Mark Sonder
Chief Entertainment Officer
Talent Buyer
Author
Industry Expert
Speaker










Websites:
www.marksonderproductions.com
www.meeting-objectives.com
www.eventswithatwist.com

Telephone
540-636-1640
Fax: 540-636-1339
Email: msonder@marksonderproductions.com

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

2007-Present                          OFFICIAL A/V SUPPLIER FOR THE TIMES CENTER The new NY Times Center, in NYC, opens October 2007.  MSP has been named an Official A/V Vendor.

2007-Present                          OMARK SONDER PRODUCTIONS, INC. opened sales office in New Orleans for Louisiana/East Texas

2005-Present                          President and Chief Entertainment Officer, MARK SONDER PRODUCTIONS, INC. (incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia).

2003-Present                          Partner, EVENTS…WITH A TWIST, Los Angeles based special events firm.

2002-Present                          MARK SONDER PRODUCTIONS, Company name change to better reflect the capabilities of the firm.

2002-Present                          Majority Partner, MEETING & OBJECTIVES, Event and Meeting Management Firm, Orlando, Florida

2000-2001                               Named Official Music Contractor for the WASHINGTON (DC) CONVENTION CENTER

2000-2002                               Co-Owner, WATERFORD at FAIR OAKS, Fairfax, VA


Multi-faceted Banquet & Reception Facility, hosts 4 ballrooms.

2000-Present                          President and CEO, MARK SONDER MUSIC, INC./VIEWPOINT INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES  Maintains offices in the Los Angeles Area.
1999-Present


President and CEO, MARK SONDER MUSIC, INC./VIEWPOINT INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES [incorporated in The Commonwealth of Virginia]  Maintaining offices for the Washington DC Metro Area.

 

1997-2006


President and CEO, VIEWPOINT INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES  Acquired full service New York City Destination & Event Management firm offering: custom designed produced special events, spouse programs, tours, transportation, Broadway Show tickets, speakers, various venues for meetings, conventions & incentives.  
Responsibilities include overseeing all departments of the firm, including: special events, tours/ticketing/transportation, sales and production.  Meeting with prospective clients, development and implementation of multi-day programs, contracting vendors, reviewing company contracts and payrolls, and the supervision of sales representatives and employees.

1985-Present


President and CEO, MARK SONDER MUSIC, INC.  [incorporated in the State of New York]  As an award winning national entertainment agency, Mark Sonder Productions is the leader in designing headline entertainment and production services for large venues, corporations and associations. 
Talent Buyer for corporate and public events.  Responsibilities include meeting with prospective clients, development and implementation of marketing programs, contracting musicians, and the supervision of sales representatives and employees.

 

MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

1979-Present


Musical Producer for Les Musiques de Broadway, the late Bobby Short, EH Drifters, Marvelettes, CG Coasters, Platters, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Phil Vassar, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Randy Crawford, Ronnie Milsap, Otis Day & The Knights, Blondie, Tony Bennett, Blood Sweat & Tears, Eddie Money, Lisa Loeb, John Mayer, Larry Carlton, Diana DeGarmo, Jeremy Hotz, and others nationwide and abroad.  Guest Conductor with The NYC Big Band and Les Musiques de Broadway.  Worked live in concert with numerous Artists…
(see Performance Experience: Shows Artists in Concert).

 

FACULTY

2006-Present                         
The University of Nevada at Las Vegas;
The George Washington University;
Stratford University;
The University of the West Indies (Trinidad);
Northern Virginia Community College

Fall 2007                                 On-line Instructor, University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV),  Bachelor’s Degree Program, instructing: Entertainment Production and Operations Management.

2006-Present                          Industry Mentor,  To share my experience, insight and to provide guidance to those in the event industry.

2006-Present                          On-line Instructor, University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV),  Bachelor’s Degree Program, instructing: Entertainment On The Road.

2005-Present                          Guest Lecturer, Author and Developer of course, University of the West Indies, Trinidad,  School of Business, Master’s Degree Program, instructing: Event Entertainment and Production.

2005-Present                          Adjunct Professor, The George Washington University,  Event & Destination Management Certificate Program, instructing: Starting, Growing and Managing Your Event Management Business.

2004-Present                          Lecturer, Author and Developer of course, Stratford University,  Event Management Certificate Department, instructing Event Risk Management

2004-Present                          Adjunct Professor, Author and Developer of course, The George Washington University,  Event & Destination Management Certificate Program, instructing: Event Entertainment and Production.

