It all started on the streets of the Gaslamp...

McFarlane Promotions, Inc. is a high-design event planning, coordinating, and production company that creates unique festivals, corporate activations and immersive community experiences. With over 25 years of creating a wide variety of events and campaigns, we are capable of coordinating and seamlessly managing everything from national festivals to intimate team building retreats to virtual conferences. We become an extension of your team to ensure you exceed all of your goals and targets!

We have handled multiple stages of live entertainment, parades, VIP areas, and over 100 vendors while creating an epic experience for over 100,000 attendees. With a specialty in permitting and logistics, we have shut down entire neighborhoods and transformed entire venues from the Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.

We are also pros at creating dynamic corporate experiences of all sizes from internal company meetings all the way to elaborate branding and sales-generating activations. With a deep understanding of experiential marketing and corporate planning, we have executed large scale campaigns across the Country (and online) for major tech firms, nationwide associations and corporate brands.

As a master in events of all sizes and intentions, our team of expert fundraisers can be your key to planning the season's most talked about gala, awards dinner, virtual auction and more. We take the gnitty gritty details off of your plate so that you can focus on donor cultivation!

Our event-based innovations are all backed by our marketing creativity and media mastery. From Public Relations to Digital Advertising to buzz-worthy social campaigns, we're out-of-the-box thinkers that know how to get your message crafted, stamped, sealed and delivered to your target audience.

McFarlane Promotions is committed to turning your vision into a completed project that surpasses all targets for success!

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Our award winning team consists of some of the top talent in the industry who integrate seamlessly with your internal team.

Laurel McFarlane (she/her/hers)

Owner

Laurel offers her clients over 20 years of hands-on event planning experience and relationships. With a flawless reputation in the community for executing the most popular and prestigious events, Laurel offers her clients her creativity, contacts and most professional attention to detail. As Founder and President of the San Diego Event Coalition, she is a leader in the industry and always spearheading new trends and innovations for her clients.

Favorite Place to Travel: Nicaragua

Random Fact: I married my high school sweetheart

Nickname: Lo or Lo Dawg

Jenna Thompson (she/her/hers)

Director of Operations

With over 15 years in the event industry, Jenna seamlessly blends extensive expertise in production and promotions, infusing every project with her discerning eye for style and current trends. Her commitment to detail goes beyond the ordinary, consistently elevating events to a top-notch standard. Thriving on systems and efficiencies, Jenna's meticulous care for each client and project emerges as her superpower, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Find Me on the Weekend: On stroller walks with Baby P and Luna the Labrador

Favorite Binge: Shameless

Favorite Place I’ve Been: Bali

Ciara Johnson (she/her/hers)

Event Manager

Ciara specializes in client services and event production. She has extensive experience in all aspects of event coordination and logistics. Offering clients 10 years of hands-on expertise, Ciara is adaptable and easy to work with. She contributes inventive and unique ideas as well as possesses excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.

Find Me on the Weekend: Hanging with my family and watching my sons sports games

Random fact: I have been sky diving in Hawaii

Early Bird or Night Owl: I'm a total night owl. Don’t even try to talk to me in the morning until I have had some coffee 😉

Beth Block-Weiss (she/her/hers)

Event Manager

Beth is an experienced Event Manager with over 12 years in hospitality and event production, having worked on a wide range of events in NYC, Los Angeles, and San Diego. With a background in musical theatre, Beth brings a performer’s eye to every detail, ensuring each event feels thoughtful, engaging, and just a little bit magical. When not managing timelines and transforming spaces, you can usually find her on stage, doing what she loves: performing. Beth believes every event should have a little sparkle—and maybe even a standing ovation.

Find Me on the Weekend: At my piano or perusing a bookstore.

Random Fact: I'm a fraternal twin!

Favorite Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Will Durant

Jacob Henderson (he/his/him)

Executive Assistant/Event Lead

Jacob is client driven and keen on interacting in a meaningful way with those around him. Quick on his feet and versatile in his work, Jacob thrives on embracing new experiences. He believes strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are the trifecta to forging strong connections and driving successful events.

Fun Fact: Has lived abroad in Spain / Speaks 3 languages

Favorite Artist: Noah Kahan

Favorite TV Binge: Grace and Frankie

Cassie Weinberg (she/her/hers)

Event Assistant

Cassie brings a genuine passion for event production to every project, combining operational expertise with a people-first mindset. With a background in operations management and a talent for empathetic communication, she excels at streamlining processes while fostering strong, collaborative relationships. Known for her positive energy and can-do attitude, Cassie is always ready to transform a vision into a seamless, unforgettable event experience.

Fun fact: The first event I planned was my high school prom!

Favorite Travel Experience: Ice climbing in Peru

Find me on the weekend: at Kate Sessions, Sunset Cliffs, a local coffee shop, or thrifting

Kevin Flatt

West Coast Sales

Kevin's charismatic sensibility leaves an impression on every person he encounters. His extensive network of talent is the foundational base for his entertainment booking expertise. His skilled communication skills are integral to every aspect of McFarlane Promotions work.

Favorite Band: The Smiths

Most Likely Be Ticketed For: Skateboarding

Favorite Drink: Michelada

Edwin Decker

Head of Vendor Relations

Ed has worked in the special event and festival business for over 20 years having coordinated and/or managed everything from vendors, stages, bars, staff, security and entertainment. He is ferocious multitasker with a focus on client satisfaction. He’s also pretty good at chess.

Favorite Seat on the Airplane: Aisle seat in the exit row.

Favorite Unconventional Food Combination: Potato chips and sardines inside a Roast Beef Sandwich. Don’t judge me!

Most Valuable Lesson My Mother Taught Me – “Eddie,” she said. “There’s nothing in this world that’s free.”

Dave Howell

Event Technical Director

With over 40 years of expertise in special event technical production, Dave is a seasoned veteran who founded his Video Production company in 1982. His journey evolved to offer comprehensive event production services, including Sound, Video, Lighting, and event design to a national clientele. Since 2019, he has been a key Special Advisor and Event Technical Coordinator for Laurel McFarlane, excelling in developing Technical RFPs and ensuring technical perfection in nationwide events.

Find me on the weekend: Traveling, RV Camping and Woodworking.

Seth James Ellis

Mapping Technician

Seth James Ellis is a production designer, drafter, and consultant with over 20 years experience designing and producing concerts, festivals, galas, VIP celebrations, trade shows, and more.

Seth’s event consultancy and to-scale drawings, for events of any size, help clients envision their event, develop their plans, and bring their vision to life.

Taylor Kahle
1992-2021

"HER LIFE WAS AT A HIGH POINT. It was all good, and she was VERY HAPPY. So when I keep thinking about how much I miss her, as hard as it is, I like to think she left this world on a high note. Without any of us truly being able to control our destiny, or fate, I don't have to look back and say I would have lived my life with her any differently. TAYLOR AND I WERE AWESOME TOGETHER! And that is the memory I will carry with me the rest of my life." (From Taylor’s dad)