Event Solutions | Magazine Articles

Getting Personal - Laura Swartz

chadborenz — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:39:48 -0400

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April 2010

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Opportunity is the result of preparation and hard work

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Opportunity is the result of preparation and hard work

Laura Schwartz, renowned White House event director, author, featured television guest and principal of White House Strategies, has already accomplished more than many of us will in our lifetimes. But her success wasn’t given to her; it has been a result of hard work, perseverance and networking and should be an inspiration to us all.

What is the craziest thing you have ever seen at an event? 
We were 30 minutes away from a live political event in a field in Iowa when an unscheduled freight train came into view directly behind the press platform…then it just stopped! We called our contact at the railroad to ask when it would be moving again and they didn’t know; there was a mechanical malfunction. The view from the press platform was the stage and behind it, 10 train cars now sat all on a row, bright red, with the word “CANADA” in huge letters. Since the guy wasn’t running for president of Canada, I asked everyone to pitch in and we flipped the stage and press area accordingly. The event was able to start on time with the beautiful cornfields of America as the backdrop.

What is the one thing you never go to an event without? 
For an event I am attending, business cards. For an event I’m producing, my “event card,” which I make up before every event and contains the names and numbers of everyone involved. This way, if I need a status on music arrival, catering, sound, etc., I can get it in one call—not three. That event card is my key to quick, accurate information that doesn’t rely on a battery or cell signal!

How did you get your first break into the events industry?
 My break was not simply being in the right place at the right time, it was building trust, confidence and a continuation of learning professionally and personally throughout and in any position. At age 19, I started volunteering in the White House Press Office and by 20, I was hired as a staff assistant. I went on to become the Midwest press secretary where I verbally translated the President’s message, and when the President traveled, I would arrive five days early to coordinate media coverage. In 1995, I became the White House director of television where I was responsible for visually shaping the President’s message. Then in 1997, I was asked to move to the East Wing and become the director of events.

Do you enjoy attending events you’re not working? 
Absolutely! If I am not working an event I am out at an event. I love being with friends—those I’ve just met that night or have known for years. It also gives me the opportunity to see things that I may want to add my own events, or see something that does not work and stay away from it. I’m always learning through attending events as well as producing them!

What advice has profoundly changed your life? 
It’s not just what you are saying, it is why you are saying it that counts.

What has been the highlight of your career? 
The White House experience, no doubt—it has been my professional foundation and I am so very grateful for the people that took the time to teach and inspire me to create without boundaries. But though the state dinners were glamorous and America’s Millennium at the White House was amazing, my favorite events to produce and create have been the events with the most individual importance, like The Children’s Miracle Network. Every year, they would bring terminally ill children and their families to the White House for a tour and private event with the President. No press, no pomp and circumstance, it just created memories, took them away from their trials and gave them something else to think about, enjoy and remember—something I think each one of us should do for our guests at every event!

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Rental Furniture

chadborenz — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:34:04 -0400

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Terah Shelton

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April 2010

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The no-so-basic basic for every event

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The no-so-basic basic for every event

One of the best ways to stay ahead of the competition is to offer the newest and hottest event rental furniture. You look like you know what’s trendy—and of course you do—and you boost your clients’ confidence in your business and services.

Jeff Corbin, manager of Snyder Lounge, says it’s essential for event planners to stay informed about new furniture products not only to satisfy the needs of existing clients, but to attract new ones.
“People will always see the latest stuff on television and in the magazines,” Corbin says. “They want to incorporate the ideas that they see in their next function and the professional event planner has to be ready. They will have to not only know what is fresh, new and sexy, but where they  can find it.”

Tricia Schmitt, marketing director for Room Service by AFR, agrees. “The event industry is all about ‘freshness,’” she says. “It is about making something out of nothing, the extraordinary from the ordinary. That is what furniture does. It gives a base and can set the mood for an entire event.”

Steve Novich, president of Jersey Street Furniture Rental, says: “New and custom designs will create an atmosphere or environment that helps clients differentiates there events from others. Planners want to wow their clients when they walk in the room. When a planner adds a few new elements to an event with furniture it helps to create that buzz.”

