Who are you, where do you work, and what is your position?
My Name is Kurt Colone, I am the General Manager of Mike Staff Productions. We offer Award Winning DJ, Photography and Videography Services.

How long have you been in the business?
Personally, I have been a part of Mike Staff Productions for close to 7 years. Mike Staff Productions is now 20 years old!
 

What do you love about it?
What I love about my career is simple: I truly get to do what I truly enjoy. On a day to day basis I get to work with my friends, work with music and be hands on in running a cool business.
 

How has NACE helped you along your journey?
NACE has been a big stepping stone for the growth of Mike Staff Productions. NACE puts you face to face with other business owners, sales professionals and decision makers every month. I say this often but it is one of the truest business philosophies I know, “The most successful people are everywhere, every time, where everyone is.” – Jeffrey Gitomer. That is what NACE is all about.
 

What advice would you have for someone looking to hire a company that offers what you do?
First and foremost: do your homework. I offer products and services that people don’t shop for that often, I know it can be challenging to shop for things you don’t have experience with. I suggest shopping several vendors: go meet them, sit down with them and see where they do business. I would say that the majority of my clients are young professionals. I want them to see that we have passion in our craft but we also work extremely hard to run a professional business.
 

What are 10 things people might not know about you and/or your company?
1. I am elated to announce that we just hired 8 award winning photographers!
2. MSP has won the Channel 4 WDIV Best of 2 years in a row. 
3. MSP has won The Knot Best of for the past 2 years.
4. We make it a BIG priority to take our employees on company vacation each year as well as Tigers games, Pistons Games and Concerts.
5. Mike Staff Productions is the official entertainment provider of Palace Sports Entertainment. 
6. This year, Mike Staff Videography has won 3 national awards.
7. We just moved to a great new office in Troy.
8. I will be newlywed on 11/29/09!!!
9. When I have free time I enjoy playing guitar.
10. Halloween is my favorite Holiday!!!!!!!!

2008 Detroit NACE Awards “Bring On The Bling” A Smashing Success!

When the Detroit NACE crew rolled up on the Troy Marriott’s Mediterranean Room on October 14^th to honor outstanding professional accomplishments for 2008, they were bringing the bling: What seemed to be a coterie of pimps, players, hustlers, starlets and nouveau riche was actually a collection of the most dynamic event creative professionals in Metropolitan Detroit.

Attendees were met by Officer Christopher Neumann of The Bling Police who was issuing Citations for Lack of Bling or Citations for Too Much Bling. The Human Red Carpet, comprised of Janet Engelhardt and others from the Royal Park Hotel and Chair Covers & Linens, provided the perfect entry point for an extraordinary event.

Ceremonies were kicked off with a performance by energetic members of the Troy Dance & BodyWorks dance troupe.

This year’s awards committee was co-chaired by Todd Lloyd of Chair Covers & Linens and Sue Keels of the Royal Park Hotel. The 2008 Nominations Chair was Joan Kacir, a former chapter President.

By all accounts, their leadership was a resounding success. Consider the following accomplishments:

·      “Bring On The Bling” was the largest NACE Awards Dinner in the history of the chapter.

·      The event was sold out at 160 attendees, nearly doubling the number of Detroit NACE members in good standing of 86 people.

·      There were more nominations this year than ever before.

·      This was the inaugural year for The Lifetime Achievement Award.

And here are this year’s big winners:

Best Catered Event, 2008: Toni LeGrande, CMP, The Townsend Hotel

Best Wedding Event, 2008: Floreen Halpern, Amaryllis Catering

Best Theme Event, 2008: Toni LeGrande, CMP, The Townsend Hotel

Best Table Design, 2008: Jennifer Charles, Something Fabulous

Best Event–Technical Support, 2008: Ryan Koral, Epic Motion

Best Industry Event, 2008: Sue Keels, Royal Park Hotel

Best Team Event, 2008:

Mark Ephraim, MPE Event Productions

Todd Lloyd, Chair Covers & Linens

John Lamb, Display Group

Tom Gaunt, Mayesh Wholesale Florist

Caterer of the Year, 2008: Sue Keels, Royal Park Hotel

Member of the Year, 2008: Kurt Colone, Mike Staff Productions

Michael Havens Award, 2008: Todd Lloyd, Chair Covers & Linens

Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008: Liz Bakunovich, Morton’s The Steakhouse

Special thanks to this year’s Detroit NACE Awards sponsors:

