WowMaker Donita Jacobs

Corporate Meeting Planner

Artifact: World War II helmet

“We threw our final night gala on the U.S.S. Midway—moored in the middle of San Diego Bay. We took everyone back in time through music, décor, food, and service to recreate the spirit of World War II. Our attendees gave us a 92.78 percent satisfaction rate.”

WowMaker John Rutkauskas

Association Meeting Planner

Artifact: Jazz harmonica and music

“We took advantage of being in Chicago, and the hotel created special food and beverage stands to showcase the city’s unique features, from jazz to deep-dish pizza. The culture of Chicago made its way into everything the group experienced.”

WowMaker Joe Landers

Association Meeting Planner

Artifact: 18^th century-style music box

“Our Award Gala transformed the ballroom into an elegant hall right out of King Ludwig’s castle. They hand-painted a tapestry on the walls, and the staff even wore period dress! The staff and entertainment flowed together like a ballet, and our 3 ½ hour event finished within one minute of schedule. It was a magical night.”

WowMaker Mindy Halpert

Association Meeting Planner

Artifact: Burlap, felt fire and rocks

“I was challenged by my board to put on a camp theme, so I made a pop-up camp site right in the hotel ballroom. I carried rolls of burlap across DC and we made green felt trees and light-stick campfires. It became a success that keeps on growing, and we’re even bigger this year.”

WowMaker: Pamela Ballinger

Association Meeting Planner

Artifact: Secret Service sunglasses and earpiece

“In 2006 we had to bring together three transplant societies and 4,000 people for the World Congress in Boston. To highlight the city’s history, we closed down Faneuil Hall and set up tents and events all around. Joe Biden was the highlight speaker, and even though the Secret Service is the hardest logistic to deal with, working with them, we got everyone through two different locations in no time. The event was spectacular, and the associations talked about it for years.”

WowMaker: Diana Wilt

Corporate Travel Professional

Artifact: Volcanic ash in a jar

“After a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded every plane in Europe, I got a stranded traveler back to Boston in time for him to attend his daughter’s first communion. I coordinated with hotels and transportation the entire way, and he phoned me after the ceremony, literally crying with gratitude.”

WowMaker: Lesli Gordon

Luxury Travel Professional

Artifact: Nautical map of the Turkish coastline, and magnifying glass

“This guy sold his company and wanted to take his family around the world for 10 weeks. They did not want their kids to think the entire world was luxury so after I sent them to Turkey for a sail along the coast, I sent them inland to small cities to see how people lived. Then a safari. They also went to this very poor Buddhist state in India called Ladat in The Himalayas. They said they had no idea how amazing it would be. So that’s a Wow everyone loved.”

WowMaker: Sandie Wiesenthal

Luxury Travel Professional

Artifact: Figurine of Marie Antoinette from Versailles Gift Shop

“A very successful client wanted to propose to his girlfriend in a very traditional and romantic way. So we arranged a tour of Versailles and then had the proposal filmed without the bride-to-be knowing. It’s hard to coordinate with hotels and concierges across the ocean with such precise instructions for making the entire trip work, but it was a magical day for this couple.”

WowMaker Jack Ezon

Luxury Travel Professional

Artifact: Maasai jewelry

“When I sent 150 people to Tanzania for a Bar Mitzvah, chartering the 757 and 20 more private planes was one thing. Getting 100 Maasai tribespeople to greet the group when they landed was another. I even had to entertain the Tanzanian Ambassador to get a flower into the national park.”