Canadian Special Events Magazine - Event Awards Look Book 2016

JUNE 2016

magazine TORONTO’S TWO NEW

SUPER Venues SET TO OPEN IN 2016 CANADIAN EVENT INDUSTRY

AWARD WINNERS LOOK BOOK

+ STAGING Inspiration FROM BREGENZ, AUSTRIA C A N A D A ’ S FA V O U R I T E R E S O U R C E F O R P E O P L E W H O P L A N E V E N T S .

.

editor’sletter I’m excited to share our first ever digital edition of Canadian Special Events (CSE) monthly magazine. Our team has been working hard getting this issue ready; making sure we have the right page count, the best photos and the perfect blend of lifestyle and business content to make our magazine stand-out.

I encourage you to share it, tweet it, send me your feedback, story ideas and most of all, your PICTURES! I can’t wait to share them with our 24,000 online readers.

This is the first full digital edition of our three new publications and marketing solutions designed to educate, celebrate and connect the thriving special events industry in Canada.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, so we have filled our magazine with pages of big bold visuals, alongside new product features and innovative solutions. CSE is designed be eye candy that inspires you to want to go forth and CREATE! Canadian Special Events e-zine will arrive in your inbox every month, filled with new ideas, innovations, profiles, venue reviews, stories of the people and places that make up our wonderful world of events.

DETAILZ_CSE_METALS_PRINT.pdf

1

3/21/16

2:20 PM

People will stare.

Make it worth their while.

The Cartier Collection C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

DETAILZCOUTURE.COM | 647.928.SEAT | 1.800.971.4313

RENTALS | SALES

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 1

.

In this

ISSUE 1 3 4 9 11 15 17 19 35 36 40 43 45 47

Editor’s Letter Event Food: Fork + Farm Featured Story Venues By Design Things We Love Event Report: #LoveLentils Mardi Gras What’s Up! Eye On Design: Staging Supremacy Canadian Event Industry Award Winners Lookbook Events With Purpose: Look 2015 15 Ways to Raise The Bar At Your Next Event Event Tech: Robot Bartenders Great Ideas: The Perfume Bar Clicks of the Month Performer Highlight: Robyn Pauhl

Things We

LYVE See on page 9

PUBLISHED BY CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MEDIA GROUP A DIVISION OF NATIONAL EVENT MARKETING GROUP INC. 877-212-3976 • WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM Founder & Creative Director: Stacy Wyatt National Sales Director: Jason Koop Design: Veronica Michalczak & Helena Poll Client Communications: Olivia Stratton Team Cuddler: Jake the Dog All material that appears in Canadian Special Events Magazine is protected by Copyright and can only be reprinted with written permission of the publisher National Event Marketing Group Inc. All material is printed at the discretion of the publishers, but does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. We endeavor to maintain a high standard of accuracy in the quality of articles published and our articles are intended to promote the businesses and services of event and meeting suppliers and to offer education and information relevant to event and meeting planners. Readers are advised to always use their discretion when hiring any product, service or supplier. National Event Marketing Group Inc. can take no responsibility for individual outcomes of any such choice.

.

eventfood Meet Fork + Farm Catered Events serving up handcrafted experiences, one event at a time.

Their philosophy is simple; their food is anything but. According to co-owners Dennis Jefferey (Chef) and Jennifer Jeffery (event coordinator) “if your caterer isn’t roasting their own meats, baking their own bread and making everything from scratch then it’s just fast food. which is why you won’t find anything pre-cooked, premade or pre-baked in their kitchen!

At Fork + Farm everything starts with the very best fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, balanced with talented chefs who have a deep respect for the craft of cooking resulting in extraordinary catering. Dennis has spent his life crafting the art of cooking and service in Canada’s finest restaurants from east to west. He has proudly called Calgary home for the last 15 years. Wanting to have a deeper connection to clients, and to push the creative boundaries even further, Dennis created Fork + Farm Catering to fill a need for high end, boutique catering to serve the fast changing food landscape of discerning Calgarians.

For personalized, creative menus and unparalleled service for your next corporate social or private event, we suggest Fork + Farm.

For more info visit them at www.forkandfarmcatering.com.

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 3

.

featurestory

Venues by Design Two New Stylish Event Spaces Contributing Editor: Hala Bissada, CFRE

Finding the right venue event is one of the most critical decisions a planner or host will make.

That is why event planners are always excited when a fresh new venue is set to open. Brand new spaces can help to invigorate an existing event, act as a launching pad for a new one and can be added enticement to guests who want to experience something new.

Toronto planners definitely have something to get excited about this season as two of the hottest new event venues are getting set to open their doors.

.

Union Station Union Station is Canada’s busiest multi-modal passenger transportation hub, a designated National Historic Site and a significant part of Toronto’s identity. More than a quarter-million people use Union Station daily. The City of Toronto is leading Union Station’s multi-year revitalization to reshape the way people experience Union Station.

Osmington (Union Station) Inc. is overseeing the design vision, created by a collaboration of design and architectural consultants with PARTISANS as lead architects. The collective goal is to make Union Station an international culinary, cultural, design and retail mecca, and….a spectacular venue for events.

The venue will feature six amazing rentable spaces.

