fSpring reshmeet 2012 MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
cocktail dreSS REINTERpRETEd ANd dESIGNEd COMpLETELy
WITH papER bEVERaGE NapKINS
Cutting to thE ChaisE
EvENTS ARE pUTTINg
THEIR FEET Up
Steampunk
ROCKS!
LET OFF SOME STEAM & CREATE HISTORIC EVENTS
meetMARKET:
QUICK LOOK AT
EMERGING TRENDS FOR MEETINGS & EVENTS
FFE GLOBAL EVENTS:
FOR THE FUN OF IT FOR 25 YEARS freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
Have a BALL
funfactoryevents.com info@funfactoryevents.com 972.271.7444 3366 Miller Park South Garland, Texas 75042
freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
Spring 2012
5
going BEyOND //
23
POSH NOSH //
eventPASSION // 9
15
fASHION fORwARD EVENtS //
LIftING tHE VEIL ON BINZARIO // 11 CuStOM GOwNS CuttING tO tHE CHAISE // 14 25 yEARS juSt fOR tHE fuN Of It // 19 SwOON EVENt // 21 POSH NOSH // 23 MEEt tHE MAMONES // 27 LOVE AffAIR wItH BuDOIR // 29 It’S ALL ABOut wHO yOu wINE KNOw // 30
31 // LARGER tHAN LIfE: tHE QuIXOtIC wORLD 35 // meetMARKEt: NEw Stuff ON tHE EVENt SCENE 39 // OutSIDE LOOKING INNOVAtION Robert ferguson
41 // PINtERESt PIQuED 43 // StEAMPuNK ROCKS
content Pamella Roland
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letter
from the publisher
I am excited - like front row runway seats at Paris Fashion Week excited about the launch of Texas’ newest event e-magazine, freshmeet. This has not come without the encouragement and support of some amazing event gurus who not only raise the bar for our industry but who inspired the very essence of this endeavor. Thank you to all of you. It’s a long list, and you know who you are.
kristie vento publisher
What‘s our Story? It’s fairly elementary. Our freshmeet mantra is to bring anyone and everyone interested in planning an event or throwing a soirée together with the amazing people who can create the magic along with the trends in the industry to make it amazing. Why electronic? The premise of freshmeet is a bit unconventional. We adopted a rich media e-magazine approach so that our reach would be broader. We wanted to embrace the interactive trends that drive our industry, and give our advertisers an economical solution for advertising their businesses and telling their stories using the most innovative tools available like article direct links and video embeds. Why another publication? We aspire NOT to be just another publication - hence the word fresh. Our goal is not just to offer a page to advertisers, but to encourage them to use that page as a messaging platform to really engage our readers. We encourage you to send us your stories, submit new products and services and give us the opportunity to share it with the masses. That is what this publication is all about. freshmeetdirectory.com is our online searchable resource guide. This is an interactive virtual bulletin board of event information, complete with FREE listings for event professionals and planners, advertising opportunities, news submissions, event submissions, a job board and more that will keep your company at the forefront as the subject matter expert. freshmeetmag.com is our web site that offers you the opportunity to submit stories, news and events with password protected user access. This tool will also serve as a direct feed from where we will pull editorial stories and news for the rich media e-magazine, so we encourage you to use it. freshmeet live events will consist of educational seminars, webinars and fun networking events tied to the quarterly launch of our e-magazine. We’ll have some fun. So, welcome to Texas’ fresh new tool. please make it your own, and keep us honest with feedback, content and ideas to inspire this publication to continue to bring value and new information to the industry we all adore. Cheers,
Kristie Vento, publisher
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it’s never been easier to become a subject matter expert and further your brand pUbLISHER Kristie Vento VICE pRESIDENT, INTERaCTIVE Christian Vento aRT/aCCOUNT DIRECTOR Laura Long pR/MaRKETING MaNaGER Lara Hartman
// submit articles for our web site and to
be considered for the e-magazine // submit news and trends that
reinforce you as the subject matter expert // be a guest blogger and submit recurring
articles on how to’s, tips and tricks of the trade // host an event (you provide the
backdrop - we’ll bring the guests)
FaSHION CONTRIbUTOR Ashley Holder
// host a webinar or educational seminar on your
FEaTURED pHOTOGRapHERS Don Mamone Emily Mamone
// be an editorial contributor in our e-magazine
EDITORIaL CONTRIbUTORS Chef Michael Carroll Don Ross Nabb Productions
area of expertise (you provide the content - we do the rest) freshmeet magazine // submit your events and event photography to be
featured in the e-magazine
Robert Ferguson The Visionary Collaborative Ashley Holder American Heart Association Don Mamone & Emily Mamone The Mamones
COVER SHOT: freshmeet’s version of the “cocktail dress” reinterpreted and designed completely with paper beverage napkins in celebration of the freshmeet event fashion show in April. PHOtOGRAPHy By Michelle Katiussa / MAKEuP By Monika Neira / HAIR By walter fuentes / DRESS By Laura Long and Brandi Corsi
SHOWSOME D DOWNLOAD
Caitlin Murad Student Larry White A WINE KNOW
All the articles, interviews and other materials in this magazine are the copyright of freshmeet or are reproduced with permission from other copyright owners. All rights are reserved. No articles, interviews and other materials may otherwise be copied, modified, published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written permission of freshmeet magazine. Further, freshmeet magazine makes no warranties or representations of any kind concerning the accuracy or suitability of the information contained in this publication for any purpose. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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GoinG Beyond OWNER RYAN KEllEY sheds some light on audio-visual and BEyONd’s philosophies on it
Q:
Q:
Tell us how you selected your team and a bit about their unique skill sets. The BEYOND team has been amazing, and many of them have been here through thick and thin. They each have an amazing talent for the industry and for going above and BEyONd (no pun intended) to take every event to the next level. Some of them came in with the great talent and some of them I have gotten the pleasure to watch learn and grow into amazing individuals.
Q:
Ryan, tell us about the evolution from Lite Dallas to BEYOND and the fresh approach you took with the business and rebrand. Many do not know that Lite dallas offered not only lighting, but videography and audio-visual services. It was difficult to market a company named Lite dallas - by
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Ryan, tell us about your background and inspiration around building your company.
I always had a creative side but not so much with the common things like painting or singing. Technology was always a strong suit for me, so when I found a way to bring them both together, I think I really got pulled in. I started in the event industry producing wedding videos. It was so much fun staging, scripting and creating something out of the ordinary - and that is what grabbed me. As the company grew through the years it went through many changes including the addition of audio and dJ services and, finally, lighting. I think this was a big step because dallas had never really seen true lighting design. I really found interest in this because there was so much you could do. A basic brown ballroom could be transformed into a magical ballroom of crystal chandeliers, color washes, floral spots and more. Then bringing all the services together for large-scale productions (weddings and corporate events) was the best! name It was like having a concert and using it appeared audio, video, and lighting as that we only provided your instruments. lighting and only in dallas. Internally, we looked at the bigger picture and how Lite dallas was going to continue to grow, and we arrived at the answer of rebranding. We needed a name that allowed us to market not only to our bread and butter weddings, but also social and corporate clients. The new name became BEyONd, and we added the tagline “lite. sound. video.” Then, we had a name that told our true story and illustrated the services we offered.
