Top 10 Event & Experience Businesses to Follow in 2026
Discover 10 standout event and experience businesses in 2026, from luxury event designers and planners to DJs, live entertainers, and creative experts.
Discover 10 standout event and experience businesses in 2026, from luxury event designers and planners to DJs, live entertainers, and creative experts.
THE EDITORIAL NEWSROOM
Next On Scene Media Team
October 21, 2026
Discover 10 standout event and experience businesses in 2026, from luxury event designers and planners to DJs, live entertainers, and creative experts.
Giovanna Chaisson
Founder & Creative Director | Art Experienced
After 25 years in leadership roles within the corporate interior design world, Giovanna Chaisson brought her expertise in storytelling, environment, and human behavior into a new arena: experiential art.
As the founder and creative director of Art Experienced, a women-run creative studio, Giovanna is reimagining what event gifting can look and feel like. Rather than another mass-produced item guests pick up on their way out, she creates opportunities for people to participate in something personal, memorable, and made specifically for them.
Through live guest portraits, custom-painted keepsakes, large-scale installations, and Art Experienced’s signature Multi Canvas Experience, Giovanna and her team create art in real time, inviting guests to witness the creative process and connect with the artist behind each piece. The result is more than a keepsake; it becomes part of the story and memory of the event itself.
At a time when artwork and branded merchandise can be generated almost instantly, Giovanna is championing the value of the human touch. Her work reminds brands, planners, and hosts that efficiency may create a product, but thoughtfulness creates connection.
Today, Giovanna is helping redefine experiential art and personalized event gifting by creating moments designed to make every guest feel seen.
Connect with Giovanna:
Website: https://www.artexperienced.co/
Instagram: @artexperienced
Photo Credit: Mariah Gale Creative
Cat Gilmour
Founder & Owner | CG Boards & Co.
Cat Gilmour is the founder and owner of CG Boards & Co., a New Hampshire-based luxury grazing and food experience company creating elevated, interactive moments for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, showers, and milestone occasions throughout New England.
After years working in the corporate apparel and sports industry, Gilmour took a leap to build something of her own, combining her love of food, entertaining, design, and bringing people together. Since officially launching CG Boards & Co. in December 2024, she has grown the brand into a full-service event company known for large-scale grazing tables and memorable roaming dessert experiences.
Her dimensional grazing displays are designed to serve as both a visual centerpiece and a culinary experience, while interactive offerings like fresh cannoli piped on-site, tiramisu inspired by her mother’s recipe, and nostalgic cookies and milk bring dessert directly to guests.
For Gilmour, food should do more than fill a plate. It should spark conversation, create connection, and become part of the event's memory.
Through CG Boards & Co., she continues to create customized experiences that feel beautiful, unexpected, delicious, and unforgettable.
Connect with Cat:
Website: cgboardsco.com
Instagram: @cgboardsco
Photo Credit: Lexi Foster Photography
Steysy Clark
Founder & Creative force | The Creative Hub
Steysy Clark is the founder and creative force behind The Creative Hub, a traveling atelier bringing immersive fragrance, craftsmanship, and hands-on creativity directly to corporate events, private celebrations, and community gatherings.
An evolution of the small-batch brand House of Art and Craft, which Steysy launched in 2016, The Creative Hub transforms nearly a decade of entrepreneurial experience into memorable, interactive experiences where guests can create something uniquely their own.
Blending her background in pharmaceutical research with an ongoing passion for fine fragrance, Steysy brings both scientific curiosity and artistic expression to every experience. Her continued exploration of perfumery, craftsmanship, and personalized design reflects a commitment to continually evolving The Creative Hub’s experiences with fresh techniques, thoughtful details, and meaningful ways for guests to create something uniquely their own.Through The Creative Hub, Steysy is creating more than an event activity she’s designing opportunities for connection, creativity, and meaningful keepsakes guests can carry with them long after the experience ends.