The West Wing With its marble floors and pillars that stretch to the ornate sky lit ceiling, the West Wing is a study in grandeur. Once rejuvenated, the West Wing will be a hotspot location for private functions, community and cultural events. It can be used in conjunction with the Oak Room or on its own. It has a capacity to hold 260 for a seated dinner and 400 standing.

This space will be available in Q3 2016.

The Great Hall Despite the primary utility being a train station which operates as a bustling gateway for millions each year, there is a sense of calm in the Great Hall.

Beautiful soft light fills the space in the morning as it filters through the arched pane glass window.

Steeped in history and character, and charged with the kinetic energy of Toronto, the Great Hall of Union Station creates a sense of awe for any who pass through. It has a capacity to hold 360 seated for dinner and 500 standing. This space is currently available and set for renovation in Q4 2018.

This part of Union Station runs the entire length of the main section. It is 250 feet (76 m) long and 88 feet (27 m) high at its highest point. It is lit with diffused natural light from clerestory windows refracted throughout the lobby. Each end of the Great Hall also features four-storey tall arched windows, based on those of Roman baths.

Space is perfect for: • • • • •

Awards Ceremonies Annual Meetings Galas Concerts Speakers & Lectures

• Spoken word and Poetry • Cocktail receptions • Film Screenings JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 5

.

featurestory The Oak Room

The East Carriageway

Union Station’s Oak Room echoes the glamour and elegance of private clubrooms or jazz lounges of days past. Complete with oak panel walls and marble flooring, and attached to the West Wing, the Oak Room is perfect for any type of event whether it be private or public in nature. Capacities will be determined once the space has been built. This space is currently under construction and will be available for events in Q4 2018.

The softly lit bowed ceilings and brick walls of the East Carriageway are reminiscent of a wine cellar of French tradition. Warm and welcoming, but also the most private and exclusive of the Union Station venues, the atmosphere of the East Carriageway is perfect for hosting intimate events such as private dinner parties, book readings or wine tastings. Capacities will be determined once the space has been built. This space is currently under construction and will be available Q4 2018.

Space is perfect for: • Press Conferences

• Speakers and Lectures

• Annual Meetings

• Corporate Functions

• Galas

• Trunk Shows

• Small Concerts

The West Carriageway With its spectacular glass rooftop which peaks onto Front Street, the West Carriageway allows for the ambiance of any season to filter into your event, whether it is a romantic winter snowfall or a warm summer sunset. The West Carriageway feels airy and spacious: a striking counterpart to the adjoined East Carriageway.

Perfect for large dinner parties, cocktail events, afterparties or speaker series, the West Carriageway provides guests a glimpse of Toronto, and Toronto, a glimpse of the events. Capacities will be determined once the space has been built by Q4 2018.

Sir John A. MacDonald Plaza Truly the front doorstep of Toronto and the gateway to Canada, the newly renovated plaza has been home to successful outdoor markets, both in the summer and winter. Both Union Summer and Union Holiday operated 7 days a week, over several months, with a frequent rotation of vendors and entertainment programming. The offering showcased the `Best of Toronto,’ including independent restaurants, food stalls, retailers and artisans. Through these successful programs, the plaza has proven it can be a culinary, retail and cultural destination for Torontonians and tourists alike. This space is currently available.

The confirmed tenant list to date includes: McCafé, Starbucks, Booster Juice, Uncle Tetsu’s Cheesecake, International News, The Bagel Stop, Pilot Coffee (temporary kiosk), Tim Hortons (temporary kiosk), Union Chicken, Burger’s Priest, Loding, Ugly Dukling, Greenhouse Juice, Pilot Coffee, Urban Herbivore, Shanghai 360, Paramount Fine Foods, Scaccia.

6 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

.

11 Polson Pier Ink Entertainment, Canada’s leading lifestyle and entertainment company led by visionary entrepreneur Charles Khabouth, has launched 11 Polson (formally the old Sound Academy) on May 28th.

facilities. Luxury VIP booths that will offer unobstructed views of the stage. Capacity? Once renovations are completed, the space will hold 670 seated and 1,500 standing.

Designed by Studio Munge, this visual and architectural masterpiece, will feature encompass 45,000 sq ft of worldclass event space which can function as a state-of-the-art live concert venue, a versatile corporate event venue and a spectacular dance space for club nights.

Connected to the Main Room by a retractable sliding wall is the City Bar with its expansive views of the Toronto Skyline and waterfront. Glass doors connect this space to Cabana Pool Bar and will hold 500 guests for a standing reception.

11 Polson will offer two floors with a private VIP entrance, sprawling views of the city skyline and a seamless connection to the luxury outdoor lounge, Cabana Pool Bar. Ink promises nothing short of stunning, from the black and gold pallete and high gloss contemporary surfaces to the unusual animalistic and vegetal patterns and subversive graphics, a sculpted ceiling and state-of-the-art visual displays.

