Ryan believes that the act of gathering can and should change the world. So much in fact, that in 2008 he founded BeEvents a creative agency dedicated to designing experiences that people love. Today, he leads his team in defining what will delight and pushing creative boundaries to deliver remarkable events for individuals, brands, and non-profit organizations. For his work, Ryan has been recognized with over three-dozen regional and international awards. As an industry thought-leader, his ideas and commentaries have graced numerous glossy pages and he is a frequent speaker for the industry on event strategy, design and engagement. Ryan is a current member of the Board of Governors for the International Live Events Society. In 2009 he received the International Volunteer of the Year Award from the organization. In 2010 Ryan earned his Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation, and in 2020, he added Digital Event Strategist (DES) and Certified Event Design (CED) credentials.