Connect with Steysy:
The Creative Hub: the-creativehub.co
Instagram: @the_creativehub.co
Photo Credit: Steysy Clark
Natalie Lelless-Mochi
Founder & BEAUTY EXPERT | Natalie Lelless Beauty
Natalie Lelless-Mochi is a Boston, New England, and destination makeup artist, beauty expert, entrepreneur, and mentor with more than two decades in the beauty industry. Known for her elevated, skin-focused approach and signature “The Natalie Finish™,” she creates polished, timeless beauty that still feels unmistakably like the person wearing it.
Her path into beauty wasn’t exactly conventional. Natalie began her career at MAC while studying forensic psychology and pursuing a path toward becoming an FBI profiler. She ultimately chose to follow her passion for makeup artistry, later training at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles. Natalie returned to Boston and launched Natalie Lelless Beauty in 2011.
Today, her work spans luxury bridal, celebrity, editorial, conferences, red carpets, and private events throughout New England, New York, across the country, and internationally.
Her recent clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow, alongside founders, speakers, executives, and other public figures.
Her work has also been recognized by Vanity Fair, Vogue Weddings, Brides, Style Me Pretty, Wedded Wonderland, and Boston Magazine.
While Natalie remains the face and lead artist of Natalie Lelless Beauty, her longtime second artist, Rhian Blenkinsop, has worked alongside her for more than a decade, a partnership Natalie deeply values.
Beyond the brush, Natalie mentors beauty professionals in confidence, premium positioning, pricing, and building sustainable careers. At the heart of everything she does is a simple philosophy: “Making people look beautiful was never the goal. It was about helping them remember that they already are.”
Connect with Natalie:
Website: www.natalielellessbeauty.com
Instagram: @beauty.bynatalie_
Photo Credit: Lena Nugent Photography
Ifrah Akram
Founder & CREATIVE FORCE | Wowlloons
Ifrah Akram is the founder and creative force behind Wowlloons, a Massachusetts-based luxury decor and event styling company serving Greater Boston and New England. Known for bold color, striking scale, and thoughtful details, Ifrah creates immersive designs for private celebrations, corporate events, and brand activations.
What began in her basement with an Amazon balloon pump, a handful of balloons, and a family SUV has grown into a thriving business with a dedicated studio, a growing team, and the ability to execute ambitious event concepts across the region.
Through Wowlloons and sister brand Glow by W, Ifrah brings together balloon artistry, custom LED marquees, and event styling to create a cohesive experience from start to finish. Her work earned 2026 recognition for Best Balloon Decor from Best of the South Shore and Modern Luxury’s Best of the City.
Beyond client work, Ifrah also teaches and mentors aspiring balloon artists and entrepreneurs. At the heart of her business is a belief that celebrations should feel personal, joyful, and unforgettable and leave guests with a moment they will remember long after the event ends.
Connect with Ifrah:
Website: www.wowlloons.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ifrahakram/
Photo credits: Mariah Gale Creative
J. Barry Designs
J. Barry Designs transforms event spaces into immersive experiences that bring each client’s vision to life. As a woman owned event design and production firm working around the world, the company combines elevated creativity with personalized design to create events that reflect the people and brands behind them.
From corporate galas to social celebrations, J. Barry Designs offers comprehensive services spanning custom fabrication, decor design, installations and branding coordination. Eachelement is thoughtfully developed to complement the client’s style, creating a cohesive experience from the overall atmosphere to the smallest visual detail.
The firm’s ability to unite design, production and brand storytelling makes it a standout among event and experience businesses to follow. Whether creating an installation that becomes the focal point of a celebration or designing an environment that draws guests into a brand’s world, J. Barry Designs brings imagination and intention to every project. The result is an event that feels distinctive, personal and memorable.
Connect with J.Barry Designs:
Instagram: @jbarrydesigns
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/j-barry-designs
Photo credit: kataram studios
Timmy Drums
Destination Drummer, DJ & Live Event Entertainer
Timmy Drums brings electrifying energy to weddings, corporate events, galas, and private celebrations throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and beyond. As a destination drummer, DJ, and live event entertainer, Tim transforms celebrations into unforgettable experiences by blending live percussion, music, and interactive entertainment.
