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BLUE RIDGE EVENT PRODUCTION

Our mission is to provide superior quality planning services, event lighting, advanced audio/visual support, creative fabric décor and technical production for all types of special events. We strive to achieve the highest standards of customer service and satisfaction. We aim to be to be a valuable asset to the special events industry with more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in design, production, management and on-site maintenance/operation. 

Joseph Kalkstein

Joseph Kalkstein

President / CEO

Joe is a graduate of Ohio State University and achieved his CPA designation while working in Public Accounting. As Blue Ridge's leader, he brings over 30 years of seasoned financial and management expertise to the firm. His vision and organizational, people and client skills have served to guide the growth of the company from a smaller, local entity to a reputable regional firm with offices in both Charlottesville and Richmond.  Joe enjoys meeting new clients and exploring new work opportunities, and works within a company doctrine of providing the highest quality services possible with a team of creative and knowledgeable professionals who go the extra mile to satisfy our clients. 

William Randall

Vice-President / General Manager

Bill assists with the management and technical needs of A/V events. Bill brings over 20 years of audio/visual technical and management experience at various companies, venue and levels. He was most recently hired as Blue Ridge’s A/V Director in early 2010 and tasked with developing and building Blue Ridge’s A/V department into a cutting-edge force in the industry.  Bill's experience also includes an extensive knowledge and expertise in the conference arena, producing and managing a variety of event types and sizes around the country. His commitment to his work at Blue Ridge has earned him a partnership in the firm.

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Working with Joe Kalkstein and his professional team was an absolute joy. The entire Blue Ridge Event Production team take their role in making sure big events look great, sound pleasing, and run smoothly, very seriously. Their attention to detail and follow up on questions from clients are praise worthy.

-Elizabeth, WEDDING WIRE REVIEW 

Louis Arico

Operations Manager 

Louis has been with Blue Ridge since shortly after its inception, working in various capacities in event production over the last 15 years, including extensive experience in lighting, décor and audio and video with all types of events, both small and large.  His diversified theatre background gives Lou an “out of the box” perspective on creativity and problem solving and has been instrumental in his growth and promotion to Operations Manager.

Erra Grant

Operations Manager and Lead CAD Drafter

Erra has been a part of Blue Ridge since 2011. Now, as the Operations Manager and Lead CAD Drafter, Erra is responsible for overall organization of event logistics from start to finish, along with creating 2D and 3D event draft layouts. Layouts help the client visualize elements and the design team achieve their set-up goals. Erra has a degree in Communication Design, along with prior experience in directing high school theater and working arena-based touring shows. Having been in the events industry for over nine years has given Erra an extensive knowledge of different types of events.

Charlie Emmons

Wintergreen Resort AV Director

A native of Furnace Mountain, Virginia, Charlie began his career in professional audio in 1993, eventually working as A1 Front-of-House Audio Engineer for thousands of events in venues all across the U.S. He’s manned the audio board for U.S. Presidents, heads-of-state, international touring artists, live radio broadcasts, and dozens of high-profile events on the National Mall in D.C. In 2007, Charlie began a near 10-year stint as the Audio/Visual Manager at the National Conference Center, managing the daily AV operations for over 250 meeting rooms and 265,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Charlie is also an accomplished musician and multi-instrumentalist. In his spare time he enjoys recording original music with his sons and nephew, as well as helping local area bands with sound and recording when available.

Peter Conklin & Ben Thomas

Co-Directors of Audio/Video

Michael Rowe

Boars Head Resort A/V Director

We have the pleasure of producing events for the following organizations:

Altria

American Cancer Society

Arc of the Piedmont

Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia

Capital One

Castle Hill Cider

Charlottesville SPCA

The College of William and Mary

CFA Institute

Colon Cancer Alliance

Early Mountain Vineyards

George Mason University

Graduate Hotels

Habitat for Humanity

Hampton University

Homesteaders of America

James Madison’s Montpelier

James Madison University

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Library of Virginia

King Family Vineyards

March of Dimes

Norfolk State University

Northrop Grumman

Pippin Hill Farm and Winery

Poe Museum

Prevent Cancer Foundation

Ronald McDonald House

Science Museum of Virginia

Sentara- Martha Jefferson Hospital

St. Anne's-Belfield School

Sweet Briar College

United States Navy

The University of Virginia

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Tom Tom Founders Festival

Trump Winery

United Way

UVA Children's Hospital

UVA Continuing Medical Association

The V Foundation for Cancer Research

Veritas Vineyard and Winery

The Virginia Association of Broadcasters

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association

Virginia Institute of Autism

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Virginia State University

Virginia War Memorial

Washington & Lee University

Wintergreen Resort

Woodberry Forest School

YMCA

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