincowie @colincowielifestyle
https://www.facebook.com/itsmecolincowie
https://www.colincowie.com

Mark Testa
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Erick Long is the Vice President of Production at RedPeg Marketing, an independent brand engagement agency that creates memorable experiences. His exciting and varied career in events and entertainment has involved working with the Academy of Country Music Awards, Universal Studios, the Winter Olympics, and the Grammys. In this episode, Erick gives advice to young interns and aspiring event planners, reflects on his career path, and talks about maintaining professional connections.

0:56                 Early Career
1:53                 UP with People
2:38                 Move to LA
4:52                 Olympics 
8:15                 Professional Relationships
13:34               Universal Studios Special Events
14:42               ACM Honors
19:10               Advice to Younger Self 
22:12               Advice to Marketers 
24:50               Defining Success 
29:20               Latest Events 
30:40               Value of Event Internships & Volunteering
35:13               Get Connected with Erick


Erick Long
linkedin.com/in/erick-long
Instagram @plaid_erick
https://www.facebook.com/erickhlong
https://redpeg.com


Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

In this special episode, Mark shares industry tips about ways to increase your event success rate time by using "time" to your advantage

1:15     Lack of control during events
1:20     Prototypes
2:25     In sync team
2:33      Ways to increase your success rate
3:28      Ability to manage uncertainty
4:06      Management of Time
6:01      Permits
8:34      Budgets
9:27      Ideal time frame to put on event
10:36   Promote your project 


Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

In this episode, Mark speaks with Wendell Cruz, sports & event photographer. Wendell combines his love of sports and photography to become a highly sought-after sports and event photographer. His images appear on media outlets throughout the country, such as New York Times, NBC Sports, and Sports Illustrated to name a few.

1:02       Started in Law, always loved photography
2:08       Public Defender background
3:09       Getting started in photography / Process 
5:02       How to become an in-demand Sports Photographer
5:21       Current state of Sports Photography
6:54       Importance of having a mentor(s)
8:01       Tips to getting started & Significance
9:35       Big Break at Madison Square Garden & Belmont Stakes
11:51     Importance of Networking & following up
13:55     Seasons of Sports Photography
15:30     How to get booked for high-profile sporting events
18:46     Most Memorable Events: Triple Crown & Dwayne Wade's last game
21:32     Three reasons to get into sports photography
24:05     Effects of social media & cell phones on the industry 
27:49     Advice to young professionals


Wendell Cruz
https://www.instagram.com/finishfirstphotos/
https://twitter.com/Finish1stPhotos
http://www.finishfirstphotos.com/

Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

In this episode, Mark speaks with Carmen Jones, the Senior Director of Experiential of Essence. With over 20 years of experience, Carmen is responsible for the brands notable live and virtual events, including Essence Festival of Culture, Black Women in Hollywood, and Essence Fashion House to name a few. Learn what it takes to produce one of the nation’s largest festival, The Essence Festival of Culture. 

00:40      Started in banking &educational finance
1:39         Working in Wine & Spirits led to Events business
3:17          Launched own Event planning business
6:06          Lifestyle of consumer 360
8:12          Brand Persona
11:19       Understand the “Why” & “Who”
12:05       Process & timeline
13:13       Ideation Roadmap
15:48       Producing Essence Festival
23:40       Wish known before: Power of my Peers
25:41       Virtual Events
27:50       Operating during COVID
29:06      Support Black-owned Business
31:00     Advise to professionals
34:09     Essence Fest


Carmen Jones
Instagram @mscarmenj
linkedin.com/in/carmenrjones
https://www.essence.com/essence-festival-2022/
https://www.essence.com/

Mark Testa 
https://www.markstephenagency.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/
Instagram @markstephenea
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK13o22i4RxQvbAgwwlh9tQ?view_as=subscriber

Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/