2024 Impact 50 Honoree: Gary Guidry

CEO
Black Promoters Collective

YEARS IN THE BIZ: 26
FIRST JOB IN THE BIZ: Street promotions in college

The Black Promoters Collective may promote tours by such marquee acts as Frankie Beverly & Maze, Keith Sweat and “The Love Hard Tour” with Keysha Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim, and K. Michelle, but for CEO Gary Guidry, it’s a Florida festival that most excites him for 2024.

“I’m very proud of the launch of our Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) festival … It was a huge success, evident in the remarkable increase in year-over-year sales and the enhanced production quality and overall patron experience,” Guidry says. “This achievement was significant as it fulfilled the city’s objectives of revitalizing the brand, fostering community engagement, and reinstating a culture of excellence where attendees could truly revel in the experience.”

The fest, in its 17th year, ran March 9-10 in Miami Gardens, Florida, and welcomed more than 35,000 music fans. This year’s expanded artist bill included Babyface, Omarion, Summer Walker, Kirk Franklin, October London, Tink, Eric Bellinger, Fantasia, Jaheim, Jazmine Sullivan, Tamia, Marsha Ambrosius and Maxwell.

BPC brought in younger talent that still appealed to older audiences, Guidry says. “Our event brought families together, providing entertainment for aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, mothers, fathers and children, creating a multi-generational celebration around exceptional music.”

Guidry cites post-pandemic realities as BPC’s biggest challenge.

“As everyone rushes back into the scene, the competition is fierce, but it’s poised to balance out soon,” Guidry says. “This leveling will allow production companies to focus on creating larger, more tailored shows that cater directly to consumers’ preferences. In turn, audiences will have the opportunity to experience meticulously curated events that meet their expectations.”

Guidry says his guiding business philosophy is to value listening over speaking, and it pays off. “Patrons will reveal their consumption desires, while artists and partners will express their preferred audience and desired communication channels,” he adds, with JITG being just one example. He says BPC expects to launch two more festival experiences in 2025.