Keith Barile

Account Director, Black Flower Agency

1. How did you get started in events?
I’ve been in events for about thirteen years now. I studied architecture in college and worked as an architectural designer for three years after college. During a career shift, I began working at an event-driven PR and marketing agency, where I realized my passion for events. The rest is history.

2. What do you like best about your job?
Our great clients and developing long-term relationships with each of them. We are fortunate to work with several recurring clients and continually build upon our partnerships with them.

My Black Flower colleagues! We are a small, tight-knit team who spend a lot of time together both in office and on the road. Everyone is extremely dedicated and supportive of one another. There is a true sense of team at the agency.

3. Where do you get your inspiration?
Traveling and seeing the world! Whether it’s for work or pleasure, I love exploring other cultures. I just got back from a trip to Asia over the holidays: I visited Bangkok, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, and Siem Reap—each with their own individuality, beauty, and sources of inspiration. There are so many places I still want to see, but Madagascar and other parts of Africa top of my list.

4. What’s a talent that most colleagues don’t know about?
I used to be a competitive downhill ski racer and a ski instructor.

5. You’ve been at Black Flower Agency for almost four years; what is your favorite event or experience you’ve planned so far?
We’re a very logistics- and hospitality-driven agency, but we’re breaking into the production realm. This past year—in partnership with American Express, Harper’s Bazaar, and Saks Fifth Avenue—Black Flower Agency transformed a Greenwich Village townhouse into Instagrammable pop up featuring the latest fashion trends of the season. It was a highly creative project that allowed the agency to highlight its many strengths as an experiential event agency.