Inspiring Conversations with Greg Jenkins of Bravo Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Jenkins.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We started our company solely building for floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Even prior to that, I served as PR director for a company the built floats for the Rose Parade and the art director, Thom Neighbors, decided we were working tirelessly for someone else and made a choice to start our own company.

We combined our savings and launched a company, Bravo Productions, whose sole mission was designing and building floats for the Rose Parade. At the time, we thought what is the worst that can happen? If it is not successful, we just find a job.

The company started with two major clients the first year, three the second year, five the third year and it grew from there.

After several years, we were looking for a change to keep ourselves fresh and to grow professionally. We really put a lot of thought into formulating ideas for a new direction. We made lists of our strengths and weaknesses. We began to do research into other markets to see which ones were viable and which ones we wanted to pursue. There is a lot of risks involved, so we try to do as much research as possible.

We studied changes in the economy. We looked for trends to see what people were going to buy soon. We looked at the clients we had had over the years and the changes they were finding themselves involved in. We went to the library and researched historical trends in certain industries. Google was not even a thought at the time. We went through financial reports of companies in the fields we might go into and looked at their spending patterns. We did informal interviews with companies and nonprofits that might be potential clients. We must have gone through fifty types of businesses and narrowed it down to four.

In addition to keeping up the float business, we decided to expand into special events, custom props for TV commercials and motion pictures. The concept was to take what you would find on a Rose Parade float and think of ways to apply that to other markets. It paid off! We started getting more requests to stage events for corporations, tourist attractions, etc. We phased ourselves out of the Rose Parade and the rest is history – designing and staging events for corporations, associations, government agencies, municipalities and non-profit organizations.

We learned to be leaner and more cost-effective, like the rest of the economy. Since we have refocused the company, we have increased the workload for ourselves and reduced our staff from 12 to four full-time people. Now we can tap more freelancers and suppliers because the nature of the work is more specialized than just working on floats.

The world does not revolve around Southern California, so we started thinking globally. Now our clients come from all over. We have worked on tour for a manufacturer of electronics who were sponsoring BTS (the boy band) in creating a traveling exhibit. We have staged events nationwide for the United States Army. The list goes on.

Research is one of the most important things. If you do not know much about a particular business, you should think twice about getting into it. If you decide you want to own a restaurant, the first thing you should do is wash some dishes and learn how to cook.

You must remain flexible in business. Trends are constantly changing, but we are trying to stay on top of it as much as possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many industries and businesses, it has never been an easy road. For example, our industry suffered when 9/11 happened and no one wanted to travel or fly. Conferences and events — other than locally — were canceled for a period of time. Then in 2007/2008, there was the recession whereby companies pulled back on their spending because consumers also did the same. And of course, we all suffered and had to make adjustments when the COVID pandemic hit and we were shut down for two years.

During it all, we have always found a way to navigate through these difficult times and become stronger individuals as a result.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
BACKGROUND, SERVICES AND HONORS: Founded in 1987, Bravo Productions is an award-winning, full-service event planning and production company specializing in designing and staging world-class corporate, association, government, military and non-profit functions nationwide. Bravo Productions has staged corporate and association networking receptions, grand opening and dedication ceremonies, product launches, ground-breaking events, conferences and meetings, outdoor public events, reunions, sales incentive events, business theater, company anniversaries, fundraising events, theme events, black-tie galas, company picnics, client and customer appreciation events, holiday parties, virtual and hybrid events and VIP receptions.

Bravo Productions’ services include providing consultation, budget planning, creative design, audio visual, lighting and technical support, sets, props, scenery and decor, event management and production, floral, logistical support, spouse programs, entertainment, catering, equipment rentals and staging, speakers, site selection, vendor negotiations, online and onsite registration, transportation services, show direction and accommodations.

In 2020 and 2021, Greg Jenkins, partner of Bravo Productions, was named as one of the top 500 event professionals in the United States by BizBash Magazine, the #1 resource for ideas and news for event and meeting professionals.

Bravo Productions has received numerous industry awards, including two Gala Awards by Special Events Magazine in the categories of Best Theme Décor – Budget $20,000 to $50,000 and Best Event Produced for a Corporation or Association – Budget $100,000 to $249,000. Bravo Productions received a Silver Tier Award for Innovation by Corporate EVENT Magazine. We’ve also been honored with numerous Communicator’s Awards of Excellence, several PRism Award and Award of Excellence by the Public Relations Society of America for special event planning. Bravo Productions is the winner of four Esprit Awards and several WESTIE Awards by the International Special Events Society. Bravo Productions is also a two-time award nominee for Event Planner of the Year by Event Solutions Magazine.

Bravo Productions has been showcased in media outlets to include the US News & World Report, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Lighting & Sound, Southern California Meetings & Events, MarthaStewartWeddings.com, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Event Design, Stage Directions, Atlanta Journal & Constitution, MarketWatch, About.com, AmEx Open Forum, FoxNews.com, KCBS-TV, Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Event Solutions, Special Events, Corporate Event Magazine, Smart Meetings, USA Today, Press Telegram, Robb Report and numerous business journals.

WHAT SETS US APART:
Our firm has 34 years in operation and well-established. We also follow and subscribe to best industry practices.

While we have more than three decades of industry experience, we also have a willingness to learn.

We believe in customer service in event planning. We anticipate the needs of the client and are concerned for the entire customer experience from beginning to end. It’s a client-first approach.

We hire and partner with the best suppliers in the industry.

We are a pre-eminent resource in the industry and speak at industry conferences.

We are detailed-oriented, conduct our thorough due diligence and risk management.

We are problem solvers and solution-oriented, as well as multi-taskers…

We put our heart and soul into each project and give clients 150% percent. Lastly, our approach to conducting business is to set goals with our clients, those with measurable results — and work towards achieving those goals all to serve in the best interest of each customer.

We are mediators.

We help clients:

Drive brand awareness

Deliver sales results

Create ways for people to connect, which is more important now than ever before.

Our full range of services includes event, meeting and conference planning, budget planning, logistics, site selection, design and decor, branding, coordinating, and arranging for integration of lighting, sound and audiovisual and technical assistance, vendor and contract negotiations, and transportation.

The company is known for its strong customer service focus, detailed-oriented approach to providing solutions that best achieve clients’ goals and objectives, an outstanding reputation for creativity, efficiency, and ability to meet deadlines, and commitment to stay within the client’s budgetary parameters.

Bravo Productions monitor industry trends in the marketplace, adopting strategies that will better serve its clients. The firm emphasizes craftsmanship and quality in order to exceed all clients’ expectations.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is in the eye of the beholder. We operate with good ethics and integrity and best industry practices. We strive to put our best feet forward in whatever we do – from our relationships with clients, suppliers, production team and crew to friends, colleagues, peers, and family members.

Serving the best interest of our clients and being honest with them – whether they choose to adhere to the advice or not – we provide the proper guidance.

The diversity of projects and clients, as well as staying true to our core standards and beliefs, we have managed to have a successful run – which have also included the many awards, honors, and accolades, which is the frosting on the cake to say, ‘job well done!’

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bravoevents-online.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRAVO-PRODUCTIONS-311429388763
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/brvprodevents

Image Credits
Bravo Productions