Q: keeping BEYOND’s event What is your secret for
roster full throughout the year?
I don’t know if it is so much a secret but it is attributed to an overall solid team. We have a very strong sales
“we have a very strong sales team that really listens and partners with our clients to execute their vision.” team that builds relationships and really listens and partners with our clients to execute their vision. There are many ways to get an end result, but it is important to us that the client feels a part of the process and that they are extremely happy with that end result. When clients feel a part of the process from sales to execution, they begin to build trust - and we all know that it is human nature to work with people you trust and who you know will do everything they can to make your event perfect. Another instrumental
part of the success is a great operations and production team. They take pride in setting up the event knowing that it is just as important to them as it is to the client that it looks FANTASTIC. It is important to me that everyone at the company always goes one step further - goes BEyONd (ok, pun intended here).
Q:
Tell us about your favorite event and why it was. My favorite event…wow, there are so many to choose from. Of course half the time during the event you don’t realize how amazing it is because you are so focused on executing it. We’ve worked with so many amazing charities, bridal parties and companies that I don’t know if I could pick just one favorite. I really do enjoy them all. If I said I had a favorite, I fear I wouldn’t enjoy the next event as much. I guess that’s like telling a parent to pick their favorite child. It just can’t happen.
Q:
Tell us about your most challenging event - and how did you overcome the challenges?
Ok, I can tell you about our
most challenging event… at least at the time it seemed to be the most challenging. I see it now and don’t think it would be nearly as difficult to execute as it was 2 years ago. It was a birthday party in Fort Worth. I know what you’re thinking…“a birthday party, really?” But this was not just any birthday
party…it consisted of the total build-out of one of the largest ballrooms in Fort Worth. It required multiple levels of production from matrix video switchers, feeds, multiple projectors and plasmas, 300 gigabytes of stock video on a media server changing constantly throughout the night, 4 separate sound systems, over 250 lighting fixtures ALL having to be controlled, a performance by Al Green - and to top it off - a 30,000 square foot deck at 2 feet high on half of the ballroom. [Ok, this is the part of the interview where freshmeet slightly glazed over...but, clearly this man is a pro - we had no idea what he was talking about.] All lighting had to be wired and controlled under the deck. So techs would disappear under this deck for hours wiring everything together to the point that we literally lost track of an employee at one point. In addition, time was not on our side. The venue was new and had just started booking events, and the amount of time we needed for something so complex was not successfully communicated, so the entire crew ended up working 24hour shifts for installation and tear out.
Q: single most important
What do you feel are the
elements of lighting that may get overlooked? I think the biggest problem is when there is too much lighting...yes, I said it...but the fact is there has to be balance. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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GoinG If you come into a room and flood it with lights EVERyWHERE then you’ve killed the very ambience that you hired the lighting company to come in and create. So, I think, by far, the most important element of lighting is creating balance. Trust your lighting designer and let him or her show you the most effective ways to use it and their talent for what they do.
Q: willing to share about unexpected What trade secret might you be
ways lighting can make an impact?
I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but I just can’t bring myself to share. After it’s been done once, everyone jumps on the bandwagon almost overnight. So I’ll hold onto the secrets for right now to make sure I’m the first to get them out there.
Q:
What pointers can you give event pros on how to think through A/V for their events so as to overcome potential pitfalls?
“the 3 most common trends in lighting are uplighting, pinspots on floral and custom monograms...”
Typically, when I’m working with the pros, they let us do our thing. They listen to our insight, which keeps them one step ahead. So, I would say again to trust your lighting/AV company. And if you can’t trust your current company - find a new one… hopefully it will be us.
Q:
What would you say are the top trends in lighting right now?
It seems like there are so many. One week it is chandeliers, the next week it is monograms and patterns. All things considered, the 3 most common trends in lighting are uplighting, pinspots on floral and custom monograms.
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Beyond Q:
How about video trends?
Cinematic or movie style videos have become very popular because they represent something different that keep people interested and involved. It could be a parody video mimicking the current box office smash or an artistic documentary telling the story of how something came to be. This can be applied to products, companies or even wedding couples.
Q:
What are the top 3 pitfalls in AV that you see occur at events?
1. lack of vendor Communication – All vendors must communicate at all times and, when that doesn’t happen, potential pitfalls can occur like load-in and loadout scheduling conflicts, lack of dock access, missed sound checks, equipment conflicts and more. Even so much as ensuring that there are enough plugs to run all vendor equipment seems trivial but can make or break an event if not properly communicated. 2. power – Improper power can ruin or even cancel your whole event. Know everything that everyone is bringing in – and have one company manage it (preferably one that knows how to.)
3.
Bad sound/lighting/video equipment So often I see companies and individuals go for the cheapest price they can find for audio-visual. We apply the old adage here that “you get what you pay for.” By hiring the pros, you will not only have the most appropriate package for your event, but you will likely save money in the long-run because you are working with one company to build a complete platform for you.
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Pa ssion for events Your
INTERVIEWS WITH PROS
JESSICa CaTES – The Adolphus Hotel What makes you passionate about events? I can think of many reasons why I love my job but what makes me passionate about it is the service that I can provide. I enjoy learning what is most important to my clients and making sure that throughout the process I am meeting all of their needs.
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? What I love the most about this industry is, by far, the people. I love getting to know each of my clients, and I love when I get the opportunity to make a difference in their life. Whether that difference is helping to raise money to find a cure for cancer, making an assistant look really good to her boss or creating magic on my bride’s wedding day. It’s the little things that I can take home with me at the end of the night that make a difference to me.
MEREDITH COMMENDER, CSEp – Significant Events of Texas What makes you passionate about events? I think passionate is the perfect word to describe how I feel about coordinating and designing events. I love how every event presents a new set of challenges and a new client with whom I get to collaborate. I love taking a client’s usually limited vision of their event, showing them what it can become, and building a stellar vendor team to make this vision a reality. Then, of course, after all the time it takes to coordinate an event, seeing it all come together and seeing the client enjoy him/herself because everything was executed flawlessly is incredibly rewarding. I love my job!
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? I love that I entered this industry with no prior experience, but it is inherently a community of professionals who all came from other walks of life and thus are supportive and helpful to people who prove their worth. I enjoyed the challenge of earning the respect of the industry and then keeping it by working hard and taking care of the people who take care of me. I love that I have created a strong reputation and an ever-growing company that people trust and respect and know they can rely on to take care of their clients.
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MELaNIE GOODWIN, CMp, DMCp – In Good Company, Inc. What makes you passionate about events? Events are like theatre. They can engage your emotions, transport you into another world, and create lasting memories and connections.
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? Getting to be creative every day and constantly being challenged in new ways.
aLISON KIECKHaFER, CMp – The Event Lounge, LLC What makes you passionate about events? I absolutely love being involved in the creation of meetings and events that allow people to make lasting memories and experience new and exciting things!
