What’s New

From balloons and ballroom chairs to high-definition video and seatbacks with LEDs, event industry suppliers are constantly coming up with new products for planners to add to their palette. Their innovation often drives your innovation — and with the busy season coming up, it’s even more important to have these tools at your fingertips.

With that in mind, Event Solutions checked in with manufacturers around the country to find out what’s new, what’s hot, and what’s selling like hotcakes. Here’s what we found.

A Dynamic Space

Courtesy: Transformit DesignWe all could use a little privacy sometimes — and that’s the idea behind The Dynamics, which are lightweight, tension fabric structures that allow you to create space dividers, temporary walls, privacy bays, conversation nooks and dressing rooms. A proprietary system of the tension fabric R&D firm Transformit, The Dynamics are modular components that include standardized sections and are designed for use in event, exhibit and hospitality applications.

While the framing facilitates custom layering, lighting and graphics, The Dynamics’ quadratic arrangement produces original design selections of varying sizes that are not possible with the soft curvilinear and wave shapes of the company’s other collections.

For more information, visit www.transformitdesign.com.

Scenic Beauty

Courtesy: Dream World BackdropsSeems like everything’s going digital these days, and Dream World Backdrops’ new custom backdrops are no exception. The company has created a new department that can digitally produce backdrops on any type of fabric of any size. The advantage of a custom digital backdrop is that Dream World can print your backdrop in a few days and deliver it to you overnight, nationwide.

With over 1,500 backdrops for rental or sale, Dream World offers such themes as art deco, food, Hollywood, beach and celebration/fireworks. Each backdrop is carefully seamed and finished with ties at the top and hangs easily with pipe and drape. The lightweight backdrops can cover all walls of a venue.

For more information, visit www.dreamworldbackdrops.com.

A Powerful Tool

Courtesy: Cummins Power GenerationEver wish your generators didn’t generate so much noise? Cummins Power Generation has new rental generators that are intended for temporary power applications. The generator sets are easy to operate, with a reduced assembly time. Ranging in size from 60 kW to 500 kW, the new rental generators are even certified to meet new Tier 2 and Tier 3 emissions regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The units have fuel capacity for a minimum of 24 hours, as well as 110 percent fluid containment to prevent jobsite contamination. They are also designed to function in temperatures of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information, visit www.cumminspower.com/na/

You’ll be a Fan

Courtesy: International RoboticsCool down and communicate simultaneously — that’s what the new Hand-Held Matrix Holo-Fan from International Robotics allows you to do. Turn on the fan and the blades will spin and fade away from view, leaving your company name or message in floating lights. How does it work? The fan contains a tiny microprocessor inside that is programmed with your four-cycle message. LED lights are embedded in the touch-safe fan blades and connected to the microprocessor. The message can be up to four words (12 or 14 letters long). With this variability, the battery-operated Holo-Fan is well-suited for corporate gifts as well as promotions. The Holo-Fan retails for $7.95, although it can be purchased for as low as $1.15 in large quantities.

For more information, visit www.internationalrobotics.com.

Inflate and Captivate

Courtesy: Air Dimensional DesignsThe latest innovation from Air Dimensional Design Inc. is its Hi-Lights product line, inflatables that can be custom-designed to your liking and also come in certain designs. The new line also frees you and your event design from such mundane concerns as power cords and plugs — Hi-Lights are remote-controlled and battery-operated. Once they are hung, they will inflate with the touch of a button on your remote. A few of the many design options are stars, spheres, cones and medusas. AirDD’s mission is to help event planners transform any space into a vibrant and elegant one with as little effort as possible. You can also print your logo or project a custom message on the inflatables. Installation services are available.

For more information, visit www.inflatabledecor.com.

Martini Anyone?

Photo Courtesy: Opulence StudioA bar is a bar is a bar — unless it’s a Martini Bar, according to CORT Event Furnishings. The company is offering the increasingly popular Martini Bar, which features sleek stainless steel and glass with soft, curved surfaces. Its modular appearance is a nod to modern event design, allowing for the event planner’s creativity in shaping them together in various configurations. The Martini Bar’s multipurpose nature also means it can be more than just a not-so-conventional bar. For example, they were used as registration stations for all attendees at this year’s Idea Factory.

For more information, visit www.cortevents.com.

Get your Party Pass On

Courtesy: Ice MagicWhere better to place your logo than around attendees’ necks? Ice Magic’s Party Passes are in-house-manufactured pieces cut out of acrylic in any shape or size. Each piece is customized to your specifications and can have your logo or message added. A light and lanyard are attached at the end of each piece that are available in a variety of colors. The passes, which can remain lit throughout an entire event, can be used as VIP passes, invitations or souvenirs. Pricing ranges from $5.00 to $8.00, plus art fees and shipping.

For more information, call (888) 538-1200 or visit www.icemagic.biz.