Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/889663
www.HartfordBusiness.com • October 23, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 19 Powerstation Events turns fantasy into reality By Carol Riordan Special to the Hartford Business Journal A floating ice queen welcomed guests to last year's winter gala for Waterbury's St. Mary's Hospital. High above the entry- way, the larger-than-life image greeted attendees by name and interacted with them as they walked into the party. Like the great and powerful Wizard of Oz, event organizers were stationed in a booth behind the scenes, identifying people through a video monitor. "It really wowed the crowd," said Power- station Events founder and CEO Al Vagnini. "They couldn't believe that the person was talking to them." Immersive events are a Powerstation specialty. Company staff orchestrated every aspect of the evening — from the frosted branches and ambient blue lighting of the decor to the video screens, sound systems and entertainment for the evening. "Our production division handles large- scale events and arena events," said Vagnini. No matter where you live in the state, chances are you've attended one of their events. Powerstation is the official in-house production provider to the XL Center in Hartford as well as Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Everything you see and hear at the Travelers Cham- pionship and Hartford Marathon is done by Powerstation. "The staging, the sound, the jumbotrons, the cameras, all that video content — we produce it," Vagnini said. Company co- founders Vagnini and Jon Marsh were high school friends who bonded over their passion for playing and producing mu- sic. After graduation, Vagnini trained as a sound engineer and audio technician while Marsh worked as a DJ. In 1983, the duo combined forces to start Powerstation Events. "Michael Jackson and Madonna were big back then," said Vagnini. "Bands couldn't reproduce that sound accurately so DJs became the entertainment of choice for parties and wedding receptions." Powerstation moved from Waterbury to Naugatuck and then to Middlebury as it grew. When the company started to branch off into different areas of event services such as video production and photography, it moved its headquarters to Cheshire in 2002. They reno- vated their 16,000-square-foot facility in 2015. It includes meeting spaces for clients and workshop space with 30-foot ceilings. "That's where the magic happens," said Vagnini. "We have everything we need to build an event — from trussing, stag- ing and fabrics to lighting and sound." Vagnini said the business has been built on a combina- tion of talent and technical exper- tise. "Our top DJ is celebrating 30 years with the company," he said. "He does some of the most high-level functions in Connecticut." When he's not out entertain- ing, he works at Powerstation producing music, company advertising and doing voiceovers for the firm's commercial work. The opportunity for advancement draws people to the company and keeps them there. Amanda Vagnini was hired in 2005 as a receptionist and is now senior director of operations. She opened the design and decor division in 2010. "We started with weddings and have moved into the big corporate functions," she said. "We carry a theme throughout the entire event." The company is known for going the extra mile for clients — often literally. Powerstation saved a wedding at the Hilton Hartford during the October snowstorm of 2011 after the DJ from another company cancelled due to the weather. All the guests were staying at the hotel and they still had power. I-84 was about to close when the events manager called. "We had a bulldozer plow the way to the warehouse and we put all the sound equip- ment in a Jeep," said Al Vagnini. "My son Christopher went out and did the wedding." The number of Powerstation employees has increased by 30 percent this year. "We've ex- panded across the board, hiring everyone from front-office staff to DJs, decor, technical crew and administrative staff," said Al Vagnini. The company also added to its fleet of corporate vehicles and opened a floral design division. Al Vagnini and his wife Liz LaCava, senior director of business development, are be- ing honored this year with the first-ever Sparkling Possibilities Award from HARC, an organization that supports people with intellectual disabilities. The list of charitable causes the family supports is extensive. "Most nonprofits center a large number of their fundraising efforts around events. We donate our services to a number of orga- nizations," he said. Al Vagnini describes the workplace as unconventional. "The atmosphere is very familial. You're one of us, right away." Amanda and Christopher Vagnini met while working at Powerstation and are now married and expecting a baby. "A girl," Al Vagnini adds proudly. "She'll be the third generation at Powerstation Events." Powerstation Events Headquarters: Cheshire Industry: Event production Year Founded: 1983 Founder: Al Vagnini with co-founder Jon March Generation Currently Running Company: First No. of Full-Time Employees: 34 No. of Part-Time Employees: 36 Family Members Currently Employed at Company: Al Vagnini, President/CEO; Chris Vagnini, Event Specialist, DJ, Al's son; Amanda Vagnini, Sr. Director of Operations, Chris' wife, Al's daughter-in-law; Liz Lacava, Sr. Director of Business Development, Al's better half; Alexis Prieto, Salon Manager, Liz's daughter; Rich Gumpert, Sr. Director of Event Sales, Al's brother-in-law; Steven Bennet, Facilities Manager, Amanda's stepfather Company Website: powerstationevents.com "We've expanded across the board, hiring everyone from front- office staff to DJs, decor, technical crew and administrative staff." Al Vagnini , President & CEO, Powerstation Events (Top) Powerstation employees working at an event (from left): Amanda Vagnini, David Rossi, Chris Savard, John Roper, Al Vagnini and Jim Manger. Powerstation employees at Amanda and Chris Vagnini's 2016 wedding. A newspaper clipping when Al Vagnini and John Marsh started the company. 1st Place Full Time Employees 25–75 FAMILY BUSINESS Awards