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Big Apple Celebration: Cirque de New York

The ILEA New York Metro Chapter celebrated the end of its year on June 11 at Union Park in New York City. Harriette Rose Katz (founder, Gourmet Advisory Services) was honored with a tribute, and the Hall of Legends Award was presented to Perry Brocco (The Glasshouses). The new 2019-20 chapter officers were also installed.

1. Dianne Devitt, The DND Group, Inc. 2. Travis Pham, CMP, 360 Destination Group; Meredith Reed, Ace Party & Tent Rental; and Amanda Tissue, 360 Destination Group. 3. Catering by Riviera Caterers. 4. Claudia Warner and Melissa Rosenbloom with Gourmet Advisory Services pay tribute to Harriette Rose Katz. 5. Past President, Jennifer Claire Scott, CSEP, Access New York Metro; Current President, Matt Bonavita, Rhythm in Motion; and Immediate Past President, Jessica Alton, Thomas Preti Caterers. 6. Daniela Grafman, CSEP, Vision Event Co. 7. Ronni Janoff Weinstein, Crystal Plaza Group; Ray Guanlao, Vision Event Co.; and Max Janoff, Crystal Plaza Group. 8. Entertainment by Total Entertainment. 9. President Elect, Jaclyn Zendrian, CurePSP; Kelly Heaton, Kelleesee Designs; and Candice Soldano, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. —Photos by Natural Expressions NY

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS

To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at morgan.halaska@tigeroak.com.

Creative Connections

Ralph Weaver, founding president and CEO of East West Connection, shares his love for creativity, event planning and, most of all, people. BY KASSIDY TARALA

From Baltimore to Boston to brainstorming, Ralph Weaver has never been one to say “no” to trying something new. After studying communications and marketing at Boston University, the Baltimore native made his way to New York City where he worked with a public relations agency, allowing him to dip his toes in the world of event planning.

And he hasn’t looked back since.

Nearly 29 years ago, Weaver founded East West Connection, a global meeting, event and incentive travel company. “I used to do a lot of international travel, a lot of traveling to the far east,” Weaver says. “I’m an art collector, so I was always purchasing things while traveling.”

When Weaver first started EWC, he was focusing on buying art from around the world and selling it back home, allowing the east to connect with the west through art. At the same time, he says he had many clients coming to him for help planning meetings and events, which led to EWC’s new purpose.

“I started it to bring the far east together with the western world, to bring the best of both cultures together,” Weaver says. “I wanted to show how people can work together and learn from each other. That’s how it evolved and led to doing not only domestic meetings, but international, too.”

EWC works primarily with pharmaceutical companies, health care organizations, cyber security and construction companies to plan everything from sales meetings and employee events to incentive trips and POA meetings. “We run the gamut of big and small meetings and events,” Weaver says. “Whatever we do, regardless of size, our founding principal is attention to detail and excellent customer service. Size doesn’t matter.”

Even if they’ve already done the exact same meeting or event in the past, Weaver says he and his team always treat each client as a new and original opportunity for creativity. An early riser, Weaver starts his day at 5:30 a.m. with meditation and exercise. Once he gets the creative juices flowing, he immerses himself in the day-to-day operations with the rest of the team, from creative brainstorming to troubleshooting.

Weaver says his favorite part of his job is the creativity. Though, he adds, he wouldn’t be able to do it without his team.

“I couldn’t take the company on my own,” he says. “I need my team of people who are really committed to what they do. I’m the proudest of that. Being able to build something from nothing into this multimillion-dollar organization with 75 people who are passionate about what they do and are committed to excellent service and programs.”

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EAST WEST CONNECTION | eastwestconnection.com