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? I love the constant challenges that come with creating unique, customized events. It’s never the same thing twice which totally pushes me to be ultracreative and innovative!
DaMaNy DaNIEL – Spot Entertainment What makes you passionate about events? The ability to connect people with their passions, even if they had no idea they were passionate about them to begin with. The ability to transform a room or a space into the vision that previously only existed in someone’s mind and to see people connect with that vision.
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? Never being bored and always having new people to talk to.
DEbbIE MEyERS, CSEp – BRAVO! Entertainment What makes you passionate about events? The look on people’s faces. I love, love, love watching a “WOW” moment occur!
What do you love most about your role in the event industry? Working hard to put all the elements together to create an experience that people will not forget.
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BINZARIO
CUSTOM GOWNS... LIFTING THE VEIL ON THE BINZARIO CREATIVE PROCESS binzario is the brainchild of andre yabin and luis nazario, partners in the true sense of the word. these two designers began binzario two years ago in dallas and offer an amazing custom wedding dress experience for brides who are looking for something special, unique and perfect for them. When we started creating our first bridal gowns, we experienced the emotions and gratitude that brides and their families, especially their mothers, felt when they were able to wear their dream gown.
Q: Tell me about your background. At what point in your life did you know this is what you were meant to do?
Luis: I have 22 years of experience as a couturier. I worked with high profile boutiques around the world, designing and offering alterations services. When Andre and I began working as design partners, we started designing all types of clothing, including high fashion suits, swimwear, causal everyday wear and more. We, in the last 3 years, became more focused on couture bridal gowns. It is a passion of ours. When I was a little kid I used to feel a real connection 011
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seeing wedding gowns in a bridal boutique close to my house. On my way home from school I would stop and examine their beauty and the fabrics. They sort of communicated with me. When we started creating our first bridal gowns, we experienced the emotions and gratitude that brides and their families, especially their mothers, felt when they were able to wear their dream gown. That is when we knew that we wanted to focus specifically on making dreams come true.
Q: Tell us about the process. How does it work from start to finish?
andre: We begin by inviting a bride into our studio for a consultation. Sometimes they come in with an idea of what they want, but sometimes they only know they want something unique or something they haven’t been able to find on the rack. It’s important that we develop a relationship with our clients, so we know their personality and understand their vision of the perfect wedding. We talk about the important wedding details such as the colors and theme, but then we dig deeper into what clothes they feel comfortable wearing that flatters their specific body type. Then we start talking about dress specifics such as fabrics, train length, the type of silhouette that would be best for their body type and what accentuates their assets. From there we can come up with a design concept or two, create a sketch, and come up with an initial price based on the materials and intricacy of the dress. What really helps the process is when a bride has tried on dresses first to understand what she likes and what she does not like. This gives us a real snapshot of what the custom dress will look like; the only difference is she’s getting the special touches and most flattering dress for her specific body type the exact way she envisioned. We have an excellent track record of making very flattering dresses. We will use these initial designs as a launch pad for more discussions. We love honest feedback, and can work to make adjustments to the design to fit a budget and to fit the bride’s vision as we get closer to the perfect
design. That is the beauty of a custom dress – we can easily make the tweaks that a bride wants to see during this design phase to make sure the dress is perfect. Once we have the design finalized, we create the dress. This is where Luis’ skill really shines – he has such great attention to detail. Ideally we will have 6-8 months to create the dress, with at least two fittings where we can make any necessary alterations. We send updated photos to the bride so she can see the dress being created and share the excitement with us as the vision comes alive.
Q: What makes Binzario different from other custom designers?
andre:
Creating bespoke bridal gowns customized for the bride is a very personal process, and we just love the connection that we form with our Binzario Brides. We make the experience very memorable. We don’t just want to focus on the dress, but we strive to connect with the bride on so many different levels. Our studio is designed to evoke a tranquil experience, satisfying all of her senses; from the music to the décor. We designed a “Revealing” platform that we use to reveal the dress to the bride and her family for the first time. There is a procession from the front door to the platform, symbolizing the bride’s procession down the aisle, making steps toward the “payoff.”
Luis: We also love providing customer service and
an excellent experience. By combining these two things we are able to deliver high quality results, while adding a sense of personalization.
Q: What would you say is your favorite part of the process, and why?
Louis:
Creating the dress pattern, because I think that is the most important part of the garment. The consultation is so important because that is what leads to the right design and an accurate pattern for each bride. Andre and I are so passionate about meeting new brides and learning about their vision. Sometimes it is all about what they don’t say, so utilizing the consultation to draw out the perfect design and dress pattern is key. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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BINZARIO CUSTOM GOWNS... Q: How long have you been in this business? andre: We have been in dallas for four years working in bridal design, but we started Binzario 10+ years ago. We are a great team, and I don’t know how either of us could do it on our own. Q: Why the name Binzario? Luis: It is a combination of our two names: andre yaBIN and luis naZARIO. We wanted the name to reflect our team effort on this exciting couture adventure. Q: Tell us about the process from the day you opened until now. What have you learned in your business?
andre: We have learned the power of couture! We were constantly challenging our couture fashion designing skills, but across many occasions. Now that we are focused on bridal gowns, we have found an outlet for our passion. Being this focused on just bridal gowns has helped us grow into a market. We have also learned how much responsibility we have to our customers, and we have to respect their vision. That is sacred.
Q: What would you say are the emerging trends in design?
andre: Right now we are seeing lots of lace and blush tones. There have been trends of organza and tulle techniques being used on the skirt that make a dress very soft and airy, representing modern aesthetics. We are also seeing a lot of illusion necklines and sleeves as well.
Q: What would you say are the current trends in custom design?
andre: The best thing about custom design is that there isn’t a trend – it is so individual. It is all about what the bride wants and their dream dress, not a cookie
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cutter dress or something they have to make fit them unnaturally. We set the trends!
Q: What are you seeing brides ask the most
about when designing their wedding gowns?
Luis: Other than typical questions about fabrics, because we do custom design we get a lot of questions about price and the process. people just don’t know what to expect, but the good news is that there is a lot of flexibility in designing a custom dress so that we can fit almost any budget. We get questions about whether we can we custom, difficult alterations on dresses that are not designed by Binzario (and we do). Another popular question is how to incorporate the bride’s weight loss goals into the sizing of this custom dress!
Q: What are your top 5 favorite things about weddings?
andre: Of course the dress, the planning process, flowers, décor and the genuine love that the day is celebrating. We love being part of such an important day in someone’s life. Q: Tell us about your favorite project. What made it so special?
We recently worked with a bride named Tiffany. We met her through this local organization called Wish Upon A Wedding. This organization provides wedding funds and assistance for people who are going through medical hardship. Tiffany had her pancreas removed, and is on the donor waiting list. What made working with Tiffany so special was that she had such a great attitude and was so strong despite the trials of her illness. She is a beautiful person. Also, she had red, white and black colors for her wedding and wanted to create a dress that was “Hollywood Glam,” something that Luis and I had a lot of fun with. She was a great person with a dream project – for her and for us.
