Jeff Gitlin
CEO of Hawaii Luau Company
Versatile Business Leader
with Global Reach
CEO · Hawaii Luau Company · Entertainment Executive · Entrepreneur
Jeff Gitlin is a multifaceted entrepreneur and entertainment executive with over three decades of experience spanning talent management, live entertainment production, technology innovation, and hospitality services.
Jeff began his career in Hollywood's entertainment industry, becoming the youngest talent agent in Los Angeles at age 24. As head of the comedy department at Abrams Artists Agency, he developed and guided the careers of top comedy talent including Saturday Night Live stars Darrell Hammond, Jim Breuer, and Jay Mohr. His early career also included prestigious positions at 3 Arts Entertainment (working with Greg Daniels of The Office and King of the Hill, and Howie Mandel), ICM talent agency (representing A-list stars including Denzel Washington, Steve Martin, and Nicolas Cage), and Warner Bros. Animation in New York.
Building a Legacy on Stage
In 1997, Jeff founded Jeff Gitlin Entertainment, a full-service management and production company. His most notable achievement was serving as Executive Producer of the interactive comedy phenomenon Tony n' Tina's Wedding from 2001–2019. Under his leadership, the show enjoyed remarkable success across multiple markets: a six-year Broadway run (2004–2010), an unprecedented 21-year Off-Broadway run in New York City, and extended engagements at major Las Vegas venues including Bally's, Planet Hollywood, and Rio Resort and Casino. Jeff also produced the show internationally, including runs on Norwegian Cruise Line's Hawaiian fleet, a European tour aboard the Norwegian Jade, three years at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and multi-year productions in Bermuda and at various Hawaiian venues.
Jeff's creative portfolio extends beyond Tony n' Tina's Wedding. He co-launched and executive produced The Fantasy Party on Broadway in 2006, which expanded to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. He created and executive produced the $1,000,000 Vegas Game Show at Planet Hollywood (2008–2009) and produced LA Comedy Club and Late Night with Zowie Bowie at Bally's Las Vegas in 2013. From 2005–2008, he served as Executive Producer on a feature film in development with Michael Eisner's Tornante Company.
From Entertainment to Technology
In 2010, Jeff transitioned into technology as Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Orions Digital Technologies, a startup focused on entertainment technology solutions. He worked closely with Synergy Sports and the NBA, facilitating the company's designation as the official stats and technology provider for the NBA, securing deals with every NBA team as well as ESPN and Fox Sports.
In 2011, Jeff co-founded Paradise Activity Company with business partner Larry Pellegrini, creating the first third-party vendor of its kind in the United States for resort and timeshare entertainment and activities. The company has grown to manage activity departments for over 20 properties across the U.S., with consulting projects extending to Mexico and major timeshare resort groups nationwide.
Bringing Polynesia to Maui
Jeff's passion for Hawaiian culture and entertainment led him to co-produce Huakaʻi Lūʻau — Journey Through Polynesia, which launched in 2014 at the Kāʻanapali Beach Club in Maui. The show became one of Maui's most popular lūʻaus, running for six years before the pandemic. In November 2021, Jeff reimagined and relaunched the production at the award-winning Seascape Restaurant at the world-famous Maui Ocean Center. The show has since moved to the Hilton Grand Vacations Resort in Kāʻanapali (March 2023), where it continues to delight sold-out audiences.
At the Forefront of What's Next
Since January 2019, Jeff has owned and operated Jagged Edge Marketing, positioning the company at the forefront of AI automation, Google My Business optimization, and SEO marketing. Additionally, he serves as VP of Sales and Marketing for Xsette Technology, Inc., a disruptive force in the data security and cybersecurity space with two patents granted and issued.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in TV/Film Management from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jeff embodies his life philosophy: "Embrace innovation, drive disruption, and make a positive impact in every endeavor." He balances his professional pursuits with time dedicated to family, exercise, reading, and hobbies, maintaining the well-rounded lifestyle that fuels his continued success across multiple industries.
Experience the Show
Join us for an evening of fire, feast, and the living spirit of Polynesia beneath the stars of Kāʻanapali, Maui.
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