MES: Most Extraordinary Stars? Or…

MES: Many Excellent Successes. MES: Master Entrepreneur Supporters. (<– Hey, that was actually a pretty good one.)

MES: Metro Event Specialists, aka our homedawgs. Our peeps. A real swell group of hardworking event tycoons.

We have introduced you to lots of heavy hitters in the events world (shoutout to our ab-FAB Pelonkey Launch sponsors!), but there’s one group we want to throw in the spotlight for a hot minute. MES holds a special place in our hearts as our good friends Max Major & Troy Francis are the ones that run it, and our CEO Nicole is on the board. Max & Troy and the rest of the MES gang have a finger on many crucial events that take place in DC, and they have been nice enough to toss us countless tips, tricks, and advice on our path to entertainment marketplace stardom (that’s a thing, right?).

You’ve already heard a little about them through our MES Mixer coverage (we sponsored all the entertainment at their August mixer at the National Archives), but we want to urge all of you in the events industry to take a closer look. Get involved with them. They are a network of event professionals in the DMV area. They are 100% free (um, yes, really), AND they host super fun events with food and drink and talking and laughing and mixing and photo booths and fun and, well, now I’m just rambling.

They were well-represented at our launch party, and we wanna throw ’em some love. Some mushy, mushy event lurrvvve. They are such a force in the area, and we are glad to call them partners. Get on their list, and don’t miss their next event! No, don’t miss it. Don’t do it. Don’t make us come over there…

Stone Driver steers into our hearts… and the National Archives

Let me break it down for ya: One live band + Roaming performers + Open bar + Close vicinity to some seriously important historical documents = A chance to party all night long with the Declaration of Independence. ROCK ON

The August MES Mixer will be held at The National Archives this coming Wednesday. The Archives is a pretty sweet place, no? Well, we’re about to spice it up. With music. Rock music. Echoing through the halls and reverberating off The Constitution. Enter Stone Driver.

The band is made up of members Chad Lesch, Tim Boyer, John Gossart, and Dan Epley, and in their own words, their music is “meaningful, relevant, and real.” It has taken them to venues across the area and featured them in media outlets around the world. Next in line to hear the crooners is the National Archives. Talk about a prominent US stage.

Besides knowing them personally (whaddup, 1776!), we also know their music. In fact, it was the soundtrack to Nicole & Danielle’s SXSW road trip. And it is good. It makes you wanna just, get down and jam, man. I mean, they categorize it as Space Grunge. That’s definitely something you want to listen to, right?

They’ve been supporters of Pelonkey from the beginning, and we are oh-so-proud to feature them as our hard-working, hard-rocking live band entertainer of the week. (And after Wednesday, we promise they’ll become the entertainer of your hearts.)

Have you RSVP’d to the MES Mixer yet? Why would you want to miss the chance to party with Stone Driver & all our other awesome performers? Huh?? Why?! Why would you do that?!

See ya there 😉

We spy a Pelonkey ninja at the 5th Anniversary MES Masquerade mixer!

Modified from Ciera Gallub‘s post on DJ Neekola’s blog on November 6th, 2014.

Being keen as ever, Pelonkey CEO DJ Neekola hopped around the Metro Events Specialists 5th Anniversary Masquerade party without anyone knowing who she was until her reveal!

The MES event did not disappoint! Taking place at the beautiful Carnegie Library at Mt Vernon Square, the venue was completely decked out for the occasion.

Beautiful lights and draping landscaped the rooms and halls, and strange but brilliant masked creatures turned up around every corner, making the night take on a mythical vibe!

Neekola had an incredible time munching on tasty little treats and morsels, dancing to the band, enjoying a libation or two from the open bar, getting her picture snapped left and right from the Umbrella Syndicate, socializing with friends, and networking Pelonkey with the best professionals the DMV events industry has to offer.

Here’s to the next amazing MES mixer and five more spectacular years!

CEO, DJ Neekola, Represents Pelonkey for the June #MESmixer at Malmaison in Georgetown

Last month, DJ Neekola went to the Metro Event Specialists‘ June mixer at the beautiful Malmaison in Georgetown!

Representing her startup, Pelonkey, Neekola was able to network with some of the best in the event and entertainment industry.

Partnering up with the Meant 2 Live Foundation, Metro Events has started #MEScares by raising donated clothing and accessories for inner city youth as they join the city’s workforce, benefiting House DC.

It was a wonderful mixer, as always, and this time around was hosted by JBC Events. Neekola walked away with multiple new contacts from her great networking!

Look for updates on #MESworks as well, which are workshops to help companies boost their events business evening more by taking classes taught by experienced industry professionals. Hope to see you at the next #MESmixer!

Pelonkey Advisory Board Member Spotlight: Max Major!

