KAREN L MAY

The Visionary Behind Scottsdale Private Event Venues

Editor’s Note

In a city defined by desert skies and limitless ambition, few people have transformed the Scottsdale landscape quite like Karen Leigh May. As the founder of Scottsdale Private Event Venues (SPEV), she has elevated hangar-based hospitality into a high-art form—where corporate experiences, luxury launches, and private celebrations take flight in settings once reserved for aircraft.

We sat down with Karen to uncover how she built one of Arizona’s most dynamic event empires—and how her passion, discipline, and fearlessness continue to redefine what’s possible in experiential design.

From Vision to Velocity

“People don’t remember ordinary,” Karen says. “They remember the experience that gave them goosebumps.”

There are entrepreneurs who follow trends, and then there are visionaries who rewrite the rules. Karen Leigh May falls firmly into the latter.

Her company, Scottsdale Private Event Venues, is a network of over a dozen private hangars and industrial-chic spaces that redefine what it means to gather, celebrate, and connect. From Hangar 7 and The Aviator Hangar in Scottsdale to the newly air-conditioned hangars in Mesa, each property serves as a blank canvas—ready to become a branded world of light, motion, and imagination.

Karen’s hallmark is her ability to merge elegance with adrenaline. A corporate gala may open with aerial cirque performers suspended from the ceiling. A product launch might unfold beside a sleek jet glowing in LED light. Every detail is purposeful, every angle cinematic.

The Skills That Built an Empire

“You can’t fake excellence in this business. You have to live it—every day, every detail.”

Karen’s career began deep in the heart of hospitality. She learned early how to think like both a designer and a producer: creative enough to dream big, grounded enough to execute flawlessly.

Her path demanded stamina, intuition, and an unrelenting eye for detail. Over the years, she cultivated three defining habits:

Relentless curiosity. She studies architecture, lighting, and culinary innovation to stay years ahead of trends.
Hands-on leadership. “I’m always on-site, in heels, checking every sight line and shadow,” she laughs.
Relationship excellence. Karen builds deep partnerships—with caterers, AV teams, and clients—creating synergy that fuels SPEV’s flawless reputation.

These practices shaped not only her career but the DNA of her company: an obsession with doing things better, brighter, and bolder than before.

Sidebar: Signature SPEV Highlights

🛩️ The Aviator Hangar – 30,000 sq ft of industrial glamour with McDowell Mountain views.
🔥 Flying Fortress Hangar – A cinematic backdrop for boxing nights and fashion runways.
❄️ Mesa AC Hangars – Fully air-conditioned venues redefining Arizona summer comfort.
🥂 Culinary Theater – Action-packed chef stations featuring locally sourced Arizona ingredients.
🎬 Experiential Design – Greenscreen photo suites, LED installations, and custom center-runway events.

Reinventing the Hangar Experience

Where others saw cold metal, Karen saw potential. “The hangar is freedom,” she says. “It’s limitless. It’s the opposite of a ballroom.”

Under her direction, each SPEV location evolved into a creative playground—a venue capable of hosting 1,000-guest dinners, immersive brand showcases, or private concerts beneath jet wings.

Her latest Mesa expansion—featuring fully air-conditioned hangars—extends Arizona’s event season and reinforces her reputation for anticipating what clients want before they ask.

Every SPEV event is a living production: bespoke lighting, curated soundscapes, interactive activations, and menus bursting with freshness. Karen’s hand-picked culinary partners deliver farm-to-plate theater that mirrors her company’s flair for the extraordinary.

Purpose Beyond Glamour

“Whether it’s a luxury gala or a rescue fundraiser, every event should inspire connection.”

Despite her empire’s success, Karen’s values are rooted in compassion. She is a passionate advocate for animal rescue and adoption, using her platform to raise awareness for humane causes. Her posts about rescue dogs and adoption stories reveal a deeply empathetic side—a reminder that great leadership is as much about heart as hustle.

This empathy flows into her business philosophy. “Events are more than décor and dining,” she says. “They’re about connection—about people feeling seen and celebrated.”

The Art of Continual Reinvention

In a world where trends fade fast, Karen keeps SPEV ahead through constant evolution. She calls it creative momentum: the daily pursuit of innovation, detail, and purpose.

Her advice to others mirrors her journey:

“Don’t wait for permission. Build what you wish existed. When they say it’s impossible—smile and do it anyway.”

From her first transformed hangar to her growing Mesa collection, Karen Leigh May has proven that imagination, integrity, and intention can take any dream sky-high.