MPI MN Profiles Supplier Kris Young

MPI Minnesota Chapter profiles Kris Young, Heroic Productions vice president of business development; speakers & entertainment.

Tell us about your business and your current job.  

The Heroic Productions team have been working with clients around the country for over 18 years, to ensure their meetings and events were a resounding success.  Heroic has proudly provided staging, sound and lights for many of Minnesota’s top 100 companies, as well as national Fortune 500 companies. 

Our Goal: We want your message to be perfectly seen, heard and remembered by YOUR entire audience.

Of course, 2020 brought new challenges. In March of 2020, Heroic's Warehouse 15 was built. It houses a fully customizable in-house, live streaming/virtual meeting set, built to creatively and safely accommodate your company's virtual meeting or event.  It comes complete with LED backdrops and green screen. With a private entrance, ample parking, and easy access to 35W (just minutes from downtown Minneapolis), Warehouse 15 is a perfect alternative, as companies shift to virtual solutions.

We understand the measures that need to be taken to assure our customers are in a safe environment while recording or live streaming. Our 8,000 sq. broadcast studio will continue to stay compliant with state guidelines for capacity and distancing. Along with following regulations, we have an extensive and mandatory cleaning process for the set and all equipment after any use.

We also added Speakers & Entertainment to the mix. I’ve spent 2020 learning about all kinds of virtual solutions and am now able to bring my many years of experience with thinkers, does and artists into the mix.

What do you hope to gain from your MPI Membership?

I’ve always believed we should never stop learning. Good thing, because that idea has never been more true or more necessary!  In order for us to collectively raise the bar, we are going to have to help each other. No one person can know it all. We do better to focus on those things that interest us and that we do best.  MPI provides opportunities for networking, sharing best practices, on-going education and partnering (all necessary for our “new normal” in the event industry!)

If there was only one thing a potential customer could remember about your company, what would that be?

I think it would be that Heroic Productions is nimble and innovative. We understand that we exist to help our clients tell their stories. For now, we are doing that virtually, successfully and safely. When live events come back, we’ll flex again…but our focus will be the same. Our new normal will likely include live, hybrid and virtual events.  Who knows what other change the future will bring?  2020 taught us that if we stay focused on what’s most important, we can remain relevant and do excellent work.

What one piece of advice would you give to a new supplier joining the MPI network?

I would let them know that MPI is a great place to connect with the people that will be part of your network for as long as you choose to be in this industry. Build strong relationships now, and you’ll have valuable, supportive relationships for the long haul (to help you grow). 

What has been the best piece of advice you have been given, and how has it made a difference in your life - personally or professionally?

I’ve been given a lot of great advice from very wise, industry experts (on all sides of this crazy world of meetings & events), but I think the best advice I was given has to be to cherish the friendships you make along the way. Many of my dearest friends are people I met in this industry. They are scattered across the country, and luckily a few are here locally in the twin cities. I can also say, happily, that I happen to work with some of the very best! I couldn’t be more grateful for that!  Kindness, Respect, Expertise and Fun….that’s what I cherish the most in those relationships.

What are some of your favorite pastime activities?

One of my favorite past times, is live music. Of course, the music industry has suffered greatly due to the pandemic. I’ll be one of the people fighting to make sure it comes back as soon as possible! 

I also love to cook and spend time with family and friends over a good bottle of wine and great food.