Delisha Fields, 34, is the executive director of ForbesLive Events at global media conglomerate Forbes. She’s based in New York City.
What does your day-to-day look like?
No two days are the same—everyday has a different priority or demand! One day you'll find me managing my own events and working to stay on top of my event timelines and next steps; the next day, you will see me checking in on my team to ensure they feel supported in the planning of their events! My team is great. I share my feedback and point of view to ensure we curate best-in-class industry events.
The next day, you may find me in a brainstorm meeting, putting out work fires, or working with cross-functional teams to help us function cohesively internally. Everyday is very different but pretty exciting, and helps me stay on my toes!
My career journey:
I have more than a decade of experience in event production. After graduating with a degree in fashion merchandising, I realized fashion design wasn't for me but event planning was my sweet spot, and I never looked back.
My exceptional creativity, event production, marketing, and operational skills have spearheaded the successful execution of A-list fashion and entertainment events for top-tier brands, including Lexus, Remy Martin, True Religion, Pepsi, and Ralph Lauren, just to name a few. I’ve also worked with companies like ELLE Decor, GQ Magazine, Live Nation Entertainment, IMG Fashion, and Men's Health Magazine to lead million-dollar event programs that exceeded goals and brand ROI.
Fields said each day looks different in her role. Some days, she's managing event timelines, while others she's assisting team members or in cross-functional team meetings. (Pictured: Forbes content studio)Photo: Courtesy of Delisha Fields
In 2021, I used my collective industry expertise to take on a newly appointed role as the director of event partnerships and marketing at Forbes, a position that is a part of the ForbesLive Experiential Event Division. In under two years, I was promoted to the executive director of ForbesLive Experiential Events, overseeing the events team to ensure all planners are executing best-in-class experiences, global events, and event strategies for partners at both live and virtual events.
My leadership and expert event planning have awarded Forbes a 2022 Most Innovative Meetings accolade by BizBash, a prestigious award in the event industry. Since my tenure in the industry, I've become passionate about helping women of color connect, find community amongst each other, and escape barriers faced in everyday workspaces. That led me to create BLK GETAWAY, an event organization that produces unique getaways and gatherings for black women and women of color to unplug, recharge, connect, and celebrate each other. My experience and new business ventures have been featured in WWD, Bauce Magazine, and CFDA media outlets—illustrating the mark I've left on the event industry at large.
My greatest career accomplishment:
Aside from making the BizBash 40 Under 40 list (major!), my greatest accomplishment would be getting a spotlight feature in both CFDA and WWD—two media outlets that I admired during my days in the fashion industry!
I am also so proud of creating BLK GETAWAY, my event company. It's something I've dreamt of doing, and I finally get to see it come to life! I'm the happiest when I see other women who look like me find community and safe spaces in ways they never could before. I started this company over the pandemic, and it's catching eyes and a demand that I never thought was possible. To even imagine where this venture could take me is scary, but I'm buckled up and excited for the ride!
Some impressive stats I’m responsible for:
I've planned more than 160 events, and I've planned events for a spirits partner that increased their revenue by 45%. I also planned an event in Abu Dhabi that amassed more than 3.3 billion in readership, and an activation installation that I managed garnered more than 300,000 registrants for an automotive brand.
Fields said she's planned more than 160 events throughout her career, including "an event in Abu Dhabi that amassed more than 3.3 billion in readership."Photo: Courtesy of Forbes
The advice I would give my younger self:
Don't underestimate your opportunities! Something may not sound the best on paper (i.e. moving boxes, filing paper, the audience demo, etc.), but you never know what you can learn from that experience and/or where it will take you. Be a sponge for knowledge and open to execute any task given to you. You never know who is watching or where that opportunity will lead you.
My most memorable event:
I had the pleasure of fully producing a Pepsi Presents The Chainsmokers at the Hollywood Palladium in LA. It was a one-night-only entertainment event with performances by The Chainsmokers and special guests like Kehlani. The event attracted up to 3,000 guests. Everyone had a great time, the VIPs were booming, the performances were great—it was an all-around good time, and one I'll never forget.
I also had the pleasure of planning the 30/50 summit in Abu Dhabi in just a few short months! This was a three-day event that would customarily take up to a year to plan, but my team and I did it. After hard work and dedication, it came together, and it was incredible! In fact, this event put us on the 2022 BizBashMost Innovative Meetings list!
A time I averted a complete event disaster:
I planned an event with a technology company that required us to add their special activity tracking chip into cool wearable pins that were gifted to guests during the event. The data from that tracking chip was meant to be used for social and marketing content. We tested this activity tracking chip a day prior and met with their tech leads to ensure the chip functioned properly. Unfortunately, on the day of the event, about 150 of the 200 chips were malfunctioning and inactive! It was a headache!
That morning, instead of panicking, I sat with a small team and the tech leads in our production office to hand remove the malfunctioned chips from the pins and replace them with ones that properly work. We hot glued everything by hand and turned them over very quickly to ensure everyone left with one that worked. No one ever knew our back-of-house horror story—until now! Ha!
I work to keep my cool under pressure and focus more on finding actionable solutions than reacting negatively.
What’s next for me:
A very busy event season is ahead, but I want to prioritize pouring into BLK GETAWAY. The next stop for my brand is to work on funding, sponsorships, and press!
In the next five years, I hope to grow both my teams and I seek to fulfill a senior executive role, and I hope to one day oversee the event strategy and to creative the vision of an entire event department while working to incorporate more culture and diversity across all events in my landscape
My ideal day OOO:
Turning off my email, putting my phone on do not disturb, taking a quick flight to Mexico—or somewhere with a beach—and relaxing on the beach or next to a pool with a cocktail and good food! Later that day, I'd binge watch a show I didn't have a chance to watch and order room service!
BizBash's 2023 40 Under 40 list is sponsored by VDA, a Massachusetts-based experiential marketing and event design agency that specializes in custom live, hybrid, and virtual experiences designed to drive business growth through client collaboration and creative thinking.
