Last year, the Royal Ball was esteemed "Best Event of the Year," according to The Santa Barbara Independent. Due to the great success of last year's ball, the 2013 Royal Ball nearly doubled its guest count as well as the net proceeds. It is an exciting time in the event management company's history to have had the opportunity to produce an LGBTQ event that was subsequently chosen to be a finalist in a prestigious international competition.

"We are so honored to be a finalist for this prestigious award and particularly thrilled to be nominated along with three of our favorite friends and vendors: Classic Party Rentals, Images by Lighting and AOO," said Merryl Brown.

Merryl Brown Events is no stranger to partnering up with non profit organizations, such as Pacific Pride Foundation and 1% for the Planet. Company owner, Merryl Brown, firmly believes that it is everyone's responsibility to make a difference in their respective communities or 'corners of the world.' Brown's dedication to making a positive impact is evident by the company's strong commitment to investing in sustainability efforts and teaming up with organizations with respectable causes.

Pacific Pride Foundation is an organization established in Santa Barbara County, and serving the Central Coast of California. Pacific Pride Foundation is highly regarded for providing the LGBTQ community with compassionate, quality health and social service programs, such as: HIV/AIDS services and education, LGBTQ counseling and recovery services, services for questioning youth, sensitivity training for law enforcement and much more. The Royal Ball provides Pacific Pride Foundation with an opportunity to raise necessary funds in order to sustain their vital services, which are unavailable through any other organization in the country.

The Royal Ball is a grand and opulent event featuring prominent individuals in the LGBTQ community. These important figures include: actor Neil Patrick Harris, Iron Chef Cat Cora, 20th Century Fox Television's Chairman Gary Newman, actress Jane Lynch, writer, producer, and singer Shaun Cassidy and so many more.

2013 has been an epic year for Merryl Brown Events. If the 2012 Royal Ball wins this award, it will be the third consecutive year that Merryl Brown Events has won an ISES award. In 2011 and 2012, the event management company won the ISES Espirt Award for Best Green Solution.

ISES honors industry excellence through its prestigious awards program, the ISES Esprit Awards, which fuel a spirit of competition within designated categories. It commemorates special event professionals who exhibit a "spirit of excellence" in their work. The importance of global industry recognition helps improve industry standards internationally and further promotes our professionalism. ISES is dedicated to recognizing excellence in events and rewarding those individuals whose vision and creativity make their events "Special."

About Merryl Brown Events: Merryl Brown Events, based in Santa Barbara, is among the best event planning companies in California. Known for their attention to detail and old world elegance, Merryl Brown Events specializes in social events, corporate events and elegant Santa Barbara weddings. Follow MBE on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest company events, and Pinterest to see the photographic excellence of their work. Call 805-453-5729 for more information.