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Rock The House Adds 4 ISES Wow! Awards

April 30, 2015/in All Posts, Corporate Production, Disc Jockeys, Industry Professionals /by mhadder4561

Dale McDonald Photography

On Friday, April 17th, the who’s who of the local events industry congregated in Columbus, Ohio to celebrate the 4th Annual ISES Ohio WOW! Awards. Cameron Mitchell Premier Events hosted the assembly, and the Ivory Room of Downtown Columbus provided the illustrious setting. Representatives from more than 20 Ohio based event and entertainment groups and corporations were present.

ISES, which stands for the International Special Events Society, has a Cleveland chapter that’s been active since 2008. The 100 plus member organization hosts events throughout the year designed to help companies like Rock The House grow and expand their reach, all while giving back to the special events community.

Dale McDonald Photography

“Our events have allowed our members to learn more about how to market their business in the 21st century, how to explore green and organic options for more sustainable events, how to accommodate different ethnic and cultural traditions into their events, what trends to watch for in the future, and so much more!” – ISESCleveland.com

Dale McDonald Photography

Also, as with any business, ISES imparts the importance of networking and community outreach. With the multitude of representatives from like minded organizations always in attendance, these events provide a stage for just that. Representing Rock The House was Founder & CEO – Matt Radicelli, COO – Ryan Konikoff, and Executive Assistant to the CEO – Amy Van Duyne.

This year RTH proudly captured four WOW awards, including:

2015 Best Corporate Event with a budget over $150,000
2015 Best Social Event with a budget over $75,000
2015 Best Entertainment Production with a budget between $25,000 – $75,000
2015 Best ISES Event Volunteer Collaboration

“It was a pleasure to hang out with other members from the ISES Columbus and ISES Cincinnati chapters, and we were proud to bring four awards home for ISES Cleveland!” – Amy Van Duyne of Rock The House

The ISES Event Volunteer Collaboration recognition was bestowed upon Rock The House and some of their associates for an event called ‘A Mammoth Night of Networking.’ Rock The House partnered with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Event Source, Solus Lighting and Executive Caterers to make that night a huge success.

Rock The House also expresses a special congratulations to our sister company, Zone Entertainment, who came home with three additional WOW awards!

Over the years Rock The House has impressively collected 13 total ISES Ohio WOW! Awards. With the company rapidly growing, it doesn’t appear they’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Matt Radicelli Graduates Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses

December 19, 2013/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Education Never Stops

Congratulations to the Founder/Owner of Rock The House, Matt Radicelli, who graduated, along with 36 other small business owners, from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program this past Saturday, December 14, 2013. This program was created by Goldman Sachs as a $500 million program to unlock the growth and job-creation potential of 10,000 small businesses across the United States through greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. Through a partnership with the City of Cleveland’s Office of Economic Development, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), and the Goldman Sachs Foundation’s $15 million endowment, this program will directly impact the region’s economy in a variety of lasting ways.

During the past 12 weeks, Matt, along with a very diverse group of regional entrepreneurs, took classes across a gamut of management topics including HR, accounting, leadership, marketing, and negotiation with workshops curated by Goldman Sach’s team members. Matt was one of two graduates (along with Alec McClennan, president of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care) who were chosen by their peers to share their stories at Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Tri-C’s Advanced Technology Training Center. “My entire family both at home and at Rock The House were extremely supportive during the three month program”, says Matt. “I couldn’t have done it without their support and understanding. They are truly appreciated!”

Matt on the impact of the program on Rock The House:

“During one of the financial clinics, a quote was used on the video screen that said, ‘Anyone Who Can Be your Competitor, Can Be Your Partner’. That Ah-ha moment led to me offering to buy one of our competitors that very same day and we closed the deal to purchase Zone Entertainment 48 hours before I graduated from the program.”

“One of the most important roles of a leader is to spend a considerable amount of time on marketing and sales innovation. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program put me in a position where a regimented schedule gave me the opportunity to spend considerable amounts of time on the business.”

“All entrepreneurs have an inner need to create something from nothing or to continuously create and improve those around them. This program has helped to reinvigorate me and to remind me of the things that I really enjoy doing and that I need to delegate everything else.”

“The program allowed me to develop new contacts with other Cleveland-based entrepreneurs that also led to the creation of friendships with more than 40 people including my classmates and the program faculty and staff.” matt radicelli rock the house dis

For more information on the program, watch Goldman Sach’s video:

Rock The House Acquires Zone Entertainment

December 11, 2013/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Welcome To The Family

Photo by Making The Moment Photography on location at MOCA Cleveland

Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of Zone Entertainment, a boutique entertainment company specializing in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and school dances.

