| EVENT REPORT 05.05.08 5:41 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Emerald City |
| A green theme at this year's Butterfly Ball underscored the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's commitment to environmental education. |
|
This year's Butterfly Ball on Friday, a black-tie benefit for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, used a natural choice of venues: the museum itself. In the atrium, sage tablecloths covered highboys during a mint-julep-fueled cocktail reception. Green balloons floated above the heads of raffle-ticket sellers (who had tied balloon strings to their wrists), helping them stand out from the black-tie crowd. In two large dinner tents set on the front lawn and upper-level balcony, green linens and wine glasses festooned the tables.
The color scheme underscored the evening's "living green in Chicago" theme. According to the museum's development manager, Kristin Lynch, the annual ball presents an opportunity to showcase accomplishments from the past year to "an audience of 600 corporate and civic leaders." This year, "we felt strongly about letting everybody know that we want to be the leader here in Chicago of eco-friendly practices and environmental education," she said. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Programs for the evening were printed on recycled paper and placed on each guest's dinner seat.
Photo: Patti Sotos |
|
|
 | To decorate the dinner tents, the Flower Firm created hanging arrangements of flowers, leaves, and twisted branches.
Photo: Patti Sotos |
|
|
 | Green linens and wine glasses, plus moss-and-floral centerpieces, created an earthy environment.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | High floral centerpieces on each table appeared to sprout butterfly wings.
Photo: Patti Sotos |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As guests took their seats inside the dinner tents, oversize screens flashed suggestions for greener living. ("Take shorter showers" was one tip.) At each place setting, menu cards printed on recycled paper let guests know that the Calihan-catered dinner comprised sustainable produce from local farms; more tips for eco-friendly living appeared below the list of foods. After dinner, the tent lights dimmed and a short film showcased locals pledging to lead greener lives (and detailing the steps they would take to achieve that) in front of a backdrop branded with the museum's logo.
Gift bags made of reusable plastic carried on the green theme with organic candles, gift certificates for local cleaning service the Green Maid, and carbon-footprint calculators adorned with the logo for Aon (one of the evening's biggest corporate sponsors). After the event, Lynch and her staff donated leftover flowers to local senior living facilities, where they were to be replanted.
—Jenny Berg
RELATED TOPICS
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Going Green, Butterfly Ball
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Michael Kors Opens New Chicago Store With Runway Show, Raspberry Martinis
Healthy Schools Campaign Hosts Fund-Raiser With Student Chefs
Microsoft Introduces Windows 7 With Cute Kid, Product Vignettes
Shriver's Women's Conference Adds Second Day of Programming—Plus a Step-and-Repeat—for 25,000 in Attendance
After Management Change, Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion Keeps Signature Elements—Minus the Cocktails
MORE STORIES ABOUT PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM
Notebaert Nature Museum's Auxiliary Board Hosts First Fund-Raiser
Chicago's Top Benefits 2008
MORE STORIES ABOUT GOING GREEN
Emmy Governors Ball Goes for Jewel-Toned, Xanadu-Evocative Opulence
Emmy Preview: Jewel Tones Will Wash Tony Duquette-Inspired Governors Ball
Exploring the Latest in Green Design
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
theWit Hotel
Lose yourself in the vibrant epicenter of the Windy City at theWit, Chicago’s newest downtown boutique hotel. On historic State Street, in the heart of the revitalized theater and Loop business districts, this all-new destination pulls the chair from underneath pomposity and seriousness, igniting the neighborhood with energy and a spirit of fun. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.
A genuine Chicago experience, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company offers distinctive and professional service for all types of events. Corporate groups are their largest segment of business, but they also serve more than 500 weddings yearly, many not-for-profit organization events, and have a youthful following for nightime pub crawls. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Jam Entertainment and Creative Services, LLC
Jam Entertainment and Creative Services creates custom events and experiential marketing solutions to meet the diverse needs of corporations, communities, and individuals. Jam executes programs that build brands and reinforce the ideals of your company or organization in the hearts and minds of your customers. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
