We're so lucky this week to talk to Nikki Nuckols of DoodleDog Creative. We get deep into some fun, awesome topics focused around creativity, building a business, marketing, social media and so much more! She tells us how she has built her company, we talk about being involved in the event industry, and hear about life in Texas. This one was so much fun!

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Check us out:
Web • https://theeventguysdetroit.com
Social • @theeventguysdetroit

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Nikki Nuckols is a brand and web design expert who marries innovation and creativity with digital-strategy. With a degree in Advertising and Marketing, Nikki started her career as an Advertising Firm Art Director, working with corporate giants such as Target and Best Buy, but soon realized her passion for small business growth and success. Now, more than a decade after starting her first business,  and with over 400 brand and website launches in her portfolio, Nikki leads her team as the Founder and Creative Director of the strategic digital agency, Doodle Dog Creative.  

Being selected as a brand and web designer by wedding and event businesses around the world has given Nikki the opportunity to master the aesthetics and needs of the industry demographic and focus on providing small businesses a perfected strategy for digital success. Nikki takes pride in creating smile-worthy concepts, that capture personality, and inspire brands.

When the away message is on, you can likely find this born-again Texan, with her husband, 2 little ones, and their giant dog, poolside, and loving life.

URL: www.doodledog.com
IG: @doodledoginsta

This week The Event Guys are so fortunate to have a conversation with Ingrid Nagy, CSEP, Co-Owner of Catering By Design out of Denver, Colorado. Ingrid is a true leader in the Event Industry and has influenced the careers and successes of so many #eventprofs. Too many nuggets to narrow it down to a few bullet points so just jump in and enjoy!

Check us out:
Web • https://theeventguysdetroit.com
Social • @theeventguysdetroit

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About Ingrid:
Ingrid Nagy, CSEP, brings over 30 years of experience in the catering and events industry.  Ingrid and her Executive Chef husband, Cade Nagy, co-own and operate Catering by Design, a full-service event company specializing in executing highly customized event experiences, including design & décor.

Together Ingrid & Cade have grown their small start-up catering firm to a $10M dollar company, with over 300 employees.  As CEO of the company, she oversees day to day operations and administrative functions, including financial management.  Ingrid’s fiscal, strategic and management skills balance the creative genius of her husband and they are celebrating over 25 years together in business.

Ingrid is an active member of International Live Events Association (ILEA) representing the Denver Chapter.  She has served on the local board (including chapter President) as well as on the International Board of Governors and served as the International President in 2017-2018.

Ingrid holds a BS in Foods Merchandising from Valparaiso University.  She and Cade live in Greenwood Village with their two kids, Trae & Breck.  In her free time, she values yoga, fitness, gardening and wine!

#eventprofs #weddings #events

On this week's episode, The Event Guys welcome in David C. McKnight, Founder & President of Emerald City Designs. They have a fantastic conversation discussing:

• How & why you should put so much effort & attention on developing your personal brand.
• How to create amazing events for our clients
• Tapping into your Creative Voice and harnessing it in your events
• So much more!

Check us out:
Web • https://theeventguysdetroit.com
Social • @theeventguysdetroit

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About David:
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David C. McKnight, owner and founder of Emerald City Designs, THE SPECIAL EVENT GROUP, has operated his business since 1993, and has built his reputation on “exceeding expectations” and creating events with “personality and style.”  From wedding receptions and mitzvahs, to corporate parties and charity fundraisers, David C. McKnight provides high-end floral designs, accessory rentals, unique stationery concepts and full planning and event coordination.

McKnight has grown his business with the commitment of “bringing visions to life,” and combines his cutting edge originality and attention to detail with innovative and creative floral designs. The end results are often referred to as over the top and totally unique. From a one person operation (1993) to a vibrant, highly regarded event firm with staffing dozens of employees seasonally, Emerald City Designs sets the standard for professionalism within the special event industry.
 
About Emerald City Designs:
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Emerald City Designs pride ourselves on being an all-encompassing design and rental studio for your floral, rental, stationery, planning and coordinating needs.

Emerald City Designs has been recognized locally and internationally for excellence in the event industry and featured by icons such as the knot, The Special Event Gala Awards, Michigan Meetings + Events, WeddingWire and Hour Magazine.

Allow our event specialists to offer décor suggestions that will provide the wow factor you are looking for. Our team of professionals will design, deliver, install and pick up the rental items with professionalism, efficiency and ease.

