Planning an event is extremely tough. It requires in-depth knowledge, years of expertise, a comprehensive service portfolio, and an innovative approach to make any occasion a lifetime memory.
From creative conceptualization to perfect execution, Bookem Danno Productions takes pride in crafting distinct event experiences that set new benchmarks in the industry. They are renowned for perfectly turning an event idea into reality with a unique combination of creativity, excellence, and experience.
An industry veteran and inspirational business leader, Dan Parente established Bookem Danno Productions in 2005. Since its inception, Bookem Danno has continued to produce high-profile events, including Mont Blanc’s 100th Anniversary, Super Bowl parties for Rolling Stone and Coors Light, the Icons & Idols parties for In Touch Weekly, the 20th Anniversary of the OUT 100 for OUT Magazine, events for the DailyMail, the New York City Drone Film Festival, the Fast Company Innovation Festival, video content projects for TED, the CLIO Awards and many more.
In this inspiring story, we have the privilege of talking with Dan Parente as we delve into the multifaceted portfolio of Bookem Danno Productions, Dan’s inspiring journey, and his dynamic and innovative approach.
Deep Insights into Dan’s Inspiring Journey
Dan embarked on this remarkable journey in 1995 when he moved to New York City to be a comic book artist. He started his career as an office assistant at a small event production company. He had the opportunity to work on projects such as The NY Comedy Festival and shows like Hard Rock Live on VH1. He grasped a lot about booking music and producing shows and festivals here. From there, he went over to the original Detail Magazine, back when it was one of the top men’s magazines in the country. He helped with their events for just over a year. This was when the magazine MAXIM was launching in the U.S. for the first time. Dan kept meeting with their publisher until they were ready to host events. They finally brought him on to help them produce their first small party. Five years later, the MAXIM parties, and specifically, the MAXIM Super Bowl Party, became legendary and still occur to this day. When he left MAXIM, he was able to launch his own company, Bookem Danno Productions, and here he is, almost 20 years later, working on some of the most amazing projects of his career.
Navigating Hurdles – Steps to Growth
One of the biggest challenges BDP faced was bidding for projects and going up against agencies staffed by dozens of people with enormous resources. Throughout this journey, Dan Parente has realized that the best ideas win. In 2006, he went up against several larger agencies for a million-dollar, multi-city event campaign from a national beer company. Dan pitched a room full of 30 executives entirely by himself. However, the ideas were excellent, and the client was well aware of Dan’s reputation because of his MAXIM events, so he successfully beat the other agencies and won the business, which eventually became a significant turning point for his company.
The Key Differentiating Factors
Even before starting BDP, Dan Parente had a great history of producing innovative events. He found several clients who trusted him to try creative ideas, which were extremely successful. Maybe the agility of BDP as a smaller agency played a role, allowing for pitching ideas without a room full of people scrutinizing them, thus maintaining a lean, flexible approach that consistently pushed the boundaries.
Staying Updated with the Latest Tech Advancements
The emergence of new challenges keeps Dan motivated and encouraged. Sharing his distinctive concept that he has always followed, Dan stated, “I may not know the answer, but I can solve the problem.” He strives hard to find new vendors or artists trying new things or experimenting with intriguing technology or art. Getting out of your comfort zone is what keeps this work rewarding and is the key driving force. As he says, “I love collaborating with really dynamic people.”
Dan’s Take on the Current Business Atmosphere
In the post-COVID era, the business landscape has experienced a notable resurgence. Now, even the most conservative clients seem to be making up for the lost time. There has been a definite increase in clients looking to host all kinds of events.
The Future Unveiled: Shaping the Event Management Landscape
As Bookem Danno Productions strides into the future, its plans are expansive and dynamic. The company will continue looking for new projects that challenge their abilities. Further, the team has been actively moving towards designing award shows recently, which is a great space to explore. In 2019, BDP’s first award show design won the Bizbash Gala of the Decade Award for their design for the 60th anniversary of the iconic CLIO Awards in New York City. With a slate of interesting projects scheduled for 2024, as Dan puts it, “The best is yet to come!”