Plantation benches and bars Before Corwin purchases new inventory, he consults with designers to see what their needs are. “The good ones know what will be hot for the upcoming season,” he says. One of the hot items the Synder Lounge will carry for the 2010 season is plantation benches and bars.

The custom-colored plantation benches in white, red and Charleston green are created in-house to meet the constant demands of the Charleston market.  These hand-painted 8-foot benches are made of wood. They are used outside at many of the plantations in Charleston, hence the name. Although the design is simple, the benches are versatile—and fit the local market.

“They are great for events because they  can go anywhere, inside and out, and they can seat five to six adults per bench,” Corwin says. “Just picture 40 of them with 20 on each side of an aisle under huge, majestic live oaks at a Low Country plantation. They are extremely affordable, durable and versatile. If we have a client that is planning a huge wedding and  they need purple benches, then we can produce them.”

The benches can be matched with hand-crafted plantation bars. Available in white, black, mahogany and metal, the bars are 9 feet long and come in four sections. Two sections make the base; two the top. With four units, the bars fold flat for easy transport. Corbin says the bars can be produced with different themes and designs, depending on designer feedback.

Modular furniture Modular furniture has been around for a while, but today’s modular rentals look fresh and offer options not seen before for a diverse range of events.

“Modular sectional sofas have provided a great new building block for design, allowing you to break away from the traditional three-seat sofa look and create interesting shapes and pit groupings,” says C. Aaron Sayre, creative services manager for Hello Florida, Inc. “They can consist of chairs, benches, chaise lounges, sofas, ottomans, etc., freeing you up to really get creative with the arrangement.”

Schmitt says modular furniture gives planners the ability to create their own environments, depending on how they configure the furniture. AFR’s offerings  in modular seating include three collections: Sophistication, Continental  and Building Blocks.

“Furniture is a multipurpose item and can be used in many, many ways,” Schmitt says. “Lounges, modular groupings, white collections, color collections, etc.—all create different looks. They can be  dressed up to create a chic, club, formal,  or casual look.”

Custom tufted bars When Remy Novich, daughter of Real Housewife of New Jersey Danielle Staub, turned 16, Bill Zolna, owner of Wilshire Grand Caterers turned to Jersey Street Furniture for something different and unique. One of those items was a custom-made tufted bar.

“This party was over the top and used the tufted bars, oversized ottomans, custom colored upholstered couches and logoed pillows of the birthday girls throughout the room,” Zolna says. “The room was liked so much that the network used it on one of the episodes for the new season.”

According to Novich, custom tufted bars are available in more than 100 fabrics and colors and mirrored bars. The bars start at 4x4-foot sections and can be made as long as needed.

Glow furniture  Glow furniture using LED technology is making a much larger splash this year with several companies creating new lines, according to Sayre.

The lighted product is battery-operated and available in nine different colors and several speeds and capabilities. The cubes are an 18-inch square and the pedestals are 15x15 inches and 3 feet high. The pub tables are 42 inches round. Schmitt says they offer lighted cubes, pedestals, lighted quarter-round ottomans and pub tables.

“Glo furniture pieces are ideal for events because they are versatile,” Schmitt says. “They can be used as seating, as lounges; they work as décor elements, as branding tools; they can be used together or separately. Glo modular furniture can be used to shape the mood and change the mood of an event, and modular groupings are adaptable, no matter what the space is.”

Barstools Ask Julie Kenning, production assistant for Multi Image Group about the must-have piece of event rental furniture and she says the familiar barstool—with a slight twist.

“The black and chrome banana barstools are a mainstay of our events,” Kenning says. “We use this stool nearly every time we need a bar stool because it offers enduring quality and comfort with a stylish profile that looks current and fresh. Our clients consistently provide great feedback on the stools.”

The chair measures 30 inches high by 21 inches wide and is available in black or white. The barstool is ideal for events because it has a modern contemporary European look and feel, but is still very comfortable and stable, says Kevin Dana, director of marketing and product development for CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings.