#eventprofs #weddings #events

On this week's episode, The Event Guys invite Carol Galle into the studio and the guys discuss:

• Getting into the event industry from another field
• Starting and building your own successful event company
• Connecting & networking with event profs and becoming a leader in the industry

Check us out:
Web • https://theeventguysdetroit.com
Social • @theeventguysdetroit

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Carol Galle is the co-founder, president and CEO of Special D Events, a live and virtual strategic event management agency and Detroit destination management company (DMC). For nearly 30 years she has led the company’s production of events in each of the 50 United States as well as internationally. 

Her contributions to the event industry include:

• serving as a columnist and Editorial Advisory Board member for Michigan Meetings + Events magazine. 
• co-founding the Detroit Events Council 
• co-founding the University Event Planners organization
• launching and leading the Detroit Chapter of the Live Events Coalition 

Carol was inducted into the Hall of Fame as “Best Meeting Professional” by Michigan Meetings + Events magazine. She is a recipient of the LASSO 2020 Top 100 Women in Events award, the Lynne Shivers Leadership Award, SPIN 40 Over 40 Award, and Corp! Magazine’s Most Valuable Professional Award.

Most recently she was named by Biz Bash magazine as one of 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry.

She is a Certified Meeting Planner and Certified Virtual Event and Meeting Manager.

Additional Achievements:

• LASSO 2020 Top 100 Women in the Event Industry
• Biz Bash 2019 Top 1000 Most Influential Event Professional
• Lynne Shivers Leadership Award
• Corp! Magazine MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award
• Michigan Meetings + Events 2013 Hall of Fame - Best Meeting Planner
• Senior Planners Information Network (SPIN) 40 over 40 Award
• Contributor to the Michigan Safe Meetings in Michigan report through Michigan Society of Association Executives

This week we're joined by Michelle Street, General Manager of the Troy Marriott in Metro Detroit, Michigan. Michelle and the guys discuss:

• How to be a great leader
• AMAZING customer service and creating long lasting relationships with your clients
• Her efforts lobbying on behalf of the event industry to help us safely open up and get back to work!!

Check us out:
Web • https://theeventguysdetroit.com
Social • @theeventguysdetroit

Rick and The Event Guys discuss:

• How the Event Industry has evolved this past year
• The importance of finding & hiring the right people
• Building & managing a successful team
• Creating & implementing a system of management processes
• New opportunities for streaming events as well as streaming/in person hybrids

They talk about music, the Bad Boys Pistons team from the late 80's and a love for Downtown Detroit. It's a fun, great conversation and Rick shares a ton of great insight and wisdom for entrepreneurs and Event Professionals.

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Rick earned his BBA from Northwood University, majoring in Advertising, Marketing and Business Management.

Rick founded Display Group in 1991. He first gained experience in the display industry after working for a cousin who owned Display Creations, a business located in downtown Detroit since 1922.   That business was known for providing display items for the famous window decor of the well-known Hudson's department store. Following his cousin's retirement, Rick decided to start his own company and the Display Group was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. In 1992, he moved the company into Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, operating there for 23 years. In 2015 Rick purchased a building attached to the renowned Packard Plant on the east side of downtown Detroit, and moved Display Group to their new home. 

Beginning in 1992, Rick has purchased and renovated seven buildings in Detroit.  In 2016, the three Corktown buildings were sold to Bedrock Real Estate.  In 2020, another historic Packard building was added bringing total square footage to just under 500,000 square feet.

Display Group specializes in the design and creation of both temporary and permanent environments for a diverse group of clients.  Display Group has perfected a core group of competencies for the event production industry.  With an emphasis on quality and service, we offer our clients turn-key solutions for any event.   

In 2015, Display Group started DG-3D, a digital creation studio.  DG-3D creates custom properties for exhibit and experiential environments for clients throughout the country. 

In 2018, Display Group formed a joint venture with Fairway Productions to create AVL Creative, a live event company handling Audio, Video and Lighting.  In 2020, AVL Creative started bldg22, a new sound stage to host virtual events and shows.  

In 2020, AVL Creative started bldg22, a live event broadcast studio inside Display Group’s facility.  This state-of-the-art studio has produced a full range of virtual events including press conferences, book launches, award shows, corporate meetings and talk shows.  

Rick is a recipient of the Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 award, as well as Northwood University’s Outstanding Alumni Award.  Previously, Rick served on the Karmanos Cancer Partners board, and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Pewabic Pottery Board.  

Rick’s enjoys travel, swimming, water polo and live music.