From the Runway to the Room: Marquita Rugless on ROC Events

In this episode of I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me, Jaclyn Richard sits down with Marquita Rugless, founder and Chief Experience Officer of ROC Events LLC, a Rochester-based event design company known for turning ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences. Marquita shares how she built ROC Events from a love of large-scale fashion shows into a business that has produced more than 300 events, from ROC the Runway to weddings, summits, and community celebrations across the country. They talk about creativity, precision, guest experience, and the grit it takes to build something beautiful that also feels personal, intentional, and deeply rooted in community.