A New Era for Island Events
There’s a new name in the Nantucket event scene. The new company, called Nantucket Event Co., has combined some of the biggest names in island events under the same umbrella, the culmination of a major merger in the Nantucket event space, and just in time for summer. The new company combines Nantucket Tents, Placesetters and Soiree Floral. N Magazine caught up with Nantucket Event Co.’s owner, Alec LeFort, who led the move and now heads the new company, to discuss the acquisition, and his goals for the new consolidated company.
N Magazine: Tell us about the consolidation of Nantucket Tents, Placesetters and Soiree Floral into Nantucket Event Company.
LeFort: Our overarching philosophy at Nantucket Event Co. is to always think about how we can make the customer experience better. By consolidating the three businesses under one roof and providing a truly end-to-end service, we can greatly simplify and streamline the purchasing, planning and execution of any event on Nantucket.
N Magazine: How do you approach supporting events to meet unique demands, especially in a place like Nantucket?
LeFort: We are incredibly fortunate to have over30 years of experience on the island, which is critical to ensure that these complicated events are a success. Most importantly, we rely heavily on our longstanding relationships with the leading local planners, venues and vendors on the island to navigate the significant nuances of an on-island event.
N Magazine: Tell us about your background, and how you made it to Nantucket.
LeFort: I have been an entrepreneur my entire career and love building and operating businesses. My family is based right across the Sound in Jamestown, Rhode Island, and I have spent a ton of time on the island over the years. The opportunity to own and operate these businesses in a place close to my heart and my personal interests—sailing and surfing—is so unique and exciting.
N Magazine: What are your goals with the new company?
LeFort: The combination of our three legacy businesses has allowed us to significantly expand our capacity and reach. Through this integration, we've built a larger team, streamlined our operations and revamped our online presence with the new nantucketeventco.com website. Also, the strategic purchase of Sperry Tents of South Florida (now Palm Beach Event Company) based in Palm Beach, Florida brings fantastic seasonal, geographic and customer base synergies.
N Magazine: Nantucket has long been a wedding destination and a place for galas, festivals and fetes. Have you seen a change in the event space on the island?
LeFort: I can’t imagine a better event destination than Nantucket, and that’s not changing anytime soon. While the design and aesthetics of events will continue to evolve, the island’s charm and appeal will always be at the heart of it all. We’re committed to evolving alongside new trends while staying true to the island’s roots.
N Magazine: What sets Nantucket Event Company apart on an island known for its events?
LeFort: What really sets us apart starts with our team—we’ve got a group of incredibly experienced people who know Nantucket like the back of their hand and genuinely love what they do. We’re also the island’s exclusive provider of Sperry Sailcloth Tents, which are such a beautiful fit for events here. And beyond that, we offer pretty much everything under one roof—from tents and flooring to furniture, décor, and floral design—which makes the whole process so much easier for our clients.
N Magazine: What are you most excited about for the company heading into the season?
LeFort: We’re going into the season with a really clear game plan and just want to execute at a high level. With the new name, refreshed brand presence, and some exciting additions to our inventory, the overall energy within the team is incredibly high. We’re especially looking forward to welcoming clients into our newly renovated showroom at 28Centre Street where they can meet with the team and check out the full inventory.
