Diane Cremin, former vice president of professional development and events at the Magazine Publishers’ Association (MPA)—now an independent planner—coordinated the conference and worked closely with congress chairman Tom Ryder, chairman and C.E.O. of the Reader’s Digest Association. Also involved were George Green, president and C.E.O. of Hearst Magazines International, and Michael Pashby, executive vice president/general manager at MPA. The conference, put on by the International Federation of the Periodical Press and hosted this year by MPA, shuffles to various cities around the world, with Paris and Rio de Janeiro as recent host sites.

The night before people got down to business for seminars and presentations about the state of magazine publishing at the Waldorf=Astoria, an American barbecue-theme party was held on Ellis Island. There, with last-minute preparations made to move the party indoors due to inclement weather, the four major geographic centers of barbecue were represented—Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina, and Texas—with dishes like hickory smoked Texas beef brisket, applewood smoked chicken, grilled Atlantic salmon with chipotle butter, Kansas City spareribs, and slow smoked pork shoulder from Blue Smoke Catering; Great Performances created side dishes.

Empire Force Events coordinated the event, which included entertainment to complement the fun and informal vibe of the night’s menu. There was Texas line dancing, jazz as homage to Kansas City, and a Memphis-style blues band.

A closing night party was held at the Museum of Modern Art, where Wizard Studios used the clean, modern setting of the museum’s new look as decor inspiration. Dinner tables were sparse and white, with lime green accents including napkins and chair bands. Cool illuminated bases from Fancy Faces shot light into clear vases that held calla lilies, making the flower stems appear an equally vibrant green. Tables and chairs were covered in white spandex from Sculptware, and underneath tables white LED lights glowed from within the fabric.

Kerry Heffernan, executive chef at Eleven Madison Park, designed the dinner menu, which included seared Arctic char, black truffle vinaigrette, salsify, and fingerling potatoes. Dessert included tastings from Francois Payard, Claudia Fleming, and Johnny Iuzzini of Jean Georges.

The conference's choice of party venues recalled the recent Travel Industry Association of America’s International Pow Wow conference, which also saw bashes at Ellis Island and MoMA.

—Mark Mavrigian

Photo: Doug Goodman Photography (Ellis Island)

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