Creating The Perfect Experience

James LaForce is the founder and CEO of LaFORCE, a highly regarded full-service marketing communications agency for the world’s top brands. Born in Wisconsin, James started fantasizing about a glamorous New York City life when he was just ten years old. James got his start in public relations while working for the legendary publicist, Eleanor Lambert. His PR firm was recently named “The Most Power...

On this episode Mark speaks with Dibrie Guerrero. "Dee" is the Focus Audiences Marketing Communications Manager at Ford Motor Company, where she’s worked since 2004. She is the woman behind many of Ford’s ingenious partnerships, including the 2021 “More than Tough” F1-50 program with DJ D-Nice. Buying a car is such a personal decision, Dee makes sure that Ford’s messaging, events, and pa...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Danny Shaw. Danny is an accomplished product strategist, multidisciplinary designer, business strategies, project manager, and a Professor based in New York. Danny helps clients solve and avoid digital problems, which has been critical to event marketers as they move to the digital world. Mark and Danny discuss the pros and cons of the digital space, the importanc...

 Mark talks with Fern Mallis. Fern is the award-winning creator of New York Fashion Week and was the Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. For the last ten years, Fern hosts the acclaimed “92|Y Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis.” In this episode, we discuss how to craft a memorable experience in the Fashion industry, Fern’s impressive career in fashion, and event planning...

Mark speaks with Michele Pokowicz. Michele is the President and Partner at Mary Giuliani Catering and Events, a high-end catering boutique in NYC established in 2005. Michele manages over six hundred events a year, providing creative and customized food  experiences. When the pandemic hit, her team started offering meal kits and frozen food boxes. There is no one better than Michele when it comes...

Candace Montgomery is the Senior VP at The Atlantic and the GM of AtlanticLIVE. Previously, she headed the Essence Festival of Culture, the Nation’s largest cultural gathering. Candace was the first to produce events specifically for influential women. Candace shares her predictions on where the industry is heading, words of wisdom for young professionals, and reflects on the most memorable milest...

Michelle Rago is the founder of Michelle Rago Destinations, a boutique planning firm that has been producing and designing weddings and international events for over 20 years. The career path that led her to travel the world and be one of the most sought-after wedding producers is fascinating. She’s a global producer and savvy business woman who stays composed, no matter the stressful or chaotic c...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Suchi Reddy. In 2002, Suchi founded Reddymade Design and Architecture, a New York-based design firm that spans the fields of architecture, design, installation art, and sculpture. Suchi’s design motto is “form follows feeling” and she creates inviting environments full of wonder. They discuss her new work at the Smithsonian. 1:30       Suchi’s guiding design princ...

In this episode, Mark interviews Corrin Arasa. Corrin is the Founder and Creative Director of Patina Studios, a company in Brooklyn, NY that curates, designs, and builds kick-ass collections of furniture to rent for events, productions, and commercial spaces. Her career began in experiential marketing, so she truly understands that details and decor make an event special and unique. Since 2012, Pa...

In this episode, Mark interviews Katherine Tooley, who produced the first-of-its-kind, interactive event, “29Rooms.” 29Rooms is the innovative, physical embodiment of Refinery29, an entertaining and informative digital publication for women and femme-identifying persons. Mark and Katherine discuss experiential marketing and tips to be a success in the industry. Katherine tells how she always wante...

In today’s episode Mark interviews Allyson Brown. Ally is an Award-winning Senior Creative Director at Essence Communication. Ally has 22+ years of experience leading and developing design strategies for the brand’s identity, marketing, print, digital, video, social, and experiential. Year-round Ally research, plans, and designs for the Essence Festival.  “Creative design, when done well is a powe...

Mark Testa interviews Seth Bernstein.  Seth is a top lighting designer who has designed for Saturday Night Live, Nike, Louis Vuitton and Rihanna. With a background in theatre, Seth moved to NYC and got involved in fashion shows, television and live events. Seth believes great lighting should be an unnoticeable component in creating the perfect experience.  In this episode, we discuss - Designing t...

Mark Testa interviews Music Curator, Coleman Feltes who has worked in the events industry for over twenty years, starting as a DJ and now a Music Curator.  From fashion shows, award ceremonies, live events and parties, Coleman has worked for the likes of Prince, Oprah, Tom Ford, Versace, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, and the list goes on.  Music tells a story and is an essential element to creating...