“It’s our most popular barstool and we have an enormous quantity which means a client can use thousands for one event if needed,” he says.

Overall, Corbin advises event planners seeking to incorporate new furniture to do their research by reading magazines and attending the trade shows to see what’s new. “The internet is their best friend as it puts numerous ideas/contacts at their fingertips,” he says. “They also need to know their market very well. What is hot and fresh in New York might not go over so well in rural Alabama.”

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High-end social events - Taking Event to New Heights

chadborenz — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:46:23 -0400

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Aubrey Blankenship

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April 2010

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Think high-end events don't happen in this economy? These seven events not only broke through the economic barriers but raised the bar for events everywhere.

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Think high-end events don’t happen in this economy? These seven events not only broke through the economic barriers but raised the bar for events everywhere.

In today’s economy of reduced budgets and canceled events, it can be easy to believe that no one is doing high-end events these days—but that’s simply not the case. From birthday parties for toddlers to weddings and bat mitzvahs, these seven high-end social events delighted guests and planners alike by providing experiences that left everyone feeling as if the economic woes were a thing of the past. Here to inspire you are their ideas, planning and implementation.

Surprise birthday party
Event: A surprise soirée for a 60th birthday
Planner: Brooke Palmer, r.s.b.p. Events
Location: The event was held at the client’s home in Tampa, FL.
Timeline: 30 days
Attendees: 125
Client desire: For her fiancé Steve’s 60th birthday, Tiffany wanted to throw a surprise birthday party that blended cool event trends with her fiancé’s favorite hobby, fishing.
Event in action: To set the tone before the event, the event colors were incorporated into invitations, which were embellished with actual fly lures. At the event, the tables were named after Steve’s favorite fish.
“We wanted the guests to go to a party like they had never been to, and boy did we do that,” says Palmer. “My favorite part of the evening was the lounge I created in 45 minutes while the guests were having dinner. I transformed the front yard into a night club for a private, surprise performance by the Temptations—it just about blew everyone away.”
Entertainment: Live piano music wafted through the hallways during the cocktail hour and continued to provide  the perfect ambiance during dinner on the outside pool deck. The entertainment climaxed at the end of the evening with a surprise performance by the original Temptations.
Food: A four-course, catered meal from Mise en Place, a champagne bar during the cocktail hour and desserts which included a fish shaped birthday cake and a chocolate lava cake, replicated from the recipe at Flemings—the birthday  guest’s favorite.
Best advice: “The best advice I could give another planner is to listen. My client knew the business and had a sizable budget but I wanted to maximize her wishes and spend money in the appropriate places. I really advocated for her and made sure that the vendors I chose gave us the best product and service. We have become close friends and now I’m planning her upcoming wedding!”

Perfect bat mitzvah
Event: A bat mitzvah for Ali, a 13-year-old girl and her family and friends
Planner: Angela Gala of Rogers and Gala Creative Partners
Location: The Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, NC
Timeline: 5 months
Attendees: 125
Client desire: “The client, Ali’s father, wanted an event that would surprise and delight his guests every bit as much as his son’s previous bar mitzvah had,” says Gala. “He also wanted his daughter to be surprised. We were allowed to interview her and see her room but we were not allowed to tell her about any of the details of the event.”
Event in action: In the months leading up to the event, Gala and her team interviewed Ali to get a feel for what interested her.
“What struck us most about Ali was her wicked sense of style,” says Gala. “Not many 13-years-olds claim Betsey Johnson as their favorite designer. For this event, we thought a fashion show was called for and Ali’s own cool brand would be a big hit!”
As guests entered the venue, they passed through a dark street complete with breakdancers, graffiti, a palm reader, boom boxes, a magician and food vendors. At the end of the “street,” guests were ushered into a super-star fashion show through a lightbulb curtain. To set the stage for a fashion show, the room was decked out with pink, black and white—signature Betsey Johnson colors. The team designed a logo specifically for Ali and adhered it to everything from the décor elements to the menus to T-shirts and everything  in between.
Entertainment: The entertainment consisted of a DJ and dancers from NYX entertainment. Actors were hired to pose as the street vendors and bums at the beginning of the event. They later changed into fashion dress to mimic famous designers such as Betsey Johnson, Karl Lagerfeld, Issac Mitzrahi and Donatella Versace.
Food: A South Beach taco bar was a hit for the teens and tweens, who also enjoyed homemade pink marshmallow  s’mores for dessert.
Best Advice: “So many clients are really concerned with budget,” says Gala. “As we plan in this new climate, try not to plan to a budget and instead let your imagination know no limits—then scale back. You won’t believe where your mind will go.”

