Today we’d like to introduce you to Leif Heron.
Hi Leif, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came into this industry in a somewhat unexpected way. Before Heron Events, I spent years managing IT projects, coordinating moving parts, timelines, teams, budgets, and outcomes. The work was fine—but it didn’t light me up. I kept finding myself drawn back to the moments where people gathered: community fundraisers, queer pride events, family celebrations, small concerts, anything that felt like connection. I was always the one saying, “What if we did this,” and then rolling up my sleeves to make it happen.
Over time, I realized that creating experiences—not just managing tasks—is where I felt most at home.
When the opportunity came to purchase purchase a long-standing local staging, lighting, and AV company—Total Production Services—from its retiring founder, it felt like a door finally opening. I saw the bones of something strong: decades of experience, trusted relationships, and a role in shaping events across the region. But I also saw room to evolve—to bring in a fresh sense of design, inclusivity, and modern production values. I wanted to take everything I learned from the corporate world—precision, communication, systems—and pair it with creativity, hospitality, and a genuine love of bringing people together.
After I took over, I began the process of reshaping the company into something that reflected my vision and values. In 2024, I rebranded as Heron Events, LLC, and focused on honing what we do best, as well as adding new offerings: custom staging, professional lighting, A/V, risers, custom vinyl wraps, linens, bleachers, and production support for weddings, galas, concerts, and corporate experiences. We don’t plan events—we elevate them. We take concepts, sketches, and Pinterest boards and translate them into polished, production-ready environments.
It’s been both a leap and a homecoming. Every event is a reminder that I get to help create spaces where people feel connected, celebrated, and seen—and that’s the kind of work I always hoped I’d find.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t call the road “smooth,” but I would call it worthwhile. Taking over an established business meant inheriting not just equipment and clients, but also systems, habits, and financial realities. There was a definite learning curve. Overnight, I went from managing projects in a corporate environment to navigating taxes, insurance, equipment maintenance, payroll, and the sometimes-astonishing cost of simply keeping the lights on. Overhead in this industry is real, and it hits fast.
Marketing was another shift. The company I purchased had thrived for decades almost entirely through word-of-mouth. That simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Suddenly I was learning how to show up consistently online, invest in paid advertising, speak the language of social media trends, and position the business in a way that felt both authentic and strategic. And as younger generations start planning events differently—Pinterest boards replaced by TikTok moodboards, vendor inquiries that start with “I used ChatGPT to draft what I’m thinking”—there’s a whole new layer of translating digital inspiration into real-world production.
Staffing can also be a challenge. This industry ebbs and flows with seasons, university schedules, and major festivals that soak up every available gig worker in town. There have been weeks where it felt like I was calling everyone within a 50-mile radius just to make sure a stage build had enough hands on deck.
And then there are the unexpected moments. The truck breaks down. A speaker blows during sound check. A three-day setup gets compressed into one because of weather. This field requires a certain level of adaptability, patience, and willingness to solve problems in real time.
But here’s the thing: those challenges have also sharpened the business. They pushed me to build stronger systems, create backup plans for the backup plans, invest in relationships, and keep learning. Every obstacle became a lesson in resilience, flexibility, and trusting my own leadership.
The road hasn’t been smooth—but it’s shaped me into exactly the kind of business owner I want to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Heron Events specializes in the production side of events: staging, lighting, A/V, risers, custom vinyl wraps, and all the behind-the-scenes elements that transform a space and support the moments people remember. We work with wedding planners, venues, nonprofits, schools, production companies, and private clients to take their vision and make it functionally sound, visually cohesive, and ready for showtime.
One thing that sets me apart is my background. Before owning Heron Events, I spent years managing software projects and earned my PMP® (Project Management Professional) certification. That foundation in structured planning, communication, budgeting, risk management, and logistics follows me into every event we support. I’m known for being the person who shows up early, has every detail mapped out, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks. Event days are high-pressure environments, and having a project manager’s mindset brings calm, clarity, and consistency.
I also love the collaborative, creative side of the work. While we have our core services and standard setups, I’m always excited to create custom lighting looks or layout solutions that reflect the personality of the event. It’s not just “plug in the gear and go”—it’s designing something that feels right for the space and the moment.
What I’m most proud of are the results that aren’t just technical. It’s when I get the professional photos back from a wedding and see pure joy on someone’s face. It’s when the mother of the bride sends a message saying everything felt beautiful, seamless, and cared for. It’s the fist bump at the end of the night from the event planner, along with the comment, “That went so smoothly.” Those are the moments that remind me that this is more than equipment and checklists. We’re helping create environments where people celebrate love, achievement, community, and milestones that matter.
And I think that’s what sets Heron Events apart: we don’t just “set the stage”—we take the time to understand what the moment means, and then we build accordingly.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating an experience where the client can truly let go. Once the plan is in motion, I want them to feel confident enough to simply be present in their own event. Whether it’s a wedding, a gala, or a school performance, the people in that room should be focused on the moment—not on where the lighting truss is or whether the mic batteries are fresh.
There’s a very real kind of magic in being invisible in the best way. My goal is for everything to run so smoothly that no one ever has to think about the staging, the cables, the sound checks, or the pressure we handled behind the scenes. They just walk into a space that feels right—beautiful, balanced, and ready—and they get to enjoy it.
That level of seamlessness takes intentional planning, communication, and care long before the day-of. It’s about anticipating needs, having every detail aligned, and building trust well in advance. When a client can relax, breathe, and actually experience their own celebration? That’s the win. That’s what matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heron-events.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroneventsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeronEventsLLC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heron-events-llc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heron-events-raleigh
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@heroneventsllc