This announcement marks a significant benchmark in the history of both companies and is consistent with the goals and trajectories of their individual growth. Rock The House and Zone Entertainment have very similar beginnings making the perfect storm for this partnership. Both companies have shown mutual respect over the years with very open dialogue.

Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc. is the parent company that owns and operates the Rock The House, Selective Sound Entertainment, and now the Zone Entertainment brands within Northeast and Central Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

Rock The House, an industry leading event production and entertainment company has rapidly grown since its inception in 1999. Rock The House has been recognized by the International Special Events Society, CBC Magazine, SBN Magazine, and Today’s Bride Magazine for unparalleled creativity and commitment to world-class customer service.

Founded in 2006 by Jeff Dick, Zone Entertainment has quickly become an entertainment leader in Northeast Ohio specializing in youth-based social events. Throughout the past seven years, Zone Entertainment has achieved a dedicated clientele, including many of Northeast Ohio’s largest public and private educational institutions, and exceptional growth in the areas of Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations.

As a boutique entertainment company, Zone Entertainment has prided itself in its ability to custom tailor each event to meet their guests’ specific needs, an extensive staff training program, and groundbreaking creativity within the special-events market. None of that will change; Zone Entertainment will continue to operate as an independent brand within the Rock The House family of companies with Jeff Dick remaining as President and overseeing all day-to-day operations.

Photo by Making The Moment Photography on location at MOCA Cleveland

Rock The House will independently continue as an industry leader promoting the RTH-branded, youth-based events inclusive of educational events, Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and community events. Rock The House will also further its agenda to expand operations and design efforts within the Corporate/Non-profit, Wedding, Production, Rental, Retail, and Installation divisions of Rock The House.

While both brands will operate independently within their respective locations, this acquisition will lead to higher quality and increased efficiency for clients of both brands. Through an expansion of specialty products and services, shared operational resources, and combined creative collaboration, both Rock The House and Zone Entertainment look forward to continuing to exceed clients’ expectations and bring new and reimagined special-event concepts to our region.

Matt Radicelli, Founder/Owner of Rock The House:

“While participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, I saw an inspiring quote: ‘Anyone that can be your competitor, can be your partner’. Over the last several years, Jeff has built a first-class company that is well respected in the event community. We look forward to fostering Zone’s continued growth. All of our clients will benefit from this acquisition… more energy, more diversity, and more creativity.”

Jeff Dick, Founder/President of Zone Entertainment:

“Both Rock The House and Zone have extremely talented professionals on each crew and bringing the teams together will create an ultimate recipe for success, innovation, and opportunity.”

“Keeping our guests’ best interests in mind, we are excited to be able to offer all of the positives this collaboration has to offer, while keeping the personal touch the brand has become known for. Zone will now be able to further expand its offerings to include RTH-exclusive products and services, provide a larger backup network if/when needed, and accelerate growth of the Zone brand and quality with the added resources Rock The House has to offer.”

For More Information:

About this executing acquisition: Call Rock The House’s Marketing Director, Nick Borelli, at 440.232.7625 or e-mail him at [email protected]

About Rock The House: visit RTHGroup.com

About Zone Entertainment: visit ZoneCleveland.com

About

Rock The House Entertainment

Founded in 1999, Rock The House is a leading entertainment and production company located in Oakwood Village, Ohio. With 120 members on the team, the Rock The House family of companies produced over 1,000 corporate, non-profit, tradeshow, social, and educational events in 2013. Rock The House is known for its principles of creativity and world-class customer service.

Zone Entertainment

Founded in 2006 by Founder/President Jeff Dick, Zone Entertainment has established itself as one of the region’s premiere entertainment and production companies. Specializing in high-end and innovative Bar/Bat Mitzvah events and school dances, Zone continues to exceed its clients’ expectations.

Another Great Connector’s Choice Awards Presented by CBC magazine

April 11, 2011/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Once again, CBC magazine and The House of Blues pulled off an exemplary awards ceremony, celebration and networking opportunity for Cleveland’s fantastic group of event professionals:

Presented by Cleveland Business Connects (CBC) magazine, the Connectors Choice Awards (CCA) is an annual awards presentation that is dedicated to recognizing the best and brightest individuals and groups that represent the local corporate event-planning industry as well as the professional networking community. [Cleveland Business Connects ]

Rock that House was humbled, surprised and elated to have won Best Audio Visual Technical Support Company for the 2nd year in a row. Rock The House CEO, Matt Radicelli says:

Not to belittle last year’s awards, but this year the voting system was changed completely and only one vote per email address was allowed… It shows that there are real raving RTH fans as our vendors, and partners take notice of our hard work and dedication to our customers.