Cutting to
the Chaise
EVENTS ARE pUTTING THEIR FEET Up Whether you are a bride and groom, a producer of a corporate gala, a convention planner or a socialite planning a chic shindig, you seek new and exciting ways to create event experiences that make your guests feel comfortable while making them feel like they’ve escaped their day to day. Almost every ballroom, venue, restaurant or other meeting location that we have walked into in the last couple of years has felt in some way like a lounge. From over the top opulence dripping with crystal chandeliers, heavy linens and 6 feet tall centerpieces to casually elegant events that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and into Studio 54 in Manhattan, most of these events have one thing in common. Comfort. Now we are not talking leather Barcalounger with your feet up comfortable - let’s be serious; we’re event professionals - we are talking white tufted leather and satin pillows with LEd ottomans comfortable. We are talking comfort of the chic persuasion.
art of mingling with movement in an event. Events today like to lounge around. We are even seeing venues embrace this trend with built in banquettes and vignettes that encourage flow while adding to the overall aesthetic of the event. When you visit with event professionals in every discipline, the common denominator is comfortable luxury. Even formal weddings have caught on, complementing the pomp and circumstance of the cake table and formal dining with leather sofas amassed with bride and groom monogrammed pillows that match the gobo design and more.
We picked a few pieces that we just love from our friends at AFR Event Furnishings that we feel exemplified the spirit of relaxed luxury. I’ve seen most of these pieces at one event or another, and they always add a layer of depth to the event Gone are the days of ballrooms loaded by encouraging guests to dance with rounds of 10 and a sea of banquet the night away and then relax teams stacked up as far as the eye and chat with their friends. can see. Today, it’s all about flow. It’s all about the
AFR EVENT FURNIShINGS
AFR EVENT FURNIShINGS
AFR EVENT FURNIShINGS
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HAUTE Spring: Fashionably Couture Event design 015
Mono y Mono: You can’t fight the power of monochromatic chic Bringing back the era of the cocktail party has never been more chic, and events are completely blacking out. Damask abounds and crystals sparkle. Even bakeries and cupcakeries are blinging out their sweet sensations.
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Heavy Metal: freshmeet has a crush on
Balenciaga
Pamella Roland
It’s petal to the metal with event florals. We are in love with wire, bead and rhinestone wrapped bouquets and centerpieces. We’re inspired by metallic painted ottomans, and we’re seeing brushed metal barstools and more in event furnishings. Caterers are loving the trend too with their metallic cake frosting, and the whole look is tied together with silver, gold and other metallic color linens, ghost chairs, chiffon, satin and chandeliers.
metallics
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We Betsey Johnson betseyjohnson.com www.facebook.com/ xobetseyjohnson @xobetseyjohnson
She IS an event. We should all sometimes approach our events with the same reckless abandon she does in her design. No wrong answers. She just DOES. Look at her bright colors and how they translate from runway to wedding day.
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Under
the sea
Corals and Peaches are
rising to the surface
Dive in! Events have a sea of opportunity to be splashed with the spring trends of corals, seaweed, pearls and ocean life.
Versace Alexander McQueen Chanel Photo: Imaxtree
This Cookie Means Business.
25 Years JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT The Evolution of FUN FACTORy
EVENTS
It has taken more than 25 years for FFE Global Events to secure its spot at the top of the heap in Event design, production, Trade Show Management and destination Management Services. But FFE has arrived, and the team has had loads of FUN on the journey getting there. What started as a prop and décor house more than 25 years ago has evolved into a global force to be reckoned with as one of the premier event production companies in the southwest. Although FFE possesses a polished portfolio of multi-million dollar, award winning events, trade shows and destination programs for a host of clients including Fortune 500 companies across the nation, the team at FFE Global Events has never compromised its grass roots customer-centric approach to client management, personal service and attention to every detail. Owner/Co-Founder, Ken Thornton, has a true understanding of fun. His playful personality and soulful, warm spirit has very likely contributed to the rise of FFE as one of the best in the business. This spirit flows through every vein of FFE, and it is embodied in the FFE team. This was very evident when freshmeet attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration this year, which welcomed more than 450 of FFE’s closest friends, vendors, partners and clients. “I truly believe that our client adoration comes from our connection with them. Our ability to provide full scale professional services while giving clients the feeling that they are ‘working with a friend’ inspires client trust.” – Laura Hallock, Regional director of Operations To underscore its 25 year success story, FFE will be getting a small facelift, and it will be unveiled in late Spring. But if you love FFE as much as we do, you will appreciate the exclusive brand sneak preview we have provided in this issue.
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N O WO
T AIN F G HIN
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We even stumbled upon an amazing table amassed with antique china that you can rent for events up to around 100 people. proving that you can seamlessly mix old with new, the event had sprinkles of photo booths, dJs, photographers, special event planners and more - plus a fleet of food trucks lined up on the curb. This event reinforces the fact that vintage is not a trend but an event mainstay. Opulence has its place, and you can very easily mix just about any look you want now, but this event was all about treating an event like your favorite comfort food.
Walking through The Swoon Event on March 24 at Southside on Lamar was like stepping into a Jane Austen novel where you might find Mr. darcy and Elizabeth in a mannerly banter about who loves whom more - all while enjoying an afternoon tea on vintage china with hand made desserts in the English countryside. The pride of vintage was on display with pastels, vintage fabrics, lace, organic tapestries and more at this wedding market of handmade, eco-friendly and unique wedding inspiration from more than 40 artisans and vendors. Though we had a prejudice to the organic sundries, rustic tablescapes, vintage china rentals and jewelry made from reclaimed fabrics and faux leathers, this event was novel with its celebration of all things vintage and unique. It was a storyboard of ideas on how to turn your special event into a one-of-a-kind experience while feeling like you are in the comfort of your own backyard or maybe an estate in Hertfordshire. We were smitten with the romance of the show as we walked the aisles and saw a hand made bridal tent, eclectic paper displays and delicious treats from local caterers.
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pOp A qUICK vISIT TO SOmE OF THESE vENDORS WHO WE SWOONED OvER: www.annarouthphoto.com FUN photobooth. www.lowcountrycuisine.com - Ask them about the Shrimp & Grits. www.jenriosdesign.com - Rustic Design Bliss. www.weplusyoustudios.com - Creative Boutiques www.lonsomeroadstudio.com - Uncommonly artful Jewelery & Accessories. www.southsideonlamar.com - Industrial with Foot Traffic - fun event venue. www.cardinal-house.com - Peace. Love. Flowers. Jewelry made of repurposed fabrics.
Posh NOSH freshmeet dishes with Chef miChael Carroll on event Culinary trends “to be great within our industry we have to be able to keep up with what is “fresh” and not what was in yesterday’s recycle bin.”
