HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/4/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 WHEREAS, LARRY K. ABEL, has been producing fabulous events since his high school
days where he organized his senior prom and continued to do so during his college days at the
University of Oklahoma;and
WHEREAS, LARRY K. ABEL, began his career in sales and marketing, quickly rose to be
Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for the Ethel M. Chocolates division of Mars, and
received Mars Inc.'s highest award for Marketing Excellence for the re-design of M & M's World
Retail-tainment experience in Las Vegas;and
WHEREAS, in 2004, Larry founded Abel McCallister Designs with his partner Raymond
McCallister and together they have produced several high profile gatherings, including the
Entertainment Tonight/People Magazine Emmy Party, "Glee"season launch parties and their most
notable accomplishment, creating an entire set of Godiva Chocolates for OPRAH, which was noted
as one of Oprah's favorite sets;and
WHEREAS, Abel McCallister in 2011 was named one of the top 65 innovative Event
Producers in the US and Canada by BIZ BASH Magazine;and
WHEREAS, LARRY K. ABEL is responsible for creating the magnificent Palm Springs
Festival of Lights Parade Jackie Lee Houston Santa Claus Express, dedicated to our beloved
Guardian Angel, the late Mrs. Houston;and
WHERAS, the f/oa4 with its innovative mid-century modern design adorned in thousands
of spectacular holiday lights, was a huge success that left more than 80,000 spectators along Palm
Canyon Drive in awe of its beauty;and
WHEREAS, Larry also contributes his time to the City of Palm Springs by serving on the
City's Business Improvement District committee and organizing incredibly unique and original
special events in Uptown Palm Springs;and
WHEREAS, when Larry is not busy creating fantastic gatherings and running his offices
and store in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and New York,-he enjoys spending time with his two
daughters, Olivia and Anna.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEPHEN P. POUGNET, with great admiration and awe as Mayor of
the City of Palm Springs, California, thank Larry Abel and Abel McCallister Designs for all their
hard work creating the spectacular Jackie Lee Houston Santa Claus Express, and with the power
vested in me, do hereby proclaim January 4, 2012 to be:
LARRY K. ABEL DAY