Keith Willard (President, Keith Willard Events llc) is a Broward-based event planner working “from concept to completion,” for social, business and non-profit occasions. Since his international launch of Nokia cell phones and their “Capital Market Day” in the 1990’s, Keith’s expertise has created everything from intimate dinners with a private chef to parties with thousands of participants for a gala at Madame Tussauds in London. He even created a ‘backyard barbecue’ for Mark Cuban that included a private concert by John Mellencamp. Keith’s recent clients include the duty-free company 3Sixty as well as Heeson Yachts, Roger Dubuis watches and hundreds of brides. Keith was the Director of Catering for Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour and One Bal Harbour. He was the senior catering manager for Hyatt Pier 66 and Silver Lining Catering; as well as a designer for Feature Presentations in Dallas. Those experiences help him negotiate with hotels and private venues, getting his clients the most for their money. Keith is an honorary Plank owner on the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer the USS Jason Durham, bestowed upon him by the Navy at the commissioning of the ship. He is the President of NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) and worked as their social director last season. Keith is on the Advisory council member and rider for the Southern Most AIDs Ride from Miami to Key West for the Last 12 years – producing $1 million each year for charity, he’s a member of the Navy League of Ft. Lauderdale, Chair, Stars of the Rainbow gala, which honors community and political leaders, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Role Model of the Year award from the Texas Triangle Publication; a Member, LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Greater Fort Lauderdale – a business focused; a member of Member, International Special Events Society