Events, Size XLII
The most-watched Super Bowl in history had parties to match. Event Solutions has your VIP pass to some of the hottest
by Carolyn S. Baragona | Published in March 2008 Event Currents
Big Ticket Gala is Big Hit
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee (AZSBHC) Big Ticket Gala was the ultimate black-tie event for football fans during Super Bowl week.
The National Football League, AZSBHC and Phoenician Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., rolled out the red carpet for the attendees.
Guests were greeted by AZSBHC hosts and graciously directed to the bar in the spacious entry room. As guests snacked on hors d’oeuvres, an artist painted a large canvas with images of Pro Football Hall of Fame football players. The players signed the painting, which was one of several items offered at the live auction.
The foyer to the main ballroom glimmered with cases of Hall of Fame memorabilia, brought to Arizona by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Tables displayed hundreds of silent auction items, which correlated with the football theme, the majority being high-end autographed and sports-related memorabilia.
Twenty Pro Football Hall of Fame members such as Bart Starr and Roger Staubach mingled with guests, posing for photos and dining with them.
In the dining room, a vast stage spanned the front of the space. Tables with ice sculptured football centerpieces and referee-striped chairs filled the ballroom. Chris Berman of ESPN fame spoke and performed as the master of ceremonies, introducing and presenting on stage luminaries of the football world and the Super Bowl in particular.
The Hall of Fame members were presented one at a time. They walked across the stage to join Berman, while highlights from their careers were projected onto screens, and the announcer described the feats that had earned them membership to football’s most elite group of players. Following the dinner, Jay Leno entertained the audience.
This AZSBHC event was all about Super Bowl XLII, bringing the excitement, glamour and celebrity of professional football to the lucky guests in attendance.
One Arena, Multiple Parties
For some of those people fortunate enough to possess a Super Bowl ticket, M Group Scenic created a range of parties within the University of Phoenix Stadium for the National Football League.
Each NFL on Location area sported its own stage with a branded step-and-repeat-style backdrop. Photographers snapped Pat Madden impersonators and NFL stars, as well as guests who wanted to meet their favorite celebrity athletes.
Two areas of the upper court were transformed into clubs so authentically designed that guests believed these spaces had always been part of the stadium. The Roost and the Court featured not only high-end cuisine, televisions and custom-designed bars, but also pool tables, foosball and other games. The lounge area of both clubs boasted a fantastic view of the field through floor-to-ceiling windows, should guests wish to leave their stadium seats for part of the game and not miss any of the action.
M Group Scenic also transformed storage areas at field level into grand-scale NFC and AFC “locker rooms” color-themed to blue and red, representing the two battling teams. Everything in the space reflected locker room styling. The walls were covered with custom backdrops showing the jersey, number and name of each of the players on the respective teams. The bars were designed to replicate massage tables for after-game aches and pains. M Group Scenic incorporated benches, galvanized whirlpool tubs and sports equipment into the décor to give the rooms even more of a locker room feel. NFL on Location and M Group Scenic gave all the guests a fantastic place to party before and after the game.
Still another space was designed to give the feel of being on the field. Backdrops painted to look like fans sitting in the stadium wrapped the room. Astroturf complete with yard marks covered the floor.
Near the bottom, backdrops were drawn away from the walls, giving a three-dimensional “bowl” feel to the space.
With great teamwork, NFL on Location and M Group Scenic gave these Super Bowl fans a great party experience to go with a record-breaking Super Bowl game.
About the author: Carolyn S. Baragona
Carolyn S. Baragona is the vice president of Event Solutions.
Contact: carolyn@event-solutions.com