Double the celebration: birthday and anniversary party
Event: A 10-year anniversary party and double 40th birthday party for a New York couple.
Planner: Jennifer Pate Gilbert, president and chief visionary officer of Save the Date
Location: Glass Houses in New York, with views of the city skyline and the Hudson River
Timeline: Two months
Attendees: 120
Client desire: The clients wanted to have a fun, cutting-edge, sexy event to celebrate their marriage and their 40th birthdays.
Event in action: As the guests approached the venue, they passed through a red-carpeted entrance surrounded by mock paparazzi behind velvet ropes. After an elevator ride up to the top floor, guests were greeted with a video slideshow of the family on the wall ahead of them. A custom gobo projected “Avi and Marci 10” on the floor and dramatic lighting created the perfect ambiance. The venue was sleek with floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed for spectacular views of the sunset and the city. Gilbert opted for bright white lounge furniture for a crisp, clean look and placed mirrored tables, green orchids and bamboo throughout the space.
“We wanted it to feel exclusive and original and for every person to walk out at the end of the night saying ‘wow,’” says Gilbert.
Food: To avoid buffet lines and a sit-down menu, guests were served courses such as short ribs, Chilean sea bass with potato root, mozzarella salad and more on small plates throughout the night. This allowed guests to circulate and socialize while still being fed. A pink cosmo for her and a yellow tequila drink for him were the featured drinks of the evening.
Entertainment: The entertainment consisted of stilt performers and “human disco balls”—people covered head to toe in mirrors. They brought entertainment and intrigue to the crowd throughout the evening.
Best advice: “Events take on a life of their own, they live and breathe and you have to go with the energy and not try to plan it to death. Yes, have a timeline, but be prepared to change it if guests arrive late or cocktail hour is cocktail hour and a half. If the dance floor is packed, play another song; if it’s dead, start dinner earlier. You have to feel the pulse and go with it—that creates the best events.”

Sweet 16 in black and white and pink
Event: A Sweet 16 birthday party for Ali Jackson, daughter of country singer Allen Jackson
Planner: Donna Hollie, executive director of Plan it Nashville
Location: The party was at Alan Jackson’s home in Franklin, TN. The space transformed was the indoor tennis and basketball court on their property.
Timeline: 1 month
Attendees: 200
Client desire: The client wanted a sleek and chic, fun and funky party with lots of dancing and great music.
Event in action: With an emphasis on fun and funk, Hollie and her team decided on a South Beach/Flamingo “club” ambiance. The colors were black and white with accents of bubblegum pink and the guests were asked to wear black and white to make the pink elements pop even more. Ali, the guest of honor, was dressed in a pink party dress so she stood out as the center of attention wherever she was. White feathers, lighted spandex, sequins, boas and white leather furniture provided the ambiance with a black and white dance floor at the center of the room sporting a mirror ball above and a gobo projection of “Ali’s Sweet 16” on the floor in pink.
The highlight of the evening came as the cake was rolled out; Ali blew out her candles, and to the surprise of everyone, 300 pink, white and black balloons fell from the ceiling.
Entertainment: The entertainment was Ace from  102.5 The River
Food: The menu was geared to teens and consisted of mini pizzas, nachos and mini-burgers and other teen-friendly foods. Two fountain stations set up, one with chocolate, the other with Red Bull.
Best Advice: “Be a professional problem solver,” says Amber Sanders, creative executive officer and founder of Plan it Nashville. “Your client is counting on you, no matter what is or isn’t easy to order, no matter if the weather cooperates or not, or if your vendors mess up. Figure out how to make it work, always!”

