A leading expert in music promotions, event management and productions, JASON HUVAERE is central to Detroit's creative community.

A leading expert in music promotions, event management and productions, Jason Huvaere is central to Detroit's creative community, offering innovative solutions for events and occasions from an experienced perspective. As an event director, Huvaere has led teams to produce hundreds of successful events. Among the most notable is Detroit's Electronic Music Festival, which his company, Paxahau Promotions Group, began producing in 2006. Since Paxahau took over production of this event, it has grown and improved with each passing year.

Paxahau first began as an all-volunteer organization with a history of promoting Detroit and electronic music through the web and special events. Paxahau.com -- which was launched in fall 1998, when Internet music streaming technology was introduced -- and demf.com are now two of the most-visited DJ listening web sites on the Internet.

The company's capabilities quickly grew to include event planning beginning in 1999, and Huvaere currently produces events under the Paxahau brand as well as contract work behind the scenes for select clients. Today, Huvaere produces an average of 12 events per year, including the globally recognized Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival.

Huvaere grew up learning about the automotive industry before entering Northwood University in 1992. It was during his education in entrepreneurialism that he changed course and followed his interests in music and technology, giving them his full attention. In the fall of 1993 he produced his first event.

Huvaere was active with the electronic music community throughout the 90's. In 1999 he founded Catalyst Technology Services, a successful consulting company that built the bridge to financial stability, allowing the Paxahau project to manifest. In 2005, he slowed the Catalyst project and Paxahau moved into a new commercial workspace to begin a full time schedule managing events.

Since Paxahau's inception, some recognitions include: Nation's top promoter by Urb magazine; Promoter of the Year by Real Detroit Weekly; a web station on the widely used iTunes network; and very positive press history. In 2006, Paxahau also produced a stage at CityFest, the rooftop fireworks party at Asian Village and the grand opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD).

In 2006, Crain's Detroit Business selected Huvaere as one of the coveted "40 Under 40." The following year, Paxahau was honored with a special tribute from the State of Michigan to recognize commitment to the City of Detroit and the world music community. Also in 2007, Huvaere was one of only 100 executives chosen as a team member of Detroit's Road to Renaissance, an initiative created as a think tank to address the future growth of metro Detroit.

Huvaere is also actively involved with Detroit Renaissance, a private, non-profit leadership organization dedicated to accelerating the region's economic growth; the Creative Corridor Committee, a project of Detroit Renaissance designed to bring together creative people and businesses along the Woodward corridor; D-Brand, a bold new approach to marketing synergy designed for marketers and business leaders; and the Detroit Made It Here Media Outlet.

Return to speakers.