New Member Spotlight

Merryl Brown is the President of Merryl Brown Events LLC and specializes in producing elegant social events, corporate events, and weddings that are environmentally sensitive.

Merryl and her team look at every aspect of an event through a prism of sustainability to determine how to create something that is both gracious and green, simultaneously. They are known for their great attention to detail and incorporation of old world elegance with a modern twist. An important aspect of what they do is to help their clients find ways to reduce waste and enhance the sustainability profile of their events. They consider environmental responsibility at every step of the planning process, using local, organic, recycled, biodegradable, reusable or compostable materials wherever possible to make the event as low-waste as possible from start to finish without ever compromising the elegance or quality of the production.

Merryl comes to this work with a broad range of experience designing and producing parties, fashion shows, gala grand openings, corporate events, meetings, nonprofit events, lectures, and intimate dinners, each with its own special look and feeling. She formerly held the position of Director of PR and Events at Saks Fifth Avenue Santa Barbara, and served for two terms as a trustee of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, doing many of their high profile charitable events. She is a Lifetime Honorary Trustee of the beautiful botanical garden Ganna Walska Lotusland, which is renowned for its sustainable horticultural practices. While serving on that board, she both created and produced their signature event, Lotusland Celebrates for several years.

She is on the Board of Directors of The International Special Event Society (ISES), Ventura-Santa Barbara Chapter, and holds the position of Vice President of Education and Programs. She received the 2010 ISES Esprit Award Nomination for “Best Green Solution” for event planning. She was a Finalist in the category of Rising Star for the Event Solutions Spotlight Awards 2011. Merryl is also a certified Master Gardener. She has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and was formerly an International Banker with American Express Bank and Bankers Trust Company in New York. She is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish. She has lived in Montecito for 19 years with her husband Monte and two sons, Dryden and Winslow, and one giant tortoise named Jerry.

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