Fairytale wedding in a castle
Event: A fairytale wedding for a New York couple
Planner: Melisa Imberman of  The Event Of A Lifetime, Inc.
Location: Whitby Castle in Rye, NY
Timeline: 4 months
Attendees: 240
Client desire: “The bride wanted a wedding fit for a princess (that’s what her fiancé calls her) with all the trimmings,” says Imberman. “She also wanted to incorporate her Filipino culture.”
Event in Action: What fairytale wedding would be complete without a fairytale castle? A 200-year-old castle near where the couple lived was the perfect setting. Decorated in fuchsia and chartreuse with gold accents, the interior was simply magical with embroidered lace linens, gold napkin rings with gold chargers beneath the plates and gold chairs tied with fuchsia and chartreuse sashes. A horse and carriage resembling Cinderella’s was hired to give the bride and groom a royal entrance. Old-fashioned trumpeters escorted the carriage and announced the  couple’s arrival.
Entertainment: A live band provided the musical entertainment for the evening and professional ballroom dancers kept guests entertained with their fluid movements while dancing with the guests from time to time.
Food: “The décor, with exquisite centerpieces and clouds made of flowers that suspended from the ceiling, was spectacular as were the cakes,” says Imberman. “The wedding cake was a castle and the groom’s cake was a replica of the groom’s ski boot.
Best Advice: “Listen to your clients’ dreams and determine the best way to interpret them,” says Imberman.

Toddler birthday party everyone enjoyed
Event: A birthday party for two toddlers who were turning  2 and 4
Planner: Sarah Lo, associate planner for Red Velvet Events Inc.
Location: The event was held at one of the client’s restaurants  in Austin, TX
Timeline: Approximately 6–8 weeks
Attendees: 100
Client desire: The client wanted a whimsical birthday party with a CandyLand theme that would appeal to the toddlers  being celebrated.
Event in action: From the moment guests entered the room, they were transported into a world of nursery rhymes and bedtime stories—a place that usually only exists in the minds of children. However, for this event, Sarah Lo, associate planner for Red Velvet Events, figured out how to bring that world to life. She placed life-sized gingerbread cookies and enormous lollipops throughout the room and recreated the CandyLand board game on the floor in which the children were the game pieces.
“We wanted the guests to feel as if they had walked into a living replica of the CandyLand board game,” says Cindy Lo, owner of Red Velvet Events. “We used bright colors of red, orange, blue, purple and yellow with white walls so that the 3D balloon art we selected would pop. The biggest highlight was the fact that folks who had been to the restaurant before couldn’t believe their eyes that this was the same ballroom transformed into a mini CandyLand.”
Entertainment: Activities such as a gingerbread cookie decorating table, a gingerbread house building table, a face painter, a balloon artist and a life-size CandyLand board on the dance floor kept the children and parents entertained.
Food: The food served was Chinese—straight off the restaurant’s menu, and for dessert, the children were delighted with a cake that was a replica of the CandyLand board game.
Best advice: “Really understand what your client’s priorities are and goals for their event,” says Cindy Lo. “Ask lots of questions  to really understand why they ask for certain things—don’t  just assume.”

Sophisticated wedding with all the trimmings
Event: A wedding for a couple in New York
Planner: Annette Babich, owner of Annette Babich Events
Location: Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, NY
Timeline: 1 year
Attendees: 265
Client desire: The client wanted a modern, chic, sophisticated event with all the trimmings.
Event in action: To give the client the chic, sophisticated feel she desired, Babich strategically placed square tables in the tented space under hanging, red square shades that popped amidst the table colors of gold, green and raspberry.
“We wanted the guests to walk into the tent and feel the magic, warmth and sophistication of the tent design,” says Babich.
The dinner was held under the warm, inviting glow of the hanging shades and the evening ended with a surprise Grucci Fireworks show that the groom planned for the bride.
Entertainment: The Hank Lane band was the entertainment for the evening with a DJ who kept things going during the after party.
Food: The usual club food with specialty drinks and after party foods of quesadillas, mini burgers.
Best advice: “Always plan for rain at an outdoor event and talk about it as if you expect it to happen, that way, a sunny day is an unexpected surprise. It rained like hell at this wedding but we never missed a beat and it went off flawlessly.”