2004-Present                          Assistant Professor, Author and Developer of course, Northern Virginia Community College,  Instructing: Entertainment Management for the Meeting & Event Professional; Travel & Tourism School

2004                                        Lecturer, Author and Developer of course, The George Washington University,  Event Entertainment Mgt for the MBA/MTA degree program, School of Business.

2004                                        Guest Lecturer, Temple University,  School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, “Meeting and Event Entertainment Production.”

2003-2005                               Honorary Chairman for Virginia, Business Advisory Council,  The National Congressional Committee

2003-2005                               Guest Lecturer, George Mason University,  Event Management Department, “Hiring Headline Entertainment,” and “Managing Risk for Events.”

2003-Present                          Trustee, Frank Vagnozzi Music Foundation,  To develop and nurture musicians, bands, artists, poets and their venues for live performances to reach the youth of today.

2003-Present                          Member, CIMPA Advisory Board,  Connected International Meeting Professionals Association

1999-2003                               Instructor The George Washington University:
Instructing: Risk Management: Financial, Legal, and Ethical Safeguards; and Starting, Growing Your Own Event Management Business; and Guest Lecturer in Event Coordination in The Event Management Certificate Program, School of Business and Public Management.
Guest Lecturer Master’s of Tourism Administration courses, as well as in the Undergraduate Division:

  • Conference and Exposition Management
  • Entertainment Coordination
  • Event Coordination
  • Introduction To Tourism & Hospitality Mgt
  • Event Management

2001                                        Co-Faculty Supervisor, The George Washington University.  “Carnivale:  A Case Study”.  Supervised students studying international citywide events in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, S.A.

1999                                        Appointed to a panel of industry professional as a Judge for Event Solutions Magazine Annual Spotlight Awards

1992-1997
                                    Adjunct Professor.  New York University:
Instructing: Music Marketing; Music & Entertainment Management for Meeting Planners; and Event Marketing
                                                Meeting and Conference Management Certificate Dept.
1994-1997                               Sports, Entertainment & Event Marketing Certificate
1992-1994                               Tourism and Travel Diploma Department

WRITING EXPERIENCE

1990-Present
Author: Book, Event Entertainment and Production.  Translated and published in Russia.  Copyright 2006.

Author: Book, Event Entertainment and Production.  448 pages.  Publisher, Wiley & Sons, NYC.  Copyright 2004.  (Note: this book has become the bible for the industry and at many higher education institutions).

Author. Chapter entitled, Music: The Universal Language, Master Publications Copyright 1994 and 1996 from the book "ISES Gold" (first and second editions).

Major Contributor: to the book “Made It: Interviews with Event Professional Success Stories.” The secrets of 7 of the most successful and well known Event, Tourism, and Hospitality professionals.  Copyright 2007.  Author:  Mathew Gonzalez.  Other success stories feature: Lena Malouf; David Tutera; Mike Roman; John Daly; Dr. Joe Goldblatt and Colja Dams.

Contributor: to the booklet The Ultimate Checklist (Entertainment / Production) by James C. Monroe, CMP, CSEP.  Copyright 2005.

Contributor: for the book: Special Events: Event Leadership for a New World (4th Edition) by Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP, Wiley & Sons Publisher, Copyright 2004

Contributor: to chapter 9 for the book Professional Event Coordination by Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP, published by Wiley, Copyright 2004.

Contributor: to chapter on “Contract Management” for the book The International Guide: Corporate Event Project Management by O’Toole/Mikolaitis,.  Published by Wiley, Copyright 2003.

Published Articles:

  • American Entertainment Magazine (Jan/Feb 2007; Nov/Dec 2006; Jan/Feb 2006; July/August 2004)
  • Association Executive Magazine
  • Backstage
  • Campus Event Professionals (July ’05 Cover Story; May ‘04;)
  • Club Management Magazine
  • ConventionSouth Magazine (Feb, May, June, 2003)
  • Events Education Newsletter (November 28, 2006 cover story; November 2, 2006 cover story; February 1, 2006; November 17, 2005; July 15, 2005; October 26, 2004; October 12, 2004 issues)
  • Event Solutions Magazine (November 2004; Cover Photos July 2004; Cover Photo and Cover Story October 2002
  • EventWorld (Special Events Magazine) April 2005 Part 1; May 2005 Part 2
  • EventWeb Newsletter (Front Page 01/17/03)
  • Exhibitor's Guide to Convention and Trade Show Services/Las Vegas
  • Facility Manager (October/November 2004)
  • Hospitality Net (January 27, 2003)
  • Hotel Online (January 2003)
  • Inside Hotel Online Today (January 17, 2003)
  • Inside ISES
  • Meeting & Destination News (MadNews Volume II,  Volume II, Edition XXIII (Cover Story Nov. 9, 2006)
  • Meeting & Conference Executives Alert
  • MP-World (Cover Story December 2002)
  • Meeting Planners International Website, First published article on MPI’s Message Board.  Full-Time Faculty vs. Working Industry Personnell.  June 2007.
  • Meeting Professionals International GNY Newsletter – regular column entitled “Mr. Music”
  • Meeting Professionals International Potomac Chapter Newsletter (Featured Article October 2005)
  • Mid-Atlantic/Tri-State Events Magazine
  • National Association of Consumer Shows: NACS Show Producer (January/February 2004)
  • National Hotel Executive (June 2003)
  • Performance Magazine
  • ShowBusiness News
  • Successful Meetings (February 2004)
  • TotalProduction US (March 2004)

