Until 1996, when he formally launched his own event design and production firm, Charles Banfield was one of the nation's best-kept secrets within the world of modern event design. 
Working behind-the-scenes and on the front lines of some of the country's biggest
events, Charles honed his skills in event design,
coordination, logistics, and
marketing. At the same time, he was contracted
by clients within other visual fields, who inspired Charles to broaden his expertise to include
photo- styling, store display,
merchandising, and award- winning
tradeshow design while remaining a consultant to some of the
leading retailers, both here in the U.S. and abroad.
Years prior to launching his own company, Charles worked his way through high school by applying what he learned from his family's construction ventures. At Macy's department stores, Charles was one of the first designers outside of Polo's corporate offices to work on the Ralph Lauren Polo Shops. 
Later, his retail skills were broadened when he began to work from the ground up with the
M&M's World Store, ESPN Zone,
Disney Quest, Club Disney,
Ethel M Chocolates, and several of the Westfield
Corporation's Shoppingtowns , among others. Between these projects, Charles worked as a
photo stylist, with published pieces in Marie
Clare, McCall's, Sassy,
Family Circle, Woman's World,
Mademoiselle, People, and
In Style.
Soon after, Charles Banfield Productions debuted, and it didn't take long for him to earn recognition. Indeed, the company's events were featured on and within the covers of Special Events Magazine for six consecutive years: December 1998, December 1999, August 2000, March 2001, August 2001, and September 2001, September 2002, March 2003, April 2003 and February 2005. His work continues to be published as feature material in the magazine. 
In addition, Charles Banfield Productions was nominated in four categories for the
2000 Special Events Magazine International Gala Awards, and won
for "Best Dining Table Top Design". In 2001, Charles was honored
with a nomination by Event Solutions Magazine for
"Designer Of The Year". And, for 2002, won the
Gala again for Best Marketing Campaign.
He was a finalist for the Spotlight Award as Event
Producer of the Year for 2002. In 2005, Charles took home the Gala for the third
time after winning the award for “Best Event Produced for a Private Individual, $500.00
or more per person.
In 2007, Charles took home the BizBash Style Award for the Best Meeting/Incentive Event Program. The award was for an educational program he created called “Meet the Masters”. The program was developed for the International Special Events Society (ISES) Los Angeles Chapter. It has become an annual event and a model for other chapters to emulate. In Spring of 2008, he was named a finalist for yet another BizBash Style Award, this time for “Best Fresh Idea” for his work on “Diva Bling” (see event production). To date, Charles Banfield Productions has been nominated and/or won an industry award in nearly every category presented. Not surprisingly, Charles' design talents extend to his own surroundings. The renovation of his former 1920's Los Angeles home has been featured on Kitty Bartholomew: Your Home on HGTV, as well as in The Los Angeles Times, and numerous magazines. Currently, Charles Banfield is in development on two shows for television. One is on the art of entertaining and the other is a children's program inspired by his role as an adoptive father. He is also consulting for several of his corporate clients on “green” business practices as they translate to Marketing, Event and Trade Show Production. |
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