MICHAEL CERBELLI

For over 30 years Michael Cerbelli has been entertaining and producing events all over the world. He built his career from a block party DJ in Brooklyn, New York to one of the most polished and professional event and entertainment producers in the special events industry. His many titles have included; COO, Creative Director, and (world-renowned) Master of Ceremonies. Michael has established himself as one of the most highly regarded professionals in the event and entertainment industry. Michael is truly a pioneer who started many trends that are now customary in the entertainment field.

Currently, Michael is the President of Special Events for the New York / New Jersey based company, Total Entertainment, as an Event Specialist and has been traveling internationally, doing what he does best: producing one-of-a-kind events around the globe. Total Entertainment’s impressive portfolio includes producing such events as Sir Paul McCartney & Heather Mills’ Wedding, Billy Joel’s nuptials, The Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C., The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, The King of Morocco’s Birthdays & New Years Eve Party, and an event at President Putin’s Summer Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Luckily enough, Michael gets to party with the best of them. Besides performing for this very high-end social market, Michael has worked with some of the most prestigious corporations and non-profit organizations in the world, repeatedly producing events that astound and amaze.

Due to his superior talents and efforts, Michael has been honored with several of the event industry’s top awards. Recently, Michael was honored at the International Special Events Society (ISES) NY Metro 7th Annual Big Apple Awards Gala 2008 as one of the twenty individuals that have influenced the New York event industry and supported the ISES NY Metro Chapter during it’s twenty year history. During this ISES Big Apple Awards Gala, Michael also received three prestigious awards: “Best Entertainment Program,” “Best Social Event” and “Best ISES NY Metro Collaboration.” Michael is also the proud recipient of the Steve Kemble Leadership Foundation 2008 “Award of Excellence”. This exceptionally prestigious award is given only to those that have shown extraordinary leadership skills and that have made vast contributions to the event industry. The mission of the Steve Kemble Leadership Foundation is to develop and nurture leadership skills for special event and meeting industry professionals through recognition of leadership achievements. Add to this the 2007 Event Solutions Spotlight Award for “Samaritan Service” and the 2005 Event Solutions Spotlight Award for “Entertainer of the Year” and, without a doubt, you know you are in the presence of a respected professional.

His peers have also recognized Michael with his recent role as Chairman (2005 – 2007) of the Special Events Assistance and Resources with a Caring Heart (SEARCH) Foundation, an event industry-based charity that assists event professionals in crisis. During his role as Chairman, Michael helped raise awareness about the foundation through his many speaking appearances, including ISES and Meeting Planners International (MPI) communities. With the help of his Board of Directors and contributions from the event industry, he raised record numbers of donations to help the event community. Michael also represents and supports ISES by traveling the world and teaching his knowledge to the new-generation of event professionals at countless ISES events. ISES has been so impressed with these efforts that they decided to combine their own foundation, International Special Events Education Foundation (ISEF), with the SEARCH Foundation. Michael and his SEARCH board took control and merged ISEF and SEARCH into one foundation. Today SEARCH is internationally recognized as the source for event professionals confronted with a catastrophic occurrence while also fostering, developing, and promoting educational initiatives for the advancement of the industry.

Additionally, Michael has made yet another mark in the event and entertainment industry with his innovative presentation “Michael Cerbelli’s: Hot Event & Entertainment Ideas TM”. While attending industry conferences on a regular basis, Michael was truly frustrated that he was unable to leave with tangible information and resources. As a result, Michael found a way to give back to the industry: by opening his “little black book” of ideas to his peers. Combined with his quick wit, natural charisma, and yes…his good looks, Michael’s presentation has grown increasingly popular, recently debuting his 7th version, “Michael Cerbelli’s: Hot Event & Entertainment Ideas: 2009TM” at The Special Event Conference. Michael will continue to travel throughout the year with his presentation and debut yearly at future TSE Conferences. In fact, audience response has been so overwhelmingly positive, that Michael was invited to New Delhi, India where he presented “Michael Cerbelli’s: Hot Event & Entertainment Ideas TM” to international event professionals.

From conventions to corporations to universities and beyond, Michael is scheduled throughout 2009 to continue presenting “Michael Cerbelli’s: Hot Event & Entertainment Ideas: 2009TM” spreading the news on the hottest, newest, and most exciting event and entertainment ideas, combined with all his knowledge and experience in this unique and one-of-a-kind presentation.