Known for his dynamic stage presence and ability to connect with a crowd, Tim creates an immersive atmosphere that keeps guests engaged and the dance floor alive. Whether performing at an elegant wedding, luxury celebration, or high-profile corporate event, his signature combination of rhythm, personality, and energy elevates every occasion.
More than just providing music, Timmy Drums creates memorable moments that leave a lasting impression long after the celebration ends.
Connect with Timmy:
Instagram: @timmy_drums
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drummertimmyj
Photo Credit: Timmy Drums
Tom Kura
OWNER | Your Love In Lights + DesignLight
Tom Kura is the co-founder and owner of Your Love In Lights, a Needham-based event company specializing in handmade, customizable marquee sign rentals for corporate events, weddings, and celebrations throughout New England.
Since launching in 2015, Your Love In Lights has built a reputation for creative execution, personalized service, and helping clients bring memorable event environments to life.
In August 2026, Tom expanded that vision by acquiring DesignLight, a Dover-based lighting design and décor company known for creating dramatic spaces through thoughtful lighting.
With a background spanning industry, management consulting, and events, Tom brings both strategic thinking and a strong understanding of the guest experience to his work. He is also committed to building relationships across the events industry, mentoring others, and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the International Live Events Association (ILEA).
Through Your Love In Lights and DesignLight, Tom creates more than event décor he helps shape immersive environments designed to be seen, felt, and remembered.
Connect with Tom:
Websites:
Your Love In Lights: yourloveinlights.com
DesignLight: designlightco.com
LinkedIn: Tom Kura
Photo Credit: Benoit & McCarthy Photography
Judy Mena
FOUNDER & Creative director | LevelUp Your Selfie Inc.
Judy Mena is the founder and creative director of LevelUp Your Selfie Inc., a New England event experience company bringing interactive photo experiences, custom activations, and personalized details to celebrations of all kinds.What began with a single photo booth has grown into a multifaceted business serving corporate events, weddings, nonprofit organizations, and private gatherings throughout New England. With creativity and innovation guiding her work, Judy continues to expand beyond the traditional photo booth, helping clients create experiences that reflect their vision and give guests something to remember.
While raising a family of five, Judy has also expanded her entrepreneurial vision through LevelUp Custom Studio, where she designs and produces personalized products and event pieces, and Little Haven Play Studio, her newest venture offering thoughtfully designed experiences for young children and their families.
Her hands-on approach, attention to detail, and willingness to learn new skills bring a personal touch to each venture. At the heart of Judy’s work is a love for turning ideas into experiences that spark connection, invite participation, and leave lasting memories.
Connect with Judy:
Website: www.levelupyourselfie.com
Instagram: @levelupyourselfie
Photo Credit: Judy Mena
Jordan Hawkins
CO-FOUNDER | Elevate Collection
Jordan Hawkins is the co-founder of Elevate Collection, a creative growth agency she built alongside Alexandria Reed. With a background spanning event production, brand partnerships, sports, entertainment, media, and real estate, Jordan brings a wide-angle perspective to creating experiences that connect the right people, brands, and opportunities.
From intimate gatherings and athlete experiences to large-scale cultural activations, Jordan approaches events as more than a moment. Through Elevate Collection, she helps create environments designed to strengthen relationships, spark meaningful connections, and open the door to future collaboration and business growth.
Her experience across multiple industries allows her to understand both the creative and strategic sides of bringing people together, whether the goal is visibility, community, partnership development, or brand expansion.
At the heart of Jordan’s work is a belief that the right room can change what happens next. Through thoughtful experiences and intentional connection, she is helping brands and individuals turn events into opportunities with lasting impact.
Connect with Jordan:
Website: https://www.elevatecollection.co/
Instagram: @jordanhawkins.co
Photo Credit: bee trofort-Wilson
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