25 Young Event Pros to Watch 2019: Part 1

Every year, the Advisory Board of Special Events magazine along with honorees from the year past share with us 25 young event pros—all under age 40—throwing the spotlight on their talents and plans. If you are looking for the future of the event industry, then look right here!

DRIVING FORCE
Brewer Adams, 32, account director, George P. Johnson Experience Marketing, Franklin, Tenn.
Adams is the man behind the wheel, serving as account director on GPJ’s global Nissan business. “Specifically, I am the project lead on all Tier I global auto show press and launch events, which includes events in the United States, Japan, China and Switzerland,” he explains. “In addition to working on the global portfolio, I manage the domestic auto show business and press events. I also focus on business development within the account, working with senior leadership to identify new business opportunities.”

How does he handle this big portfolio? By leveraging relationships that span different regions and client groups. “My ability to cultivate these relationships and gain clients’ trust has made me successful thus far,” Adams says. “Delivering events that go above and beyond and on budget has also helped me earn the respect of the respective client groups.” He adds, “I have a passion for being a part of a team and achieving great results together, and this mentality has allowed me to lead and drive successful projects from inception to completion.”

If he made a change: “My dream job would be working in the sports industry, working with brands, activating all of the world,” he says. “Sports has a way of bringing people together across different cultures and backgrounds, so being a part of that experience would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
www.gpj.com

DOUBLE DUTY
Jake Anderson, 35, president, FêteTech, Roanoke, Va.
Jake Anderson is a busy guy already.

He launched Lighting Professors in 2012, which offers lighting design services for weddings and other special events. Also on his plate is the new company FêteTech, which launched in May. The new venture will offer software solutions that “eliminate friction” for event professionals,

Anderson’s approach to handling his businesses has made this double duty possible. “A lot of event professionals focus ‘in’ their business, where I have been able to advance my company to a level where I only focus ‘on’ my business,” he explains. “I stepped out of the day-to-day operations in 2016 to manage the company at a strategic level, and since that time the business has grown by leaps and bounds--from 2015 being myself as the only full-time person to now having nearly 17 employees, both full-time and part-time.” He adds, “I’m very strategic in how I execute business plans, as well as highly process-oriented and methodical in my approach.”

While some people want to see “president” or “CEO” in their titles, Anderson has a different role in mind: “contributor.” “It’s very fulfilling for me to help someone else become successful and improve their life in some way,” he says. “Therefore, I believe being a contributor to the industry is the best match for my passion.”
fetetech.com

HEART OF TEXAS
Sydney Archer, CPCE, 27, account executive, AFR Furniture Rental, Houston

Archer sees events through from the very start to the very end. As an account executive for Houston, San Antonio and south Texas, she assists clients with furniture selection and installation, serving as “the main point of contact, from first phone call to breakdown to ensure a maximum successful experience is achieved,” she explains.

She prizes her relationships with her clients. “I pride myself on treating all my clients like family,” Archer says. “My sales approach is simple--connect first, then sell. I’m a firm believer that making a genuine connection with your clients is crucial to building trust and loyalty in a long-term relationship.” Her “other” job is her role is serving as an ally for the special event industry. “Whether it’s supporting our national associations, advocating for millennials--catch me on a millennial panel at NACE Experience this July in Cincinnati--or helping to raise the bar on industry standards, I’m always living under the impression that if we can’t change, we can’t grow.”
www.rentfurniture.com

SHE LOVES L.A.
Jaclyn Ash, 29, CMP, DMCP, account executive, 360 Destination Group, Los Angeles
Tourists who come to Los Angeles might hit the landmarks, but Ash’s local expertise goes much deeper. “As a destination management professional, I also am keenly aware of what is happening and evolving in Los Angeles,” she explains. “From advances in transportation, activities, venues and entertainment, there is an extensive knowledge base to master and share with our clients.” Along with developing programs, she also prospects for new clients, maintains 360’s social media accounts, and sits on the board of directors for SITE Southern California.

Ash loves her work in destination management, a world she describes as “tough but rewarding beyond measure.” “Not only are you producing incredible events, but you have to have your finger on the pulse of the everchanging options our destination can provide,” she says. “This industry, unlike any other, continually motivates you to think in the future and stay ahead of trends. Nothing is stagnant, and I am always trying to improve upon my knowledge base.”

Ash explains that she wants to provide her clients with the “best, newest and most creative experiences—and I just happen to get to make a career out of it!”
www.360dg.com

TELLING HER STORY
Carline Beaubrun, 39, owner and creative director, Events by Carline, Garden City, N.J.
Beaubrun got her start in events 15 years ago, creating custom decor for social events. Now heading up her own company, design is the way she fulfills her true role as “a professional storyteller of events,” she says.

Those stories come from her clients: “Everyone has a story to tell,” Beaubrun says. “Their stories inspire my creativity, allowing the thoughtful details to come together to truly capture the reason behind the event.” She shares the example of a first birthday party she created for a couple whose parents met and married in Africa. Keying on a “Lion King” theme, the party included life-size safari animals, African dancers and drummers, and the parents carrying their son, who had endured health problems his first year, into the event.

“To see the emotions, the love, smiles and laughter of his parents and family throughout the celebration really fueled my passion,” she says, “and reminds me of why I decided to become a special event professional.”
www.eventsbycarline.com

Watch for Part 2 in an upcoming issue of Eventline.

Do you know a young event pro we should cover? Please tell us at [email protected].