E
verything is driven by trends. When you think of trends one typically thinks of fashion, technology, music or other lifestyle oriented trend drivers. What is sometimes overlooked is the impact that trends have in the culinary arena. In Michael Carroll’s role as Executive Chef for don Ross Nabb productions, his clients are always asking him to share ideas and experiences with the newest and hottest food trends. 2011 reflected a good blend of food trends. Curb appeal was a big trend in 2011 with the onset of food trucks at many public and private industry events. Eco friendly and health-inspired events left chefs creating appetizing menus that were appetizing yet good for us. Comfort foods-goneluxury were also an event mainstay, with hugely popular items like chicken and waffles. These southern favorites were re-interpreted and served up passed hors d’ oeuvre style at even the most upscale events. So, what foodie favorites will grace special events, weddings and corporate menus in 2012-13?
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Comfortably Elegant with a Gourmet Twist This is the trend that keeps on trending...as in it never seems to leave the menu. Lobster mac and cheese and Kobe Beef sliders continue to top event wish lists. Chef: “Our goal is to find new ways to present these timeless favorites. Recently, I saw a menu item for Fois Gras Bratwurst and a White Truffle Burrito,” commented Chef Carroll. “The idea of pairing comfort foods with gourmet flavor will be here for years to come! And the possibilities are limitless. Who knows what will be on the next buffet you see. Could it be tuna noodle casserole with Ahi tuna and a garlic cream sauce? Perhaps.”
Cheese Tastings make for Sharp Presentations Clients today have discerning palettes and request cheese samplings from all over the world, so it forces chefs to stay abreast of top cheeses and pairings.
Chef: “Wine is always a go to for pairings, but we are now pairing high end scotch and flavored gins with cheeses for an exciting new twist. We are also offering cheese and apple classes which offer flavor rich options. These are big hits with all of our clients whether corporate or social.”
Vintage is the New Old As much as it sounds like an oxymoron, vintage is trending. Buffet treatments like mixes of assorted old pottery and food in antique mason jars served alongside homemade family recipes are considered comfortably chic. Chef: “A recurring client request for us is to prepare grandma’s special plum jam that the client can gift at the end of events.” From afternoon tea with sandwiches to a good strawberry rhubarb pie and lemonade, customers are looking for ways to revisit family and to remind them of comfort.
Be fearless in working with your clients. don’t be afraid to ask them for “Aunt Francine’s” recipe when they talk about how great it was. you might make a bigger impact than you could have possibly expected by creating something that they are emotionally connected to.” Small plate sized cuisine emerged onto the scene last year, and chefs around the country interpreted this trend differently. Some would place smaller plates on buffet lines, while others served appetizers on small plates or in funky containers. While sticks and skewers were a culinary favorite in 2010, they were replaced with these unconventional serving styles in 2011. Now, customers have become truly savvy and are asking for dinner menus to be interpreted into
smaller, bite sized varieties. This packs very high end flavor into a small punch. plus, chefs are finding much fiscal benefit to this style of service because allowing guests to select from multiple options of entrées helps keep their food costs down. Chef: “Small plates of beef tenderloin served over creamy polenta topped with shaved black truffles and small plates of Black Cod with a Miso Sauce seem to keep our customers happier this year.” “We have found that passing smaller versions of full entrees offers two benefits to our guests - it allows them more networking time and makes them feel that they had ownership in their menu selection.”
Don’t go against the Grain - this trend is growing. Chef: “This trend is all about our search for the Holy Grail of healthy foods. Grains such as quinoa, cous cous and barley are all making it on our menus. Guests are asking for Gluten Free options, and quinoa is a gluten free whole grain that also consists of a complete protein. Our salad courses today
are not just made up of pedestrian mixed field greens; they are protein and nutrient packed with these amazing grains.” If we missed any of your favorites, please reach out to us and let us know. The don Ross Nabb team led by Chef Michael Carroll has its finger on the culinary pulse, always looking to embrace what’s new and unique...and trust us...they serve up trends plated with a side of great dFW hospitality. As spring rolls into summer...did somebody say Spring Rolls?...oops, we digress...food trends will continue to emerge, and freshmeet will certainly be ready with great editorial from the likes of area culinary leaders like Chef Michael Carroll. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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LovewithAffair boudoir
It’s no secret that boudoir photography has made quite the comeback in recent years. The concept of boudoir photography emerged many years ago and has remained in quiet existence ever since. The comeback is not only a renewed interest in this alluring style of photography, but also an entirely new mainstream appreciation for the art of boudoir. We sat down with Emily Mamone and discussed some of the common misconceptions regarding boudoir photography, and she shared her take on what boudoir photography is. According to Emily Mamone, when people hear the word boudoir, they immediately think of sexy lingerie. Although some boudoir photographs do capture women in lingerie, the thought of sexy or racy photographs is too much for some women to consider, and they therefore dismiss the thought of ever doing it.” Emily: “I am here to tell you that boudoir photography is so much more than just lingerie. Simply put, boudoir photography is all about a woman feeling her sexiest and most confident in whatever she is wearing. For some, it may mean a flirty outfit like a tank top and conservative boy shorts whereas, for others, it may mean that ultra sexy silk satin or lace lingerie.” Emily starts every boudoir client relationship with an initial consultation. Emily: “Eventually, every client can identify where she falls on the spectrum from Girl Next door to Sexy Vixen and it is there that we begin designing her ideal boudoir session.” She often asks her subjects early on why they have decided to schedule a boudoir session. The most common answer she gets is that it is a gift [she adds that this answer is very often delivered with a mischievous grin]. The answer she wishes she would hear more often is “because I can” [and we will add that she delivered this answer with her own mischievous grin].
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Her most popular sessions are bridal boudoir sessions, and she attributes that to the fact that many brides aspire to the best physical shape of their lives for their weddings, so time is of the essence. Brides, et al., like a true pro, Mamone left us with some tips of the trade on how you can make a big impact with these special sessions. Make him happy he’ll never be a bachelor again if you surprise him with a For His Eyes Only gift album the evening before the wedding. Place a “Naughty or Nice” album under the holiday tree and turn that into the gift that keeps on giving all year long. Slip a Little Black Book under his Valentine’s pillow filled with a different type of Little Black dress. She left us with these parting words of reassurance for anyone who feels a bit apprehensive about the process. “Almost every boudoir client I have photographed has some level of apprehension about the session. A fact that brought them a great deal of comfort (and will likely bring you the same as you consider booking a boudoir session) is that the overall style and individual elements of their boudoir session were entirely up to them. “Even more, each of the sessions was guided by who they were as women and their unique beauty was reflected in their boudoir images.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO yOU
Wine Know If you are looking for a stuffy event, you do not want to take part in Larry White’s wine education classes at A WINE KNOW. While knowledge mavens and professionals, White’s team delivers in an unthreatening style in a fun and memorable event at a price you can afford.
