Ideas in Action
Intoxicating Décor
SofaGarden.jpg: Courtesy: Sofa Garden Inc.
With Sofa Garden’s new Martini Collection, the problem of how to have numerous martinis without getting tipsy has finally been solved. How? The company’s collection allows designers to create the perfect martini out of pillows — including a vodka bottle, martini glass, silver shaker and an oversized pimento-stuffed green olive. The natural complement is, of course, a bolster replicating a cigar. If you’re not in the mood for anything shaken or stirred, try Sofa Garden’s Wine Collection, which includes the cheeky “Pinot Envy” pillow as well as bottle-shaped pillows in whites, reds and champagnes. Other collections include Moroccan brocades, Asian felts and a gothic-inspired line.
For more information, visit www.sofagarden.com.
Turn your Presentations Around
Screen-Shot.jpg: Courtesy: Turning Technologies LLCMeeting planners looking to spice up presentations can now take advantage of TurningPoint 2006 from Turning Technologies, which aims to turn lectures, meetings and classes into “two-way communication ‘happenings,’” according to a statement released by the company. What does this mean? It means that the audience receives credit card-sized response cards that hold up to 1,000 responses, which in turn means that speakers can engage audience members more actively, measure the transfer of knowledge in real time and determine the direction of their presentation based on interest and comprehension levels. The software offers complete integration with the Microsoft Office suite, and is available for sale or rental.
For more information, visit www.turningtechnologies.com.
Get some Limelight
Courtesy: Event HogSometimes it’s ok to hog all the attention — at least according to Bob Lorum of Event Hog. The company’s BrandStands are mobile marketing stages that take the concept of the local watering hole — a place that’s comfortable, stylish and invites conversation — and puts it on wheels to display products and entertain clients. This may be a step up from the local pub though — DVD/CD players, flat-screen monitors, cordless electric power, satellite radio, laptop connections and bar service equipment, among other features, all come standard. Custom features can include WiFi Internet hotspot service, satellite TV service, and custom bar tops, rails and seats. BrandStands are available for rental or sublease.
For more information, visit www.eventhog.com.
Adopt Early and Often
Courtesy: WingateWebSome of us may not yet have caught up with the last generation of event management software, but for those technophiles among us, WingateWeb has released Event Console 1.5, a next-generation software solution that provides corporate and association planners with a consolidated system for management across a full range of events. The new features centralize all event data, yielding enhanced lead generation, scheduling, registration, content management and reporting capabilities. The online registration feature offers you customized branding, unlimited registration paths and unlimited profile questions for improved understanding of your audience. The software also offers credit card processing, simple badge creation and other features.
For more information, visit www.wingateweb.com.
The ‘X’ Factor
Courtesy: Acclaim LightingNeed that fountain to glow in five different colors — or 16 million? Acclaim Lighting’s X-Ball is a modular luminaire that uses its red, blue and green LEDs to create almost any color, whether indoors, outdoors or underwater (it can be submerged up to one meter). Suggested for use in video walls, advertising, fountain lighting, logo graphics and industrial shows, the X-Ball is available in sizes of 42 LEDs and 21 LEDs, and can work individually or in groups of over 3,000 units. Each unit has a unique address that is individually addressable from a PC or a hand-held remote. The X-Ball also features low power consumption and a lamp life of 50,000 hours.
For more information, visit www.acclaimlighting.com.