If there's a loose microphone around, Jaclyn Bernstein, co-owner of Empire Force Events, New York, N.Y., will be the first one to grab it — and she'll be the first one to admit it. too. That's why it came as no surprise to see Bernstein and partner Rob Hulsmeyer, co-owners of the well-known Manhattan-based special event and destination management company, on an episode not long ago of the NBC hit show “The Apprentice.”

The reality show — where contestants vie to work with Donald Trump — featured two teams charged with renting out the 90th-floor penthouse of the Trump World Tower for a one-time event. The teams had only 10 hours to show the venue and convince planners that the place was worth it.

Bernstein and Hulsmeyer placed a bid of $35,001. “We have a lot of Fortune 100 clients, and we felt that the right client might want the bragging rights,” for an event at such a unique venue. It was a couple of weeks later when Trump's executive assistant called to tell Bernstein she had lost out.