“We are living in an ecstasy and echinacea generation,” trend guru Robyn Waters told the crowd gathered for the Closing General Session, quoting British Elle to characterize today’s contradictory trend environment in which, for example, the same people who insist on eating only all-natural, organic food think nothing of getting Botox injections.

“I’m definitely glad we came,” said Sophia Adamskaya, director of development for Diplomat Service. Adamskaya and Denis Kudin, general director for Diplomat, traveled from Kiev, Ukraine, to attend the Event Solutions Idea Factory and catersource Conference and Tradeshow in Las Vegas. Adamskaya received the Corporate Certificate and Kudin the Association Certificate for completing all required courses within the tracks.

All three teams competing in Project Eureka! The Event Solutions Challenge gave attendees a challenge of their own when it came time to vote for a winner.

Event Solutions’ PR and Marketing Director Crystal Weaver gave event entrepreneurs a primer in self promotion during her session, “Getting the Attention You Deserve: Case Studies from the Road,” presented with contributions from SLK Creative, a boutique marketing and public relations firm for the special events industry.

Tuesday afternoon found Audrey Carson (left), Melanie Hakaim (center) and Hassib Wassab — members of a team from University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Tourism and Convention Administration Department — working under the guidance of event pro Tina Wolpow (right) of Art of the Party as they began constructing their space.

Nowhere was the synergy between the events world and the catering world clearer than in the Fabulous Showcase Event, the first produced since Event Solutions partnered with catersource to produce a joint show. Producers from Las Vegas and beyond gave attendees seven ways to tempt their senses, and from Dale Chihuly-esque chandeliers of clustered wine glasses, to lively entertainers such as rock-violin trio String Angels, to chocolate tamales and truffled mac ’n’ cheese, guests indulged themselves in a feast of ideas.