 

Interviewed for Articles:

  • Agent & Manager/Facilities
  • BizBash (print issue Spring 2003; editorials 3/19/05, 12/7/01, 12/5/01))
  • Celebrity Access, Industry News Top Stories November 16, 2006; Rave Reviews Spring 2006
  • Club Executive (March/April 2003)
  • Corporate Meetings and Incentives (June 2005)
  • Encore: The Weekly Performance Industry Magazine, Agency & Management News, November 16, 2006
  • Event Solutions (October 2004)
  • Incentive
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings and Destinations News (MadNews), Star of the Week, Vol.1 Edition 7, November 16, 2005
  • Meeting News
  • Pro Sound News (January, 2006)
  • Special Events Magazine (July 2003 cover story)
  • Successful Meetings Magazine (June 2003 cover story).
  • Tradeshow Executive (November 2005)
  • Tradeshow Week (June 2, 2003)
  • Update Meetings (The Magazine of Southwest Airlines)

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), Member
International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers (IACEP),
2004 Founding Member through present
Mkting/Communications Committee, chair 2006-07
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), Member
International Special Events Society (ISES)
1987 Founding Member through 2005
2000-2003 – Int’l Board of Governors, Elected
2000-2002 – Board of Directors, Washington DC Chapter, Elected
1999-2005 Member, Washington DC Chapter
1993 First group to be awarded the CSEP, Toronto, Canada
1990-1992 President, NY Metropolitan Chapter
1989-1991 Newsletter Publisher and Editor, NY Metropolitan Chapter
Meeting Professionals International
1999-Present Member, Potomac Chapter
1993-1999 Member, Greater New York Chapter
National Association of Orchestra Leaders, Member

SCREEN and TV APPEARANCES

The Money Talk Show            Financial News Network FNN
Good Day New York            Fox Television 5 in NY City
The Money Pit            Universal Pictures Major Motion Picture
The Crook & Chase Show            The Nashville Network (TNN)
New York Now                        Time Warner Cable System

