Le Méridien Chicago Oakbrook Center has introduced three new locally inspired menus for meeting breaks. The hotel's Sweet Home Chicago menu offers a variety of self-serve candy that originated in the city, including Lemonheads, Milk Duds, Red Hots, Tootsie Rolls, and Dots. Named after the blues song by Robert Johnson, the candy-shop-inspired display—which also offers pretzel bites and lemonade and iced tea—comes with a chalkboard sign that displays information about the Chicago-founded National Confections Association.
The second Chicago-theme menu is Nuts on Clark, a summer-inspired display that offers popcorn, nuts, and more as an homage to Clark Avenue, which is two blocks from Wrigley Field. The display offers a variety of popcorn toppings and mix-ins including caramel, chocolate, and garlic olive oil, candy and nuts, and flavored seasonings including ranch, cheddar, and sriracha. Beverages include bottles of Americana-brand flavored soda.
The final Chicago-theme menu is the Illinois Farm Table, which offers locally sourced fruits and vegetables for smoothies, pastries, and juices from a display with farm-inspired decor. Chalkboards detail where each ingredient is from, and seasonal scented candles are placed at the tables. Guests can create their own juices and smoothies with the ingredients or enjoy prepared items such as crudites with truffle aioli.
El Conquistador Resort and Las Casitas Village, Waldorf Astoria Resorts in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, offer a Flavors of Puerto Rico menu with local fare prepared by executive chef Ernie Reyes. Menu items include grilled local vegetable bruschetta with spicy aioli.
Another menu item is coconut ceviche made with lime-cured flakes of fresh white fish mixed with chives, olive oil, herbs, and coconut milk. The dish is served in a coconut.
Dessert options include mini tres leches cakes served in cups.
The Farm in Canyons Village at Park City, Utah, offers an aprés-ski-inspired menu from chef Manual Rozehmal, focusing on ingredients sourced from local farms and artisan purveyors. Shareable items include a local charcuterie board with Avalanche salami, fresh pickles, house mustard, beehive cheese, and lavash crackers.
Next door to the Farm is Murdock's Cafe, which offers seven unique takes on hot cocoa: the Sandlot, with graham cracker dust and toasted marshmallows; 94 Crumbs, with chocolate whipped cream and Oreo pieces; Moose Boost, with an espresso shot and whipped cream; the Bear Lake, with raspberry hot cocoa and chocolate whipped cream; the Mogul Mint, with peppermint hot cocoa, peppermint whipped cream, and crushed peppermint; the Carmel Corn, with popcorn whipped cream and salted caramel; and the Peanut Booter, with peanut butter whipped cream and dark chocolate pieces.
The Breakers Palm Beach offers a Localecopia menu for meeting breaks, as well as a variety of events. Created by executive chef of banquets Jeff Simms, the menu features dishes made with locally and sustainably sourced ingredients from local farmers and food purveyors. Items include craft mojitos; passed selections such as tempura squash blossoms and Pine Island crab cakes; salads, fruit, seafood, and other meat entrées served buffet-style; and desserts including chocolate chip cookies with milk shots and key lime pie cake pops. Seasonal items include Florida stone crabs with key lime mustard. Keeping with the Florida theme, multiple menu items mention where ingredients come from, such as beets from Polk County and sweet corn from Belle Glade.
At the Canadian design fair the Interior Design Show in 2013, Ikea took over the ticket counter, using a lamp as a simple, homey touch that made the space feel less clinical. The brand also decked the back wall with a leafy, wallpaper-like design and placed its bright red logo front and center.
In 2012, the Washington Ballet's Jeté Society hosted an Alice in Wonderland-theme dance party. A large white tree decorated with red hearts inspired by the story's Red Queen served as the backdrop for the check-in desk.
For a Catch Me if You Can screening in New York in 2011, Stella Artois transformed the restaurant Casa Lever into a 1960s airport lounge. The hostess stand was remade as the departure gate counter, where guests could check their tickets against a seating chart.
At the WWD Beauty C.E.O. Summit in 2012 at the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, the apothecary-inspired registration desk held different-sized jars filled with colored liquids, cotton balls, and Q-tips. Pink peonies in white vases, bright-colored towels, diffusers, and WWD magazine issues also adorned the desk.
