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Cost-Cutting Tips New Menu Ideas Dance Floors Brand Activations EVENTS MEETINGS MARKETING STYLE STRATEGY IDEAS NEW TALENT 23 Fresh Faces to Watch 4.95 JULY AUGUST 2012 BIZBASH.COM SPECIAL ISSUE Building Better Meetings The 15 Most Innovative Meetings 15 New Gadgets Apps & Tech Tools 23 Trade Show Exhibit Ideas PLUS 129 New Venues What the Founder of TED Is Dreaming Up Next Ideas From Bonnaroo Victoria s Secret Coachella HP & More Facebook s Developer Conference WARNER BROS. LET US ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR YOU Hillary Harris Executive Director corporate events unique venues holiday galas For more information on this event or to book your own please visit o o a n h e b k o ea www.wb ecialevents.com wbspe n c or call 818.954.2652 a 89 5 www.hillonhollywood.blog ot.com w . l o w ogspot Lucent Dossier Experience www.luce oss ss r ri e centdossier.com TM & 2012 WBEI. All Rights Reserved. Celebrate at the most entertaining place on the planet STAPLES Center Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE GRAMMY Museum Club Nokia The Conga Room Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 Boca ESPN Zone The Farm of Beverly Hills Fleming s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar gLAnce Wine Bar ION Rooftop Pool Bar Katsuya LA Market by Kerry Simon The Mixing Room Lawry s Carvery Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Rock n Fish Rosa Mexicano Starbucks Trader Vic s Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill WP24 by Wolfgang Puck Yard House lalive.com ADVERTISEMENT L.A. LIVE is the place for the hottest events in Los Angeles. With more than 20 venues to entertain up to 20 000 guests L.A. LIVE offers an unparalleled experience. Choose from world-renowned arenas and theaters to unique and intimate settings. L.A. LIVE s services and Wolfgang Puck s on-site catering provide all the details creating a one-of-a-kind event that s out of this world. Featured Venues STAPLES Center All inclusive individual game and event suites for 20-132 guests Discounted group tickets for groups of 10 or more Private hospitality and VIP tickets for LA Kings home games GRAMMY Museum 1 200 total capacity One-of-a-kind interactive museum spanning four floors of permanent and traveling exhibits Features the state-of-the-art 200 seat Clive Davis Theatre ESPN Zone L.A. LIVE Private space available for groups of 10-10 000 Entertainment packages available Sports Arena with over 50 different interactive games Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE 2 000 total capacity (10 000 with street closures) Fully wired for live broadcasting Club Nokia 2 300 total capacity Contemporary VIP Lounge with three full service bars and private entrance Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Theaters available for groups from 98-809 806 seat premier house with private entrance and lobby The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE 5 000 total capacity 42 000 sq. ft. re-sizeable tent Target Terrace 300 total capacity 180 degree views from Downtown to the Hollywood sign Additional Event Space WP24 by Wolfgang Puck LA Market by Kerry Simon The Mixing Room 213.763.5441 lalive.com specialevents events lalive.com US Select cities nationwide CORTevents.com lounge22 1.888.CORT.YES This is only the beginning. Just wait until you taste the end. WWW.CREATIVEEDGEPARTIES.COM 212-741-3000 CREATIVEEDGENYC TEN UNFORGETTABLE DENVER EXPERIENCES. PITY YOU RE ONLY HOSTING ONE MEETING. For 120 years the famed Brown Palace has been reinventing the way people meet in Denver. And this summer we ve designed 10 complimentary authentic Denver experiences you can add to any qualified meeting. Brewery tours. Citywide scavenger hunts. Art museum offsites. And more. We ve also created a sweepstakes just for meeting planners. Enter the sweepstakes and choose your authentic Denver experience at BrownPalace.com ItAllStartsHere CH ROSEMONT EXCITING JUST GOT MORE Introducing The MB Financial Park at Rosemont. A meeting planner s dream eight venues unique private party spaces dining cocktails live music comedy and bowling. It s all just steps from the hotels and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Bring your next event to wonderful Rosemont Illinois. Visit TheCanDoAttitude.com. THE NEW ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT ONCE YOU VE REACHED THE TOP DON T FORGET TO ENJOY THE VIEW. Live the life. For reservations call 877.458.7867 or visit TrumpChicagoHotel.com. NEW YORK CENTRAL PARK SOHO DORAL GOLF RESORT & SPA MIAMI CHICAGO COMING SOON LAS VEGAS WAIKIKI TORONTO PANAMA WASHINGTON D.C. Impress. Inspire. When you want an extraordinary one-of-a-kind event join forces with the Hargrove team of special event professionals. We will work together to design plan and produce an event that will impress and inspire. Learn more at hargroveinc.com. EVENT DESIGN SERVICES EVENT D COR STAGING GRAPHICS AND SIGNAGE EVENT PRODUCTION EVENT PLANNING SERVICES Audio Lighting Staging Video Labor Rigging Power Distro Mobile Stages 866-950-8343 www.eventtech.com facebook.com Event.Tech E tT h w o w. in a word At the Ronald Reagan Building wow is more than an expression. It s our mission. From the moment you meet our dedicated sales professionals and event planners to the day of your big event we have but one goal to create an exceptional experience. Our space offers stunning architecture breathtaking sightlines and sophisticated design and our customerfocused staff audiovisual technicians and culinary artists work behind the scenes to deliver an event that will leave your guests with just one thought wow. Prime Location Flexible Spaces Natural Light Innovative Catering Impeccable Service exceptional. from start to finish. 202.312.1300 eventsbiz itcdc.com RRBITC.com 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC 20004 A Project of the U.S. General Services Administration NY NY At the Art Institute of Chicago s Roy Lichtenstein opening gala Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group topped the tables with 110 seven-foot shards miles of internal LED lights and 110 mirror panes. July August 2012 2012 BizBash Media On the Cover Facebook s F8 Developer Conference. Photo by Obscura Digital. From the Editor 27 Good design is about more than just eye candy Readers Forum 31 When an event s budget gets cut where do you scrimp 32 A conversation with TED founder Richard Saul Wurman The Scout 37 Video-embedded balloons 38 Catering ideas for meetings 40 Inflatable decor flexible video displays teleconferencing robots and the Fresh List 42 Gold rental items 48 Fresh faces 23 event industry up-and-comers to watch 54 Eye-catching dance floors and tips for the bar 56 Party clich s done right 58 The latest in fabricated environments and props 60 Ideas products and trends to have on your radar PHOTO DAN REST Venues 63 New spaces for events in Boston Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami South Florida New York and Washington Event Reports 77 The Armani Exchange and T-Mobile Neon Carnival at Coachella 78 Decor ideas from spring benefits 80 From Boston Warner Brothers Xbox game launch the Revere Hotel Boston Common grand opening and Stella Artois Cannes Film Festival event 84 From Chicago Redmoon s annual benefit a Diesel dinner party and Hennessy s ad campaign launch 88 From Las Vegas Bon App tit s Uncork d grand tasting 94 From Los Angeles U.S. Travel Association s International Pow Wow American Idol s finale party a MOCA exhibit opening Generosity Water s annual gala and highlights from Coachella 102 From Manchester Tennessee highlights from Bonnaroo 105 From Miami Victoria s Secret s pool party Evian s pop-up activation and WWE s WrestleMania festival 108 From New York the U.S. Olympic Committee s fundraising drive Men in Black 3 s premiere party Citymealson-Wheel s Chefs Tribute the N.F.L. s pop-up shop Univision s Deportes network launch and HP s printer launch 116 From Orlando Mashable s Connect conference the U.S. Travel Association s bus tour and the International Plastics Showcase 123 From Toronto A.G.O. s Massive party 124 From Washington the Washington Ballet s annual gala and highlights from the White House Correspondents Dinner Building Better Meetings 129 The 15 Most Innovative Meetings 140 New Gadgets Apps & Tech Tools 142 New Ideas for Trade Show Booths 146 Trends Changing Meeting Venues 149 New Meeting Locations in 10 Cities 154 Destination Report Las Vegas 158 Destination Report Orlando Ted Kruckel 176 The dos and don ts of planning a memorial service Like us facebook.com bizbash Follow us BizBash_News Follow us BizBash_News 19 ON BIZBASH.COM 2012 London Olympics Coverage bizbash.com olympics Olympic-Inspired Teambuilding Activities Ideas for British-Themed Catering What Brands Are Doing for the Games Ted Kruckel s Reports From Hamptons Parties bizbash.com tedkruckel 25 Questions All Event Planners Should Ask Themselves bizbash.com quiz 50 Ideas for Summer Parties bizbash.com summerpartyideas USA Network s Fashion Show on the High Line bizbash.com usanetwork Readers Best Instagram Photos bizbash.com instagram Stella McCartney s Electricity-Free Carnival bizbash.com stellamccartney PHOTOS LOCOG (OLYMPICS) COURTESY OF SWANK PRODUCTIONS (SUMMER PARTIES) COURTESY OF A PARTY APART (INSTAGRAM) DAVID X. 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AND FOUNDER David Adler PRESIDENT Richard Aaron BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jonathan Adler (CHAIRMAN) Richard Aaron David Adler Beverly Chell Martin Maleska Todd Pietri BIZBASH CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Anthony Wills CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER David Levine VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & CUSTOMER SERVICE Rebecca Pappas GENERAL MANAGER Aram Fischer MARKETING MARKETING DIRECTOR Grazia Mohren COMMUNITY MANAGER Matthew Bologna PRODUCTION PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER Jerry Logaras DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Amy Bucciferro CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER Anne Kiefer PRODUCTION CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT Lauren Iba ez A NEW POINT OF VIEW Celebrate with sophistication and style. The all-new Harbor View Ballroom boasts unique floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Boston Harbor and a seasonal outdoor patio. Or choose from the Grand Ballroom or Palm Garden both luxurious spaces for your next event. Our grand spaces set the stage for a truly stunning experience on Boston s waterfront. 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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Special Events at Intrepid New modern exhibits with a clean and fresh look Customized and affordable event and meeting packages Scenic settings to host small receptions and large gatherings Spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River MAKE YOUR NEXT EVENT INTREPID. For more information call 646.381.5301 or visit www.intrepidmuseum.org NY From the Editor Looks Aren t Everything Good hotel design is about more than visuals. We spend a lot of time talking about hotel design--the architects the materials the furniture the meeting space that no longer feels like a meeting space (see page 146). But anyone who spends a lot of time staying in hotels knows many design choices that have a profound impact on your stay have nothing to do with where the marble was sourced or which lifestyle guru helped curate the books in the Library Room. I m talking about the little things. Basic conveniences that get overlooked so often you have to wonder what would happen if the person who designed this room actually This is fabulous the bathroom of the Feina in Buenos Aires the site of a friend s recent wedding. had to stay here In a time when we travel with so many gadgets how come so many hotel rooms have just one electrical outlet not already in use by lamps alarm clocks etc. (We ll put aside for now how absurd it is that we cart around so many gadgets. Every time I fill an airport security bin with my Macbook iPad and iPhone--three things I use for basically the same purposes--I feel like a sucker.) When so many of us use our phones as alarm clocks--or just have trouble being more than two feet away from them--how come there are so rarely open electrical outlets close to the bedside table (Actually if the phone is always the last thing you see This is helpful a place to put your bag in the not-nearlybefore going to sleep and the first you see as-chic Washington Plaza my home during the White in the morning perhaps charging the damn House Correspondents Dinner weekend earlier this year thing across the room is a gift in disguise.) (see page 126). If we can t plug in our phones by the fancy shampoo and conditioner Does the shower bed and we have to use the hotel s alarm clocks why can t they set them to the correct time I can t door or curtain close in a way that doesn t leak water all over the bathroom floor remember checking into a room where the clock What I m talking about here of course is dewas set within five minutes of the time on my signing an experience as much as a visual setting-- phone. I know hangers with knobs on top that connect the kind of thing event professionals labor over too. And I see almost as many missed opportunities to hooks locked onto the closet rod keep guests from stealing them but they don t help me steam a as an event guest as I do as a hotel guest. Poorly placed signage long check-in lines boring presentacrumpled suit in the bathroom. tions. If you had to walk through your event as a One of my biggest pet peeves high-drama guest would the experience feel as smooth as it sinks that look great until you run the water and does when you imagine it in your head it splashes everywhere or that don t have enough Perhaps I complain because when this stuff room between the faucet and the drain to rinse your hands without scraping them on the bottom. works well you don t even notice. You get a good I have contemplated a Stupid Fancy Sinks Tumblr. night s sleep and enjoy living in a different environment. You find your way through an event easily I m sure it wouldn t be hard to post new offenders you get information without trying you take in the regularly. host s message. Which is the point. While we re in the bathroom Is there a shelf --Chad Kaydo editor in chief in the shower large enough to hold the bottles of PHOTOS CHAD KAYDO BIZBASH Sign up for our daily news email bizbash.com callsheet NY G L O B A L T R EN D P RO D U C TI O N S H A S T H E E Q U I P M E N T A N D S TA FF TO TU RN Y OU R E V E N T I N TO A VIS UA L EXPERIENCE VIDEO RENTALS MAKE AN IMPACT FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST A LIFETIME LED VIDEO DISPLAYS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS LIVE TELEVISION EVENTS CONCERTS AND TOURS OUR LED SCREENS WILL GET YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS AND HELP SET YOU APART FROM THE COMPETITION 888.383.6852 W W W. G L O B A LT R E N D P R O . C O M THE LED VIDEO DISPLAY SPECIALIST W O R K IN G W IT H C REAT IVE AG EN C I ES EVENT PRODUCERS MARKETI NG AGENCI ES AND EXHI BI T DES I GNER S L E D V I D E O R E N TA L S . C O M OFFICES IN NY Intimate beautifully designed event space in the heart of midtown Manhattan TheTimesCenter is the centerpiece of Renzo Piano s iconic New York Times Building and the perfect place for your next event. Call 212.556.4300 or visit thetimescenter.com 242 West 41st Street New York City Readers Forum When an event s budget gets cut where do you scrimp I look at my list of must-haves and my nice-to-haves. Must-haves are anything that directly impacts the participant experience such as adequate staffing quality A.V. a clean space and refreshments. Nice-tohaves would be things like giveaways and printed handouts. It s easy to explain to attendees that we ve scrimped on T-shirts but not so easy to justify why the food is awful. Andrea Pellettiere specialty program manager and conference producer Town Sports International New York I have people double up on roles. I once had a speaker also act as a facilitator and M.C. for the rest of the event. Or I set limits like deciding we will only provide accommodations for guests outside a certain parameter. Alexandra Petrini event planning manager BMO Bank of Montreal Montreal Canada Food. A party without food allows guests to interact with each other in a way they can t when they re trying to gracefully chat and eat at the same time. If you have to offer something offer snacks instead of heavy hors d oeuvres. Madeleine Starkey event coordinator & marketing director Lost Society Washington Decor. I often incorporate a high-low approach by purchasing vases and river rocks from a dollar store but then I float a single luxurious bloom in the arrangement. The best part is you can use the materials again and again and change the bloom to match each event s color scheme. Jennifer Laughlin marketing manager and event specialist Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. Toronto The format. You can swap formal seating to cocktail style seating--guests will eat less and you don t have to provide as much seating or as elaborate of centerpieces as with formal rounds. Stefanie Fernandez manager of events & talent relations Telemundo Miami Flowers and lavish decorations. Extraordinary decorations can also be a turnoff to sponsors or donors who may think their money is purchasing decorations instead of supporting the nonprofit. Erin McEvoy foundation manager Boston Bruins Foundation Boston It s best to shorten the duration of the event without sacrificing quality. Also certain decorative elements like flowers can be altered to save money--greenery and candles can be just as dramatic as more expensive floral arrangements. Maggie McNerney director of special events Georgetown Events Washington Table decor. I ll pre-set salads and desserts so the table looks full. A simple colored napkin placed under each plate and votive candles can really go a long way aesthetically. Alyssa Rhoads events manager Tampa Bay Business Journal The menu. Years ago I learned at an event that cutting the cost of food should not include cutting the quantity but to change what is served. Jill Blyn special events manager Blackrock New York Centerpieces. In the past we ve made our own. Also ditch mailing invitations and go electronic. PHOTOS COURTESY OF READERS Kristen Smith senior buyer of travel and events the Boston Beer Company Boston More ideas from readers bizbash .com readersforum bizbash.com july august 2012 31 In Conversation TED founder Richard Saul Wurman on his new conference It will be improvised it will be terrifying. TED was pretty good for the 20th century. I think there s time now to think of some other forms. It s not a matter of criticizing. Horses were good for the 19th century. Horses are still good. I m not trying to say there s a best way. I don t believe there s a best way. Those are the words of Richard Saul Wurman the architect designer and author who founded TED in 1984--and in doing so challenged every existing assumption about conference design. (He no longer owns or runs TED.) Now 77-year-old Wurman is at it again not trying to create the best way of bringing people together but exploring a new way. He is preparing to host the WWW Conference September 18 to 20 in a 300-seat auditorium in Redlands California. As we ve come to expect from Wurman this conference will be unique particularly in format and follow-up. Then there s the name which has nothing to do with the World Wide Web. The first letter does stand for world but the other two represent any number of w words (weather women war well-being wizardry and the list goes on). Wurman explains I was just trying to be clever. It s a good name for a conference that is memorable. I like naming things. The format will be simple a series of spontaneous conversations on stage among two or three participants prompted by a question or topic that he will provide. The conference Web site lists some of the 66 participants a diverse group that includes cellist Yo-Yo Ma architect Frank Gehry businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening. These are my friends he says. I have a very good Rolodex. In a recent conversation he shared details of this conference his future projects and why he likes to do most of the work himself. Tell us more about the format for the WWW Conference. It s only conversations. And the participants don t show a book and they don t talk about their work. I will suggest to them a postulation. It might be discuss the difference between personalization and generalization. I m creating the pairings and the postulations. It s my dinner party. I think it s a nifty idea if it works. I probably won t tell them [the topics] ahead of time. It will be improvised. It will be terrifying. There will be no A.V. whatsoever. During the breaks there will be a room where we ll have telepresence and we ll connect with amazing people around the world. Let s say the guy who designed the opening and closing of the Beijing Olympics. During a break we can go into a room and we talk to him live. There will be four breaks and four different people around the world you can talk to for half an hour. Isn t that fun Why does this format appeal to you What is a more indulgent thing that any human being can do than what I am doing I can have the people I love to talk to come and talk. What a blessing. Why wouldn t you do that if you could The only difference between me and somebody else is I can do it. That took my whole lifetime to design a life where you can do this. In addition to the 66 participants who can each bring a guest you are selling about 80 seats for 16 000. And I m throwing in the hotel and all the food. If somebody gives me 16 000 they are in. There s no interview. If somebody comes up with that it s a self-fulfilling prophecy. I ve sold about 10 seats just through word of mouth. And I will live-stream it to some corporations who want to sponsor it for their top clients. After the event you intend to offer an app that provides videos of each of the conversations and additional content. What is that content That s the new modality. It will be photographed by an Academy Awardwinning photographer and will be translated into 12 languages. It will be a curated mish-mash of stuff. If you double click on the person s name of the two people talking you will have a highly curated backstage view of that person. It will be things about each participant that you wouldn t ordinarily find more custom than Google citations or a TED talk. Someone who deals in three dimensions is different than a scientist is different than a poet that deals in words. And what you want to find out about these people is different. If I was meeting Frank [Gehry] I would like to see Frank s office and I would like to see what didn t he do. What are his favorite things Wouldn t you like to ask those questions This is allowing you to assuage your curiosity. Which is all what my life is about--assuaging my curiosity. It s really quite simple. Nobody asks me to do anything. I just do what I feel like doing. You are creating and running all of this out of your home in Newport Rhode Island That s why I have time on my hands--my gates are closed and I m a recluse. I have no staff. I have an assistant that books my travel and takes my phone calls. I have some friends helping me but they are unpaid. It s very collegial what I do. I was just out at the [conference] hotel meeting with the chef. I do the menu and I order nothing off the hotel menu. It s all extremely healthy good food. I m involved in the transportation. It s easier to do it than hand it off and have someone spend a lot of time a lot of your money and come back to you with five ways of doing it and you end up choosing the way you wanted in the beginning. That s not cost effective or time effective. If something s going to fail I might as well take the hit and fail. That s the way I ran TED. I had maximum one or two people. The WWW Conference is just one of several events you re working on. Next year you plan to produce Prophesy2025. Prophesy is a completely different invention which takes place around the world. It s a five-week conference but only on Mondays. It s the opposite of [WWW]. It will be presentations with a lot of A.V. Single speakers for an hour each but only five of them in the one day of the conference. Every Monday for five weeks. Beijing Delhi Tel Aviv Berlin Chicago whatever five cities I pick. I chose Monday because I can. That means I can travel over the weekend. What motivates you to keep inventing new gatherings I feel everyone is very lazy glomming on to just what I invented before. So every conference now looks like TED. I guess it s a form of flattery but it s not interesting to me in that way anymore. I don t believe in just doing better versions of what you ve done before. I m trying to invent other things. I m testing the waters. It s not a matter of criticizing. We live in a world of also. TED goes on and also maybe this will go on. Maybe going to conventions and playing golf will go on. We also do this and we also do that I m just trying to do good work trying to do something I would like. 32 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com wurman Interview by MITRA SORRELLS PHOTO MELISSA MAHONEY DENVER HAS A STATE-OF-THE-ART CONVENTION CENTER SURROUNDED BY 8 400 HOTEL ROOMS. PLAN AN OFFSITE AT A ONE-OF-A-KIND VENUE. ONE BUILT 250 MILLION YEARS AGO. You know about the Blue Bear outside the Colorado Convention Center. But did you know that the building is LEED Certified You know Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the top concert venues in the world. But you probably didn t realize you can hold a 100-person meeting there. Think you know the Mile High City We dare you to see it in a whole new way at TruthOrDareDenver.com The Colorado Convention Center s 40-foot-tall Blue Bear I See What You Mean designed by Denver artist Lawrence Argent has become a Mile High City icon. let us entertain you from coast to coast Located in the heart of the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles. For more information visit www.theelrey.com Located in Los Angeles at L.A. Live. For more info visit www.clubnokia.com specialevents.php New York City s finest venue in Manhattan. BOOK NOW CLUB NOKIA Stacy Huszczo shuszczo aeglive.com 213.763.4669 EL REY THEATRE Dalyn Matsumura dalyn goldenvoice.com 323.936.6400 BEST BUY THEATER Alisha Horesh ahoresh bestbuytheater.com 212.930.1946 The Scout Up in the Air PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VIBE AGENCY Ideal for award shows concerts trade shows or any event that needs a unique media display the Vibe Agency (877.695.7718 thevibeagency .com) is now offering balloons embedded with one or two high-quality video screens. The product supports all video formats and can be suspended in the air or--when filled with helium--anchored to a stand. Designed for indoor and outdoor use the balloons come in sizes from four feet to more than 13 feet. The white version of the balloon can be backlit for dramatic effect or the removable PVC skins can be branded with graphics and logos. Retail prices start from 9 724 for one fourfoot balloon and one six-and-a-half-foot balloon. --Lauren Matthews bizbash.com november december2012 37 bizbash.com july august 2011 New on the Menu Feeding Better Meetings No more deli platters--caterers are stepping up their game when it comes to meetings. By LAUREN MATTHEWS Breakfast Sausage wrapped in a bacon spiral and egg blanket a sausage patty topped with a quail egg and baconbutter sauce boiled eggs wrapped in sausage with bacon chunks and a rhubarb smoothie with a gingersnap wand from Good Gracious Events (323.954.2277 goodgraciousevents.com) in Los Angeles PHOTOS BRIDGET KENNY FOR BIZBASH (SAUSAGE) CHRIS EICHLER FOR BIZBASH (FRENCH TOAST) ELIZABETH RENFROW FOR BIZBASH (BREAKFAST TAPAS) Breakfast tapas of a lobster omelet pineapple upside-down pancakes smoothie samplers and a banana split yogurt parfait from Loews Miami Beach Hotel (305.604.1601 loews hotels.com) in Miami Beach House-made cinnamon French toast sticks served with warm raspberry sauce and br l ed apple pie oatmeal served in ramekins from Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center (301.965.2000 gaylordhotels .com) in National Harbor Maryland Share this story bizbash.com meetingcatering 38 bizbash.com july august 2012 Cabbage wraps with pulled turkey and cranberry chutney from Hotel Monaco (202.628.7177 monaco-dc.com) in Washington Lunch PHOTOS GARY TARDIFF FOR BIZBASH (SALMON FAVA BEAN-AND-BASIL DIP) JAY WESCOTT FOR BIZBASH (CABBAGE WRAPS) NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH (MAINE LOBSTER) NIKKI LEIGH MCKEAN FOR BIZBASH (POMEGRANATE) TYLLIE BARBOSA FOR BIZBASH (MINI-DONUT BAR) Slow-cooked salmon with summer squash and zucchini in chive butter sauce casarecci pasta with pea tendrils spring onions garlic and parmesan vine-ripened tomatoes with burrata basil and balsamic and organic chicken with fingerling potatoes leeks and black olives from Liberty Hotel (617.224.4000 libertyhotel.com) in Boston Lobster and Peekytoe lump crabmeat Maine wich served with summer stone fruit feta and watercress salad from KTCHN Restaurant at The Out NYC (212.868.2999 theoutnyc.com) in New York Mini-donut bar served alongside an espresso station with mini desserts from the Waldorf Astoria Chicago (312.646.1300 waldorfastoria3.hilton.com) Afternoon Break Pomegranate quinoa with lemon cilantro vinaigrette served in take-out boxes with bamboo forks from Taste Culinary (416.569.2058 tasteculinary.ca) in Toronto Fava bean-and-basil dip served with vegetable crudit and baked pita chips cucumber water and blueberry lemonade from Hotel Marlowe (617.868.8000 hotelmar lowe.com) in Cambridge Massachusetts bizbash.com july august 2012 39 The Fresh List NOT SO FRESH Bamboo FRESH ECO-FRIENDLY SERVING WARE CONFERENCE GUIDE Sugarcane Customized app 3-D projection mapping Coconut water Printed packet WOW FACTOR Pyrotechnics Mint tin GIFT BAG STAPLE BRAINSTORMINGSESSION VISUAL UBIQUITOUS CELEB DJ LIVE SOCIAL MEDIA FEED CONTROVERSIAL CANAP Decor That Moves AirDD (800.680.8865 airdd.com) has introduced It s Alive a collection of illuminated inflatable sculptures with subtly moving tentacles. The decorative products come in various psychedelic and nature-inspired shapes in sizes up to 20 feet wide and can be shipped nationwide. They can be suspended or placed on the floor and are available to rent for 35 each. --Lauren Matthews Writing on whiteboard Live cartoon artist Quest Love Solange Knowles Twitter Instagram A New Robot Stand-In Mantaro (301.528.2244 mantarobot.com) introduced the MantaroBot TeleMe earlier this year as a more cost-effective alternative to their mobile video- teleconferencing robots. Unlike the classic MantaroBot the TeleMe works with a usersupplied iPad iPhone or Samsung Galaxy tablet. A meeting speaker who can t be physically present can drive the robot via a software application on his or her PC plugged into Skype. This enables the remote user to hold an audio visual call while also moving around and interacting with the people in the room where the TeleMe is located. The machine features obstacle detection and a head with tilt and optional pan capability. The TeleMe starts at 1 500 (versus 3 500 for the original MataroBot) and optional additions like a charging dock station laser pointer and motorized pan are available. --L.M. Caviar Foie gras ENDORSERS Kardashians Reusable totes Olympians Flexible Video Displays Ideal for trade shows conventions and large meetings NanoLumens (888.771.6266 nanolumens.com) NanoFlex line offers ultra-slim lightweight largeformat LED video walls and digital signage with patented flexible technology that lets them bend to fit any display situation. Models come in sizes starting from 112 inches diagonal and fewer than 2 inches thick they can also be designed in any requested custom shape or size. The edgeto-edge picture quality can be viewed from any angle or distance without distortion and the easy-to-set-up displays-- which use 25 percent less power than other large digital displays and are made from 50 percent reclaimed materials--accept input from all standard devices and systems. --L.M. SUSTAINABLE SWAG Gifts redeemed online Video feed REMOTE Hologram SPECIAL GUESTS CULINARY FESTIVAL TRACKER MEETING ICEBREAKER Techenabled bracelets Mobile networking game app PHOTOS COURTESY OF VENDORS Tasting cards Reception Bubble chair STATEMENT SEATING RENTAL Flash mobs Nemo chair ON-TREND style ENTERTAINMENT groups Glee- 40 bizbash.com july august 2012 Duchess metallic gold sofa 450 available in Los Angeles New York and Miami from Luxe Event Rentals (323.758.5344 luxeeventrentals.com) For Rent Gold Swirl glass charger 5 available in Toronto from ChairMan Mills (416.391.0400 chairmanmills.com) Gold Rush Rental companies are stocking gilded furniture and tabletop pieces. By LAUREN MATTHEWS Gold sequin mesh linen available in Miami and New York from N age Designs (305.573.7840 212.995.8855 nuagedesigns.com) Gold tufted patent ottoman available in Toronto from Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc. (416.703.9236 cfrentals.com) Chameleon chair with metallic gold Chloe cover 18.50 available nationwide from Classic Party Rentals (classic partyrentals.com) Gold Finger lounge chair 223 available throughout Southern California from FormDecor (310.558.2582 formdecor.com) Gothic Gold dinnerware 2.25 per dinner plate 1.15 per cup saucer and salad plate available in Chicago from Hall s (847.929.2222 hallsrental.com) Gold Shell soup spoon dinner knife and dinner fork available on the East Coast from Party Rental Ltd. (201.727.4700 partyrentalltd .com) Gold end table 145 available throughout South Florida from Lavish Event Rentals (305.731.2203 lavish eventrentals.com) Bourgie lamp 175 available on the East Coast from Taylor Creative Inc. (888.245.4044 tay lorcreativeinc.com) Gold metallic zebra rug 150 available nationwide from FWR Rental Haus (877.637.3744 fwrental.com) 42 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com goldrentals PHOTOS COURTESY OF VENDORS EVENT RENTALS EVENT D COR CUSTOM FABRICATION PRINTING & GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS blueprintstudios.com 41 5 . 9 2 2 . 9 0 0 4 Plan for inspiration. ADVERTISEMENT FEATURED IDEA BOOKS CREATIVITY STARTS WITH... See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com SUMMER NETWORKING EVENTS BY... CREATE A MASTERPIECE WITH... AFR Event Furnishings 888.AFR.RENT www.afrevents.com At AFR we work hard to provide our customers with distinctive and pertinent furniture collections to bring to life with style color and purpose. Our dedication to customer satisfaction quality furnishings and multiple locations across the country means we are ready to serve you no matter the place or time. Get your Passport to DESIGN with AFR Event Furnishings. BBJ National Representation 800.592.2414 www.bbjlinen.com BBJ s unsurpassed collection of linens from around the globe inspires you to unleash your creativity. We re very excited to display our new exclusive collection of glass chargers. Imagine the depth they will add to your event when paired with BBJ napkin rings chair accessories and full line of table fashions Blueprint Studios 415.922.9004 blueprintstudios.com Blueprint Studios is a full-service event design rental and custom fabrication firm dedicated to creating innovative meetings and special events with detail and dedicated customer service. With a talented team and a vast collection of d cor and design elements the firm can transform any space to meet your vision from sketch to reality. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 ADVERTISEMENT See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com TAKE YOUR D COR ELEMENTS FROM ... FEATURED IDEA BOOKS EVENT RENTALS FROM... Party Outside. 1.888.CORT.YES CORTevents.com Introducing Blofield Air Design by CORT Event Furnishings A European designed award-winning collection that goes from the beach to the boardroom. It s durable lightweight and provides comfort and style anywhere. CORT is the exclusive U.S. rental provider of the Blofield collection for the special event industry. Visit www.CORTevents.com. DAZIAN Creative Fabric Environments CA 877.432.9426 NJ 877.232.9426 FL 888.318.2904 www.dazian.com info dazian.com We are the experts in integrating our world famous Fabric Collection with Custom Fabrication Digital Printing Theatrical Drapery Airbrushed & Printed Themed Backdrops Fabric Shapes & Structures and LED Scenic Products for both sale and rental to deliver a one-stop-shopping experience for unique fabric environments. Karl s Event Services 800.383.6332 www.karls.com Karl s Event Services is a leading provider of event rental services to customers around the globe. Karl s maintains the largest clearspan structure inventory available in North America along with a wide array of additional items such as flooring staging hard wall glass wall doors lights HVAC and power generation equipment chairs tables and more. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURED IDEA BOOKS UNIQUE RENTALS FROM See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com GENERATOR & CLIMATE CONTROL RENTAL LINENS LOUNGES AND STYLE Luxe Event Rentals 718.629.6909 www.luxeeventrentals.com Luxe Event Rentals is a fresh and innovative boutique style rental company offering an exclusive line of luxury event furnishings and decor that go beyond standard rental items. Our collection includes the finest seating tables bars lighting and accessories encompassing a range of wide and varied styles. Nuage Designs Inc. Miami 305.573.7840 New York 212.995.8855 info nuagedesigns.com www.nuagedesigns.com Nuage Designs offers an innovative twist to luxury event linens and furniture rentals. We offer sophisticated creations of tailored table linens napkins chair covers table top accessories and lounge groupings. Our line of exclusive fabrics vibrant colors fashionable prints and exceptional attention to detail reflects the latest trends in event decor. Production Power & Air 2780 NW 55th Court Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 1.888.939.2468 www.productionpowerandair.com Specializing in Generator and Climate control solutions for the special event industry. Our team understands the demands and challenges of this industry and is equipped to meet those challenges with solutions. Our inventory of Ultra-Silent Generators HVAC and power distribution equipment is meticulously maintained and available at a moment s notice. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 ADVERTISEMENT See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com COOL EVENT FURNISHINGS & D COR... WHY BUY...WHEN WE SUPPLY FEATURED IDEA BOOKS ANY TENT. ANY SPACE. ANY PLACE. So Cool Events Miami 305.635.8088 Orlando 407.900.2715 www.socoolevents.com So Cool Events an event rental company specializes in Corporate Events Conventions Trade Shows Sport Experiences and Galas. Extensive warehousing in Orlando and Miami allows for affordable distribution of their vast line of rental items throughout the Southeast-lounge furniture lighted tables white and lighted dance floors bars outdoor seating and more. White Plains Linen Linens la Carte 800-825-4646 www.whiteplainslinen.com White Plains Linen Linens la Carte the tri-state s leading linen rental supplier specializes in restaurant and catering needs. This includes tabletop linens kitchen garments and clean up merchandise. We service well known restaurants caterers golf clubs and event planners as well as offer corporations a one-stop shopping concept for special events. Wright Group Event Services 4800 Colorado Blvd. Denver CO 80216 303.295.rent www.theWriteGroupNow.com WGES LLC is a family of eight companies providing turnkey event services -- from event planning to rentals and more. We ve worked hard through the years to accommodate any size event any time any place. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 Fresh Faces New Kids on the Block The 23 entrepreneurs behind these recently launched companies are the event industry s latest crop of up-andcomers to watch. By LAUREN MATTHEWS Amy Merrick Vaidotas Karsokas (left) and Brittany Ferrin Amy Merrick Flowers & Event Styling Amy Merrick grew up surrounded by flowers and nature--she was raised on a bucolic New Hampshire farm and her grandmother worked as a florist--but it wasn t until a life-changing 2009 apprenticeship at Red Hook floral boutique Saipua that she made the switch from prop stylist to flowers. Merrick officially launched her own company Amy Merrick Flowers and Event Styling (718.290.4636 amymerrick.com) last year. People generally hire me because they respond to more natural organic arrangements says Merrick of her romantic overgrown style. In addition to social events Merrick s corporate clients include Ralph Lauren Hugo Boss CNN and Yahoo. Later this summer she ll begin teaching monthly flower-arranging classes out of her new Brooklyn-based studio. Not long after meeting through a mutual friend Sugar Taylor and Narine Hovnanian launched their Washington-based design and planning firm DIYva Designs in 2010. After two successful years planning mostly weddings (they re currently working on 15) the duo have set their sights on expanding their corporate clientele. In January they launched the corporate leg of their business Taylor & Hov (202.713.9372 taylorandhov.com) with a focus on providing event design and branding to nonprofit corporate and government clients. No strangers to the corporate world themselves--Hovnanian spent close to three years planning meetings conferences and events for association management company SmithBucklin while Taylor worked as an office manager for a financial-planning firm--they re hoping to translate their handcrafted style for a new audience. We really strive to bring a new fresh perspective to anything we do says Taylor. DIYva Designs Narine Hovnanian (left) and Sugar Taylor Chef Malcolm Mitchell has been building a name for himself in the D.C. food scene over the past several years through his catering company M. Mitchell the Chef (301.814.2433 mmitchellthechef.com) and the buzz has reached a fever pitch since he became a finalist on the current season of Food Network Star. The classically trained chef specializes in what he calls Geechee cuisine a blend of Southern and Caribbean cookMalcolm Mitchell ing. In addition to executing dinner parties for clients like Chris Tucker and Washington Wizards player Rashard Lewis and events for companies like the American Heart Association Allergan Inc. and Perennial Sports and Entertainment Mitchell has his own radio show Choppin It Up With the Chef on Radio One s WOL 1450 Talk Radio. M. Mitchell the Chef 48 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com freshfaces PHOTOS PARKER FITZGERALD (AMY MERRICK) CADO PHOTOGRAPHY (DIYVA DESIGNS) KRISTYNA ARCHER (TRUFFLEBERRY MARKET) NAKAI PHOTOGRAPHY (RISOTTO BITES) ROY COX (M. MITCHELL) We want to give our Wild mushroom and clients a creative cuisine truffle-oil risotto bites experience says Brittany Ferrin who owns at a launch party for Chicago catering company Truffleberry Market H. Bloom last October (630.301.2669 truffleberrymarket.com) with her husband and co-executive chef Vaidotas Karsokas. Case in point the recent BHLDN Chicago store opening. The duo incorporated the brand s feminine romantic style into the menu and presentation with hors d oeuvres like truffleand-fontina vol au vent shaped like pinwheels and heart-shaped gruyere-and-ham croque monsieurs punctured with toothpicks resembling tiny arrows. Ferrin earned her culinary degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco after a stint in Hawaii at award-winning restaurants I.O. and Pacifico she moved to Chicago to take a job at sister restaurants Bin 36 and A Mano. It was there she met Karsokas a graduate of the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago who worked with Norwegian Cruise Lines before making his way back to the Windy City. The two launched Truffleberry in 2008 with the goal of making everything by hand with artisanal ingredients. Our menus are inspired by our clients visions as well as our love of travel and culture says Ferrin. Clients include Boeing Craftsman Sears and Sara Lee. Truffleberry Market PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS COURTEMANCHE RENDERING COURTESY OF RENHAUS VISUALIZATION STUDIO (BEFORE) JAKA VINSEK (AFTER) JAMI DARWIN CHIANG (FLOWER WALL) MARY RAFFERTY (JAMI DARWIN CHIANG) BRIAN ACH AP IMAGES FOR UNIVISION GREG BUYALOS (MARKUS DALY RYAN) Renhaus Visualization Studio Chris Courtemanche is the man behind Renhaus Visualization Studio (323. 412.0030 Chris renhaus.com) Courtemanche a L.A.-based 3-D rendering studio with a focus on creating C.G.I. visualizations for the event and marketing industry. I think our renderings confirm the age-old saying A picture is worth a thousand words says Courtemanche who has more than eight years of experience in the event design and production world including as the creative director of R Design Group where he realized how vital sharing an accurate vision to clients was. [I saw people relying] heavily on inaccurate hand sketches collage and mood boards for presentations. So he turned to high-end software typically used in architecture in order to offer clients a hyperrealistic look at how their budget would be allocated. Courtemanche launched Renhaus in 2010 and has already created successful event renderings for international brands like Microsoft Absolut GQ Hennessy and Red Bull. Above Courtemanche s rendering of Net-a-Porter s Karl Lagerfeld Collection pop-up store below the real-life result A paper flower backdrop for Harry Connick Jr. s performance at the Lurie Gala Jami Darwin When your first client is the White House you know you re off to a good Jami Darwin start according to Chicago-based Jami Darwin (773.368.4960 jami darwin.com) who last December launched her eponymous business offering 3-D paper decor surface print design and illustration. Darwin who started her career on the visual staff at Neiman Marcus s Chicago location before starting Letterspace a wholesale stationery line was asked to create 11 large-scale paper-Christmas-tree sculptures as well as paper holly leaves and poinsettias to decorate the White House for the holidays. It was the perfect marriage of my visual and paper background says Darwin who now concentrates full-time on events and installations. Most recently creating paper airplanes pinwheels floral centerpieces and a paper flower backdrop for the Lurie Children s Hospital opening gala in Chicago Darwin says her goal is to help designers wow guests by using simple materials in unexpected ways. Sean Ryan (left) Paul Daly (center) and Kelly Markus Markus Daly Ryan Univision s Deportes launch With dozens of years of combined experience in the event film theater and music industries under their belts Kelly Markus Sean Ryan and Paul Daly founded full-service event production company Markus Daly Ryan (917.698.5633 markusdalyryan.com) under two years ago. The New York-based trio describes their style as Mad Men meets True Blood meets Coachella with a Rolling Stones and Chemical Brothers soundtrack and past clients include Coca-Cola Anheuser Busch and the New York City Wine & Food Festival. The partners handle sponsorship creative direction production design and PR coordination for galas festivals and marketing events. We believe creativity should live in the design and in the budget says Markus. We re obsessed with quality and sticklers in execution. The group most recently produced the Univision Deportes launch. Next up a July fund-raiser for Italy s Emilia Romagna Earthquake region this year s Wine & Food Festival in October and the INI Foundation Gala in November. bizbash.com july august 2012 49 Fresh Faces Revae Schneider Lisa Jammal The Tweet Squad Lisa Jammal founded the Tweet Squad (323.272.4889 thetweet squad.com) in November positioning her company as the go-to social media team for corporate brands start-ups events and marketing campaigns. Based in Los Angeles Jammal brings experience from more than 12 years in public relations specializing in the entertainment and music industry. In 2011 Kiehl s asked Jammal to be the on-site social media manager for a launch event a project that made her realize there was an opportunity to start a company that integrated public relations with social media strategy. Jammal and her team can execute on-site social media strategies for a particular event or integrate platforms like Twitter Facebook blogging Instagram Pinterest YouTube Ustream and more with long- or short-term in-house projects sales and marketing tactics. The goal is to reach out and start conversations that feel personal not generic says Jammal whose clients have included Cond Nast Ideactive Monster Cable and FremantleMedia North America. We re constantly thinking about new ways to communicate. Femme du Coupe Revae Schneider a former mixologist at Chicago s Gilt Bar and Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar launched her bar-catering and styling company Femme du Coupe (773.916.6070 femmedu coupe.com) in October with the aim of making mixology accessible. She offers a variety of liquor-related services including bartending at events where she likes to practice what she calls interactive mixology guiding guests as they create their own drinks alongside her. Schneider also specializes in teaching private corporate groups of as many as 50 how to make classic cocktails during which she leads participants through the process of creating three drinks. Blush Designs Yena Jung (left) and Jeeyun Lee Spotsi Lauren Wolff Created by C.E.O. and co-founder Lauren Wolff Spotsi (spotsi.com) is a Web and mobile platform that allows users to curate tours themed around a topic or event. After three years as a branding designer and new business manager at advertising agency Ceft and Company NY Wolff entered the Designer as Entrepreneur Master s Program at New York s School of Visual Arts. My business partners Anthony Carroll and Sam Gosling and I had already worked on the Spotsi concept beforehand but the projects I did at S.V.A. really helped set me up for pitching and connecting with brands says Wolff. Last fall Spotsi was chosen for the Portland Incubator Experiment a program that partners start-ups with brands through advertising agency Wieden & Kennedy. There the Spotsi team worked on projects with mentors from Coca-Cola and Target. While the location-based social media tool can be used for personal applications brands and planners have the option to upgrade to personalized brand pages. Multi-day conference or event attendees can have instant on-the-go access to information with photos descriptions and directions to event locations and convenient spots nearby says Wolff. [Curated local tours] are also a great way for lifestyle brands to extend the story of their brand and become more social especially at major events such as SXSW or the Olympics. 50 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS BERGONIA PHOTOGRAPHY (FEMME DU COUPE) COURTESY OF LISA JAMMAL CHRISTOPHER TESTANI (BLUSH DESIGNS) COURTESY OF LAUREN WOLFF With recent corporate event clients like Brides Red PR Undertone and Burgess Yachts Jeeyun Lee and Yena Jung offer full-service floral design and decor-related services for social and corporate events through their New York-based company Blush Designs (646.833.8412 blushdesignsny. com). Lee worked in the photo department at BizBash and Glamour magazine. Jung left the world of investment banking in 2010 to take a job as the events director of Flowers of the World managing the venerable floral company s Trump Soho and Ritz Carlton Battery Park accounts. With their arrangements the duo often aim for a monochromatic look. We use every shade of a particular color from the lightest to its deepest shade says Lee. The varying shades give texture and add depth to any arrangement. A selection of New England Country Rentals inventory Kitchit PHOTOS KRISTIN TEIG PHOTOGRAPHY (NEW ENGLAND COUNTRY RENTALS) COURTESY OF NEW ENGLAND COUNTRY RENTALS (MATEJ AND KELLY UCEN) MAGGIE MARGUERITE (KITCHIT) DON RAYMOND ANTLER AGENCY George Tang (left) Ian Ferguson (center) and Brendan Marshall Brendan Marshall George Tang and Ian Ferguson met while studying at Stanford--Marshall and Ferguson were getting their M.B.A.s and Tang was getting his master s in computer science. It was during their last year of school that the trio came up with the idea for a company that would bring their favorite chefs into their own homes for events. The result is Kitchit (kitchit.com) a service offering custom-tailored meals made by well-known chefs like Top Chef s Marcel Vigneron and Dan Kluger of ABC Kitchen in New York for gatherings of under 100 people. Launched last September the Kitchit Web site allows professional or amateur party planners to send booking inquiries directly to chefs. After working together to come up with a custom menu the chef does all the shopping cooking and clean-up while billing is handled through the site. (The Kitchit staff can refer users to recommended sommeliers and staffing companies.) The site offers an option to sell tickets to guests directly for events like fund-raisers pop-up restaurants or public events. Kitchit which launched in San Francisco expanded to Los Angeles and New York earlier this year. Costs start at 40 per person and corporate clients have included Nestl First Republic Bank and Gordon-Biersch Brewery. New England Country Rentals While planning their June 2010 wedding Matej and Kelly Ucen decided they wanted wooden farm tables for the reception. But we couldn t find a rental company anywhere in Boston that offered them she says. After several months of fruitless searching the couple-- who both have experience in woodworking--decided to make 22 of their own. We put up a Web site to rent out the tables and by the time our wedding came about Matej and Kelly Ucen they were being rented on a regular basis Kelly says. Launched as Farm Tables 4 Rent in January 2010 they expanded to a fullservice Boston-based event rental company called New England Country Rentals (781.990.6000 newenglandcountryrentals.com) in January 2011. The inventory now includes bars lounge furniture china flatware chairs glassware and vintage decor items but the company specializes in rustic custommade tables chairs and benches. While their items have proven to be popular at weddings the Ucens rentals have also shown up at events for Louis Vuitton and Martha Stewart and the opening party for Ghost the Musical. Antler Agency Lucian Garro (left) and Terry Lozoff Our ability to provide programs that merge the online and offline is our strong suit Terry Lozoff says of Antler Agency (617.423.0011 antleragency .com) the full-service social and interactive marketing firm he owns with Lucian Garro. The Boston-based duo were former partners at the marketing agency Street Attack where they orchestrated nationwide experiential marketing campaigns and promotional events. They now use technology applications social media digital content and interactive events to generate buzz for brands like Vitaminwater Global Post PF Flyers and Equal Exchange. Case in point last year the Antler Agency won several awards for a Liberty Mutual campaign designed to encourage conversation on the topic of senior citizen driving. Working with doctors Antler created motionrestricting suits that when worn simulated the symptoms of old-age ailments like arthritis for a series of experiential events around the country. bizbash.com july august 2012 51 US At the Bar Tips on Tap Letz Dance On It can create custom-wrapped dance floors from 8 per square foot using any high-resolution digital image. July will mark the 10th anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail the international festival that brings together cocktail professionals and enthusiasts for five days of seminars dinners awards and tastings in New Orleans. Here Julie Reiner--a 2012 Spirit Award nominee for Best Bar Mentor and owner of New York s Clover Club Flatiron Lounge and Lani Kai--shares her tips for parties 1. For a budget-friendly cocktail party skip the open bar in favor of serving beer wine and two to three signature cocktails or punches Reiner says. Always make at least one of the signature cocktails a punch so bartenders can get a drink into guests hands right as they arrive. 2. For an economical in-office party a bowl of punch is simple enough to make for a small crowd. To keep it cold fill a two-quart container with water and freeze 48 hours beforehand. Small ice cubes will melt quickly and dilute the drink but a large block will keep the punch cold for many hours Reiner says. 3. If you have the budget hire a trained bartender or mixologist A tiki from a favorite drink at bar to design Lani Kai a cocktail menu or make pre-batched cocktails for your event Reiner says. It should only cost a couple hundred dollars. I think most would be happy to come assist. 4. When it comes to fashion or function always talk through a design idea with the person working the bar first. At a Tales of the Cocktail event a few years ago a brand decided to have a bar made of ice which is not the best idea during the summer in New Orleans Reiner says. Glasses and bottles were sliding right onto the floor as it melted. 5. When batching cocktails make sure bartenders know to leave bitters and egg whites (used in cocktails like whiskey sours and pisco sours) out until the last minute. Bitters can intensify as they sit so it s difficult to control the level of spice Reiner says. Egg whites are used to add a creamy texture and aesthetically beautiful layer of foam. But acidic ingredients like lemon or lime will literally cook the egg if left to sit so you won t get the texture or the froth. Idea File These decorative floors will help draw guests out of their seats. By LAUREN MATTHEWS Orlando s Letz Dance On It (855.538.9364 letz danceonit.com) has teamed with True Motion Marketing to offer motion-activated floors. Rentals start from 2 495 and are available throughout Florida Chicago and New York. LED Party Floors (866.273.9985 ledpartyfloors .com) rents LED-lit floors throughout the U.S. and Canada starting from 1 010 for an 8- by 8-foot floor. Just Light That (702.731.2470 justlightthat.com) offers pressure-sensitive interactive LED-lit floors that can be synced to music. Its software can also display logos animated images scrolling text or static branding. Available in Nevada California and Arizona rentals start at 7 500. Holo-Walls offers Holo-Floor 2 a onetime-use decorative floor film that can be laid down onto any smooth surface. There are 14 patterns available from 490 per 50-foot roll. Pressure-sensitive fluids in Holo-Walls (818.735.3565 holowalls.com) Liquid Fusion tiles swirl together when stepped on. Custom sizes and colors are available rentals can be shipped throughout the U.S. and Canada starting at 50 per tile. Share this story bizbash.com dancefloors 54 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com atthebar PHOTOS DAMON TUCCI (CUSTOM-WRAPPED) GABI PORTER (JULIE REINER DRINK) DAN SCOTT AMERICAN IMAGE GALLERY (LIQUID FUSION) COURTESY OF VENDORS (ALL OTHERS) Just Dance ADVERTISEMENT For the A.G.O. Massive Party fund-raiser in April organizers hung sparkling streamers from the ceiling of the Toronto gallery space s Baillie Court. In honor of the 2012 Kids Choice Awards nominees BOP and Tiger Beat hosted a gift lounge GBK used colorful ribbons to divide the large ballroom space at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles. At the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation s Breath of Life Gala in Washington in November Chicka Chicka Boom Boom used streamers to divide the National Building Museum atrium into three spaces. Idea File Do-Overs Designers have been surprising guests with modern takes on hackneyed party tropes. By LAUREN MATTHEWS In January the Walrus Foundation hosted a fund-raiser with travelthemed decor in Toronto where Balloon Trix created centerpieces meant to resemble hot-air balloons. Ice Sculptures In January Stella McCartney hosted a dinner in her SoHo store where ice sculptures of iconic New York landmarks by Okamoto Studio served as centerpieces. At the Design Exchange Black and White gala in Toronto in November an eight-foot ice wall by Iceculture spelled the museum s abbreviation. At an AOL event in New York in April hors d oeuvres by Pinch Food Design were presented on platters that hung from heliumfilled balloons. Balloons At an Art Institute of Chicago gala in May Kehoe Designs covered the ceiling of an all-white lounge area with hundreds of clear balloons. At Discovery s Frozen Planet premiere ice penguins sat on the steps outside New York s Alice Tully Hall. 56 bizbash.com winter 2011 2012 Share this story bizbash.com doovers PHOTOS EMMA MCINTYRE FOR BIZBASH (A.G.O) COURTESY OF GBK PRODUCTIONS (KIDS CHOICE AWARDS) NESHAN NALTCHAYAN FOR BIZBASH (CYSTIC FIBROSIS) GEORGE PIMENTAL (DX BLACK AND WHITE GALA) JOE SCHILDHORN BFANYC.COM (MCCARTNEY) COURTESY OF DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS L.L.C. (FROZEN PLANET) RYAN SJOSTROM (ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO) PHILLIP ANGERT (AOL) CARLA WARRILOW BIZBASH (WALRUS) Streamers Fabrication The Super Mario 3-D Land for Nintendo 3DS launch took over Times Square with a life-size replica of one of the game s levels fabricated by EPS-Doublet. Visitors entered through a 20-foot-tall 3DS unit. H&M opened a pop-up shop in New York to preview its The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo collection. Daddy-O Productions created industrial building facades as well as a corrugatedmetal coffee bar and faux lumber stacks. For the release of the Windows Phone 7.5 Seattle s Wexley School for Girls constructed a 55-foot-tall cell phone in Herald Square. Showcasing the phone s tile-based organization it was divided into two stages that were covered by video walls when not in use. Made to Order Producers of pop-up shops and experiential marketing stunts are calling on set design and fabrication shops to build attention-grabbing environments and props. By LAUREN MATTHEWS To announce that Target would be selling produce David Stark designed trucks that looked like huge shopping bags to distribute groceries to pedestrians in Chicago and Washington. Atomic Design created the carved foam vegetables and bag topper. CBS Design and Fabrication Services worked with Target 10 to create a bathroom display that toured gay pride festivals in 2011 to promote Rogaine and Neutrogena Men. The setup included two working sinks workers handed out products from inside medicine cabinets. For the DVD release of Boardwalk Empire s first season HBO redesigned its New York retail store to look like a speakeasy. Zoom Media worked with fabricators Merrimack and Monitor and set designers Grodner Metalcraft to create the wallpapercovered walls hardwood floors and custom bar. L.L. Bean asked Florida-based Echo Artz to fabricate a 13-foottall replica of their Maine hunting shoe. The fiberglass structure was sculpted onto a truck which parked in Times Square for a public promotion. Share this story bizbash.com fabrication 58 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS KEITH SIRCHIRO FOR BIZBASH (NINTENDO) JIKA GONZ LEZ BIZBASH (H&M HBO) COURTESY OF MICROSOFT ANNA SEKULA BIZBASH (L.L. BEAN) COURTESY OF TARGET (BATHROOM) COURTESY OF ATOMIC DESIGN (TARGET) US LAS VEGAS At Caesars Garden of the TORONTO For outdoor meetings and events the new stretch tent is available through Absolute Tent & Event Services (416.203.8332 absolute.to). Available for rent or purchase the waterproof tent comes in three sizes and can be stretched around trees structures and rocks. Gods pool complex (3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South 877.MEET.702 caesars.com) a mixologist can offer groups short poolside mixology demos as a meeting break serving up boozy punch in an ice bowl. WASHINGTON For those looking to entertain out-of-town meeting attendees or summer associates the Capitol Skyline Hotel (10 I Street SW 202.737.3783 dcpoolparty.com) hosts Adult Swim every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. through September 9. Groups of up to 10 can purchase tables for 500 which includes two bottles. CHICAGO The doughnut craze continues with Glazed and Infused (glazedandinfuseddoughnuts .com). Available for catered meetings the doughnuts are made with all-natural ingredients and local products whenever possible. Flavors like banana salted caramel change seasonally. Forecast Ideas products trends and other cool stuff to have on your radar. NEW YORK Gary Hirshberg chairman of organic yogurt company Stonyfield has partnered with Amerivents to launch Chelsea s Table Catering by Amerivents (646.673.8814 chelseastable.com) offering menu items made with local sustainable ingredients that are ideal for healthy meetings and events. ORLANDO The XBus Mobile (day entertains.com 407.601.3962) is an air-conditioned bus outfitted with eight 22-inch LCD screens and Xbox 360-linked stations inside plus two more screens connected to Wii and Xbox Kinect mounted outside. The cost is 1 500 for three hours. EVERYWHERE 321 FastDraw (312.768.3262 321fastdraw.com) creates speeddrawing video presentations for meetings. Designed as a creative alternative to PowerPoint the process involves filming an artist illustrate on a white board then editing the video to move at the speed of the scripted voice-over. The cost averages between 5 000 to 8 500 per minute. BOSTON Cult D.C. bakery Georgetown Cupcake (83 Newbury Street georgetowncupcake.com) opened its first Boston outpost in May. The Back Bay shop offers catering for meetings and events as well as gift boxes. The treats cost 15 per half-dozen and 29 per dozen. MIAMI Erin Una Chainani (917. 833.6924 erinuna.com) offers live portrait sketching throughout South Florida. Drawings typically feature fluorescent colors but she can sketch in any requested color combination. The cost averages around 150 per hour with reduced rates for charity events. LOS ANGELES Archive Rentals (888.459.6598 archiverentals.com) has introduced a line of vintage Western- and camp-themed rentals. Among items like reclaimed wood tables picnic linens horse tack canoes and lanterns the company also has a rare collection of retro Airstream trailers. 60 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com forecast PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAESARS (LAS VEGAS) AFP (WASHINGTON) BEAUTIFUL DAY PHOTOGRAPHY (LOS ANGELES) AUDREY RUDOLF (NEW YORK) COURTESY OF VENDORS (ALL OTHERS) TWO MAGNIFICENT BALLROOMS SAME WORLD-CLASS CUISINE. John A. Williams Ballroom Cobb Galleria Centre Kessel D. Stelling Jr. Ballroom Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre BANQUETS LUNCHEONS WEDDINGS HOLIDAY PARTIES AND RECEPTIONS Make your events memorable and experience the fine cuisine prepared by our award-winning executive chefs at the Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 770.955.8000 www.cobbgalleria.com 770.916.2800 www.cobbenergycentre.com ATLANTA GEORGIA BO BOSTON CLASSIC Waterfront dining is the quintessential Boston experience. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum Columbia Point John Joseph Moakley Courthouse Boston Harbor tel 617.522.2820 gourmetcaterers.com BO NEWLY REDESIGNED. CONSISTENTLY remarkable. Hyatt Regency Boston wants to let you in on a little secret. We ve been undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation and it s almost complete Boasting contemporary new carpeting elaborate foyers swanky chandeliers a brand new lobby bar and much much more From a fresh new look to our personalized service we are here to ensure your event soars. Call Hyatt Regency Boston today to take a sneak peak of the new space Hyatt. You re More Than Welcome. 617 422 5516 REGENCYBOSTON.HYATT.COM The trademark HYATT and all related marks are trademarks of Hyatt corporation. 2012 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved. An Expanded Bar Chef Ken Oringer s adjoining restaurants Clio and Uni inside the Back Bay s Eliot Hotel underwent renovations in February that included an expanded bar area. The restaurants also now host two-hour cocktail classes for 20 led by mixologist Todd Maul. The private Charles Eliot Room can accommodate as many as 52 guests and the Commonwealth Boardroom seats 10 guests. Customized menus from Clio and Uni are available. (370 Commonwealth Ave. 617.536.7200) Venues Boston By JENNY BERG PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARLO MC (CLIO) COURTESY OF A TAVOLA SHEILA M. GREEN (BOSTON TEA PARTY) KARA BASKIN FOR BIZBASH (SALOON) A Subterranean Saloon Inspired by Ken Burns s documentary Prohibition Saloon opened in Somerville s Davis Square in December. The wood-paneled room has a horseshoe-shaped bar and seats 125 or holds 155 for cocktails. Additionally a semiprivate mirrored dining room next to the bar has the capacity for 35 seated or 50 for cocktails. The venue allows for DJs and small live bands. (255 Elm St. Somerville 617.628.4444) Venue on the Harbor Located in the middle of the Fort Point Channel on the Boston Harbor the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum opened in June housing several authentically restored Tall Ships as well as the Robinson tea crate one of two surviving tea crates from the original Boston Tea Party. Among the areas available is the Tavern & Tea Room a 150-seat space serving colonial-era ales wines and classic New England fare. The entire venue is available for buyouts with room for 150 seated or receptions of as many as 500. (Congress St. Bridge 617.737.3317) A Little Italian Opened in downtown Winchester in November A Tavola is an eclectic Italian restaurant specializing in piattini (small plates). Decorated with long tables wagon wheels hanging from rustic wooden walls and a crimson palette the eatery s main dining room is available for buyouts seating 50 or holding 65 for receptions. Screens and projectors may be rented. (34 Church St. Winchester 781.729.1040) 10 activity and teambuilding venues bizbash.com bostonvenues bizbash.com july august 2012 63 Chicago Venues By JENNY BERG A Riverfront Bar Located along the Chicago River the 8 000-square-foot Estate Ultra Bar has an overall capacity for 261-person receptions and offers several other smaller event spaces. They include the 20-seat Trophy Room a 32-seat dining room a 24-seat area known as the Living Room and the Front Room which has the capacity for 10 seated. In June the venue opened SkyDeck a 4 000-square-foot rooftop lounge as well as a riverfront dining area and a semi-enclosed patio called the Gazebo. (1177 North Elston St. 312.587.4777) A Hotel With a View A Southern-Style Barn The Chicago Botanic Garden s new Pullman Barn opened in June and will remain open through October. The rustic structure can seat 50 or hold cocktail receptions for 80 and rental fees include picnic tables and benches. Fire pits are available for an additional cost. Culinary Landscape s catering menu focuses on Southern-inspired picnic fare. (1000 Lake Cook Road 847.835.5440) PHOTOS PAUL DYER (HOTEL LINCOLN) COURTESY OF ESTATE ULTRA BAR JENNIFER KATHRYN (PULLMAN BARN) ANJALI PINTO (RPM ITALIAN) The 184-room Hotel Lincoln opened in Lincoln Park in March in a 1920s building overlooking the park. The property offers a boardroom with the capacity for 10 people and a larger meeting space that holds 75. Combined the two rooms host functions for 100. In June a rooftop lounge with views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan opened the site holds 175 outdoors and 75 indoors. Boka Restaurant Group s Perennial Virant operates from the property s first floor and supplies catering for meetings and events. (1816 North Clark St. 312.254.4700) Sleek Italian The 10 000-square-foot RPM Italian whose partners include celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic offers three sectioned-off rooms that can be combined to host seated dinners for 48 or receptions for 60. The Lettuce Entertain You restaurant s main dining room and bar can also be rented and seats 300 or holds 500 for receptions. The boardroom has a conference table for 12 or holds 20 for receptions. A semiprivate area known as the Stage seats 40 or holds 60 for receptions. (52 West Illinois St. 312.222.1888) 10 activity and teambuilding venues bizbash.com chicagovenues 64 CH Los Angeles Venues By ALESANDRA DUBIN Wood Cooking and Wine Drinking Chef-owner Andrew Kirschner opened Tar & Roses in January. The venue features Carrera marble and wood tabletops along with polished concrete floors that are complemented by sleek black banquettes. The restaurant holds about 75 guests with 45 in the dining room eight at the bar and 20 on the patio. (602 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica 310.587.0700) A Piece of Paris Located in the former Boudoir space in West Hollywood Bagatelle L.A. opened in February with a multiroom St. Tropez- and Paris-inspired indoor-outdoor layout. For outdoor events the restaurant has a manicured garden hedge surrounding the upper outdoor patio meant to evoke a Parisian city garden. Indoors the bar area has an oversize fireplace mantle. (755 North La Cienega 310.659.3900) Aviation Appreciation Santa Monica s Museum of Flying opened in February and is available for buyout. The main floor has a maximum seating capacity of 350 or holds 700 for a reception. The Douglas Aircraft executive suite includes the Douglas boardroom (a replica of the aircraft company s boardroom) a reception parlor and a screening room with a capacity of 50. (100 Airport Ave. Santa Monica 310.398.2500) PHOTOS JAMES & JAMES PRODUCTION (TAR & ROSES) RYAN FORBES AVABLU (BAGATELLE) CHAD SLATTERY (MUSEUM OF FLYING) COURTESY OF PLANET DAILIES A Coffee and Cocktail Spot A new concept from Planet Hollywood Planet Dailies L.A. and Mixology 101 opened in March. The venue includes a hip high-tech coffee shop alongside a cocktail lounge. Planet Dailies has a private dining area for about 20 guests and there are two outdoor spaces at the site. Mixology classes are available for groups. (6333 West 3rd St. Suite 20 323.370.6560) 10 activity and teambuilding venues bizbash.com lavenues 66 bizbash.com july august 2012 TIME TO PLAN A SNOW DAY BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT TODAY www.ParamountSpecialEvents.com Miami South Florida Venues By BRENDAN SPIEGEL A Classic-Car Mecca The 250 000-square-foot Dezer Collection auto museum is home to more than 1 000 eclectic vehicles including the 1981 DeLorean from the film Back to the Future as well as eight separate event spaces that hold between 50 and 2 500 guests. The 50 000-square-feet of meeting space includes James Bond- and Batman-themed galleries and lounges for 200 a 50s-style diner for 300 a huge arcade for 500 and an indoor drive-in theater for 300. (2000 N.E. 146th St. North Miami 305.354.7680) A Renovated Hotel After undergoing a 20 million renovation Hotel Breakwater reopened in January and now offers various spaces for hosting events. The 2 200-square-foot Intimissi Lounge is an intimate rooftop setting with daybeds plush love seats and views of the Atlantic Ocean it holds 98 for a reception. The Wellness Garden can hold 50 people within its 500 square feet of space. (40 Ocean Drive Miami Beach 305.532.2362) A Museum s New Wing Earlier this year the Bass Museum of Art opened the Lindemann Family Creativity Center a space for meetings and workshops. The 670-square-foot space has five 7-foot-long tables that seat as many as 30 people in a classroom or workshop layout. For a luncheon or dinner extra tables can be added. The center can also be turned into a lecture movie or presentation setting with seating for 60. For cocktail receptions or art showings the center holds 100. (2121 Park Ave. Miami Beach 305.673.7530) An Opulent Lounge Queen Lounge is a 4 000-square-foot cocktail and gastro-lounge featuring faux-gold mirrors copper-brown wallpaper and crystal chandeliers. The main lounge is lined with celebrity images and sculptures and includes a long black granite-top bar plus dining tables for 40. On the second floor the 50-person V.I.P. room contains a glass wall that overlooks the first floor. The entire venue holds 250 guests for buyouts. (841 Washington Ave. Miami Beach 305.397.8056) 68 bizbash.com july august 2012 10 activity and teambuilding venues bizbash.com miamivenues PHOTOS KEN HAYDEN (HOTEL BREAKWATER) COURTESY OF DEZER COLLECTION MANNY HERNANDEZ (LINDEMANN FAMILY CREATIVITY CENTER) COURTESY OF QUEEN LOUNGE WHEN IT HAS TO BE EVENTFUL IT HAS TO HAPPEN HERE. We can make all kinds of events happen...from the sublime to the outrageous. With 26 000 square feet of event space directly on the ocean The Bath Club is the perfect venue for meetings retreats parties after-parties luncheons fashion shows bat and bar mitzvahs fashion and film shoots tastings weddings and more. It s your time. This is the place. thebathclub.com Anywhere else is a compromise. I 5937 Collins Avenue Miami Beach Florida 33140 305.867.5938 New York Venues By ROSE CHEVALIER A GayFriendly Hotel Opened in March the gaytargeted Out NYC hotel offers 105 rooms plus event spaces including three semiprivate outdoor courtyards. The largest is the Great Lawn a grassy space with a tiered stage. Also available are conference rooms and the 14 000-square-foot nightclub XL. (510 West 42nd St. 212.947.2999) A New Banquet Hall In June a new lounge and banquet hall known as Private Event Space at Humphrey took over the former Bar Basque space in the Eventi Hotel. Operated by ESquared Hospitality the venue offers private and semiprivate options for events with as many as 100 guests. An outdoor patio has a retractable glass roof for year-round access and seats 100. (839 Avenue of the Americas 2nd Floor 646.600.7150) A Modern Chinese Restaurant The New York location of popular restaurant Hakkasan sits one block west of Times Square. It offers 200 seats and a 50-foot bar in an 11 000-square-foot space designed by the same team that worked on the Miami and Abu Dhabi outposts. The dining room is divided into small sections separated by silk embroidered banquettes white marble walls and carved Chinese screens. Hakkasan New York serves modern Chinese fare. (311 West 43rd St. 212.776.1818) A Tent on the River The 5 300-square-foot Ambassadors River View at the United Nations is a marquee tent overlooking the East River. It holds 800 reception-style or 350 seated. The tent is fully heated and air-conditioned for year-round use and has clear roll-up sides for mild weather. Full theatrical lighting is available. Events can incorporate tours of the General Assembly and Security Council. (First Ave. at 46th St. 212.963.7029) 10 activity and teambuilding venues bizbash.com nyvenues 70 PHOTOS CHARLES SETON (OUT NYC) DANIEL KRIEGER PHOTOGRAPHY (HAKKASAN) COURTESY OF THE AMBASSADORS RIVER VIEW AT THE UNITED NATIONS UNITED NATIONS CATERING NATURAL EXPRESSIONS NY (HUMPHREY) The Mvp Of Meeting Spaces. MetLife Stadium is the perfect venue to impress at your next meeting or corporate event. From VIP meeting rooms fireside lounge to colorful field-side clubs our spaces are sure to provide a unique and memorable experience. Our brand-new state-of-the-art facility offers multiple indoor and outdoor meeting spaces world-class amenities and an impressive array of culinary options. With the ability to accommodate meetings as small as 10 to as large as over 80 000 see for yourself why MetLife Stadium is in a field of its own. Email us at specialevents metlifestadium.com or call 201- 559 -1710. Washington Venues By BETH KORMANIK Sweeping River Views After a three-month renovation the Sunset Room by Wolfgang Puck at National Harbor opened in May. The venue has sweeping Potomac River views a new 5 100-square-foot kitchen updated decor and an emphasis on fresh locally sourced food. Two spaces are available the Plaza View which fits 250 standing guests and 150 seated and the Harbor View for 450 standing or 350 seated guests. Both rooms include outdoor terraces and atria for check-in and breakout space. (137 National Plaza National Harbor Maryland 301.839.1805) An Exclusive Pool Club The Penthouse Pool Club a 12 000-square-foot private rooftop pool opened in April after a 2 million build-out. Located in Dupont Circle along the U Street corridor the club has three private event spaces a sun deck with 100-person capacity a poolside cabana for 25 people and a reserved spot on the pool deck for 50. (1612 U St. NW 202.939.2578) A Vineyard in Virginia RdV Vineyards which debuted in April has partnered with Occasions Caterers to host private events inside the winery and on its 96-acre property. Tents set up on the grounds can host functions of as many as 200 and the interior spaces seat 70 or hold as many as 100 for receptions. Smaller groups can take over individual areas including the 45-seat fermentation room and the 20-seat wine storage cave. (2550 Delaplane Grade Road Delaplane Virginia 540.364.0221) Iconic Venue Overhaul The historic Howard Theatre has reopened after a 29 million renovation. The space offers a flexible venue thanks to hydraulic platforms that can transform the theater from supper-club-style seating for 650 into a flat ballroom space for 1 100 in 40 minutes. New technological features include a state-of-the-art acoustic system 10-foot video screens and recording capabilities. The balcony has two 200-inch HD jumbo screens. (620 T Street NW 202.803.2899) 10 teambuilding and activity venues bizbash.com dcvenues 72 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS STEPHEN ELLIOT MUDPRODUCTIONS.COM (SUNSET ROOM) GORDON BEALL (RDV) TIM COOPER FOR THE HOWARD THEATRE GREG POWERS (PENTHOUSE POOL CLUB) papercut by w w w.o cc a sionsc aterer s.com for occ a sions c aterer s The Art of the Meal Washington D.C. COMING SOON CHICAGO 888.DRAPE.ME NY DC drapekings.com NY EVENT REPORTS High Beams PHOTO SETH BROWARNIK WORLDREDEYE.COM At the Armani Exchange and T-Mobile Neon Carnival during Coachella this spring guests entered the Thermal California airplane hangar event space through a dramatic uplit corridor. For more Coachella events turn to page 100. bizbash.com july august 2012 77 At the May 22 Art Institute of Chicago s Roy Lichtenstein opening gala guests sat at long tables inspired by the artist s Whaam painting. Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group topped the tables with 110 seven-foot shards miles of internal LED lighting and 110 glass mirror panes. During the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay s Storybook Ball Gold Productions used colorful fabrics and lighting to bring the Cat in the Hat theme to the ballroom at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa May 19. Spring Reigns Innovative decor was king at the season s blockbuster fund-raisers. By JENNY BERG At the Museum of Modern Art s Party in the Garden in New York on May 22 long communal tables and lounge-like configurations provided relaxed seating. For centerpieces designer David Monn incorporated square-shaped topiaries illuminated by candles that hung from the leaves in glass cylinders. PHOTOS DAN REST (LICHENSTEIN) MOORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY (MCDONALD HOUSE) NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH (PARTY IN THE GARDEN) NADINE FROGER PHOTOGRAPHY (DISCOVERY BALL) JOSEPH R. PALMER (PAINTBRUSH BALL) Celebrating the Chicago organization s silver anniversary Marwen s Paintbrush Ball was saturated with the metallic hue-- in party hats confetti and an entrance tunnel of silver balloons from Balloons by Tommy. More ideas from spring benefts bizbash.com springbenefits The May 18 California Science Center s Discovery Ball drew inspiration for its theme from the subject of Cleopatra The Exhibition. A troupe from Zen Arts processed through the dining room to announce a feast hosted by Mark Antony and Cleopatra also known as dinner. 