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

1990-Present
“Hiring Headline Entertainment for Meetings and Events” for Harrah Hotel College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Webinar Series, October 2007
“Hiring Headline Entertainment” for the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I), Baltimore, MD, March 2007
“The Production Pow-Wow – Corporate Event Production Roundtable” for EventPro Forum, Las Vegas, NV, facilitator, March 2007
“Event Entertainment and Production” for the University of the West Indies, visiting lecturer, Trinidad, June 2006
“The Production Pow-Wow – Corporate Event Production Roundtable” for EventPro Forum, Las Vegas, NV, facilitator, March 2006
“Selecting, Coordinating and Contracting Event Production and Entertainment Vendors for Headline Entertainment” ISES NY Chapter, New York City, February 2006
“Booking Entertainment” ISES Expo 2005, Washington DC, panelist, November 2005
“Event Risk Management” CSEP Study Group Lecture Series, Falls Church, VA, November 2005
“Event Entertainment and Production” for the University of the West Indies, visiting lecturer, Trinidad, July 2005
"How to Hire Headline Entertainment " for George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, April 2005
“An Event to Remember:  Achieving Extraordinary Results” for the International Special Events Society (ISES), Syracuse, NY, January 2005
“Hiring Headline Entertainment” for The Washington DC ISES Expo, Bethesda, MD, November 2004
“Event Entertainment and Production” for Affordable Meetings National Conference, Washington DC, September 2004
“Booking Entertainment” for Sports and Events Marketing Experience (SEME), Washington DC, April 2004
"Entertainment Production" for Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, March 2004
"Reducing Risk:  Assessment, Intervention, and Control" for George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, March 2004
Keynote Speaker "Emerging Trends in the Event Production Industry" for the EventPro Forum, Palm Beach, FL, February 2004
"Putting the MULTI in Multi-Use Stadiums" for the International Stadium Management Conference (ISMC), Houston, TX, panelist, January 2004
“Hiring Headline Entertainment” for the Country Club Show, Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 2003 (show cancelled)
“Hiring Headline Entertainment” for the White Tablecloth Show, Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 2003 (show cancelled)
“Crisis Management:  What to do When the Worst Happens” for George Washington University, MTA Program, Washington, DC, October 2003
“Hiring Headline Entertainment” for George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, September 2003
"Learn How to Increase and Enhance your Show Attendance with Headline Entertainment" for TH!NKagain The Business of Meetings 2003, Washington DC, May 2003
"Risk Management" for The Special Event, Orlando, FL, January 2003
"Creating Memorable Special Events" for Affordable Meetings, Washington DC, September 2002
"100 Hot Entertainment Hints” for Event Solutions Expo, Miami Beach, FL, Panelist, August 2002
"How to Theme an Event”, panelist, for the Association of Meeting Professionals, Reston, VA, April 2002
"Managing Multiple Events Profitably" with Ginger Kramer, for The Special Event, Phoenix, AZ, January 2002
"So What’s Your Plan? Going Beyond Risk Management; Crisis Mitigation" for The Special Event, Phoenix, AZ, January 2002
"George Washington University (GWU) Seminar, Risk Management " for The Special Event, Phoenix, AZ, January 2002
“GWU Mini Course:  Financial, Legal & Ethical Safeguards in Special Events” for Event Solutions Expo, St. Louis, MO, August 2001
  “Introduction To Tourism and Hospitality Management” Industry Official for on-line distance learning chat room, Undergraduate Division, The George Washington University, Washington DC, July, 2001
“Entertainment Event Management & Marketing” Guest Lecturer for Master’s Program School of Business, The George Washington University, Washington DC, May, 2001
“Conference and Exposition Management for International Meetings” for on-line distance learning for Master’s of Tourism Administration, The George Washington University, Washington DC, April and May, 2001
“7 Habits of Highly Effective Event People” for The Event Management Student Society, George Washington University, Washington DC, March 2001
“CSEP Track:  Risk Management” for The Special Event, New Orleans, LA, January 2001
“7 Habits of Highly Successful Event People” for Event Solutions Expo, Atlanta, GA, August 2000
“CSEP Track:  Risk Management” for Event Solutions Expo, co-speaker with Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP, Atlanta, GA, August 2000
“Hiring Celebrity Artists” for Event Solutions Expo, Atlanta, GA, August 2000
“CSEP Track: Risk Management” for ISES Center for Professional Development, Tucson, AZ, August 2000
"Managing Multiple Events Profitably" for The Special Event, San Diego, CA, January 2000
“CSEP Track:  Risk Management” for The Special Event, San Diego, CA, January 2000
"Creating Special Events for Meetings" for Affordable Meetings, Washington DC, September 1999
"Let Me Entertain You" for ISES Center for Professional Development, Washington DC, August 1999
"Music and Entertainment Management" for GW University's Master’s Degree Program, Washington DC, June 1999 (guest lecturer)
"Making Money and Cutting Costs" for The George Washington University's Career Fair and Seminar, Washington DC, March 1999
"Why You Should Use A Corporate Entertainment Company to Book Your Talent" for The Special Event, Orlando, FL, January. 1999
  “How Destination Management Company’s Move People” for the ISES Center for Professional Development, Atlanta, GA, August 1998
“Meeting and Special Event Planning for Associations” for the New York Society of Association Executives, New York, March 1998
“Matching The Music To The Attendees” for Event Solutions Expo, Baltimore, MD, July 1997
"Music & Entertainment Management for Meeting Professionals," Yankee MPI, Hartford, CT, Oct. ‘96
  “How To Plan A Special Event” for New York University guest lecture series, March 1996
  "Music & Event Management for Meeting Professionals," at the 1995 MPI World Education Congress, Chicago, June, 1995
Strategic Marketing of Seminars, Conferences & Expositions, (repeat of last year's seminars) New York, October 1994
"Increase The Effectiveness of Your Meeting Marketing Through Cost Conscious Entertainment" and "Music Licensing" at the 18th Annual Strategic Marketing of Seminars, Conferences & Expositions, Washington DC, October 1993
"Creating, Executing & Evaluating A Special Event" for MPI Hartford, CT, Hartford, October 1993
"Music for a Song" at Affordable Meetings, Chicago, Sept. 1993
Moderator for "Special Event Planning" at The 13th National Conference For Women In Business, New York, April 1993
Advanced course in Entertainment Marketing at New York University (guest lecturer, 1992-93)
"Working With Outside Suppliers: Getting What You Need At A Price You Can Afford" Meeting World '92
  "Music Licensing Responsibilities" Mtg World ’92 & ‘91
  Moderator for "Event Planners & Mtg Planners 1990-93
"Music LicensingHow, Why, When?" for The Annual Interactive Roundtables '91.
Advanced Practices in Meeting and Conference Management at New York University (guest lecturer, 1990-91)