With over 100 years of combined experience in the wine business, the team at A WINE KNOW is completely qualified to create a unique fundraising event, party or sommelier soirée. And they leave the wine sales to the vendors who provide the backdrop, so that they can focus on how to bring value to your event. We had a chance to sit down with Larry White [a fun experience to say the least] to discuss the latest Spring trends in wine. Here is what he had to say.
salta of the earth Sometimes he likes to go totally off the beaten path and try something new, and he recently discovered a great little wine called Torrontés. Torrontés is only produced in Argentina and has a unique flavor. The Torrontés grown in the Cafayate Valley (Salta) is the most prestigious in the country. due to its special microclimate, Cafayate has achieved outstanding vineyard development, producing fruity, tasty wines that linger in the mouth. There are different types of Torrontés: Award-winning Torrontés Riojano (from the province of La Rioja), better suited for the production of fine wines, which are both very fruity and dry, Torrontés Mendocino (from the province of Mendoza) and Torrontés Sanjuanino (from the province of San Juan), which are suitable for fresh fruit consumption.
chard’s in the cards Chardonnay is a staple that everyone knows well. The challenge with some Chardonnays, especially during the Spring and Summer months is the heaviness of the Oak that many are finished in. A good unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay can be the answer. you still get all of the full Chardonnay flavor without the deep finish. If you have never enjoyed an unoaked Chardonnay, Spring and Summer are the times to jump in. you might find that it will be a n e w favorite.
what to look for in torrontés Torrontés is a light yellow wine that occasionally has golden and green hues. Its aroma is reminiscent of roses, jasmine, and geraniums. In the mouth it is pure fruit salad, sometimes with touches of honey or oregano. Its aromas suggest a sweet wine but its taste reveals a refreshing acidity.
what to pair with torrontés Torrontés is perfect as a refreshing start to a meal or paired with delicate flavors such as fish and shellfish. Spicy and aromatic Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisine also go very well with this variety. If you are an unoaked or light Chardonnay or pinot Grigio drinker, you will find this wine to be to your liking. For more insight from one who KNOWS, check out White’s blog at www.awineknow.com. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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Larger than life.
T
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he
d Quixotic Worl
Whether life experience or only in dreams, every element in that venue came from his own inspiration. And this inspiration comes from a deep-rooted love of culture and exploration. The concept of Quixotic was created by the Hair poet, Arteplesius (Eric Sacks), a native dallasite who has a true zest for the extraordinary. A former graduate of the University of Texas, Eric’s travels have taken him to many countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa over the course of six years, while residing in France, Spain, Italy and Israel. Artist, designer, explorer, seeker, poet and food aficionado, Eric is intrigued by the arts, performance, fashion, wine and loves to lose himself in music (even his own).
The moment you step foot into The Quixotic
World, you feel a bit like Alice who just dove head first into a Rabbit Hole. This larger than life venue may just appear to be a sexy warehouse venue in the heart of deep Ellum, but it is MAd cooler than that. pull back the curtain and your eyes are met with sensory overload - whimsical red velvet tufted sofas, hand made light fixtures, black walls that seem to have a life of their own, full length wall screens playing a variety of cinema favorites like Alice in Wonderland, a theatre stage and a wall amassed with every type of hat you can imagine. It is almost like the hat wall serves as the perfect metaphor for owner Eric Sach’s life. The heart and soul of The Quixotic World is personified in him, and it manifests itself throughout every fabric of the venue.
And, if English is not your language, Eric will be happy to converse with you in Italian, French, Spanish or Hebrew. And in coming years, you may expect those conversations to take new cultural turns as he tries to conquer German, dutch, portuguese and Arabic. For Eric, inspiration runs deep, and this venue was not an overnight decision. The Quixotic World was originally intended to be an art gallery, originally inspired by Eric’s friend in Spain who had a Flamenco/
Art bar. He lived above the gallery and had flamenco music shows nightly and monthly art exhibitions. Eric would observe artistic Spanish bohemians, dancers, artists and other creative inspired individuals hanging out at the venue. His friend and gallery owner, a young entrepreneur in his twenties, would come downstairs in his pajamas and greet them. It was in that moment that he said to himself, “I’m going to one day have a place of my own, but in dallas and with a magical interior design of the imagination.” He loved his friend’s concept but wanted to expand on that to create more of a carnival/circus atmosphere complete with roaming costumed characters, film, music, art exhibitions, feature shows and films, music, events and more. And so he did. Welcome to The Quixotic World. He lived in paris with some German roommates and, it was after a wandering adventure through the forests of Switzerland with these friends, that he got the inspiration for the formal name – The Quixotic World. It was in a subsequent visit to these friends in their hometown of Mulheim (near dusseldorf), that the entire concept was born. They introduced Eric to a weekly gathering they did called “Quixotic.” They featured a different art exhibition at
being. His firm belief in Namas’te (the divinity in me greets the divinity in you), runs through every vein of this venue. The venue itself is the perfect backdrop for any type of meeting or event, but creative inspired events are the best fit. Themed events are a venue mainstay, and he has hosted all types from Masquerades to Kings and Queens, Halloween themes, Renaissance themes, and literary favorites like Willy Wonka, dr. Suess, Alice in Wonderland and more. We might add that if Tim Burton were to
every event, wandering characters, fire performers, dJs that played quality soundscapes, dancers and more. Eh voila!...the full manifestation of Quixotic.
be in dallas filming and looking for the go. “We might add that if Tim Burton was filming in dallas and in need of a green room, this is where he might go.”
His mission with his venue is to entertain, give a good feeling of positive energy and a sense of childlike mischievous adventure to those who walk through its doors. He seeks to gather all dreamers and rescue any long forgotten and misguided pure souls. When entering, he asks you to remember the true joy in connecting with another human
This venue is truly fresh in its dramatic appeal. Its outrageous black walls and design will give your event an edge. parties of under 200 guests are a best fit, and you simply must unleash your creative spirit to create a truly theatrical event. It is welcomed here. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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214.444.9624
214-226-6132
elevate your events ballooncityusa.com | 214.821.6482
quick look at emerging trends for meetings and events
RFID TECHNOLOGy OMG we love RFID! We’re marketeers at heart, so when official freshmeet meethead and tech-savvy event pro, J. Damany Daniel, shared his love of this technology, we just had to give it a closer look. Essentially, Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio frequency to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. Breaking that down in terms we all understand, it’s basically a tracking mechanism.
The technology is so tiny that the microchip can be embedded in almost anything. That makes it very easy to use it at events. One example is through wristband technology. Guests can actually scan their wrist at kiosks, take a photo, post to Facebook or gain entry to your event by tapping their wristbands.
The question is how does this apply to events? The essential element of event production today is creating a guest experience. That is done through sensory connections like food, décor, lighting and the other event mainstays, but you can elevate an experience and make it much more interactive with this technology.
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Coke recently engaged its customers with this very technology at a water park in Israel that they named Coke Village. More than 1500 RFID-enabled wristbands were given to teens that enabled them to like certain activities at the park. The event became the most popular Facebook page in Israel, with 80,000 users and 652,700 daily post views.
SHAg CARpET: Make a bold statement with the 16 foot long black back bar & LED silver-framed bars – complete with customizable options to match your theme!
SHAg CARpET: Spice up the hors d’oeuvre presentation with the Circle Buffet Server!
Punctuate your event with BRAvO! Entertainment’s new interactive graffiti wall. It is the perfect dot on the i for your next event!
