Our Story

Hi, we're Rock Events

Passionate ambassadors for Detroit, we bring our heads, hearts and big-time hustle to everything we do. Want to learn more? Read on. After all, we have high expectations and think you should too.

We're obsessed with finding a better way.

Our thoughtful and intentional approach means that we relentlessly focus on details – little things matter. We believe that simplicity and clarity are genius. Don’t just think, think deeply and think big. When creativity is at the heart of everything we do, any challenge becomes an opportunity.

We value:

Intentionality
Creativity
Simplicity
Solution focused mindset

If it’s not for more than profit, then it’s not worth doing.

We believe that an event is about bringing people together. We’re focused on connecting guests with your purpose and with Detroit. We know this city inside & out and love showing off our local partners. When human interests and a company’s values align, unbelievable growth happens in our communities. That’s the real impact we’re after.

Our goal is to bring the same joy we have for what we do into your experience working with our team. We’re all about collaboration – everyone’s voice matters so we can create the best possible experience for every guest.

We are:

Fun
Approachable
Invested connectors
Collaborative
Inclusive

Innovation is rewarded and execution is worshipped.

In the event world, it’s not just about having a great idea, it’s about bringing it to life. We value tradition and love elevating it with what’s new and what’s next. Once a vision is established, you’ll find that our team is responsive, quick to adapt to change, and results-focused. We’re all in, and we bring passion and hustle to get your event across the finish line.

We bring:

Forward-thinking
Responsiveness
Adaptability
Results

The ISMs

Rock Events is proud to be part of the Rock Family of Companies, a diverse collection of more than 100 entities built on innovation. These include Rocket, StockX, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a vast real estate portfolio, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem helping small businesses and communities thrive.

Our chairman, Dan Gilbert, started it all in 1985 with a culture based on philosophies that we call ISMs. Each one shares how we can succeed and what we value. Our ISMs unite us around a culture of excellence.

Meet the Team

Onsite event essentials: Diet Coke, sense of humor, and a great playlist

Alternate career path: Children's librarian

Team member since 2004

Andrea Gengler

Chief Executive Officer

Favorite way to relax: A Saturday stroll through the farmer’s market, followed by coffee and a good book

Dream career: Hosting my own cooking show on Food Network... or competing on Chopped

Team member since 2024

Venue Rentals

Bitzy Lilley

Event Sales Coordinator

Bucket list travel destinations: Egypt, Morocco, and Bali

Favorite movie: I could watch The Sandlot over and over again

Team member since 2019

Venue Rentals

Brian Bell

Event Facilities Technician

Fun fact: I grew up working for my dad’s landscaping company and can do it all - mowing, edging, trimming, and more

Childhood career aspirations: I've always dreamed of owning my own dance studio

Team member since 2018

Venue Rentals

Brittany Wenson

Event Sales Coordinator

Fun fact: I once had to dry clean Big Sean's Gucci boxers when working in NYC

Fun fact: I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro

Team member since 2022

Venue Rentals

Connar McLeod

Event Sales Manager

Fun fact: I’ve competed in Olympic weightlifting locally, at the state level, and nationally at the Arnold

Onsite event essentials: Comfortable shoes and my Apple watch so I can find my phone

Team member since 2016

Venue Rentals

Danielle Balmer

Senior Event Sales Manager, Team Leader

If time travel were possible: I’d go back to the '80s to relive my childhood - it was awesome!

You probably wouldn't guess: I once worked at a tire shop changing tires

Team member since 2015

Venue Rentals

Eboni Allen

Senior Event Facilities Technician

Fun fact: I spent several years as a First Mate/Deckhand on private yachts along the Detroit River

Onsite event essentials: Protein and caffeine - in no particular order

Team member since 2023

Venue Rentals

Jason Sutter

Beverage Operations Manager

Alternate career: Matchmaker - I love bringing people together and creating meaningful connections

Favorite quote: Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world - Marilyn Monroe

Team member since 2012

Venue Rentals

Julie Glenn

Vice President

Fun fact: I'm the last person to fight at Joe Louis Arena before it was torn down

Favorite food: A delicious hamburger with bacon, a fried egg, crispy onions, and a side of truffle fries

Team member since 2023

Venue Rentals

Kenneth Hunt-McGowen

Beverage Operations Manager

Favorite foods: If I had to choose only three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they’d be cheesy potatoes, turkey sandwiches, and Liz’s buffalo dip

Fun fact: I've been skydiving and want to try bungee jumping next

Team member since 2017

Venue Rentals

Lauren Jacks

Event Sales Manager

Dream dinner guest: Satoru Iwata, the visionary behind the work that inspires the art I create today, and whose legacy lives on at Nintendo

Fun fact: George Lopez and Tony Hawk have randomly walked into my office before

Team member since 2019

Venue Rentals

Law Stout

Event Facilities Technician

Favorite trip: I won a Hawaii trip through work where I proposed to my now fiancée

Go-to karaoke song: Picture by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow (I am ALWAYS Kid Rock)

Team member since 2016

Location Logistics

Lindsay Obremski

Location Logistics Manager

Childhood career aspirations: As a kid, I dreamed of being an actress/comedian - Molly Shannon was my idol

Fun fact: I used to lead jazzercise walks for all the kids in my neighborhood

Team member since 2018

Venue Rentals

Liz Galloway

Event Sales Manager

Favorite trip: Mediterranean cruise where I got to motorcycle through the mountains in Marseille and ride a Vespa through Rome

Fun fact: I always get myself in really bizarre situations which my friends and family refer to as Lyncidents

Team member since 2016

Venue Rentals

Lyn Gleasure, CMP, CPCE

Senior Manager - Business Development

Fun fact: My dad wanted to name me Wendell Wendell, but my mom vetoed that one

Hobbies: I golf (poorly) and love the Detroit Lions

Team member since 2016

Location Logistics

Matt Wendell

Team Leader, Logistics Manager

Truth: A fountain Diet Coke can make any situation better

Proud University of Michigan alumna - Go Blue!

Team member since 2012

Melissa Brunet

Director, Strategic Business Support

Favorite movie: I could watch 'The Great Gatsby' or 'A League of Their Own' again and again

Favorite way to relax: Outside next to a bonfire with my wife and my dogs

Team member since 2019

Location Logistics

Riley Ostapowicz

Location Logistics Manager

Fun fact: My mom went into labor with my younger brother during my first birthday party

Childhood career aspirations: I dreamed of becoming a chef after taking on the responsibility of cooking for my family at a young age

Team member since 2014

Venue Rentals

Taurian Howard

Team Leader, Event Facilities

Our Story

Hi, we're Rock Events

We're obsessed with finding a better way.

If it’s not for more than profit, then it’s not worth doing.

Innovation is rewarded and execution is worshipped.

The ISMs

Meet the Team

Andrea Gengler

Bitzy Lilley

Brian Bell

Brittany Wenson

Connar McLeod

Danielle Balmer

Eboni Allen

Jason Sutter

Julie Glenn

Kenneth Hunt-McGowen

Lauren Jacks

Law Stout

Lindsay Obremski

Liz Galloway

Lyn Gleasure, CMP, CPCE

Matt Wendell

Melissa Brunet

Riley Ostapowicz

Taurian Howard

As featured In

Make your next event unforgettable.

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