Steven Rojas
We know a thing or two about throwing a great party, but we tend to focus our attention on what’s mixing behind the bar rather than who’s mingling beyond it – can you blame us? PR lad turned social media and party planning guru Steven Rojas, however, has his hands dipped in it all, from the beginning planning stages of a kickass party to the final tweet dispersed across the twitterverse at night’s end. As Social Media Director for all of GrandLife (aka The Soho Grand and Tribeca Grand hotels), Rojas basically tweets as a second language. And Facebooks. And YouTubes. And let’s not forget his ability to charm the pants off hotel guests. Who says social media can’t go offline from time to time?
Before the onslaught of holiday parties hits, we went to one of Manhattan’s best sources, FOK (Friend of Kanon) Steven Rojas, to give us some tips for throwing our best holiday party yet. Get planning, people. Steven’s tips, below.
1. Know the City
The venue, DJs, hosts, and sponsors all need to be tailored together for a cohesive event synonymous with the atmosphere of the city.
2. Connections… Connections… Connections
If PR taught me anything, it’s all about connecting with people and (I hate this word, but) networking. Talent is so much easier booked when it’s a friend - connections with venues, sponsors, and brands help event production effortlessly move from an idea to reality.
3. The Right Door Person
A party is made or broken by the crowd, so I always make sure that the person with the list knows the who’s who of the top names and faces in the business. The door person is basically a social architect; they need to be able to construct the perfect foundation for the event.
4. Always Have a Budget
As my friend Vanessa Escamilla has told me, party planning can get expensive, and knowing your budget is necessary. Whether throwing an over-the-top lavish event in Paris or hosting an intimate dinner, sticking to your budget is always a must. Explains why she always has such great parties!
5. Secure a Reputable Venue
Venues can be tricky, but the space is a huge part of the party. Reputable venues like Milk Studios or Le Baron are amazing because they already have great production teams, and securing these venues is the largest part of the event. Without a secure location there can be no party.
Check out a few of the photos from the events GrandLife threw at Art Basel above!
