Event Solutions Hall of Fame Inductees

Richard Carbotti has been transforming spaces of any scale into detailed thematic and custom-designed environments for more than 25 years. A pioneer in the events industry, he has employed his formal training and knowledge of two-dimensional visual, interior and graphic design to produce spectacular events internationally and in over 30 states. As a founding member of both the New England and Rhode Island chapters of the International Special Events Society, Carbotti is firmly focused on education and the importance of sharing ideas and his creative process. He brings experiences from his many creative endeavors at every level to his 30-year teaching career, and is a proud ambassador to the special events industry. His passion for teaching, the arts and everything this industry stands for is evident not only in his imaginative and stunning events, but in his constant willingness to educate and share his secrets and experiences. A winner of many industry awards, Carbotti’s efforts have garnered him a 2005 nomination for Designer of the Year as well as a win for that Spotlight Award in 2000. Carbotti works tirelessly to create, motivate and excite by using the basic elements of art and design, and with each event sets out to delicately fuse the minds of those past and present while bringing together and integrating the creative thoughts, ideals, styles and reflections of all of our worldly environments.

Bob Estrin has spent more than 40 years working in the special events industry. His career spans major technical changes in event production. He has been involved in a number of events that have shaped the current special events industry. Early in his career, Estrin was part of an audio production team that changed the way we view events today. He was part of the design team for the first Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland. He also worked with Bob Jani on the first Super Bowl mega halftime show (Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl). He worked with the NFL and NBC to develop the first referee wireless mic system, now a standard in sports. He also was one of the project managers for Bob Jani’s renovation of Radio City Music Hall. In the ’80s, Estrin and his associates were involved in the mega special events of that decade: Liberty Weekend, the Bicentennial of the Constitution, the ’84 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Pope’s first visit to the United States, and the political conventions, campaigns and inaugurals. He was nominated for production mixer of the year for his work on the Olympics. In the ’90s, Estrin moved into technical production management. He worked with numerous award-winning producers on a variety of events as technology rapidly advanced to the level of production in the corporate and social sectors. Since 2001, Estrin has been involved in the design and operation of the technical infrastructure for events. He is an advocate for the creation of environmentally friendly events and meetings. Currently, he is involved in the creation of a green resource directory for the meetings and event industry in California and as executive producer for Green Globe Productions, a Montana-based eco-friendly production company.

Don Mischer is an internationally acclaimed producer and director of television and live events. He has been honored with 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, a record nine Director’s Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, three NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, and Europe’s prestigious Golden Rose of Montreux. Mischer has consistently chosen to produce programs that share the best of human experience, whether it be through the work of our most acclaimed artists or the celebration of our greatest monuments and national events. As a producer-director, his credits range from Super Bowl Halftime Shows (with Prince, the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney); opening ceremonies of both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games; and the Kennedy Center Honors; to the Democratic National Convention; Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997; and specials with James Taylor, Sting, Bono, Beyoncé, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Fergie, Willie Nelson and Barbra Streisand, among others. Mischer’s long and illustrious body of work ranks among the best and most watched in the world of entertainment.

Franklyn Dickson is chairman of Ray Bloch Productions Inc., a 54-year-old event production company. There, he serves as producer for such companies as Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo and Wachovia Securities. During his many years with RBP, he has grown the company to national recognition with offices from coast to coast, expanding services to encompass all aspects of event production. Dickson received his master’s degree in marketing from New York University’s graduate school of business. He has written many meeting and special events articles and one book, “Successful Management of the Small and Medium Sized Business.” Additionally, he was among the first to be designated a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) by the Convention Liaison Council and served for several years on the CMP board of directors. He has received a Crystal Award from the Society of Incentive Travel Executives and was among the inaugural group made an associate fellow of the American Society of Association Executives. Dickson has served on the board of trustees of Valley Forge Military Academy and College and on the board of directors of the New York Society of Association Executives and New York’s convention and visitors bureau.

Steve Kemble, known as “America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru,” has been the magic behind countless international events for more than 20 years. His creative ideas, attention to detail and outgoing personality have also led to segments on CBS’s “The Early Show” and E!’s “Countdown to the Oscars.” Additionally, Kemble has showcased his event planning expertise on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition” and Style Network’s “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” Kemble is a member of US Weekly’s fashion police and has contributed style stories to ESPN’s “Cold Pizza,” as well as to “Entertainment Tonight” and “Access Hollywood.” Kemble has received over 25 industry accolades, including Event Solutions’ Spotlight Award for Event Planner of the Year, the International Special Events Society’s International Volunteer of the Year award and the Meeting Professionals International Planner of the Year award.

Mary Tribble, a certified special events professional, established Tribble Creative Group in 1985 to help organizations communicate to their audiences through strategic event marketing and management. Tribble oversees a staff of 17, which implements project management, public relations, graphic design and in-house video production. Located in Charlotte, N.C., the company produces events and meetings nationwide. The company has received dozens of national and regional awards for its creative approach; Tribble herself has been honored as Entrepreneur of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year, among other awards. She volunteers on a number of nonprofit boards and co-chairs the Charlotte Green Team, a committee she founded that is charged with greening Charlotte’s events, meetings and facilities. The company’s hallmark has been its focus on creating events that make an impact in the community and the world. In 2003, Tribble co-founded and planned The Forum for Corporate Conscience, a high-level gathering of CEOs and activists who debated and took action on issues such as the environment, family, community and leadership. In 2006, Tribble co-founded the North Carolina Conference for Women, an annual state-wide gathering of over 2,000 women.

Jean McFaddin is the legendary producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has won over a dozen Emmy Awards for the event. She is also a renowned lecturer and mentor of aspiring young event planners.

Frank Supovitz has risen through the ranks from being an usher at Radio City Music Hall to his present position as senior vice president of events for the National Football League. He currently oversees such events as the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft and the Pro Bowl.

Paulette Wolf originally made her mark as a corporate entertainment specialist. During her 30-year career, she refined the sporting event corporate experience to its current form. Her most recent accomplishment is the publication of her book “Event Planning Made Easy.”