A modern hospitality house rooted in connection, intention, and place.
A modern hospitality house rooted in connection, intention, and place.
Behind The Brands
Rooted in decades of industry experience and a deep love for bringing people together, we lead with creativity, execute with precision, and infuse each project with warmth, care, and intention.
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Events
From luxury celebrations and incentive travel programs to world-class food and wine festivals, we bring people together through thoughtful design and genuine connection — creating experiences that linger long after the last toast.
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Retail
Born from a love of joyful hospitality, our retail division celebrates life’s special occasions — big and small. Whether you’re picking up a card to make someone’s day, sending a corporate gift basket, or grabbing a souvenir before visiting a loved one, our curated goods and entertaining essentials reflect our belief that every gesture of giving is an act of hospitality.
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Design
At Karson Butler Hospitality Co., design is where story meets setting. We craft immersive environments — from intimate dinners and holiday installations for commercial clients to large-scale gatherings — where every detail feels purposeful, layered, and connected.
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Education
As educators, speakers, and mentors, we’re passionate about shaping the future of hospitality. From university classrooms to national conferences and retail communities, we share our expertise to help others elevate experiences through intent, design, and connection.
Amber Karson & Emily Butler
Business partners for nearly two decades, twins Amber and Emily are re-defining what modern hospitality looks like.
Raised in a one-stoplight farm town, they launched their company in Washington, D.C. in 2008 before returning home to California, building a brand that blends East Coast sophistication with West Coast ease.
Today, their work spans the globe. From destination events and incentive travel programs to retail concepts and creative collaborations, all grounded in their signature blend of thoughtful design and genuine hospitality. Recognized leaders in the experience industry, Amber and Emily have been featured by The Today Show, The Washington Post, Town & Country, Martha Stewart Weddings, Glamour, BizBash and more. Once named among Special Events Magazine’s “Top 25 Young Event Pros to Watch,” they continue to shape the future of hospitality as educators, speakers, and advocates—never forgetting where they came from or the values that continue to guide their work.
Amber Karson Founder & CEO
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Founder and CEO Amber Karson is an industry leader with more than two decades of experience designing luxury programs at the intersection of food, wine, travel, and hospitality. Before launching Karson Butler Events, Amber led global meetings and special events for Franklin Templeton Investments, overseeing complex international programs and cross-cultural experiences around the world.
Today, Amber guides the vision and strategy of Karson Butler Hospitality Co., blending thoughtful design, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to authentic hospitality. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), she has been recognized nationally for her innovative approach — named one of Smart Meetings Magazine’s 2024 Meeting Professionals of the Year and recipient of multiple university and industry awards for mentorship and community impact.
An alumna of Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business, Amber serves on the university’s Experience Industry Management Department Advisory Council and teaches in both the Experience Industry Management and Wine & Viticulture departments, where she has developed courses in Strategic Event Planning, Experience Design, and Hospitality Management. She is passionate about shaping the next generation of industry leaders through hands-on learning and inclusive design.
Amber also serves on the San Luis Obispo County Events & Festivals Strategy Working Group and the Downtown SLO Association Events & Fundraising Committee, where she champions community-driven initiatives and sustainable practices that strengthen the local economy.
When she’s not leading her team or teaching, Amber finds inspiration in her garden, exploring historic architecture, and enjoying the rolling green hills of California’s Central Coast with her vizsla pup, Ferris.
Emily Butler CCO
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Chief Creative Officer
As Chief Creative Officer, Emily Butler leads the creative direction and guest experience strategy across all divisions of Karson Butler Hospitality Co. — from experiential design and brand activations to retail and product curation. Known for her intuitive understanding of how people gather, shop, and celebrate, Emily brings an unmatched eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the emotional journey behind every experience.
Before co-founding Karson Butler, Emily worked in Brand Management at Toyota and Lexus headquarters, where she developed national marketing campaigns and led teams of over 100 brand ambassadors. That foundation in large-scale storytelling and customer engagement continues to inform her creative leadership today.
Based full-time on California’s Central Coast, Emily oversees Karson Butler’s retail and gifting division — The Ah Louis Store and Ah Louis Outpost — recognized for its curated selection of gifts, entertaining essentials, and signature sense of joyful hospitality. Her trend-forward eye and thoughtful approach to design have positioned her as a tastemaker in both the events and retail industries.
A graduate of California State University, Chico (B.A. in Psychology) with a Professional Meeting & Event Planning Certificate from Cal State Long Beach, Emily combines behavioral insight with creative artistry to craft experiences that feel purposeful, modern, and deeply human.
Our Team KB Family
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Our talented team is at the heart of everything we do. From leading onsite experiences to managing day-to-day operations at The Ah Louis Store, they deliver the thoughtful service and attention to detail that define the Karson Butler experience. Together, we become a seamless extension of your project team — your guests will feel the KBHC difference.
