Bronson van Wyck

Podcast EpisodesHospitality
Written By Reagan Prechter

Some people approach events as productions. For Bronson van Wyck, entertaining begins with something more elemental - a true spirit of hospitality.

In our recent conversation on The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Bronson traced his approach back to his childhood on a farm in Arkansas. Hosting wasn’t an occasional duty but a way of life. Guests—whether family friends, buyers for the rice harvest, or college roommates—were welcomed with warmth, ritual, and imagination. As he put it, “The origin of hospitality is figuring out a way for people to interact with strangers and to communicate through rituals that you’re safe, appreciated, and loved.”

Listen to the full episode via Spotify or Apple.

From Protocol to Production

Bronson’s early career path carried him from the U.S. State Department to the art department at Paramount. Along the way, he absorbed lessons that now shape his signature style. His internship under U.S. Ambassador Pamela Harriman revealed the power of small, thoughtful gestures—knowing someone’s favorite wine, remembering the details of past conversations, seating people strategically. Hospitality, he observed, can accomplish what formal negotiations cannot.

That grounding in diplomacy, combined with theatrical training and hands-on work in restaurants, gave Bronson his unique lens: events as a fusion of protocol, set design, and generosity.

The Gift of Surprise

One of Bronson’s hallmarks is pacing—what he calls the “20-minute rule.” Every twenty minutes, something should shift: a course change, a surprise element, music or lighting. These moments of delight keep guests engaged, connected, and present. As he explained, “Our attention spans are shorter and shorter. Surprise and pacing construct the narrative of the night, much like acts in a play.”

It isn't a spectacle for its own sake. Rather, it’s about creating the exhale—the moment when a guest feels transported, cared for, and free from the distractions of everyday life.

Warmth Over Wealth

While many gatherings focus on display, Bronson reminds us of the true measure: “True welcome is about displaying warmth, not wealth. Don’t ever compromise the former for the sake of the latter.”

He recalls a grand fashion event where guests, forced to abandon their champagne flutes before dinner, left half-filled glasses of 1996 Dom Perignon littering the floor of then entrance. The oversight was costly not in dollars, but in dignity. The best hosts, he insists, make guests feel big, never small.

Giving Back Through Gatherings

For Bronson, hospitality is also a tool for service. His firm produces multiple charity events each year, waiving fees and delivering the same level of creativity and execution as with private clients. These events allow him and his team to contribute their talent in meaningful ways, while enjoying the creative freedom that comes with volunteering.

What’s Next

At the time of our conversation, Bronson was preparing an event in London for the Clooney Foundation for Justice, supporting legal aid for wrongfully imprisoned journalists. He also shared his newest venture, Dio—bottled craft cocktails that bring some of his most successful event recipes to a wider audience.

It’s a reminder that hospitality isn’t confined to the ballroom or the private estate. At its best, it travels—into homes, across cultures, and into the everyday moments where connection matters most.

Listen to the full episode via Spotify or Apple.

If you would lxike to talk with us about planning your next event,  HERE.

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Reagan Prechter
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