78 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS TONY BROWN IMIJPHOTO.COM FOR BIZBASH ALEXANDRE CH RON (DAFFODIL BALL) JOSH SEARS (HOSPITAL PREVIEW) BFANYC.COM (COSTUME INSTITUTE) MARK BALLOGG (STEPPENWOLF) NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH (ROBIN HOOD) Edge Floral Event Designs created large topiaries shaped like dogs to top select tables at the April 14 Washington Humane Society s Fashion for Paws fund-raiser at the National Building Museum. To honor the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll s classic story the Canadian Cancer Society s Daffodil Ball turned Windsor Station in Montreal into an Alice in Wonderland-inspired gala April 26. The decor included five table styles seven linen combinations three types of chairs and four colors of chair cushions. The Robin Hood Foundation gala returned to New York s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center May 14. The 4 000-person event saw a motif inspired by one of the city s iconic visuals the subway. One side of the cocktail space was shaped into an archway and illuminated with photos from city subway stations as well as projections of poverty statistics. At the Steppenwolf gala dinner-dance at Chicago s Blackhawk on Halsted Event Creative installed decor inspired by the written word. Pages from the script of that evening s production hung from round chandeliers and curved columns were decorated with words. The glittery Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children s Hospital preview gala April 21 in Chicago had towering paper centerpieces in the shapes of flowers windmills and airplanes constructed by artist and illustrator Jami Darwin. As guests entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art s Costume Institute gala in New York May 7 they met a 24-foot-tall cylinder covered in 40 000 roses with a large lip pattern inspired by Schiaparelli and Prada designs. bizbash.com july august 2012 79 Custom gobos showed the Wolfcat logo. The event drew 300 Xbox enthusiasts. In addition to the mysteriously dim brickwalled ambiance of the Brahmin which was a key reason why Diamond chose the venue the event echoed the game s aesthetic with its leather tufted couches hurricane lamps and tables wrapped Warner Brothers launched its in hemp fiber and thick rope. Guests played the Xbox game at an old-world-style game on seven demo event with liquid potions. gaming kiosks shining Warner Brothers with neon-green Xbox Interactive A creature named Wolfcat appears logos. Black velvet drapes Entertainment s Pax BOSTON in a talisman from The Witcher an flanked the kiosks and East After-Party Xbox role-playing game published by Warner guests drank cocktails Audiovisual Production Brothers Interactive Entertainment. Fans formed made to resemble poCatering Venue The a quarter-mile-long line in front of the Brahmin tions from the game. To Brahmin American Cuisine and Cocktails eager to get the Wolfcat hand stamp that permit- further evoke what DiaDecor Design Event ted entrance to the April 6 launch party of The mond described as the Management Lighting Witcher 2 Assassin of Kings. game s old-world feel Production The Sponsored by gaming and com- staffers wearing WolfcatVisionary Group Los Angeles ic convention Penny Arcade Expo emblazoned gear passed DJ DJ Chris Roxx East the event attracted more than mini meat pies and Furniture Rentals Luxe 300 guests. The goal was to launch chicken drumsticks. Event Rentals & Decor the game and allow consumers to Tracy Williams Invite Printing Impress Printing play it before its general release. director of marketing Lighting High Output We wanted to create an emo- at Warner Brothers InInc. tional [tie] between guests and the teractive said Facebook Models Jcalpro game said event producer Brian and Twitter posts enPhotography Getty Images Photo Diamond owner of The Visionary couraged fans to R.S.V.P. Assignments Group. Our guests were people Additionally specialty Printing MBE Digital who were generally familiar with staff passed out hardthe world of Witcher and we want- copy invites stamped ed them to recognize attributes with a wax-sealed More photos from the game the second they Wolfcat at the expo. bizbash.com walked in. --Lauren K. Terry warnerbrothers Witching Hour BO PHOTOS GAIL OSKIN GETTY IMAGES held on the anniversary of Paul Revere s famous ride through Boston. The event s hash tag RevereIsHere was a play on Revere s famous Revere Hotel Boston proclamation. AdditionCommon s Grand ally the promotional Opening code RevereIsComDecor Design Furniture ing was used for the Rentals Rentals PBD The Revere Hotel Boston Common evening s free town car Events opened with a vertical fashion show DJ Nathanael Bluhm transportation service Draping Sound PSAV down the building s facade. provided by Uber. LeadPresentation Services ing up to the fashion Event Management show Twitter photos A 24-story vertical banner served as Altus Marketing BOSTON the runway for an unusual fashion Management of rehearsing climbers Flowers Winston show marking the Revere Hotel Boston Common s served as teasers to the Flowers hotel s followers. Kinsgrand opening April 18. The presentation for 150 Invitations man and her team also guests saw harnessed rock climbers-turnedCheckerboard Models Maggie Inc. offered event tickets to models walking down the facade of the building wearing hotel uniforms and fashions from British the winner of a retweet- Photography Carly Gillis Eric Levin designer Ted Baker. The goal of the vertical fashion ing contest. PR Dan Klores In another contest show was to introduce the luxury boutique hotel Communications Printing Cambridge staffers planted hotel to the city and promote its brand through referRepro-Graphics Pro room keys in spots ences to Boston s history. Print Boston throughout the city. [We wanted] to execute a one-of-a-kind Production Villani O Keefe tweeted photos media-driven event that would introduce the Productions Transportation Uber Inc. of their locations and brand and allow Revere to differentiate itself in the marketplace by delivering a highly visual and awarded overnight stays Venue Revere Hotel Boston Common memorable experience said Laura Kinsman the to locals who found Video Frank Floyd Films them. --Lauren K. Terry hotel s director of events. Press and promotional materials emphasized the hotel s connection to the city. The event was More photos bizbash.com revere Controlled Descent Climbers from Boston Rock Gym walked straight down the building s 24-story facade. PHOTO BRIAN SNYDER REUTERS emilie inc photog aph ho ho g hot graphy imagine. It s your creation. emi em lie in hotograph emilie inc photography m hot gra o g N EW E N G LAN D S LEAD I N G R ES O U R C E F O R T E N T & S P E C I A L E V E N T R E N TA LS emi em e inc photog aphy emilie inc photography hot o w w w. p e t e r s o n p a r t y c e n t e r. c o m 78 1 - 72 9 - 4 0 0 0 BO Entertainment included throwback tunes such as Fly Me to the Moon. An Audrey Hepburn impersonator underscored the vintage-Hollywood vibe. Brew & View Stella Artois celebrated its partnership with the Cannes Film Festival at a members-only event. Boston s historic 1900s-era Wilbur Theatre was transformed into a swinging 60s nightclub May 10 as part of Stella Artois s Cannes Cinema Club. The goal of the time-traveling affair was to celebrate Stella Artois s selection as the official beer sponsor of France s 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival. With palm trees Roulette tables and Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. impersonators the swanky lounge set the stage for the evening s screening of Ocean s Eleven--the original 1960s version of course--featuring Rat Packers Sinatra Davis and Dean Martin. Stella Artois brand manager Chris Hanson said his aim for the event was to bring the classic film to life for members of La Soci t Stella Artois the online members-only community of Stella Artois enthusiasts who were the evening s invitees. [We wanted to] celebrate the timeless era of the Rat Pack ... [and provide] an exclusive consumer experience for members he said. With 150 guests the event included multiple hostesses--wearing dresses embroidered with Stella Artois s logo--to greet guests and hand out popcorn. The movie snacks came fresh from two custom popcorn kettle machines in the lounge. Four bars offered the featured beer on tap with each bartender following the brand s signature nine-step pouring ritual from purification to bestowal. Red kerchiefs and bowties men s and BOSTON Servers in jaunty fedoras passed out movie snacks in boxes splashed with the beer brand s logo. Logos made it onto napkins and casino chips. 82 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com stellaartois PHOTOS MARC ANDREW DELEY CRAMMEDMEDIA BO Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra look-alikes also were on hand. CAMPUS CENTER University of Massachusetts Boston Guests wore R.F.I.D.-enabled bracelets that allowed them to share photos and comments about the event on media sites. A unique venue perfect for your next meeting training reception seminar corporate party or special event. Our campus offers a variety of spaces with beautiful views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor. women s old-fashioned glasses and black fedoras were available to guests who wanted to dress in line with the 60s theme and have their photos taken by hostesses. In contrast to the fete s recreation of the bygone age the event had its fair share of 21st century marketing technology. Attendees were given R.F.I.D.-tagged bracelets allowing them to instantly connect with their social media networks to share their experiences with their friends and earn prizes Hanson said. With a tap of the bracelet at Stella Artois kiosks throughout the room photos and status updates such as Enjoying a perfectly poured Stella Artois at the Cannes Cinema Club were instantly transmitted to guests Facebook pages. Along with Eye5 Marketing and Talent s Sinatra and Davis impersonators Marilyn Monroe Audrey Hepburn and Andy Warhol look-alikes were on hand to encourage guests in their pursuit of fake casino tokens at the roulette tables. The three-piece Doug Acosta Band from Elan Artists backed up the Sinatra impersonator who sang classic favorites such as Fly Me Stella Artois s Cannes to the Moon and Cinema Club B same Mucho Additional Staffing Event before the movie Management Invitations Models Production screening. Staffing Mosaic Experiential At the end of Marketing the five-hour event DJ Moodswing 360 guests could catch Entertainment Elan Artists Eye5 Mktg & Talent Inc. a free ride home in Furniture Rentals PBD Events a luxury town car Lighting High Output Inc. though a partnerPR Video HL Group ship with Uber Props Creative Event Services an on-demand Transportation Uber Inc. car service. Venue The Wilbur Theatre --Lauren K. Terry Serving Caterers & Event Professionals Throughout New England Boston & Cape Cod 617-427-2700 BeOurGuestPartyRental.com BO Alternate Reality Redmoon Theater s Spectacle Lunatique featured engineered wonder. Redmoon hosted its annual Spectacle Lunatique benefit at The Hudson March 17. A program gave guests a loose overview of the evening promising 103 wild performances 71 spectacle moments and seven hours of madness concluding with the affirmation Together we can engineer wonder. Along with performers that engaged guests throughout the affair a 45-minute-long performance offered a sneak peek of the experimental theater s upcoming season which will include both guerrilla-style and preannounced public performances. --Jenny Berg During the show an elevated stage with a drummer appeared on the other side of the dilapidated office setting. The company s Spinning Vehicles are rolling platforms with elevated performer-activated rotating vignettes including a tilted bathtub with a bather. CHICAGO With the Teapot Libation Machine a Redmoon performer wears a metal backpack with an extended arm that holds a porcelain teapot at its end. The teapot mechanically operated by a switch on the performer s wrist poured cocktails into guests glasses. Performers in polka dots and handcrafted monkey masks interacted with guests (and scratched one another). Live-auction prizes and the real-time bid were projected onto the screen. 84 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com redmoon PHOTOS CHRISTINA NO L PHOTOGRAPHY CH THE ULTIMATE PARTY CRASHERS 312-742-2400 www.lpzoo.org The campaign s television spots appeared on the exterior of the restaurant. At the Chicago event a small group of journalists gathered early in the evening to partake in a mixology demonstration with Jordan Bushell a Hennessy trade specialist. Planners designed the Hennessy unveiled a new ad campaign activity to get the influential crowd fully engaged with interactive projections. with the product. Guests will not only have the opportunity to enjoy sampling Hennessy drinks Hennessy hosted a private event but will take part in creating their own Laughlin CHICAGO at Nellc te April 5 to celebrate the said before the event. They will assemble mix launch of its new ad campaign The Chase. With shake and garnish one of the four featured reciprint images and television spots featuring singer pes and bring [the product] to life in a very handsErykah Badu filmmaker Martin Scorsese and on way. With names such as The Filmmaker and boxer Manny Pacquiao the campaign encour The Music Icon the drinks were inspired by the ages us to pursue our potential chase our elusive celebrities that appear in the ad campaign. dreams ... and seek greatness in all that we do After the last cocktail had been shaken and said Deirdre Laughlin the regional marketing poured guests headed outside to interact with director for Mo t Hennessy U.S.A. s central region. the ad campaign itself. On the venue s exterior The campaign was designed she said wall two side-by-side screens broadcast to reestablish the brand s swagger and More photos the 60-second television spots with Badu ignite growth of the brand with its young bizbash.com and Pacquiao. In the center of the screens urban consumer target. hennessy an interactive installation let guests Passersby could learn about the campaign through an interactive installation set outside between the two TV spots. Spot Check and passerby take virtual boxing lessons with Pacquiao or singing lessons with Badu. Though only invited guests were invited to continue the evening inside--where more drinks flowed a DJ spun and R&B singer Melanie Fiona performed--the virtual Hennessy s The activities were open Chase Unveiling to the public till the Additional Staffing wee hours. Event Management Participants in the Production Strategic boxing and singing Experiential Group lessons could instantly Audiovisual Production Sound upload the experiences Optimist LA to social media sites and Catering Security planners hoped they Staffing Valet would. The PR stunt is Venue Nellcote designed to appeal to our DJs DJ D-Nice DJ Nurotic target consumers [who PR Cohn & Wolfe are influential] in social Maison Public media Laughlin said. Relations Video Fig Media Inc. --Jenny Berg to channel a posh office living room and bedroom The night was supposed to end after a viewthroughout the shop. We used 4-by-8 flats with ing of House of Consignment but the schedule sepia-toned photos of a city apartment to create a became more fluid as more flutes were drained. deeper context throughout the space and the de The event ended up going much later than tails were really important Treinen said. She threw planned because nobody wanted to leave Diesel launched its new jeans with in a not-quite perfectly placed throw pillow lipstick Schmitt said. Maybe the insane amount of chamthemed tables at an exclusive party. on a coffee mug that little to-do list that you leave pagne had something to do it. --J.B. by your computer--little things that made the To introduce five new styles of wom- space really feel like guests were coming over to Dinner table CHICAGO en s jeans to local shoppers Diesel their best girlfriend s place for dinner. designs varied To underscore the characteristics of the new hosted a dinner party at its Rush Street store on so that jean styles the decor of each dining table was April 4--and made it clear that this event was guests could meant to vary and contrast so guests could exnot geared toward the fashion-challenged. The experience 40 guests included publicists designers bloggers perience what a meal might look and feel like at what a meal differing styles of homes such as glitzy earthy or and more of what planner Elise Schmitt of BMF might look Media referred to as the most fashionable female contemporary Schmitt said. and feel like at The evening kicked off with a Chicago trendsetters. differing styles Diesel s Dinner Party champagne-and-hors d oeuvres Corri McFadden star of the loof homes Audiovisual Production reception and an informal fashion cally based reality show House of said planner Sound Investment Ltd. show of the new styles took place Consignment co-hosted along with Elise Schmitt. Catering Whiskey Bar during the seated dinner. Catering media partner Glossed & Found. Each and Grill from the Whiskey Bar and carefully selected guest received an Chairs Tablescapes Party Rentals The Whiskey Grill included roast chicken emailed invitation that announced Decor Design Flowers Bar & Grill herb-crusted salmon lamb As one of Chicago s It girls you ve Furniture Rentals Event served an herblollipops and hummus. Evbeen exclusively invited to an intiCreative crusted whole erything was served familymate dinner with Diesel. Linens Private Label Linens style though each table had salmon as part We had such a great time designModels Factor Women of the menu. some help from a maleing this event wanting it to feel really Production BMF Media model server to glitz things intimate but ensuring that the womGroup up a bit Schmitt said. We an s product was really showcased well Rentals Hall s Rental wanted to replicate what a at the same time said Event Creative More photos dinner party might feel like at producer Meredith Treinen. The team bizbash.com diesel [a friend s home]. set up apartment vignettes meant Denim Dinner 86 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS ELIZABETH GILMORE PHOTOS BARRY BRECHEISEN Whether you want to invite just a few or an entire culture we ve got the perfect room for you. From the historic beauty of Stanley Field Hall to the elegance and modern d cor of the Founders Room you ll find the perfect venue inside The Field Museum in Chicago that will make your next event well perfect. To learn more call (312) 665-7600 today. Start discovering now at fieldmuseum.org visit events. 1400 South Lake Shore Chicago Illinois 60605 CH Chef Hubert Keller spun tunes at Mix in the Hotel at Mandalay Bay. More than 2 500 guests--an attendance record--gathered at the Grand Tasting. Desert Flavor Bon App tit broke attendance records with 2 500 at its grand tasting. It s been years since Las Vegas firmly dispensed with its old reputation as the home of the greasy 0.99 steak-andeggs brunch but each new restaurant opening backed by a big-name chef--for instance that of Gordon Ramsay Steak in early May--puts another nail in the coffin of that outmoded distinction. Further advancing the city s new reputation as a bona fide world-class foodie destination is the annual Vegas Uncork d by Bon App tit magazine which took over town from May 10 through 13 offering an array of meals tastings and even a poker tournament. The centerpiece of the program is the event s Grand Tasting now in its sixth year which set new attendance records. Selling out in advance for the first time the event drew more than 2 500 people who took over the Garden of the Gods pool at Caesars Palace tasting items from the town s most notable chefs and restaurants. Included were chefs from Bellagio Caesars Palace the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay. Making his debut appearance Ramsay offered his beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding. Guy Savoy Jos Andr s Hubert Keller Nobu Matsuhisa David Myers Scott Conant Michel Richard Costas Spiliadis Todd English Rick Moonen Charlie Palmer Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger and others also prepared favorites from their Vegas eateries. I m thrilled that we not only had the most people ever attend the Grand Tasting but we also had more restaurants participate than ever before--making this a bigger showcase for Las Vegas than in any other year Bon App tit editor in chief Adam Rapoport said in a statement. Vegas Uncork d kicked off the weekend with Wolfgang Puck hosting an intimate lunch with Rapoport at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in celebration of Spago s 20th anniversary. And the four-day culinary programming wrapped on May 13 with Mother s Day brunches from Charlie Palmer Guy Savoy and Rao s. --Alesandra Dubin PHOTOS ETHAN MILLER GETTY IMAGES FOR VEGAS UNCORK D BY BON APP TIT (GRAND TASTING) DAVID BECKER FOR BON APP TIT (DJ) ISAAC BREKKEN FOR BON APP TIT (ALL OTHERS) Gordon Ramsay made his debut appearance at the Grand Tasting offering his beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding. Susan Feniger served guests at the Grand Tasting. Aureole executive chef Vincent Pouessel cooked in front of guests at Steak & Eggs with Charlie Palmer. LAS VEGAS Guests watched Fran ois Payard serve desserts at Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace. 88 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com bonappetit LV THE VEGAS WOW FACTOR 60 000 Square Feet of Innovative Meeting Space One-of-a-Kind VIP Suites Dedicated Meeting Specialists Exceptional Catering & Menu Options State-of-the-Art Concert Venue Multi-Use Ballrooms & Breakout Spaces Michelin Star-Rated Dining Legendary Nightlife FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL PLANAMEETING PALMS.COM CALL 702.942.7059 OR 866.725.6768 palms.com palmscasinoresort palms palmstv 2012 FP Holdings L.P. dba Palms Casino Resort. OUR EXPOS NOW HAVE A NEW NAME IDEAFEST big ideas small details NEW YORK JACOB JAVITS CENTER WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 2012 WWW.BIZBASH.COM IDEAFESTNY CHICAGO MERCHANDISE MART THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14 2012 WWW.BIZBASH.COM IDEAFESTCHI All-New Conference Program Tailored to Your Event Planning Needs Featuring the Third Annual Readers Choice Awards NEW YORK LOS ANGELES 59 ADVERTISEMENT Smith & Wollensky Introduces New Summer Menu INSIDE EDGE United Nations Unveils New Venue In April BizBash teamed up with the United Nations the Council of Protocol Executives and the Wedding Library to host the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ambassadors River View at the United Nations. Guests were invited to a preview reception where they explored the space and enjoyed live music and a cocktail reception. A martini made with POM Wonderful pomegranate juice was the specialty drink for the evening and passed hors d oeuvres included comfort food staples such as a miniaturized version of chicken and waffles. The Ambassadors River View is a new tented venue in the iconic United Nations building. Floor-toceiling windows along one side of the space provide unparalleled views of the East River. There is an expansive patio area making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor events. The venue can accommodate up to 600 guests for receptions and 350 seated. Catering is exclusively provided by United Nations Events Catering a division of Aramark. Events at the River View can be combined with private tours of the United Nations facilities including the Security Council Chambers and the General Assembly. (212.963.7029 ambassadorsriverview.com) Smith & Wollensky has announced a special Summer Features menu for 2012 available now through September. This seasonal menu created by national director of culinary development Matthew King focuses on the fl avors of fresh fruits and vegetables to complement traditional steakhouse fare. One new signature entr es is the coffee and & cocoa rubbed fi let which is rubbed with Gevalia coffee and cocoa charbroiled then topped with ancho chile butter and crispy angry onions. The private events menu offers full portions of their famous U.S.D.A. Prime steaks. Smith & Wollensky steaks are dry-aged for 28 days for intense flavor and on premise butchers create fi nal cuts. In addition to their famous steaks for private events fresh seafood awardwinning wines and made-from-scratch desserts are also available. The new Conference Package is now available to accommodate all your meeting needs. Personalized planning assistance by an on-site event planner is available and the National Partnership team can help coordinate custom events and menus at Smith & Wollensky locations nationwide. (617-600-3583. smithandwollensky.com) BBJ Adds Product Line -- Now Offering Chargers BBJ has expanded their inventory to include a line of Glass Chargers Show Plates. They are the industry s first food safe chargers making them perfect for chefs and event designers alike to increase their creativity in their food presentation. The chargers are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Collaborating with strategic partners throughout the country has played a role in making the chargers available nationwide. (800.592.2414 bbjlinen.com) NY 725-735 Tenth Ave New York NY 10019 212.581.0404 www.ballroom49.com Contact Vivianne Kim vkim ballroom49.com Penthouse Ballroom Tantalizing views of Midtown s skyline Maximum capacity 80 Dinner Dancing - 100 Dinner Classroom 75 Theatre 100 Grand Ballroom Newly remodeled with opulence fit for royalty Maximum capacity 220 Dinner Dancing - 260 Dinner Classroom 160 Theatre 250 In-house event director will assist with every aspect of event from menu options to d cor. Full service in-house catering outside Kosher only. A V on premise. Parking available. Photos by Jean E. Lee A fireworks show over Hollywood & Highland celebrated 125 years of Hollywood at the opening-night gala. Cirque du Soleil performers from the film-centric show Iris entertained the crowd. and mock paparazzi as they walked the red carpet into the venue. The centerpiece of the night s experiences was an advance opportunity to ride on the new giant-scale attraction Transformers The Ride 3D. Other entertainment areas filled the space and all of Universal s park characters were on hand to entertain guests. Infusion Lounge Hollywood sponsored a dance club within the event. Wrapping up Pow Wow s major parties was the Hooray Los Angeles closing-night gala for 3 500. Producers of that event didn t have the benefit of a huge-scale permanent production like a Cirque show or an amusement park ride to make a splash but nevertheless found plenty of tricks up their sleeves. EventWorks produced the event at the Event Deck at L.A. Live after a forecast of rain forced a move from the original location California Plaza. An array of entertainment offerings packed the party including hip-hop violinist Josh Vientti the Aqualillies Nikka Costa who performed courtesy of West Hollywood s Sunset Strip Music Festival and a Grammy Museumsponsored concert by headliners Earth Wind & Fire followed by dance music with DJ Ronnie G. Wolfgang Puck catered dinner at the event where stations represented local regions like Pasadena and West Hollywood. --Alesandra Dubin PHOTOS NADINE FROGER PHOTOGRAPHY (CLOSING-NIGHT GALA) LINE 8 PHOTOGRAPHY (ALL OTHERS) Traveling Salesmen International Pow Wow s splashy parties offered cirque shows thrill rides and full-scale concerts. Between April 21 and 25 the U.S. Travel Association brought its big annual event the International Pow Wow to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The days of prescheduled business appointments drew more than 1 000 U.S. travel organizations from every region and close to 1 200 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries all of whom conducted business negotiations expected to generate 3.5 billion in future U.S. travel. After all those meetings a series of nighttime parties kept the energy up for attendees--and were meant to show off the best the city has to offer. Kicking things off was the opening-night event at the Hollywood & Highland Center. For LOS ANGELES that party the center and the theater formerly known as the Kodak were closed to the public and invited guests accessed it through a red carpet along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Guests checked out Cirque du Soleil s Iris A Journey Through The World of Cinema in two 30-minute previews. Event producer Dwayne Jones intended to give the center s 19 000-square-foot outdoor courtyard the feel of an old-Hollywood speakeasy for the evening with full projection on the sevenstory arch that frames the Hollywood sign. Connor Cruise (son of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) served as one of the evening s DJs. The New Hollywood party zone in Awards Walk led into the theater where DJ Nahchey from Dash Entertainment spun for the crowd and Madame Tussauds celebrity figures stood sentry along the red carpet. Wolfgang Puck provided the food and bar service for the evening and nine restaurants on the property were open for guests. There was live entertainment in Hard Rock Caf Hollywood and Rolling Stone L.A. as well as bowling in Lucky Strike Lanes Hollywood. A fireworks show over the courtyard capped off the night s drama. The next night Universal Studios Hollywood welcomed more than 6 000 attendees who were greeted by searchlights Universal Studios staffers Pow Wow s closingnight gala took to the Event Deck at L.A. Live. At the Universal Studios Hollywood party themed dessert stations offered sweets matched up to rides. More photos & a complete vendor list bizbash.com powwow 94 bizbash.com july august 2012 LA WE VE COVERED EVERY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL EVENT SINCE 1967. SURELY WE CAN BRING SIGNIFICANCE TO YOURS. Rolling Stone LA. The living embodiment of a cultural icon. With an acclaimed chef and restaurant lounges bars live music impeccable cuisine and eye candy galore. To see more go to RollingStoneLA.com. To make it happen call Gina Wade at 323.362.2516 or email events rollingstonela.com today. RS LA Dining Music Culture 6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles CA Live. Fox s Karin Pofsky oversaw the party tapping YourBash for its production. This year s look and feel took a turn for the moodier as compared with the settings of past Fox s finale party went for a darker look. events. The look was darker although it still used colors from the relevant brands logos--blue from Fox Ford and Idol plus Coke red. A central Phillip Phillips took the prize LOS ANGELES at the season 11 American Idol decor piece made from giant rotating discs as big as 10 feet in diameter were covered in sefinale May 23 and afterward an array of guests took home their own souvenirs of the night--in quins or logos for a statement-making look that the form of pillows and other logo goodies at the transformed the big white box that is the Event Deck tent in its undressed state. Custominteractive finale party at the Event Deck at L.A. Idol Worship Fox s finale party transformed the Event Deck at L.A. Live. embroidered logo pillows from YourBash s YourPillows division popped against black couches-- that is until guests walked out with them. It s always a challenge to make a party feel new and fresh while trying to keep a consistent brand identity for the show and our sponsors who ve been with us for so long especially while using the same venue year after year Pofsky said. In a big white tent lighting can be challenging but we worked with YourBash and Kinetic Lighting to come up with ways to get the darker clubbier feel we were going for. To further darken the space YourBash created giant floating blue ceilings using truss structures to keep the light from reflecting off the white tent and add to the treatment. YourBash s Brian Worley explained that versus in the past when the team has used ground-supported truss to create largescale design elements this year organizers made use of nearly 80 motors and suspended nearly everything in the party. AT&T sponsored the Ink Cotton make-yourown-T-shirt station at the back of the tent that drew lines all night. Guests could choose from four designs including Team Sanchez and Team Phillips looks in various colors. Ford sponsored two interactive graffiti walls photo ops that allowed guests to choose from various stencils and colors while using virtual spray cans to decorate their photos before printing or uploading to the Web. Alligator Pear handled the catering More photos including bites in logo cups. bizbash.com fox --Alesandra Dubin PHOTO SEAN TWOMEY 2ME STUDIOS INDOOR KART RACING US ARRIVE & DRIVE . ADULTS AND JUNIORS 48 AND UP CORPORATE EVENTS . TEAM BUILDING . BIRTHDA YS K1SPEED.com THE PLACE TO RACE (888) K1-KARTS AZ - PHOENIX CA - CARLSBAD . IRVINE . ANAHEIM . TORRANCE . ONTARIO SANTA CLARA . SAN FRANCISCO FL - MIAMI TX - AUSTIN . HOUSTON WA - SEATTLE Art Dealer Beastie Boys Mike D called in a favor so Santigold could perform at the opening of his MOCA exhibit. Avant Garde Diaries a Daimler Mercedes-Benzbacked initiative to bring together art and culture communities launched its second festival on April 19 kicking off the buzzy Mike LOS ANGELES Guests listened to music that accompanied a custom Mercedes installation in one gallery. Santigold s black-lightactivated costumes matched the trippy vibe of Mike D s exhibit. More photos and a vendor list bizbash.com moca PHOTOS KEVIN WINTER GETTY IMAGES FOR MERCEDES-BENZ D-curated Mercedes-Benz Transmission L.A. A.V. Club with a pre-opening party at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA downtown. An array of art-world guests filled the alfresco space adjacent to the Geffen Contemporary for an evening that included access to the colorful new exhibit bites from chef Roy Choi s Kogi BBQ and a headline musical performance from Santigold. Mercedes oversaw the exhibit and event with the automaker s New Jerseybased supervisor for brand and lifestyle events and branded entertainment Jasmine Golubic tapping its agency of record HL Group to produce the pre-opening bash. Between drinks and bites guests moved inside to check out the colorful exhibit which included a room where they could listen to headphones playing music that synced up to artistic customizations of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coup unveiled there for the first time. KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole warmed up the crowd which was eager to see headliner Santigold who took the stage around 9 p.m. The musician who was also performing at Coachella the weekends before and after the MOCA event was permitted to perform despite her contract after Mike D himself called in a favor to Goldenvoice. Because no tickets were being sold to the private pre-opening there was no conflict with the desert music festival. --Alesandra Dubin Teachable Moment A global clean water group injected education into its gala. Generosity Water s fourth annual Night of Generosity gala took to the Hollywood Roosevelt on May 4 offering guests a bit of education with their dinner and entertainment. After walking a blue carpet and entering the historic lobby lounge guests experienced the so-called water walk created by producer Kapture Vision along with the support of Kristen Tarsiuk and Alistair Chang. The walk took attendees through a deconstructed wooden corridor where they wore headphones and learned about the water crisis around the world. Four informational display panels also fit the rustic village motif and guests had the option to donate to the cause in multiple areas of the party throughout the night. Our goal was to create a space that not only entertained the guests but also inspired generosity from each one of them said Kapture s Nilo G. Whether it was a donation station or the live LOS ANGELES PHOTO CALLIE BIGGERSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHY Interactive stations at Generosity Water s Benefit allowed guests to learn about the global water crisis. water well auction we succeeded in giving each person an opportunity to give to the cause in a way that was meaningful to them. Including a 100 000 live auction Generosity Water raised more than 150 000 toward building clean water wells in Ghana Haiti and Ethiopia. --Alesandra Dubin More photos bizbash.com generositywater Armani Exchange and T-Mobile Neon Carnival A huge crowd packed into an airport hangar in Thermal California for the late-night party produced by Brent Bolthouse. Bumper cars were among the many carnivalstyle attractions which also included towering thrill rides. Weekend Update As the producers at Goldenvoice expanded the Coachella Vally Music and Arts Festival to two weekends brands staging parties and brand activations in the desert largely stuck to the first. By ALESANDRA DUBIN INDIO CALIFORNIA Lacoste Flaunt Hello Stranger and dubFrequency produced a weekend-long event with Flaunt magazine at the new Saguaro. A free old-timey barbershop station took over the lobby of the hotel. The sporty label hosted its Lacoste Live pool parties presented by HTC at a private estate in Thermal near the festival. The event included a pop-up shopping area with proceeds going to the Voice Project. Guests filled Lacoste s pool with its signature inflatable green crocodiles. Share this story bizbash.com coachella 100 bizbash.com july august 2012 Guess A sidewalk drawing announced the entrance to the pop-up Guess Hotel at Lake La Quinta though the rare April storm washed it out after Friday s event. Cabanas decked with logoed black-and-white pillows provided outdoor lakefront seating. Hennessy PHOTOS SETH BROWARNIK WORLDREDEYE.COM (NEON CARNIVAL) SEAN TWOMEY 2ME STUDIOS (GUESS) JOHN SCIULLI WIREIMAGE (HENNESSEY LACOSTE POOL) ALESANDRA DUBIN BIZBASH (H&M FLAUNT) CHRIS WEEKS WIREIMAGE (LACOSTE POP-UP) Details partnered with Hennessy V.S to bring its Details Midnight franchise to Coachella. At the event which took over a sprawling estate in Rancho Mirage Asher Roth performed alongside DJ Wreckineyez and guests took their turns on a mini-golf course in the yard. The affair provided a platform for Hennessy to generate further awareness for its new campaign Wild Rabbit. H&M The retailer s loungey tent on the festival grounds invited attendees to drop in and share kisses in photo booths. Every kiss resulted in the brand donating 1 toward H.I.V. AIDS causes. Other amenities included freshen-up products and candy. LA Eclectic Soul the 80 000 attendees at the 11th Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. By MITRA SORRELLS Ben & Jerry s asked attendees to fill out postcards in support of the company s Get the Dough Out campaign to reduce corporate influence in politics. Bonnaroo attendees could relax in hammocks and enter to win V.I.P. passes in the Great State Lounge hosted by State Farm. The insurance company also provided what it called Bonnaroo Roadside Assistance -- free services such as help with lockouts flat tires and dead batteries. MANCHESTER TENNESSEE vied for the attention of A diverse mix of sponsors Ford brought in two street artists to create a 10- by 40-foot mural intended to represent the Ford Escape s dual image as a vehicle for city life and outdoor adventure. At the end of the festival Ford invited attendees to Escape Bonnaroo with a piece of the mural. Philips sponsored the festival s silent disco. The company provided 400 of its new CitiScape Collection headphones for guests to wear to listen to tunes being spun by two DJs. Garnier Fructis provided complimentary hair-washing and styling inside a 40- by 40-foot air-conditioned tent. Flat-screen TV monitors mounted above the chairs looped content from the brand. Dell and Intel partnered to host the Sound Invasion Lounge a place for festivalgoers to cool off play video games and create videos and photos. Dell also sponsored the festival s live Webcast on YouTube. 