When Progressive Insurance hosted auditions in 2010, the company built a space inside the Metropolitan Pavilion designed to look like the fictional Progressive store in its commercials. As such, the check-in desk at the front was decorated in the brand's signature white with blue and orange accents, and a large sign touting the website served as the backdrop.
The check-in area at Turner's 2010 upfront in New York included cut-outs in the walls and 3-D logos on pedestals. David Stark handled decor.
Fairchild Fashion Media's Kristen Wildman worked with XA to create the modern design of the WWD C.E.O. Summit inside the Plaza in New York in 2013. A color scheme of bright yellow against white was used throughout, including in the registration desk, giving the decor a clean, uniform look.
At the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual ball in 2013, the theme of "Saturday Night Blues" influenced the decor at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The check-in area reflected the theme with statement decor pieces including hanging saxophones and crystal orbs.
At a private event by David Beahm, the check-in area was "influenced by our surroundings. We let the decor of Blue Hill at Stone Barns rule our aesthetic, letting nature dictate the design," Beahm said. "The hand-hammered copper urn visually grounded the design."
Shiraz Events designed the registration desk at the FN C.E.O. Summit in Miami Beach in 2013. The bold blue and yellow table featured a grid behind it featuring the summit logo, and it held flowers and candy jars with white treats.
The check-in desk at a law firm's "Big Gay Party" in July 2014 included draping that matched the rainbow hues in the pride flag.
The Beverly Hilton has hosted the Golden Globes a total of 47 times. This year, nearly 1,300 guests participated in the live telecast, dining on a three-course meal by the hotel’s executive chef Alberico Nunziata and executive pastry chef Thomas Henzi. (See menu details here.) The floral centerpieces by Mark’s Garden featured more than 15,000 red- and sunset-hued orange roses displayed in diamond-wrapped gold containers.
Nearly 3,000 additional guests attended viewing parties and after-parties held in various spaces throughout the hotel.
Backstage during the ceremony, presenters and winners celebrated with golden goblets of Moët & Chandon, the official champagne of the Golden Globes. Overall, the brand served more than 1,500 Moët & Chandon Impérial minis, 125 cases of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 and Moet Rosé Impérial magnums, and 500 cocktails featuring Moët & Chandon Impérial. The brand also continued its annual philanthropic initiative, “Toast for a Cause,” for the ninth year. The program invites nominees to raise a toast in support of their favorite charities; for each toast, Moët donates $1,000 to the charity in the nominees’ names.
Conveniently located at the Beverly Hilton’s Circa 55 restaurant and Aqua Star Pool, which are situated directly outside the ballroom where the Globes are held, HBO’s bash is often the first stop on the Globes party circuit. The event was overseen by HBO’s Cindy Tenner—who continued her longtime collaboration with event designer Billy Butchkavitz and his brother Brian Butchkavitz—and featured a palette of golds and orchid with geometric patterns inspired by 1960s art. Images by Lighting handled lighting, and animated 3-D projections by Bart Kresa completed the look.
The main color scheme of the party was gold, as a nod to the Globes' 75th anniversary. Orchid was used as an accent color throughout the party space. Town & Country Event Rentals provided the tables, chairs, and other rentals, while Special Event Contractors created the sub floors, decorative perimeter wall, and the pavilion anchored atop the Aqua Star Pool. Meanwhile, SoCal Tents provided the dining pavilion, and Emerging Entertainment provided audio.
The red carpet immediately presented the event decor themes, with geometric patterns on the walls, a palette of gold and orchid, and a series of oversize gold vases. Agile Eye Solutions provided all large-scale decorative elements.
Held on the roof deck of the Beverly Hilton, Fox’s annual party brought together 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, FX, National Geographic, and Hulu for one blowout bash on Sunday night. 15/40 Productions produced the popular event, which reportedly reached capacity by 10 p.m. The elegant look featured a color palette of deep reds, blues, and golds, with glittering chandeliers overhead.
The bar offered a dramatic focal point in the center of the room.