What does this award signify about the growth of Rock The House as a company? It shows that people see our presence and emergence into the event production world and recognize us less as just a DJ company. People may or may not know it, but RTH was born a DJ company in 1999, and over the past years have made great strides and grown rapidly in emerging markets such as corporate events and non-traditional audio/visual solutions.

Of course there is also much to say about the party itself. Everyone involved did a fantastic job. The House of Blues and CBC created an atmosphere which was exciting and energetic. The food was incredible and was only made better by fantastic service staff members. It was convenient to see so many of our partners, customers and friends in one place, it makes for very efficient networking and introducing potential business partnerships, which we in Cleveland really enjoy. Matt Radicelli says:

Besides hosting a fantastic awards presentation, it’s always a fantastic networking event chalk full of industry professionals, friends and fans alike. Regional Awards presentations are always great for that, sort of like a reunion of the area’s top vendors or at least the ones that are committed to excellence.

In his acceptance speach, Matt thanked Rock The House Production Manager, Ben Allison, for his hard-work and dedication to the RTH company culture and focus on offering fantastic A/V options while maintaining excellent customer- service.

Matt Radicelli - CEO with Ben Allison - Production Manager

What a worth-while experience for all regional event professionals. We anticipate seeing the same friendly faces , and also some newbies at next-year’s award celebration!

Connector’s Choice Award Winners – 2011

Images from Connector’s Choice Awards – 2011

A Night That Rocked

September 30, 2010/in All Posts, Photo Booth Rental /by mhadder4561

Tuesday August 24, 2010
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

By: Jessa (Goodworth) Hochman

On Tuesday, August 24, 2010 an outstanding selection of Event professionals came together at one rocking venue for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s annual Rock Star Night. While in the company of:
Ghost Light Productions
Something New Floral and Events
Fallon’s Photography
Event Source
L’Nique Linens
MVP Valet Services
Executive Caterers
SharpShooter Imaging
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Rock The House Entertainment
Vincent Lighting Systems

Upon arriving at the event, I was politely and energetically greeted by MVP Valet. They swiftly showed me onto a red carpet, provided by Event Source and I was on my way into this glamorous get-together. I was offered a drink – provided by Executive Caterers. According to Nick Borelli of Executive Caterers:

The introductory drink that each guest received was the Sparkling Hibiscus. I added San Pellegrino water to The Lounging Gourmet’s Hibiscus Elixir. The Lounging Gourmet, is a local company producing the best cocktail mixers I’ve ever had the pleasure trying. The reason we wanted to introduce everyone with a drink is because it really helps acclimate people to a room quickly. It’s a great welcoming gesture that creates a real V.I.P. feeling.

I certainly felt like a V.I.P. I checked in with security, and because of my journalistic mood, I asked each security guard, “Who was the coolest Rock Star you have met since you’ve been working here at the Rock Hall”. One said, “Alice Cooper – he is the nicest guy”. And the other told me, “I will never forget meeting Lady Gaga’s Dad – he’s so normal”.

I took the elevator upstairs to the café level where I found many of my event friends networking and meeting potential new clients. I found my co-worker, Jeff Kutz, from Rock The House, hanging out with Tyler from MVP Valet Services and Marci Izeman from Executive Caterers, discussing the fabulous food and drink provided by Executive Caterers.

As usual, I saw the gang from Event Source. I went through and tasted every hors d’oeurve and dessert with Rick Turner, a fun-loving foodie.

While Deb Hermann from Ghostlight Productions was taking a shot of tequila from a Rock The House shot glass, I found the hostess of the event – Anne Siegal with The Rock Hall with the MC of the night – RTH’s owner, Matt Radicelli.

I found two of the most charming men- Joe Mineo of Something New Floral and Events with Charles from Executive Caterers. Charles discussed how wonderful it was to see old friends and meet new clients, and Joe was anxiously waiting to recieve a temporary tattoo!
It was a wonderful night that made me fall more in love with Cleveland’s event industry. In addition to spending time at this first-class venue, all of the extra special touches- the valet service, the red carpet and the specialty drinks – made all in attendance feel like REAL Rock Stars.

*More photos to come shortly!

