Event Solutions

AFR Design Challenge Returns

Event Solutions — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:47:48 -0500

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AFR Event Furnishings will be the presenting sponsor for the popular Design Challenge on the ES Idea Factory Expo floor. Having gained a popular following in past years, you’re not going to want to miss any of the excitement in 2013 as we pit Industry Icon, Lenny Talarico, CSEP against up and coming Rising Star, Jessica L. Zeidler for the ultimate design-off on March 12th.

Lenny is the Director of Events at MGM Resorts Events in Las Vegas and Jessica is the Design Operations Manager/Senior Sales Coordinator at A Joy Wallace Catering, Design & Special Events in Miami.

The challenge will kick off on Tuesday, March 12 at 1:30pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The designers will be presented with a variety of décor items and will attempt to out-shine each other in just 30 minutes.

You’ll see wild creativity and excitement as the competitors mix and match the provided items, devise unique uses for every day pieces and attempt to find the perfect details from other vendors on the show floor. There will be running, screaming, cheering and more!

Once the designs are complete, show floor visitors will have the chance to vote for the winner. Will the industry icon prevail with his use of skill and experience or will the rising star triumph by pulling out all the stops and creating something never seen before?

You are invited to come to the Event Solutions Lounge on the Expo floor to review these stunning designs and vote on Tuesday from 2:00pm – 6:00pm and on Wednesday from 11:00am – 2:00pm. The designers will be on hand to talk about what they created, answer questions and compete for your vote!

While you’re in the Lounge you’ll also meet some of our 2013 Spotlight Award finalists and winners and see samples of their work, have the opportunity to talk with members of the Event Solutions Advisory Board, and network with event pros from all over the world at the cash bar.

The ballots in the AFR Design Challenge will be tallied at 2:00pm on Wednesday and the winner will be announced at the Conference Closing Session at 5:00pm at the Mirage Hotel.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the education and activities at the 2013 Idea Factory.

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Advisory Board Connects at the Idea Factory

Event Solutions — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:41:43 -0500

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The Event Solutions Advisory Board is made up of event professionals from around the country who have taken an active role in shaping the Event Solutions brand, through the magazine, the annual Idea Factory conference and expo, and through their own event networks.

These professionals have excelled in the event world and bring a wide variety of interests and expertise to Event Solutions, giving you the best combined knowledge, forecasts and ideas the event industry has to offer!

“Each year the Catersource/Event Solutions Idea Factory convention in Las Vegas gets bigger and better! It is fast becoming the “must attend” convention to get fresh event ideas, cutting edge education, and a completely different group of my industry peers. The thought of not being there is absolutely NOT an option!” David Merrell,Owner and Creative Director, AOO Events

This year at the 2013 Idea Factory, Board members will be stepping into the spotlight throughout the conference to give you the best experience possible.

Welcome Reception
Connect with Board members and attendees at the Sunday night Welcome Reception for a relaxing night of networking with the industry’s best while enjoying some cocktails by the pool. Lounge in the designated Event Solutions cabanas and network with Idea Factory attendees; event professionals from around the world!

Event Solutions Opening Session
Welcome esteemed members of the Advisory Board to the stage as they open the featured session at the Idea Factory with some exciting insights into the year ahead for the event industry.

Ask the Experts
For the first time, members of the Advisory Board are making themselves available to you for an open dialogue on the issues that are important to you as event professionals, colleagues and business owners.

This intimate environment in the Event Solutions Magazine Lounge on the Expo floor is designed to foster open communication either one-on-one or in a group. Come to discuss issues, bring up challenges, seek advice or just brainstorm for some new business or event ideas.

Spotlight Awards Ceremony
Join the Board in congratulating this year’s finalists and soon-to-be winners at the 2013 Spotlight Awards ceremony on Tuesday night. Members of the Advisory Board will announce winners throughout the event.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the education and events at the 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory. Members will be available during the Idea Factory as their show schedule allows. Watch Facebook and Twitter posts during the show to see who is in the Lounge and where you can spot the Board throughout the conference!#CSES2013

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More Industry Stars

Event Solutions — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:35:56 -0500

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No other show brings you more industry stars!

Stars gather around the biggest and brightest events in the industry. And no one brings you more stars than the 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory. From celebrity planners and designers to the most successful event producers from across the country and around the world, the best of the best will be in Las Vegas for this annual learning experience.

Welcome Back, David Tutera
David Tutera returns to the Idea Factory as an ambassador for the importance of staying educated and connected to the industry. David is consistently inspired by the energy and atmosphere at Event Solutions and will take part in several activities throughout the show:

Featured Session
David will kick off the week at our featured session on Sunday at 3:00pm as he introduces featured speaker Dina Manzo.

Tabletop Contest
David will once again judge the Tabletop Contest on the Tradeshow floor at 11:00am on Wednesday, March 12. David will review each tabletop design, discuss the details and talk about his favorite ideas. He will also choose his favorite design to be awarded the Tutera’s Pick trophy at our closing session.

Spotlight Awards
Together with the event industry’s brightest stars, David will attend the Spotlight Awards Presentation at 7:00pm where he will also present several awards.

Preston Bailey
Another industry favorite will also return to the Idea Factory this year. Celebrity event planner and floral designer Preston Bailey will present an intimate optional event where he invites you to peek behind the curtain to see how he transforms ordinary items into classic, modern and decadent tabletops and floral designs using the same versatile pieces that will suit a wide demographic of clients.

Dina Manzo
Event planner Dina Manzo will be the highlight of our featured session on Monday, March 11 as she shares some of her experiences and best ideas in party décor, event planning and so much more. The Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute also partners with Event Solutions to present Dina’s new seminar Expand Your Expertise through Education on Saturday, March 9 before the conference begins.

