About

Event Planner + Producer,
Chief Experience Officer

A funny thing happened on David Landgraf’s way to becoming a renowned events planner and producer.

Landgraf’s career kicked off at the National Security Agency as a computer systems analyst and operator where he was granted top-secret government clearances. A role that prepared him for his true calling as an events maestro. After all, both endeavors require many of the same skills, including a keen eye for details, strategy, innovation and creativity.

Before founding Make It Happen Management in 2018, Landgraf planned and managed worldwide events for Blackstone, the Government of Singapore, Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs, and Arthur Andersen, where he applied his unparalleled expertise, access, and ability to engage people to brands, within each high-profile project. For example, a veteran hiring initiative summit and press conference with First Lady, Michelle Obama, to an event with tennis champion, Novak Djokovic. Landgraf’s reputation for making every event exciting, educational, entertaining, and empowering for both clients and guests inspired his company’s moniker. 

Time and time again, those looking to create something above and beyond would say, 

“Call David Landgraf, he can make it happen.” 

Whether your event is for corporate, a private celebration, or a non-profit, Make It Happen Management will take it to a level you may not have thought possible. Landgraf is a storyteller, and he wants your story to shine throughout the event’s strategy, guest’s experience, and themes. Now more than ever you will benefit from Landgraf’s unique skills and famously affable personality, to help connect people in person, virtually or a hybrid of both, in a meaningful way. 

Most recently, Landgraf was tapped by a pioneering international law firm to produce a live virtual event to celebrate their 2020 & 2021 Pride Celebration benefiting Black Lives Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter & LGBTQ+ legal charities. Assembling a team of drag persona’s, including the renowned Peppermint and many others. The event was an overwhelming groundbreaking hit, for the legal profession, with live performances, and interactive, engaging virtual games, providing first-class entertainment and connecting colleagues for those working remotely worldwide.

One of the founding principles of Make It Happen Management is Doing Good and Giving Back.  Landgraf serves on several industry organizations and boards, including the Travel + Leisure Business Travel Advisory Board (BTAB), International Live Events Association, NYC (ILEA), and Out Business Professionals. He actively supports; Transfernation, God’s Love We Deliver, City Harvest, Meeting Professionals International, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and the Live Events Coalition. Make It Happen Management is a National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certified LGBTQI+ Business Enterprise.

EVENT PLANNER + PRODUCER, CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER, DAVID LANDGRAF, THRIVES ON THE CHALLENGES OF ORCHESTRATING EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS.

Whether he's directing high-level conferences, social events, fundraisers, executive summit meetings, virtual team-building activities, summer outings, picnics, or one-of-a-kind destination retreats, David uses his unrivaled industry experience to ensure that he exceeds his clients’ expectations.

Leadership + Teamwork

Our Challenge was to bring a group of employees together in order to give back to the local community. 

Our solution was to organize a “Build a Bike” project that would unify us around a common goal – helping children in the local community.  We spent several hours working in teams and put our healthy competitive spirit to a great cause.  When we finished assembly, the children were brought in and given their new bikes.  We got to see first-hand how our impact was increased by working together.

Work Local + Give Local

​Our challenge was to repurpose the event décor and donate leftover food from a conference.

Our solution was to partner with a group that sweeps through an event space and gathers up goodies to reuse.  Floral arrangements might go to a local hospital, notepads and pens to needy students and table linens to a nursing home.  We then worked with a non-profit to help collect and redistribute all the leftover food to those in need.