With over 20 years of industry experience, Howard is a widely recognized expert and innovator in the field of special events.

Event Agency Owner

He is the founder of Paint The Town Red, Inc., and the former CEO of North America for Global Events Group, the 13th largest event agency in the world, which acquired Paint The Town Red in 2008.  During his tenure the company won over 30 industry awards.

Industry Leader & Expert

Howard is President of the International Special Events Society (NY Metro Chapter); a member of the BizBash NY Advisory Board.  He has served on the Advisory Board of Special Events Magazine, been a judge of the Gala Awards & HSMAI’s Adrian Awards, and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He currently writes the monthly In Business column for Event Solutions magazine.  He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, National Public Radio, ABC News, The Apprentice, and USA Today, in addition to numerous trade media.

Consultant

Howard is a consultant to companies in the event industry, specializing in sales, management, and mergers & acquisitions. He currently serves as an advisor to the board of directors of First Protocol, an event agency headquartered in London and NY, and selectively consults with business owners on a limited number of engagements.

App Developer

Howard is the creator of the event industry app SuperPlanner, winner of the 2010 BizBash Event Style Award for Most Innovative New Product, and the 2011 Special Events Magazine Gala  Award for Best New Product / Service.

Educator

Howard is the Founder and Executive Director of the Event Leadership Institute (which launched in April 2011), provider of best-in-class training and education for the events industry, through online, on-demand video classes and industry thought leaders sharing their insights in live forums around the country.

On a personal level, Howard sits on the Board of Directors of Every Child A Reader, the charitable foundation of the Children’s Book Council. He lives in Westchester, NY with his wife and two children.

Press & Published Articles

Bio | Press & Published Articles

2011

6/15/2011 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “When to Fire Someone”

4/15/2011 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “Being A Boss”

2/15/2011 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “Financial Stress Test”

2010

12/15/2010 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “Let the Big Dog Eat”

12/8/2010 | BizBash
New Event Leadership Institute to Offer Classes by and for Event Pros

11/20/2010 | Corporate & Incentive Travel
Got Mobile Device?  Get Meeting Apps for That

11/17/2010 | Special Events Magazine
Is There Life After Running An Event Company

10/19/2010 | Meetings Podcast
Interview with Howard Givner about Super Planner app

10/15/2010 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “How to Land A Big Client . . . Not.”

8/15/2010 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “Family Matters: How to Get More Referrals from Friends & Family”

6/15/2010 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “How Much: Calculating Your Rates”

4/15/2010 | Event Solutions Magazine
In Business Column: “Show Me The Money”

2/10/2010 | Event Marketer
“Partner Perspective: Top Event Agency Pros Weigh In on Industry Trends”

1/4/2010 | BizBash
57 Predictions for 2010: Event Pros on Budgets, Social Media, Catering, Decor Trends & More

2009

December 2009 | The Big Money
Bring Your Own Mistletoe: A Guide to Holiday Parties in a Downsized Season.

November 2009 | Best Events Mag
Fresh Start

September 2009 | Special Events Mag
Event Pros Weigh in on Financial Crisis

March 2009 | The New York Times
“PreOccupations”

May 2009 | Event Marketer
Agency Experts: Executive Perspective

Biz Bash
What’s Worth It: Where to spend and where to save in today’s budgets.

Special Events Mag
More Event Planners Expect Economic Recovery in 2009

Special Events Mag
Tough Times Bring Tighter Scrutiny for RFP’s

Biz Bash
Being Playful

2008

Special Events Mag
Global Events Aquires Paint the Town Red

Successful Meetings
Deep Impact: Event Marketers move beyond the experiential to immersive strategies.

Biz Bash
Saving the Corporate Holiday Party—By Measuring It

2007

Special Events Mag
Media Events Make Press Time

PTTR Newsletter
Not Your Father’s YouTube

2006

Special Events Mag
Pricing Summit: Event Experts Discuss Trends in Procurement

2005

Special Events Mag
Best Practices: Event Planner Howard Givner Discusses the Branding Power of Special Events

Fast Company
The Art of the Off-Site