“We Make Memories.”

Barbara J. Neff is the founder and driving force behind Neff Productions, bringing decades of experience, creativity, and community leadership to every event she produces. A lifelong resident of Southeastern Connecticut, Barbara has built a reputation for transforming ordinary events into unforgettable experiences through her unmatched attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and passion for bringing people together.

Before founding Neff Productions, Barbara successfully operated her family’s downtown New London business for over twenty years. During that time, she became deeply involved in organizing community events, discovering a passion for event production that would eventually become her full-time career.

Today, Barbara is widely recognized throughout the region for producing events ranging from intimate receptions and parades to large-scale festivals and waterfront celebrations. Her extensive portfolio includes some of Southeastern Connecticut’s most recognized events, including Sailfest and the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival. Whether coordinating entertainment, logistics, vendors, sponsorships, or community partnerships, Barbara approaches every project with professionalism, energy, and dedication.

In addition to large-scale event production, Barbara is also the creator of Uncovering New London Tours, walking tours that showcase the rich stories, hidden history, and unique character of New London. Through these tours, Barbara combines her love of history, storytelling, and community engagement to create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Barbara’s commitment to her community has earned her numerous accolades, including being named the New London Elks’ Person of the Year in 2005. She is known for working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail is thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed.

From concept to completion, Barbara and Neff Productions are dedicated to creating memorable experiences that inspire, entertain, educate, and connect communities, because at Neff Productions, “We Make Memories.”

Experience

Uncovering New London, One Story at a Time Tours- April 12,2025- Present

Barbara J. Neff is the founder of Uncovering New London Tours, an immersive tour experience dedicated to sharing the rich history, hidden stories, unique landmarks, and fascinating people that make New London such a remarkable city.

Working alongside local historians and knowledgeable guides, Barbara has created engaging walking tours and local experiences that bring New London’s maritime heritage, cultural roots, and untold stories to life for residents and visitors alike.

Tours are offered throughout the season, featuring a variety of exciting themes, including:

• Hidden Gems & Fun Facts of New London
• Black Heritage Tours
• American Revolutionary History Tours
• When History Speaks: The Historic Haunts of New London

Each experience is designed to educate, entertain, and inspire while helping guests connect with the stories that shaped New London’s past and continue to influence its future. At Uncovering New London Tours, we believe history is more than dates and buildings, it’s the people, stories, and memories that make a community come alive.

Author of the Children’s Book “ Sonny the Gentle Beast” 2025- Present

Barbara J. Neff is a storyteller, dog lover, and entrepreneur. With the theme “We Make Memories,” she is passionate about bringing communities together through  engaging and meaningful events. She spent many years running her  parents’ newsstand, where she developed a love for books, especially  children’s books and their illustrations. Now, through her first children’s  book, she hopes to create lasting memories with you and your family.  Inspired by her beloved dog, Sonny Boy, AKA “The Beast,” this story captures his adventures during his first year of life. Now five years old, Sonny continues to bring joy and excitement to everyone he meets.

OPSAILCT, INC- CT Maritime Heritage festival,Event Coordinator, May 2013- Oct 2013 /2020- Present

The CT Maritime Heritage Is a 3-day festival in September along the historic New London waterfront, promoting CT's maritime heritage and spirit of innovation.

Downtown New London Assoc, Executive Director, 2000 - Present

The Downtown New London Association is a not-for-profit organization in the New London area. The DNLA has been the producing Sailfest for the past twenty-five years. Sailfest is presently in its 43^rd  year. All money raised during Sailfest is directly donated back into the city by supporting other local projects.

City of New London Dock Master, 2007 - Present

Located in the heart of downtown, the public Waterfront Park Docking and City Moorings offer convenient rest rooms, shower and laundry facilities to registered boaters, as well as ice within easy walking distance.

Event Coordinator City of New London, 2013- 2025

Plan and coordinate activities at the Downtown area and Business Districts throughout the City.

Sailfest, Event Coordinator, 1996-2024

Sailfest is Southeastern Connecticut’s premiere summertime event. The three-day festival consists of a major fireworks display, amusement rides, free entertainment, Tall Ships, and over 200 vendors lining the downtown New London streets.

Sailfest produces multiple stages of free entertainment with musical genres ranging in Funk, Rock, and Latin. We also have a children stage on Saturday featuring local youth performers. Sailfest also showcases one of the largest fireworks display in the Northeast.

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, Parent Education Coordinator, Sept 2016 –Dec 2018

As a Parent Education Coordinator I provide workshops, classes, and activities for parents at the school on a regular basis; recruits volunteers from the community to host various workshops and classes to speak directly with parents; provides materials such as event calendars, brochures, educational resources and creates opportunities for parents. I also do social media and marketing. As a Parent Education Coordinator I provide workshops, classes, and activities for parents at the school on a regular basis; recruits volunteers from the community to host various workshops and classes to speak directly with parents; provides materials such as event calendars, brochures, educational resources and creates opportunities for parents. I also do social media and marketing.

Parade News, Inc -Parade News, co – owner ,1987 – 2007

Organizations

City Center District, Treasurer, 2013 - Present

Created in 1994, the City Center District is comprised of roughly 160 building owners in the downtown business district.

The Ledge Light Foundation, Board Member · Oct 2021 - Present

The Ledge Light Foundation was created in 1987 with the goal of tending the lighthouse building. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. Our goal is to restore the light, publicize its history, and manage its reuse as a museum, gallery and tourist attraction.

New London Cemetery Association, Directors- September 2021- April 2024 

Established as part of the rural cemetery movement in the 19th century, Cedar Grove was designed as a peaceful haven with park-like natural features. Today, the cemetery offers a full range of burial options.

Cedar Grove Cemetery is a 76-acre non-sectarian, non-profit burial ground in the city of New London, Connecticut. Still an active cemetery, Cedar Grove also is the final resting place of many of the city’s most significant citizens, ranging from a noted colonial-era diarist and ship captains from the city’s heyday as a major whaling port, to top elected officials and wealthy Gilded Age industrialists.

The Starr Street Assoc, President · Nov 2021- October 2022

The Starr Street Historic District in New London CT is a one-block street of historic homes, built between 1835 and 1895 on the site of a former Ropewalk, which was destroyed by fire. 19th century builder and developer John Bishop designed and built the first Greek Revival homes on the south end of the street. Several of the "newer" houses are in the Queen Anne and Victorian styles. By the 1970's the street had fallen into disrepair and the City of New London, HUD and the New London Savings Bank teamed up to purchase the homes and to restore them to their former appearance. When the project was finished in 1979, homes were offered for sale with covenants governing the appearance of the street and houses, and the State of CT recognized Starr Street as the (currently - 2011) only official State Historic District in New London .