Meet Kyle Hennigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Hennigan.

Kyle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As most of my immediate event industry family know, I am the baby of six from a rural town in Louisiana. I moved to the DFW Metroplex at the age of 19. My first job in Dallas was at Medieval Times in 1992. It was their opening year and I was one of their “Serfs”, their medieval lingo for male server. After about a year with them, I had turned 21 and I started working for Caven Enterprises, as a bartender at their popular clubs in Oak Lawn. My time as a bartender, certainly taught me a ton of lessons about humanity, life and how to always smile, even when times are tough.

At the age of 25, I began working for a catering company, Daryl’s By Design (DBD), who had a very unique venue located downtown, the Dallas World Aquarium (DWA). After about six months of working for DBD, the Director of DWA, Daryl Richardson, asked me if I would be interested in working in DWA’s gourmet luncheon restaurant, eighteen~O~one. This position led to me working in other DWA Departments and eventually to my current position, as Senior Event Director. June 2020 will be my 24th anniversary with DBD/DWA.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with every journey in life, there are good and bad times. Since being at Daryl’s By Design, we have survived 9/11, the Stock Market crash in 2008 and now the COVID-19 Pandemic. Fortunately, we have always been able to bring together our core team and weather the storms by making needed sacrifices, pivoting and continuing to focus on our client’s needs for continued success.

Please tell us about the company.
Daryl’s By Design, established 1985, is a Dallas-based catering company, known for their ultimate attention to detail, creativity in presentation, flavorful cuisine and distinguished customer service. In 1992, DBD opened the Dallas World Aquarium, as a luncheon restaurant and event venue with an aquarium theme. Fast forward 27 years and we are now an internationally recognized Aquarium and Zoo, offering four unique venues for catered events.

Our venues definitely set us apart from others in DFW. Where else can you have your guests greeted by a Brown-Throated 3-toed Sloth or get married with an Antillean Manatee named Ayurami in attendance? Daryl’s By Design is also known for our cuisine and hospitality. I am personally proud of the conservation efforts that DWA promotes & Daryl’s By Design sponsors in over five different countries around the world. They tell you to never work with children or animals… I would have to disagree! It is truly special to come to work every day and be surrounded by all of these unique, endangered and protected animals, then to share this world with school children and, ultimately, my clients.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Success for me has changed over the years. In the beginning, I was more focused on event attendance and return on investment. While those factors still measure in, I consider true success is repeat business and client referrals from peers and past clients. In the wedding and event industry, you have to have patience and listen very carefully to what the client is actually wanting to accomplish with their event(s). For Brides, it is essential to find out what she wants her guests to experience, along with herself, on that special day. I also find value in connecting with professional planners and vendors is a necessity in the event industry on any level. Networking has been a true blessing for me, over the years. When my client is looking for special vendors, I know the people perfect for their event needs. I also know that the people I refer are professionals, familiar with our brand and will take great care of my clients. And they return the favor, in kind. I have always been told if you surround yourself with hardworking, inquisitive & positive people, who love to dream, you will find success.

Pricing:

• Sunday – Friday Revenue Minimums per venue – $10,000.00
• Saturday Revenue Minimums per venue – $15,000.00

Contact Info:

• Address: The Dallas World Aquarium
  1801 North Griffin Street
  Dallas, Texas 75202
• Website: www.dwazoo.com
• Phone: (214) 720.2224
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @darylsbydesign / @officialdwazoo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darylsbydesign/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/darylsbydesign / https://twitter.com/officialdwazoo
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/DallasWorldAquarium/

Image Credit:
Lyncca Harvey Photography

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