A Few Good Groomsmen

August 20, 2010/in All Posts, Photo Booth Rental, Weddings /by mhadder4561

By: Jessa Goodworth

This has been a crazy summer for RTH staff members. Of course, we work in events and every weekend is filled with them, but after being in business for 10 years, we have grown accustomed to having somewhat of a slow summer… a couple events here and there but mostly planning and plotting for the coming year’s busy season. This summer did not fall into the regular, “chill” category as, for the past 3 years, we have been launching a wedding marketing campaign and really enjoying our new roll as a Wedding DJ and Production Company – which left us performing, hosting and producing 75 weddings this summer.

Not only were we involved in planning these events as vendors, but many of our most recognizable EMCEE’s were also front and center at RTH produced weddings in other ways – rather than being a wedding vendor- They were members of The Bridal Party!

Matt Radicelli - Founder/Owner of Rock The House was honored at the wedding of long-time buddy, Travis Roe.

Jeff Kutz - Vice President of Sales - Rock The House helped out long-tim friend and event professional - Rick Smith Jr.

Tim Frankish – EMCEE and creative services manager, was approached by long-time friend and RTH wedding EMCEE – Kevin New to be honored as a groomsman.

In a sit-down interview with my fellow co-workers, I wanted to get the dirt on what being a Groomsman at a Rock The House event was like…

RTH – For each of your respective grooms, how long have you known the groom and how did you meet?

Matt – I’ve known Travis for 15 years. We met in HS, started working together after we graduated.

Jeff – I have known Rick for 5 plus years. We met while working an event together.

Tim – I meet my buddy Kevin when we were in middle school. That was about 13 years ago!

RTH – At the wedding that you were in, which vendors were used?

Matt – RTH DJ’d the wedding… it was at stambaugh auditorium… beautiful.

Tim – They used LCD photo and video for capturing their memories. Not sure about the limo service, it was very tight inside the limo…I think they tell people their bigger then they really are.

Jeff – LCD Photography, Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, Rock The House

RTH – What was it like, seeing RTH from a guest’s perspective?

Matt – Hard to contain myself… I notice everything. We did a great job and was proud to provide the products and services to a dear friend.

Tim – It was hard at first to relax…but after a few drinks and hitting the dance floor…I truly got to enjoy myself. I can honestly saw Rock The House is amazing at what we/they do!

Jeff – Amazing…not being biased. I had the time of my life!

RTH – Were you tempted at all, as a groomsmen, to get on the mic and do your thing?

Matt – Yes, and I did get on the mic once… couldn’t stop myself.

Tim – Not at all.

Jeff – Thought never crossed my mind!

RTH – What were you most impressed with as a groomsman in the wedding that you were in?

Matt – I was impressed by how much everyone danced and that the lighting was breathtaking.

Jeff – I was too busy having fun to notice!

Tim- The one thing that impressed me the much was how much thought my buddy and his wife put into the whole day. Everything was thought through…and carried out exactly how they wanted their special day. It truly is a lot of work…but in the end…it was exactly what they wished for!

Rock The House Wins a World Class Customer Service Award!

January 9, 2010/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

For the Rock The House Team, June 8, 2010 offered us a reason to celebrate. After a long and thorough application process, we were recognized at Smart Business Magazine’s 2010 World Class Customer Service Awards, presented by Metro Lexus. Rock The House staff members were thrilled to be guests at this prestigious event.

RTH full time staff members, Matt Radicelli, Jeff Kutz and Jessica Goodworth arrived in style during cocktail hour-where we were kindly greeted by old friends and people we had not yet met. While sipping on top-shelf beverages and taking bites of the fantastic finger food- provided by Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, we were also offered the opportunity to mix and mingle with other professionals with whom we don’t normally get to hang out with, such as:

Skoda Minotti

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Corporate College

Flique Creative

Le Chaperon Rouge

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

Your Teen Magazine

The awards ceremony consisted of hilarious banter between the hosts- Metro Lexus’s Dan Pyle and John R. DiJulius of The DiJulius Group. We enjoyed hearing them crack jokes, while watching behind-the-scenes video coverage of all of the companies’ interviews.

While only some Rock The House staff members were able to attend the event, all of us were on a mission this year to offer over-the-top customer service to our clients, colleagues and fellow staff members. We have developed a customer service system that is unheard of in our industry – if it’s not right… it’s free!

Matt Radicelli accepts award for, “No Risk” customer service

This new program that we implemented proved to be risky enough to win the, “No Risk” Customer Service award at the event! Congrats to Rock The House Staff members and thank you for all of your dedication and support.