Posted by Pelonkey writer Ciera Gallub.

Max Major is not just an awesome Pelonkey Advisory Board member, providing sound business and entertainment advice and bringing great industry insight to the table. Max Major is also DC’s finest and most popularly booked magician, with his own company. He performs for corporate events, privates parties, and all sorts of special events on top of his highly successful magic show THINK, which will be taking a national theater tour this summer from Chicago to New Orleans!

On top of that, Max Major is also the owner of Metro Event Specialists, a highly specialized network of event industry professionals. MES mixers and workshops are hosted every month, benefiting local event planners, entertainers, and business people by helping them make excellent connections and contacts within the DMV area.

Max brings a lot of excellent qualities to the Pelonkey Advisory Board table, with vast event industry experience, insight from an entertainer’s perspective, as well as excellent business advice for Nicole, being an entrepreneur himself. Not to mention his ability to read minds and his perfect hair – that swoop though! For anyone who was wondering, yes, I did ask Max to read my mind during our interview, which he was successful at!

Asking Max for his activities while he wasn’t working was difficult – he’s always working! However, being a lifetime snowboarder, he sometimes indulges in the beautiful snowy slopes. Max also frequents the gym, and his drink of choice is whiskey. If Max could only eat one food for the rest of his life, he would consume sweet potato hash forever because it is “buttery and fatty and delicious”. He has no idea what his favorite color is. Perhaps it is green, like butter lettuce.

Check out Max Major’s amazing mind-reading abilities at his next upcoming THINK show! Let him know that he makes an awesome Pelonkey Advisory Board member while you hand him a whiskey shot.

Meet the @Pelonkey #AdvisoryBoard Members!

Ever wondered who the awesome brains behind the genius of Pelonkey are? Meet our amazing Pelonkey Advisory Board!

 We will do a weekly spotlight on each member individually, and here is a quick look at our seven top notch advisors.

Nicole Gallub, aka DJ Neekola, is our lovely Founder and CEO, and she has put together a rock solid team of people who really know what they’re talking about!

DJ Neekola: http://djneekola.com

Guest of a Guest: http://guestofaguest.com/tag/nicole-gallub

In The Capital: http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/all-series/dc-trendsetters-dj-neekola-spins-big-parties-and-a-big-business-idea/

Uber Stories: http://uberstories.com/tag/nicole-gallub/

Fox 5: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/23727653/dj-neekola-on-fox-5-dj-friday

Max Major is DC’s best and most popular magician. He is also the Founder of Metro Event Specialists, the DMV’s finest event networking group which hosts mixers and workshops to help people boost their business and meet other like-minded individuals in their industry.

Max Major: http://maxmajor.net

Metro Event Specialists: http://metroevents.org/author/max-major

What Weekly: http://whatweekly.com/2014/01/30/magician-max-major-get-paid-to-play-tricks/

CBS DC: http://washington.cbslocal.com/tag/max-major-mind-reading-and-magic-show/

DC Metro Theater Arts: http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2013/07/24/an-interview-with-magician-max-major-by-eric-denver/

Victoria Michael has run her own public relations company, VM Public Relations, since 2001. You might have seen some of her fine work with the Washington Nationals, the Washingtonian, or Dirty Martini, just to name a few.

Victoria Michael Public Relations: http://vmpublicrelations.com

Washington Life Magazing: http://www.washingtonlife.com/?s=victoria+michael&x=15&y=9&=Go

Sip With Socialites: http://sipwithsocialites.com/the-socialites/victoria-michael

Guest of a Guest: http://guestofaguest.com/directory/victoria-michael

Rich Shea is the owner of HiBall Events, one of the area’s biggest party and festival coordinators around. HiBall controls Big Night DC, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, and National FreedomFest. Locally, check out HiBall Thursdays, which have great presence in the Clarendon scene.

HiBall Events: http://www.hiballevents.com

In The Capital: http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/all-series/dc-trendsetters-the-districts-biggest-party-thrower-rich-shea-preps-for-the-season/

Guest of a Guest: http://guestofaguest.com/tag/hiball-events

Charles Koch, aka DJ Dirty Hands, is a prominent DJ in the area as well as a nightclub owner. Not only does he spin some crazy good beats, but he also owns Heist DC, a very popular lounge in DuPont.

DJ Dirty Hands: http://www.djdirtyhands.com

Heist: http://www.heistdc.com

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2014/01/10/dj-chuck-dirty-hands-koch-mixes-the-news/

DC Cool: http://www.dccool.com/dj-dirty-hands

The Music Trust: http://themusictrust.com/djs/dirty-hands/

Eddie Fam is the CEO of IMPACT Marketing & Events,  as well as the Events and Marketing go-to guy for the Winery at Bull Run. Eddie is also the founder of Networking for Good, which allows charitable organizations and business leaders to come network together on an affordable platform, as well as the Meant2Live Foundation, which promotes the well being of children and impoverished youth overseas.