The venue has five rentable spaces and has been designed to provide event planners with a full turn-key solution that creates a complete sensory experience for guests. Tech savvy features include a state-of-the art sound system, advanced LED lighting technology and multiple rigging points. The Main Room (still to be appropriately named) will feature a 65 ft stage with an expansive installation of LED video walls. Well thought out design touches include extra wide doors designed for large move ins and brand new luxury washroom

Perched on the second floor at the edge of Lake Ontario, overlooking the stunning city skyline is the almost 6000 sq ft Solarium which will remain untouched. The unique allglass room features a retractable ceiling, double-sided fireplaces, two patios, a private entrance and elevator and can host 240 for a seated dinner and 600 standing.

VIP 1 (Lakeview) and VIP 2 (Stage Right) are two exclusive backstage clubs which hold between 80 - 150 guests. The venue also has 600 parking spots.

Thank you to the following individuals for their contributions to the articles.

•

Jeff Wojcik, Director of Corporate Events and Sales, INK Entertainment

•

Elaine Quan, Director of Publicity, INK Entertainment

•

Charlene Lo, Union Brand & Communications

•

Jeanette Janzen-Jones, Union, Programming & Special Events

•

Brad Keast, Vice President, Development, Osmington Inc.

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 7

.

Stardust Decor & Events www.stardustevents.com (905) 479-7000

‘Tis the Season to Shine. Let the decorating begin

Create an unforgettable event with Spectacular DĂŠcor, Draping, Centre Pieces, Creative Floral Arrangements, Linen and Chair Covers, Furniture, Entertainment and Activities.

Everything you need for a memorable party.

For expert decorating of your corporate holiday event, contact us at (905) 479-7000. www.stardustevents.com .

thingswelYve

1

2

PRODUCTIVE:

Vinaya

Altruis rose gold and white smart notification necklace. This rose gold plated necklace is a statement piece that will keep you plugged in and updated while exuding timeless style.

3

DESIGN:

Paper Roses

We love these paper roses on the back of chivari chairs.

Click here to learn how to make these.

PREPARATION:

Smart Phone Printer

Every planner on the go MUST have this ingenious batterypowered device that lets you print photos via Wi-Fi from Apple and Android phones and tablets—and pretty much guarantees you’ll be a lifesaver more than once.

5

PRODUCTIVE:

Mobile Desk For event planners who are tired of balancing a laptop on site or searching for a spot to “set up shop” on event locations, here is your solution. The pop up mobile workstation.

6

INTERACTIVE:

Petal Push Pops Perfect for adding a blast of fresh flowers to any event, a sweet touch for table gifts or swag bags. Comes with dried rose, lilac and hydrangea petals.

.

4

GIFTING:

Prelit Marquee Word with Rustic Metal Finish Light up someone’s life with these retro metal marquee-style letters in uplifting words like LOVE, HOPE, and KIND from Ellen DeGeneres’s lifestyle collection.

A floor to ceiling lighting centerpiece was the focal point of the room.

.

eventreport

WINNER HIGHLIGHT

#LoveLentils

Hart & Galla won the 2016 Canadian Event Industry Award for Best Event Decor $0 - $30,000

BEHIND THE MASK

MARDI GRAS

Hart & Galla Events executed an exclusive event for a renowned Lentil Grower at the BlissDom Canada Conference in October at Blue Mountain Resort. The theme was a New Orleans style Mardi Gras.

The moment guests entered they were immersed in a unique Mardi Gras experience, captured through various medias and interactivities. A snapshot of a street in the French quarter, once at end of the corridor was draped with large filtered & stylized banner images of various key New Orleans hot spots. Faux street lamps, masqueraded servers and a parade of carnival style performers gave guests a taste of what was to come once they entered the main ballroom.

The entrance to the ballroom doorway was swagged in velvety, club style drape which led to a mysterious darkened corridor which was black-lit with glowing low hanging LED lights. Once to the end of the corridor, drapes opened to reveal the “Voodoo Lounge” featuring eclectic seating, bars and rich toned draping giving off

.

a lush and exotic feel. The space was accented with neon images of animals and masks superimposed on the black-lit, velvet walls. Small, round tables scattered throughout offered live Tarot Card readers ready to reveal fortune tales.

The Voodoo Lounge opened up to the main ballroom which was transformed into the French Quarter by white draping, faux street lamps and subtle nods to gold and jewel tones throughout the New Orleans style décor. A floor to ceiling lighting centerpiece was the focal point of the room. Masquerade themed servers presented signature cocktails and lentil-based tasting dishes. Living statues and carnival style entertainers peppered the venue while continous acts performed on the stage. In one corner stood a 6x6 ft snapshot of a street in the French Quarter which allowed guests to pose for a photo while sharing their experience on social media.

The entrance to the ballroom doorway led to a mysterious darkened corridor black-lit with glowing low hanging LED lights.

12 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

.

The “Voodoo Lounge� was accented with neon images of animals and masks superimposed on the blacklit velvet walls.

.

.

what’sup!

Inspired Openings

Moving Up

Award winning international event producer Hala Bissada, CFRE has expanded her corporate and charitable event focused company to include a luxury wedding and social event firm aptly named Hala Luxury Weddings and Milestone Celebrations.

AV Giant FMAV has four new members on its talented team.

Alissa Hurley, CMM, Wentworth Willock, Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM and Brent Beatty have all joined the company in varied roles and partnerships.

Shelley Johnson, CSEP, SLJ Productions and David James, Managing Director/CEO of Nasco Staffing Solutions have created a union called Nasco Productions to focus on live events.

