About
Advisory Board Members
James Apteker
CEO
Longwood Events
James Apteker is the CEO of Longwood Events, a full-service special event company behind the State Room, Ballroom Veronique, Club Longwood, and Belle Mer, dramatic function facilities in downtown Boston, Brookline, Mass and Newport, RI, respectively.. Longwood Events’ private-event venues are the preeminent sites for discerning hosts who choose venues that carry an original personality and offer boutique style service in lieu of hotel banquet rooms.
Jim grew up in the food service industry. His parents were the founders of the original Veronique Restaurant in Coolidge Corner, which Jim moved to Longwood Towers and fully took over after his graduation from Boston University School of Hospitality in 1989. With the growing popularity of Veronique as “the place” for special events, Apteker’s restaurant concept slowly evolved into a private function room, with the final transition taking place in winter 2002. Ballroom Veronique and Club Longwood are now top destinations for weddings, social events and corporate dinners. His theory behind the event planning industry is: “Think of a little boutique that custom-tailors clothes. We custom-tailor events.”
In the fall of 2003, Jim purchased the former Bay Tower Room restaurant, on the 33rd and 34th floors of 60 State Street, in downtown Boston. After a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the facility, the State Room opened in spring of 2004. State Room offers a panoramic view of the harbor and city and is the only independently owned special event venue that can accommodate more than 850 guests in downtown Boston.
In July of 2004, Jim opened the first ever Boston University Club; a private business luncheon club for Boston University alumni and Boston area business professionals. The BU Club resides in the Harborside Salon of the State Room, where it showcases a panoramic view of the Boston Harbor.
In 2005, the Belle Mer in Newport, RI was acquired by Jim. Located just steps from the ocean’s edge, its lavish landscaping, outdoor terraces and sweeping views of Newport Harbor, make Belle Mer the most sought-after venue in Newport for wedding receptions, social parties, galas and corporate events.
Jim Apteker is on the board of directors for both Boston University’s School of Hospitality, and Roger A. Saunders School of Hotel & Restaurant Management at Newbury College. He was also chosen as B.U.’s “Alumni of the Year” in 2003 and was honored by Boston Business Journal with the prestigious award of “40 under 40” in 2004. This award is offered to Boston’s most successful young entrepreneurs under the age of 40. Jim also contributes much of his time to local charities and co-founded several non-profit organizations including Food Bank and Friends of Boston Homeless.
One of Apteker’s greatest passions is wine. He is an active member of the most distinguished wine organizations: Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Les Escoffier, and American Institute of Wine and Food. He is also an investor in several real estate and start-up projects in Boston and New York, an art and wine collector, and a dedicated fisherman. Jim and his wife, Alina, welcomed daughter Aniela on October 31, 2005.