Amy Capehart Co-Owner, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Amy opened the DFW office after not finding a suitable photo booth for her own wedding to hubby and biz partner Chris. As a newlywed, she knows the ins and outs of wedding planning and can make your event one to be remembered. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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in this industry because of our customers. Which is why we make ourselves available to each one of them day or night– 24/7. As we roll out Chicago our level of customer service will remain consistent to our brand – The Best drape. The Best Service. that is who we are.”
Since 1998 Quest drape has been an industry leader in delivering quality drape with professional results. To remain the industry leader Quest understands the need to provide unparalleled customer service and quality products 24 hours a day – seven days a week. To maintain this caliber of customer service requires diligence and dedication to each customer’s diverse needs and attention to detail on each event. After 14 years in business, Quest drape continues to expand not only in market share but geographically and product offerings. On April 1st, 2012 Quest opened its eighth location in Chicago – with expansion plans to open additional cities later in the year. With the Chicago opening, Quest drape CEO and founder, Lee dunlap stated, “at Quest we are looking forward to earning the business of each customer in Chicago. We desire to raise the bar and excel in every area, our customers are the most important part of Quest – we are a success
oubleL ddesign LAURA LONG creative director T: 214.881.5733
E: edgeadv@yahoo.com
depending on your specific pipe and drape needs, Quest has the inventory to provide customers with many different options each with unmatched customer service. Customers can select to receive unprecedented professional installation services or the convenience of the flexible road show shipping and/or multiple pick-up and drop-off warehouse locations offered across the country. Each customer can be confident that no matter which Quest office you work with, you will receive the same quality soft goods, professional staff, affordable pricing, and attentive service with which Quest drape has built its reputation. Furthermore, each Quest drape office is equipped to answer questions, provide pricing, and coordinate every customer’s pipe and drape needs anytime of the day or night. The Quest staff stands ready and willing to meet customers and conduct site evaluations and offer http://www.questdrape.com/drape-rental creative ideas and solutions for all events, twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. With this type of service Quest drape hopes the experience with Quest leaves a lasting impression that thereby creates an opportunity to develop a long term relationship well into the future with each of their customers.
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Innovation can be an intimidating word. We often think of innovators as people who have changed the world in a significant way, or who have invented something spectacular. However, being innovative is a lot like being creative; it is a way of thinking and a state of mind. Have you ever noticed that often times the real innovators within an industry come from outside of that industry? Steve Jobs didn’t work his way up a corporate ladder to then make a better electronic machine. He was a hippie fruitarian who wanted to bring beauty and elegance to the budding technology that he and his friends were dabbling in. His ideas and vision were non-traditional and went against the way that most people and companies were approaching the personal computer. Robert Ferguson
We work in an incredibly creative industry, but today’s economy doesn’t always allow for much creative input or energy. When forced to, we have found ways to do more with less and get “creative” with the solutions that we come up with for our customers. But what about innovation? people like to talk about “thinking outside of the box,” but actual expansive thinking seems to be a very rare occurrence. We get caught up in the day-to-day of our business and rarely do we take time to stand back, take a look at our business or a particular project, and allow ourselves to think big.
thinking in a neW Way In order to get into this mindset, we first need to clear out the distractions that seem to constantly interrupt us throughout our normal work days. To be successful in the information age, we have to have a lot of information at our fingertips. But this also creates a non-stop barrage of small
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distractions that demand our immediate attention. Innovative thinking requires time for our creative thoughts to expand and form, which is only possible by first creating an environment that supports and nurtures creative thought. Innovation does not have to take place sitting at a drawing board or holed up in a room. In fact, studies have found that physical exercise ignites our brain in unique ways and creates endorphins which act as neurotransmitters. Going for a walk can excite areas of your brain and engage your thinking in a whole new way.
innovation starts With the desire to be innovative Not everyone is an innovator, but anyone can strive toward being innovative. The most important ingredient in being more innovative is consistently working towards being innovative. Most of us decided at some point in our childhood whether or not we were creative. Whether or not you can draw or sing are not the only measures of creativity. Creative thinking is a skill and one that takes practice. The most powerful muscle in our body, by far, is our brain. How we think and what we think can change the way that we experience things, can alter how we act, and can influence other people. By consistently flexing that muscle and expanding our ability to think in new ways, we open pathways to ideas we hadn’t had before and connect thoughts in whole new ways.
practicing
discussion fosters innovation
To become adept at something, we need to practice. In our culture, we don’t often consider practicing thinking. Meditation is one way to do this. Reading is another. Watching television can be another way, if we keep from “zoning out” and keep our mind engaged while we watch.
One innovative trend that is starting to catch on in the meeting and event industry is the concept of using breaks and discussion to enable attendees to digest and retain the learning more effectively. Some recent conferences have incorporated longer breaks and more times specifically designed to have attendees discuss the topics and how they apply in their work and life. They are finding that people are getting more value in learning this way and can retain more information with this new style.
If we consider taking on a new endeavor as practicing, it allows us not to be perfect at it. I think that lawyers and doctors got it right when they called their careers a practice; “I practice medicine” and “the law practice.” When we practice, we are not performing for others but working on something to get better at it for ourselves. A great way to start this process is by asking questions that lead to more creative and innovative thinking:
❚ How can I engage my attendees in a way I never have before?
❚ What unique experience can I facilitate that will forward the end goal of this event?
❚ What do my attendees consider the greatest value of this event, and how can I improve on this value?
The most important tool for being more innovative is the desire to be innovative. different thinking leads to different actions, and those actions lead to new results!
SUggESTED READINg TO SpARK YOUR INNOvATIvE pROCESS: “Steve Jobs” — Walter Isaacson “Blink” — Malcolm Gladwell “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” — Maya Angelou
SOCIAl PINNINgS
PIQUED
We have a love affair with social media that has virally transcended the likes of any other marketing and communication tool in the marketplace today. Just about every industry uses it, but the events industry uses social media as a practically cost free virtual portfolio to showcase the best of what it does, to post pithy comments, to put faces with brand names, and as a reminder that event companies exist and that they are ready to take your event over the top. It seems funny to think of pinterest as a “new” social media tool. Early adopters would laugh at us if we considered a technology more than 1 year old a new one. So, since we are in print, let’s just say that the not-so-new tool on the scene that is taking our industry by virtual storm is pinterest. uNdeRPINNINgS By now, most of us know what pinterest is - the online community that allows people to collect things on a virtual pin board and share it with the masses. What some may not know is that it has had event roots from the very beginning. Co-founded by Ben Silbermann and based in palo Alto, California, pinterest has received funding from a host of investors including noted angel investor Ron Conway, Eventbrite co-founder/CEO Kevin Hartz and Bebo cofounder Michael Burch - and the funding has not stopped since. According to comScore, the site rocketed from 1 million unique U.S. visitors in July 2011 to 4.8 million in November 2011 and now welcomes more than 12 million visitors. It has been listed among the fastest independent sites to reach 10 million unique visitors in the United States and was named one of the 50 Best Web sites of 2011 by Time Magazine and the Best New Startup of 2011 by Techcrunch. PINteRtAINmeNt Among the earliest adopters of the tool in the entertainment industry were bands Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban, both managed by Borman Entertainment, and both avid social media users. Lady Antebellum’s page includes a board called “Lyrical pins” with pictures of the group’s lyrics. Each of the three band members also has a board for pinning favorite items. gOOd PINmANShIP Unlike other social media portals like the Facebook free-for-all, pinterest establishes the guidelines for the pinterest community through “pin Etiquette” - guidelines for using pinterest that are set in place by the pinterest team in order to build trust, cooperation and success within the online community. pins are the most useful when they have links back to the original source. If you notice that a pin is not sourced correctly, leave a comment so the original pinner can update the source. This rule not only gives the creators credit for their work or product, but it makes it easier for users to reach the original source if they want to buy the product or ask the producer or blogger a question. BuSINeSS PINteReStS Although the initial purpose of pinterest was for people to express their individuality through the products and ideas they collected and liked on their pin boards, pinterest has taken to the mainstream as a business marketing strategy - and it is becoming a marketing pin cushion for the events industry. Our industry uses it as a virtual inspiration board, and when someone ‘likes’ your pin or ‘repins’ it, it is
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immediate viral marketing. you can then encourage that link love by pinning to Facebook and Twitter, as well as sending interested parties back to your web site without breaking any pinterest etiquette rules. We invite you to put a pin in this quick list of ways in which you, as an event industry pro, can use this not-so-new tool.