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Design: Illuminating Options

chadborenz — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:39:24 -0400

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Ryan Hanson

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April 2010

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Use lighting to ‘paint’ your venue

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Use lighting to ‘paint’ your venue

It is no secret: Lighting is an event designer’s best friend. You can use light to bring life to a space in the same way you can paint your venue with color. You can focus light to pin-spot the perfect detail. Light can create custom color and patterns, and higher-end fixtures bring movement and layers of textured patterns to a space.

Then there is LED technology. From tabletop units to wall washes, LED lighting can do almost anything. Each year it gets better, expanding its range from red-green-blue light combinations into cold and now warm colors of white and amber. A recent event I previewed used new LED fixtures in place of conventional ellipsoidal to light speakers on a stage, registering a color temperature equal to the output of a conventional fixture—meaning the light worked for video. With this ever-increasing, ever-better supply of LED technology, you can custom-color any event space and any event décor object and change that color over time, all at a fraction of the electrical draw of conventional fixtures. Better yet, the trends in LED technology are toward stand-alone battery-operated units—meaning all those cables are on the way out too! Now you can have light anywhere you want, outlet or no outlet for upwards of 24–36 hours.

(When using LEDs, be certain you work with an expert. With the proliferation of the technology, there is a lot you need to know to use LEDs correctly. It is not enough for your event designer or production company to say, “We have LED lights.” Even though they may all look alike, LEDs are not all the same. You have to ask about wattage of the LED bulb, degree of light and what colors are included in the fixture. Talking with a professional production company will help answer those questions.)

Lighting is often used to project images. The most common form of such projection is the use of a gobo. A gobo is a metal or glass insert made especially for a lighting fixture, usually an ellipsoidal/Source 4/Leko light or for an intelligent fixture. Each type of light has limits on the kind of gobo that can be made or used. Standard gobos come in many patterns and shapes to project break-up patterns or iconic graphics onto walls, tables, sets, etc. Custom gobos can be made of nearly any image—typically a logo—in metal, which means the image will be projected in whatever color the light is set, or in glass, which gives you the ability to colorize the image in up to four colors. The more colors required, the more expensive glass gobos are.

For those with bigger budgets, projectors can be used to create images. A video projector allows you to project moving visual graphics onto any surface. Your die-hard production provider who believes video is best seen on a screen is right—when you are projecting content in a learning environment. But in an event space, I say all rules are off. Projection screen material is available and can be crafted into any shape. Consider projecting graphics-based imagery onto the venue’s architectural details or onto tabletops and spandex shapes create great sub-screens for  video imagery.

Intelligent fixtures have advanced to the point of being able to be used as “movable” projectors. Merging a media server (your video content) with a moving head intelligent light, the DL.3 Digital light lets you project your content anywhere and move it from place to place. Then there are the LED products including Versa Tubes, Versa Tiles, soft curtains and LED screens, which display content to verifying degrees of quality while mounted on truss, configured as walls or backdrops or can even be used as a floor.

For the more budget conscious, there are great solutions. Need to blast a color logo but can’t pay for the custom glass gobo? One of my favorite products is the Rosco IMAGEPro. This little unit—rentable in most markets, purchasable for around $250—operates much like a gobo holder and turns an ellipsoidal lighting instrument into a slide projector. For around $25, you can take any graphic image you wish to project, turn it into a slide (using a kit by yourself or sending it into the company to make for you), the equivalent of a one-time-use 5-hour multi-colored custom image. Tip: As these are temporary items, be sure to order a couple of slides so you have one to focus your light with and a backup for the show/event.