Blumz…by JRDesigns – Bouquets of Flowers

Chair Covers & Linens – Bling Chargers, LED Lighting, Linen for High-Tops

Christopher & Company – Floral Centerpieces

Colonial Rental – Bling Chandelier Centerpieces

Crystal Gardens Banquet Center & Town Host Catering – Coffee Station

The Display Group – Paparazzi Props

Edward’s Wedding Photography – Photography

Epic Motion – Program Creation

Fabulous Events – Chair Covers, Napkins and Table Linens

Federal Express – Shipping

GRAYMATTERS – Email Blast and Marketing

IceCaterers – Martini Luge and Ice Ball

The Lighting Guy – Lighting

Mike Staff Productions – DJ/Emcee Service and Audio

Morton’s Steakhouse

MPE Event Productions – Red Carpet

NACE

Royal Park Hotel – Bling Favors

Something Fabulous – Program

Showtime Events – Illuminated Bar and Table

Shutterbooth – Photo Booth and Program Creation

Troy Dance and BodyWorks – Dancing with The Stars

Troy Marriott – Venue and AV Services

Zingerman’s – Bling Cake

Here are the Shutterbooth photos - check them out! 

Also, please take a moment to enjoy the pictures, courtesy of Edward’s Wedding Photography.

Here’s a link to ALL of the pictures courtesy of Edwards Wedding Photography. 

Our first guinea pig - excuse me - our first member we’re going to highlight is Todd Lloyd from Chair Covers and Linens.

Where do you work/what is your position?
Chair Covers & Linens, President and CEO. The Nation’s largest source for chair covers.

How long have you been in the business?
As a separate company, Chair Covers & Linens has been in business for 12 years.

What do you love about it?
That’s easy – I get to party for a living. We get to be involved with some of the most joyous times in peoples lives. It’s a blast.

How has NACE helped you along your journey?
Sometimes we get so busy in our daily business life we forget to make contact with people. NACE allows me to contact our customers and prospects at least once a month. The educational and networking aspect is also very beneficial.

What advice would you have for someone looking to hire a company that offers what you do?
First and foremost is product offering. Do they have what you want? Second, do they have the resources to pull off your event? What kind of backup plans and staff do they have if there is an unforeseen emergency like someone gets sick or a vehicle breaks down? Often we are very restricted with the time we have to do our job. Make sure the company you choose can deal with anything that is thrown at them.

What are 10 things people might not know about you and/or your company?
1. We offer more than just a chair cover company
2. We have the largest selection of linen in Michigan.
3. We have offices in 9 states.
4. We carry battery operated LED Lighting.
5. We have just under 200 employees
6. We have over 70 different styles of chair covers.
7. We offer over 100 different sash colors/styles.
8. We own a company plane
9. My partner and I collect cars (we have 9 of them).
10. I get to work with my youngest sister everyday.
 

Chair Covers and Linens staff

Pictured left to right: Todd Lloyd (Detroit NACE Secretary), Joan Kacir (past President), Rachel Torok, Brennan Donnovan

Website: www.chaircovers.net 

http://www.videoone.tv/nace2008/

http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/dt2lfp

You unique password is: NACE

Here’s the recap video from the event provided by Epic Motion:

Photos provided by Mike Guimond of MG Photography & Design


          

Thank you to all of the amazing contributors to this year’s Table Top WOW! If you missed this year’s spectacular event, no worries…we are here to fill you in. There were 11 magnificent presentations that were all breath taking and jaw dropping. This years competitors were phenomenal and had amazing spins on the year’s trends.  This year’s competitors and non-competitors were:

Joseph Martinez with Christopher and Company
Betsy Korvessis with Chair Covers and Linens
Angela Butorac from The Display Group
Bill Hamilton with Fabulous Events
Robin Bosma from Crystal Balloon
Dottie Ottman with Dottie Ottman Weddings and Events
Colleen Serra from Fleur De Lis
Todd Hardiek with Colonial Event Rental
Todd Lloyd from Chair Covers and Linens
Linda Savage with the Toldeo Country Club
Jerome Raska with Blumz…by JR Designs

The competition criteria was based on a 10×10 imaginary square, the table had to seat 8-10 people, it had to be functional and it had to have a theme in the event industry. Please preview the pictures to see the amazing “event geniuses” we have in our organization. A job well done to everyone who competed and who did not compete. A few special thank you comments for the staff of the Roostertail and to the sizzling NACE Board who made this all happen. 

Thank you everyone for making TABLE TOP WOW 2008 an absolute SUCCESS! 

The Winners are:
Judges’ Choice Award - Jerome Raska, Blumz by JR
Peoples Choice Award - Todd Hardiek, Colonial Event & Party Rental
Fundraiser Favorite - Todd Lloyd, Chair Covers & Linen 

Photos courtesy of Sam Sarkis Photography.  Thanks, Sam!