Welcome to PEKO Creative, a uniquely experienced event production and management company led by Peter Kohlmann.
For over 30 years PEKO Creative has been producing some of New York City's most memorable events, from a decade of New Year’s Eve in Times Square and parades up Fifth Avenue, to major festivals and national commemorations.
Read our Story
Our Story
A native New Yorker, Peter Kohlmann has been been creating, managing, and producing large-scale events in New York City as PEKO Creative since 2002.
Peter Kohlmann began his career in 1978 within the first administration of Mayor Edward I. Koch and continued to work for the Mayor in various positions, including Advance Man and Assistant to the Mayor, through 1989.
During his tenure with the City, Peter worked in the Community Assistance Unit, led programs related to the 1990 Census and the urban food recovery program, and also served as the Mayor's liaison to Mother Teresa.
Peter started producing large-scale events throughout the city, including the 200th Anniversary of George Washington’s Inauguration and the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day in 1990, which was attended by more than one million people.
Following the Gulf War parade in 1991, he produced one of the country's largest welcome home celebrations. Troops from all the allied nations paraded up lower Broadway through tons of ticker tape. For his work, Peter received a civilian war medal from the U.S. Department of Defense.
In 1992 Peter became the Vice President of Marketing and Special Events for the Times Square Alliance to improve and enhance this world-famous entertainment district.
Peter created marketing and promotional programs, events, public relations strategies and tourism initiatives – all of which contributed to the dramatic improvement of the neighborhood. This included the creation of the present day Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration. During his tenure, the neighborhood witnessed a dramatic turnaround, which was heralded by The New York Times as “one of the greatest examples of urban reclamation in the world."
In 2002, Peter formalized his work as PEKO Creative and brought together a team of experts to lead event production for many major events throughout the city.
Projects
200th Anniversary of the Inauguration of George Washington
Executive Director of NYC Commission
1989
A series of events commemorating the 200th Anniversary of George Washington’s Inauguration and the U.S. Constitution. The celebration included a national parade and ceremony presided over by President George H. W. Bush.
Earth Day Celebration: 20th Anniversary
Co-Producer
1990
In 1990 Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. This multi-faceted celebration of Earth Day saw more than one million attending a street fair and concert in Central Park which included performances by Hall and Oats and the B52’s.
Gulf War Parade: Operation Welcome Home
Executive Director
1991
Following the end of the Gulf War in 1991 produced the country's largest welcome home celebrations. Troops from all the allied nations paraded up lower Broadway through tons of ticker tape. For his work, Mr. Kohlmann received a civilian war medal from the U.S. Department of Defense.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square
Creator & Executive Producer
1992–2002
As the Vice President of Marketing and Special Events at TSA, Peter created the modern Ball Drop/New Year's Celebration attended by more 750k people and viewed by hundreds of millions of people on television and online. Implemented over the course of ten years, Peter worked on numerous numerous marketing and public relations initiatives geared towards the revitalization of Times Square.
Times Square Millenium
Executive Producer
2000
Executive Producer of the country's most-anticipated Millennium celebration attended by an estimated two million people over 24 hours.
Broadway on Broadway
Creator & Executive Producer
1992-2002
The Broadway on Broadway music extravaganza attended by more than 50,000 theatre lovers with live performances of many of the current shows on Broadway.
Taste of Times Square
Creator & Executive Producer
1995-2002
Taste of Times Square features the restaurants of Times Square, including those located along the famed Restaurant Row on 46th Street. The event continues to this day with over 50 restaurants and eateries and 25,000 guests participating annually.
Prayer for America
Executive Producer
2001
Organized this important memorial following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Brought together a volunteer event production team that created the event in a few days featuring Bette Midler and many of the City's leaders.
Special Session of Congress at New York’s Federal Hall
Executive Producer
2002
Working with Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office, PEKO produced this Special Joint Session in coordination with the leaders of Congress commemorating the attacks on 9/11. It was the first time that Congress held a session outside of Washington, DC.
NYC CultureFest
Executive Producer & Co-Creator
2002-2010
Produced for NYC & Company New York City's largest annual cultural festival, featuring more than 110 arts organizations. Created as an educational arts fair the event enabled arts organizations to promote programs, exhibits and new attractions to a large, engaged audience.
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square
Executive Producer & Co-Creator
2003-2012
Designed and produced New York City's largest holiday festival with over 13 entertainment venues, 30 restaurant tasting tents and 20,000 guests.