Moving Forward

Kudos Congratulations to the winners of the the 1st Annual ILEA Vancouver Chapter Awards. Winners were announced live on May 24 at the Chapters Spring Gala. Click here to view the winners.

Tourism Vancouver’s Rachael Riggs, Manager of Meeting and Convention Sales, Midwest U.S., was honored with the award for Supplier of the Year by PCMA. The award was presented at the PCMA Education Foundation’s 2016 Visionary Awards.

.

The International Special Events Society has officially changed its name to the International Live Events Association (ILEA) as of May 2. International President Jodi Collen, CSEP said “This is the culmination of a process that began several years ago and that will continue as our association continues to evolve. We are known by our global members and partners as the live events industry.

‘Live’ is quite simply the best way to express and communicate in one powerful word the fantastic energy and clarity that live events, no matter what kind, bring to human communication”.

More informaton at www.ileahub.com.

.

eyeondesign

Staging

Supremacy

It all began in 1946 when the city of Bregenz needed a venue to host their first annual performing arts festival.

The city did not have any theatres, but they did have a beautiful shoreline along Lake Constance and in an act of pure brilliance the legendary staging of Bregenz was born.

That first year the 10 day festival was presented on two anchored barges, one acting as a stage, the other a platform for the orchestra. Ten days turned into what is now an annual two month celebration of the performing arts with 100s of events and those two barges have now become literally the world’s stage.

The Seebuhne (floating stage) is one of the most creative, spectacular and logistically challenging platforms in the world. A new stage design is created every two years, each time, increasing in its technology and complexity.

Each stage must stand up to freezing temps in the winter to the blistering heat of the summer, not an easy task considering it is built over water which itself freezes solid.

All of the dressing rooms, the orchestra pit, the mechanical rooms and all the back stage technical spaces must be housed inside the stage itself and to add to the challenges, each stages must be at least three times larger so as not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the lake.

This unique collaboration of event technology, set design and architectural feats combine to create an immersive experience that draws the audience from around the world to witness its grandeur.

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 17

.

.

WINNERS LOOKBOOK HONOURING THE BEST IN CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS & MEETINGS

2016

Winners Congratulations to the 2016 Canadian Event Industry Awards Recipients. Top honours were presented live at the 2016 Awards Gala Dinner & Celebration on March 31, at The Grand Luxe Event Boutique in North York, Ontario. Finalists were selected from

hundreds

of

submitted

entries and judged by a panel of industry experts from across Canada.

BEST WEDDING UNDER $75,000 RSVP Event Design, Saskatoon, SK HOMEGROWN LOVE

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 19

.

2016winners 1

BEST EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING EVENT Black Chalk Marketing, Toronto, ON Spotify Festival Tour

2

BEST BRAND/PRODUCT LAUNCH Site 6 Events, Edmonton, AB Adventure Y – Siege of Dragonspear

3

BEST SHOW BOOTH/BRAND DISPLAY OR PAVILION BLD Decor and Scenery, Burnaby, BC Metropolis Lightroom

4

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF EVENT TECHNOLOGY SDI Marketing, Toronto, ON Rogers Hometown Hockey Black Chalk Marketing, Toronto, ON SPOTIFY FESTIVAL TOUR

BLD Decor and Scenery, Burnaby, BC LIGHTROOM Working with the Metropolis at Metrotown marketing team, BLD created an immersive LIGHTROOM experience. The design created a mirrored room that gave guests the sensation of floating in infinite space, surrounded by thousands of points of light, with images of their social media lives floating in space around them. To achieve this BLD designed a 20’ X 24’ mirrored box; and built custom written programming to control thousands of tiny LED’s and a custom AV program that picked up and projected social media images.

.

Winter Cities Shake-Up is an international conference intended to shake up preconceptions on the way Winter communities live, work and play. Hosted by the City of Edmonton, the event spans three days and includes presentations from design and planning experts and Winter fun enthusiasts. Freeman Audio Visual Canada coupled state-of-the-art technology with multimedia content to transform a ballroom into an immersive Winter wonderland, where virtual blizzards engulfed attendees and music mixed with the sounds of crunching snow. The curved 132’ W x 12’ H Peroni projection screen utilized to create this experience has been widely touted as the first if its kind in Canada.

5

BEST AUDIO VISUAL DESIGN FOR AN EVENT Freeman Audio Visual Canada, Edmonton, AB 2015 Winter Cities Shake-Up

6

BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR AN EVENT TIE BC Event Management, Port Moody, BC & FMAV, Vancouver, BC Pan Am Games Nasco Staffing Solutions, Vancouver, BC Opening Ceremony for the 2015 Pan Am Games

7

BEST LIGHTING FOR AN EVENT FOS Decor Center, Toronto, ON Lindt’s 20th Canadian Anniversary Gala

BC Event Management, Port Moody, BC & FMAV, Vancouver, BC PAN AM GAMES

.

2016winners 8

BEST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY Photos With Finesse, Calgary, AB Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) – Calgary

9

BEST TRADE SHOW/ EXPOSITION Ontario Hospital Association, Toronto, ON HealthAchieve

10

BEST CONFERENCE/CORPORATE MEETING aNd Logistix Inc., Toronto, ON P3 2015

11

BEST MULTIPLE DAY INCENTIVE OR CONVENTION Pacific Destination Services Inc., Vancouver, BC Top Achievers Club 2015

12

BEST EVENT FOR A HIGH PROFILE CHARITY Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation KitchenAid Cook for the Cure Culinary Showdown

Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION KITCHENAID COOK FOR THE CURE CULINARY SHOWDOWN

“ .

Photos With Finesse, Calgary, AB CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES (CSAE) – CALGARY

“

“

Senik Events inc, Montreal-Est, QC, CRIME OF THE CENTURY

Light Up the Night attracted over

13

BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A COMMUNITY BASED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

7,000 students and alumni and became McMaster’s newest tradition.

Hala Events & Communications Inc., Toronto, ON The Kaleidoscope Ball

14

BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION BY 3RD PARTY PLANNER

McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Senik Events inc, Montreal-Est, QC,

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Crime of the Century

15

BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION BY AN IN HOUSE TEAM OR PLANNER

TIE

McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Light Up the Night WestJet, Calgary, AB WestJet Christmas Party, Swing from the Chandelier

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 23

.

BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION Parléview, Toronto, ON

BY AN IN HOUSE TEAM OR PLANNER ONTARIO’S CELEBRATION ZONE WestJet, Calgary, AB WESTJET CHRISTMAS PARTY, SWING FROM THE

R5 Event Design, Toronto, ON A ROUGE PARADISE – #LOVEWINS WITH MATT & JESSE

16

BEST EVENT PRODUCED BY AN ASSOCIATION, BOARD OR COMMITTEE Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON Ontario Tourism Summit

17

BEST CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING EVENT POP Kollaborative Inc., Calgary, AB Catalyst

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT

18

BEST PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT EVENT OR FESTIVAL Parléview, Toronto, ON Ontario’s Celebration Zone

19

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION BaAM Productions, Toronto, ON Closing Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games

20

OUTSTANDING LOGISTICAL ACHIEVEMENT Parléview, Toronto, ON Ontario’s Celebration Zone

24 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

.

Portage, Montreal, QC, 12TH EDITION OF THE SOIREE DES GRANDS PHILANTHROPES – TRIBUTE TO JEAN-GUY DESJARDINS

21

BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR A HIGH PROFILE CHARITY Boom Goes the Drum, Calgary, AB LOOK2015

22

BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION Portage, Montreal, QC, 12th Edition of the Soiree des Grands Philanthropes – Tribute to Jean-Guy Desjardins

23

BEST EVENT DECOR $0 – $30,000

TIE

Hart & Galla, Etobicoke, ON #LoveLentils Behind the Mask Mardi Gras Decor and More Inc, Oakville, ON 25th Anniversary

24

BEST EVENT DECOR $30,000 – $80,000 R5 Event Design, Toronto, ON A Rouge Paradise – #Lovewins with Matt & Jesse

Decor and More Inc, Oakville, ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 25

.

2016winners 25

BEST EVENT DECOR $80,000 + Visions Display Inc., Toronto, ON Holiday Memories

26

BEST TABLESCAPING DT Floral & Décor, Vaughan, ON Vintage at Magna

27

BEST WEDDING CREATIVE OneWest Events Inc., Calgary, AB Jeff & Dawn

28

BEST WEDDING UNDER $75,000 RSVP Event Design, Saskatoon, SK Homegrown Love

29

MOST CREATIVE CATERING PRESENTATION

Visions Display Inc., Toronto, ON

Savoury Chef Foods, Vancouver, BC

HOLIDAY MEMORIES

Cirque Du Soleil – KOOZA Lounge and VIP Experience

30

BEST WEDDING OVER $75,000 Lynn Fletcher Weddings, Calgary, AB Love & Luxury

31

BEST OVERALL CATERED EVENT Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, QC The Daffodil Ball – Shanghai Silk

“

From the tops of mountains

THE DAFFODIL BALL – SHANGHAI SILK

26 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

“

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, QC

to the regal ballrooms of the Fairmont Banff Springs, guests were lavishly spoiled and pampered. Every event over the weekend meticulously designed to create a mosaic of ultimate LOVE & LUXURY.

.

Lynn Fletcher Weddings, Calgary, AB

LOVE & LUXURY

.

The Canadian Hospitality Foundation’s 2015 gala merged conceptual superhero cultural with an elegant twist. A Knight in Gotham didn’t feature the Caped Crusader or his long list of villainous enemies; instead it was a classy Black and White fundraiser gala hosted at Bruce Wayne’s Manor. With a reception held in the Billionaire’s garden, to a 96’ seamless screen in the main ballroom featuring the entire Gotham skyline, this event brought new meaning to event originality and provided an experience that left a lasting impression on both fans and hospitality supporters.

32

MOST OUTSTANDING EVENT UP TO $200,000 Fifth Element Group, North York, ON A Knight in Gotham

33

MOST OUTSTANDING EVENT OVER $200,000 TIE BRANDLIVE Management Group, Vancouver, BC NYE Vancouver 2015 City of Richmond & John Donnelly & Associates, Vancouver, BC the Richmond World Festival

City of Richmond & John Donnelly & Associates, Vancouver, BC

THE RICHMOND WORLD FESTIVAL

“

“

The

inaugural Richmond World Festival attracted over 25,000 people to celebrate Richmond’s significant cultural diversity through music, food, sport and arts.

.

BRANDLIVE Management Group, Vancouver, BC NYE VANCOUVER 2015

.

2016winners 34

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Bob Cates, Comedian, Comedy in Motion, Cambridge, ON

Play Me Bob Cates, Comedian, Comedy in Motion, Cambridge, ON

Paras Mehta, Paras Events Inc., Brampton, ON

35

WEDDING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Paras Mehta, Paras Events Inc., Brampton, ON

36

CATERER OF THE YEAR Debra Lykkemark, Culinary Capers Catering and Special Events, Vancouver, BC

.

Debra Lykkemark, Culinary Capers Catering and Special Events, Vancouver, BC

.

.

“

“

This years recipients truly

define what it means to be an event professional in every sense of the word.

Stacy Wyatt, Founder & Executive Director, Canadian Event Industry Awards

Sarah Tammemagi, Parleview Events

Shelley Johnson, Vancouver, BC

37 EVENT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Shelley Johnson, Vancouver, BC

38 EMERGING LEADER AWARD Sarah Tammemagi, Parleview Events, Toronto, ON

39 SPIRIT OF THE INDUSTRY

Tara Sweeney, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB Tara Sweeney, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB

Canadian Special Events Introduces The Regional Event Awards Competition Launching This Fall Canadian Special Events is proud to introduce a brand new program for the Canadian event industry. Launching this fall, Canadian Special Events will be offering a regional awards competition in 5 areas of Canada. The awards will honor excellence in event design, venues, production and catering in BC, AB, MB/SK, ON and Quebec/Atlantic Canada. The regional awards competition is a way of furthering supporting Canadian companies that have a desire to generate regional publicity and gain local recognition.

Entry portals will open July 30, 2016 and the awards can be entered by any Canadian company that fulfills the category requirements and regional guidelines. Entry deadline is September 18, 2016. Events will be judged by a panel of experts from across Canada and winners will be announced at a Gala Reception in each region in early November.

We hope to see you and your team participate in this exciting new competition. Visit www.canadianeventawards.com for more information. Companies wishing to sponsor the awards either locally or nationally can send a proposal to info@canadianspecialevents.com.

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 33

.

.

eventswithpurpose

WINNER HIGHLIGHT Boom Goes the Drum won the 2016 Canadian Event Industry Award for Best Fundraising Event for a High Profile Charity.

Two years ago, LOOK didn’t exist. Today, it is a world-class, nationally recognized, million-dollar annual fundraising event.

Hailed as “One of Canada’s hottest events” by the Globe and Mail, LOOK is the flagship annual fundraiser for Contemporary Calgary, a modern and contemporary art museum that began as a collaboration of visual arts partners. Their mission; to build a global city of choice by engaging Calgary in the art of our times.

In 2014, Contemporary Calgary won a city-wide bid to move into the sought-after historical Centennial Planetarium, with plans to open a major destination for modern and contemporary art. With fundraising as the main objective, they produced the inaugural fundraising gala LOOK2014 and in 2015, repeated the event for a stunning 700 guests.

Despite the difficult economic environment, the committee developed a matching fund, made possible by private donations, allowing LOOK to raise a stunning one million dollars.

Held in the future home of Contemporary Calgary, a 1960’s brutalist style building that had sat empty for 5 years, the space posed a range of possibilities and challenges, the up side was that the unique 50,000 sq ft was also a blank canvas.

The rough concrete, elegant curves and semi-abandoned feel of

the space inspired the concept of ‘Art-Work’, that this process of creating a destination for art is not only work, but is a form of art in and of itself. With a limited décor budget they focused on contradictions, embracing the raw forgotten spaces while creating a polished, high-end guest experience.

VIP Guests began their evening on the branded pink carpet, passing twisting glass and cement walls accented with architectural uplighting, past a live art installation and into the transformed Round Room of the Planetarium. The hypnotic sound of DJ Chris Brennan set the mood amidst canapés by the award-winning Hotel Arts. A silent auction of major contemporary works lined the wall, and volunteers with ‘BID’ shirts were at hand, walking guests through the digital bidding interface. Stationery art was punctuated by living art installations, designed by internationally recognized artist Tia Halliday.

Contemporary Calgary Fundraising Chair Jay Mehr thanked VIP guests and invited them into the ‘Temporary Contemporary’ space for more libations and a keynote presentation by New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik. En route guests passed a lit string-art-installation by Artist Randy Niessen stretching from floor to ceiling.

The evening’s auctions raised over $350,000 making LOOK host to one of the largest modern and contemporary art auctions in Canada.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY HOFER & LEBLOND STUDIO JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 35

.

15Ways

To Raise The

Bar

At Your Next Event

How many ways can you raise the Bar at a wedding or special event?

We have built a collection of our favourites. From inside the BARN to do it yourself BARgains… we think this is a hoot (pardon the pun).

Activity Bars

1

Cannabis Bar “I’ll be your Budtender for the evening”.

