BRINGING A LITTLE HEART TO A NIGHT ON THE TOWN…

Soirée Events hosts a variety of events at the trendiest of venues, toasting some of New York’s finest non-profit organizations. Our events attract people interested in a night on the town while making the world a better place.

From launch parties and young professionals' benefits to galas and food and wine tastings, we specialize in producing events to raise funds and awareness for non-profit organizations (that don’t have the time or resources to do it themselves). An organization can participate as a beneficiary of an upcoming Soirée event or have its fundraiser planned entirely by Soirée.

We offer passionate and personalized client service and produce high-quality events that are sophisticated, fun, and up on the latest trends.

Danielle Scherman, Founder & President
From Hawaii to Manhattan, I moved 6,000 miles from one island to another to leave my sleepy beach town and make it big in the city that never sleeps. Born and raised in Hawaii, I broke into public relations and events as a glorified secretary at a PR firm in Honolulu after attaining a B.A. from the University of Hawaii. Fortunately, the firm was small, the clients were big, and it wasn’t long before I was working on some of the most exciting events to hit Oahu. Hawaii is my home and I had lived there all of my life, but I knew I was getting too big for the Islands. I needed more people, more excitement, and more challenges.

In 2002, I took a leap of faith – across the Pacific Ocean and continental United States – first stop: Washington D.C. After attaining an Event Management Certificate at George Washington University and with some great events under my belt, I knew I was ready for the Big Apple.

Within months of arriving in Manhattan, I was working as the Communications and Special Events Director for a non-profit organization called the Israel Humanitarian Foundation, and had the opportunity to conceptualize and execute seven major events, including a tennis tournament, young professionals' benefits, fashion shows and a gourmet food and wine tasting.

After learning about New York’s event industry, I realized there was a gap and I set out to fill it. In 2003, I began building an event association known as New York Event Planners LLC (NYEP). NYEP is a free e-mail-based discussion group for event professionals in New York. It allows them to network with each other in a non-solicitous forum. With thousands of members, NYEP is a forum to ask questions, exchange event-related tips, solve problems, and post job announcements to nearby colleagues with one quick e-mail. NYEP is a great fit with my other business venture: an event planners' dream Web site (www.EventHeadQuarters.com).

After coming halfway around the world, I have found my niche in event planning in New York City’s busy market. Event planning jives with my energy, vision, passion, and insatiable appetite for social situations, and that is how Soirée Events was born.

Hope Clements, Vice President
Special events and non-profit organizations are my two loves, and together they can be a powerful force to bring people together, build awareness, and create change. For more than seven years, I have been dedicated to the non-profit industry, using my skills and talents to develop and raise funds for charitable causes via special events, major gifts, corporate underwriting, and annual and workplace-giving campaigns.

My passion for non-profits began in college. I worked for City Harvest and was inspired by its mission and the impact it was making. A Wall Street law firm snatched me up after graduation, but I eventually emerged from the piles of litigation files and returned to more rewarding work organizing large-scale multi-day walk-a-thons and bike rides for breast cancer awareness and AIDS services.

A desire for more adventure led me to Hawaii in 2000. My incredible experience in Honolulu encompassed leading major fundraising campaigns for the Aloha United Way as well as extensive freelance work for an event design and production company. By day, I was charged with raising $3 million from local corporations and individuals; by night and on the weekends, I crafted event décor and handled event logistics for fashion shows, weddings, parades, corporate parties, and private events held at the most prestigious venues on the islands.

Eventually, New York City beckoned me home. I returned to the mainland to participate in George Washington University’s Event Management program and then continued on to serve as a special events manager for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, coordinating a yearlong series of fundraising events – galas, walk-a-thons, concerts, food and wine tastings, kick-off events, trainings, sporting events, and even a Ferrari-Maserti rally.

Most recently, I have served as a consultant to help non-profits improve their fundraising abilities and expand their network of donors. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Groove With Me in New York City.