Event Technology Awards Judges’ Spotlight: Lenny Talarico

0
1942

Lenny‘s involvement in the industry has spanned 20+ years. He is actively involved in the industry and has served as the president of ILEA Las Vegas. Lenny sits on the Biz Bash Magazine Advisory Board. He obtained his CSEP certification in 2005. As a speaker he has guest lectured at UNLV for their event management curriculum, Temple University School of Tourism, and been a part of the education curriculum for TSE-The Special Event. Lenny is a founding producer member of IACEP, International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers, and teaches at TISOH in Las Vegas. He was part of the MGM Resorts Events Team to be honored with a GALA Award for Best Corporate Event, and has personally been honored with numerous WESTIE-Awards. 

  • What experience can you draw upon to successfully judge the ETAs?

    Years in the entertainment field prior to transitioning to live events brings a unique perspective to my background with exposure to an array of technical products and services. 
  • How long have you worked in the event industry and what keeps you interested in it? 

    A total of 37 years if you include my entertainment background with the last 22 years focused on the production of live event experiences. To this day I still consider events and entertainment the most unique forum for delivering clients’ messages.  
  • Best (and worst?) moments working in the events industry?

    Best would be the opportunities to have travelled both domestically and internationally producing event experiences, Worst would be the rare occasion when you miss a cue calling a show and it’s obvious.  
  • Favourite piece of tech for work and personal life? 

    Anything that allows wireless connectivity and ease of use, I do love Alexa and Siri. 
  • What’s your go-to piece of tech when working on an event and why

    Lighting is still by far my go-to. Especially when working with a client who has limited resources, the investment in lighting – be it traditional or intelligent – helps turn the ordinary into extra-ordinary. 
  • What was the last event on which you worked?

    An event in LV produced for an MLM company highest producers where we partnered to produce a dinner for 1,500 pax with video mapped table tops featuring customised content for the brand and the meal being served. 
  • From your experience, how has tech been best utilised at an event?   

     See above for a great example. 
  • We all learn from our mistakes! What was the biggest lesson you learned from a mistake since being in the industry? 

    Never call a cue involving a speaker or entertainer unless you or someone you trust completely has them glued to their side to walk them directly onstage, bathroom breaks can literally be showstoppers LOL. 
  • What are you most looking forward to at the ETAs? 

    I always enjoy the excitement of an awards presentation especially when it goes to someone who honestly didn’t expect to win or may be winning for the first time in their career and the pure jubilation which accompanies that moment. 
  • Why is it important to recognise the achievements of tech companies? 

    Regardless of the event, technology in any form is the conduit for delivering messaging. Sound, lighting, video, entertainment and connectivity are the vehicles which communicate brand to our attendees. 
  • If you could only use one piece of tech when working on an event, what would that be? 

    I’d have to say the most important element currently is a well-developed mobile app for the conference or event. We all live with our phones 24/7, so if engagement is the goal this is the must-have moving forward in the current event industry.  

The Event Technology Awards ceremony returns to Troxy on November 6, between the two days of Event Tech Live 2019.

Molly Hookings
Author: Molly Hookings

Molly joined the editorial team in March 2019. She has several years’ experience working in broadcast and journalism, as well as marketing and PR. Past experience includes working for the BBC and independent publishing houses. If you have a story you think Molly might be interested in, please email: molly@eventindustrynews.com