What started out as a need to fill the void in corporate branding has metamorphosed, 20 years later, as the leading entertainment events company — Main Event Entertainment Group (MEEG).

On Thursday, January 9, the company commemorated its milestone while also recognising staff members with a luncheon and awards ceremony at National Indoor Sports Centre.

MEEG was founded by Richard Bair, chief operating officer, and Solomon Sharpe, chief executive officer.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer during the commemorative event, Bair explained how the idea for the company came about.

“We [Sharpe and Bair] started out of RAS Promotions (events promotion company), and there was a void in corporate branding. Main Event is more of a marketing company versus an execution company,” Bair explained.

Main Event has worked with several corporate entities and entertainment events through the years, among them are Digicel Rising Stars, Observer Food Awards, Lost in Time Music Festival, I Love Soca, Reggae Sumfest, Twisted Spirits, YUSH, Major Lazer concert, Rumfest, Mouttet Mile, and the Jamaica Public Service Company.

Bair spoke about the company’s journey.

“It has been very rocky, ups and downs like everything else, but mostly positive. It is a lot of stressful work, which is the nature of the business when you’re doing corporate work. It is challenging and rewarding at times, but I would do it all over again,” Bair shared.

The company employs more than 350 people spread across full-time and contract staff.

“Entertainment is a huge industry worldwide and it is exciting. So if you think of a university graduate who can be in an exciting role versus sitting around a desk doing a 9-5, and they can earn the same or more, I think they’ll choose entertainment. We’ve had students who are lawyers who prefer to do this; it’s exciting, it’s the drive, it’s the creativity,” Bair reasoned.

The chief operating officer is proud of the impact the group has had on skills development in the entertainment industry.

“It’s a great feeling to impact people’s lives. It’s a very gratifying feeling, knowing that you can give back to someone’s life. A lot of our staff members have gone on to do other things, and we support them,” Bair said.

Chairman of the board of management Ian Blair spoke about the company’s evolution.

“There have been difficult times, and what we see now is the culmination of perseverance and teamwork that very few small companies exhibit such qualities. As a consultant, I have worked with a lot of companies. But there is a dynamic to this particular company. I have worked with the founders and senior management for a very long time. I provide a level of guidance and a sort of rational look without emotions to how a company should run. And I have had, at times, to insist that if you’re going to be a good company you have to adhere to a certain level of corporate governance, and that is what I see, in particular, this company’s ability to learn… to accept that they need to improve, and I find it rewarding,” said Blair.

Brianne Irons, a recent university graduate, has been with the company for the past ten months. She has been pleased with being able to utilise her skills in an exciting way.

“I decided to work with Main Event because I do have a passion for, as our vision statement says, delivering phenomenal experiences. When I studied at The University of the West Indies I did a degree in integrated marketing communications and, as a part of that degree programme, they also allowed us to do event management and curate creative experiences. So, based on my passion for that in my field of studying, as well as working in the events industry before, this led me to Main Event. This is a family oriented environment, so I felt like a valuable member of the team from my first day on the job,” said Irons, who works as an account executive at the company’s western headquarters.

Assistant Vice-President of Logistics and Field Operations Glendon Phillips has been with the company since its inception. He was recognised for his contribution to the company.

“How it started out, I had a trucking company and Solomon and Richard used to keep events under RAS Promotions, and one day they contracted my truck to take some products to the event for them. Since then they would often use me to do other things for them and one day, out of the blue, Solomon just called me and said he liked how I worked at the time, and he’s starting a business, and he wanted me to come among them,” Phillips recalled.

Said Phillips: “The journey has been great, we have seen the landscape changing and it is more competitive now, but we are still the number one company doing what we do.”

Reshima Kelly Williams, marketing manager, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has utilised the services of Main Event during her roles at three different companies.

“The is my fourth corporate with Main Event and it has been an honour to have them a part of my career journey,” said Williams who worked with the company during her stints at National Commercial Bank, Red Stripe, Digicel, and now at JPS.

She added: “What I can appreciate about working with the team is that I get creative concepts that allow the brand to stand out. Congratulations on their 20th anniversary and I look forward to doing more impactful projects with the team.”

Charmaine Daniels, head of Digicel Foundation, for her part, added: “Wow! I can’t believe it’s 20 years of Main Event. From introducing digital signage to creating touch walls and learning Scala. You have served us with cutting edge technology and enhanced our experiences; whether we are building stores, lobbies, or partying. Thank you for your dedication to serve and for setting the bar on what it means to be truly extraordinary.”

Glendon Phillips with his award for 20 years of service to the company.

Brianne Irons, who has been with Main Event for 10 months.

Main Event staff celebrating after the company’s listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on February 8, 2017. Main Event

The Main Events-executed Urban Development Corporation’s New Year’s show on Ocean Boulevard, Kingston waterfront, continues to draw large crowds. Main Event

Main Event CEO Solomon Sharpe (in orange) is flanked by his mega-plus team.

The well-appointed The Best Dressed Chicken booth executed by Main Event — home to Patsy Lyn Caterers Ltd, Sonia’s Homestyle Cooking and Manzil, East Meets West Asian restaurant — at an edition of the Jamaica Observer Food Awards. (Karl Mclarty)

CEO of Main Event Solomon Sharpe greets keynote speaker Gary Peart, chairman, Supreme Ventures, at the recent event at National Indoor Sports Centre. (Naphtali Junior)