102 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com bonnaroo PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEN & JERRY S COURTESY OF PHILLIPS COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY ERIKA GOLDRING (ALL OTHERS) LA NOT YOUR TYPICAL CORPORATE MEETING VENUE... A DEAL CLOSER CLASSICS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE SOUTHEAST EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE FORWARD The Pink pop-up shop sold apparel bags and water bottles emblazoned with the Pink logo and I Love Miami. The Shelborne s poolside lounge was decked out in furniture pool toys and beach gear. Joe Jonas and Victoria s Secret models Chanel Iman and Elsa Hosk served as hosts. into a Victoria s Secret Pink haven clad in signature logos banners balloons and pool furniture. Celebrity hosts Joe Jonas and Victoria s Secret models Chanel Iman and Elsa Hosk rang in the afternoon party which began promptly at 1 p.m. Approximately 800 guests of all ages were welcomed with Victoria s Secret Pink branded promotional merchandise from beach towels to sweatbands blow-up beach balls to sunglasses. Upon entry attendees posed for pictures at the event s massive step-and-repeat before grabbing gratis Popsicles from the Pink ice cream stand. Branded games designed to appeal to the event s target audience of college students included water Pink Pong (the company s underage alcohol-free version of beer pong) a photo booth a surfboard signing station and dance-offs courtesy of Miami s own DJ Irie. An outdoor pop-up store greeted shoppers with a chance to stock up Victoria s Secret Pink Spring Break on Victoria s Secret Pink Pool Party apparel and other prodDJ DJ Irie ucts for sale. Shelborne s PR Full Picture on-site taco stand Lucy s Event Management Cantina Royale was open Production Relevant for lunch service as was Entertainment Group Venue Shelborne the outdoor patio of VesBeach Resort per American Brasserie. and Hotel --Tracy Block Push-Up Pop-Up PHOTOS TRACY BLOCK FOR BIZBASH (JOE JONAS) COURTESY OF VICTORIA S SECRET (ALL OTHERS) Victoria s Secret Pink celebrated spring break at the newly remodeled Shelborne hotel. One of the biggest annual events on the South Beach spring-break circuit the Victoria s Secret Pink pool party moved to a new location this year swapping the sands of Lummus Park where last year s outing was held for the newly renovated poolside at the Shelborne Beach Resort. The party a heavily branded event for Victoria s Secret was also a chance for the Shelborne to show off its recent multimillion-dollar renovation. We have a huge photo mural of last year s party in our lobby which prompted us to want to host the event on-site at our newly renovated poolside this time around said Marisa Marcus director of marketing at the Shelborne. The March 14 event which took three days to set up transformed the upscale beachside lounge MIAMI More photos bizbash.com victoriassecret Skate World Evian s pop-up set the world record for the longest conga line on wheels. Participants broke the world record for longest conga line on wheels. Professional skate dancers entertained the crowd. In conjunction with World Health Day on Saturday April 7 bottled-water purveyor Evian came to South Florida to promote the importance of hydration--and its brand--with an outdoor roller-skating event called Live Young Skate On Held at Collins Park adjacent to the Bass Art Museum the free activation welcomed several hundred consumers throughout the day and was centered on the playful idea of setting the world record for the longest roller skating conga line. We chose to hold this event in Miami Beach because it is one of Evian s key U.S. markets said Ruth Heronemus of MKG who produced the event with Evian. Plus a roller-skating conga line in Miami Beach just seemed all too perfect. A custom skate-rental station loaned free four-wheelers throughout the day along with water plus ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus. Activities included live performances from professional jam skaters while DJ Jubilee set the mood with a soundtrack for skating. For the big event celebrity host Gabrielle Union helped rally the crowd while world-record officials from recordsetter.com were present to adjudicate the record MIAMI The ice cream came in a wrapper with a QR code directing eaters to Evian s social networks. The Coolhaus truck served up free ice cream sandwiches. Share this story bizbash.com evian WWE s senior vice president of special events. We work with our host partners to build a full week of events that will attract our fans to come early and stay later. Miami in particular is such an attractive destination to both domestic and international fans. So many of our fans made this their annual family vacation and this year we had the highest WWE s Alicia level of travel packages sold yet. Wrestlemania wooed the largest Fox was The week of events include a WrestleMania crowd ever to Sun Life Stadium with among the pro-am golf tournament WWE s annual Hall of an art- and fashion-filled week. wrestling Fame induction ceremony a reading challenge stars who with local libraries anti-bullying events with WWE World Wrestling Entertainment s bigappeared on schools and MIAMI gest event of the year WrestleMania XX- stars at localMarch 29. a lavish red carpet prethe runway. miere party VIII came to Miami s Sun Life Stadium April 1 bring For the past four years we held an event ing in an audience of 78 000 the largest crowd called WrestleMania Art where WWE superstars ever recorded at that venue. But and Divas went out of their comfort zones and The pool was for WWE the show was only one created works of art that were auctioned off covered in plexiglass element of an entire week of events said Saboor. Building off that success we wanted and transformed into promoting the brand and building to do something this year that also integrated a fashion runway ties with fans. Held in South Florida things that are endemic of Miami namely local and dance floor. for the first time after Miami won artists fashion and celebrity. a national bidding process among WWE accomplished that by transforming Wres14 cities WrestleMania Week also tleMania Art into a full-fledged charity gala and brought a significant boost to party for 300 guests held at the Star Island home of the economy. (An impact study Stuart Miller C.E.O. of Lennar Corporation and board of WrestleMania XXVII in Atlanta member of Alex s Place at Sylvester Comprehensive estimated it brought 62 million of Cancer Center UMHC a pediatric hematology-onnew spending to the region.) cology clinic that was supported by ticket sales and The WrestleMania Week other money raised at the event. model is something that we The night began with a celebrity red carpet have been evolving over the past followed by a silent auction with artwork creseveral years said John Saboor ated by both stars and local artists. Most of the Ready to Rumble 106 bizbash.com july august 2012 which was certified with a total of 197 people who traveled for 500 feet. In addition to reaching the South Florida market the brand also sought to promote the event throughout the country online. Since MKG also manages Evian s social media presence we wanted to find a way for the whole Evian community in the U.S. to be a part of the event Heronemus said. We created an online sweepstakes for a pair of designer roller skates and a two-month supply of Evian. Instead of running a separate sweepstakes at the event we leveraged Evian s Live Young our existing assets to Skate On Event bring our online compeAudiovisual Production tition offline. Tenting Logistics Coolhaus s ice Management Group cream sandwiches Catering Coolhaus came in edible wrappers Celebrity Wrangling Invitations PR with QR codes driving Syndicate attendees to the online DJ Jubilee giveaway. Meanwhile Entertainment Vanilla Skate a Miami-based artist composed chalk illustra- Event Management Invitations tions of various hapProduction Rentals penings throughout the Signage MKG Furniture Rentals Lavish event and the producEvent Rentals tion team live-tweeted Furniture Rentals pictures of each drawPrinting Props Warren ing and posted them on Moore Events Props Propmasters Evian s Facebook page Miami the following morning. Venue Collins Park --Brendan Spiegel WWE branding was present on pillows strewn throughout the lounge area. evening was held on the back deck where the Miami skyline served as a dramatic backdrop. For added Miami flavor Ferretti Yachts brought in a 92-footer that guests could board and walk through.Timbaland served as DJ and host while a fashion showcase hosted by designer Charlie Lapson featured Wrestlemania WWE Divas and Miami Premiere Party Dolphins cheerleaders Audiovisual Production modeling clothes and Decor Design Your accessories which were Event Solution then auctioned off. Catering Ann Z Gourmet Catering Adding a unique visual DJ DJ Affect element the property s PR Hired Gun Publicity & swimming pool was Consulting covered in plexiglass allowing it to serve Share this story as both a fashion bizbash.com runway and a dance wrestlemania floor. --B.S. PHOTOS ALEXANDER TAMARGO WWE GETTY IMAGES FOR WWE (WRESTLEMANIA) ALEXANDER TAMARGO GETTY IMAGES FOR SYNDICATE MEDIA GROUP (EVIAN) Patriot Act The Olympic Committee debuted its fund-raising campaign with a mini Olympic village in Times Square. With the summer games in London 100 days away the U.S. Olympic Committee took to Times Square to launch a fundraising drive known as Raise Our Flag. Starting with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. the day-long public promotion on April 18 saw pedestrian plazas turned into a mini Olympic village. It included displays from corporate sponsors and appearances by Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as former champions like Alice Coachman Carl Lewis Greg Louganis and Shannon Miller. The Raise Our Flag campaign gives every American the opportunity to show their support for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams in a meaningful way while having a direct and positive impact on the athletes said Scott Blackmun C.E.O. of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Unlike many of the teams our athletes will compete against in London this summer the U.S. Olympic team receives no government funding and our athletes rely on individual donations and corporate support. The initiative invites consumers to donate 12 which buys a stitch in the American flag that will accompany the team to the games. However there was more to the public push than a call for funds. We have a number of sponsors and events like the one we did in Times Square give us a wonderful activation platform for our sponsors said Lisa Baird the committee s chief marketing officer explaining the importance of including partners in marketing activities. Secondly we always look for opportunities--and Times Square is unique in this way because it reaches a local and national audience--to expose Americans to Olympic and Paralympic sports. We had a lot of sports demonstrations and we had over 80 athletes there. So exposing those sports to the American people and doing that in the right context is definitely [another] objective. In that spirit the production team--a collaboration between Team Epic and the Michael Alan Group--carved out a section for mini pavilions from sponsors like Samsung BP and Hilton Worldwide s Hilton HHonors while spreading the demo areas around the site. This included a main stage where presentations of sports like tae kwon do took place a 17-foot-tall ramp as part of a BMX cycling course and a beach volleyball court filled with 100 tons of sand. Elsewhere freestanding cardboard cutouts a staffer dressed as a Beefeater a double-decker London-style bus provided photo ops and athletes manned a table for autographs. It wasn t the U.S. Olympic Committee s first effort to engage the public. In 2009 the organization drummed up attention for the 2010 Winter Olympics with a smaller event at Rockefeller Center. The fact that it s grown so big is I think a testament to the fact it s a solid idea. --Anna Sekula NEW YORK The open plaza south of the TKTS booth housed a variety of different sport demos including a high-jump showcase. The committee s corporate sponsors like Samsung could showcase their wares and interact with consumers. Visitors could throw basketballs from a wheelchair. Presenting sponsor Hilton HHonors had a photo-op in its booth. 108 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com usolympics PHOTOS JM PHOTO FOR BIZBASH NY NY On the flight deck the producers used mostly white furnishings and carpet and covered a large portion of the space with clear tents. Actors dressed as agents toured the city. Two screens at the western end of the flight deck gave guests a view of the stage performances as well as clips from the new movie. Ziegfeld for the Men in Black 3 cast but also one for the Intrepid at the AMC Empire 25 and another for National Resources Defense Council at AMC Loews Lincoln Square. The viewing at the Empire served as a fund-raiser for the Intrepid with 1 000 tickets ofThe Men in Black 3 premiere fered for the institution s supporters and 250 given opened Fleet Week with a 2 500to the sailors Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Sony person party on the Intrepid. also worked with the mayor s Office of Film Theatre and Broadcasting to invite 250 first responders targeting the downtown precincts and fire stations The combination of sailors in their NEW YORK dress uniforms actors in their finest near the movie s filming locations. At around 9 p.m. these disparate groups and plain-clothed first responders collectively bopconverged at Intrepid where the flight deck was ping along to a live performance by Pitbull made for an interesting sight aboard the Intrepid Sea Air set up for the premiere party. Overseen by the & Space Museum on May 23. The occasion was the Sony events team--led by Alison Bossert senior vice president of special events--and produced by official New York premiere party for Men in Black 3 15 40 Productions the setting included props from and Sony Pictures Entertainment had invited the the movie white furnishings with pops of black usual suspects--talent and studio execs--as well as firemen police officers emergency workers and and a stage for the entertainment. In addition active military personnel. Tied to Sony s sponsorship to Pitbull the night saw a 20-minute fireworks salute to the military from Fireworks by Grucci of the Intrepid the 2 500-person affair was specifiand donated by the Generoso Pope Foundation as cally intended to celebrate the start of Fleet Week as well as the city itself the third installment of the well as the film s star Will Smith joining DJ Jazzy Jeff onstage for an impromptu performance. Men in Black franchise is the only one to have the For the food the crew kept it simple opting to majority of its production based in New York. highlight downtown neighborhoods with three It was the studio s support of the museum menus noodles and dumplings to represent China(a former aircraft carrier) during Fleet Week that town pizza to embody Little Italy and sandwiches prompted the organizers to move the date of the and pickles as a nod to Lower East Side delis. The premiere--originally set for May 21--to coincide producers even constructed three detailed viwith the festivities surrounding the arrival of the gnettes to house some of the buffet stations. There U.S. Navy Coast Guard and Marine Corps. As a was a replica of the Chinese restaurant in the film result Sony not only hosted a screening at the Armed Forces PHOTOS COLUMBIA TRISTAR MARKETING GROUP (MEN IN SUITS MOTORCYCLE) LINE 8 PHOTOGRAPHY (ALL OTHERS) NY J A Z Z AT L I N C O L N C E N T E R S F R E D E R I C K P. R O S E H A L L FIND OUT WHAT ALL THE TALK IS ABOUT Sam Champion of Good Morning America tested a motorcycle used in the movie. Pitbull performed on a stage surrounded by 15 actors dressed as agents. Jazz at Lincoln Center s Frederick P. Rose Hall is the perfect location for your meetings presentations product launches and press events. Ideally situated at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center and steps from all major hotels you can choose between The Allen Room an amazing space with a 50 x 90 window view and Rose Theater a 1000 -seat performing arts theater with superb audio visual capabilities. Great Performances Scharff Weisberg 4Wall Entertainment and SiriusXM round out the full service the facility offers you and your event. 2 1 2 2 5 8 9 5 3 5 Booking jalc.org JALC.ORG VENUES a deli named for director Barry Sonnenfeld and a diner for ice cream and doughnuts from partners Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin Donuts. Separately Sony s digital department launched an effort on Instagram. The day of the premiere consumers were invited to snap shots of actors dressed as Men in Black agents who were making appearances at various city locations. Marked with the hashtag MIBHeartsNYC these images were aggregated on a microsite. Also on a promotional tour was the Men in Men in Black 3 Black 3 time capsule Premiere Party a marketing push Backline Equipment that traveled from Rentals S.I.R. (Studio the West Coast to the Instrument Rentals) East Coast collectCatering Catering by ing items from local Restaurant Associates Design Lounge Furniture TV press. The stunt Production Scenic ended in New York Construction 15 40 with Good Morning Productions America adding its Fireworks Fireworks by Grucci contribution before Furniture Rentals Taylor the container was Creative Inc. put on display in the Lighting Equipment Light center of the premiere Action Productions Security Noble Event party s V.I.P. lounge. Services LLC The capsule will be Sound ESP New York entrusted to NASA Wizard Studios which may end up Tenting Everything Entertainment Inc. shooting the piece Venue Intrepid Sea Air & into space. Space Museum --Anna Sekula SOCIAL TEAM AND CLIENT EVENTS No Venue Fee 15% Off Food & Beverage CORPORATE AND MEETING ROOMS 20% Off Room Rental NY Yuhi Fujinaga of the Sea Grill served swordfish pastrami sandwiches with pickled ramps and whole grain mustard. To match the theme inspired by The Perfect Storm the bites were served on dishes shaped like mini boats. Chef Marc Forgione served a raw tuna dish inspired by Jaws. Film Fare As a nod to the cinematic theme of the Citymeals-on-Wheels Chefs Tribute fund-raiser on June 4 chefs prepared dishes inspired by their favorite films for some 1 000 guests at Rockefeller Center. NEW YORK By ROSE CHEVALIER White House chef Bill Yosses was influenced by Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie to create a simple dessert of angel food cake with local strawberries. Chef Rick Moonen of RM Seafood served coffee shakes with chocolate-covered bacon strips inspired by Pulp Fiction. An American in Paris influenced Joachim Splichal s scallop sandwich which was served with caviar and lemon cr me fra che. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz chef David Burke served pushpops of foie gras crab cake and chicken liver followed by cheesecake lollipops. Mozza chefs Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina served caprese a concoction of burrata with basil pesto and rosemary-infused tomatoes with a baguette crouton taking inspiration from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. 112 bizbash.com july august 2012 More photos bizbash.com citymeals PHOTOS NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH THE PLAZA HOTEL Center stage at New York s best venues BAM JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER greatperformances.com 212.727.2424 theplaza.com 866.770.8264 NY The league believed the excitement leading up to the draft would draw customers into the store The N.F.L. used a pop-up shop but also leveraged its to build buzz for the draft. connection to highprofile players and Since making the move to a prime- unique items like the NEW YORK time broadcast the N.F.L. draft has Vince Lombardi trobecome a bigger marketing vehicle for the National phy and Super Bowl championship rings Football League. This year for the first time the sports organization created a temporary retail loca- to provide added Inside the 10 000-square-foot space the incentives. tion in New York specifically for the event. Housed league added turf flooring and lines that There was even in 10 000 square feet of space the pop-up shop mimicked those on a football field. a ribbon-cutting was packed with new and exclusive merchandise ceremony with N.F.L. commissioner Roger Goodell from partners like Wilson Quiksilver and Under Armour and offered a series of activities for fans in a after which Goodell worked the store floor for an second-floor area. The consumer-facing promotion hour. The first 500 people in line received a comdebuted April 2 and remained open through to the memorative 2012 N.F.L. draft coin. To help push the promotion on Twitter the N.F.L. used the handle end of the month building what the N.F.L. hoped OfficialNFLShop to share news and information was more buzz for the three-day player-selection process at Radio City Music Hall April 26 through 28. with fans. We want this to be a totally immersive N.F.L. The draft has become such a big event parexperience said Kane. There are a lot of great ticularly since we went to prime time two years ago and we didn t feel like the retail was elevated partners that we have that are in the retail business but they re focused on sports beyond the with that said Leo Kane the league s senior vice N.F.L. We have the N.F.L. shop as a virtual store 365 president of consumer products. For us having days to capture displaced fans but being that this really dynamic new partners like Under Armour N.F.L. players made and New Era and knowing that we can work with is New York we re going to try to have product appearances. from 32 teams. So if you happen to be a fan of Nike to bring the jerseys out [before the draft another team and you just live and work in New picks are made] it made sense to take on 10 000 York you ll have that experience. --Anna Sekula square feet of retail. More photos bizbash.com nfl Player s Choice one call one vendor one affordable price what s your [next] event PHOTOS NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH spark we needed. From that idea Univision built what it came to term a tailgatechic experience with soccer players showing off tricks a Univision launched its Batucada drum band from Deportes network with a Brazil and La Newyorkina s paletas (Mexican fruit Popsifestive tailgate-style party. Freestyle cles) served from a street cart. soccer To execute this vision Designed to be low-key the UniviNEW YORK sion Deportes Network launch players Caplan tapped Markus Daly showed off Ryan providing the producparty on April 19 had guests in suits sitting at their skills. ers with a mood board of picnic tables drinking cans of beer pulled from imagery photos of picnic a cooler and snacking on tacos served out of old VW buses. For the Spanish-language media com- tables umbrellas wooden tequila bars and pitchers of sangria. As a result the space was furnished pany s new all-sports network the gathering at Industria Superstudio was modeled after Hispanic with found pieces painted and reupholstered in the Univision color palette of purple soccer-viewing parties. green pale blue and red. There were The inspiration for the event Univision Deportes also plants in cinder blocks strewn started within our ad sales marketNetwork Launch throughout the space--to give the ing team said Amy Caplan vice Catering La Newyorkina affair the look of a unkempt neighpresident of ad sales marketing for Tacombi Design Lighting borhood lot--and a string of flags Univision Communications. It was a Production Markus hung overhead. funny brainstorm because we actually Daly Ryan For entertaining DJ Ari Why spun started the conversation talking about DJ DJ Ari Why old-school salsa and Buena Vista what we didn t want to do--the exPrinting C2 Imaging LLC Social Club tunes and following pected corporate party at a restaurant. Rentals Party Rental Ltd. Soccer Simulator brief remarks from Univision s senior We knew that type of party wouldn t Great Neck Games & vice president of sports sales Carlos fit the mold of Univision Deportes Productions Inc. Deschapelles a flash mob of ManhatNetwork. When someone mentioned Venue Industria Superstudio tan Samba drummers and dancers the food and atmosphere of Tacombi Video Equipment CWT in colorful costumes made their way a casual Mexican taqueria in NoLIta Productions Inc. into the space. --Anna Sekula it provided what Caplan called the Latin Flavor PHOTOS BRIAN ACH AP IMAGES FOR UNIVISION Picnic tables formed the bulk of the seating while found lumber was turned into cocktail tables for a more casual neighborhood-block-party feel. More photos bizbash.com univision Rare. Rich. Renowned. PRIME STEAK. FINE WINE. PRIVATE DINING. ALL NEW MENU New York 4 Locations Los Angeles 4 Locations Cashmore editor in chief Lance Ulanoff and others. To keep the 300 attendees Mashable packed its conference engaged organizagenda with short focused sessions. ers varied the program scheduling Shorter is better. That was the think- shorter presentaORLANDO ing behind this year s Mashable tions in between Connect conference which wrapped May 5 at Dis- the longer ones ney s Contemporary Resort. The two-day agenda and offering a was packed with more than 20 general sessions mix of singlebut each one ran no longer than 30 minutes and presenter talks Political strategist some were as short as 10. and small panel Joe Trippi had one of People are used to digesting content online discussions. the longer time slots. and on Twitter and on their laptops so we wanted On the to give them something that is easy to consume conference s first day one hour was set aside for and also entertaining said Jennifer Diamond breakout sessions. Attendees could choose from Mashable s marketing director and a member of three topics digital branding design and entrethe event s planning team. Our speakers have preneurship. A fourth breakout session on social strong points to get across and often the shorter TV was for a select group of attendees We have the presentation the more powerful it is. We also a lot of big leaders in the (social TV) industry who wanted to steer presenters away from talking too are here but not as many attendees in that field much about themselves and I think the less time so we wanted to curate the attendees Diamond we give them encourages them to get right to the said. Unlike the general sessions where the audipoint and talk about what matters most. ence sat at round tables in front of the stage the The roster of speakers was a who s who of layout for these breakouts had attendees facing the digital community including Klout founder each other in hollow square configurations to faand C.E.O. Joe Fernandez June Cohen cilitate dialogue. Each breakout included a More photos executive producer of TED Storify cofew speakers with expertise on that topic bizbash.com founder Burt Herman and Mashable and Mashable staff as moderators. mashable staff including founder and C.E.O. Pete Conference attendees included senior- In Brief level executives from digital firms technology and social media companies brand leaders senior-level marketers and entrepreneurs. One thing they all have in common is they are leading digital in some way Diamond said. We want them to walk away having formed meaningful relationships with one another feeling like they learned something practical that they can use in their everyday lives and feeling inspired by learning something new and interesting. To facilitate networking organizers created a nighttime scavenger hunt at Epcot. Working in teams of five attendees had to identify things in the park based on a set of clues and post photos of their findings on Instagram tagged with Mashcon. --Mitra Sorrells NY PHOTO MITRA SORRELLS BIZBASH Road Trip A national bus tour highlighting the travel industry s economic impact made a stop in Orlando. The U.S. Travel Association s Vote Travel bus tour stopped in Orlando May 1 the 24th city on a nationwide tour intended to raise awareness of the value of travel and tourism to the economy. The Orlando stop coordinated with help from Visit Orlando took place at Pointe Orlando on International Drive a hub of tourist and convention activity. The bright blue Vote Travel bus hit the road in March and covered more than 20 000 miles and has made more than 40 stops. At the beginning of the year we were brainstorming about a theme for Travel and Tourism Week said Blain Rethmeier senior vice president for public affairs for the association. We wanted to play on the election and also to take the travel industry from the perception of it being sort of a fun frivolous industry [to] emphasizing the huge economic benefit that it provides the economy. Our goal is to make travel part of the conversation so when candidates are running for reelection they should have a stance on travel. At stops along the tour association leaders met with elected officials to urge them to sign ORLANDO Gary Sain the former C.E.O. of Visit Orlando who passed away just a few days after this event was one of the local hospitality leaders who shared information illustrating the travel industry s impact on Central Florida. a pledge supporting policies that safely and effectively reduce barriers to travel to and within the United States. More than 100 political leaders have signed the pledge. The bus also stopped in Tampa and Charlotte hosts of the Republican and Democratic national conventions later this year. The tour also was intended to educate and engage consumers. The side of the bus includeed a message asking people to text the word travel to a specified number to show support for the travel industry and sign up to receive future updates. The bus also showcased the association s Twitter handle USTravel. --Mitra Sorrells After speaking at Pointe Orlando U.S. Travel Association president and C.E.O. Roger Dow posed for photos in front of the campaign s banner. Share this story bizbash.com votetravel FL PHOTOS MITRA SORRELLS BIZBASH Ink Spot Hewlett-Packard introduced new printers with a colorful event. As a way to debut four new printers to the press small-business owners and other key customers HewlettPackard turned a raw west Chelsea space into a makeshift lab and color-coded showcase based around the CMYK color model. The design scheme for the event which took over the Glasshouses at the Chelsea Arts Tower on March 28 wasn t just a decorative tool but also a way for the company to emphasize the thermal process and app- and cloud-enabled technology of its inkjet products. Dubbed This Is an Experiment in Color the gathering produced and designed by ExtraExtra invited some 300 attendees to test the printers in a series of interactive experiments. Physically the space was divided into four monochromatic vignettes each representing a particular CMYK hue and included a photo booth with a wireless printer an educational area with a self-proclaimed inkologist a section where attendees could create storyboards by hand or digitally and a small screening room. The latter was for a video the producers commissioned to act as an extension of the event interviewing entrepreneurs about the impact and influence of color in their businesses. These colorful personalities such as Sophomore designer Chrissie Miller photographer Phil Oh and Paper magazine founders Kim NEW YORK The magenta space was a photo booth that included a printing station. Tubes filled with dyed water decorated the facade of the bar. Blue tables carpeting shelves flowers props and decals of HP s logo marked the cyan vignette. Screens and a Twitter wall displayed social media posts marked with the HPColor hashtag. A complete vendor list bizbash.com hp 118 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS NILAYA SABNIS Hastreiter and David Hershkovits were incorporated into the evening affair as hosts. On the visual side the organizers looked to transition some white decor elements to blue pink yellow and black (or in color-printing terms cyan magenta yellow and key). This meant swapping out flower arrangements removing white wrap from multicolored display podiums and dyeing the water in the test-tube-like cylinders that decorated the facade of the bars. The process was even extended to the social media activation with pops of color appearing in an on-site Twitter wall as guests added photos and comments. Incorporated into the color scheme and laboratory motif was the catering from Pinch Food HP Color Printer Design. Servers wore Press Event white lab coats and Catering Pinch Food the menu for drinks Design and hors d oeuvres was Design Production ExtraExtra based on the four-tone DJ Andrew Andrew color palette. CockFlowers Hatch Creative tails included a ginger Studio liqueur bourbon and Furniture Rentals Taylor Creative Inc. fresh lemon juice conPhoto Booth Bklyn Haus coction known as the PR Porter Novelli yellow sunflower and International another that contained Printing C2 Imaging LLC Dimensional Lettering Cava St. Germain and Inc. Printglobe United fresh pomegranate Print Group dubbed the magenta Rentals Party Rental Ltd. mulberry. For bites RentQuest Set Fabrication there were items like Domestic Construction cyan-hued cucumber Lighting Sound tartare in globe grapes Paratore Audio-Visual and black beluga lentils Inc. Venue Glasshouses at on Yukon potatoes. the Chelsea Arts Tower --Anna Sekula HP supplies-technology specialist Thom Brown spoke to guests about the thermal printing process. Servers wore white lab coats and the catering menu was based on the four-tone color palette. Plan your next event here. 561.835.1408 cityplace.com Today s Talking Points The Call Sheet is the mustread daily digest of event news -- a quick look at what s happening across the industry and in your local market. Sign up for this free newsletter at info.bizbash.com callshee The Miramar Cultural Center Where Community and Culture ConvergeTM. The Miramar Cultural Center ArtsPark is a world-class venue nestled in Western Broward just north of MiamiDade County. 800-seat theater with the latest technical equipment for any performance. Elegant banquet facilities easily transformed to suit any occasion weddings parties luncheons corporate meetings or lectures. Sumptuous cuisine with enticing presentations by our in-house catering staff Ansin Family Art Gallery showcasing works by world-renowned artists and serving as a backdrop to any elegant occasion. Exquisitely landscaped Botanical Garden Breakout Session Studios 2400 Civic Center Place Miramar FL 33025 MiramarCulturalCenter.org 954.602.4500 FL More than 1 900 companies exhibited with 40 percent coming from outside the United States. Dow took over most of the Valencia Ballroom inviting guests for food drinks entertainment and complimentary iPad use. Map Your Show created a mobile phone site and iPad app to access the show directory. and was another factor in the move to Orlando. We were able to work out a package for utilities and that allowed us to charge per square foot Sanders said. So the most an exhibitor will pay by our rules is 4.15 per square foot. They can bring unlimited machines and get unlimited power drops. Organizers also explored moving the show to Las Vegas but Sanders said that city declined Lower labor and utilities costs because it could not accommodate the event s promptedthe giant International power needs. He added They didn t want a show Plastics Showcase to change locations. that took up 20 days which is what we use from move-in to move-out. S.P.I. The Plastics Industry Trade The final decision on the move came after ORLANDO Association moved its triennial the association analyzed costs for attendees to trade show N.P.E. to Orlando after four decades at fly sleep park eat exhibit or attend in Chicago Chicago s McCormick Place. As the April 1 to 4 show versus Orlando and found an average savings of wrapped at the Orange County Convention Center about 19 percent in Orlando. Sanders said organizorganizers said it was clear the move paid off ers plan to return to the Orange County ConvenAttendance was up nearly 30 percent from 2009 tion Center in 2015. with more than 50 000 people from more than 100 In addition to the trade show that occupied countries walking the floor to check out the latest both buildings of the convention center the event in plastics processing equipment and materials. included more than N.P.E. the Exhibitors had started to slow down on the 700 education sesInternational Plastics number of machines they were bringing due to sions. Buyers came Showcase costs said Gene Sanders the association s senior from a variety of vice president of trade shows and conferences. industries such as au- Catering Centerplate General Contractor When you bring these machines in and you are tomotive electronics Freeman in a city like Chicago you have to use union labor packaging medical Mobile Event App Map to bring it in and to assemble it. The cost of that is and athletic equipYour Show Photography Oscar more expensive. [In Orlando] it s about 25 percent ment. Sanders said a Einzig Photography cheaper for the general labor. And as a right-toperson who walked Videography Imaging work state you can do all of that yourself. If you every exhibit aisle Registration Experient can t afford to bring machines what s the point and education area Transportation Mears Transportation Group The equipment filling 920 000 square feet of would have covered exhibit space used a substantial amount of elecmore than 400 miles. Venue Orange County Convention Center tricity--as much as 80 megawatts at one time-- --Mitra Sorrells Breaking the Mold PHOTOS MITRA SORRELLS BIZBASH Share this story bizbash.com npe NY Lounge Chairs - Club Chairs Loveseats - Sofas - Daybeds Arm Chairs - Side Chairs Benches Ottomans Bar Stools - Counter Stools End Tables - Coffee Tables Consoles - Desks - Bookcases Dining Tables - Sideboards BRIDGE FURNITURE & PROPS 126 Lombardy Street Brooklyn NY 11222 718.916.9706 rent bridgeprops.com Dining Chairs - Dressers Rugs - Nightstands - Beds Headboards - Table Lamps Floor Lamps - Cleared Art Screens - Mirrors - Trophies Candle Holders - Bowls Pillows - Statues - Figurines BRIDGE PROPS .COM event systems To enter the party guests walked between giant Styrofoam letters that spelled out Future and Art. Tweets were projected onto screens and the largest screen was interactive. As guests approached the screen bubbles moved to form silhouettes. Signage throughout the venue encouraged attendees to use the hashtag TheFutureOfArtIs. Organizers used the hashtag before and during the event to foster guest interaction and build buzz. We want to be able to use the tweets that we received and also have the opportunity for people to tweet throughout the night as they see different things that inspire them said Adrienne Maniezzo manager of development special events at the A.G.O. Tweets A.G.O. s Massive Party invited guests were incorporated into projections on the to define the future of art via Twitter. spiral staircase an interactive installation and screens that showed off the latest hashtag reThe Art Gallery of Ontario offered sponses. We ve kept our A.V. company [AusCan TORONTO 1 800 guests a glimpse into the fu- Media Productions] hopping with this one ture of art at its annual Massive Party fund-raiser Maniezzo said. on April 19. Under the lengthy and all-encompassThe party took up three floors of the gallery ing theme of Light Sound Object Past Present and each came with a different look and enterFuture the A.G.O. was decked in colourful LED tainment act. It was great to be able to establighting sparkling streamers bands and DJs art lish three distinct party vibes Maniezzo said. installations and Twitter projections. While decor This year organizers took advantage of the new was inspired by the six key words organizers were Weston Family Learning Centre which opened in particularly drawn to the word future and encour- October. The lower-level space upped the capacaged guests to tweet filling in the blank after the ity by 200--and the event still had no trouble hashtag TheFutureOfArtIs. selling out. --Carla Warrilow Psychic Network PHOTOS EMMA MCINTYRE FOR BIZBASH More photos and a complete vendor list bizbash.com ago www.nomadevents.com 703-354-2939 Younger members from the ballet school greeted guests dressed like the card guards from Alice in Wonderland. Susan Gage decorated the tables with red and gold linens and place settings. queen s garden with tall hedges and Ecuadorian roses donated by the country s ambassador and arranged by Edge Floral Event Designs. Inspired by into the Mad Hatter s tea party Susan Gage served tea sandwiches in the shape of hearts The Washington Ballet recreated diamonds and spades on clear trays lined with the Queen of Hearts palace playing cards. The night s signature cocktail the for its annual gala. Queen of Hearts came served with straws that read Drink me. With the Queen of Hearts as Inside the auditorium red linens chairs cushWASHINGTON inspiration the Washington ions place settings and rose tree-style centerpiecBallet once again turned to its current produces filled the space in a recreation of the queen s tion--Alice this go-round--when designing its palace. A wash of red lighting from Digital Lightannual gala for 400 April 26 night ning completed the palace look. Washington Ballet at the Andrew W. Mellon AuditoBallet representatives inGala rium. cluding creative director Septime When we were thinking about Webre spoke before dinner Audiovisual Production Sound CPR Multimedia how to turn Alice the ballet into and introduced the three Alice Catering Linens Susan Alice the ball we used the costume excerpts performed by company Gage Caterers sketches by Liz Vandal as our indancers along with a special Decor Design Production spiration and the Queen of Hearts dance by the students at the balStaging Syzygy Event Productions really popped out said Liz Sizer the let s TWB THEARC--the WashDJ DJ Pitch One ballet s manager of special events. ington School of Ballet s satellite Flowers Edge Floral Event Organizers partnered with campaign in southeast WashingDesigns Syzygy Event Productions and Susan ton. After the performances DJ Lighting Digital Lightning Valet MarcParc Inc. Gage Caterers for the second year in Pitch One took over the entera row to make the vision a reality. The Venue Andrew W. Mellon tainment for dessert and dancAuditorium reception space of the resembled the ing. --D. Channing Muller Royal Subject Share this story bizbash.com dcballet PHOTOS JEREMY NORWOOD Unique Event Venue Meetings Social Events Press Conferences During the reception waiters served tea sandwiches shaped like hearts spades and diamonds on trays inlaid with playing cards. The ambassador of Ecuador donated the red Ecuadorian roses used by Edge Floral Event Designers in the tree-like centerpieces. Video Production Services Webcasting Camera Crews Web Video Contact us for a consultation 202.662.7587 events press.org Your Event is Big News 529 14th St. NW Suite 480 Washington D.C. 20045 press.org DC US Alice and the Cheshire Cat took center stage for the first performance of the night from the ballet company. The Queen of Hearts cocktails during the reception came with red and white straws. Bloomberg & Vanity Fair Increased Correspondence WASHINGTON in the race to lure guests from the worlds of politics media and entertainment on D.C. s biggest party weekend. By CHAD KAYDO The media outlets decorated the lawn of the French ambassador s residence for their post-dinner party on Saturday night which had the most famous faces and the tightest guest list of the weekend. Google & The Hollywood Reporter The two brands teamed as party hosts for the first time drawing considerable attention and a large crowd. New York-based MKG produced the Friday nighttime event in the W hotel s Great Room where an alphabet-board sign marked the entrance. New brands joined established hosts Politico In the tented backyard of the Georgetown home of Politico publisher Robert Allbritton Antje Wood of Ver Tige designed a lush pink-andgreen look with peonies hydrangeas and shrubbery. With catering duties shared by the Source by Wolfgang Puck and Design Cuisine the Sunday brunch offerings included made-to-order steak and eggs. More pictures from White House Correspondents Dinner parties bizbash.com whcd 126 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS VF12 WIREIMAGE (BLOOMBERG & VANITY FAIR) DANIEL SCHWARTZ (GOOGLE & THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) JOHN SHINKLE POLITICO PHOTOS TONY POWELL (ATLANTIC MEDIA) JOHN ROSE NPR CHAD KAYDO BIZBASH (TAMMY HADDAD) MICHAEL LOCCISANO MSNBC NBCU PHOTO BANK VIA GETTY IMAGES FOR MSNBC (CHANDELIERS) TONY BROWN IMIJPHOTO.COM (BACON) LEIGH VOGEL GETTY IMAGES FOR THE NEW YORKER National Public Radio Atlantic Media Owner David Bradley hosted a dinner at his home where the tent in the backyard had an African theme meant to raise awareness of the fight against malaria. At the outlet s first foray into the partypacked weekend Solange Knowles spun music at the Gibson Guitar Showroom. The New Yorker The magazine returned to the W hotel s rooftop bar Friday night for its third annual party. DJs Andrew Andrew used iPads to control the music and guests ate from a well-stocked raw bar and a slider bar serving mini burgers lobster rolls and Reuben sandwiches. Tammy Haddad Brunch The afternoon gathering before the dinner Saturday hosted by Tammy Haddad and friends (including BizBash C.E.O. David Adler) drew its usual large crowd to the BeallWashington House for the second year. Design Cuisine served tiny blueberry pies on sticks. MSNBC Produced by Dufour & Company Productions at the Embassy of Italy the network s postdinner bash had the vibe of a big family wedding reception. As the dancing to DJ Funkmaster Flex went past 3 a.m. breakfast bites came out including pieces of bacon hanging from mini hooks from Occasions Caterers. bizbash.com july august 2012 127 Be sure to look great in front of your clients. Sign up for Event Marketing from Constant Contact today. With loads of customizable invites that incorporate your client s logo brand colors and fonts Constant Contact s Event Marketing tool ensures their event shines. And it makes you look like a star for having pulled it all together. One flat rate rather than pay-per-registrant Automated online payment and registration Dedicated event webpage holds all your details 100% money back guarantee Learn more at ConstantContact.com event-marketing or call 1-855-816-6508 to talk with one of our Event Coaches. BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS In meetings innovation comes in many forms. We see it in the structure of conference agendas the physical layout of events the technology coming to market the look of exhibit booths and the options available at new venues. These days the old models for event design and management are being challenged and experimentation is the new normal. Tools aiding these developments--notably mobile apps and online solutions--become available almost daily most of them aiming to add efficiency to the event experience and foster connections among hosts and attendees. For this issue s list of the most innovative meetings we looked for leaders that are not only trying new things but also demonstrating value from their innovations. Our selections represent a variety of categories--meetings held by corporations government agencies associations and nonprofits--and exemplify the trends remaking all kinds of business gatherings Meetings are becoming brands. Meetings are changing from one-time occasions to platforms for ongoing engagement with an audience. Meetings planners are looking to that audience to develop content engagement and feedback. Planners are educating attendees and presenters to use social media to improve their experiences. Planners are using technology tools to add new audiences and revenue streams. Planners are creating visually stimulating immersive environments. These changes make for an exciting time to work on meetings and a challenging one too. In the following pages we aimed to showcase the innovative strategies remaking meetings--and hopefully inspire you to dream up some innovations of your own. Share these and more meetings stories bizbash.com meetings bizbash.com july august 2012 129 BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS Content streamed from the studios for Sapphire Now s dedicated site. THE 15 MOST INNOVATIVE MEETINGS New strategies and technologies are driving these hosts to create smarter more effective conferences conventions and corporate gatherings that put a premium on engagement without sacrificing content. Using crowdsourcing techniques social networking platforms and dedicated Web sites for constant interaction these meetings are transitioning from one-time events to brands with year-round presence. By JENNY BERG ALESANDRA DUBIN BETH KORMANIK ANNA SEKULA MITRA SORRELLS & CARLA WARRILOW Last year s list bizbash.com meetings2011 130 bizbash.com july august 2012 Attendees could watch the keynotes or head to one of the 200-seat theaters that hosted 20-minute presentations. 