Chavi Hertz, President Originally from Florida, Chavi Hertz and her family moved to Los Angeles in 1991 and it was there, in the Downtown marketplace, that Chavi found a dynamic, burgeoning “city of the future” growing out of a historically rich past. From her youth as a second generation holocaust survivor and into adulthood, Chavi’s life has been instilled with a profound appreciation for history, tradition, acts of remembrance, and the celebration of life’s pageants and passages. Her preservationist mindset and respectful regard for the people and the places who have gone before combined with her interest in real estate ultimately led her to the acquisition and restoration of the grand dame of Los Angeles’ historically significant, landmark properties, the Park Plaza Hotel. With the restoration of the Park Plaza’s magnificent architecture and facilities in full swing, Chavi quickly turned this stellar property into one of the most sought after locations for television and movie productions, weddings, corporate gatherings, and celebrations of all kinds. Shortly thereafter, Chavi formed a partnership with epicure, event planner, and owner of one of Los Angeles’ best known event coordination companies, “Great Presentations” - Ms. Connie Armijo. Together, Chavi and Connie launched the phenomenally successful Park Plaza Events - a comprehensive, full-service event coordination company with the Park Plaza Hotel as its splendid backdrop. Currently, Chavi and Connie are partnered in the creation of the “River Rock Ranch” experience which will debut in 2006. Chavi’s success as a business woman is renown. But, for Chavi, it is her role as a devoted mother and dedicated philanthropist that most defines her. Chavi’s personal mission statement is steeped in a reverence for human dignity, charity through action, disciplined hard work, and a strong code of ethics. It is this philosophy that led Chavi to make the Park Plaza Hotel facilities available to the Jewish Community for brides who would not otherwise be able to afford to have their wedding in such superlative surroundings…and it is this philosophy that continues to move Chavi in her award-winning work within her community and in her self-same commitment to excellence at Park Plaza Events. Connie Armijo, Vice President “…hats off to you Connie! The food was spectacular, the presentation creative…” - Adair Berndt, Director, Media Relations, LA Inc. “Thank you…for all your hard work…the event was a tremendous success…we could not have done it without you. You are a true professional.” - Kim Carey, Director of special Events, Columbia Tri Star Motion Picture Company, Academy Awards Gala “It was an unforgettable evening… You…are to be commended for the professionalism, attention to detail and customer focus exhibited in the development and execution of this historical event” - Michael D. Casswell, Director of Terminal Services, APL These are just a sampling of the enthusiastic accolades Connie Armijo has received in her twenty-five year career as one of Los Angeles’ premier event planners. Her talent for bringing wonderful people together around great food is legendary among her clients as well as her peers within the industry. Raised in a robust Sicilian family where the kitchen served as the heart and the hub of family life, Connie learned, early on, that food wasn’t just fuel, it was LOVE! From the simple sharing of their daily bread to the celebration of a Sicilian birth or wedding, there was never an occasion too small nor event too large for Connie’s family to embrace with full-tilt gusto. And it was here, in the family kitchen that Connie learned the value of family traditions, the joy of celebration, and the importance of holding a place of remembrance for the sweet, small things that define us. And, it is these same values that would later form the cornerstone of Connie’s event planning philosophy that “Family is whoever is at the table.” Eminently service-mined, Connie began her professional life in the early ’80’s as a Flight Attendant for PSA Airlines. Extensive travel, life experience, and work with all manner of people broadened Connie’s world view but at the core of her remained her love for the intimate gathering of friends and family. So, it was natural that, whenever an occasion would arise, Connie would respond by executing a brilliant brunch or dazzling dinner that inevitably garnered rave reviews from all in attendance. Word began to spread and demand for Connie’s party-giving expertise was in over-drive. It was then that Connie put her other interests aside to follow her personal mantra, “Do what you love.” and armed with an ever-growing client list, Connie formed “Great Presentations.“ - a full-service, catering and event planning company whose reputation stands today as “one of the best in the business.” The call for Connie’s services began to soar and in the late 1990’s, a chance meeting took place between Connie and the owner of the historic Park Plaza Hotel, Chavi Hertz. Almost instantly, Connie and Chavi recognized the grand possibilities that a partnership between them could offer. Chavi - an impeccably poised, highly motivated business woman with a state-of-the-art kitchen and the spectacular facilities of the Park Plaza Hotel at her disposal. Connie - a charismatic, energetic, creative entrepreneur with a track record and a glowing reputation for producing the unforgettable event. Together, the whole would be greater than the sum of its parts and their “Park Plaza Events” collaboration began to take shape. Shortly thereafter, Connie moved her operation into the Park Plaza Hotel and their collective enterprise was taken to the next level of excellence. Their scope and quality of services expanded to include the full range of event production, location design, décor, logistics coordination, entertainment, professional staffing, and, of course, exquisite food preparation. But Connie did not stop there. This year, they acquired the River Rock Ranch - a pristine horse ranch nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu and, now, in addition to their other pursuits, Connie and Chavi are currently transforming this spectacular property into a facility for special events, corporate team building, and weekend epicurean retreats. Set to debut in 2006, the Rock River Ranch marks the further expression of Connie's notion that some of life’s most memorable moments are served up in the gathering of friends, family, or colleagues together. And it is this deep appreciation for "the gathering" as a means for celebrating, sharing, and commemorating the truly valuable in life that guides Connie in her creation of each and every unforgettable Park Plaza event.