NYC RNC Host Committee
Director of Operations & Producer
2004
Management of convention operations for the City of New York. Responsibilities included: building and managing the media center, volunteer management, venue liaison, delegating transport and production of major welcoming events in conjunction with the RNC.
Bloomberg for Mayor
Producer
2005 & 2009
Producer of major rallies, events and election nights during the campaign.
World Premiere of King Kong
Producer
2005
Production management for the world premiere of this Universal Pictures film in Times Square.
Save Darfur Rally in Central Park
Producer
2006
Producer of live concert for 25,000 people in Central Park prior to opening session of the United Nations.
The New York Times Great Read in the Park
Producer
2006–2014
Book fair in Bryant Park featuring major authors and publishers with over 25,000 in attendance.
Save the Children 75th Anniversary Gala
Executive Producer
2007
Live event featuring Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush and Melinda Gates.
The Telectroscope
Producer
2008
The Telectroscope was a critically acclaimed art installation in New York City and London installed by artist Paul St. George in cooperation with Artichoke, U.K. Located at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Telectroscope was connected "via underground tunnel" to the base of the Tower Bridge in London. The project allowed guests in New York to see and interact with the guests on the London end of this bi-continental project.
The Tony Awards
Producer
2009–2014
Live public broadcast event in Times Square.
NCAA Basketball Finals & NBA Draft
Co-Producer
2011
Co-Producer of programs supporting the City of Newark's effort hosting these two major events; created fan festivals and ad programs as well as the fan transport system and volunteer program.
National Food Day
Producer
2011
Produced this inaugural event featuring an eat-in in Times Square and information displays for The Center of Science in the Public Interest.
Celebrate Israel Parade
Executive Producer
2011–current
With over 40,000 marchers, 30 floats and live music, the Celebrate Israel Parade fills Fifth Avenue each year and is the largest celebration of its kind. Also responsible for producing the live television broadcast and livestream of the event viewed by tens of thousands around the world.
NYC International Olympic Committee
Producer & Coordinator
2012
Oversaw the creation and production of events and the management of logistics for this multi-faceted evaluation visit of the International Olympic Committee.
Dîner en Blanc
Co-Producer & Co-Host
2012
Co-producer and co-host of the NYC iteration of Dîner en Blanc, a worldwide event spanning six continents. This unique pop-up picnic saw 10,000 participants dressed in white and featured live entertainment and dancing.
No Hate. No Fear. Solidarity March & Rally
Executive Producer
2020
Produced the No Hate No Fear Solidarity rally which ended with a solidarity march over the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza Park. The event featured a major concert and rally against antisemitism in connection with communities and partners across the country.
The Metropolitan Opera in Times Square
Executive Producer
2006-2021
PEKO created this now 15-year-long tradition between Metropolitan Opera and the Times Square Alliance and has produced the simulcast of The Met’s season-opening opera live for free on the iconic screens of Times Square. In 2021, the live audience of 3,000 saw Fire Shut Up in My Bones.
Shine a Light on Antisemitism: Matisyahu Concert
Executive Producer
2021
Shine a Light on Antisemitism was a concert and rally featuring the signs of Times Square, Matisyahu and major politicians.
Clients
Corporate
NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee
The New York Times
Destination Maternity
Universal Pictures
BBC America/Ground Force
Blue Current/Fleishman Hillard
Geto & Demilly/Forest City Ratner
Spectacolor, Inc.
Align Entertainment
Nicholas & Lence Communications
Cultural & Non-Profit
The Metropolitan Opera
Carnegie Corporation of New York
HELP, USA
Boy Scouts of America/GNYC
Jewish Community Relations Council
The Tony Awards
350.org
The New York International Film Festival
Museum of the City of New York
Save the Children
Save Darfur
Artichoke Trust Ltd., London, England
Museum of Arts and Design
Beijing Music Festival
Sustainable Markets Foundation
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Carnegie Hall
100k in 10
Government & Public/Private Partnerships
City of New York
NYC & Company
NYC Marketing
NYC Big Events
Fashion Center Business Improvement District
Times Square Alliance
Lincoln Square Business Improvement District
NYC 2012 Olympic Bid
NYC 2004 Host Committee
World Trade Center Memorial Commission
City of Newark, Brick City Development Corporation, New Jersey
Contact Us
Interested in working together?
Get in touch: peter@pekocreative.com