Want to go even simpler? Dust off that old 35mm slide projector in the storage room. These are forgotten jewels and yes, companies online will still produce 35mm slides for your event overnight. For several events, I have used a 35mm projector to shoot black-and-white imagery onto drape, creating backdrops, borders or window fillers. Better yet, using sheer drape lets you see the beams of light coming from the projector  for a fun effect.

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Tect Talk: Success is in the Details

chadborenz — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:33:40 -0400

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Warren K. Kong

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April 2010

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You don’t have to be brilliant; you just have to pay attention

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You don’t have to be brilliant; you just have to pay attention

Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on my life and career. I decided to take a deep look at myself, to see where I stand in life, home and family. In a world filled with anger, death and pain, every now and then I need to stop and remind myself of the good things in life.

I am fortunate enough to work with many Fortune 500 companies and high-profile clients. All of which continue to come back and continue to consider my work great. But the truth of the matter is, that I’m not really that great. Don’t misunderstand me; I love my job, I mean really love my job, and I pour over every last detail. And yes, I consider what I do to be art. But, the client doesn’t, the attendees don’t and the CEO definitely doesn’t. I’m just an average lighting designer who does an average design that deals with average budgets. So how is it that I work with companies like General Electric, Reebok, Boston Scientific, Glaxo Smith Kline and many others?

In 1999, I moved from California to Florida straight out of college with no leads and no job. I knew no one and had no prospects.
 I can honestly say that everything I’ve achieved in life is due to hard work and good work ethic. The simple act of caring, about your client, their shows, their equipment and their image has gotten me more returning clients than anything else.

Some people in our industry are only in it for the money; some are only here to cash in. That shows in their work. I know, you know and the client knows. In an industry based on dreams, visions and imagination, you have to care about and love what you do.

There are many people who can do what I do and do it on a regular basis, but there are some important things that set me apart from others. Most of these have to do with my attention to detail. From listening to my client’s needs to making sure that the colors are just right, I pay attention to those details maybe only I notice, but that contribute to the overall event.

As a lighting designer by trade, I have many obstacles to overcome with every event that I work on. Everything from the ceiling height to the server captain, each has an impact on how difficult it is to do my job. For each challenge I face from a technical standpoint, there are just as many, or more, when it comes to people, venue and client.

But the true measure of a professional is not how we do our jobs when everything we need is in place, it’s how we deal with the real-life situations we’re given. As a client once told me, “Warren, I don’t hire you because it’s easy; I hire you because I know you can overcome the obstacles.”

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Technical Amusements

chadborenz — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:14:02 -0400

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Aubrey Blankenship

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April 2010

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The newest entertainment technologies to amuse and amaze your guests

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The newest entertainment technologies to amuse and amaze your guests

Look around and you quickly realize that technology plays a gigantic role in our daily lives. So it should come as no surprise that technological games and amusements are the hottest forms of entertainment at events today. To give you the scoop on the latest and greatest, we walked into the world of technology to introduce to you eight of the hottest entertainment technologies available today.

Rolling Video Games
 For the ultimate technology experience, try Rolling Video Games—trailers on wheels that allow up to 16 people at a time to game together or against each other. Ideal for kids, teenagers and young adults, these trailers also offer the perfect opportunity for parents and adults to check out the games their kids are talking about. Each trailer is outfitted with four widescreen, high-definition televisions that line the walls. Opposite the televisions are 16 built-in, Ultimate Gaming Chairs with individual headrest speakers and vibration motors that are synched to the game, getting participants as close to the action as possible. The trailers offer the latest games from the Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Not familiar with how the games work? Not to worry. Each trailer is equipped with a “Game Coach” who remains on-site for the entire event to facilitate the process and answer any questions.