1. SAP s Sapphire Now The software company uses its massive conference to generate content that is available and relevant year-round extending the event s reach far beyond its three days in Orlando. SAP AG may have discovered the next step in hybrid event design transitioning to an always on strategy that keeps content from an event available and relevant long after the physical gathering. The German software company has already established itself as a leader in the hybrid event space with innovative delivery of its Sapphire Now conference in Orlando to customers and partners worldwide. Now it is using sapphirenow.com as a permanent resource to share content produced from past events and information about future conferences. We don t have virtual events said SAP s vice president of global events Scott Schenker. We have an online platform for the event content and the experiences themselves. The online platform is meant to be of value every single day. We recognize with the content we have available a connected event can happen at any time. Sapphire Now as a single destination for 72 hours is the old model. The new model is that Sapphire Now is always up. That approach is fueling marked growth in the company s online visibility. There were 500 000 visits to sapphirenow.com during 2011 and 131 000 views of videos on its YouTube channel. This thinking has also caused a shift in strategy regarding satellite locations. In 2011 the company designated 19 places around the world where customers and partners gathered to watch content from the Orlando conference. This year Schenker said there were only a few Interviews with executives were streamed live from a studio. such locations because they are less concerned about how many physical events we connect to in those three days [of Sapphire Now] and more concerned that this content and excitement connects you to another physical event some time during the year. Those other physical events known as SAP Forums will take place as many as 80 locations around the world in the coming year offering a mix of new content as well as accessing content on the Sapphire Now platform. With the focus now on creating an engaging and relevant online hub SAP filters the content into 13 online channels making it easy for users to find sessions from Sapphire Now and other company events by topic such as analytics cloud and human resources. SAP also employs eight online reporters who cover Sapphire Now in posts and videos on blogs Facebook and Twitter. They all have cameras and will have original video coming to their accounts Schenker said. The social ambassadors came out of the recognition that being online can be as overwhelming as being at the show. This year the social reporters began posting information about six weeks before Sapphire Now to build buzz for the meeting. The physical event in Orlando continues to have an elaborate production system to disseminate content live online and also taped for future use. The company added two more broadcast centers this year for a total of five each with a specific function such as showing product demonstrations or interviews with customers and analysts. --M.S. PHOTOS CLAIRE PACELLI FOR BIZBASH bizbash.com july august 2012 131 3. Oracle OpenWorld The computer technology corporation s long-term ecofriendly approach helped bring its largest user event closer to a carbon-neutral goal. One of the world s largest information technology events Oracle OpenWorld takes place in more than 10 venues and in 2011 drew a record 46 000 guests to San Francisco. But even as attendance grows OpenWorld s carbon footprint continues to shrink thanks to six years of sustainable planning. We want to put in place very highlevel sustainability practices that can be shared across the community and implemented throughout our event supply chain said Paul Salinger vice president of corporate marketing at Oracle. The technology provider has introduced rigorous sustainability measures. The 2011 conference focused on a few key areas like signage waste management and attendee materials. We also began the process of really understanding and measuring overall carbon impact Salinger said. Always mindful of preserving attendee experience Oracle selected 44 percent of its official host hotels within walking distance made public transit information easily available and decreased the miles traveled by show freight. The measures reduced both costs and carbon emissions. Also for the first time Oracle gave guests the option to offset unavoidable carbon emissions with a voluntary 10 add-on to their ticket price. Attendees opted to offset about 1 percent--or 594 metric tons--of the event s footprint. In addition to working with like-minded partners part of Oracle s success is its meticulous record-keeping published in annual post-event sustainability reports. The numbers are impressive Organizers reduced paper use from 112 tons in 2007 to six this year cut carbon emissions from ground transportation by 26 metric tons since 2007 and diverted 503 metric tons of waste from landfill since 2008. This year Oracle will partner with GreenBuild International Conference and Expo in San Francisco to share best practices. --C.W. TED curator Chris Anderson appeared in Nairobi to promote the 2013 global speaker search. 2. TED Conference produced in places as far flung as Ethiopia Mongolia and New Zealand. It s this group that attended Amid claims that it caters only to an exclusive group of people the brand the inaugural TEDxSummit in April continues to open up its content to the public which helps sustain its and the same community is part of reputation as one of the most recognizable conferences in the U.S. one of the largest initiatives the organization launched It s a brand that many meeting this year a global hosts seek to imitate a series of series of speaker invitation-only conferences that sell auditions for the 2013 out well in advance and attract a conference. coveted crowd of speakers--film The search was makers artists Nobel Peace Prize borne of the realizawinners former presidents tech tion that TED s best entrepreneurs even controversial moments often come personalities like WikiLeaks founder from unexpected Julian Assange. The Technology Enplaces said TED curatertainment and Design Conference tor Chris Anderson and its spin-offs also have plenty when the idea was of critics--including the original announced in January. founder of TED Richard Saul WurTED s iPad app We thought why man--with detractors pointing to not leverage TED s expanding global the high price of admission the fact the organization debuted TED that only an elite few are invited to Conversations in February 2011. The footprint to find even more of those social media platform allows conundiscovered voices to do someattend and the 18-minute speaker sumers to openly debate topics with thing completely different talks being driven by style rather its community of speakers. Held in 14 different cities--from than substance. (A conversation More recently the organization Amsterdam to Nairobi Bangalore to with Wurman is on page 32.) introduced TED-Ed which enables Sao Paulo--open to the public and Nevertheless the powerhouse teachers to use its video content-- produced by local organizers the conference owned by the nonenhanced by animated graphevents will view the top applicants profit Sapling Foundation and its ics--to educate. The permanent from online audition submiscrowdsourcing approach has seen initiative provides multiple-choice sions. Candidate videos will then considerable success and spawned and open-answer questions as well be posted to ted.com and put to a many admirers wanting to change formats and explore different ways as a function called flipping which public vote. allows teachers to customize and Such experiments have to engage a wider audience. Of particular interest are the TEDTalks distribute the video and track each stretched the brand s influence beyond those who are invited--and more than 800 videos of the confer- student s progress. Just as unusual and creative can afford--to attend the conference s presentations distributed and translated online and viewed some was the launch of TEDx an initiative ences in Long Beach California and that allows independent organizers Edinburgh Scotland. It also plays 400 million times. There s even a to host their own TED-style event into the organization s mission free iPad and iPhone platform for and with TEDxLive the license to statement Ideas worth spreading users to browse and watch the simulcast the content from the offi- and a concept Anderson has dubbed videos on their devices the app for cial conferences. The franchise-style crowd-accelerated innovation Apple s tablet won a Webby award model has created a pool of planners where the Web is an open lab for this year. to pull ideas and content from and learning sharing and redefining To further embrace the broad given rise to hundreds of meetings knowledge. --A.S. reach and open forum of the Web 132 bizbash.com july august 2012 The layout of the expo had arrows pointing to the central Patient Caf . PHOTOS WHATTOOKYOUSOLONG.ORG (TED) NADIA CHAUDHURY BIZBASH (TED IPAD) NOAH WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY (BOSTON SCIENTIFIC) 4. Boston Scientific Expo The medical device company created seven interactive caf s to engage and educate employees at its annual meeting. Building on the success of its 2010 meeting for employees of the newly formed Cardiology Rhythm and Vascular division Boston Scientific again turned to Cheryl Kranz of Creative Events by Kranz to produce its 2011 meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event was intended to motivate employees for the future strengthen their commitment to the company s vision and values celebrate their success and promote confidence in leadership. Kranz and her team modeled the meeting on the concept of neighborhood caf s based on the idea that these are places where people meet friends build affinity share news solve problems and mark important moments. The 4 700 employees arrived in groups of 300 to watch a three-minute video hosted by C.R.V. division president Hank Kucheman who explained the concept and layout. As the video ended a curtain opened to allow the employees to enter the main event space an open floor plan with seven distinct areas marked with signage to indicate themes such as Innovation Quality Community Service and Learning and Development. To highlight the fact that patients are at the core of the company s mission organizers placed the Patient Caf in the middle of the room with large arrows on the carpet pointing to it. The goal was to create comfortable settings that would encourage conversations and education around the specific topics of each area. The caf s included soft lighting a mix of lounge furniture and high-top tables and quiet areas for private conversations. Some had small stages where employees and company leaders could give informal presentations and many offered hands-on activities to encourage employees to interact. In the Community Relations Attendees could test their knowledge of company products and values on iPads. chairs in front of the stage but the presentation could also be seen and heard from anywhere in the room for those who preferred to roam. The rest of Guests signed a the four-hour event was uncommitment wall. structured so employees could Caf employees assembled gift bags choose where and how to spend their time. For lunch each caf ofand wrote thank-you cards for local fire and police organizations. In three fered self-service lunch options such as salads and sandwiches. of the areas attendees tested their Organizers polled attendees knowledge of C.R.V. products and values by answering questions on iPads. after the meeting and found nearly Employees had helped to create the 80 percent felt they had increased knowledge of C.R.V. products and questions which added a layer of services and 92 percent said they engagement. believed strongly in the goals and Once all employees arrived objectives of C.R.V. and felt more Kucheman gave brief welcome connected to patients and how C.R.V. remarks and presented employee positively affects their lives. --M.S. awards. Organizers placed 1 500 bizbash.com july august 2012 133 5. Electronic Entertainment Expo The Entertainment Software Association launched a virtual platform that has big value for exhibitors and non-show-goers alike. Each June the Electronic Entertainment Expo takes over downtown Los Angeles with its annual menagerie of models costumed characters and jumbo props mingling among 48 000 high-energy attendees. Better known as E3 the massive buzzy trade show for the computer and video game industry is owned and operated by the Entertainment Software Association and draws a tradeonly crowd plus media and analysts from more than 80 countries for the splashy visual interactive program. The agenda includes video game unveilings demos and announcements on the show floor plus press conferences from major hardware and software publishers including the likes of Electronic Arts Microsoft Nintendo of America and Sony Computer Entertainment America. Understanding--and tapping into--the broad consumer crossover appeal of the show organizers launched e3insider.com in 2011. The virtual platform developed in cooperation with IDG Entertainment GamePro Media allows consumers to share the trade-only experience and so far it s had 2.4 million unique visits. It offers interviews behindthe-scenes looks at the event and previews of anticipated computer and video games. Also included are preshow coverage and a steady stream of exhibitors virtual booth content such as announcements screens and video trailers. Each E3 exhibitor is included on E3 Insider through a virtual booth and visitors can rate their interest in The online platform gives consumers an inside look at E3 s packed show floor. company announcements through polls and real-time social data that reveals the most viewed and most anticipated games of the show. An interactive show-floor map using a real-time Web communication platform powered by Kaazing displays a so-called heat map identifying where virtual crowds are gathering. The platform allows exhibitors to track how many global users are accessing their virtual booths and news outside the show in real time adding huge value for exhibitors although E3 has not raised prices. And it s available in a downloadable format another environmentally friendly element to join the conference s digital-only press kits. Further innovating technologically E3 also offers a mobile app and a MapYourShow element that serves as an interactive floor plan to help exhibitors and attendees track their steps preview new products and save everything under a personal profile. E3 also has 155 000 Facebook likes and 103 000 Twitter followers. --A.D. 6. H.I.M.S.S. Conference & Exhibition The health care organization experienced dramatic growth in social media engagement and buzz at its annual conference in part by educating attendees and presenters on how to use various tools. On February 21 participants at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society s conference tweeted 6 438 times with the event s hashtag himss12. That s a world record for tweets on a single day from a health care conference according to researchers at Symplur. While that may be the most striking statistic from the event it only tells part of the story. In fact organizers created a multifaceted strategy that not only facilitated sharing on social media platforms but also included preconference activities and offered group and one-on-one training for attendees and presenters. Social media activities began two months prior to the conference. H.I.M.S.S. social media manager Cari McLean and her team engaged potential attendees on Twitter LinkedIn Facebook and the society s blog. They also educated colleagues speakers and exhibitors on the social media strategy and taught them how to use social platforms to drive engagement with attendees in a webinar. Later others could watch a recording on-demand. We explained what true engagement means in the social space how to optimize their social messages via hashtags keywords and being resourceful and how to support their efforts via mobile on-site McLean said. On the conference Web site a cheat sheet provided hashtags related to the conference and a list of influential people s handles. To help first-time attendees the organization hosted a Twitter chat. We have more than 400 education sessions and more than 1 100 exhibitors. So we wanted to make sure [new attendees] had a sense of what to expect and the best way to prep for it so they were not overwhelmed McLean said. On-site at the Venetian Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas organizers created a 1 800-square-foot social The 1 800-square-foot social media center with two experts offering personalized feedback. Signage encouraged attendees Large monitors to share what they were learning on displayed the Twitter stream. Twitter with the hashtag. Organizers also incorporated calls-to-action in media center which included lounge moderator scripts and walk-in slides. Our message was that innovation is seating large monitors with the worth sharing McLean said. Twitter stream a help desk and a Clearly the message got through. small stage. For three days the center hosted educational sessions present- The event set a record for tweets and ed by health care bloggers and social garnered more than 33 000 mentions across all social platforms a 200 media users on topics such as establishing a staff social media policy percent increase over 2011. Organizers estimate they reached 85 400 000 social media as a collaborative tool blogging as a career and developing people through social media. McLean s advice Be engaging an integrated social media strategy. Organizers estimate each session at- and not just a broadcaster on social channels. Really try to create a comtracted 50 to 75 attendees. For one hour each day the center munity around your event don t just use it as a marketing tool. --M.S. hosted a Social Media Genius Bar 134 bizbash.com july august 2012 7. Cisco Live To keep attendees of its user meeting engaged all year the tech company developed an online platform sustained by constantly updated content. Cisco Systems Global Sales Experience (G.S.X.) an internal meeting for sales staff has been widely touted for its innovative hybrid conference model as well as its integration of virtual gaming. However the manufacturer of networking technology has also been trying to break new ground with Cisco Live a conference for users that attracts some 15 000 I.T. and communications professionals. In fact Danette Veale a strategist on the sales and partner engagements and recognition team who now works on G.S.X. was the one who introduced a virtual attendance option for Cisco Live back in 2009. According to global marketing manager Staci Clark the conference which takes place four times a year has evolved dramatically in the past four years with an approach that was largely prompted by the cost-cutting measures of the recession. What started out as a closed environment giving those online a small glimpse into the conference for a fee has since graduated to Cisco Live 365 a key marketing strategy for the planning team. Introduced in April the free Web-based platform for the virtual version of the conference offers a constant stream of content--broadcasts of keynote speakers or a live ask an expert session as well as downloadable PDFs. We wanted to keep a level of interaction and a level of engagement with our key audiences all year round Clark said. We have PHOTOS COURTESY OF E3 JANN HENDRY (HIMSS) COURTESY OF HIMSS (TWITTER FEED) COURTESY OF CISCO LIVE 365 CLAIRE PACELLI FOR BIZBASH (P.G.A.) four Cisco Live events and Cisco Live 365 and its predecessor Cisco Live Virtual are the key to linking those events together. The idea was that a typical event marketing model or cycle means that you essentially go dark six months out of the year and then you ramp up and hit your target audiences really hard with a lot of messages a lot of value propositions and a lot of invitations to attend--you re really selling that event. [After the event] you go dark again for six months and there s no interaction between your brand your content your speakers your company and this key audience until the next time you start ramping up for your on-site event. From a measurement standpoint the new platform gives planners a much better understanding of how the virtual environment affects a customer s incentive to attend the physical event. Previously surveys indicated that between 50 and 60 percent participating in the conference online intended to register for the physical version the following year but whether that conversion rate was achieved was difficult to assess. Cisco Live 365 also gives the company an opportunity to better integrate its social media efforts. Through the UStream broadcast Cisco Live users were able to see comments generated by others but in the new model viewers will be able to share the content with their peers via Facebook Twitter LinkedIn email and other networks. Although building a platform designed to be accessed any time of the year whether there s a conference taking place or not requires more time and effort Clark believes that the exercise turns Cisco Live into a brand and drives loyalty education and investment from its core constituents. --A.S Crews traveled the show floor recording sessions fashion shows and interviews with attendees. Videos were posted to the show s site. 8. P.G.A. Merchandise Show A series of videos produced on the show floor gave consumers a peek inside the private industry event adding value for exhibitors. pected. The videos had been viewed more than 140 000 times since they began appearing on pga.com and golfchannel.com during the show For nearly 60 years the P.G.A. Merchandise Show has attracted thou- in January. The show team shared sands of golf professionals and buy- links to the videos with exhibitors ers from around the world to check featured in the taped content. Many of those vendors posted the links on out the latest equipment apparel their company Web sites creating and accessories from vendors. For even greater exposure. the first time this year organizers What we learned in some postoffered the public a preview of this new merchandise and a peek inside event research is that consumers this private event by sharing videos really do want intriguing and infrom the show floor for free online. teresting content whether that be new products or new apparel Sev Our customers access the eral said. They want details about largest business-to-business golf it more insight. The most valuable marketplace in the world at the content is more than just visual it is P.G.A. Merchandise Show and with our new video-streaming program also informative. Organizers plan to offer the we now also provide valuable access video streaming at the next P.G.A. to core golf consumers worldwide via Internet and social media with- show in January and are developing plans to monetize it. out compromising the quality of Now we understand what business on the show floor said people will click on to Several said. Ed Several senior vice president of There is an opportunity for us to P.G.A. Golf Exhibitions. The exhibioffer premium opportunities to tors investment now has double exhibitors to have featured content the value. to have more of an interactive expeThe Golf Channel a division of NBC Sports produced 34 videos that rience so someone watching online can click on a sponsored link to get included interviews with celebrities and exhibitors highlights from more content. Next year the show will also fashion shows and special events share video links with bloggers and and product demonstrations. Pga. social media influencers who cover com produced eight videos includthe event so they can share them ing overviews of each day of the with their followers. show and topical videos covering The P.G.A. show is produced by specific aspects of the show such as Reed Exhibitions and the company accessories equipment and technology. All videos were three to five plans to offer video streaming at some of its other industry events. minutes long. The results were better than ex- --M.S. One of Cisco Live 365 s offerings outside of the physical event bizbash.com july august 2012 135 9. Public Health Informatics Conference The Center for Disease Control and Prevention s first hybrid meeting aimed high with photo-realistic visuals and virtual access to the trade show floor--and managed to boost attendance at the same time. Planning the federal government s first hybrid meeting Adam Arthur knew the virtual components would have to be more than just a live feed with a camera aimed at the speakers or cartoon-like visuals he knew were all too common at virtual events. As the virtualplatform-initiative lead at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Arthur s goal was to produce an online event so attendees felt they were actually there as well as to drive attendance. The result was the C.D.C. s Public Health Informatics Conference which took place in Atlanta August 21 to 24 at the Hyatt Regency with archived and new content released two months later as a branded virtual conference. I tried to make the environment replicate the in-person environment as much as possible Arthur said. It was photorealistic [showing] the lobbies and everything of the actual hotel where we were. If you wanted to go downstairs you clicked on the escalator. We even green-screened individuals. There were people literally walking in the lobbies checking their BlackBerrys. I had several people ask me Are we really there now Arthur s team also produced content exclusive to the virtual component such as interviews with key scientists. For vendors the site recreated the trade show with virtual booths to let them interact with the online attendees. What s more vendors received analytics that measured engagement with information about how attendees interacted with the booth. As a result conference attendance grew from 1 500 in-person attendees in 2009 to 1 875 which included 911 in-person and 964 virtual registrations. More than half of the virtual attendees registered after the conference began. The virtual component even drove in-person attendance. About 200 people who started the event as virtual participants traveled to the hotel to attend in person. Following the event the C.D.C. counted 101 new unique registrations for people who have watched the archived event. Those who registered for the in-person conference received free access to the content online allowing them to check out recorded versions of sessions they may have missed. During the event the largest number of people simultaneously logged in was 507 for the opening plenary session. Over the course of two months--from start of the conference to the debut of the archive site--there were 4 201 total visits to the platform. Viewers averaged two hours and 20 minutes on the site. --B.K. The first Dell World conference at the Austin Convention Center 10. Dell World An experiment to engage attendees with gamification tactics at the computer company s user conference saw compelling results. Lauded for its active participation in social media--Dell has its own university that certifies employees to tweet blog and post on its behalf--it comes as no surprise that the first Dell World conference last year included an extensive integration of networking platforms. In addition to building a virtual site that linked users to activity feeds forums and contact information from others the computer technology company looked to craft connections for attendees physically present at the two-day meeting in Austin Texas through social media. What this meant was introducing activities based around the idea of gamification--that is the concept of pursuing goals and anticipated rewards much like how video games and sports function. It did present a risk for the planning team as gaming strategies are something typically used by brands in the consumer space rather than in the business-tobusiness context. Also Dell World s attendees--an audience capped at 2 000--included C.I.O.s and I.T. professionals from some of the largest corporations not as some gamifi- The conference s realistic-looking graphics cation efforts focus on teenagers on Facebook. Customers at the Austin Convention Center could earn rewards for doing fairly simple tasks such as retweeting something or checking in on Foursquare at various locations throughout the event. They could even win points and badges for downloading content via QR codes at various booths and exchanging contact information with other attendees. The feedback was significant according to Rishi Dave executive director of online marketing for Dell. Hard metrics included more than 10 000 check-ins performed at the event more than 3 500 pieces of content downloaded by attendees and contact information shared more than 7 300 times. The end goal was not just to make the conference fun but to really help customers at the conference know the best places to go for content help guide them so in the short time they were at Dell World they could maximize their experience Dave said. Organizers have yet to confirm whether they plan to bring back the program for the next iteration of Dell World (scheduled for December) but Dave explained the brand will definitely look to integrate the physical experience with the virtual experience whether through the use of social mobile or gaming platforms. --A.S. 136 bizbash.com july august 2012 PepsiCo s orange grove at BlogHer 2011 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION (CDC). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED COURTESY OF DELL COURTESY OF PEPSICO WWW.SBAPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (ORANGE TREE) JUSTIN HACKWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY (SMORES) Campbell Brown moderated PepsiCo s sofa summit at BlogHer 2010. Kraft Foods and the Hershey Company s s more-making suite 11. BlogHer Conference ence. The BlogHer team shares best practices tips about capturing its audience s interest and encourages creativity. We don t limit our sponsors to simply a booth activation Working closely with its backers to Luna said. We encourage creative dream up creative targeted and innovative ideas and thoughts. activations the conference helps Almost nothing is discouraged. sponsors better attract attention. Armed with an understanding of what makes the attendees Since its inception in 2005 BlogHer tick and the bigger-is-better tone has received support from a seemset by the sponsor-relations team ingly endless list of big-name large brands have brought in buses corporations including Microsoft 2 500-square-foot homes gardens Pepsi Tide Wal-Mart Jimmy Dean cooking demonstrations with ceand Procter & Gamble. The conferlebrity chefs and personalities and ence--created to recognize connect more educational activations such and educate female leaders in social as health and wellness discussions media--demonstrates how sponsors Luna said. can connect with their target audiOne of the event s more memoence in meaningful ways. rable activations was in 2009 when We enjoy a wide range of atTide brought affable spokesman tendees that provide diversity and Tim Gunn to the trade show floor to unprecedented buying power said offer attendees tips on revamping Lori Luna BlogHer s San Francisotheir images. In 2010 Sara Leebased events manager. Our attend- owned food companies Hillshire ees are primarily women who drive Farm and Jimmy Dean created an most of the decision making in their 80- by 20-foot kitchen on the trade household. Our sponsors know this show floor where Top Chef star and are eager to engage. Padma Lakshmi hosted a sandwichBlogHer has an in-house twobuilding competition. person sponsor-relations team that Also that year the Hershey meets with companies to discuss Company and Kraft Foods took over key objectives prior to the confera 42nd-floor suite at host venue the Hilton New York. The suite let guests make their own s mores in four separate areas designed to look like a campsite a backyard grill a kitchen and a living room with a fireplace. From 2005 to 2009 BlogHer produced one annual event with steady growth Luna said. However since 2009 we have grown our conference business exponentially both by launching new events and enjoying considerable growth in sponsors and attendees at our annual event. Last year s event held in San Diego drew 4 000 registered attendees and more than 100 sponsors the 2010 gathering in New York had 2 400 attendees and closer to 80 sponsors. This year s conference will take place in New York in August and planners expect attendance and sponsorship to stay on par with the record numbers of 2011. In 2009 BlogHer launched a food conference in San Francisco targeting food bloggers that drew 200 guests and more than 12 sponsors this year it takes place in Seattle in June and organizers expect 500 guests and 24 sponsors. Three new events also launched in 2011 BlogHer Entrepreneurs BlogHer Handmade and BlogHer Writers. In all BlogHer conferences have seen an enormous increase in the past few years both our annual and our targeted vertical events Luna said. --J.B. bizbash.com july august 2012 137 sionals and developers--and partners I.B.M. has already implemented online versions of yearly gatherings like Pulse and added a social media aggregator and QR codes into last year s run of Lotusphere. To add to this strategy the tech giant sought to build a fully integrated social media program for the October run of its Information on Demand event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. With the help of business communications company Drury Design Dynamics the I.B.M. s Social media initiative was also designed to leverage the participation of on-site conferconcierges ence attendees to engage those in the virtual realm. Central to the plan was the use of social concierges to provide information on the various activities and teach late adopters of social networks how to use the platforms. As an additional layer of on-site interaction the tech giant implemented a comprehensive social media strategy into its biggest customer conference. These staffers roamed the show floor equipped with iPads and took daily As one of the largest globally recogalways looking for new ways to meld polls gathering answers to questions nized makers of computer hardware technology with social interaction in such as What s your organization s and software and an organizer of sev- the context of business. Driven by the top business objective and recording eral annual conferences International idea of culling feedback from clients-- observations on video. Business Machines Corporation is senior business executives I.T. profesOther factors included 22 touch- 12. I.B.M. Information on Demand screen displays set up around the venue which gave guests the chance to take the surveys as well as access to the social media aggregator that linked to Twitter blog feeds photos and videos. A crew known as Team Social filmed various aspects of the conference while a dedicated lounge was designed as the main hub for social users. In total Information on Demand s social media activation saw 7 127 tweets (calculated to have a reach of 2.4 million people) 228 check-ins on Foursquare at 12 locations 1 453 images posted to Flickr and 22 645 touches recorded at the touch-screen displays. The daily polls had 7 500 responses a 362 percent increase over 2010. Based on this success I.B.M. opted to fashion a similar initiative for the Pulse conference in March. This included using a social host to share the results of daily polls and Twitter topics of the day creating a series of classes to instruct attendees how to use Twitter LinkedIn mobile apps and Facebook and encouraging 11 000 tweets from 1 400 unique users during the event s three-day run. --A.S. 13. Facebook Developer Conference The social network regularly shows off cutting-edge technology and Facebook s annual conference employed a sophisticated augmentedreality activation. Attracting developers and entrepreneurs from around the world Facebook s F8 Developer Conference is designed to inspire attendees and showcase innovation in social media. Established in 2007 the conference has become a forum for developers and a launch pad for important Facebook announcements. The idea of the social graph was first discussed at F8 in 2007 the like button got its start at the 2010 conference and in September of last year C.E.O. Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Timeline profile feature. In addition to keynotes breakout sessions and product launches at the 2011 conference at the San Francisco Design Centre an interactive installation called Connections brought Facebook to life on the show floor. Devel- The interactive Connections installation oped by creative technology agency Obscura Digital the augmented-reality space created a physical version of Facebook. Facebook wanted to show that their services are not just about connecting the people behind a screen be that a computer or mobile phone said James Hurlbut interactive developer at Obscura Digital. [They wanted] to show how you can use the services in a physical setting without any screens or keyboards. A team of Obscura developers worked with Facebook art director Ben Barry to create the Connections activation. Guests checked into the enclosed Connections space with a radio frequency identification (R.F.I.D.) tag that linked to their Facebook profiles. Using the information from their profile overhead projectors mapped a personalized spotlight onto the ground color-coded to represent interests work places birth sign and Facebook likes. Four 3-D cameras tracked movements and as participants approached each other lines would connect their spotlights and a slideshow of common interests or friends flashed between connected guests. You had people from totally different countries or just totally different space Hurlbut said. They would walk up to each other and all of a sudden a familiar photo would pop up as if by magic between them. It was a really futuristic way to connect people. The sophisticated activation used top-of-the-line tracking equipment high-definition projectors and speedy custom software. Although the project was a success it came with challenges including changing lighting conditions in the venue s concourse large groups of people and unknown data variables. Whenever you re dealing with live real data it s very hard to know the maximum amount of information you re going to have to process Hurlbut said. You could get two people in there with 10 friends or you could get 20 people with 2 000 friends. The goal of Connections was two-tiered to highlight Facebook s R.F.I.D. capabilities and make a big impact. [The attendees] are the developers so these guys are pretty technical Hurlbut said. They ve seen a lot and it takes a lot to impress them with software. The activation was a hit and hundred of guests lined up to try it. --C.W. 138 bizbash.com july august 2012 15. Bloomberg Sovereign Debt Conference The media and finance giant imported its distinct corporate culture encouraging networking smart technology use and a commitment to sustainability. Finance conferences can Projections at be stuffy--unless you re the sessions Bloomberg. The comdisplayed the pany s events manage to email address translate its core values for questions. of transparency technology integration sustainability and philanthropy into events such as the Bloomberg Sovereign Debt Conference January 24 at the New Museum in New York. Hosting events that reflect its culture helps reinforce the Bloomberg brand said Holly Doran head of event operations for Bloomberg Link the company s in from users this way and there executive conference division. One were no passed mics trimming example is transparency which staffing and audiovisual costs and visitors to any Bloomberg office will streamlining the communicanotice. Conference rooms have glass tions flow. Three guests used the walls and there are no private offic- question system to communicate es. At the conference Doran banned general concerns such as room temthe exclusive green room for speak- perature and a kosher meal request. ers in favor of an open lounge in the The moderator forwarded these to middle of a break area. The move Doran to resolve in real time. provided accessibility allowing the The staging decor and signage 212 attendees and 27 reporters to in- followed Bloomberg s sustainability teract with speakers. The break area goals. Doran had access to essential itself was another aspect directly items from Bloomberg s inventory carried over from the host s offices. such as a badge machine stage The Bloomberg kitchen allowed furniture stage carpet literature guests to help themselves to locally racks a self-serve latte cappuccino sourced organic snacks as well machine and drink dispensers. And as international treats that make instead of floral centerpieces Doran guests from abroad feel at home. placed live fish in bowls which During the 30-minute panels guests could take home. guests submitted questions directly Instead of building a set Doran to the stage via their smartphones. designed a backdrop using vinyls The event was also a webcast on and she placed decals on concrete Bloomberg terminals worldwide floors as directional signage. Vinyls and viewers could send in queries. also came into play at a post-event Nearly two dozen questions came cocktail reception in the Sky Room. She created a calendar listing upcoming events that adhered to the windows. The display also launched the company s 2012 conference season and invited potential sponsors to preThe open lounge view the event. for speakers --B.K. The communitydriven setting at SXSW Interactive 14. South by Southwest Interactive Focused on pioneering technology the conference developed its own innovative tools to give guests ownership of ideas. Affiliated with the film and music festivals that take place in Austin Texas each March South by Southwest Interactive is a five-day conference devoted to new technology. Known as a breeding ground for fresh ideas--Twitter gained traction there in 2007 and Foursquare debuted in 2009--the event launched in 1994 and has exploded in recent years. In 2010 it had around 13 000 attendees a 40 percent increase from the previous year. In 2011 the festival saw a record-breaking 20 000 attendees and this year s attendance held steady. One of the tools organizers used to engage new guests maintain loyalty and build community is the crowdsourcing tool called PanelPicker. They developed the technology with programmer Lindsey Simon a former Google staffer. Initially developed for the 2007 event the online tool was inspired by an unlikely source T-shirt company Threadless. At the time South by Southwest was hosting a T-shirt-design challenge where contestants submitted images to the Threadless Web site the brand s online community voted on a winning design and the chosen image appeared on the festival s official bag. We thought there s no reason why we can t take the same concept and help a community design the programming at our conference said the Austin-based festival pro- ducer Shawn O Keefe who works with a team of about 15 to 20. The first year we had 700 ideas submitted the next year it was 1 100 and then it was 1 600. With the tool the conference s attendees can weigh in on topics they d like to see explored at the next event the audience s opinions are then weighed against advisory board and staff voting. Though crowdsourcing tools like PanelPicker aren t unusual nowadays there weren t really any conferences at the time doing what we were doing with this online platform O Keefe said. With no real model to look to what we didn t anticipate was the kind of community involvement that we saw. People would go out on these social media channels and start virally sharing what they wanted to talk about. That obviously makes marketing people happy but what was more interesting to us was that people were associating their personal brand with the South by Southwest brand. It also allows the South by Southwest community to build its own data set. Anybody can go in [to PanelPicker] look at it and say O.K. what are people talking about At this year s conference O Keefe said advertising marketing and branding companies were still keen to learn more about social media. Other attendees were interested in exploring the metadata of augmented reality. We started [PanelPicker] with the more practical intentions of this is going to help us organize information and have a much more open and transparent process O Keefe said. It ended up being something even better which was more community involvement and letting the community have a lot more ownership of the ideas and things they wanted to have happen at the conference. --J.B. PHOTOS TOM DONOGUE DRURY DESIGN DYNAMICS (I.B.M.) OBSCURA DIGITAL (F8) ARTHUR VANROY (SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST) COURTESY OF BLOOMBERG bizbash.com july august 2012 139 BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS 15 NEW GADGETS APPS & TECH TOOLS Improve the event experience--for both attendees and planners--with these new and updated products. By MITRA SORRELLS New apps and software for the event industry are hitting the market daily. Some are improvements on existing services (an easier way to do a webcast) while others are distinctly new ideas (turning a smartphone into a remote control). The common thread among all of these innovations is that they aim to improve the event experience for attendees or planners (or both) making it more efficient and effective. Here are 15 of the newest technology products to have on your radar. 2. To Address Language Barriers Babelverse is a realtime human translation service for events and videos. The platform launched a public beta in late April at the Next Web conference in Amsterdam where it also translated the conference into Spanish and Portuguese for the Latin American audience. The service is powered by a team of more than 1 000 interpreters located all over the world who provide translations in nearly 200 languages. Event organizers provide Babelverse with a live stream of the speaker and then attendees can access the translation online via a computer or smartphone or call a local number on their cell phones. The service can be used by in-person and virtual attendees. 1. To Help Attendees Navigate Wifarer is indoorpositioning software that uses a venue s Wi-Fi to pinpoint the location of a smartphone and then helps the user navigate the venue with turn-by-turn directions. Along the way the user receives locationspecific content--information about an exhibitor as they walk by the booth for example. Wifarer launched in March with a free Android and iPhone app. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville are two of the first venues to offer the service. Planners can charge exhibitors based on what they share through the app--a video a graphic a coupon or a link to a Web site. 3. To Create an App Planners who want an app for a conference or meeting now have a do-it-yourself option. Yapp launched in April and allows users to create custom mobile apps. Users choose a theme and create custom pages for things like the event s invitation the agenda speaker bios travel information and more. They then invite guests to view the app via the YappBox app for iOS or on the Web. The host can update the app in real time and allow guests to chat or upload group photos. In May TalkPoint released its newest product a browser-based is a SmartTV app that turns Webcasting system that makes it a smartphone into a remote easy for non-tech-oriented people to control. For now it works only with create Webcasts. Known as Convey YouTube videos but the company the cloud-based platform creates is developing an open platform audio and video presentations that that will allow others to develop can be viewed by as many as 10 000 new applications such as using individuals. The system walks hosts it to control a presentation from through a five-step process that a Google Doc. First-time users allows the host to create custom visit clikthis.com scan a QR code landing pages and sponsorship with the Clik app (available for opportunities such as hyperlinked Android or iOS devices) then use logos. After the live event the system the phone to control a screen. automatically stores presentations The company demonstrated the for on-demand access in an archive app s capabilities during South by Southwest in March where it set up the host can edit. a 20-foot screen outside the Austin Convention Center and invited To Streamline 8 Attendee Access ITN passers-by to use their phones to control the content. International has created a new application for its electronic event badge called the BCARD which 5. To Connect Exhibitors uses near-field communication to and Buyers In June event transmit information when placed technology company Certain Inc. near a reader. Now the company is launched Match2Connect a new adapting the card into what it calls algorithm-based system for onea Citywide Attendee Credential an to-one appointment matching all-in-one badge that attendees can at large conventions and trade use for services outside the venue shows. Planners customize a such as public transportation or set of preferences in an online system that enables attendees and attractions. The credential had its U.S. debut in February at the Smart exhibitors to indicate the types of Card Alliance Payments Summit in people they want to meet with Salt Lake City where some attendees or the specific companies. The system then matches attendee and used their event badges to ride local trains. exhibitor preferences to generate a schedule of appointments that suits everyone s needs. Planners can 9. To Create a Poll Social polling monetize the system by charging app HeyCrowd has added several exhibitors a premium to participate. new features including the ability to create a private group to target surveys to a specific audience rather 6. To Organize Tweets than sending them to anyone using Hashcaster is a social media the app. Photos can be added to aggregation platform that sorts questions for example to show two through tweets posted with an different speakers from a conferevent s hashtag and presents them in an organized strategic format. The ence and ask attendees which they preferred. Respondents can also add platform uses an algorithm-based comments to a question making system to identify tweets coming the experience more conversational. from top influencers (measured The system notifies group members by number of followers) and top instantly when a new question contributors (measured by tweet is created. The core product is an volume). The event s host can also iPhone app but it also has a Web promote certain information--for site optimized for viewing on any example tweets coming from smartphone. sponsors or on a specific topic. Hashcaster creates a Web site that 10. To Conduct presents these curated tweets in categories such as latest and Collaborative Meetings news (tweets that include a link to RabbleBrowser is a collaborative a story or blog post). Attendees can presentation app for the iPad that view the site on their smartphones can be used in meetings and at trade and planners can set up large shows. The latest version 2.5 released screens to display the information. in April allows a presenter to lead an 4 To Control a Presentation Clik 7. To Create a Webcast 140 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com meetingtechtools PHOTOS COURTESY OF VENDORS Clik invited attendees at South by Southwest to scan a QR code that let them use their phones as remote controls to manipulate content on the screen. 4 At a conference in Salt Lake City ITN International tested its Citywide Attendee Credential which served as both an event badge and electronic ticket for the city s lightrail system. 8 Participants communicating on Blue Jeans Network can be displayed in a variety of formats such as a grid or with the discussion leader in a large box and other participants shown smaller at the bottom of the screen. 12 15 PowerSlide allows planners to customize digital signage products using Powerpoint. unlimited number of people through a Web-browsing session on iPads connected through WiFi or Bluetooth. The presenter can lock the display so everyone sees the same image at the same time (to keep people from jumping ahead in a slideshow for example). Participants can also use the app to chat with the presenter and with each other. The app also incorporates thumbs-up and thumbsdown icons that users can click to indicate approval or disagreement which is displayed to the session leader in real time. select individual slides and drag them anywhere on the Prezi canvas. 13. To Customize an Online Event Site OneLobby is a social platform intended to be a one-stop shop for planners to create an online experience that facilitates attendee connections before during and after an event. The standard product provides a private online hub known as a lobby that comes in the form of a conference Web site Web application and mobile app. Starting late this year planners will be able to customize their sites by adding features from the OneLobby app store such as polling tools gaming apps post-conference surveys and Twitter feeds. 12 To Conference Across Platforms Blue Jeans Network is a cloud-based videoconferencing solution that connects people regardless of the system they are using one person can participate via Skype while another uses Google Talk and another uses a Cisco conference platform. Attendees can even dial in for audio-only access. Blue Jeans launched in July 2011 and is designed for collaborative meetings with as many as 25 participant locations. Users get a private area in the Blue Jeans cloud that they can use to schedule host and manage meetings through a Web interface. Participants join the meeting by dialing a number or clicking a Web link. factors in a participant s role goals for the event existing social networks and specific interests to recommend others to meet. Suggested connections are prioritized based on a 100-point scale known as the Qrious Score. The system delivers recommended connections before the event via email and through the Qrious app for iPhone and Android. The system also provides QR-coded name badges that link to the attendee s Qrious profile. 11. To Add Powerpoint to Prezi Prezi cloud-based software launched in 2009 that makes animated presentations that zoom from slide to slide was updated in May to allow users to import PowerPoint slides. Users can insert an entire presentation at once or 15 To Make Digital Signage Easier Etech Events is in beta testing for its PowerSlide app for its digital signage products. The plug-in allows planners to design their signage in PowerPoint and create schedules to show slides at specific times. The system also enables instant updates to the signage. 14. To Help People Connect Qrious is described as a social discovery service to help attendees meet the right people at events. The software integrates with the EventBrite registration system and bizbash.com july august 2012 141 MG Design (262.947.8890 mgdesign.com) customized modular rental units with VMware s corporate colors for the software company s booth at VMworld 2011 in Las Vegas. Sixteen-foot-tall plexiglass towers anchored the space at opposite corners Octanorm work stations were arranged in a serpentine pattern for easier foot-traffic flow. BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS These recent eye-catching exhibits used an array of clever tricks to stand out and engage attendees on the trade show floor. By LAUREN MATTHEWS For the 2011 ABC Kids Expo in Louisville Global Experience Specialists (800.475.2098 ges.com) used client Boon s idea to create walls from its popular Grass Countertop Drying Racks. 142 bizbash.com july august 2012 More exhibit ideasbizbash.com tradeshowbooths PHOTOS PADGETT & CO. (SKYLINE EXHIBITS) GREGG GOLDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY (FORMICA) COURTESY OF VENDORS (ALL OTHERS) 23 NEW IDEAS FOR TRADE SHOW BOOTHS Belimed challenged GALLO (800.422.4948 galloinspires.com) to create an attentiongrabbing booth for the 2012 Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses in a space that measured only 30 by 30 feet. Branded tiles that hung overhead lit up in succession a reference to the start-up dial on all Belimed machines. At the center of the booth EWI Worldwide (734.525.9010 ewiworldwide.com) created for DFI Tech at InfoComm 2011 stood a tower of 18 synced screens powered by DFI s M100 Media Engine one of the main products being sold at the show. The 25 000-square-foot booth for TaylorMade-Adidas Golf at the P.G.A. Merchandise Show looked more like an elaborate village. Guests entered through an illuminated tunnel into a space designed by Sparks (215.602.8869 sparksonline.com) and filled with driving ranges a mini theater and product displays. For the Polaroid space at CES 2011 Skyline Exhibits (800.328.2725 skyline.com) had images streaming overhead across two ribbon-screen projections ending in the company logo. Jumbo screens framed by the Polaroid photo border surrounded a raised stage at the center of the exhibit while a futuristic-looking lounge area with a modular mirrored exterior sat at the far end of the space. For the 2011 International Builder s Show in Las Vegas Formica asked Kuhlmann-Leavitt Inc. (314.725.6616 kuhlmanleavitt. com) to maximize its 20- by 30-foot space. Branded mesh fabric hung from a ceiling truss light globes drew attendees eyes to the banners. The Falken Tires space for SEMA 2011 designed by Freddie Georges Production Group (714.367.9260 freddiegeorges.com) and fabricated by sister company the Shop Show Ready (714.367.9265 showready.com) included a double-decker meeting space a scenic off-road vehicle display platform and two elevated luxury vehicle-display platforms. Tangram (914.741.0046 tangramint.com) designed a two-story exhibit dubbed The Garage for dealer.com at the 2012 National Automobile Dealers Association show. The space functioned as a social venue with a lounge a DJ booth and a bar in addition to conference rooms and product demonstration stations. Navistar worked with Freeman (888.508.5054 freemanco.com) to debut the new Loadstar truck at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. To showcase its versatility a skin-wrapped Loadstar functioned as a screen for videos detailing the truck s multiple functions. bizbash.com july august 2012 143 At the 2012 P.G.A. Merchandise Show Cobra Puma Golf had a booth with a playful two-story structure. The ground floor served as a meeting space while the top floor included the entrance to a slide that ended in a pit of orange balls. At CES 2011 the NBC Universal booth immersed attendees in programming from each of the company s brands. Jack Morton Worldwide (212.401.7212 jackmorton.com) created a globe structure that functioned as a versatile stage for live broadcasts and demonstrations. The globe s lighting and video content changed depending on which brand was being promoted. Designed by Visbeen Associates (312.810.5669 visbeen.biz) and inspired by consumer lifestyle trend research the UNcontained exhibit at the 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show used 20-foot shipping containers as oversize dioramas. The display was a look into how different generations are reinventing the rules of kitchen and bath design. Inspired by the 2012 Public Sector Forum s theme The Road to Transformation 2020 Exhibits (800.856.6659 2020exhibits .com) created a neighborhood environment for BMC Software that included fabricated stoplights and highway signs. The concentric design of Motorola s CES 2012 booth created by George P. Johnson (617.535.9820 gpj.com) engulfed guests in the brand experience. The outer ring was lined with a 19-foot fringed curtain of silicon tubes that functioned as a screen for projected media. At the center of the exhibit was an interactive zone where attendees could experiment with products. At CES 2012 MC2 (800.537.8073 mc-2.com) used lighting to create an open inviting atmosphere for the Hisense brand. Color-changing lights were projected onto all-white fabric structures and product displays. 144 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS CLAIRE PACELLI FOR BIZBASH (COBRA PUMA GOLF) OSCAR EINZEIG (VISBEEN ASSOCIATES) JENNY BERG BIZBASH (CHICAGO DENTAL SOCIETY) COURTESY OF VENDORS (ALL OTHERS) At Heli-Expo 2012 in Dallas Global Experience Specialists staged a splashy presentation to reveal Bell Helicopter s new top-secret helicopter. After screening a short documentary a Kabuki drop revealed a series of large angled walls that came to life via a 3-D video mapping presentation eventually moving to reveal the helicopter. For the 2011 Offshore Technology Conference 2020 Exhibits created a tech-driven booth for GE Oil & Gas that included touch-screen displays video walls a two-story meeting space and a floating video ring. For the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Ford worked with Imagination (212.813.6400 imagination.com) to debut the Ford Blue Oval Card an R.F.I.D.enabled card. On-site the cards which guests preregistered for online could be used to save content to download later via a personal Web page. The booth also featured a 20-foottall elevator that brought guests up into The Cloud a 360-degree cinema experience that offered a look at the future of in-vehicle cloud computing. At the Chicago Dental Society s 2012 Midwinter Meeting Sonicare let show-goers try out new products in a bathroom setting with working sinks. The Taylor Group (800.605.6519 taylorinc.com) designed a booth for Honda at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto that included an giant curved LED video wall. Webconnected touchscreen kiosks sat next to each car. For the 2012 Vision East Expo at New York s Javits Center the centerpiece of the Safilo Group s 10 400-square-foot area designed by Sparks was a hospitality bar that transformed four times a day into a runway for Carson Kressley-hosted fashion shows. At CES 2012 Pinnacle (503.844-4848 pinnacle-exhibits.com) designed a space for Nixon that stood out on the busy techfocused trade show floor by exercising restraint. Natural wood displays were used alongside walls made of acoustical foam. bizbash.com july august 2012 145 BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS 10 TRENDS CHANGING MEETING VENUES No boring ballrooms From beanbag chairs to balconies meeting space is getting reimagined. BY MARTHA C. WHITE Today s meeting hosts need some space. But not just any space They want it eco-friendly and well-lit with cozy seating and top-notch technology at their fingertips. Planners are demanding rooms and layouts that cultivate creativity and connections so they can get measurable results on their expenditures. They want space that s user-friendly inspiring and above all not boring--and facilities are delivering. Here are the top meeting venue innovations of 2012. seating says Erin Wade director of catering sales for Starwood s New York hotels. Some of our groups don t want a formal boardroom. They want it to be more interactive and laid back. They don t want the boring meeting room. They want a hipper design says Lana Trevisan corporate director of food and beverage for Gansevoort Hotel Group. I ve seen a huge switch in that. At the Gansevoort Park Trevisan says the Blue Room is popular with meeting planners who like its white leather banquettes and anti-boardroom look. Back-friendly beanbag chairs add a homelike element to the design of one of Marriott s prototype meeting spaces. 1 Marriott s reimagined phone-booth prototype offers meeting attendees privacy in a crowd. 2 If meeting space fools you into thinking you could be in a welldecorated home hotels are doing something right. Instead of sterile and corporate looks venues are configuring and furnishing meeting space to be relaxing and homey. One central element of this more residential look is cozy furniture. It s a more comfortable atmosphere to relax and take in information says Peggy Roe vice president of global operations services for Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Venues can t add couches and easy chairs fast enough. Some are going extra-casual with ottomans and even beanbag chairs. (Can recliners be far behind ) We really looked at making sure there was an addition of soft 1 Residential Furniture Venues are developing prefunction space that includes small areas for two or three attendees to gather during breaks. Building on the belief that collaboration fosters creativity hotels are responding to organizers need for space that facilitates this. At a recent management conference for its own executives Marriott International partnered with furniture company Steelcase to create a variety of prototypes in this vein. One had a long high table with tall stools and plug-in recharging docks for devices where as many as 10 participants could gather. Tying 2 Niches for Networking 4. More Control of Lighting 3. New Technical Equipment More hotels are outsourcing A.V. which does have an effect for the buyer because there s better quality says Bjorn Hanson dean of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality Tourism and Sports Management at New York University. The number of pixels it s the brightness of lights on projectors the ability to tie sound into what s on the screen. All of these elements combine to create a richer experience for presentations as well We re already using iPads for everything else under the sun so it makes sense that venues are using them to let planners control the lighting and sound from within a meeting room. We can run lighting A.V. the entire building from our iPad says Kristin Kurie president of the Wilderman Group a company that manages a trio of municipally owned conference facilities in the Southeast. A.V. room temperature and lighting are controlled in-room by 146 bizbash.com july august 2012 Share this story bizbash.com meetingvenuetrends PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL (RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE NICHE NETWORKING) COURTESY OF GANSEVOORT PARK AVENUE HOTEL (URBAN OUTDOOR SPACE) COURTESY OF ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD (OPEN KITCHENS) into the residential theme other seating was heavy on couches easy chairs and beanbags that were modified to offer back support. These seats were grouped in clusters surrounding low tables. Another prototype a modernized phone booth where attendees could make cell phone calls in relative quiet and privacy. One thing is people often look for individual spaces to do conference calls on breaks Roe says. as videoconferences. Starwood s Wade says the company worked with tech providers Cisco and Tata Communications to develop what it calls TelePresence suites at 16 of its properties which allow for a videoconference in a boardroom setting with high-definition video. As North American companies expand globally it cuts down on having to send people overseas she says. The prep kitchen of the Andaz West Hollywood is integrated into its function area so guests can interact with chefs and each other. 8 The al fresco space of the Gansevoort Park Avenue can give groups some fresh air. 7 the user says Christopher Kelly principal at urban conference center brand Sentry Centers. At every opportunity we try to make it userfriendly. Giving a meeting planner the tools to change the room environment on their own helps with productivity. I think a big part of what meeting planners are looking for is a little bit more inclusive packages rooms that are equipped with monitors or projectors says Oliver Ferry regional director of entertainment sales for Morgans Hotel Group. We re getting more requests for videoconferencing via Skype for instance. Some venues also are making use of new LED technology for decorative lighting. Starwood s Wade says at one of the brand s properties LED light panels let planners to raise or dim lights and even change its colors. growing number of venues built or retrofitted to be LEED-compliant. Operators and sales managers say more planners want to hold events in environmentally friendly settings and natural light is one of the few visible hallmarks of a green building. Organizations are increasingly sensitive to corporate social responsibility which is a trend that now informs what s going on in meeting venues Kurie says. 6. New Names Hotels are rechristening their meeting rooms to emphasize the flexibility of the space and get away from the dull connotations elicited by names like Ballroom A. Marriott Hotels & Resorts dubs its large ballrooms great rooms while Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Andaz brand refers to meeting rooms as studios. The Starwood Hotels & Resorts brand W uses both terms. The nomenclature is intended to highlight the fact that these spaces fit the kind of nontraditional meeting formats organizers are using to a greater degree. Designers are trying to find ways to appeal to social [events] as well as meetings says NYU s Hanson. By emphasizing something about the room with a name that reflects something special about the space that becomes a premium room he says. 5. Natural Light Venues are acknowledging that it can be soul-deadening to spend a full workday without knowing if it s sunny or raining outside. There s a productivity factor from the natural light Kurie says. New properties and renovations are adding more windows in order to incorporate more daylight into ballrooms breakout rooms and break spaces. One of the key things we wanted to do is create meeting space that s very interactive and engaging says Tristan Dowell director of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts boutique Andaz brand. The function space in the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York has floor-to-ceiling windows. The greater incorporation of natural light also stems from the 7 Urban Outdoor Space Why should resort destinations have all the fun Big-city hotels are adding patios terraces and other outdoor areas that groups can use as break areas during the day and as reception space in the evening. Although it s long been a priority for certain socially and environmentally minded groups the desire for green meeting space seems to have finally gone mainstream. More planners are seeking LEED-certified or ecofriendly venues. According to the 2012 American Express Meetings & Events Global Forecast 73 percent of meeting planners have an increased interest in hosting greener meetings. I think clients have an expectation that the buildings will be envi8 Open Kitchens Some of the best parties start and ronmentally friendly says Kurie. finish in the kitchen says Dowell. LEED certification is the gold With that as the starting point standard in terms of verifying a Andaz has built open operational venue s earth-friendliness but retkitchens within the function space rofitting existing space can be chalof several properties. It becomes lenging and expensive. a part of your event he says and As a result companies have engages attendees on a deeper level. been searching for other ways to At the Andaz 5th Avenue two quantify and measure a venue s enlarge open kitchens are situated in vironmental impact. Hilton Worldthe center of the meeting space. wide has a program called LightStay The Andaz West Hollywood has a that analyzes the economic impact prep kitchen integrated within its of 200 operational practices from function area and a meeting space food waste to air quality. It also at the Andaz Liverpool Street in provides a meeting impact calculaLondon has an open kitchen as well tor that tells planners what the as a wine cellar. environmental impact of their event Watching the chefs at work will be at a particular property. encourages people to talk to them American Express Meetings & and ask questions and sparks Events is working with Green Hotels conversation between attendees Global on what the company calls as well. We want to have that level an environmental reporting proof interaction in everything we do gram that measures the environDowell says. mental effects of meetings. The majority of our rooms have an outside space says Gansevoort s Trevisan. We ve incorporated that a lot into our meeting spaces. She says when meeting planners see the outdoor spaces they realize it can be a great way to keep groups energized over the course of a long day. At the Andaz Wall Street in New York an adjacent patio is popular for groups seeking space for a reception or coffee break that gets them out of the building and into the fresh air. People want more of an engaging experience in the meeting space Dowell says. Most new Ws have outdoor space Wade says. The W New York has two spacious terraces on the 17th floor off the presidential suite. We ve explored the option of tenting the terrace space because it is in such demand. We re responding to those trends because we re definitely hearing our customers ask about them. 9. Fewer Stages As part of the push to make meeting space more multipurpose and flexible venues have been eliminating fixed stages during renovations. Stage are rare now NYU s Hanson says. They take up lots of space and they can t be used for an event when there isn t a need for a stage. While this is probably good news for most event planners those actually looking for space with a built-in stage may find the task more challenging. 10. Eco-Friendly Spaces bizbash.com july august 2012 147 CH BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS 64 NEW MEETING LOCATIONS IN 10 CITIES A guide to the latest developments in venues across the country. ing Douglasville conference center. (6701 Church Street Douglasville 678.715.6094 visitdouglasville.com) The city of Douglasville JW Marriott Atlanta recently broke ground on Buckhead recently coman 11.6 million convention pleted an 11 million renovacenter designed to attract business from nearby Harts- tion that overhauled its 371 guest rooms and added field-Jackson International Airport. The 35 000-square- 2 300 square feet of meeting space adjacent to the foot facility will be three times larger than the exist- on-site restaurant for a total The 1 260-room Hyatt Regency Atlanta completed a 65 million top-to-bottom renovation in 2011 including updates to the 29 000-square-foot Centennial ballroom (the largest in the state) and converting two smaller meeting rooms into a 774-square-foot meeting planner suite. (265 Peachtree St. NE 404.577.1234 hyatt.com) panel televisions that can be used as monitors. (4711 Best Road 404.766.7900 marriott.com) The terrace level of the former Macy s department store downtown has been converted into a 17 000square-foot private event space the Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree featuring 30-foot-ceilings and room space for corporate meetings and events. (296 State St. 617.227.0800 marriott.com) Catalyst a restaurant and meeting area that debuted in Kendall Square in September offers American cuisine in several boardroom-style spaces. The Crick Franklin and Watson rooms along with the foyer each fit 100 guests. (300 Technology Sq. 617.576.3000 catalyst restaurant.com) The new 70 000-squarefoot wing of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum opened in January. In the 114 million addition designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano a 90-seat eatery holds 115 for receptions and can be configured for meetings and theater-style for 1 500 plus breakout spaces. (200 Peachtree St. 404.566.0094 200peach tree.com) The Georgia Aquarium debuted the 110 million AT&T Dolphin Tales Gallery last year including a new 1 800seat theater that can be used for presentations. (225 Baker St. NW 404.581.4277 georgiaaquarium.org) presentations. Calderwood Hall a dramatic round theater has a retractable screen visual projector and theater-quality lighting. The 300-seat space can accommodate meetings for 50. (280 Fenway 617.391.3941 gardnermuseum.org) SkyZone indoor trampoline park offers jumping dodgeball volleyball and other team activities. The new Everett location which opened in November holds 200. The facility offers televisions and DVD players as well as microphone capabilities. On-site catering is available and SkyZone can coordinate trophies and team T-shirts. (69 Norman St. Everett Mass. 617.387.1000 everett.skyzonesports.com) Atlanta PHOTOS COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA ERIC LEVIN (SPACE 57) meeting space of 21 000 square feet. (3300 Lenox Road NE 404.262.3344 marriott.com) The Atlanta Airport Marriott recently renovated its 28 300 square feet of meeting space including the 9 928-square-foot grand ballroom and 27 breakout rooms and outfitted all guest rooms with LCD flat- The Revere Hotel Boston Common opened this spring. The independent luxury hotel has a nightlife venue called Emerald Lounge and more than 35 000 square feet of meeting and event space. Called Theatre1 and Space 57 a movie theater and event space took over the former Stuart St. Playhouse also part of the Revere property. Theatre1 has 225 seats each with its own workspace and power source. Space 57 is a raw 6 700-square-foot room with 25-foot ceilings and a built-in 30- by 12-foot screen. The space can accommodate 1 000 guests. The hotel s sixth floor can be broken into a 4 900-square-foot function space and four smaller breakout areas. (200 Stuart St. 617.482.1800 reverehotel.com) Boston In January the Boston Marriott Long Wharf completed its 30 million four-year renovation. Within walking distance from Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall the 421-room hotel now offers 21 000 square feet of bizbash.com july august 2012 149 Up Comedy Club Second City s stand-up and comedycabaret theater opened in February. The Old Town can hold as many as 285 guests. Classroom-style seating can accommodate 80 50 guests can sit in a U-shape configuration and 100 can sit in a banquet-style setting. Audiovisual production amenities include a sound system two 70-inch LCD televisions and a central screen for presentations. For additional fees staff members can arrange customized Second City performances as meeting breaks or teambuilding activities and workshops. (230 West North Ave. 312.662.4562 secondcity.com) Chicago Greenhouse Loft opened in November as part of the Green Exchange an office and retail complex billed as the country s largest sustainable business community. Equipped with an 8 000-square-foot organic garden a portrait studio and a collection of mid-century furniture the 3 500-square-foot event space can host 250 guests. The site has a list of preferred and environmentally conscious vendors. Within the venue an area known as the Loft seats about 100 in a classroomstyle format. A sun-filled space dubbed the Glass House seats about 120 with tables or more with classroom-style seating. (2545 West Diversey 312.733.5762 greenhouseloft.com) The most buzz-garnering new hotel in Chicago is the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Open since November the first North American outlet of the luxury hotel has more than 28 000 square feet of sleek meeting space as well as 334 rooms and an indoor basketball court. (221 North Columbus Drive 312.565.5258 radissonblu.com) Hotelier Ian Schrager opened the first outpost of his Public Hotel in the Gold Coast in October. The 285-room hotel offers 10 meeting rooms a business center and communal worktables and computer stations in the lobby. A lounge area with plush leather couches can also serve as a screening room. (1301 North State Pkwy 312.787.3700 publichotels.com) Swiss tel Chicago wrapped up a 10 million renovation this spring. The hotel is the first Chicago property to offer Nervana s Bonfire Events Management app for meeting planners and attendees. The tool allows users to track schedules flights and presentations connects meeting participants through a social media site and sends alerts for any schedule changes. (325 East Wacker Drive 312.565.0565 swissotelchicago.com) The 15 046-square-foot Rosemont Ballroom Complex at the Hyatt Regency O Hare recently underwent a 3.3 million renovation. New amenities include energyefficient Lutron lighting system and color-changing LED lights. The speaker and sound systems also were upgraded and the ballroom got a Hufcor movable wall system. In all the hotel has 110 000 square feet of meeting and event space. (9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. 