our Team

Who are we ?

We are one of the top bespoke event planning companies in the world, specializing in high-end corporate and private events.

Our client types include: Corporate companies, Nonprofits, VCs, and High-net-worth & ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

We have offices in San Francisco and London, but produce events all over the world. The size of our events ranges from a 6-person dinner party to a 10,000-person summit. Budgets we work with range from 20k > 7m.

Key event types

CEO & Founder

A woman with long dark hair wearing a blue blazer, black top, and jewelry, posing against a neutral background.

Vivienne Errington-Barnes

The first 10 years of Vivienne’s career were dedicated to running Change Functions for investment banks in London, (i.e. Project and Programme Management). Learning to operate in such risk averse and process driven environments gave Shift + Alt Events an unparalleled standard for event production.

The next 10 years were spent in tech in San Francisco performing C-Level roles for unicorns, (the last role being Chief of Staff at Calm). This experience was formative for Shift + Alt Events to reflect the level of taste and quality their current clients seek.

With such a unique Founder story for the field of events management, Shift + Alt Events quickly became number 1 in the Bay Area for bespoke events, number 1 in London for VCs and one of the top boutique event companies globally.

Today Shift + Alt Events produces around 500 events a year all around the world, (anywhere from NYC to Costa Rica).

Our values

At Shift + Alt Events, our values shape how we work, collaborate, and create exceptional experiences. They guide both how we deliver our work professionally and how we build a thoughtful, supportive team culture. Below are the principles that define how our organization operates, both in the way we serve our clients and in the culture we cultivate within our team.

professional values

  • Ownership

    We lead as subject matter experts, not order takers. Our role is to anticipate, advise, and take responsibility for the outcome as if the event were our own. We think beyond what is asked, flag risks early, and present thoughtful options with clear recommendations. We take pride in our work and hold ourselves to standards that often exceed what is required.

  • Originality

    Every Shift + Alt Events production is original in at least one meaningful way. We challenge ourselves creatively, take considered risks, and avoid repetition for the sake of convenience. Success is measured not only by client delight, but by whether we would be excited to attend the event ourselves. The goal is always to create experiences that people genuinely remember.

  • Attention to Detail

    Precision matters. We believe excellence lives in the details, even when no one explicitly asks for them. Our work is reviewed, refined, and pressure-tested so that questions are answered before they are raised and nothing feels accidental or overlooked.

  • Rigorous Organization

    Our events are executed with system-level discipline and calm control. We prioritize intelligently, work efficiently, and design processes that scale. The focus is not on long hours, but on clear thinking, strong structure, and exceptional outcomes.

  • Clear Communication

    Events succeed or fail on communication. We act as the connective layer between ideas and execution, ensuring clarity across clients, partners, and teams. We communicate early, consistently, and transparently. Assumptions are avoided and concerns are raised directly and constructively

Cultural values

  • Lifestyle First

    Shift + Alt Events was built to support a full and intentional life. Flexibility, autonomy, and freedom are core to who we are. We work with clients we respect, from anywhere in the world, in ways that support both ambition and longevity.

  • Two smiling young women hugging in a nightclub, with a DJ dressed in a futuristic LED suit and helmet standing behind them, blowing smoke.

    Be Yourself

    We value openness, inclusivity, and individuality. Our team and our clients are encouraged to show up as they are. Creativity and trust thrive in environments where people feel respected and welcomed.

  • Warmth and Approachability

    We are friendly, human, and genuinely enjoy working with people. While our standards are high, our energy is never cold. We believe the best events are created through real connection and shared enjoyment of the process.

  • Professionalism

    We understand where warmth ends, and responsibility begins. We remain composed under pressure, regulate our emotions in challenging moments, and respond with integrity even when others do not. How we show up matters as much as what we deliver.

  • Two people handshake in front of a patterned window.

    Trust and Integrity

    Trust is foundational to everything we do. We protect our clients, our guests, and each other. We operate with transparency, ethical clarity, and long-term thinking, even when it costs us in the short term. If something cannot be justified openly, it does not belong in our business.