For more information, visit rollingvideogames.com

Pixal Paint
 Brand new from Creative Backstage is PIXAL Paint, an interactive 10-foot video screen that allows guests to digitally “spray paint” words, images or anything they want, creating their own graffiti or works of art. Users feel as if they’re actually spraypainting their own images and designs. The background screen can be customized to create a coloring book, paint-between-the-lines experience, or a company logo can appear in the background that attendees can paint on or around. Use it as a signature board where attendees can leave their personal mark or hire a professional artist to “paint” to the amusement of attendees. The possibilities are endless and it’s sure to amuse and  entertain any audience.

For more information, visit www.creativebackstage.com

T-Shirt TV
 The next time you hold a live event, why not add true “live” TVs? Brought to you by Brand Marketers, this is the perfect blend of technology and human interaction. T-Shirt TV features flat screen televisions that are imbedded into wearable T-shirts. Each shirt can hold any media, whether it is commercials, music videos or important announcements. Imagine having your sponsor’s commercial walking around your event, playing videos that move to where your attendees are, or hosting a fashion show in which each model wears a different commercial. This new technology is taking the marketing world by storm and the only limits are  the bounds of your own imagination.

For more information, visit www.t-shirttv.com

Boogie Heads
 While it may not be the newest in entertainment technology, Boogie Heads remains a favorite at events around the globe. Participants are placed in front of a green screen and draped in green fabric. They have their choice of songs and then are asked to sing along as the song plays, karaoke style. After the song ends, participants can view a video that combines their singing faces with the bodies of professional dancers. The result is a hilarious video that can be easily transferred to a DVD and sent home with attendees as a memento and a reminder of a great event. The systems can be purchased for use multiple times or rented  from various suppliers across the U.S.

For more information, visit www.boogie-heads.com

Wii Bowling
 A little over two years ago, the Nintendo Wii entertainment gaming system took the world by storm with its unique form of gaming interactivity. Now, metroConnections takes that a step further by creating interactive, virtual Wii bowling lanes for events. This can be used as a simple entertainment aspect to any event or as the main event in the form of a Wii bowling tournament. MetroConnections will come to the venue of your choice and set up a line of giant screens as well as a bowling alley seating area that gives attendees the feeling of a live bowling alley. Additional props, trophies, bowling shirts and more can be added upon request to complete the experience.

For more information, visit www.metroconnections.com

CEIVA
 Looking for constantly updated décor for your next event? Let your attendees provide it for you with CEIVA digital photo frames. Attendees can snap pictures using their cell phones and upload them to frames placed strategically around the room. Inspire guests to participate by holding a photo contest in which the best photo wins a prize after the event. The photos can be used later in marketing pieces or posted online to generate interest and viral marketing. Different framing options are available including wood, black and custom skin designs. Let your attendees be your event photographers. They will entertain themselves and others while providing you with photos to use for years to come.

For more information, visit www.ceiva.com

Flip Book Photos
 Bring out your guests’ creativity by allowing them to create their own 6-second videos, which can be converted into old-fashioned Flip Books. Talk of the Town sets up a photo station with background lights and camera and provides numerous props for attendees to play with and to inspire a skit. The performance need only last a total of 6 seconds and, within minutes, the skit is printed into a 60-page, business card-sized Flip Book. Guests can watch their skit performed right before their eyes as they flip through the pages. The Flip Books are completely customizable to match any event or brand. With the ability to print 45–50 books per hour, Flip Book Photos could be all you need to make your event memorable for every attendee.

For more information, visit www.tottevents.com

Photosphere360
 Hitting the market at the end of 2009, Photosphere360 combines entertainment, branding, social media and take-home souvenirs. An 8x8-foot green screen enclosure is affixed with a 360-degree camera suspended from the ceiling. Groups can enter the booth and within seconds, a complete 360-degree snapshot is taken of the entire group. The picture can be combined with logos or other backgrounds that print immediately afterward, giving attendees a great souvenir while reminding them who they have to thank for the marvelous picture. Each image not only can be printed, it also can be turned into an interactive movie linked to social media sites across the internet. This is the ultimate in viral marketing and a great spin on traditional photo booths that your attendees will love.

For more information, visit www.photosphere360.com