| SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 03.14.08 4:02 PM |
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| BizBash Toronto Event Style Show Expo & Awards Attracts Record Numbers |
| Event and meeting planners crowded the Direct Energy Centre for the fifth annual show. |
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FROM TORONTO BizBash Toronto's fifth annual Event Style Show Expo & Awards attracted more than 1,000 event planners, exhibitors, and industry personnel to the Direct Energy Centre on February 20. The show provided the chance for attendees to gather, network, and find new ideas through education sessions, breakfast, lunch, exhibits, an award presentation, and a cocktail reception. And it lived up to this year's theme: "Your Next Great Idea Starts Here."
Peter Somers of Contemporary Furniture Rentals magically transformed the Heritage Court at the Direct Energy Centre into a festive, welcoming environment. Somers worked with Rose Brand/Technically Yours to create a stretch-fabric forest at the main entrance in white that stood over teal carpets, and no trees were harmed in its construction. The V.I.P. lounge at the entrance for speakers and BizBash guests was managed and designed by Best PR Boutique. Stronco Group of Companies served as the show decorator, providing exhibition and event services. Chair-man Mills contributed catering supplies and elegant rental products for the networking luncheon and the High Tea and Highballs cocktail party. The day was captured in pictures and posted online by Serendipity Film & Video Productions, the official show photographer.
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Preston Bailey of Preston Bailey Designs delivered the keynote address to open the fifth annual BizBash Toronto Event Style Show Expo & Awards.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | Hall of Fame inductees Michael Cress, Canfar, Francine Socket, CTV Inc., and Don Saytar posed with their silver charger plate awards.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | A crowd of meeting and event planners gathered for the networking luncheon designed by Rob Dittmer of Three Events and Design and furnished by Contemporary Furniture Rentals, with catering by Renee Foote of Ginger Island Cuisine.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | Conference pass holders sat in contoured white chairs from Essential Event Rentals while taking in some education.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | Ginger Island prepared plated appetizers atop clear charger plates from Chair-man Mills consisting of Caspian black tiger shrimp on heirloom beets with golden carrot soup.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | A performer from Ice C Inc. skated in the company's trade show booth on a portable, faux ice surface.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | A high kick was demonstrated on the main stage from a member of the Freestyle Soccer Show while DJ Piers of Third From the Sun spun music in the background on the stage set designed by Westbury National Show Systems.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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 | Kim Graham of Kim Graham & Associates accepted the award for Best Corporate Event Concept Under $50K from BizBash Toronto bureau chief Susan O'Neill.
Photo: Serendipity Film & Video Production |
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AV, Sound, Lighting, Staging Westbury National Show Systems
Catering: High Tea & Highballs Seventh Heaven Fine Catering & Special Events
Catering: Luncheon Ginger Island Cuisine
Decor, Design, Furnishing Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc.
Decor: Education Seating Essential Event Rentals
Decor: Entrance Rose Brand/Technically Yours Inc. (TYI)
Design: Luncheon Three Event Planning & Design Inc.
Entertainment Production Eclectic Events International
Florals Earthwork
Graphics, Media Krista Slack + Aylett Inc.
Hotel Sponsor Pantages Suites Hotel & Spa
Photography Serendipity Video Productions
Printing: Show Guides, Lanyards, Staff Shirts Maud Street Group
Registration: Online And On-Site Streampoint Solutions Inc.
Rentals Chair-man Mills
Signage: Indoor Grant Sign Group of Companies
Signage: Outdoor Advanced Products Group
Staffing The Butler Did It
Valet, Car Service, Shuttle Buses Gatsby Valet Inc.
Venue Direct Energy Centre
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The action-packed day started at 7:30 a.m. with registration provided by Streampoint Solutions, with lanyards and show guides from Maud Street Group. Artik, a provider of promotional items, supplied the environmentally friendly reusable show bags. Planners attended many educational sessions throughout the day, on topics ranging from marketing, design, and decor trends to legal issues and going green. All sessions were well attended, standing room only, and played off the "Next Great Idea" theme.
BizBash Toronto honoured four Hall of Fame inductees at its initial induction ceremony. Francine Socket, director of special events and merchandising for CTV Inc., was honoured, as was Don Saytar, founder and executive producer of Cornerstone Entertainment Concepts Inc., and Dennis Mills, vice chairman of Magna Entertainment. Canfar special events manager Michael Cress was recognized for his contributions to the nonprofit community. Each inductee was presented with an inscribed silver charger acknowledging his or her significant contributions toward furthering the events industry, and BizBash is proud to recognize their achievements.
The general session at the main stage provided education and international star power for attendees. As the crowd gathered, they were seated before a stage designed by show sponsor Westbury National Show Systems. The massive backdrop wall included versatile lighting—a technology that can incorporate up to 16 million colours on square tiles that each contain 100 pixels and limitless projection abilities. Grant Sign Group provided the stage, as well as the entire venue, with event signage.