Colin Cowie
Another industry star, Colin Cowie, will wrap up the 2013 Idea Factory as the Closing Session Speaker. Colin will share his thoughts on what’s new in our industry, where we’re going and what inspires him.

Event Solutions Spotlight Awards
All attendees are welcome to join us at this exciting awards presentation on Tuesday, March 12. You’ll network, connect and mingle with the industry’s brightest stars, Spotlight and CATIE Award finalists and winners. Dina Manzo and David Tutera will be in attendance to celebrate the events industry and to help induct Colin Cowie into the Event Solutions Hall of Fame.
This event is included with your Idea Factory registration.

We will also recognize some more industry stars as we announce the winners of the Tabletop and Buffet Contests and the AFR Design Challenge.

You don’t want to miss the 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory
Join us for sessions filled with brand new concepts from the best planners and strategists in the event industry, bringing you tried and true techniques you can implement in your business this year. You’ll have the opportunity to attend information-packed sessions, enjoy cutting-edge events and network with hundreds of event professionals to exchange ideas, strategies and so much more.

The 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory is a show that you simply can’t afford to miss!

YOU’RE A STAR
Who brings all these stars together? Event Solutions does! Register by February 11 with the special promo code ImAStar for your chance to win meet and greets with Dina Manzo, Colin Cowie, Preston Bailey and David Tutera at the Event Solutions Idea Factory.

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Sneak Peek: 2013 Spotlight Awards

Event Solutions — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:13:05 -0500

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Voting may be closed for the 2013 Spotlight Awards, but the excitement is still building for this year’s finalists!

Each year once voting opens, finalists take to social media and the digital world to campaign for their company and colleagues in hopes of pulling in enough votes to come out as winners at the annual Event Solutions Spotlight Awards presentation in Las Vegas. Here in the Event Solutions office, we love watching all of the excitement unravel as we prepare for the big event! Not only do we get to see all of the amazing entries during the nomination process, but we get to scroll through dozens of creative campaigns throughout the voting process and see why these professionals are recognized for their outstanding creativity!

Here are just a few of the marketing materials that landed on our radar this year:

Photos: Lili Shadab and Matt Murphy

Photos: Mellysa Levy and Michelle Bergstein

Rolling out the red carpet
Tapis Rouge is the theme for this year’s Spotlight Awards presentation and it’s bound to be a night you’ll never forget! Executive Producer Eddie Diaz is pulling out all the stops to create an awards show filled with excitement, energy and celebration. “Prepare to leave your inhibitions behind and discover what lies behind the red curtains,” states Eddie in a Spotlight sneak peek interview for the Spring issue of Event Solutions magazine, which will hit mailboxes this week.

“The Spotlight and CATIEs is an environment that welcomes diversity, exemplifies creativity and boldly celebrates the special events industry” continues Eddie. Discover more details in the upcoming Show Issue and get excited for one of the most spectacular events of the year!

Join us at the Idea Factory on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00pm for the 2013 Spotlight Awards presentation and congratulate this year’s finalists and winners in person.

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Capture Sophisticated DIY Brides

Event Solutions — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:27:50 -0500

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In this expanding world of technology, it is becoming easier and easier for savvy brides to plan their upcoming nuptials without hiring a planner - or so they think! While Pinterest, DIY guides and dozens of bridal magazines may help to discover trends and unique ideas, we know that planning a wedding isn’t as easy as it seems.

Today’s brides have access to so many resources when it comes time to start making plans for the walk down the aisle that it can become very stressful to put all those ideas into action. Some of these women may decide to turn to a professional for assistance in reeling in all of their ideas, while others will still see it as an unnecessary expense.

Learn how to reel in those DIY brides and turn their ideas into dollars with the LWPI Pre-Conference Seminar, Expand Your Expertise through Education: Learn it. Teach it. Sell it. This exclusive class will be held on March 9, 2013 at The Mirage Las Vegas as part of the Event Solutions Idea Factory.

In this session from the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute, you will discover how to host party planning workshops to capture the sophisticated DIY client. This is your opportunity to meet HGTV’s Dina Manzo as she presents ideas from her new series of courses for the avid party planner.

Make sure to stop by the Lovegevity Open House after the session and turn your experience, education and expertise into a career opportunity. Bring your bio, portfolio and personality to apply as a college instructor, online mentor or workshop provider for the LWPI at this hiring and networking event, offered exclusively to Idea Factory attendees.

Learn more about the2013 Idea Factory and register today!

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Harmony at the Hard Rock

Event Solutions — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:22:29 -0500

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We’re revisiting the days of peace, love and rock & roll at this year’s Monday Night Party - Harmony at Hard Rock on the Strip!

The host for this exciting event, the exclusiveHard Rock Café on the Strip, will open its doors to Catersource and Idea Factory attendees on Monday, March 11, 2013 during the always popular Monday Night Party.

With over 175 locations in more than 50 countries, the Hard Rock Café has become an iconic landmark where music lovers from around the world can reunite with the good times of rock & roll. And what better place to re-connect than in Las Vegas, where music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Alice Cooper have left their prizedmemorabilia in the hands of the Hard Rock.

Located conveniently on the Las Vegas Strip, this three-story venue offers stunning views of Sin City while you immerse yourself in rock & roll culture.

From the creative team at Catering by Design and By Design Event Décor, you’ll enjoy some of the newest buffet and presentation concepts that’ll put a psychedelic “spin” on classic design elements in this spacious three levels of food, beverage and entertainment. Join us for a rock adventure that will inspire you to turn your events up to “11”.

Learn more aboutHarmony at Hard Rock and otherevents at the 2013 Idea Factory.