pins for Rent
JuSt A PIN It tO WIN It
For rental companies like audio/visual, furniture, props and décor, you might use this tool to create your brand page on pinterest and add your product set to it. This puts you directly in front of not only the industry but the end user. Tip: Make sure you add the price to the product description so you take advantage of the “gift” drop down on pinterest that sorts by price.
King pins of Design
pin up Work
Though no stranger to brides and wedding planners, this tool offers an amazing opportunity for event designers to pull products and designs from a plethora of sites to compile inspiration boards for their clients. Even better, the products can be pulled from the web sites of actual purveyors of products and services so that your client can actually see the storyboard develop for exactly what might appear at their event.
photographers or artists may showcase their work on pinterest as well as adding a description of the cost and where and how to buy comps. Exclusive pinterest Offer Companies may actually create an exclusive offer only available on their pinterest board. They can publish a new one each week and use the metrics from the link love to track this marketing tool. Event postings and product Releases Use the tool to promote an event or make announcements about new products or services. video pinterest also gives you the ability to pin videos onto boards. ‘How-to’ videos tend to go viral, so you can use the pinterest tool to show a stop motion video of an event set up or event design. Coupons and qR Codes Create images of your coupons or QR Codes and pin them to your board if you are interested in creating a promotion that might drive traffic right to a specific place on your web site. For more information on how to set up a business profile on Pinterest: http://support.pinterest.com/forums/20589426-business-accounts
Rolling pins
Article Contributor - Caitlin Murad
Caterers, restaurants, bakeries and chefs can create images of their best dishes and include the ingredients needed to make the dish. These dishes can be used and shared/repinned to create buzz. freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
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LET OFF SOME STEAM & CREATE HISTORIC EVENTS 043
SteamPunk
RockS!
and Hollywood blockbuster from the not-sodistant past, Wild Wild West, with Will Smith.
Life often imitates art. At least it does in the event industry and, as event professionals, we are always looking to add fresh brush strokes to our events to bring more color and creativity to them and to create events that are works of art. We research what is couture by scouting the runways of New york, paris and Milan, and we monitor fashion and lifestyle trends by reading fashion publications and observing celebrities. We also turn to literature, movies, theatre, and lifestyle for event décor, design and theme inspiration. Bygone eras and wistful event settings take us away to another place in time, and that is exactly what happens with a haute trend that freshmeet is following called Steampunk. Steampunk is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Alternate History, Horror, Steam power – whether in an alternate history such as Victorian Era Britain, American Old West era, or in a post-apocalyptic time. Often, you see a combination of these. Themes of Steampunk often feature futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style and art. Steampunk’s influence has been chronicaled throughout the ages, specifically in the 19th century scientific romantic works of Jules Verne, Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells, who penned the renowned timeless classic The Time Machine. And the genre has taken to the big screen with Hollywood hits like Sherlock Holmes, (and Robert downey Jr. knows how to make Steampunk rock), The Golden Compass, freshmeet MAGAZINE / SPRING 2012
While originally Steampunk was a science fiction literary genre, it is outliving fads and has grown into an interactive community full of amazing inventors, artists and fashion designers and more who are embracing the spirit of the bygone era and of all things innovative and funky. Or, maybe they just like dressing up. Who knows? But, it’s a trend that has found its compass and is not turning around anytime soon. Victorian lace, petticoats, top hats, leather, sculpted metals and gears all have a place on the prop menu in an event celebrating this genre, and innovative items like hot air balloons, locomotives, airplanes, steam powered gadgets and time machines serve as perfect backdrops for staging an event. Most of us have a love (at least somewhere inside of us) for vintage. And this is one way to take the mainstream vintage themes that most of us have experienced and given them a fresh twist. Here is a freshmeet short list of ways that you can turn the volume up on your event to make it Steampunk rock. 1. Keep everything beautifully deconstructed. One of the most attractive features of Steampunk fashion and décor is inner workings being displayed. In a world where we are accustomed to all the ‘guts’ of any device or item being discreetly out of site, Steampunk
Emilly Mamone Photography
The Steampunk movement embraces the carte blanche “there are no rules” mentality. There are countless literary pieces with pictures, inspiration and basic guidelines, but everyone interacts with the culture in their own way taking from it only what they want and adapting it to their events as they see fit. Steampunk celebrates the visionary in all of us and gives us a blank canvass on which to create an amazing event experience. crystal vases with flowers as a centerpiece, unique vessels made of antiqued brass or tarnished silver with leather lace tied in a bow. 3. Mix vintage with modern. Steampunk as a whole is based on modern devices being available in the Victorian era run off Victorian
events you can attend for steampunk inspiration: TempleCon - providence, RI AnachroCon - Atlanta, GA Wild West Con - Tucson, AZ Steampunk Industrial Revolution Nashua, NH Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition & WILd, WILd EAST! Santa Clara, CA
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2. Mix grunge with elegance. Consider mixing two competing media like silk with metal or leather with lace. Imagine the most beautiful lamour linens and, instead of
technology (meaning no gas or electricity - everything is steam powered). So people in the community often wear the elegant Victorian clothes while carrying iphones or laptops that have been modified to fit the Victorian aesthetic. This couldn’t be easier - the availability of rental items makes this easily attainable. Use china that has a vintage painted pattern but mix it with a sleek modern charger, glassware and flatware. Not a big enough impact for you? What about doing vintage lounge furniture pieces, think chaise lounge or button tufted loveseat with wood detailing but in a modern fabric instead of a velvet finish and the wood detailing rather than keeping the oak stain - painted a white or black gloss finish to give it a more modern look.
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embraces its inner beauty by showing off the gears, screws, and moving parts that make it work. Steampunk celebrates the individual components making up the whole rather than showcasing the functioning piece as a whole. Think individual elements.
Model -Kori Callan
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