Scottsdale’s Premier Luxury Lifestyle Concierge Hosting Anniversary Parties at Cake, Riot House & El Hefe Nov. 14 – 16, 2024
He goes to sleep most days when the rest of The Valley is just waking up, and while he doesn’t drink, he also doesn’t miss a party at Scottsdale’s hottest night club or event venue. Soon, Gem Ray will commemorate 15 years of Scottsdale Nights, his internationally known luxury concierge service, with a citywide celebration, hosting three exclusive parties at three of Scottsdale’s most popular hotspots.
The festivities kick off at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at Cake Nightclub (4405 N Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale), where guests can enjoy a red-carpet affair featuring aerialists, LED robots and an on-site caricature artist capturing the festivities. The celebration continues at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at Riot House (4425 N Saddlebag Trail, #105, Scottsdale), where attendees can sip from ice luges, pose for paparazzi and catch the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight on the big screen. The third and final celebration in the series is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at El Hefe (4425 N Saddlebag Trail, #105, Scottsdale), with all three parties promising photo opportunities, unforgettable moments and a chance for surprise appearances by celebrities and special guests.
A self-made nightlife visionary, Ray built Scottsdale Nights from the ground-up, drawing upon his innate understanding of hospitality and existing relationships with Scottsdale club owners and managers to create memorable evenings for athletes, celebrities, nightlife enthusiasts and other high-net-worth and corporate clients. Now, 15 years later, his events and services attract partygoers from across the city and around the world, cementing Ray as one of the city’s premier nightlife authorities and one of Scottsdale’s most influential names inluxury and entertainment.
Partnering with many of Scottsdale’s best bars and nightlife venues, Ray operates with a database of 4.5 million contacts and hosts an impressive 80 to 100 events each month. From getting guests VIP access to the city’s trendiest clubs to securing them private tables, premium bottle service, tickets to coveted sporting events and fine dining, hotel, transportation and Airbnb reservations, Ray has cemented Scottsdale Nights as the ultimate one-stop shop for luxury and lifestyle services.
“95% of my business is relationships,” said Ray. “I work seven days a week and go to bed around 3 a.m. and wake up by 11 a.m. so that I’m available and ready to go so I can service my clients and all their needs, whatever they may be.” Over the years, Ray has handled countless crazy and unusual requests – too many to list – but making it all come together is just part of the routine. A resident of Old Town Scottsdale, Ray, 48, says his business really took off after social media became a mainstay in 2010. In the time since, he created and operated three companies: Scottsdale 7, Scottsdale Nights and Gem Ray Media.
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked significant professional growth for Ray, allowing him to expand his business into both national and international markets. Today, he has a broad network of more than 300 contractors operating in 18 cities across the globe. “We expanded far beyond just getting our clients into the hottest restaurants and clubs,” Ray said. “Now, we broker Airbnbs, and we handle transportation, hotel and of course all of your restaurant, nightlife, concerts and sporting event needs.” As Ray’s client and contractor lists grew, so, too, did his revenue, with Scottsdale Nights’ earnings tripling over the last four years.
While Ray remains tight-lipped about the names of his celebrity clientele, his client base includes MLB, NBA, NFL and NFL Alumni Association contacts. He also hosts quarterly alumni happy hours and Saturday viewing parties for his native Ohio State Buckeyes at Scottsdale’s Bottled Blonde.
“Hitting the 15-year mark is a major milestone for Scottsdale Nights, and it’s also a testament to the relationships and trust we’ve built along the way, both in this community and beyond,” Ray said. “While we’re tipping our hats to the people, places and partners who helped us get here, we’re also looking forward, staying ahead of the curve and setting the stage for the next 15 years in Scottsdale’s nightlife scene.”