About Clarke Allen

After twenty years as an award-winning event designer and entrepreneur, Clarke Allen is a master of his craft, having worked with such well-known clients as Preston Bailey, David Tutera, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Oprah Winfrey, Lowe's Home Improvement, Bank of America, the Carolina Panthers, Samaritan's Feet International, and the late Dr. Maya Angelou. Since starting his award-winning event design and production company in his native Charlotte in 1994, Clarke went on to found Creatrix Design in 1997, Centerstage@NoDa in 2006, and Legacy Charitable Partners in 2008. All of his companies consolidated and rebranded as Clarke Allen in 2010. In his role as a business and life coach and teacher, Clarke has become a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, and creativity for corporate, academic, nonprofit, and organizational groups. He's a frequent expert source for journalists and has been quoted or profiled in Oprah.com, American Express Open Forum, the Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte Business Journal, and NFocus Magazine, and interviewed on public radio outlets. Clarke has always been a dynamic storyteller. His is a story of great success to near failure, and he tells it from deeply personal reflection and a longing to help others escape their boxes. "The Designer has a Design for Life!" Clarke creates some of the most incredibly beautiful event designs for his clients, and now, through his life-changing experience, he has not only discovered a design for his life, but also is now much more intentional in the way in which he constructs that design. Clarke is a graduate of Appalachian State University. Along with his design awards and honors, Clarke takes pride in his standing as a Destination Management Certified Professional. He cherishes time with friends and family and enjoys travel, reading, great food, yoga, weight training, and personal fitness. Above all, Clarke enjoys spending time with his two boys, Carson and Cooper, the driving source and inspiration behind all he does.