Attention To Detail, Inc, was started by Franca Marena Gullett and Bergitte Thomas Chodrow in Houston, Texas in 1996.  ATD immediately began producing both corporate and social events for clients. Corporate events ranged from full scale trade shows to company picnics.  Clients included: Pan Energy, Enron Corporation, Bosworth Papers, Briggs Weaver Industrial Equipment, Obstetrics and Gynecological Association of Texas, Halliburton, Texas Commerce Bank, United Stated Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Houston Chronicle, BRSG Public Relations, Baylor College of Medicine, Vinson & Elkins, Cowboy Pipeline Service Company, Vaquero Ranch, Schlumberger, Chase Bank, Time Warner Cable and the Palm Restaurant.    Social events range from local intimate elegant dinner parties to upscale extravagant events overseas, from baby showers in Napa to reunion cruises in Greece.  In 1997, weddings were officially added to the company's repertoire.  Destination weddings become an obvious next step and have since become ATD's specialty.  Now, ATD takes pride in planning some of the country's most extravagant weddings as well as some of the most elaborate and unique social functions worldwide. 

Franca, ATD's President, was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Switzerland and Italy before moving to the USA to attend college as a Broadcast Journalism major. Her international background and extensive travels have added to her talent in producing extraordinary events in foreign countries where she understands the logistics of travel and event planning in those places. Franca, who is a Certified Event Planner and a Certified Destination Specialist by the International Society of Meeting Planners, lives in Houston with her husband and two young children.

Franca's Favorites:

ATD event : A social client hosted a 50th birthday blowout in Acapulco at Villa Arabesque.   Villa Arabesque has been the setting for wild parties for royalties and celebrities alike and James Bond even landed his helicopter there in 1998's "License to Kill".  The 44,000 square foot oceanfront villa has a Moorish theme and so we went with that theme to produce an event compete with henna artists, a traditional Moroccan feast and tea ceremony, and of course, belly and fire dancers flown in from Houston.  After a night of partying guests were treated to a beautiful brunch by the ocean with the soft sounds of a local Spanish guitarist.  It was a fun event for a great client so we couldn't help but have a great time!

International venue for a small group :  Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown , New Zealand

Destination for a traditional small wedding : Chateau de la Chevre D'or in Eze, France

Texas venue for a dinner party : Trois Estate in Austin, Texas

US restaurant for a fun social or corporate function : N9NE,  Las Vegas

US restaurant for wedding brunch : Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park, New York

International restaurant for a social event :  The terrace at Restaurant Georges, Paris

If you can pay for it.. do it :  Musha Cay in the Bahamas

 

Bergitte,  ATD's Senior Event Director, is a native Houstonian.  Bergitte's degree in political science as well as a background in advertising sales and money management have certainly brought many positive attributes to ATD.  Bergitte has experience with all of the styles and types of events we produce from trade shows to destination weddings, from Christmas parties to baby showers.  And, in between running marathons (yes literally!) and working on events with our clients and brides, Bergitte is busy being a wife and a mom to two wonderful children.

Bergitte's Favorites:

ATD event : A western theme trade show we put together in less than 2 weeks!  Complete with vendor booths, spokemodels, games (we brought in a mechanical bull and video arcade games), full sets and props including custom 18 foot swinging saloon doors, male and female models passing drinks and food in saloon wear, photo opps, powerpoint presentations, pamphlets, signage and lots of food (from chili served in lined ten gallon hats to beer kept ice-cold in horse troughs). The 600+ attendees had a great time and their sales from the trade show tripled from the previous year. It was a fun event to produce and an even better one to attend!

US venue :   Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley 

Destination for a beach wedding :   Turtle Island, Fiji

Destination wedding in the US :  The Point Resort, Adirondacks,

New York Venue for a cocktail party with a view :  A60 (top of 60 Thompson) in New York

If you can pay for it...do it :   Yankee Stadium for a private baseball game

Hidden gem in Texas :  Dos Brisas Resort near Brenham