A Letter from Star Trax It’s Spring 2020 and the beginning of the Coronavirus Epidemic that’s gripping our nation and our world! I have been home with my kids, since schools were forced to close. While I am still working, I have also accomplished a magnitude of house-hold tasks. Things I thought I’d never get to. I am the Marketing Director for Star Trax. Although our event planning team is working from home, they have not stopped working for one second. What started off as “what if” phone calls has now moved to switching and rescheduling events. This group (Harris VanCleef, Shannon McConnell, Jennifer Ajlouny, and Danielle Hannah) have held the hands of every client and vendor affected by our circumstance. Together, they have reread contracts, written numerous life changing emails, and executed many event cancellations and postponements... all with grace and dignity (a few tears too). We have been taught by Geoff Kretchmer, the leader (President) of our pack - that providing exceptional customer service is the only way to build relationships, stay strong, and remain connected for the long term. Answer every call. Don’t hide from a challenge. Admit failure. Talk less, listen more. Apologize well. Say YES. Help others. Be transparent. Act as an owner. Do things that would make your grandparents proud! I’ve seen my fair share of posts on social media this week about postponing events. From lifestyle celebrations to annual fundraisers, and everything in between, people have questions. These are uncharted waters and we are learning as we go. We are doing everything we can to help. Some clients need refunds to regroup, others need our help to postpone. Our answer is always YES - whatever we can do! We recognize that this public health crisis has a domino effect on almost every industry and, therefore, patience and empathy is critical during this time. The businesses that are using the same mantra will ride the storm and celebrate happier days ahead. Those with rigid rules and roadblocks put their survival at risk. I am grateful to call Star Trax my second home. The next few months will be difficult for our entire industry. We, at Star Trax, are committed to helping you get through this challenging time. We will continue answering
Contributors Publisher
Star Trax Events
President
Geoff Kretchmer
Creative Director
Becca Schlussel
Graphic Designer
Michael Hnatiuk
Photographers
Robert Bruce Brett Mountain Justin Munter Kate Saler Paul Stoloff
Star Trax Team President Partner Vice President Senior Event Director Event Manager
Geoff Kretchmer Brian Siegel Harris Van Cleef Shannon McConnell Danielle Hannah
Special Event Manager
Jen Ajlouny
Production Director
Jimmy Lees
Production Coordinator Production Technician Marketing Director Marketing Specialist Graphic Designer
Ken Busch Alex Radatz Becca Schlussel Ned Specktor Michael Hnatiuk
Office Manager
Loren Stone
Controller
Cindy Timoff
Accountant
Amy Dunlap
VP Valet Parking
Todd Duggins
Valet Director
Zach Neistein
Valet Director
Matt Fekin
Valet/Activity Coordinator Maintenance Director
Jacquelyn Dorris Brian Cafmeyer
the phone and reassuring our clients of better days ahead. We will offer virtual shoulders for tears and frustration. And most importantly, we look forward to celebrating with you, our precious clients! We will be closer, stronger, and more connected. Stay well, stay healthy, stay home! We love you all! Becca Schlussel, Marketing Director
2560 Wolcott / Ferndale, MI 48220 startrax.com / 248.263.6300 info@startrax.com
