On September 23, 2008, Washington-area event professionals gathered at the Sequoia restaurant to celebrate BizBash Washington’s Top 100 annual events issue. Attendees included leaders and orchestrators of the major D.C. events in categories such as benefits, political and press events, holiday events, and sporting events. The restaurant was transformed into a sleek event space overlooking the Kennedy Center and the Potomac River on a spectacular early fall evening.
Entirely furnished by Room Service Furniture and Event Rentals, the main area kept things modern with Plexiglas tables, a bar overlooking the harbor, and crisp white furniture. The back room went the way of summery romance. Complete with casual touches like a lounge-friendly canopy bed and ample couches, the back room offered a luxurious space for dancers to rest their weary feet throughout the evening. Washington Talent coordinated musicians for both rooms to keep the dance floor full—a three-piece band kept to the main stage, while a jazz duo maintained the relaxed vibe in the lounge.
BizBash Media C.E.O. and founder David Adler was thrilled to be back in his hometown of D.C., which also served as the foundation of his career. Adler passed along his enthusiasm to guests and honorees as he relayed the importance of the Top 100 events in mapping the “social fabric of the city” and declared Washington itself “the event Olympics.”
BizBash editor in chief Chad Kaydo and Washington publisher Bruce Zalbe also welcomed guests with joyful toasts and expressed pride in what the future held for the BizBash Washington market.
Each portion of the event was filled with the same sort of personal touches that were honored within the Top 100 events—from the Hannah Handmade “Red, White, and BizBash” invitations that featured Washington’s top events in a patriotic package to the large BizBash floral display by Tierra Floral Designs, which went from classically delicate by day to a touch of flash by night as it lit up the entrance in trademark BizBash blue. The Top 100 issue was brought to life with lighting, plasma TVs, and staging by Nomad Event Systems, and all of the design elements, room flows, and decor were created by A Vista Events.
As the sun slipped away below the Potomac, the outdoor patio came to life, with low white tables sparkling in lit-up electric blue. Martinis were served in chic black-stemmed glasses provided by Party Rental Ltd., whose specialty trays and plates also delivered the hors d’oeurves. Imijination Photography captured the party planners-turned-revelers as the festivities stretched into the night, and Bialek's Music DJs kept the patio in full swing with up-tempo beats.
Cast of Thousands provided a straw poll in the form of a woman mingling among the crowd with a flowing white “table” for a skirt. Hundreds of guests participated, casting their vote for who should be the next United States president. In the end, BizBash Media’s own president, Richard Aaron, announced that Barack Obama had won by a landslide. Additional entertainers included opera singers and Mr. Wow, the amazing paper cutter, who created silouettes using a pair of scissors in less than 30 seconds.
Guests were sent off with a gift bag that included the Top 100 issue of BizBash Washington and an embossed leather key chain provided by Keith Lipert Gallery.
Watch the Washington Top 100 video, courtesy of Suburban Video.
Thanks to all of our sponsors, guests, and vendors for making our first D.C. event an evening to remember!
