Idea Factory Swag: 10 Event Ideas to Take Home
Top event pros from Miami and around the country put on quite a show at the 2007 Idea Factory, and attendees had a front-row seat for all the action. To find out which ideas you can start using today, we asked the experts — the event producers, designers and caterers who made it all happen. Here are their top 10 take-home innovations.
1. Turn things upside-down.
“We never look at an object and just think of using it as it was designed; rather, we look at an object and see what other uses can be employed, making an element twice as valuable. For example, tall lamp fixtures from Cort Event Furnishings were turned on the horizontal and used to add dimension and visual interest to the space, bridging the area between the ceiling and the walls and acting as a theatrical crown molding…the effect was dazzling. Battery-operated strip LED lights from Acolyte were installed within the lamps, providing an indigo/violet glow to the fixtures…fabulous! Rectangle glass tops from standard-issue dining tables were positioned atop tall decorative highboy tables, creating that looked great without linens and added a clean-lined look to the event. The metal angular bases from the same Geo tables from Cort were suspended to support sheets of Plexiglas that served as tables for dessert elements at the chocolate station.”
— Ira Mitchell-Steiman, All Over Miami
“Sapphire,” Fabulous Showcase Event
2. One décor element, multiple uses.
“Planners can find alternate uses for existing décor to create a new and different look and help keep budgets at bay. Since the event space [at Soho Studios at Wynwood Convention Center] was approximately 11,000 square feet, we wanted to create a design with over-the-top and oversized décor that would take advantage of the large area, yet not constrict the space at the same time. The goal was to get multiple uses out of certain décor elements. For example, in the exotic Shangri La event, a circular truss system was suspended over two furniture groupings. The empty space in between the truss structure was filled by stringing brightly colored paper parasols and stars at various heights to in the room. We took our massive eight-piece steel and spandex frames and used them in two ways. First, we used three 12- to 14-foot frames as a stage set and projected gobos onto it, providing a beautiful backdrop for the entertainment. By removing the spandex from the other pieces, we created a chic room divider and placed lounge areas in between the frames.”
— Eric Karter, Art of the Party
“Contemporaneo Esotica,” Fabulous Showcase Event
3. Customize, customize, customize.
“Just one innovation — customization. Find out as much as you can about your audience and revolve every decision around them. Go for broke, rather than making too many concessions.”
— Anthony Bollotta, Bollotta Entertainment
Event Solutions Spotlight Awards
4. What’s your motif?
“We pride ourselves on creating unique, innovative event environments. I like to describe event ‘motifs’ rather than ‘themes,’ as we feel that the industry trend is steering away from elaborately themed events and toward high-concept design installations that reflect current trends in fashion, interior design, hospitality and tourism. It’s important to be able to determine what is fashionable in popular culture, and apply those trends to every aspect of your event. Don’t let your own taste get in the way when you are trying to deliver a concept that might be something completely outside of your realm of style. Everyone has their own opinions of what style is, and it is important to embrace the unique ‘style persona’ that each client has.”
— Travis Dudley, LTeventions
Project GRAMMY: The Event Solutions Challenge
5. Create a multisensory experience.
“The one true innovation about Ritmo!Palooza is that it seamlessly produces an interactive experience involving all five senses, and that has never been done anywhere in the context of a Latin-themed event.
Sight: Unique eye-candy decorations and costumes
Sound: Latin tropical rhythm
Taste: Great Latin-inspired food and beverages
Smell: Coconut tropical aroma scent
Touch: Guests play conga percussion instruments, participate in various team-building activities, wear costumes and headdresses, are part of a conga line and learn some great salsa dance steps.”
— Bobby Ramirez, Ritmo!Palooza
“Ritmo!Palooza Surround-Sound Rhythm Experience,” Fabulous Showcase Event
6. Something old, something new.
“Reuse an old material in a new and fresh way. In our space, floral sheeting made of reflective Mylar generally used to surface parade floats was used to upholster the ceiling, adding a shimmering, sapphire-like quality to the space. This material has enormous potential and even added Sapphire presence to the grandly scaled floral displays.”
— Ira Mitchell-Steiman, All Over Miami
“Sapphire,” Fabulous Showcase Event
7. Visit your vendors.
“Meet not only at the venue with other venders involved in an event, but also at their respective offices/warehouses. This gives everyone a better understanding and knowledge of capacities and assists in the creative process.”
— Joan Fletcher, Touch Catering
Event Solutions Spotlight Awards
8. Infuse your event design with European style.
“Bubble Miami, who have incredible innovative and elegant artistic furniture to offer, but I feel are not being used enough by the market.”
— Rod Kukurudz
“C’est Magnificent — An American in Paris,” Fabulous Showcase Event
9. Bring dead zones to life — your audience will thank you.
“Although not earth-shattering, armless sectional sofas were used to front the edges of the stages, adding extra seating in a generally dead zone and allowing for a more intimate interplay with the performers from a closer vantage point. It looked great and did indeed foster interaction. Once guests warmed to the idea of being so close to the performers, it worked perfectly.”
— Ira Mitchell-Steiman, All Over Miami
“Sapphire,” Fabulous Showcase Event
10. Awards are all about logistics.
“What I find is that most awards ceremonies lose valuable time by not having a clear plan for the awards themselves — for example, for getting presenters on and off stage expeditiously, getting verbose award winners off the stage if need be, or tightening up segues so that the show flows smoothly, making sure all those involved onstage retain a sense of urgency in their movements/actions so that the show doesn’t start to slow and lengthen. I remain true to the adage that no one likes an award show unless they are winning an award. Working from this viewpoint helps me to keep the shows I produce timely and efficient.”
— Anthony Bollotta
Event Solutions Spotlight Awards
To find out more about these events, check out our review of the 2007 Event Solutions Idea Factory in the December issue!