Feature Story

How do you get a crowd energized and engaged?

Here’s an attention grabber for tradeshows, product launches and special events: the world’s largest iPhone with working buttons and touch screen. Play Angry Birds, check out Facebook or watch high definition video. The iPhone is rented by Interactive Entertainment Concepts, which will ship it to any part of the country.

Marriot has announced plans to have 4,000 hotels in operation worldwide by 2014. A large share of the growth will be in China, where plans are to open more than 100 hotels across nine brands and hire 30,000 Chinese employees. Here in the U.S., the company plans to open 150 hotels and hire 10,000 workers.

Live show and event coordinators, managers, and producers across North America now have a new organization to provide them support and resources. The Live Show Producers Guild of America (LSPGA) was announced at the end of May.

It’s back to New Orleans this summer for the Event Pros Take Action EPTA) group, formerly known as Operation Outreach. This charitable group of about 30 event professionals will continue its work helping to renovate and redesign homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina nearly six years ago. Amazingly, there are still close to 60,000 families living in FEMA trailers or overcrowded apartments.

Looking for an upscale solution for name badges that can be used again and again?

These bespoke parasols can be used for both indoor and outdoor events. They come in a large variety of vivid colors, and are edged with intricate aluminum cut-work that chimes in the breeze and reflects the sun in dancing patterns. The canopy is made of durable polyester, according to the manufacturer, and the frame is sprung steel.

This pair of satin sashes is perfect not just for weddings, but for anniversaries as well. The happy couple can save them and bring them out for special occasions. They easily wrap around most chairs and measure 75 inches long and 4.25 inches wide. www.lillianrose.com

Black lights have been cool for a long time. But lately they’ve been cooler than ever thanks to using low-heat-producing UV LEDs in place of conventional ultraviolet lamps. This new LED-powered black light not only keeps its cool, it is 30 percent brighter than conventional units, according to manufacturer American DJ. The bar is 39.5 inches long and is energy-efficient, the company says.