​We’re proud to share that Hello! Arizona recently won nine Zonies Awards, presented by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) Arizona Chapter! Event Designers Tressa Rini and Danny Trujillo took home individual awards, with seven awards going to their amazing productions. Keep reading to learn more about Danny, Tressa, and their award-winning events.

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Tressa Rini, Hello! Arizona Event Designer Winner of the “2018 President’s Award” Tressa describes herself as a quintessential Phoenician, and has spent her entire life living in the Valley of the Sun. In 2013 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with her Bachelor of the Arts in History and Art History. Tressa effectively found her life’s calling and dream job when she joined the Hello! Arizona team as an Event Designer in March 2015. She’s known for her attention to aesthetic details and tries to bring a fresh approach every time she designs an event. Tressa loves Arizona and she wants every guest to feel the same by the end of their program.

​ Danny Trujillo, Hello! Arizona Event Designer Winner of the “ILEA Rising Star” Award Danny Trujillo (or “Danny T,”) brings over 28 years of entertainment industry experience to Hello!. He is recognized and respected for his strong leadership, creativity, and efficiency in the development and execution of entertainment productions. His specific experience as a director, choreographer, and show producer gives him a clear understanding of the many facets it takes to successfully fulfill each client’s individual expectations. A constant showman, his “show must go on” mentality is an asset for clients to have onsite.

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Desert Modernist

Best Event Design & Decor Under $50,000

This intimate dinner for a large transportation association was designed to give guests an ultra-modern interpretation of the beautiful Southwestern culture. Inspiration was taken from the subtle glamour that’s naturally present in Southwestern motifs, and then each element was magnified to mirror the elegance of a modern desert oasis. A stark black and white color palette was enhanced with tones of cool blues and purples to add an edgy and unexpected twist. The dinner tables were set with custom-printed sequin linens with a Navajo-inspired pattern, adding to an evening influenced by traditional style but alive with the light and innovation of modernity. This not only connected the guests to each other, but to the true essence of a modern Arizona.

Celestial Centennial

Best Event Design & Decor Over $50,000

Best Corporate Event Over $50,000

A Fortune 100 financial services organization wanted to celebrate its 100-year anniversary with a “Celestial Centennial” beachfront celebration in Marco Island, Florida. Hurricane Irma had other plans. Storm damage forced the client to relocate their 660 guests to the Arizona desert at The Phoenician. Disappointment and tight schedules were overcome to create an innovative evening that surpassed what the client had envisioned for South Florida. Under the night sky, the company’s top-performing sales staff reflected on the past century of success while celebrating the splendor of the stars – both the ones in the heavens above and each other.

Sentimental Journey

Best Meeting/Conference Program Over $50,000

One of the nation’s largest independent broker-dealers held a key annual incentive trip in Phoenix to honor their top-performing financial advisors. Their 2,000 guests expected the VIP treatment; little did they know that they were about to be swept back in time to an era when the kings of jazz reigned and people danced the Charleston to swinging tunes from big band orchestras. As we intertwined their magical journey with the captivating history of the Arizona Biltmore resort and Wrigley Mansion, mirth and merriment awaited guests with surprise and delight moments from arrival to departure.

An Evening with the Greats

Best Entertainment Production Under $50,000

What if the powerhouse duo of William Wrigley, Jr. and the Great Jay Gatsby threw a magnificent party? Rather than transform the historic Wrigley Mansion, we enhanced the existing space to make guests feel as if they were stepping back in time. A red carpet entrance welcomed guests to a world with secret-room surprises and hidden treasures, including a whiskey-soaked speakeasy and intimate cigar corner. We enchanted guests with vintage entertainment and showcased our innovation by creating one-of-a-kind Video Voyeur Walls. These five scenic walls were strategically placed throughout the mansion and inset with TVs displaying a live feed of a different area of the event. Below each screen was a vintage telephone; when guests picked up the receiver, a themed message directed them to the location on the screen. We also had a model car building activity, hat/headband decorating station, and a custom scavenger hunt to excite the children that were in attendance.

Mid-Century Glam

Best Entertainment Production Over $50,000

Welcome to the Golden Age of the Biltmore resort in Phoenix. During the final night reception for one of the nation’s largest independent broker-dealers, guests were swept back in time where they lounged on the Squaw Peak Lawn alongside famous guests such as Marilyn Monroe, Chuck Berry, and James Dean. Creative attention to detail made all the difference in weaving this enchanting night with the captivating history of the Biltmore. With a 360-degree rotating stage, authentic drive-in, and surprising flash dance performances, guests were enthralled with a night of fascinating elegance and excitement.

iMorocco

Best Corporate Event Under $50,000

Over 160 top sales executives from a digital healthcare company converged in Paradise Valley for three days of inspiring education. The group’s main evening reception was to be the crown jewel of the program. Designed to transport guests directly into the epicenter of a Moroccan Bazaar, inspiration for the design was taken from Moroccan architecture and color palettes you would expect to see in a Bazaar seller’s booth. Fun and energetic, this reception was meant to juxtapose the business side of the conference agenda. Occupying one ballroom for the educational sessions, awards cabaret, and the final night celebration proved to be logistically difficult, but not impossible for our team of experienced professionals. Everything went smoothly with our highly-detailed and carefully-planned strategy, all the while making our client feel at ease and able to enjoy what they said was a very successful program.

Considering Arizona for your next program? Contact Hello! Arizona for more information.