For couples in a select few states, this year’s wedding decision is not what colors to serve in the candybar but where to put the CanniBar. On the menu? A selection of 10-15 strands of ‘marry-juana’, and a very chill time.

Legal? You bet. According to Oregon state law, as long as it is on private property it is legal… but only if there is no alcohol being served. It is definitely going to be a hit in Canada one day soon. What does this mean for wedding planners? Well, other than of course safety and transportation for guests who choose to indulge, it is going to give a whole new meaning to the midnight buffet!

2 A Breath of Fresh Air-Hooka Bar

Belly up to the bar and order a shot of vanilla, mint, creamsicle or cherry AIR. That’s right; relax in a comfy lounger, slip off those high heels and breath deeply for ten minutes of pure flavored O2. There are no medical claims made at these relaxation stations but it does provide for a fun and healthy alternative for event entertainment. Your guests will LOVE it!

3

Confetti Bar Looking for an alternative to traditional rice throwing? How about going in a totally different direction and giving guests a choice? Using small brown paper bags (country wedding) or colored satchels (upscale wedding), fill the bags 3/4 full with flowers, lavender, seeds, colored confetti, colored rice or theme confetti. You can also have glass vases or canisters and fill them with all kinds of colorful solutions.

36 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

.

Beverage Bars

4 Beer Bar

We suggest having your decorator take this one on, unless you are the crafty type and you are planning a DYI event. A beer bar is a serve yourself station where guests can sample up to 8 or more craft beers, keg style. Normally the keg is hidden behind a wooden facade and the only things exposed are the taps. Creative glasses to match the beers ethnicity and background add to the fun.

5 Make Your Own Milkshake Bar Treat your grown up guests to a little nostalgia by setting up a Milkshake bar. Ice cream, mixers, fruit, toppings, whip cream, but served up with an adult-friendly kick!

6 Mimosa Bar

Mimosa bars are ideal perfect for brunches and Sunday weddings. Just add champagne and a selection of colorful fresh fruit juices with elegant flutes and it doesn’t get much easier than that!

7 Whiskey & Scotch Bar

Old world charm meets nouveau chic at the scotch and whiskey bar. There are several reputable and creative companies across Canada that specialize in these distinctive tasting stations, and they have the skill and expertise to offer guests more than just a sip. They tell the story of each spirit, they share the rich history of each brand and they can offer a unique and interactive way to entertain guests. We suggest hiring a professional for these bars.

.

Food Bars

8 9

Sushi Bar A long time favorite at any buffet or event where there are active food stations. Why not hire an expert sushi chef to offer guests the full Japanese experience. These chefs can put on quite a show with their artistry and master sushi making skills.

Salad Bar Everyone loves to get fresh. Why not treat your guests to a mini salad bar. Try unique dishes to kick up the scale like Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Blood Oranges and Fennel; Strawberry Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing, Caprese Salad Skewers with Balsamic Glaze and Turmeric Tahini Roasted Cauliflower Salad.

TIP:

Using square floral vases creates a unified clean look and with all the colorful options for food, you can even customize it to match your events palette.

10 Bread Bar 11 Olive and Charcuterie Bar

A GREAT charcuterie bar is a work of art. From the nuts and dried fruit to gourmet cheese and specialty meats, cheese and charcuterie boards automatically add that gourmet touch to any kind of event from 10 - 1,000 guests.

TIP: Don’t forget to add pops of color to avoid an all-beige palette. Even the slightest sprinkling of bold colors from adding olives or fruit will give it that POP you want.

A bread bar is a great option for winter weddings and can be paired with a self-serve soup bar. Perfect for creating a welcoming, cozy evening and casual and rustic style events. To take this idea up a notch, high-end events can offer breads from around the world, paired with specialty dips, cheeses and charcuterie.

12 Make your own Taco Bar

It doesn’t have to be Cinco de Mayo to enjoy a great Taco bar.

Who doesn’t love all that rich cheesy, creamy and spicy goodness. For budget conscious events of any kind this is a great station to include. A Taco Bar is great for conference lunches, team building lunches and corporate events that have a casual night component. BONUS! These bars can be easily and inexpensively themed.

.

Dessert Bars

13 Candy Apple Bar

Depending on the event and the style, these are really more of a take home gift idea than an eat on the spot idea, unless it’s for kids.

There are endless ideas for candy apple bars; caramel, make your own, top your own, dip your own... any color, any flavor... just ask your catering or local candy shop for ideas and pricing. Even chic, posh events can have a bit of whimsy.

14 Pie Bar

Let them eat pie! Select a range of old fashioned favoirites like apple and cherry, add in some rhubarb and peach and finish off your menu with a few noveau chic flavours like chocolate rum and captain crunch or oreo meriengue and you have the makings of a world class pie bar.

15 Pop Corn Bar

Popcorn is another one of these down home, comfort foods easily doubling as a unique take home gift. Fill apple barrels with fresh popped corn, offer a dozen or so creative toppings, colorful bags, and let guests do the rest. These are easily DIY or an inexpensive option if you are using a caterer. Try going for uncommon toppings like chocolate and ginger, Italian herb, dried feta and sun dried tomato. Delish!

