Ellis Island Events

What Ellis Island Events does

Ellis Island Events is the exclusive event venue rental division of Evelyn Hill Inc., a third-generation family-owned business operating as the National Park Service concessionaire for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island since 1931. The company provides private event access to three National Monument venues in New York Harbor: Ellis Island (accommodating 50-1,200 guests across 13,000 square feet of indoor area), Liberty Island (outdoor events for 500+ guests on 12 acres featuring the Statue of Liberty), and the Statue of Liberty Museum opened in 2019 (indoor events for 50-220 guests with an Immersive Theater and observation deck), plus a 1,630-square-foot Conference Room on Ellis Island's third floor overlooking the Registry Room.

The underlying technology consists of virtual 360° tour platforms for remote venue exploration, a customer-facing digital Ellis Island Passenger Database (65 million records from 1820-1957) operated in partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, and standard event management systems for coordinating NPS permits, ferry logistics, and vendor scheduling. The company's competitive position rests on its regulatory exclusivity as the sole NPS-authorized concessionaire for these landmarks, a position no competitor can replicate.

Revenue is generated through a one-time per-event pricing model aggregating Special Use Permit fees paid to the NPS ($9,000-$23,000 depending on guest count and event impact), exclusive private ferry transportation via Statue Cruises ($9,700-$17,500), an NPS application fee ($75), required $1,000,000 general liability insurance, and a curated marketplace of event enhancement vendors (Paper & Flowers, Ten31 Productions, Bounce Entertainment, and others) offering add-ons from $500-$3,500+. The company employs an enterprise field sales motion led by VP of Events Patti Golden (30 years of venue tenure), targeting corporate clients (Coca-Cola's 125th Anniversary, USAA Army-Navy Gala), government and diplomatic entities (UN Head of State Luncheons), nonprofits (Ellis Island Medal of Honor), and entertainment industry clients through direct outreach, site tours, and dedicated corporate email and phone channels. In 2024, the company ceased hosting wedding events per NPS regulations, narrowing its focus to corporate galas, fundraisers, and special events.

Name

Ellis Island Events

Legal name

Evelyn Hill Inc.

Website

https://ellisisland-events.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ellis Island Events operates the exclusive private event venue business at Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and the Statue of Liberty Museum as the National Park Service concessionaire Evelyn Hill Inc., serving corporate clients, nonprofits, and government entities with high-profile galas and special events for 50 to 1,200 guests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Rental Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Park Concession Operations (Food, Retail, Fuel, General Stores) (THAAAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Permitting, Reservations & Visitor Information Services (Passes, Booking, Visitor Centers) (THAAAGAD), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), Private Islands & Exclusive-Use Compounds (THAMAEAF)

Keywords

• Event venue rental
• Corporate event planning
• National monument venues
• Private event spaces
• Gala venue services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental and Event Services: Ellis Island Events generates revenue through venue rental fees for hosting corporate galas, fundraisers, private events, and celebrations at Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Revenue includes Special Use Permit fees paid to the National Park Service, ferry transportation fees, catering coordination, and event enhancement vendor partnerships.
2. Special Use Permit Fees: Mandatory permit fees paid directly to the National Park Service, ranging from $9,000 for up to 99 guests to $23,000 for 1,200 guests. These fees are based on impact factors including number of guests, length of event, and usage of monument grounds.
3. Ferry Transportation Services: Revenue from private ferry transportation provided by Statue Cruises (exclusive provider) ranging from $9,700 to $17,500 depending on ferry selection. Ferries hold 400-800 guests with multiple ferries available for charter.
4. Event Enhancement Vendors: Commission-based or referred revenue from approved event enhancement vendors including Paper & Flowers, Ten31 Productions, Bounce Entertainment, Wizard Studios, and others. Vendors are negotiated and booked directly with clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ellis Island Events rents exclusive private access to Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and the Statue of Liberty Museum as event venues for corporate galas, fundraisers, private celebrations, and meetings of 50 to 1,200 guests. As the National Park Service concessionaire operated by Evelyn Hill Inc., the company coordinates Special Use permits, private ferry transportation, catering, and event enhancement vendors, while also offering virtual tours and customized historical programming through The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.