 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

1978-1993

Studio Recordings

Recording sessions for TV and radio jingles, TV themes, and industrial films for top music production houses, whose clients have included:

ABC-NYC Marathon                        Mighty Dog Dog Food
ABC Soap-"Loving"                        National Car Rental
American Airlines                        National Geographic
Burger King                                    NBC-NFL
Chevrolet                                    Northwest Airlines
Diet Coke                                    TAB
Fruit Rolls                                    Timex
Getty Oil                                    Toyota
MasterCard                                    …and many, many more

Shows: Artists In Concert

the late Peter Allen                        the late Peggy Lee
Bacharach/Sager                        Melissa Manchester
Tony Bennett                                    Anthony Newley
David Benoit                                    Bernadette Peters
Cher                                                the late Eddie Rabbitt
Damone/Diahann                        the late Nelson Riddle
the late Sammy Davis Jr.            Linda Ronstadt
5th Dimension                                    the late Frank Sinatra
Englebert                                    Connie Stevens
Lena Horne                                    Andy Williams

Broadway Theatre                       Gypsy, St. James Theatre, New York City
                                    Sugar Babies, Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York City

Classical                                Engagements have included:
Asolo Opera Company, Sarasota, Florida
Soloist, Great Neck Symphony (New York)
National Ballet of Marseille Orchestra (On tour/New York)
Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, the Christmas Show
The late Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra on tour with Linda Ronstadt (What’s New Tour)
The late Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra on tour with Betty Hutton

EDUCATION

1978-1980                               Private Horn studies with the late Carmine Caruso

1974-1979                               Manhattan School of Music
                                                Master of Music (M.M.) 1979, studies with Martin Smith
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) 1978, studies with the late Arthur Berv

 

HONORS or AWARDS

Best Production Company for American Entertainment Magazine's 2006 Readers Choice Award, nominated
Holds record for the Most Amount of Headline Entertainment Acts Produced for a Corporate Event (12), New York, NY, October 2005
Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), re-certified 2005
Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, by The National Register, 2005-2006, listed
First person to author a full length book solely on music, entertainment and production for the meeting and event industries, published 2004
National Leadership Award as Honorary Chairman for Virginia, Business Advisory Council, by The National Congressional Committee, given by the Congressional Majority Leader, 2003
Best Special Event Planning under $100,000 Super Six Award by Successful Meetings Magazine, 2003, awarded
Best Public Events Planner Award by the International Special Events Society in Washington DC, 2003, nominated
Best Entertainment Producer Spotlight Award by Event Solutions Magazine, 2003, nominated
Best Entertainment Production ESPRIT Award by the International Special Events Society, 2001, nominated
Best Technical Production ESPRIT Award by the International Special Events Society, 2001, nominated
Best Entertainment Producer by the International Special Events Society in Washington DC, 2001, nominated
Best Entertainment Producer by the International Special Events Society in Washington DC, 2000, nominated
Best Technical Producer by the International Special Events Society in Washington DC, 2000, nominated
  Certified Special Events Professional, re-certified 1998
Meeting Professional International's 1995 and 1994 Supplier of the Year, nominated
  Certified Special Events Professional awarded 1993
Listed ‘95 edition: Sterling's Who's Who Executive Edition
Listed ‘93 edition: Who's Who of Global Business Leaders
Listed ‘92 edition: Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans
International Special Event Society (ISES) Award for Presidential Excellence 1992
Meeting Professionals International Certificate of Appreciation '95, '93,'91,'90
ISES Award of Merit 1990

CONTINUING EDUCATION

1987-Present
Continued Education in a list extremely deep of local, regional, national and international attendance at shows and seminars for the meeting, hospitality and entertainment industries, as both a registrant and speaker.

FAMILY

1999-Present                          Mr. Sonder resides with his wife Roxanne and ferret Blizzard in northern Virginia.

Last update:  September 12, 2007