MCW Events is all about making moments matter. And we’re lucky enough to be connected with some of the best moment makers in the events industry. Chief Imaginator at The Event Nerd, Damany Daniel is an experienced and award winning event producer. He was also honored to be selected as one of Special Event Magazine’s “30 Under 40,” recognizing him as a rising star within the global special events community. And he’s so in demand he only had time for four questions!
How did you get started in the Event Planning industry?
Well, that’s a loaded question. My first event was actually when I was 13. Somehow, I convinced my father to let me plan and execute a block party in the middle of Downtown Brooklyn. Now, when I say “block party,” I’m not talking about something you throw with your neighbors. This was an event with about 20 vendors, multiple performers, 2 city blocks being shut down, and multiple meetings with city officials. Yeah, it was a LOT, especially for a barely pubescent teenager whose voice hadn’t dropped. I’d love to say I knew from there it was what I wanted to do, but it took a while because, back then, there was no “events industry” to speak of. I tried a bunch of other things over the years, but the idea that you could create experiences that connect people in impactful ways always drew me back.
What’s an event planning/production tool you can’t live without?
Recently, my Remarkable 2. It’s the perfect blend of “paper” and digital storage and helps me capture thoughts in real-time and then file them according to projects. I’ve been looking for something like this for over a decade. And I’d stumbled onto it by the happiest of accidents. Besides that, the next one would be the growing collection of fidget toys and creative thought-starters that are basically taking over my office. Oh, and Spotify because no great idea ever happened without a soundtrack.
What’s one of your favorite event moments?
My mom was at an event about 4 years ago. It was a big spectacle and one of the things I’m still most proud of. At the end of it, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked, “So you did all this?” It was the first time she’s really and fully understood what I do, and to have her moved by it and to see so many others moved meant more than any customer testimonial.
What’s your favorite donut?
There’s a bacon maple donut at The Salty in Bishop Arts in Dallas that’s absolutely the thing that dreams are made of.
