Themes y Decoracion

The CNN Grill popped up in both Cleveland and Philadelphia, offering invited convention-goers access to the tricked-out hospitality venues and live broadcast studios in each city. Starr Catering Group, part of Starr Events, created custom menus in both places, also working with local businesses to incorporate their products into the menus.

The Philadelphia event took over Victory Beer Hall at Xfinity Live. CNN worked with Civic to transform the massive space for food, daily programming, and branded games.

Stars in red and blue flanked the brand's logo and event name, done in the style of marquee lettering.

Guests scooped up buttons in shades of red, white, and blue that bore graphics, logos, and slogans like "I CNN Politics."

For an event as massive as the Democratic National Convention, general contractor Hargrove installed 500,000 square feet of graphics.

The red, white, and blue balloon drop appeared to go a bit more smoothly for the Democrats than for the G.O.P., where there was a noticeable delay in the orbs' release.

Hargrove served as general contractor for the convention, which included what it billed as the widest tent in the world: the media tent, at approximately 200 feet wide. In all, there were more than 300,000 square feet of tenting, more than 42 miles of cabling, and 12 megawatts of power—enough to power 2,000 homes.

AT&T-sponsored charging stations kept people connected.

As part of Glamour and Facebook's yearlong partnership, the magazine's editor in chief Cindi Leive moderated a conversation with Chelsea Clinton, Lena Dunham, and America Ferrera at the Facebook Lounge at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The discussion garnered major press, and was trending on social media.

The Syncopated Ladies tap band—dressed in rainbow pantsuits inspired by Hillary Clinton—performed.

Apropos for the beauty magazine, the activation also included a glam bar.

Facebook was also at the Republican National Convention, where it staged a mini replica of the Oval Office for its Instagram brand.

Elephant-shaped pillows popped against a white sofa. The social media brand hosted a brunch and panel during the convention. The events were produced by A2E.

Open shelving displayed branded products like logo fans—all done in a red, white, and blue palette.

The setup included playing cards printed with the inspirational message "Win With Us." The cards contained facts about advertising on Facebook. 

YourBash! produced the Lights Out Post Gavel event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland for Revolt and AT&T.  

An American flag backed the stage, topped by an oval-shaped truss structure from which red, white, and blue lighting illuminated the room.  

The event included a concert from Bret Michaels.

A candy buffet included a spread of treats in red, white, and blue hues, arrayed on blue striped linen.

Floral arrangements were appropriately done in red, white, and blue—including open red and white roses, as well as blue thistle.

YourBash! also produced an event to close out the D.N.C. at the Hyatt at the Bellevue hotel in Philadelphia for Revolt and AT&T. Performances came from MC Lyte and DJ D Nice, and DJ Damage hosted.

At the stroke of midnight, organizers served a cupcake and dessert display by local favorite Sweetbox.

The Americans for the Arts panel at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame featured Governor Mike Huckabee and musician Ben Folds. Like many of the brands that hosted events, Folds also traveled to attend the Democratic National Convention to discuss the bipartisan issue.

Stephen Colbert was among those who visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the convention's Welcoming Party. In all, the museum hosted more than 4,000 visitors per day. Rock Hall hosted 40 different events throughout the convention, and the quickest event turnaround was just 30 minutes to prepare for a party of 2,200.

Montell Williams signed the V.I.P. signature wall at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame following the American Unity Fund event.

For a wedding at New York's Wave Hill in June, Jes Gordon of Proper Fun created a pink-and-white color scheme for flowers, which ran down the length of the tables.

In 2010, Modern Luxury Brides magazine hosted a showcase at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. The cover of the then-current issue—which showcased pink and peach tones, tulle, and chiffon—inspired the look of the cocktail area. A photo of the Eros statue in London decorated the bar. HMR Designs handled decor.

In October, the women's board of Chicago's Field Museum hosted a gala with a China theme. HMR Designs employed rosy-hued decor that included pink uplighting on pedestals lining the dining room. Frost handled the lighting.

Carasco Photography hosted "Brides, Bubbles, and Bliss" at Chicago's Bridgeport Art Center in 2013. The bridal event showcased tabletops from different vendors. Ashland Addison Florist created a hanging table strewn with hundreds of pink and white orchids.

For a P.C.M.A. event in Chicago in January 2015, Kehoe Designs created a mirrored bar with a backdrop in the shape of the Chicago skyline. Pink and blue lights bathed the structure. The event took place at the Museum of Science and Industry.

In 2011, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation brought its annual Hot Pink Party, a signature fund-raising event, to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Brooks Brothers donated pink-striped linens, which added a playful touch to tabletops.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach hosted an event-industry gathering dubbed "Dripping in Diamonds" in winter 2014. Each room featured the work of a different design firm, and Blooming Events International designed the "Perfect Diamond" room in blue hues.

Inspired by the ceramics of South African artist Ruan Hoffmann and murals by Rebecca Rebouche, interior designer Alexis Givens created a moonlight feast setting for Anthropologie at Diffa's Dining by Design event in March. The ceiling covering was made from bright blue-painted recycled plastic bottles, and pink flowers decked the tables.

In June, Event Creative gave the summery gala a blue-and-white decor scheme. Bunches of pale blue hydrangeas decorated the dinner tables.

Kehoe Designs provided decor for a private reception at the Art Institute of Chicago in winter 2014. The event featured blue spotlights cascading down the wall in a snowy pattern that matched the season.

In 2009, the Chicago museum hosted a blue-hued event to celebrate its diamonds exhibition. To underscore the theme, Frost created a video of falling diamonds that measured 50 by 660 feet.

Paula Biggs, creative director and stylist at Frog Prince Paperie, designed a baby shower with a "pink birdie" theme in 2013. Decked with birdhouses and an elegant birdcage, the sweets table contained treats in an array of soft pinks. It held raspberry mousse with fresh whipped cream, petit fours, meringues, cupcakes, chocolate brownie truffles, and apothecary jars filled with rosy candies.

Bored of traditional theater- or classroom-style room setups? Designing a arrangement with an assortment of furniture "is an ideal way to provide flexibility and choices for attendees’ different personalities," says Michele Wilde, the resort's director of conference services and event sales.

Comfort is a priority, especially during lengthy meetings, Wilde says. Offering multiple seating options can keep attendees engaged and also suit different personalities.

A threesided set up gives attendees a sense of proximity to the speakers.

Quartz also experimented with seating. In the front of the room there were couches reserved for V.I.P. guests, and in the back of the room there was a row of high-top tables where laptop users could work.

Bags that attendees received at registration had various charts taken from Quartz stories that could serve as conversation starters.

Q&A sessions with speakers continued in a designated space outside of the ballroom. The move allowed more intimate access to speakers.

Quartz encourages its sponsors to bring unusual and engaging activations to its events. One example was a fully functional mini planetarium from Qualcomm.

Not every event wants to meet at a hotel. Variety and WWD chose Smashbox Studios for a different feel.

An unexpected addition to the stage was a DJ booth.

Before lunch and the presentation, guests gathered in a sponsor activation area. Its design had a look consistent with the main room, with the same color palette and furniture rentals.