Considering the popularity of last year’s take-home trinkets—necklaces, rings, bangles, and pins that covered the floral arrangements—event producer Michael Lawrence of Lawrence Company Events wanted guests to have their fill of knickknacks. “I’ve actually seen people on the street still wearing the beads from last year,” said the veteran producer.

Lawrence and his team used every inch of the venue—and its existing furniture—for this year’s gala. To achieve a  summery garden feel, designers used brilliant shades of green, yellow, orange, fuchsia, and blue decor and lighting throughout the space. Entering from the street-level plaza, on either side of the rink, guests found mirrored mobiles hung high, reflecting beams of light onto buffet tables, and they could move through the differently colored areas of the Rink Bar, Rock Center Café, and the Sea Grill. Ushers at the entrances worked to manage the flow of the crowd.

“The main entrances to the restaurants are so small that we wanted to point out to people that there are other ways to get around,” Lawrence explained.

To disguise the mall area on the inside of the rink's westernmost portion, Susan Edgar of Flowers, Sticks and Stones covered the store windows with textured fabric stretched along aluminum frames. Throughout the space, Patina Group placed numerous food stations filled with spreads of seafood. And to work off their meals, guests could head to the middle of the rink and dance to the Peter Duchin Orchestra.   —Danielle Douglas