Here at Illusions of Grandeur when planning a big event for a client we try to understand their “story”. It helps us with the design in order to make their event both meaningful and applicable.

In thinking about this, I decided to write a little about OUR story.

Of course in 36 years of business there have been many twists and turns….the story is a long one….but for now, I will concentrate on a brief synopsis of how we, this sweet group of mine, came together as a “family.”

1985 – Kristin Markus/CEO – As some of you know, I was working at The Hyatt Regency Monterey in the Sales Department. At this time, my then husband decided we should start a business so at least one of us would be home more often. Events were just really getting their start and as a sales person I was often asked to do the legwork of event companies from out of town…power requirements, room measurements, etc. This started happening so often that I thought perhaps there should be a local company doing this type of work so I started calling around and sure enough, my friends at other hotels agreed. Illusions’s first client came to us by way of Judi (Camp) Briscoe in March 1985 at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (before I even had a business card). This was a huge blessing because my then husband really lobbied for us to have a Honey Baked Ham store. And the rest, as they say, is history!

1994 – Britta Arnold/Lead Designer – Britta had been working at Monterey Peninsula College in the theatre department. She had moved to the USA from Germany and two people on my staff begged me to hire her for the month of September as we were very busy and they felt we needed extra help. I agreed that we should but not knowing what business was going to book after September, I said only to hire her for that month. (I was going through a rough divorce at the time so to say I was “a little out of it” was an understatement.) Around the middle of November, I realized that I had seen this sweet young woman at the shop on a daily basis. I asked her if she was working full time…she seemed surprised but confirmed that yes, she was. Needless to say, this was one of the best decisions I never made, but thankfully my team did!

2000 – Linda Calannio/Senior Event Sales and Production Manager – Linda had been on my radar for a couple of years. She had owned an event company in Southern California and I felt would be a great addition to the team but as life goes, paths varied and she ended up studying homeopathy and what some would call “alternative health care”. Linda is our resident “doctor” but has also been a great addition. Her first event with Illusions was a huge wedding. I won’t go into details but suffice it to say it was extremely challenging. Linda handled it with grace and professionalism and has been with us ever since!

2004 – Alison J. Baguio/General Manager – Alison and I had worked together when SHE was at The Hyatt Regency Monterey in Catering/Convention Services. I knew she was bright and great with both clients and vendors so when I needed to fill a position I tried to reach out to her. She had left the Hyatt in order to get married so on a tip from Rick Gebin, I was able to find her and the rest is history. She keeps the wheels on the bus around here and we are all eternally grateful….her nickname is “glue”!

2009 – Gerardo Cabrera/Operations Director – I first worked with Gerardo at a wedding at Stonepine Estate. We were, of all things, scraping plates to return to the caterer. We started talking and I found out he was a first cousin of one of my very first employees who had tragically died in a car accident in Mexico. I could tell he was bright, very enthusiastic and I hoped we could hire him more often (he was just on call that day). Sure enough, he started working with us on various projects and it was then that I realized his talent. The guy can build almost anything, figure out a solution on the spot and has a great temperament for events!

2011 – Hugo Montes/Operations Manager – Hugo came to us by way of a recommendation by a friend. As it turns out his family is also from the little town in Mexico where Gerardo is from…Santa Catarina. After Hugo had been working with us for a year or so he took a trip to Mexico for Christmas and was surprised to see that half the town had Illusions of Grandeur tee shirts on. Hugo is a talented DJ and lighting specialist on the side…I have been begging him for our own playlist. Stay tuned on that!

2016 – Lezlie Johnson/Lead Floral Designer – Lezlie started helping with flowers when we had big floral jobs. I think of Lezlie as the “flower whisperer” as they can sometimes look a little sad but when she starts her magic, everything comes to life! As a child of the sixties growing up in Santa Cruz, Lezlie is definitely a “flower child” as she brings joy and sunshine to us on a daily basis!

2017 – Frankie Montes/Operations – Hugo’s younger brother, Frankie joined the team and has been a great addition as he also brings his experience of driving large trucks to Illusions. Turns out he is quite a good musician and plays in a successful band called Grupo La Insignia (find them on YouTube when you have a moment.)

2019 – Eliseo Cabrera/Operations – Speaking of brothers, we have the brothers Montes (Hugo and Frankie) and the brothers Cabrera (Gerardo and Eliseo). Eliseo’s background was in the wine business but when the winery he worked with for many years was sold we were the lucky ones to acquire his talents! Eliseo knows the inventory and quantities like the back of his hand!

2021 – Kati Enea/Event Sales and Production Manager – Having worked with Kati when she was doing events for both The Beach House and Porsche Monterey, we knew she would be a good fit at Illusions when it was time to hire. She has an infectious laugh and sparkles with energy. And, yes, she is a great fit!

I would be remiss if I did not mention the many people who have come through these doors and have gone on to spread their wings. Each and everyone of them has left their mark and is a part of our history and for that, I feel blessed beyond measure.