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 39

.

eventtech

robot BARtenders Robot Bartenders? This may conjure up images of C-3PO’s smiling face, slinging drinks, telling jokes and advice to the weary. We are not quite there yet but robot bartenders can be found serving guests as we speak.

Last year’s huge mixology trends have taken a step forward with these new generation bar tenders. Now your guests can order custom cocktails from their phone with Somabar, a Wi-Fi connected robot bartender that builds custom cocktails in about five minutes.

The process is simple. Using tequila, vodka, gin or whisky, the appliance mixes and infuses in just seconds to create the perfect cocktail every time, all from a smart phone. While it may seem a bit gimmicky it’s a great way of engaging attendees and guarantees great social media pics.

In the future releases, guests will be able to create their very own personal custom cocktail using hints from the apps and their own personal tastes for a truly unique drinking experience.

Guests can have fun ordering perfect drinks with the touch of a finger. Think it is kitschy? Think about where Kureg started five years ago?

40 | CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENTS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016

.

.

.

greatideas

Perfume Bar

The

As planners, we look for new ways to engage the audience by shaping their perspectives and appealing to their five senses, creating a unique and unforgettable experience they can brag about to their friends and colleagues. The team at Canadian Special Events fell in love with The Perfume Bar

by Aromachology when they featured it at the Canadian Event Industry Awards after party.

With the combination of a high-end scent boutique and a portable bar, The Perfume Bar lets guests to play with a wide range of scents to blend an aroma of their very own. Offering both a fragrance bar for women and a cologne bar for men, the fragrance “Stylist” provides guidance throughout the entire process and combines each scent into an aesthetically appealing bottle to take home.

Resembling the look of a science lab – but cuter, the fragrance bar is a perfect addition to bridal showers, weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and incentive programs that can

be set-up in any given space, entertaining in an intimate setting such as an evening of cocktails with friends or a full scale event with a crowd of hundreds, enjoying a celebratory formal dinner.

Offering a wide-variety of customization, the bar can be personalized to any event brand or sponsor from the labels on the perfume, to the bags, to the look of the bar itself.

Aromachology also offers pre-made fragrances with custom labeling that can easily be integrated into the guest experience as swag without the use of the bar.

Aromachology has worked with brides, event planners, law firms, women’s networks, destination management companies and interactive/experiential agencies alongside corporate clients like Bell Media, Pandora, McDonalds and Cadillac.

Check it out at www.perfumeevent.com.

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 43

.

.

coolclicks

Clicks of The Month Fun websites you should visit on your down time

Canadian Outback Adventures Are you looking for an economical solution to boost employee morale and team productivity or maybe fresh ideas for a fun team building activity? Canadian Outback’s website is a wonderful source for interactive team building ideas. www.canadianoutback.com

Bored Panda When you need a kick of design inspiration, check out this list of amazing out of the box ideas that you can use to easily transform into an event theme or design concept. www.boredpanda.com/amazing-home-interior-design-ideas

Drinkify Would you like some drinks with that song? Drinkify allows users to enter a musical artist’s name and tells you what drink you should be sipping on. From Beyonce to Frank Sinatra, there is a drink for every genre. www.drinkify.org

Brit + Co Looking for some inspiration or cool stuff in your life? Kill some time on Brit + Co where you can find hundreds of articles on DIY projects, personal health, decor, beauty and great finds for gifts anyone would fall in love with. www.brit.co

Greatist If you want to get healthier but just haven’t figured it out, this could be the site for you. Greatist compiles articles, lists, videos and more from dozens of nonbiased contributors. Greatist helps you find what is good for you and what realistically stick with. www.greatist.com

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 45

.

.

artistprofile

Performer

HIGHLIGHT

SHOWCASING THE BEST IN CANADIAN CORPORATE TALENT

Robyn Pauhl Based in Burlington, Ontario, nationally renowned singer songwriter Robyn Pauhl has been performing for as long as she can remember. From an early age her passion has been as evident as her beautiful, soulful voice.

Blessed with a full vocal range and performances that are theatrically expressive, Robyn connects with the audience and brings an emotional sincerity rarely seen in corporate entertainers.

Robyn has built a strong following and her fan base is growing fast. She is recognized internationally; has opened for country stars George Jones and Loretta Lynn, as well as Canadian greats Michelle Wright, Prairie Oyster, Jason McCoy, Beverly Mahood, Jim Witter, jazz artist Carol Wellsman. Most recently she performed in concert with world renowned jazz bassist, Dave Holland.

For the very best in Canadian talent and a powerful performance that your guests will truly embrace, CSE recommends Robyn Pauhl.

Check out her music at www.robynpauhl.ca

JUNE 2016 | WWW.CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM | 47

.

a division of national event marketing group inc.

Canadian Special Events Media Group is a niche publishing and communications agency focused on supporting the special events and marketing industry in Canada.

IN PRINT ONLINE

1-877-212-3976 canadianspecialevents.com

FACE 2 FACE

CONNECTING PLANNERS WITH INFORMATION, RESOURCES, SERVICES AND IDEAS WHILE CONNECTING ADVERTISERS TO THEIR TARGET MARKET THROUGH COST EFFECTIVE MARKETING CHANNELS THAT ARE INNOVATIVE, EFFECTIVE AND FOCUSED

.