Product overview

Ellis Island Events is a venue rental and event management company operated by Evelyn Hill Inc. as the National Park Service concessionaire. The company offers exclusive access to three National Monuments as event venues: Ellis Island, Liberty Island (Statue of Liberty), and the Statue of Liberty Museum. The core venue products include Ellis Island (50-1,200 guests, 13,000 sq ft), Liberty Island (500+ outdoor events), Statue of Liberty Museum (50-220 indoor events), and a Conference Room (up to 100 guests). Add-on services include Virtual Tours (Ellis Island Tour, Liberty Island Tour, Virtual 360 Tours), Event Enhancements (performances, décor, themed experiences), Customized Experiences through The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, ferry transportation, and the American Family Immigration History Center for genealogical research events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ellis Island Venue Historic National Monument venue offering exclusive use of the museum and grounds for events ranging from 50 to 1,200 guests, with 13,000 square feet of indoor space, Manhattan skyline views, and outdoor areas under the stars overlooking the Statue of Liberty.
• Liberty Island Venue Specialty event space on 12 acres in New York Harbor featuring the Statue of Liberty, with exclusive ferry transportation, National Park Rangers on-site, and capacity for outdoor events of 500+ guests pending weather and NPS approval.
• Statue of Liberty Museum Event Space Venue within the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island offering indoor and outdoor spaces, an Immersive Theater, interactive exhibits, an observation deck, and a green roofscape with NYC skyline views, accommodating 50–220 guests indoors and 500+ outdoors.
• Conference Room Private meeting room on the 3rd floor of the Ellis Island Museum overlooking the Great Hall, a 1,630-square-foot daytime venue accommodating up to 100 guests for corporate meetings, strategy sessions, and family reunions.
• Special Events Planning Services End-to-end corporate event planning services including Corporate Galas, Corporate Parties, Holiday Parties, Corporate Dinners, Corporate Meetings, Company Outings, Product Launch Parties, Company Celebrations and Anniversaries.
• Event Enhancements Curated catalog of optional add-on services including Custom Paper Flowers, Living Statue of Liberty performance, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi actor appearance, historical immigration reenactments, NYC Taxi Cab Step and Repeat backdrop, Red Carpet, Sea of Candles, Disco Ball Centerpieces, Pretzel Bar, and Event Passport Templates.
• American Family Immigration History Center Access Research facility home to the Ellis Island Passenger Database containing 65 million passenger arrival records from 1820–1957, available for private events for up to four hours accommodating up to 160 research sessions.
• Ferry Transportation Services Exclusive ferry transportation provided by Statue Cruises from Battery Park, NYC or Liberty State Park, NJ, with private ferries ranging from $9,700 to $17,500 depending on ferry selection, holding 400–800 guests with multiple ferries available for charter.

