Author and "America's Service Guru" Recognizes LSNY as One of the Best

A while back we posted about The Chalik's incredible Bnei Mitzvah party at the Vanderbilt at South Beach.  It was a fantastic time and we've heard wonderful reviews. 

Yesterday morning I received this letter by email from the event producer of the venue Ian Maksik.  I wanted to share it with our friends, families, clients and readers:

Dear Michael:

Thank you for the amazing job you did at the Chalik Bat Mitzvah. You certainly deserve the title of "Master Celebration Director" for you and your entire group did a most "Masterful" job of entertaining the guests at this event, which was just about 50% Adults and 50% Teens & Kids or should I say Kids of all ages.

My entire staff & I were also entertained as you kept the attention of the entire audience, while working closely with management on timing as an Event Partner to insure the absolute success of this celebration.

I am the former Catering Editor of CUE (NY Magazine) and have been responsible for thousands of high-profile events, but this was one of the most Fun'tastic Events I've ever been privileged to be part of thanks to your most innovative and professional direction.

You never talked down to the Kids but instead acted as if you were one of them and participated at their level. You equally kept the attention of all the adults and had them at your beckoned call as we witnessed their delightful enjoyment of your entertainers’ interaction with them.

The entire audience was having so much fun that it was difficult to get them to sit-down and enjoy their meal as well. We needed you to direct them to the table for it seemed you had them totally in your caring control.

Please do not hesitate to use me as a reference for we can't wait to have you back again at The Vanderbilt at South Beach...

Sincerely Ian Maksik, Event Producer

Ian Maksik,"Professor of Service" known as "America's Service Guru"& "King of the Caterers"
Professional Opener, Consultant, GM, Recruiter, Event Producer, Lecturer, Keynoter and
Trainer of Hospitality Trainers & Staff Worldwide
Presently... On a Consulting Assignment as Event Producer, Director of Training and Off-Premise & Ethnic Catering for a large NY/NJ Hospitality Group
Author of: "The A to Z's of Professional Table Service" and "Service Stinks"
Founder of: The Service Arts Institute
Executive Offices:2055 Center Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Suite 6E
201-482-4922 Cell 954-804-5413
ian@usawaiter.com

I want to thank Ian for his his unbridled enthusiasm for our company.  Usually that kind of exhuberance is felt from clients.  It's a great validation to hear from industry professionals that they recognize something extra special has happened through our company.

Now if only there was a transcript of his original phone call...I felt like we were getting the award for entertainers of the year.  I was grinning for a week after that phone call.

To get a proper perspective of how meaningful this is imagine doing 100s of events s a year over decades...Thousands of parties and events.  He's seen it all. And they all tend to blend into one another. So to get excited about an event is a rare and notable moment. 

That's why I am genuinely thankful of the recognition by people like Ian, Michael Subarsky, Martha Baum, Michael Chaut, David Tutera and many others who had similar peak experiences with LSNY. 

One of the biggest issues with the industry is a lack of enthusiasm and professionalism. Ethics, quality customer relationships and follow through with the delivery of what's promised, which are esseintial for any business, is unfortunately not as much the norm in our industry.

This becomes a major selling point for us when prospects are considering other entertainment options but don't offer these truly important "qualifiers."  These "qualifiers'' that can be overlooked by "salesmanship" and "offering deals" are so often the critical difference between an unforgettably "funtastic" life memorable experience and disappointment. 

Being a person and company that focuses on delivering these values and services, and being recoginized in this way by people at the highest level of service in our industry can help justify working with us at our more premium price point.

Ian's letter is a testimonial of the caliber of our professionals and passionate dedication that even long time veterans of the industry find exciting and refreshing.   

Thank you Ian. 

Follow your passion and keep focusing on the goal and great things will happen.

The Ultimate Games Master Summer Birthday Party for Kaia

Something a little different for the little ones.  A fun way to celebrate a party with your friends and family and get the whole family involved.



For more information on having this kind of party call us at 201 475-5769.

Lessons from My Father – What makes an Artist

My father and his wonderful wife came up from Florida to be at my daughter's 5^th birthday party. My father is retired from corporate life but is now a golf club repair specialist. He used to work on the Champion's PGA Tour before settling in to do work from his home shop near Fort Walton Beach.

He asked me where do I get my haircut? I was waiting for the punch line because it sounded like a set up, but then looking at his own hippie dippie length hair I realized he actually needed one.

I said I get it cut at the barber shop here in Fair Lawn and they're really good. So he said let's go. I know a lot of people would hesitate to get their haircut at some random place. People are very particular about their hair. But my dad could care less. Let's go.

I usually get my hair cut by a beautiful Israeli woman who knows what she's doing. She doesn't waste time and she's precise. She happened to be there and within 5 minutes my dad was in her chair. I left him in her capable hands and went to the bank. I stopped by the wine store to buy a bottle of Fragolino for the occasion.

When I got back to the barber shop my father's hair was cleanly and neatly shaped. I was gone for maybe 10 minutes tops and she was practically done. My father's first words to me were "This woman is an artist!"

My father is an opinionated man. . When it comes to his judgments, he doesn't pull any punches. They're delivered with the righteousness Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction or the weight of James Earl Jones circa FIELD OF DREAMS. You never doubt his word or conviction. The Gods have spoken. As a kid I was used to hearing the other side of the coin, so it's so refreshing to hear a RAVE with enthusiasm coming from my father's mouth.

She shaved the back of his neck. My dad said it must be over 30 years since he's had someone do that. When he got home later he said we have to bring this woman to Florida to his wife.

In the car my father said something that I don't think I'll ever forget. He said she's an artist again, and said "you can easily tell the difference between someone who loves and cares about what they do and someone who's just doing a job. That's why I'm always busy."

He meant it. He takes great care and time with his customers. He leaves no stone unturned in not only building, tweaking and repairing clubs but testing them and informing them of the latest changes swing and technology that can dramatically improve their game.

He goes above and beyond for his customers almost like he's personally responsible for them improving their golf game. I've seen pros teach who don't nearly come close to how much attention and commitment he delivers.

I thought about how I've been in my own business with Lightning Shakes New York. How I treat my clients. How I feel the same level of passion, responsibility and commitment to give them something of great worth. I thought about what our amazing clients say about our level of care and it hit me. This is something I've learned and taken from my father. I've been doing the same thing my entire career and never put the two together.

If you define an artist as someone who is competent, capable, and extremely good at what they do, BUT goes beyond the simple delivery of that ability by offering what amounts to their LOVE and PASSION to you each time then my father is an artist as well. And I have learned from an artist.

Our clients get the very best because I learned from someone who thinks good enough is not good enough. That great is so much better that good. And that artists are to be celebrated and revered because they give you something of such WORTH they make YOU feel happy, alive and thankful.

What a great lesson from a haircut.

LSNY Now Features Photo Booth and Green Screen Photo Favors

For more than 10 years LSNY Entertainment NY and NJ's premiere entertainment and DJ company has featured photo favors at our events.  Below is a sample of the Uma Chalik Dance Fashion Show Bnei Mitzvah from the end of June. 



We now have the latest fully mobile Digital Photo AND Video Booth available capable of taking pictures as well as shooting video.  Pictures are printed out at the event as well as uploaded to Facebook and other websites of your choosing.  You can also create a book of every picture taken by your guest.  And have your videos of your guests recorded and delivered to you at the end of the event!

For more information on how to book either style a photo booth or green screen photo favors for your wedding, Sweet 16, Bnei Mitzvah, Corporate event or Holiday Party in the NY Metro area including Brooklyn, Westchester, and Northern NJ call 917 204-9690  or 201 475-5769.