For more than 25
years, celebrity event planner and hospitality consultant Arthur Backal
has dominated Manhattan’s star-studded social industry—a scene
notorious for high-end A-listers with even higher expectations. In addition to
managing countless venues in New York City, Backal has also participated in the development of posh
hotels, restaurants and event spaces on an international scale. But despite his
lavish professional life, or perhaps because of it, Backal’s wife and children
take center stage.
“It’s important
to have my family life be a part of the culture of my company,” Backal
explains. “Family is of the utmost importance.”
Through his
planning and production company, State of the Art Enterprises, Backal has remained
one of New
York’s
most accomplished and talented food and beverage professionals. From working
with Leona Helmsley at The Palace and Donald Trump at The Plaza, to various
projects at The St. Regis, The Waldorf-Astoria, and The Rainbow Room, Backal’s
repertoire is filled with prominent people and five-star venues. To expand his work,
he launched The Backal Hospitality Group about four years ago, a branch of his
business designed to aid in venue development and management consulting.
As if running
some of the city’s most elite events and venues isn’t exciting enough, Backal also
does philanthropy work around town. He is an active board member of City
Harvest, a charity that feeds the hungry while raising awareness and funding.
“It’s an
important mission for me to be a part of. There are so many people in need and
helping to eliminate that problem is very rewarding,” he says.
Between
remaining innovative in his career and keeping up with the community, Backal
has become an expert at time management. While trying to balance a professional
and personal life always has its challenges, he actually uses both to benefit
one another.
“Whether you’re
running a business or raising children, you have to have your core values,”
Backal notes. “You have to teach your kids the value of respect and learn to
lead by example.”
With the help of
his supportive wife, Liana, he has raised a close-knit, loving family that he
is immensely proud of. And with Father’s Day on the horizon, Backal looks
forward to celebrating with the people who mean the most to him.
“I feel like I’m
blessed with a great family life and a great work life. Just being able to
spend time with my family will be the perfect gift for me this year.”
