Business Details
19 Years
experience
Trusted Event Staffing Services in New York
Founded in 2007 by Lucas Mendietta and Nathan Perry, Cutting Edge Elite (CEE) has established itself as a trusted leader in event staffing solutions. Our journey began with a commitment to redefine hospitality through emotional intelligence, empathy, and second chances. We prioritize both client and staff satisfaction by investing in rigorous training, fostering professional growth, and maintaining 100% legal compliance. Our teams combine competence and charisma to deliver flawless execution at events ranging from small private gatherings to large corporate functions. With operations nationwide in major cities like New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, we provide tailored staffing solutions that align with brand identities and event specifications.Our corporate philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, proactive communication, and liability protection to ensure peace of mind for clients. We cultivate a supportive work environment where staff feel valued and empowered to excel in service delivery. Backed by 14 years of industry experience, our leadership team combines global perspectives with deep hospitality expertise to maintain our reputation for exceptional service. From recruitment to event execution, we maintain strict quality control through specialized divisions including Corporate Staff, Classic Staff, Select Staff, Elite Staff, and Bespoke Staff. Our dedication to innovation and client partnership ensures every event achieves its unique vision while exceeding attendee expectations.
Services
Event Staff
Servers
Bartenders
Brand Ambassadors
Models
Event Planners
Managers
Captains
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Established in 2007 with 14+ years of specialized event staffing experience
- 24/7 office support for event coordination and issue resolution
- Nationwide service coverage across major metropolitan areas
- 100% legally compliant staff with full insurance and liability protection
- Customized staffing divisions for diverse event requirements
Services
Event Staff
Our professional event staff combine technical expertise with exceptional hospitality skills. Trained in guest interaction, protocol adherence, and problem-solving, they ensure seamless event execution. Each staff member undergoes rigorous vetting and continuous professional development to maintain our high service standards.
Brand Ambassadors
Charismatic brand ambassadors deliver impactful brand representation at events. They engage attendees, communicate marketing messages effectively, and create memorable brand experiences. Our ambassadors receive specialized training in product knowledge and customer engagement techniques.
Event Planners
Expert event planners coordinate every detail from concept to execution. They collaborate with clients to develop customized staffing solutions, manage timelines, and ensure flawless implementation. Their leadership guarantees cohesive team performance at every event.
Elite Staff
Elite staff represent our most experienced professionals for premium events. Selected through competitive criteria, these experts provide sophisticated service in high-profile settings. Their advanced training covers luxury hospitality standards and exclusive event protocols.
Bespoke Staff
Bespoke staffing solutions offer tailored team composition for unique events. Clients receive personalized selection of specialized staff with relevant expertise. This premium service guarantees precise alignment with specific event requirements and brand aesthetics.
People
Lucas Mendietta
President/Co-Founder
From humble beginnings as a homeless New Yorker, Lucas built CEE on principles of empathy and opportunity. His leadership focuses on creating second chances while maintaining operational excellence in event staffing solutions.
Nathan Perry
CEO/Co-Founder
Guatemalan-born Duke graduate Nathan brings strategic vision to CEE. With 14 years of experience, he emphasizes personnel development and continuous innovation in event staffing services while expanding industry standards.
Tim Berryman
Vice President
British hospitality expert Tim oversees staffing operations with extensive West End theater background. He leads talent development and quality control, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional service across all client engagements.
Teresa Davi
Client Success Manager
With 6+ years at CEE, Teresa specializes in strategic client partnerships. She develops customized staffing solutions for major accounts while maintaining hands-on connection to field operations and service delivery.
Ginael Alexander
Sales & Recruiting
MBA holder Ginael manages recruitment operations in Hudson Valley. She combines hospitality experience with business management expertise to identify top talent that meets CEE's rigorous service standards.
Questions
What types of events does CEE staff?
We serve corporate functions, private parties, brand activations, and special events of all sizes across multiple industries.
How do you ensure staff quality?
Through rigorous vetting, continuous training programs, and performance monitoring to maintain our high service standards.
Do you provide staff outside major cities?
While we maintain teams in key urban centers, we coordinate staffing solutions nationwide for clients in any location.
What training do your staff receive?
Comprehensive hospitality training covering service protocols, guest interaction, and situational problem-solving to ensure superior performance.
How quickly can you deploy staff?
Our responsive systems allow rapid staffing solutions, with standard response times under 24 hours for most requests.
Reviews (7)
Ingrid Wiggberg
Oct 22, 2021
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I have been a member of the Cutting Edge Elite team for the past three years. It's truly a fun place to work. Every gig is a new adventure, as we work with a variety of clients, and delivering stellar levels of service in different types of events throughout the Greater NYC area. It's a fantastic company for people who are self-starters and have a passion for hospitality and events. The fact that there is great team collaboration among my colleagues makes all the difference, as it's very important to have a willing and cooperative crew. Furthermore, my fellow co-workers are fun, entertaining, and
Jeremy Ward
Sep 04, 2021
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Ive worked with CEE for 4 years now, and overall Ive had a good experience with the company. They value dedicated, hard workers, so if thats you, its easy to fit in and do well in this company and type of work. I can count on one hand the times the work Ive done on a CEE-booked job has been legitimately challenging; the work we do 95% of the time is very simple, straight forward work. Combine that with the extreme flexibility of schedule and you have the ideal job for someone who is in NYC to pursue other things.
Cutting Edge does a good job at putting people into lead positions
Cutting Edge does a good job at putting people into lead positions
Xavier Miller
Sep 01, 2021
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This company is the best company I've worked for by far! The professionalism, the camaraderie, the overall business ethics of this company I stand by it all!! It feels like a family, because it truly is. Nathan & Lucas make sure the staff is taken care of first & foremost before jumping into any new business ventures. I highly recommend either working for them or even having a event that is taken care of by Cutting Edge Elite. I promise, neither will disappoint.
Tucker Lewis
Aug 29, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I've been an employee of CEE for over 5 years now. They are professional. Kind. Easy to work with and genuinely a great group of people. They have always treated me well and I would choose them over any other staffing agency in NYC
I've been an employee of CEE for over 5 years now. They are professional. Kind. Easy to work with and genuinely a great group of people. They have always treated me well and I would choose them over any other staffing agency in NYC
Olivia Eskens
Aug 29, 2021
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Ive been active at CEE since I first moved to nyc. Theyve always been very accommodating of my work preferences and its always been nice to be able to pick up random events when I feel like it. The flexibility is something a really value, and every event that Ive done has been a really unique experience.
Kait Kinley
Dec 02, 2018
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The most unprofessional and incompetent company Ive ever worked with. They over book for events and make the last employee to show up go home. They overcharge their clients for their overbooking. They have a ridiculous booking system where multiple people are involved and no one is on the same page. Ive been told I was booked and then couldnt get in contact with Lucas about my details nor could anyone else help. They DO NOT respect their employees and their time. I am never working with them again nor do I recommend anyone else.
The AfterTaste
Dec 25, 2017
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In one word...Professional. We will certainly use CEE again. Their staff was so attentive to our needs. Everyone was welcomed with and knew exactly what to do. They were all very attractive which was a plus! I received several compliments on the staff. I would highly recommend CEE for any event. Thank you!
