Meet the Team

The Glasshouse is renowned for hosting some of the most spectacular events in New York City, from elegant weddings to grand corporate gatherings.

But what truly sets The Glasshouse apart is its dedicated sales team, who work tirelessly to ensure each event is a resounding success.

Let’s meet the people who are the driving force behind these unforgettable experiences: Benny Klein, Elizabeth Selby, and Lauren Taylor.

BACKGROUND and ROLE

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Elizabeth enjoys a quick walk to the office, starting her morning with a coffee and then diving into emails. Her day often includes site visits and client interactions, ensuring everything is perfect on the event floor.

Lauren’s day is dynamic, filled with new leads, client follow-ups, and site tours. She thrives on the unpredictability of the event industry, making the most of each day to create lasting impressions for her clients. "On a perfect day, I would commute to the office with no delay, answer any new leads that come in, tackle my inbox, and follow up with my clients via phone and email," Lauren shares.

Benny’s day begins early in Staten Island. Before arriving at The Glasshouse, he has already had a full morning of working out at CrossFit and bringing his four-year-old daughter to school. “I usually start answering emails on my commute to the office. It feels good to try to get ahead as it’s always a busy, action-packed day,” he shares.

CHALLENGES AND REWARDS

BUILDING CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Transparency is key for Elizabeth, who believes in straightforward communication to foster trust. “I believe the right approach is starting at the beginning with sincere and straightforward answers; which fosters a successful relationship with clients,” she notes.

Benny agreed, sharing that being up front during the selling process is one of the most important things for the team. “We always give clients a full understanding of pricing,” he adds.

Lauren emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining trust, ensuring clients feel supported throughout the sales process. "All solid relationships have a foundation of trust.

My goal entering into any client relationship is to establish my client’s trust and to maintain that client’s trust during the sales process and beyond," says Lauren.

EVENT TRENDS

Elizabeth has noticed a shift away from traditional ballrooms, with clients seeking unique venues that offer outdoor spaces and natural light.

“By offering a space that has outdoor terraces and lots of natural light, choosing a venue that is unique and inviting can boost a guest’s overall experience and likelihood of attending,” she observes.

Lauren echoes this sentiment, highlighting The Glasshouse’s open layout and modern design is a major selling point in today’s market.

"Here at The Glasshouse, we’ve nailed that trend with our open event space, and a track system in our ceiling paired with our glass or solid soundproof air walls that provide the client the opportunity to set the space as they desire," she says.

MEMORABLE EVENTS

Elizabeth fondly recalls an 80s-themed company anniversary event, complete with vintage decor and themed elements. "I had the pleasure of working with a client who was celebrating an anniversary of their company. They were founded in the 1980s and had a fun 80s theme with old office decor and outfits," she reminisces.

For Lauren, the Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Summit stands out as a highlight, showcasing the incredible creativity and dedication of the production team. "It was amazing to see how they effectively utilized the event floor and transformed it into a beautiful space with great experiential activations to celebrate not only Mary but all women on Mother’s Day weekend," Lauren recalls.

An event that stands out for Benny is the tradeshow for Toy Insider from this past July. “Every client makes the venue their own. There were so many toy vendors in the space showcasing their newest product. My daughter loved hearing all about it,” Benny shares.

SALES PHILOSOPHY

Elizabeth’s customer-centric philosophy focuses on tailoring experiences to each client’s needs. “Asking the right questions and offering effective solutions to problems that they may have experienced in the past with other venues is a key to customer service success,” she emphasizes.

Lauren believes in listening and assisting, ensuring clients feel confident in their decisions. "I make sure that I am not just forcing a sale, but taking the time with the client to determine if our venue is the right fit," she explains.

TEAM DYNAMICS

Communication is the cornerstone of collaboration at The Glasshouse. The sales team works closely with other departments to ensure seamless event experiences, relying on the expertise and support of their colleagues. Benny likes to highlight the project managers at The Glasshouse.

He explained that each event is assigned a project manager to guide clients through the event planning process. A true stand-out perk and showcase to how important hospitality is at the venue. "Whether it’s an in-person conversation, email, or call; all our departments work together in communication to ensure our clients have a successful event experience," says Elizabeth.

"We are a community with the same goal at The Glasshouse and everyone is more than willing to provide support to make our clients’ experience as seamless as possible," adds Lauren.

FUTURE GOALS

Lauren is excited about the potential for hosting more upfronts and newfronts, leveraging The Glasshouse’s unique features to attract these large-scale events. "I would love to see more of these events in our space!" she enthuses.

Elizabeth aims to diversify the client base through targeted outreach and brand awareness initiatives. “Reaching out to more companies and events gives us the opportunity to grow brand awareness,” she says.

Benny hopes to create strong relationships with clients while bringing new faces and brands to the venue. “The possibilities are endless for The Glasshouse!” Benny shares with a big smile.

ADVICES FOR ASPIRING SALES PROFESSIONALS

Looking to enter this industry? Here’s some advice from our experts!

Elizabeth encourages aspiring sales professionals to jump in and learn from every opportunity. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions from all different departments, vendors, and other professionals in the industry,” she advises.

Lauren suggests believing in oneself and continually building relationships, emphasizing the importance of both teaching and learning. "People buy from people. Be friendly, be approachable, find common ground, and learn how to build relationships," she says.

Benny - Do you research! There is so much content readily available to find on best sales practices and approaches. Some of my favorite sales techniques I’ve learned from reading sales books or watching Ted Talks on Youtube. 

GET IN TOUCH

Whether you're planning for upfronts, a product launch, or an experiential marketing event, The Glasshouse offers unparalleled opportunities for creating memorable events.

The sales team is ready to help bring your vision to life.

Contact Benny, Elizabeth, and Lauren today to learn more about hosting your next event at The Glasshouse.