IMPACT Marketing & Events: http://impactme.com

Networking for Good: http://www.meant2live.org/#!/networking-for-good

Meant to Live Foundation: http://www.meant2live.org/#!/home-page

The Winery at Bull Run: http://www.wineryatbullrun.com/about-us/the-people-of-twabr/

InKandescent Networking: http://inkandescentnetworking.com/network/eddie-fam-founder-networking-for-good

Tony Cord is the Co-Chairman for DC Innovates, and handles corporate and client relations. He is also an Advisory Board member for ConnecTech DC and the National Crowdfunding Services.

DC Innovates: http://www.dcinnovates-us.org/about-us/board-of-directors/tony-cord

ConnecTech DC: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2013/01/connectech-initiative-launched-to-help.html

National Crowdfunding Services: http://www.prlog.org/12338923-accomplished-experienced-entrepreneur-tony-cord-joins-the-ncs-advisory-board.html

Steve Britt is an experienced technology attorney who works for a small law firm, Leach Travell Britt pc, out in Tysons Corner. Steve also mentors tech startups and entrepreneurs on their legal issues and questions.

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jstephenbritt

With this awesome team pulled together, we know Pelonkey will thrive! Please feel free to reach out to any of our Pelonkey Advisory Board members by emailing ciera@pelonkey.com “ATTN: Board Member Name” in the subject line.

First #MESWorks at the #CityClub Hosted by @Metro_Events!

DJ Neekola and Pelonkey staff writer, Ciera Gallub has a published post in WDIW detailing the events from last Tuesday night’s MES Works first ever workshop!

Featuring speakers Jodi Moraru from EVOKE, Max Major magician and founder of MES, Dan Berger with Social Tables, and Brennan McReynolds with Event Farm, this workshop presented great advice from all the speakers on how to effectively run a business and succeed in DC’s event industry.

See the article in What Do I Wear here: https://whatdoiwear.co/2014/06/03/inside-metro-event-specialists-hosted-mes-works/.

Awesome photos courtesy of the Umbrella Syndicate!

InTheCapital also did a great recap of the workshop, dictating seven key tips to being a successful manager and the importance of building a team and delegating tasks in a business. See more event info here –

Metro Event Specialists: http://metroevents.org

InTheCapital:http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/channels/7-lessons-for-event-professionals-from-mesworks/

City Club of Washington: http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-City-Club-of-Washington

Awesome #AprilMESmixer by @Metro_Events at @IrishWhiskeyDC

This past Tuesday, Metro Event Specialists hosted their April #MESmixer at Irish Whiskey! Being a Board Member for MES, DJ Neekola went out to the Irish pub for a fun night of awesome networking with the best professionals in the event industry DC has to offer!

Run by the amazing duo, Max Major (DC’s best magician – and most eligible bachelor!) and Troy Francis (Troyal Events), the mixer started at a large bar immediately entering Irish Whiskey. With Social Tables checking everyone in flawlessly, you were immediately welcomed into a bustling room full of energetic people, ready to meet everyone!

  Meant 2 Live Foundation and Impact Marketing and Events owner, Eddie Fam, had a place in the corner where the Metro Events people were collecting gently used smart phones, business attire, and business accessories for people in need in the DC area.

  Downstairs, Irish Whiskey had another bar that reminded me of an almost speak-easy atmosphere. Upstairs, the pub supplied a delicious array of warm pretzel bites with spicy mustard and sweet “drunk” donuts!

 A big thanks to Photography by Alexander and the Umbrella Syndicate for these awesome event pictures!

   Upstairs is where the DJ was rocking out, and paired with another bar, the good times kept rolling!

Near the end of the mixer, Max and Troy made announcements for the winners of the door prizes, raffles, and twitter contest for whomever tweeted with the hashtag #MESmixer. Everyone was excited about their prizes!

These mixers are always a blast, sporting the best bites, drinks, atmosphere, networking, and people in the city. We always have a good time and make some awesome connections!

You won’t want to miss the next MES Mixer – always a packed and sold out event! The next mixer is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th, with details to come! See you there!

Metro Event Specialists: http://metroevents.org

Irish Whiskey: http://www.irishwhiskeydc.com

Troyal Events: http://troyalevents.com

Max Major: http://maxmajor.net

Umbrella Syndicate: http://www.theumbrellasyndicate.com

Photography by Alexander: http://www.alexandermorozov.com

Impact Marketing and Events: http://impactme.com

Meant 2 Live Foundation: http://www.meant2live.org

Social Tables: https://www.socialtables.com