Quantifiable outcome

• Events hosted for 50 to 1,200 guests across four distinct venue spaces
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvelyn Hill Inc. is the authorized concessionaire for the National Park Service providing all food, beverage, retail, and management of events for Ellis Island and Liberty Island National Monuments. The NPS must approve all events including date, guest count, schedule, and flow. Special Use Permit fees are paid directly to the NPS ranging from $9,000 to $23,000.
• Statue CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatue Cruises is the exclusive provider of transportation to Ellis and Liberty Islands from Battery Park, NYC or Liberty State Park, NJ. Private ferries transport clients and guests for events, with rides under 15 minutes. Ferry prices range from $9,700 to $17,500 depending on ferry selection. Ferries hold 400-800 guests with multiple ferries available for charter.
• The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partners with Ellis Island Events to provide the American Family Immigration History Center for private events, customizable speaker programs, and access to the Ellis Island Passenger Database containing 65 million records. The Foundation opened the award-winning Statue of Liberty Museum in 2019.
• Paper & Flowers (Kristina Fitzpatrick)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing handcrafted paper flowers for event décor. Available in wide range of colors, sizes, and styles for centerpieces and large-scale installations. Contact: [email protected], (917) 803-6264.
• Ten31 Productions (Joe Pari)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing Living Statue of Liberty performance. Starting at $2,900. Contact: [email protected], (401) 225-5692.
• Bounce Entertainment (Dean Vali)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing historical immigration reenactments with period-costumed actors representing diverse cultures. Starting at $1,200. Contact: [email protected], (201) 888-8319.
• Wizard Studios (Nikki Leynor)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing NYC Taxi Cab Step & Repeat backdrop for photo opportunities. Contact: [email protected], (917) 612-1359.
• Floral & Event Design (James Francois Pijuan)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing Sea of Candles decoration for enchanting entrances. Starting at $3,500. Contact: [email protected], (917) 847-4546.
• CZ Events & Design (Courtney Zaccagna)minorOthersEvent enhancement partner providing Pretzel Bar station for New York-themed snack experiences. Starting at $750. Contact: [email protected], (201) 741-8347.
• NYC Catering PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEllis Island Events works with top NYC catering partners to provide customizable catering options for events. All menus are customized to client specifications and dietary requirements. Contact through Evelyn Hill Inc. event coordinators.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ARAMARK: ARAMARK is a large food services and facility management company that previously employed VP of Events Patti Golden and operates venue partnerships across the NYC Landmark Collection. Comparable as a broad incumbent in hospitality, event management, and venue concessions serving corporate clients.
• Delaware North Companies: Delaware North is a major hospitality and food service company that operates national park concessions and event venues across multiple NPS sites. Comparable as a broad incumbent concessionaire operating private event and hospitality services within National Parks.
• Xanterra Travel Collection: Xanterra operates hospitality, lodging, and event services as an NPS concessionaire at multiple National Parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc.). Comparable as a broad incumbent NPS concessionaire providing venue and event services within National Park settings, though not directly competing in the NYC corporate event market.

Direct peers

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met hosts private corporate events, galas, and fundraisers in its iconic galleries and temple of Dendur space. Comparable as a landmark NYC institutional venue operator targeting the same corporate gala and nonprofit fundraiser segments at similar premium price points.
• 620 Loft & Garden: 620 Loft & Garden operates a luxury NYC rooftop venue overlooking St. Patrick's Cathedral, frequently used for corporate and private events. Comparable as a unique, iconic-NYC venue catering to corporate galas and social celebrations with premium pricing.
• Cipriani: Cipriani operates a portfolio of luxury event venues in NYC (including Cipriani 25 Broadway, Cipriani South Street) hosting corporate galas, weddings, and high-profile celebrations. Directly comparable as a premium, iconic-NYC event venue operator serving enterprise and nonprofit clients at comparable price points.
• Battery Gardens: Battery Gardens is a NYC event venue located in Battery Park with views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. Directly comparable as a waterfront Manhattan event venue with ferry proximity and Statue of Liberty views used for corporate and social celebrations.
• The Plaza Hotel: The Plaza Hotel offers iconic NYC event spaces (Grand Ballroom, Terrace Room) used for corporate galas, weddings, and luxury private events. Comparable as a globally recognized landmark venue in NYC targeting the same high-end corporate and social event market.
• Tavern on the Green: Tavern on the Green operates as a landmark NYC event venue in Central Park for corporate and private celebrations. Comparable as an iconic NYC venue operator serving similar enterprise and high-end social event customers.

Regional players

• Liberty House Restaurant: Liberty House is a Jersey City waterfront event venue with Manhattan skyline views used for weddings and corporate events. Comparable as a NYC-metro-area waterfront event venue operator, though not located on a National Monument and serving a more local tri-state clientele.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/statue-of-liberty-and-ellis-island-events
• Instagraminstagram.com/ellisislandevents
• Xx.com/Statue_Ellis
• Facebookfacebook.com/EllisIslandEvents

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ellis Island Events