BizBash Media president Richard Aaron kicked off the session proper with the introduction of designer extraordinaire Preston Bailey, of New York's Preston Bailey Designs, whose presentation on "Transformations" touched on his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients' fantasies into awe-inspiring realities. Bailey's talent has attracted such clients as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, and his signature style combines exuberant and harmonious color palettes, sensuous textures, shapes that are both architectural and organic, and modern adaptations of traditional elements.
The trade show floor opened promptly at 11 a.m., and attendees crowded the floor to see the latest products and services from industry suppliers. More than 100 exhibitors showcased their venues, entertainment companies, catering talents, and corporate gift offerings, among other services. Excitement was evident all over the show floor as vendors met with current customers and made new contacts.
One exhibitor, Seventh Heaven Hospitality Group, fed all attendees with an ample antipasto buffet beneath its big-top tent exhibit space. Ice C Inc. had figure skaters perform demos on the faux ice surface in the company's booth. Slingshot offered "But" sketches by artist Krandal Lee Newton, who made sketches of people from behind as keepsakes for attendees looking for something unique to take home.
A networking luncheon for conference pass holders handled by Ginger Island Cuisine was held on the upper floor of the east annex and sported an upscale design by Rob Dittmer of Three Events. The black-white-and-gold theme carried through with combinations of square and round tables, and was designed in the round for a centre performance and state-of-the-industry address from Aaron and international ISES president Connie Riley. Before lunch, an elegant ballet performance by Hit and Run Productions, beneath six massive crystal chandeliers brought in for the occasion, courtesy of entertainment sponsors and producers Eclectic Events International, took centre stage. The meal consisted of custom nonalcoholic beverages such as apricot sunrise with kiwi garnishes, Caspian shrimp appetizers on heirloom beets with golden carrot soup, Thai beef, and warm mushroom tartlets, all served by staff from the Butler Did It.
The afternoon educational series kicked off just after 2 p.m. with two very informative sessions. Green Meetings Council representative Anthony Watanabe, Ph.D, founder of the Innovolve Group, led the session with green champions Francine Socket of CTV Inc. and Kori Gorman from By David's Catering. The group discussed greening events and how to do it more efficiently. Chad Kaydo, editor in chief of BizBash Media, led a group consisting of Domenic Chiaromonte, executive chef at Match Restaurant, Michael Cress, special events manager for Canfar, and Susan O'Neill, bureau chief of BizBash Toronto, in a presentation on "45 Style Ideas in 45 Minutes," attended by an eager note-taking crowd. Guests were seated on black-and-white contoured chairs called Panton chairs from Essential Event Rentals.
Continuous entertainment was held on the main event stage all afternoon, thanks to entertainment producer and sponsor Eclectic Events International. Performers included Aerial Angels, Freestyle Soccer Show, Bollywood Grooves, Capitol Dance Productions, Debi Sander Walker, the George Kash Experience, DJ Piers of Third From the Sun, and Renee Barda.
At 4 p.m., all attendees were invited to watch the presentation of the second annual BizBash Event Style Awards, where 13 recipients were presented with the BizBash "B," from Ace Awards. The ceremony was hosted by CBC celebrity Natalie Brown, with awards presented by the Champagne Show Girls. And the awards went to:
Best Entertainment Program/Concept: Experiential Events, Feel the Beat
Best Corporate Event Concept (over $50,000): Big Events Inc., Piller's 50th anniversary
Best Corporate Event Concept (under $50,000): Kim Graham & Associates, TIFF Goes Underground
Best Nonprofit Event Concept: Slingshot Inc., WICC Fire & Ice
Best Event PR Strategy: Premier Consumer Shows/National Bridal Show, Ready, Set, Wed!
Best Fresh Idea: Cornerstone Entertainment Concepts Inc., Cushman & Wakefield Global Dinner
Best Gift Bag: Flare magazine, Pure Style Gala
Best Invitation Design: Big Events Inc., Piller's 50th anniversary
Best Overall Catering at an Event: Catering With Style, Canada Hot and Cool
Best Overall Event Decor (over $50,000): CTV Globemedia, Zhivago
Best Overall Event Decor (under $50,000): Solutions With Impact, One Wish
Best Use of Technology: BC Event Management Inc., PCMA Welcome Reception
Best New Venue (Editor's Pick): Circa
From 4:30 until 6 p.m., attendees were treated to a "High Tea and Highballs" cocktail reception, with catering by Seventh Heaven Hospitality Group. Background music from Third From the Sun played during the high tea, and Seventh Heaven served up a decadent, eclectic menu, including three custom tea-infused highballs.
BizBash would like to thank the Direct Energy Centre, our exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, who made the event a tremendous success. The fifth annual BizBash Toronto Event Style Show Expo & Awards proved to be the largest, most well-attended show in BizBash's five-year history. For those who can't wait until next year, please visit BizBash.com to find out about our upcoming shows in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. We'll see you next year!
—Robyn Small
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