The Troy-based Kresge Foundation has a rich history with Detroit. When Special D Events was tapped to help plan Kresge’s centennial celebration in 2024, its staff dug deep to craft an event that was Detroit-centric and worthy of a philanthropic organization that has played a key role in the city’s evolution during pivotal moments. Thus, it was especially gratifying when the Detroit-based event agency won the Best Event Planning Award from the International Live Events Association (ILEA) for The Kresge Foundation Centennial Celebration held at the Detroit Institute of Arts, says Special D Events President and CEO Carol Galle.
“We were authentically Detroit—we really leaned into the city and tapped into some deep resources,” Galle says. Special D Events worked with a 15-point list full of ways the event would incorporate community, which included sourcing items from area suppliers, enlisting former President Barack Obama to participate in a fireside chat with Kresge’s President and CEO Rip Rapson, and booking spontaneous performances by Detroit-area entertainers, who trooped about the galleries.
Michelle Perron, director of The Kresge Foundation’s executive office, says Special D Events played a pivotal role in bringing the organization’s vision to life. “Its team was especially thoughtful in curating moments that felt intentional—whether it was how attendees were welcomed, how artists were uplifted, or how visual elements supported our narrative,” Perron adds. “Special D didn’t just execute logistics, it elevated the emotional resonance.”