847.696.1234 ohare.hyatt.com) Billed as the largest fullservice hotel in the western suburbs Chicago Marriott Naperville recently completed a 30 million transformation. The 424-room hotel has more than 25 000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 7 000-squarefoot ballroom. (1801 Naper Blvd. 630.505.4900 marriott.com chimn) 150 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS JOHN MCCLOSKEY (UP COMEDY CLUB) KYLIE SNOWAERT (GREENHOUSE LOFT) Los Angeles The 1.6 million-square-foot LEED-certified Anaheim Convention Center began offering a new perk this year free Wi-Fi to all visitors. The tech upgrade was meant to give the facility a competitive edge in the marketplace as it believes it is the only convention center in the western U.S. to offer the service throughout its facility. Recently the center also partnered with Aramark to introduce a compost program. And slated for a January 2013 opening is a 100 000-squarefoot open-air Grand Plaza right for all sorts of alfresco meetings and events. (800 West Katella Avenue Anaheim 714.765.8950 anaheim conventioncenter.com) L.A. Live is the city s newest massive multi-use development packed with high-tech meeting and event venue offerings more than 5.6 million square feet--like the 7 100-seat Nokia Theatre the sprawling adjacent Nokia Plaza and Club Nokia with colorful LED bars illuminating 59 000 square feet of flexible space. The Gallery Collection at the JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles includes more than 77 000 square feet of indoor meeting space including three floors of stacked ballrooms. The property shares space with the Ritz-Carlton one of the tallest mixed-use buildings downtown. (800 West Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles 213.763.5483 lalive.com) In October the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites completed comprehensive upgrades. It is L.A. s largest convention hotel with 1 354 guest rooms and more than 110 000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space including the city s largest ballroom. (404 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles 213.624.1000 starwoodhotels.com) Recently opened for private events and unexpected meetings is Space Abbot Kinney a 3 000-square-foot penthouse with a variety of rooms including its V.I.P. lounge glass atrium lounge grand lounge and patio. The entire venue is wired with top-end audiovisual equipment and holds 150 seated attendees. (1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Penthouse 2 Venice 310.581.8888 space abbotkinney.com) A mile west of downtown and newly available for events and unstuffy meetings is Carondelet a 7 600-squarefoot home with two courtyards and capacity of 500. Furnishings are available as is JBL sound equipment wireless mics and Wi-Fi throughout. (627 South Carondelet St. Los Angeles 323.466.1835 carondelethouse.com) Grauman s Chinese Theatre has recently undergone a major renovation. The main theater seats more than 1 000 guests. Also located in the Hollywood & Highland Center is the new high-tech Chinese 6 Theatres which offer new sound systems and a luxe environment with room for more than 1 000 guests in all. (6925 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles 323.461.3331 chinese theatres.com) PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHERATON FAIRPLEX CONFERENCE CENTER MICHAEL WEBER PHOTOGRAPHY (ST. REGIS BAL HARBOUR) The high-tech Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center officially opened in March. The 85 000-square-foot center--I.A.C.C.certified and Silver LEED-engineered--is intended to be a highly versatile space with spacious seminar rooms and breakout rooms with interactive digital white boards video-conferencing high-speed Wi-Fi and a ballroom with a capacity of 1 000 seated for a meal. Catering options include fresh farm-to-table produce grown at the on-campus FairView Farms. (601 West McKinley Ave. Pomona 909.622.2220 sheraton.com) Miami with individual venues for meetings and events including 12 M.V.P. suites that can be booked during games or Five minutes from Miami on off-days. (501 Marlins Way International Airport the 877.411.2012 marlins.com) Regency Hotel Miami comThe Miami Airport Conpleted a renovation in late 2011 that added new indoor- vention Center formerly the Miami Mart Exhibition Cenoutdoor event space and a 10-seat boardroom that has ter completed a renovation in March that remodeled its a 42-inch LCD TV with Web 75 000-square-foot educaconnectivity and multiple tion conference center which data ports. Adjacent to the now includes 40 breakout pool deck the Gables room has high ceilings black-and- rooms. (711 NW 72nd Ave. 305.261.3800 macc.com) white photography and The 140-room SLS Hotel holds 170. (1000 NW Le Jeune South Beach opens this sumRoad 305.441.1600 mer with 28 000 square feet regencyhotelmiami.com) The new Marlins Park base- of flexible meeting and event space. (1701 Collins Ave. ball stadium debuted in April Miami Beach 305.674.1701 sbe.com) South Beach s Delano Hotel unveiled a 5 million refresh that added two new meeting rooms Studio 1 and Studio 2 each with room for 20 and 60 plus an upgraded screening room that seats 30. (1685 Collins Ave. Miami Beach 305.672.2000 delano-hotel.com) Newly opened for events the Dezer Collection a 250 000-square-foot building filled with a private luxury car collection has several spaces for meetings and events. (2000 Northeast 146th St. North Miami 305.354.7680 dezercollection.com) Across the bay from North Miami the 243-room St. Regis Bal Harbour opened in January with five ballrooms that can be combined to hold 400. For more intimate meetings the 402-square-foot John Jacob Astor boardroom and the 400-square-foot Rockefeller room each seat 16 while two additional rooms seat 12. (9701 Collins Ave. Bal Harbour 305.993.6000 stregisbalharbour.com) bizbash.com july august 2012 151 Phoenix Inside Bouley is Chef s Pass a private dining room that offers an interactive multimedia experience. As many as 11 guests can view a large flat-screen television while having their meal. The space can also be customized with the guests own music pictures and videos. Dishes are prepared by chef David Bouley in front of the entire table. (163 Duane St. 917.237.3205 davidbouley.com) Debuting in September Barclays Center is the newest multipurpose arena in Brooklyn with the N.B.A. s Brooklyn Nets as its principal tenant. This 675 000-squarefoot arena features The Vault which includes a private concierge sliding-door entry lounge seating and flat-screen TVs. Food from local Brooklyn restaurants will be served in the arena. (620 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn 212.359.6387 barclayscenter.com) The historic New York Helmsley Hotel joins Westin Hotels & Resorts this Located in Midtown Man- summer. Its 65 million hattan new private meeting renovation features a redeand event space Offsite sign of 15 000 square feet opened in July. The modern of meeting space including 4 200-square-foot space of- five new breakout rooms fers three floors and comes that offer teleconferencing fully equipped for high-tech capabilities and fiber-optics. presentations with projecAll renovated guest rooms tions that can be synced will feature eco-friendly maon five large LED screens a terials such as energy-condigital smart board floorserving LED and CFL lights to-ceiling whiteboard walls water conserving low-flow live-camera-feed capabiliplumbing and recyclable ties professionally designed carpet pads low VOC finsound and lighting and ishes and Green Guardlive-music-input integration. certified solar shades. (212 Offsite s main floor seats East 42nd St. 212.490.8900 60 or holds as many as 150 newyorkhelmsley.com) an executive conference Apella a sleek space room sits on the mezzanine at the Alexandria Center and the lower level s open for Life Science features space has room for 25.(52 built-in amenities such West 39th St. 646.535.2885 as desks embedded with offsitenyc.com) power connections open The colorful new Saguaro hotel in Old Town Scottsdale has 10 000 square feet of meeting space the largest room seats 200. (4000 North Drinkwater Blvd. 480.308.1100 thesaguaro.com) Three-story meetings and events space V Squared will open in late 2012. Accommodating 2 000 people the dramatic venue will include a glass spiral staircase leading to a viewing deck and a retractable roof over the courtyard. (7117 East Third Ave. Scottsdale) The 649-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will debut a 20 million conference center in October. The 52 000-square-foot space will have a Southwestern design with nano walls that open to the outdoors. (7575 East Princess Drive Scottsdale 480.585.4848 fairmont.com) Hotel Valley Ho recently added the Sands Building in the space that formerly held Trader Vic s restaurant. The lounge-like 3 500-square-foot venue holds as many as 400 can be broken into smaller spaces for meetings and includes audiovisual capabilities. (6850 East Main St. Scottsdale 480.248.2000 hotelvalleyho.com) New York communal kitchen areas and a host of high-tech options. It fits 300 guests for a cocktail reception 150 for classroom-style seating and offers catering from Tom Colicchio s Riverpark and wichcraft. (450 East 29th St. 212.706.4100 apella.com) Lower Manhattan s newest luxury hotel Conrad New York has 30 000 square feet of event space including 18 meeting rooms and 26 breakout suites. The hotel is pursuing a Gold LEED certification for its green rooftop. (102 North End Ave. 212.945.0100 conradnewyork.com) In celebration of its 10th anniversary the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park renovated 2 000 square feet of conference and event space and offers conference concierges and technology butlers. (2 West St. 212.344.0800 ritzcarlton.com) W New York recently redesigned eight meeting and event spaces along with the hotel s 3 690-square-foot Great Room in March and plans a lobby renovation later this year. The space features modern lighting design with a chandelier lit by LED lights. (541 Lexington Ave. 212.755.1200 starwoodhotels.com) A 150 million wholehotel renovation at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers added a Cisco TelePresence Suite to its 60 000 square feet of meeting space. It features an ultra-high-definition video and audio relay and can hold six people. (811 Seventh Ave. 212.581.1000 sheratonnewyork.com) Kimpton Hotels new Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape opened in June inside the mixed-use Cityscape complex. Some 10 000 square feet of meeting space on the hotel s third floor holds between 10 and 250. Expansive windows in every room provide picturesque views of Phoenix s South Mountain Park and Preserve. (2 East Jefferson St. Phoenix 602.253.6633 hotelpalomar-phoenix.com) 152 bizbash.com july august 2012 RENDERING SHOP ARCHITECTS (BARCLAYS CENTER) PHOTOS NICOLE BARTELME (CHEF S PASS) ERIC BARNES PHOTOGRAPHY (HOTEL PALOMAR) San Diego South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula recently added a 40-seat private room that can be reserved for business dinners or meetings. (34843 Rancho California Road Temecula 951.587.9463 southcoastwinery.com) Gaslamp Quarter nightlife-cum-meetings spot Stingaree last year added GuestHouse at Stingaree a 350-person lounge with RENDERING COURTESY OF WAVE CREST HOTELS & RESORTS PHOTOS CHRIS EICHLER FOR BIZBASH (GAYLORD NATIONAL) MATTHEW MILLMAN (ONE KEARNY) wall-length 3-D projection screens for presentations or screenings. (454 Sixth Ave. 619.704.1721 stingsandiego.com) The 474-room La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad debuted a head-to-toe overhaul of its conference center in October adding six new meeting-planner suites to the facility. (100 Costa Del Mar Road Carlsbad 800.854.5000 lacosta.com) Hotel Palomar opened in the Gaslamp Quarter in September with 20 000 square feet of meeting space including a 340-person ballroom and a 40-seat screening room. (1047 Fifth Ave. 619.515.3000 hotel palomar-sandiego.com) Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside opened in Oceanside s Rancho Del Oro business district in November with three meeting rooms that seat up to 160. (3501 Seagate Way Oceanside 760.966.1000 marriott.com) The 215-room Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa opens in July with more than 25 000 square feet of meeting space. A 5 900-square-foot ballroom can be divided into five smaller meeting rooms. Additional space includes an oceanview terrace seating 450 and an event lawn that seats 475. (One Ponto Road Carlsbad 760.602.0800 hiltoncarlsbadoceanfront.com) San Francisco The Moscone Center recently completed a twoyear 55 million renovation to its 1.2 million-square-foot facilities. The revamped convention center offers 106 meeting rooms--including 260 000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space--and a new 4.5 million wireless system that can provide high-speed service to as many as 60 000 devices at one time. (747 Howard St. 415.974.4000 moscone.com) The first hotel set inside Presidio National Park the forested expanse at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge Inn at the Presidio opened in April. The 22-room historic red-brick building includes two meeting rooms that hold 25 people each. (42 Moraga Ave. 415.800.7356 innatthepresidio.com) The 550-room Hilton San Francisco Union Square completed a 51 million renovation in April that added the 13 500-square-foot Golden Gate Ballroom one of 31 meeting rooms on the property. (333 O Farrell Street 415.771.1400 hilton.com) Also in Union Square the 659-room Grand Hyatt San Francisco completed a renovation that debuted a new Grand Foyer with 5 700 square feet of flexible meeting space. (345 Stockton St. 415.398.1234 hyatt.com) The 253-room Argonaut Hotel debuted a new look in January that redesigned the lobby guest rooms and 9 000 square feet of meeting space with a nautical theme that plays off the property s Fisherman s Wharf setting. (495 Jefferson St. 415.563.0800 argonaut hotel.com) Downtown s Mandarin Oriental Hotel completed a renovation this spring that added two meeting rooms bringing its event space to 5 145 square feet. (222 Sansome St. 800.622.0404 mandarinoriental.com) New 11th-floor event venue One Kearny Club is an executive boardroom and lounge overlooking Yerba Buena Gardens Union Square and the financial district. Decked with lounge sofas conference tables a full-size kitchen bar and an adjoining terrace the club seats 40. (23 Kearny St. 415.788.1177 onekearnyclub.com) Overlooking the Potomac River the River Terrace is the newest outdoor venue at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. This 15 000-square-foot open-air space debuted in April and offers on-site electrical hook-ups designated catering staging areas and a smooth flat surface equipped with built-in handicapped access and tentanchor points. Other upgrades include portable heaters fire pits Tivoli twinkle lights marquee tenting and a private fireworks display. Accommodation is for 700 guests for a meal or 1 200 for a reception. (201 Waterfront St. National Harbor Maryland 301.965.2000 gaylordhotels.com) Washington Open 24 hours a day The Hamilton a 37 000-squarefoot venue includes a 400Completed in May venue lounge or event seat restaurant and a 400Hilton McLean Tysons space. The gallery holds 150 seat performance space. Corner s 45 million for receptions and 60 for The Loft can accommodate renovation includes a new banquets. (1402 Meridian 80 seated guests or 100 3 000-square-foot ballroom Place NW 202.436.9118 for receptions. (600 14th that can accommodate thedunesdc.com) St. NW 202.787.1000 260 and an 18-hour bar The literal highlight of thehamiltondc.com) Technology Lounge with the renovated Carnegie The Madison completed free Wi-Fi. Upgrades also Library at Mt. Vernon Square a 20 million renovation in include energy-efficient is the L Enfant Map Room March that includes 12 000 lighting and heating and which has an illuminated square feet of function new air walls. (7920 Jones floor map of Washington. space featuring flat-screen Branch Drive McLean Va. This landmark features plasma TVs Bose speakers 703.847.5000 hiltonmclean a 150-seat theater and a and other state-of-the-art .com) grand plaza. (801 Mt Vernon technology. (1177 15th St. The Dunes art gallery can Place NW 202.249.3000 NW 202.862.1600 madison transform into a concert dcsportsent.com) hoteldc.com) By JENNY BERG ALESANDRA DUBIN BETH KORMANIK JOANA MANGUNE & BRENDAN SPIEGEL BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS DESTINATION REPORT 31 LAS VEGAS VENUES Las Vegas is a well-known meeting and convention destination with some of the largest--not to mention glitziest--venues in the country. The new Smith Center for the Performing Arts has gained national attention and new and updated museums are adding more cultural backdrops for meeting groups. In addition traditional hotel function spaces have been updated and a crop of new restaurants clubs and hotels rounds out the city s extensive venue offerings. By ALESANDRA DUBIN 154 bizbash.com july august 2012 Center Stage The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a publicprivate partnership that brings performances by resident companies as well as first-run touring attractions to town. The five-acre cultural campus includes three performance spaces the 2 050-seat main performance area in Reynolds Hall and Boman Pavilion s 258-seat cabaretjazz theater and 250-seat studio theater. (361 Symphony Park Ave. 702.614.0109) PHOTO GERI KODEY Our directory of Las Vegas venues bizbash.com lasvegasvenues Meeting Rooms Silk Road formerly the restaurant that opened with Vdara transformed into a private event space in spring 2011. It offers flexible meeting space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Nancy Rubin s sculpture Big Edge. There is more than 4 000 square feet of available meeting space with room for 200 guests. A private dining room is also available for smaller groups of as many as 14. (2600 West Harmon Ave. 866.760.2489) 2. Suitable for small meetings Harrah s has just 25 000 square feet of space making it seem tiny and manageable compared to other sprawling properties on the Vegas strip. The meeting space was recently revamped 1 with new wall coverings carpeting lighting fixtures and finishes. A variety of updated meeting rooms including the Elko Ely and Goldfield rooms each hold fewer than 50 guests in a classroomstyle arrangement. (3475 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.369.5000) Like Harrah s 3 Bally s is a Caesars Entertainment venue and its meeting space recently got a face-lift that included new wall coverings carpeting and lighting fixtures. Renovated small space in Bally s North Tower includes the Palace meeting rooms most of which hold about 30 classroom-style and the Director s Room a boardroom that seats 20. (3645 Las Vegas Blvd. South 804.448.2707) PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAVELLA AT LAKE LAS VEGAS RENDERING THE ROCKWELL GROUP (NOBU) SCOTT FRANCES (SILK ROAD) COURTESY OF CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT (BALLY S) 1 1 2 HOTELS 3 interior design that makes use of natural materials along with Nobu s signature Japanese style. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa s newest eatery The shuttered Ritz1 Carlton-Lake Las Nobu Restaurant and Lounge will encompass Vegas has been given a 9 500 square feet at the new life by Dolce Hotels & Resorts which reopened the base of the tower. (3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South former hotel as Ravella at 866.227.5938) Lake Las Vegas in February 2011. The 349-room property 3. Flamingo refurbished 2 307 hotel rooms in includes a 12 000-squareJanuary transforming the foot ballroom and the resort s standard rooms into 30 000-square-foot Spa at Ravella. (1610 Lake Las Vegas stylish and contemporary accommodations featuring Pkwy. 702.567.4700) splashes of the signature Caesars Palace Las 2 Vegas and Nobu Flamingo pink vintage Vegas art hardwood floors Hospitality are developing and wood furniture pieces. the first Nobu Hotel (3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South planned to open late this 800.732.2111) year. The 180-room Nobu 4. Caesars Palace s Octavius Hotel will offer 16 suites Tower a 668-room hotel and a penthouse with an tower including 60 suites and six luxury villas where groups can convene for meetings opened in January. The resort s sixth tower will have a private entrance separate lobby and direct access to a pool complex and gardens. Three new 8 800-square- foot Octavius Villas are now open with three more planned. (3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South 866.227.5938) 5. In 2011 the landmark Tropicana Las Vegas completed a 180 million overhaul with upgrades like a redesigned facade all-new rooms and suites new amenities restaurants and bars and entertainment and nightlife options. (3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South 888.810.767) bizbash.com july august 2012 155 Private Rooms 1. Located on Excalibur s Castle Walk mezzanine level the Buca di Beppo Strip location opened in winter 2011. The 8 500-square-foot restaurant s private area known as the wine room holds 50 guests. The poster room holds 30 and is curtained off for privacy. (412 East Flamingo Road 702.866.2867) 2. New York s Old Homestead Steakhouse opened its first West Coast location at Caesars Palace in winter 2011. With more than 6 000 square feet of space the eatery holds 250 with a full dining room private dining room lounge and bar. For intimate groups the private dining room holds 30 people and there is also a semiprivate table for 12. (3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.371.7110) 3. Public House opened in December 2011 at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian is a spin on an oldschool tavern or gastropub. A boardroom holds 11 and there is also a semiprivate space that can be become fully private by closing sliding doors it seats about 30. Both areas have audiovisual capabilities. (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.407.5310) The Barrymore opened 4 in September 2011 at the Royal Resort. The 1 400-square-foot space seats 60 guests in dining room one and 40 in dining room two. There is also a fireside patio that seats 20 or holds 35 for a reception. (99 Convention Center Drive 702.866.2159) 4 5 8 RESTAURANTS 1. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino introduced its newest restaurant 35 Steaks & Martinis in September 2011. The bar and lounge area has room for 35 and there s a private dining area for 12. Decor accents include custom chrome-plated chandeliers suspended from the main room as well as black pearl glass pendants and white shell sconces in the private dining area. (4455 Paradise Road 702.693.5585) 2. Flamingo Las Vegas opened the first West Coast location of high-energy Mexican eatery Carlos n Charlie s in April. The venue comprises more than 8 000 square feet. The dining room offers seating for 150 and a terrace overlooks the Flamingo pool and gardens accommodating an additional 150. The large bar seats 40 bringing the venue s full seating capacity to 340 with additional space for gathering and dancing. (3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.733.3111) 3. Southern Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Ch o opened its first Vegas location in November. Part of the Hughes Center development three miles from McCarran airport and one-half mile from the Strip the space comprises more than 14 000 square feet and offers nine private and semi-private dining rooms fully equipped with presentation screens and projectors making them well suited for meetings. (360 East Flamingo Road 702.431.4500) New York-based 4 the One Group has brought its STK steakhouse to the Las Vegas Strip. The Tempest Storm private dining suite seats 12 as does the Candy Barr private dining suite which can each be used for meetings. (3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South 877.551.7776) Crossroads is the new 5 name of the House of Blues restaurant at all of the chain s locations. While the name change didn t bring physical renovations to the Las Vegas location the venue does offer a new menu from chef Aar n Sanchez and audiovisual capabilities throughout including monitors as well as a video screen on the stage. The restaurant can be used for a festive evening meeting or groups can take over the House of Blues Music Hall or Foundation Room. (3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.632.7670) 6. Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace opened in September 2011 as the first-ever round-the-clock restaurant and the venue is courting meeting groups to its flexible space. The 9 600-square-foot restaurant seats about 300 guests in all including on a patio terrace that can be booked for private parties. With advance notice of at least 14 days Central is also available for buyouts for lunch meetings between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. (3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.650.5921) 7. The new American Burger Works at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino offers burgers and Belgium French fries with 15 dipping sauces including bacon-mustard chili-cilantro sour cream and Jack Daniel s ketchup. Healthier and breakfast options are also available at the venue where the design includes chandeliers made from mechanical gears and antique filament bulbs. The Industrial Revolutioninspired decor includes an entryway made from garage-style doors. (3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.597.7817) New York s Dom 8 DeMarco s Pizzeria & Bar opened in Summerlin in December 2011 offering its signature pizza as well as salads pasta wine and 12 craft beers on tap. The restaurant offers a lively bar scene and TVs. The space also has a patio that seats nearly 80 guests. (9785 West Charleston Blvd. 702.570.7000) 9. KJ Kitchen Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant is now open at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. It s the second location for the traditional Chinese restaurant and this 4 600-square-foot outpost holds 350 people for seated events. The dim sum experience includes a customary tableside cart allowing guests to visually select their options. (5960 Spring Mountain Road Suite 1 702.221.0456) 4 156 bizbash.com july august 2012 PHOTOS ANDREW JORGENSON COURTESY OF STK COURTESY OF CROSSROADS AT HOUSE OF BLUES ERIC ITA (DOM DEMARCO S) COURTESY OF THE BARRYMORE 2 3 1 PHOTOS RYAN FORBES AVABLU (SBE S HYDE) COURTESY OF 1OAK MARTIN TESSLER (LILY) COURTESY OF GALLERY NIGHTCLUB BEVERLEY POPPE PHOTOGRAPHY (MARTIN LAWRENCE GALLERIES) BARS & LOUNGES An outpost of SBE s Hyde opened at the Bellagio in the former Fontana Bar space has a loungey feel by day and a club vibe at night. The Philippe Starck-designed indoor outdoor lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terrace that overlooks the Fountains of Bellagio. The capacity is about 730 in 12 000 square feet. With 40 VIP tables Hyde is also available for private events. (3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.693.8700) 6 tail lounge is located in the resort s casino floor. Mixologist Emilio Tiburcio developed Lily s cocktail menu and appetizers and small plates are also available. Design firm Munge Leung is behind the design which includes mahogany colors and golden tones. (3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.693.8300) 4. Drive This Entertainment opened Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on October. The 8 000-square-foot restau3. The Nevada State Museum reopened at the end of October at the Springs Preserve. Its function space holds 200 and has a catering kitchen. An additional room holds another 100 people resulting in room for 300 for private events. The Springs Preserve location means there is no smoking on the grounds. Private events can be scheduled for any day of the week although the museum is only open Fridays through Sundays. (309 South Valley View Blvd. 702.486.5205) rant and bar transforms into a high-energy rock club by night with music and entertainment. The venue is available for buyout with a capacity of 400. (3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.597.7818) 5. Bagatelle America partners Remi Laba and Aymeric Clemente along with the One Group opened Bagatelle Beach & Nightclub at Tropicana Las Vegas in June. The new venue which serves as a dayclub and nightclub is furnished with daybeds cabanas and chaise lounges and offers Mediterranean fare as well as bocce and volleyball courts. (3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.739.2222) Gallery Nightclub 6 opened in April 2011 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Designed by Amy Kim of AK DesignNetwork the 20 000-square-foot space merges vintage gothic design with modern touches. The space is available for full buyout with a capacity of 2 300. (3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.776.7776) 1 The Light Group opened 1Oak at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on December 2011. Private events can be held in the 16 000-square-foot club which was designed by Munge Leung and has the capacity for 1 500 guests. A V.I.P. room holds 340 people. (3400 S Las Vegas Blvd. 702.588.5656) The Light Group 3 opened Lily Bar & Lounge at Bellagio Resort & Casino in February. The 3 393-square-foot cock- 2 Museums & Galleries 1. The Mob Museum opened to the public on February 14. The downtown Las Vegas space tells the story of organized crime and law enforcement including the mob s impact on the city s history. The venue is available for booking as an event space and also offers special rates and packages to groups of 12 or more for a day at the property. (300 Stewart Ave. 702.229.2734) The team behind 2 the new Martin Lawrence Galleries at the Forum Shops at Caesars is billing it as possibly the biggest art gallery in the U.S. with more than 26 000 square feet of gallery exhibition and event space in all. There are soaring 80-foot ceilings a 20-foot-tall neon Art sign huge guillotine walls that can be raised and lowered an enormous projection wall and a sound system. (3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.991.5990) 2 bizbash.com july august 2012 157 BUILDING BETTER MEETINGS Whether you are looking for a large ballroom for a meeting or a small venue for a dinner gathering Orlando has several new options. Renovations at many existing hotels added new event space including several outdoor areas to make the most of the region s climate. International Drive welcomed many new venues all within close proximity to the Orange County Convention Center. Planners looking to add some fun to their events also have new options to consider with the addition of several facilities for teambuilding and entertainment. By MITRA SORRELLS 158 bizbash.com july august 2012 Our directory of Orlando venues bizbash.com orlandovenues PHOTO COURTESY OF WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT BONNET CREEK DESTINATION REPORT 34 ORLANDO VENUES River s Edge Open since October the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is located on the edge of Walt Disney World. The property includes 400 guest rooms and suites and 25 000 square feet of function space. The two ballrooms each accommodate as many as 200 guestsfor seated functions or 800 for receptions. (14651 Chelonia Pkwy. 407.390.2300) Private Rooms The ultimate setting for an intimate dinner party The Table opened in August 2011 in the Dellagio complex. The 1 000-squarefoot space feels like a chic residential dining room and seats 22 guests for dinner. Private groups can also use the restaurant for receptions of 40. (8060 Via Dellagio Way Suite 106 407.900.3463) 2. Creating an interactive party is the focus at R Kitchen inside the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. Guests can help chefs in the open kitchen or sit back and watch as their meal is prepared. The venue seats 50 people inside the kitchen or holds 200 guests for receptions. (6677 Sear Harbor Drive 800.327.6677) 3. RanGetsu a Japanese restaurant that was on International Drive for nearly 25 years before closing in 2010 reopened about 20 miles north in Maitland in May 2011. The 9 000-squarefoot facility is available for buyout and seats 160 indoors and 80 on a patio that overlooks Lake Lily. The main dining area can be sectioned off with curtains for semiprivate events of 20. (901 South Orlando Ave. Maitland 407.345.0044) 1 1 2 5 PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TABLE COURTESY OF SHERATON LAKE BUENA VISTA RESORT MATT STROSHANE DISNEY (ART OF ANIMATION RESORT) COURTESY OF GAYLORD PALMS RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER COURTESY OF TITANIC THE EXPERIENCE HOTELS The former Sheraton Safari Suites is now the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. A 25 million renovation added new decor indoor and outdoor restaurants and a patio that can be used for private events. By the end of this year the hotel will have 20 000 square feet of modernized event space including a new 7 000-square-foot ballroom. (12205 South 1 Apopka Vineland Road 407.239.0444) After a recent 50 2 million renovation the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center offers a new 10 000-squarefoot lawn accommodating as many as 1 000 for receptions. Inside the new Wreckers Sports Bar seats 400 and has a balcony overlooking the South Beach Pool. (6000 Osceola Pkwy. Kissimmee 407.586.0000) 3. In March the Ramada Place Resort and Suites International Drive opened a new 12-story tower adding meeting space a rooftop bar and 131 onebedroom suites. The Tropical Ballroom is 2 775 square feet and seats 120 for dinner or 180 classroom-style. Overlooking Sandy Lake the Terrace Lounge is also available for private groups. (6500 International Drive 407.345.5340) 4. The Renaissance Orlando at Sea World recently completed a five-year 35 million renovation project. The hotel now has 185 000 square feet of function space including a 8 000-square-foot lawn next to the pool 23 breakout rooms and a 2 000-square-foot meeting room that can be divided with air walls. (6677 Sea Harbor Drive 407.351.5555) Disney s newest 5 hotel is opening in stages this summer. The Art of Animation Resort has 1 120 suites designed after Finding Nemo Cars and The Lion King and 864 rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid. The resort will also have three pools and four courtyards. (1850 Century Drive Lake Buena Vista 407.824.4321) Exhibits 1. CSI The Experience puts guests in the middle of a crime scene based on the popular television series. The interactive exhibit opened in March on International Drive. It s located in a 22 000-square-foot facility that will have private event space opening in the future. (7220 International Drive 407.226.7220) Marking the 2 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic in April Premier Exhibitions added 100 authentic artifacts to its 20 000-square-foot interactive museum on International Drive known as Titanic The Experience. Among the pieces on display is a two-ton section of the ship s hull. Group rates are available. (7324 International Drive 800.840.1157) 2 1 bizbash.com july august 2012 159 2 5 2 Restaurants 5 1. Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar is a new dining option in Epcot s Italy pavilion. The space has seating for 75 in an intimate setting complete with stone walls vaulted ceilings and a fireplace. The restaurant offers a small-plate menu and more than 200 wines. It is adjacent to the newly renovated Tutto Italia Ristorante which has seating for 250 including space for 45 on a covered patio. (Walt Disney World Epcot World Showcase 407.939.3463) Fogo de Ch o opened 2 its first Orlando location in March on International Drive about a mile north of the Orange County Convention Center. The 12 000-square-foot Brazilian restaurant seats 400. Five private dining rooms hold as many as 150 people and include Wi-Fi and motorized projection screens. (8282 International Drive 407.370.0711) 3. Inside the new Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek Deep Blu Seafood Grille is an upscale restaurant specializing in fresh Atlantic seafood Japanese sushi and contemporary fusion fare. The restaurant holds 153 guests and has a private dining room with seating for 30. (14651 Chelonia Pkwy. 407.390.2300) 4. From the minds behind Luma on Park the new Italian restaurant Prato opened November 2011 in Winter Park. The exposed brick walls and woodbeam ceilings add to the pastoral atmosphere. The 4 300-square-foot restaurant seats 145 and there is sidewalk seating for 25. (124 North Park Ave. Winter Park 407.622.0697) Located on the ground 5 floor of the Sanctuary condominium Prickly Pear is a 3 500-square-foot restaurant with designed with Southwestern influences. The L-shaped space seats as many as 150 at tables and a large bar. A front patio has room for 75 seated. (100 South Eola Drive Suite 105 407.781.2539) 6. Also in the Sanctuary condominium Nick s Italian Kitchen serves handmade pasta dishes fresh fish and daily featured risotto. The 2 000-square-foot restaurant surrounds guests with tones of muted gold gray and burgundy and has seating for 75 inside and 50 on the front patio. (100 South Eola Drive Suite 104 407.781.0724) PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA ECOSAFARIS AT FOREVER FLORIDA COURTESY OF AIRHEADS TRAMPOLINE ARENA FERNANDO MEDINA FOGO DE CH O MICHAEL PISARRI (PRATO) ACTIVITY VENUES 1. The 40 000-square-foot Dave & Buster s entertainment complex opened in July 2011. The space accommodates 2 000 people among games galore. The main private room is 2 000 square feet and can seat 150 or hold 225 for receptions. Two executive boardrooms hold about 40 people. Wi-Fi is available. (8986 International Drive 407.541.3300) Florida EcoSafaris at 2 Forever Florida added several attractions suitable for teambuilding. The facility now has the nation s first zip-line roller coaster a 1 300-foot straightaway zip line and an extreme swing. The 4 700-acre ranch and conservation area also offers tours by coach or on horseback and has a restaurant with meeting space. (4755 North Kenansville Road St. Cloud 407.957.9794) 3. The new Exotic Driving Experience offers guests the chance to ride along with a professional driver or to drive one of the company s exotic cars at the Walt Disney World Speedway. Vehicles include models from Lamborghini Ferrari Audi and Porsche. The facility accommodates groups of 30 people for events and offers space for tented meetings. (6022 Victory Lane Concord 855.822.0149) 4. Grand Reef is the newest section of Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando. Guests can walk swim and snorkel in the 875 000gallon saltwater reef filled with 125 species of sea life. Amenities include meals snacks and beverages throughout the day s adventures. (6000 Discovery Cove Way 877.434.7268) Just south of down5 town Orlando AirHeads Trampoline Arena accommodates 125 jumpers at a time. The minimum for a teambuilding event is 20 people. The facility also has three meeting rooms and offers light food service. (33 West Pineloch Ave. 407.505.5867) 6. Central Florida s newest theme park Legoland Florida opened in October 2011. The 150-acre park is intended for families with children but many of the attractions can be used for teambuilding. The park has three large restaurants and several quick service options. (6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Winter Haven 877.350.5346) 7. Boing Jump Center consists of three areas a large area for open jump a 360-degree dodgeball arena and a 65-foot trampoline half-pipe. The facility can create structured jumping activities and dodgeball tournaments. There s also an arcade snack bar and private rooms. Group pricing is available for 20 or more people. (532 South Econ Circle Suite 120 Oviedo 407.542.7844) 160 bizbash.com july august 2012 4 BARS & LOUNGES 1. The Pub opened in February at Pointe Orlando on International Drive. Kilt-clad servers dish out a variety of British pub fare such as fish and chips and shepherd s pie along with salads sandwiches and burgers. Two tap walls allow guests to pour their own beer and pay by the ounce. The venue has seating for 175 inside and a front patio that can accommodate 40 people. Sections can be roped off for semiprivate events. (9101 International Drive 407.352.2305) 2. Florida s first Se or Frog s location opened January 2012 on International Drive touting itself as a place where anything can happen. The bright decor enhances the tropical theme in the 14 000-square-foot restaurant and bar. Two semiprivate rooms seat between as many as 50 guests or the entire restaurant is available for buyout for as many as800 people. (8747 International 5 Drive 407.351.2525) 3. The 3 168-square-foot Sonoma Draught House seats 75 guests at hightop tables. The front patio rents out to accommodate 75 or 30 in a semiprivate area. The menu features nearly 100 craft beers and northern California-inspired cuisine. (101 South Eola Drive 407.730.3400) One-of-a-kind Touch 4 allows clientele to order drinks and play games from tables embedded with touch screens. The 5 000-square-foot nightclub divides into three areas-- the main club downstairs an upstairs room known as the Bridge and the intimate Hush Room. (55 West Church St. 888.455.2634) Offering a variety 5 of beer and hot dog combinations Frank & Steins is one of downtown Orlando s newest bars. The bar holds 125 people. Private groups of as many as 20 can use a small mezzanine at the top of a spiral staircase. (150 South Magnolia Ave. 407.412.9230) 6. Dining and nightlife options in downtown s Eola Square continue to grow with the July opening of Aura Bar and Restaurant. Aura will serve modern American cuisine along with cocktails prepared with fresh-fruit-infused liquor. The venue will have seating for 190 inside and 210 on the patio. (101 South Eola Drive 407.480.4433) Entertainment PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOUCH CG IMAGERY (FRANK & STEINS) COURTESY OF DRIP COURTESY OF VICTORY CASINO CRUISE Boats & Yachts 1. The Disney Fantasy set sail in March. The company s newest ship has 1 250 staterooms and holds 4 000 passengers. It has two large theaters the Walt Disney Theatre with seating for 1 340 and the smaller 399-seat Buena Vista Theatre. The ship has a full-time group services manager who can coordinate teambuilding activities. (321.939.7221) Victory Casino Cruises offers special menus and discounts for private parties aboard its 320-foot gambling ship. Guests can keep busy with hundreds of slot machines blackjack roulette poker craps and a large dance club. The ship sets sail from Port Canaveral and accommodates 1 200 passengers. (Terminal B2 180 Christopher Columbus Drive Cape Canaveral 321.799.0021) Performance art group Drip is operating out of a new facility on International Drive. The show combines live music and dancers who use sand paint and water in an up-close adults-only performance. The new 5 100-square-foot space accommodates 300 guests and shows can be tailored to meet the needs of any group. (8747 International Drive 347.855.3747) 2. Universal Orlando revamped the Blue Man Group show with new staging technology music and entertainment in February. The show performs one or twice every night in a 1 000-seat theater. (Sharp Aquos Theatre Universal CityWalk 407.258.3626) 1 2 2 1 Sunconventional. Discover the lighter brighter side of meetings and an award-winning service team. Scan the tag to watch Meetings with a View and enter to win a three-night stay at a Lauderdale Luxe hotel. For details call 800-356-1662 or visit sunny.org watch2winmeetings s c a n VisitLauderdale Get the free app at http gettag.mobi ADVERTISEMENT INDUSTRY CORNER VenueConnect 2012 Fort Lauderdale will be the home of VenueConnect 2012 the signature event of the International Association of Venue Managers. On July 22nd The Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center will welcome more than 2 000 venue and facility managers from around the country to the conference. Attendees will enjoy educational sessions covering everything from finance to purchasing and 250 exhibitors will be present to showcase products. The keynote speaker Frank Abagnale who was played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film Catch Me If You Can will be on hand to share stories from his life as a notorious con man and to provide a unique perspective on protecting venues from fraud embezzlement and identity theft. We are ready for VenueConnect 2012 said Nicki Grossman CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Greater Fort Lauderdale is delighted about the opportunity to show the facility management industry all that we have to offer from the seagrass on the beach to the sawgrass in the Everglades. For more information about VenueConnect 2012 please visit www.iavm.org 2012_conf. Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center Nearing LEED Certification The S.M.G.-managed Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center has completed the comprehensive process of transforming its 600 000-square-foot facility into a model of sustainability and has submitted documentation to the Green Building Certification Institute an arm of the U.S. Green Building Council with the goal of receiving the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for Operations and Management of an Existing Building. We are anticipating great results for this effort and new business attention on this remarkable facility said Nicki Grossman President C.E.O. of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Convention Center s LEED-certification process began in 2008 with enthusiastic support from the C.V.B. and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as well as a commitment from S.M.G. to convert the facility into a state-of-the-art energyefficient environmentally sound carbon-neutral building. Since then numerous eco-friendly enhancements have been made to the Convention Center s daily operations from water usage lighting recycling and energy conservation to other key applications like installation of a commercial organic-waste decomposition machine known as the Digester. Creating an environmentally sustainable building is a mind-set that must be evident in the decisions and actions shaping every aspect of ongoing operations said Convention Center Regional Manager Mark Gatley. For more information visit ftlauderdalecc.com. Flavors of Fort Lauderdale Flavors of Fort Lauderdale is a fourday event to be held this November to celebrate the local and regional culinary industry. The event will feature restaurants and chefs as well as world-class wines and spirits gourmet specialty foods and lifestyle experiences. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit Feeding South Florida. Flavors of Fort Lauderdale will be November 8th-11th. For tickets a schedule of events and information please visit www. FlavorsFortLauderdale.com. ADVERTISEMENT INDUSTRY CORNER Calendar of Events July Taste of Chicago July 11-15 Grant Park Choosechicago.com Pitchfork Music Festival July 13-15 Union Park Pitchforkmusicfestival.com Gold Coast Art Fair July 14-15 Grant Park Amdurproductions.com August Lollapalooza August 3-5 Grant Park Lollapalooza.com Northalsted Market Days August 11-12 Halsted Street Northalsted.com Chicago Air & Water Show August 18-19 North Avenue Beach Choosechicago.com In-Fashion The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival August 24-September 6 The Magnificent Mile Themagnificentmile.com Chicago Jazz Festival August 30-September 2 Various locations Jazzinchicago.org jazzfest September Ryder Cup September 25-30 Medinah Country Club Rydercup.com Chicago Gourmet September 28-30 Millennium Park Chicagogourmet.org Q & A with Warren Wilkinson Chief Marketing Officer for Choose Chicago You ve recently launched a new brand campaign -- what is the message The overall brand strategy incorporates a bold and confident voice casting aside the city s old moniker The Second City by leveraging the city s leadership position in a wide range of areas including dining theater and cultural attractions. The goal of the branding initiative is to significantly increase the number of visitors to Chicago which will result in new jobs millions of dollars in local spending and increased tax revenues for the City. Why should planners choose Chicago for their events For more than half a century Chicago s McCormick Place has built a reputation as the country s premier facility for meetings and conventions. The largest convention center in the Western Hemisphere stands proud as a gateway to Chicago and Illinois welcoming millions of visitors each year for meetings and conventions. A significant factor in site selection can be attributed to Chicago s unrivaled assets -- central location diverse hotel inventory world-renowned restaurants premier shopping a vibrant arts community and extensive cultural attractions. What are the next big things for conventions in Chicago Continued labor reform. In June a new union agreement between McCormick Place Navy Pier the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2 enhanced Chicago s attraction as a premier business destination. This most recent labor reform allows McCormick Place to compete more aggressively for corporate and association convention business and ultimately creates greater cost savings for show management. IATSE stagehands can now complete a type of work previously conducted by IBEW electricians. IATSE members will now be allowed to install operate and remove the audio visual sound and lighting equipment in certain areas used for presentations and performances and to plug in. Electricians will continue to complete all of the work they have historically completed in Exhibit Booths and other areas not used for presentations or performances. Contact Us Choose Chicago choosechicago.com For more information about Chicago as a meeting destination please visit www.choosechicago.com meeting-professionals whychoose-chicago Michael Tarr mtarr choosechicago.com 312-567-8500 Choose Chicago Mobile App Delivering the best of Chicago on-the-go. Restaurants shopping deals and more. Available in July on iPhone and Android. ADVERTISEMENT INDUSTRY CORNER Rosemont Venues at a Glance Kings Lanes Lounge & Sports King Pin Private Bowling (capacity 60 guests ) Upper Concourse (140 guests) Kings Corner (30 guests) Billiard Lounge (30 guests) Restaurant Lounge (125 guests) Kings Patio (40 guests) Main Bowling Lanes (120 guests) Whole Venue (600 guests) Five Roses Pub Small Snug (25 guests) Back Bar (25-150 guests) Semi-private space on main floor also available. Park Tavern Skybar (outdoor space)(150 guests) Main dining room available only for restaurant buyout (250 guests) Zanies Comedy Club Whole venue 250 guests Toby Keith s I Love This Bar & Grill Private Barns (2) (40 guests each) VIP Room (35 guests) The MB Financial Park at Rosemont Now Open The Village of Rosemont is excited to welcome planners to the newly completed MB Financial Park at Rosemont. The sparkling entertainment district offers a variety of venue options themed bars casual dining luxury bowling movies and a comedy club. A 30 000 square-foot courtyard anchors the heart of The Park. The courtyard will host seasonal events including farmers markets outdoor movies and ice skating. In June The Park hosted it s 1st annual Rockin in the Park a free music festival. The MB Financial Park at Rosemont is located 20 minutes from downtown Chicago and only two miles from O Hare airport making it convenient for both local and out-of-town attendees. Accommodations are no problem as six hotels are within walking distance from The Park. Rosemont is home to over 5 000 hotel rooms. Guests can park in the amply sized attached covered parking garage. We re really excited for the MB Financial Park at Rosemont said Christopher Stephens Executive Director of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. It brings our destination a big advantage and a new dimension that planners are looking for. The dining options are all themed including Five Roses Irish Pub Adobe Gila s My Big Fat Greek Restaurant The Park Tavern and Hofbr uhaus Rosemont. All the restaurants have the flexibility to host parties and events from 15 to 600. Entertainment options include the 18-screen Muvico Theater Kings Lanes & Lounge Zanies Comedy Club and Toby Keith s I Love This Bar And Grill. Area options include the Akoo performing arts theatre Allstate Arena and The Ballpark at Rosemont home to the Chicago Bandits professional women s softball team. The Ballpark is also available for full or partial rental for a one-of-a-kind event. The MB Financial Park at Rosemont will also soon be neighbors to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago - Rosemont which will be 550 000 square feet of high-end premium outlet shopping. The outlets are still in development but when open will add another element to events at The Park. Located just two blocks from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center the MB Financial Park at Rosemont is the perfect supplement to large meetings and conventions. (847.692.2220 TheCanDoAttitude.com) Muvico 18 Theater VIP Movie Theater Rentals (300 guests) Akoo Theatre Seating Capacity 4 400 (total) 2 240 (main floor) 2 080 (balcony) 90 (pit) Meeting Space Theatre accommodates 1 000-4 300 for events and presentations Multi-level VIP Room accommodates 50-250 Lobby accommodates 1 700 guests seated 3 000 cocktails Allstate Arena Seating Capacity 18 500 (in the round 360 degrees) 16 500 (270 degrees) 14 500 (stage one end) Meeting Space 12 500 square foot room. Additional 4 meeting rooms--50 capacity each Additional 2 meeting rooms--250 capacity each Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 840 000 square feet of exhibit space 92 000 square feet of meeting space The Ballpark at Rosemont 2 000 seats ADVERTISEMENT INDUSTRY CORNER ISES New York Metro is Thrilled to Present the 2012 Big Apple Awards Nominees Winners will be announced at the gala June 27 at the American Museum of Natural History. For a list of winners visit isesnyc.com baa2012winners Best Corporate or Association Event (budget over 50 000) Barkley Kalpak Associates for MasterCard s Sales Leadership Meeting Barkley Kalpak Associates for The LG Mobile Worldcup Championship Eventsful for Google s Mansion Mayhem ISES New York Metro 2012-13 Board OFFICERS President Paul Neuman Neuman s Catering President-Elect Adam Sloyer Sequence Events Immediate Past President Debra Roth Pink Powered by Moss VP Membership Amber Mundinger Karl s Event Services VP Education and Programs Michele Sinacore Michele Sinacore Events VP Communication Suzanne Carawan Etouches DIRECTORS two year term Director of Education and Programs Sandra Winstanley Sandra Winstanley Events Director of Communication Colie Edison Bowlmor Director at Large for Big Apple Awards Brooksie Hughes BAH Productions completing 2nd year of term Director at Large for CSR and Sustainability Jill Taub Drury Drury Design Dynamics Director of Membership Alexis Fine DeAngelis The Glazier Group Director at Large Susan Hudgins Fourth Wall Events Director at Large Ellie Winkleman SL Green Realty Best use of Graphic Design Ceci New York for Joanne and Drew s Wedding Save the Date Ceci New York for Katie Allen s Wedding Invitation michele sinacore events for Undertone s External Launch Event Best Corporate or Association Event (budget under 50 000) Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty for the National Park Service s 125 Birthday Celebration of the Statue of Liberty EVENTSTYLE for StriVectin s Get Even with Age Spots Launch Event Neuman s Catering for the TBWA Chiat Holiday Party Best Social Event or Wedding Carolyn Dempsey Design for Daffodil Surprise Wedding Library for the Failing Wedding Wedding Library for the Katzap Wedding Best Tabletop Design A List Marketing for SL Green Realty Corp. s Annual Investor Holiday Party Spiderman Turn Off The Dark Carolyn Dempsey Design for Daffodil Surprise ZAK EVENTS for Allison s Bat Mitzvah Best Room Design Event D cor Set Design Carolyn Dempsey Design for Daffodil Surprise Fourth Wall Events for Hawaii Incentive Under the Sea Art Installation jesGORDON properFUN for Pinch Food Design s Launch Best Venue Karl s Event Services for the Tents for Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Metronome Hospitality Group for Crimson Best Technical Support Barkley Kalpak Associates for The LG Mobile Worldcup Championship Corporate Audio Visual Services for The Celebration of Teaching and Learning Karl s Event Services for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Best Photography or Videography Avenue 5 Films for Dyson s Air Supply Product Launch New York Yankees for The New Era Pinstripe Bowl Proteus Productions for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society s Light the Night Best Non-Profit Event Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty for NECO s Ellis Island Medals of Honor New York Yankees for Beyond Sport United s Beyond Sport Summit Silhouette Group Inc. for Asia Society s Celebration of Asia Week Benefit Best New Product Fifth Avenue Digital for the Digital Social Media Portal GreenRoom for GreenRoom s Furniture Collection Pink Powered by Moss for The Wave Form Join ISES International for Eventworld 2012 http tinyurl.com ISESEW2012 Like Our Facebook Page facebook.com isesnyc Follow Us on Twitter isesnyc ADVERTISEMENT LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER CONCOURSE HALL WEDNESDAY JUNE 13 2012 On June 13 more than 1 400 event professionals gathered at BizBash IdeaFest Los Angeles sponsored by the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event encouraged planners to get inspired by their surroundings and incorporate the new ideas information and trends they obtained throughout the day to become the authority in planning their upcoming events. Preparations on-site began the day before the show with a smooth exhibitor move-in overseen by GES and strong staff communication facilitated by SJM Industrial Radio. Out-of-town attendees stayed at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles and could enjoy the beat of downtown L.A. with its historic old town shops and restaurants within walking distance of the convention center. BizBash IdeaFest began with a morning general session open to all attendees. BluePrint Studios designed the main stage to capture the fresh new feel of IdeaFest while Honeysweet Productions managed stage production. LA Sound s soundscaping mixed with ShowPro s projection-mapping effects and GLOW Design Group s slide design and content ensured a flawless flow. After roaming the trade show floor guests were invited to join the Top 100 Events Luncheon sponsored by Constant Contact. The stage featured backdrops by Grosh which illuminated the room and complementary tabletop linen and service wear from Premier Party Rentals. Cirque-tacular Entertainment provided entertainment for luncheon guests. The afternoon general session featured Branden Chapman from the Recording Academy discussing the event technology revolution. Later on the trade show floor the Event Leadership Institute Knowledge Forum Lounge provided by kool. Party Rentals was a popular spot for attendees to check out flash education sessions all afternoon. L.A. Sound ensured that all audiovisual needs were met for numerous conference program rooms and the main stage as well. The day concluded with a cocktail party with food provided by Aramark and drinks served up by Patr n Tequila. Photos by Brightroom and video by BizClip captured the full day from the trade show to the general sessions and conference program happenings. BizBash would like to extend a very special thanks to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board for welcoming BizBash and attendees to Los Angeles as well as Event Leadership Institute A1 Party and IML who helped make the IdeaFest an event to remember. Be sure to visit the Web site to access IdeaFest photo albums and post-event information. Archive Vintage Rentals showcased their many vintage designs inspiring trade show attendees. The expo stage was a flurry of activity with a discussion of the event technology revolution by Branden Chapman of the Recording Academy. ADVERTISEMENT The morning general session featured a performance by Le Ombr provided by Entertainment Plus Productions. Hey Mr. DJ provided beats that kept the audience pumped and ready for more. Once checked in guests could organize their BizBash IdeaFest itineraries in the comfortable Blofield Air Design registration lounge provided by CORT. Air Dimensional Design Inc. s booth featured their illuminated fabric inflatable designs of flowers stars and glowing orbs. The Company Men from About Entertainment entertained attendees with their medley of pop hits. Champagne Creative Group wowed guests on the trade show floor with their surprise performances. Attendees explored the newly redesigned BizBash Web site at idea pods by Blueprint Studios. Entertainment Plus Productions provided a glowing digital wall capturing the attention of attendees showing the new branding for BizBash IdeaFest. ADVERTISEMENT The E.L.I. Knowledge Forum Lounge provided by kool. Party Rentals was a popular spot for attendees to check out flash education sessions all afternoon. Empire Event Rentals colorful sequined chairs were a must-see for planners on the trade show floor. Melissa Darpina and Alec Lestr of Patina Restaurant Group led another education program Trends in Catering. Guests enjoyed tastings of their own hors d oeuvre creations. On the day of the expo registration was provided by SMARTreg International Inc. Computers and printers supplied by NMR kept registrants moving along in a timely fashion. Guests each received a recycled electric-blue bag from Backdrops Fantastic that included inserts from Badgetec and Backdrops Beautiful. Luxe Event Rentals provided sleek furniture for the new BizBash Ideation Salon consultation sessions and many new furniture designs. Renowned celebrity event planner Kevin Lee of LA Premier congratulated Cheryl Cecchetto and her team following Cecchetto s morning keynote presentation which shared her experiences producing the Governors Balls for the Academy Awards and the Emmys. Calamigos Ranch shared images of their stunning special event location in the Malibu Wine Country while Runway Waiters shared information about their high fashion models skilled in bartending. This year s Design Lab led by Erin Patrick McDonald from Erin Patrick Event and sponsored by BBJ featured an array of items for attendees to use in creating the perfect tabletop. ADVERTISEMENT Guests enjoyed the Top 100 Events Luncheon honoring the best and most renowned events in Los Angeles sponsored by Constant Contact and Aramark. Society Awards sponsored the ever-popular Readers Choice Awards a crowd favorite. All events throughout the day were available on the BizBash mobile app provided by Wizard Event Technologies. AFR Event Furnishings provided lounge furnishings where attendees could sit and relax discussing the innovative new products featured on the trade show floor. Arclite Inc. created a magical atmosphere with their replicas of indoor-outdoor trees one of the planner favorites of the day. Event sponsors as of 6.5.12 Los Angeles Convention Center ADVERTISEMENT 2012 BizBash Los Angeles Readers Choice Awards Winners and Finalists In the second-annual Los Angeles Readers Choice Awards BizBash readers nominated their favorite event industry professionals and voted to determine the winners. Association Event Planner of the Year WINNER Wayneston Harbeson National Association of Television Program Executives RUNNERS-UP Sherry Hall California Association of Health Facilities Monica King California Association of Realtors Alejandro Menchaca Latino Professional Network Cathy Novaresi Association of California Nurse Leaders Shana Ostrovitz American Diabetes Association Patricia Wall Hospital Association of Southern California RUNNERS-UP Cathy Alas Los Angeles Convention Center Don Brookshire Beverly Hilton Tiffany Lai Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air Tony Maalouf The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Cecil Rajendra Pacific Palms Resort & Conference Center Harvey Stern Bellagio Caterer of the Year (In-House) WINNER Caterer of the Year (Off-Premise) WINNER Venue Manager of the Year WINNER Social Event Planner of the Year WINNER Frank Fraser Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino RUNNERS-UP Elle Nucci Premiere Events RUNNERS-UP Mandy Hanlon Petersen Automotive Museum RUNNERS-UP Sarah Lowy JOWY Productions Gary Arabia Global Cuisine by Chef Gary Arabia Bibiana Deaver Pinkberry Alan Dunn Tres L.A. Daniel Flores Bread & Wine Catering Joe Melillo Epicurean Events Los Angeles Mary Micucci Along Came Mary Productions Youngho Yoo Kogi BBQ Samantha Bransky-Scott Los Angeles County Museum of Art Vivian Campbell W Hotel Hollywood Joel Castillo Dal Toro Ristorante & Event Center Liz Dugan Annenberg Community Beach House Preston Gaspar Belasco Theater Melissa Goodman Sadie Kitchen & Lounge Becky Posternak Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Kimberly Clark drezrehersal Lifestyle Co. Jenifour Jones Go Get It Events Charley King Bluebell Events Sarajane Landun SJL Events Colette Lopez La Fete Weddings Heidi Mayne Red25 Events Reality Show Event Planner of the Year WINNER Event Producer of the Year WINNER Entertainment Act of the Year WINNER PR Professional of the Year WINNER Deanna Valencia Los Angeles Convention Center Anika Warden-Ingalls Vibiana Brian Watson STAPLES Center RUNNERS-UP David Tutera My Fair Wedding Jason Harder Shiraz Events RUNNERS-UP Liquid Blue RUNNERS-UP David Garibaldi s Rhythm and Hue De Leon Productions Infusion Xperience Matz and Moser Zen Arts Robert Badgley The Visionary Group Cheryl Cecchetto Sequoia Productions Ashley Dimond Los Angeles Party Designs Lisette Elhayani Fresh Wata Jaime Geffen YourBash Russell Harris Russell Harris Event Group Cara Kleinhaut Caravents RUNNERS-UP Rachel Weil Weil Public Relations Event Designer of the Year WINNER Colin Cowie Don t Be Tardy for the Wedding Kevin Lee The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Dina Manzo Dina s Party Real Housewives of New Jersey Christina Cassidy MusiCares & GRAMMY Foundation Ingrid Chapman Chapman Communications Brendan Flynn Los Angeles Auto Show Andy Gelb Slate PR Kim Kessler Fours Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Mary Ann McQueen-Butcher Authentic PR Chet Mehta Sunshine Sachs Lisa Summers About Town Public Relations RUNNERS-UP Rene Delacueva R. Jack Balthazar Brian Diamond The Visionary Group Janet Elkins EventWorks Samantha Heart Hampton & Heart Chad Hudson Chad Hudson Events Mircea Manea Blueprint Studios Joe Moller Joe Moller Events Alexandra Rembac-Goldberg Sterling Engagements Ricardo Luna Luna Gardens Events Shawn Rabideau Bethenny Ever After Bethenny Getting Married Fund-Raising Event Planner of the Year WINNER Stephanie Jernigan Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts RUNNERS-UP Velma Brooks-Benson Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Stacy Seligman-Kravitz Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Jen Poyer Catalina Island Conservancy Dana Tomarken MusiCares & GRAMMY Foundation Carmen Torres The Lopez Foundation DJ of the Year WINNER Germaine Moody Germaine Moody Events Tim Swift Bounce Maggie Swisher Swisher Productions DJ Lee Dyson Hey Mister DJ RUNNERS-UP DJ KC Campbell VOX DJs Casey Connor DJ Casey Connor Joey Dimarino DJ Joey D Zen Freeman DJ Zen Freeman Michelle Pesce DJ Pesce Tessa Young DJ Tesslove Jason Wanderer Precision Event Group Corporate Event Planner of the Year WINNER RUNNERS-UP Cynthia Castro Pasadena Magazine Michael Vargo The Walt Disney Company King Dahl MGM Resorts Patricia Moore Mattel Jonathan Murnane Activision Kimberly Seeherman Events By Fabulous Joanne Valentine Moxie Creative Brian Worley YourBash Shawna Yamamoto Shawna Yamamoto Event Design ADVERTISEMENT FEATURED IDEA BOOKS LIGHT UP SPECIAL OCCASIONS See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM THE COOPER UNION Cigar Country 887.277.8561 www.cigarcountry.com Cigar Country is the only online cigar store that specializes in customized premium brand cigars such as Arturo Fuente Montecristo and Romeo & Julieta. Every cigar is specially selected from the factory of origin and shipped direct to you Perfect for celebrating weddings corporate events or any other special occasions The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Cooper Square New York NY 10003 212.353.4196 sarkis cooper.edu The historic Great Hall of The Cooper Union accommodates 865 in a majestic atmosphere. Across the street the 200seat Rose Auditorium is a contemporary gem in a LEED Platinum setting. Both welcome your New York events (with full A V and facilities for light refreshments) in the exciting East Village. The Glasshouses 545 W 25th St. NYC 212.242.7800 info theglasshouses.com www.theglasshouses.com The Glasshouses is a premier event space in NYC with unmatched spectacular views of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. Situated in the gallery district of Chelsea The Glasshouses with its open layout floor to ceiling windows and a terrace provides attractive modern canvas setting for any type of events. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 ADVERTISEMENT See Save & Share more idea books at bizbash.com EAT DRINK LISTEN FEATURED IDEA BOOKS MIX. MINGLE. MEET. COME FOR DINNER STAY FOR THE MUSIC The Hamilton 600 14th Street NW Washington DC 20005 202.787.1000 www.thehamiltondc.com Fast-becoming Washington DC s new favorite gathering place for music & dining with a creative menu of sushi charcuterie & seasonal American fare. The Hamilton LIVE music venue is dedicated to celebrating the talent & passion of America s best artists. Private & semi-private dining & reception options with daytime meeting space for 300. Mozambique Steakhouse Kathy Reck 949.715.7777 www.MozambiqueOC.com Mozambique is located on Pacific Coast Hwy in Laguna Beach California. This totally renovated building features charming & unique venues accommodating small gatherings from 20 to 350 guests. Imagine a lush Garden Patio 3 dining rooms fi lled with old world charm and a magical Rooftop Lounge cozy fireplaces or terrace overlooking pink sunsets. W Fort Lauderdale 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale FL 33304 954 414 8200 www.wfortlauderdalehotel.com From meetings to social soirees W Fort Lauderdale elevates any occasion from ordinary to extraordinary. Our event specialists work to ensure your guests are engaged and inspired. Arrive to escape at W Fort Lauderdale in 19 000 square feet of indoor outdoor function space many rooms featuring ocean views. To book these vendors please visit www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 Advertiser Index Request more info from these vendors at www.bizbash.com bingo meetings 2012 AFR Event Furnishings . . . . . . . . .44 52 53 Alfred I. DuPont Building. . . . . Back cover Arpi Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 Ballroom 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 The Bath Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 BBJ Table Fashions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 59 Be Our Guest Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Blueprint Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 44 Bowlmor Lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Bridge Furniture & Props . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Bridge House Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 The Brown Palace Hotel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Campus Center University of Massachusetts Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Capers Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 The Catered Affair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Chicago Union Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Cigar Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Cirque du Soleil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 75 Clevelander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. . . . . . 61 Constant Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art . . . 172 CORT Event Furnishings . . . . . . . . . 4 5 45 Creative Edge Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Cuv e Ultra- Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 David Stark Design & Production . . . 7 46 DAZIAN Creative Fabric Environments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Digital Sandbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Drape Kings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Edison Ballroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 El Rey Theatre Club Nokia Best Buy Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Event Carpet Pros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Event Leadership Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Event Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Exotics Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 The Field Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Fresh Wata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Glasshouses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 172 Global Trend Productions . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Goodman Audio Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Gotham Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Gourmet Caterers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Great Performances The Plaza . . . . . . . 113 Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . 162 Gulfstream Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 Hakata Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 The Hamilton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Hargrove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Harriet Himmel Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Hospitality One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Hotel Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Hyatt Regency Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum . . . . 26 Jazz at Lincoln Center s Frederick P. Rose Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Jersey Street Furniture Rental . . . . . . . . 114 K1 Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Karl s Event Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 45 L.A. Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 L.A. AllStars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 LC Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 Lincoln Park Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Luxe Event Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 46 Marriott Boston Long Wharf. . . . . . . . . . 24 MetLife Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Metropolitan Pavilion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Miramar Cultural Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Mozambique Steakhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 National Press Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Nomad Event Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 N age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside back cover Occasions Caterers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Over The Top Rental Linens . . . . . . . . . . 119 Palms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Petersen Automotive Museum . . . . . . . . 101 Peterson Party Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Pier 59 Digital Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 PrimeTime Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 Production Power & Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Prop N Spoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Restaurant Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Rolling Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Ronald Reagan Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Rosemont Convention & Tourism Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shiraz Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 So Cool Events . . . . . . . . Inside front cover Sonnier & Castle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 47 Southeast Educational Conference . . .120 Sportsmen s Lodge Events Center . . . .103 The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island . . . . 22 The Studios at Paramount. . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Syzygy Events International . . . . . . . . . . 124 The TimesCenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Trio on the Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Trump Hotel Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Universal Studios Special Events. . . . . . 99 Venue One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Vic and Anthony s Steakhouse. . . . . . . . 115 Visit Denver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 35 W Fort Lauderdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Warner Bros. Special Events. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 White Plains Linen Linens la Carte . . 47 Wright Group Event Services . . . . . . . . . 47 Zak Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Zeitbyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Zen Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ted Kruckel Memorial Days How to plan an event you really don t want to plan. A close friend of mine Julie McGowan died in May. Julie the former publisher of Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine magazines has been mentioned and quoted in this column numerous times. She was a Yale brainiac whose fierce intellect was always on the front burner. When her sister Kelley casually asked me if I had any ideas of locations for her memorial service I immediately dashed out a thousandword essay of places I liked (you d do the same right ) with links and pictures. The family told me nicely words to the effect of O.K. really great we ll take it from here. Of course I was overcompensating--that is my go-to behavior when close ones die. I m not sure which stage of grief that is. I don t even know how many stages there are and I can never remember the names so maybe that s why I feel like I m always doing or saying the wrong thing in the various steps of the death dying and remembrance dance. But those of us in the event business always have more than our fair share of duties in this arena so we simply step in. Here are a few observations I ve made in honoring and memorializing the dead. There Is No Right and Wrong Anyone who says otherwise does not get the whole idea and should be avoided in this process if possible. Funeral Homes Are Not Churches They make a profit by selling you and charging you for as much as they can. One of their best tricks is getting you into that casket room and showing one nicer casket after another. The upselling on everything from prayer cards to limousines can be outrageous. Don t decide on the spot get the estimate in writing and give the decision makers a little time even if it s only an hour or two to decide what they want. Duh Make a Budget Everyone is always horrified by how much a funeral or memorial service ends up costing. And despite what I wrote above about mortuary price gougers the fault is often with whoever helps plan the event because they didn t do a budget that captures all the costs. There are the obvious funeral home and catering costs but the coroner s fee Death certificates Church musicians often get paid above and beyond the suggested donation for hosting the ceremony. By sitting down and capturing all the costs in advance there will be fewer surprises which sting worse during these occasions. Who Puts on a Show Without a Dress Rehearsal You don t have to make each speaker read through every word. But you should have a run-through (maybe that sounds better) so everyone knows where to stand how the microphone adjusts and what the podium looks like. I spoke at my uncle Barry Geoghegan s funeral last year and I made the mistake of not checking out the staging more carefully beforehand. It was a prosceniumstyle setting with wide aisles and elaborate stairs--so much farther to walk than I had realized. The stroll made me nervously rattle my papers. Why hadn t I thought to put them on one of the lectern shelves When I finally got my rhythm and was able to look up at the crowd and make eye contact everyone was so far away. I m nearsighted so I don t need glasses to read but I wish I had worn them since I had the speech mostly memorized and the eyeglasses would have helped me connect in a more meaningful way. A simple walkthrough helps calm the jitters. pal Christine Ebersol a slideshow a video presentation and speakers including Katie Couric. Whew. But what was really great about the event was that it seemed to capture her whole life the stories from high school when she was an endlessly peppy cheerleader her obsession with telling her friends to wear Spanx on dates and interviews her success and determination as an author and her brazen pronouncement at age 39 that she would be married by 40 to an as-yet-unidentified man. Miraculously as if by Charla s sheer force of will Time critic Richard Zoglin seamlessly stepped into the role of a lifetime and their Bridgehampton summer home became a V.I.P. entertaining mecca. And her perky countenance in the program cover which I kept looking at again and again made me feel as close to her as if she were still alive. Even If the Company Is Paying Please No Commercials The risk you run by getting professionals to Bring the Person to Life She ll help edit stage project and otherbe buried soon enough. The best wise create content for a service is memorials make you feel as if the letting it get too slick. Even if Larry person were right there beside you. A tripled sales three years in a row. few months ago I attended a service If showing photos from busifor Charla Krupp. She was a best-sell- ness events pick the ones with no ing author a Today show contributor step-and-repeats. Avoid phrases like and a famous magazine editor. Our built the company into what it is tofriend and former colleague Martha day or While Rachel may be gone Nelson pulled triple duty by serving there s a whole team of us ready as the M.C. a eulogist and a central to step into her shoes. You know organizer for the Alliance Fran aise- what I mean. staged event that included two live songs by Charla s high-school Dedicated to Julie Ann McGowan. Apple s event for Steve Jobs is emblematic of the new style of produced memorials. Doesn t this setting capture him Fresh. Innovative. Egomaniacal. 176 bizbash.com july august 2012 More tips for planning memorials bizbash.com memorials Share this story bizbash.com tedkruckel PHOTO 2011 APPLE INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED