Meet the Team

Carey Smolensky is a dynamic Event Producer, Entertainer, Open Format DJ / MC, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Recording Artist, and Author of "Living Life with PASSION and Helping Others". Celebrating over 40 years in business, Carey founded Mobile Music in 1978, the first of many divisions in the CSP Worldwide family of companies. A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago with a B.S. in Biology, and trained at Chicago's highly acclaimed Second City. Carey is listed in WHO's WHO WORLDWIDE, served as President of the Chicago Chapter of The International Special Events Society from 1993 to 1995, and is active in numerous boards of charitable organizations.

In 1985 Carey met his wife, Diane, while being the DJ for her father’s 50th birthday party. This was the beginning of not only their love for each other, but their love of working with each other. Diane began working with Carey to create Carey Smolensky Productions, coordinating full scale corporate and social events; locally, nationally and globally.

Thirteen years later, in 1998, Custom Specialty Promotions was created as a division of Carey Smolensky Productions, to provide Promotional Products for their clients. In January 2006, Custom Specialty Promotions was incorporated by Diane Smolensky, as a woman owned business, with Carey as its Executive Vice President.

Carey continued to develop new concepts and in August 2007, STORM Interactive Entertainment was created to integrate live musicians & entertainers into the mix of DJs, MCs & Dancers.

Carey constantly evolves to create new concepts for impacting attendees in a multi-sensory fashion; thus creating unforgettable experiences on a social level and increased ROI on a corporate level. Exceeding client expectations for Live, Virtual, and Hybrid events.

The CSP family provides a one-stop source for their clients’ needs. As their strategic partner, we not only satisfy our clients, but exceed their expectations locally, nationally and globally.

Originally from San Diego, California, Brent Stringfield comes to Carey Smolensky Productions with over 30 years of theatrical experience. Having begun his trek in theatre as a child, he has worked every aspect of the craft and has been honored with awards as a performer, director, designer, and producer. Brent has also served on the Board of Directors of many theatres, as well as the Artistic Manager of PowPAC…positions, which, more often than not, require juggling several roles simultaneously. Gaining through this experience a unique understanding of theatrics and production elements, Brent easily transitioned into the special event industry in 1998, and has be going strong ever since. Brent has been a member of the International Special Events Society since 2000, serving on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter. Brent believes it is important to give back to the community, as was evident with his volunteer work with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, the San Diego Zoological Society, and numerous scholarship programs. Brent will continue with his volunteer work locally. It is through Brent’s attention to detail and his relationship with clients, production personnel, and artists that helps him ensure the very best for your events!

John Altman serves as the Technical Production Manager for CSP Worldwide.  John, with over 20 years in the special event industry, has a wonderful knowledge of video, sound, and lighting.  It is John’s ability to foresee challenges and his creativity for solving them before they become issues is part of why he is such an asset to the CSP Worldwide Team. His expertise spans from in-person events to virtual events seamlessly. John has an eagerness for knowledge that leads him to finding the best possible solution to meet and, most often, exceed the expectations of Clients, Attendees, and the ROIs of the events he manages.

Shani (aka DJ Chitown Shani) has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She is a former Miss Chicago Dance and has been featured in numerous music videos and artists concerts. Shani’s diverse talent has jettisoned her to the top of the heap in the Mobile and Club Industry. She has presented seminars at numerous DJ Conventions and has been featured as the “Entertainer of the Month” in the DJ Times Magazine and Mobile Beat Magazine to share her expertise to others in the DJ industry. Shani is the quintessential entertainer who does it all – DJ, MC, Interactive Entertainer, Event Producer, and Choreographer. She knows how to read and command any type of crowd when she’s on the microphone, mixing music, and/or rocking out her guests on the dance floor. Shani has worked with the hottest music artists, athletes, and fashion icons for major events and functions as well. She is a member of the Disc Jockey News Team that broadcasts a live stream DJ chat show every Monday night. You can watch and chat with her live on the DJNTV YouTube channel. Shani is also currently a BOSE Performing Artist DJing for the BOSE brand all over the United States. Shani’s energetic style never ends, and her stage presence sparks enthusiasm in everyone around her.

Diane met and fell in love with her husband Carey, while he was the DJ for her Dad’s 50th birthday party in 1985. Diane began working with Carey and together they created, Carey Smolensky Productions. This venture started by selling invitations and creating centerpieces and quickly grew. In 1987 we began coordinating full scale corporate and social events, both locally and nationwide. It was through this experience that Carey and Diane saw the need for a custom ad specialties company; as the perfect compliment to our other divisions thus providing convenience for their clients.

1998 Custom Specialty Promotions was created as a division of Carey Smolensky Productions. Through many hours of self taught technical education, Diane has learned this industry from the ground up. In January 2006, Custom Specialty Promotions became incorporated as a woman owned business with Diane Smolensky as its President and owner. It is this drive and determination that has served Diane her entire life as she is a survivor of being seriously injured by a drunk driver as well as a survivor of breast cancer. Diane instills her positive outlook on life along with her business ethics of integrity and honesty not only to her children but to her sales staff as well. As the business continued to grow so too, did their family with the births of Blake in 1989 and Rachel in 1991. Family is and has always been Diane’s main priority.