Ernest Sturm
Ernest Sturm is a prominent entrepreneur in luxury hospitality, influencer marketing, and elite event staffing.
With over a decade of experience bridging high-end fashion and digital media, he has reshaped how global brands engage with audiences through premium events and authentic influencer collaborations.
As the founder of two industry-leading ventures, Runway Waiters and Runway Influence, Sturm has built a multimillion-dollar marketing enterprise that defines the modern luxury experience—from five-star hotel activations to viral campaigns featuring top-tier models and creators. Known for his sharp instincts, innovative thinking, and eye for cultural trends, Sturm continues to be a trusted partner for world-class brands seeking prestige, impact, and authenticity in the luxury space. He resides in Los Angeles, where he leads both companies and continues to expand their international presence.
Runway Waiters, Sturm’s flagship company that he launched in 2010,
Revolutionized the event staffing industry by pioneering the concept of using high-fashion models as event professionals. Since its inception, it has become the go-to agency for luxury brands and event planners across Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and other major markets.
Runway Waiters exclusively hires agency-signed talent from leading agencies such as Elite, Ford, IMG, Next, and Wilhelmina. Each model is carefully selected not only for appearance but also for professionalism, charisma, and hospitality expertise, creating an unmatched standard of excellence.
Under Sturm’s leadership,
Runway Waiters set a new benchmark in reliability and quality by classifying its model staff as
This structure, rare in the industry, has cemented the agency’s reputation for polished execution and seamless service.
The company’s client portfolio includes some of the most prestigious names in fashion, technology, and luxury lifestyle—Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, Ralph Lauren, Hermès, Chanel, Versace, and Giorgio Armani, as well as major collaborations with Moët Hennessy, Facebook, and other global leaders.
Runway Waiters’ presence can be felt at the most exclusive events worldwide: from private fashion week after-parties and Rodeo Drive boutique launches to art and society gatherings like the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic and Miami Art Basel.
The agency has also become a fixture in the luxury automotive and real estate sectors, providing model hosts and brand ambassadors for unveilings and showcases with Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, and high-end property events.
The agency’s influence has been featured in Forbes, Variety, Haute Living, OK! Magazine, and Flaunt, with each highlighting how Sturm transformed model staffing into a luxury brand experience. Reflecting on his mission, Sturm explains:
“Our goal is simple—to become synonymous with model staffing. When people think of models at events, we want Runway Waiters to be the name that immediately comes to mind.”
Through vision, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ernest Sturm has turned Runway Waiters into the gold standard of luxury event staffing in the United States.