After co-hosting with the Weinstein Company for several years, Netflix had its own event this year—which proved to be one of the most popular events on the Globes party circuit. Taking over a space at the new Waldorf Astoria on Sunday night, the bash took on a blood-red color scheme. Netflix worked with Swisher Productions to produce the event.
Upon entering the Netflix party, guests were offered a glass of wine by hands coming from a Netflix-branded wall. They also could stop by a shoe valet, and trade in their heels or dress shoes for a pair of slippers.
Matching the all-red color scheme, a square of roses was displayed behind the bar.
In honor of the Globes’ 75th anniversary, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association teamed up with Dick Clark Productions to hold its first official viewing- and after-party on Sunday night. Winners were able to have their trophies engraved in real-time at an engraving station inside the party, which was held in the Wilshire Garden of the Beverly Hilton. 15/40 Productions produced the event, which had a focal point of glittering pink chandeliers in a variety of sizes.
The long bar at the HFPA party featured tall florals that matched the party’s pink color palette. Fiji Water was a sponsor, and signage throughout the event marked the Globes’ 75th anniversary.
Longtime party partners Warner Brothers and InStyle magazine teamed up for an after-party in the Oasis Courtyard at the Beverly Hilton. JOWY Productions and Eric Buterbaugh Florals constructed a tent to completely cover the hotel’s fountain, transforming the courtyard into a “Reimagined Louis XVI” world using modern twists on French Baroque architecture as well as columns, mirrors, and a palette of black, white, and gray with splashes of deep purple. Sponsors include Cadillac, Eyelove, and L’Oréal Paris.
Buterbaugh’s floral arrangements, which were all white with eye-catching splashes of red and black, served as a focal point during the seated meal.
There were plenty of parties leading up to Sunday's events as well. Raising almost $4 million for Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization, the annual J/P HRO Gala was held at Milk Studios on Saturday night. The glamorous dinner drew big names such as Brad Pitt, Emilia Clarke, and Spike Jonze, plus a surprise performance by James Taylor. Leonardo DiCaprio was honored for his leadership in the fight against climate change.
Showtime also hosted an event on Saturday, at the Terrace at the Sunset Tower Hotel. The intimate bash—which was planned in-house by Shari Kaufman, the network’s senior vice president of talent relations and events—featured florals by Hollyflora. “[We wanted] just the right touch of elegance, with hundreds of oil candles and loose romantic French florals in coral and deep-red hues,” said Kaufman.
Upon entering the event, guests were greeted with mini shots from Casamigos tequila—and when leaving, they were offered vitality and wellness shots from Pressed Juicery.
During the party, DJ Zen Freeman entertained the crowd, and guests dined on branzino, roasted chicken, Brussels sprouts, and Sunset Tower’s signature mac ’n’ cheese. Joe Lewis Company projected the Showtime logo in the pool.
The nonprofit hosted its 11th annual celebration on Saturday at Barker Hangar. The evening, which is traditionally held the night before the Golden Globes, featured event production by Event Eleven and honored John Legend.
Hospitality and catering firm Schaffer handled food for the evening, aligning with the event themes of “Love, Light, and Laughter.” For the idea of light, Schaffer designed LED trays to illuminate monochromatic hors d’oeuvres with saturated color. “We want the guests to experience their first tastes visually," said Kathleen Schaffer, the company’s creative director. “For the dinner we prepared an interactive first course of chestnut purée. Guests pour their purée over a composed bouquet of fragrant pickled persimmon, fresh pomegranate, and spiced pepitas. The entrée course is served family-style as a way for guests to break bread together and celebrate.”
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles hosted its 2018 Tea Party on Saturday afternoon at the Four Seasons. Award-season nominees as well as executives, celebrities, and Bafta members enjoyed a traditional British tea party, featuring British tea, scones, and cocktails. Presented by BBC America and the Great Britain campaign, the event was produced by MTA Events.
The official champagne of the Golden Globes celebrated its third Annual Moët Moment Film Festival—which celebrates the next generation of Hollywood storytellers—on Friday night. A star-studded crowd including Laura Dern and Billie Lourd attended the party, which was held at Poppy in West Hollywood. Guests entered the event, which was produced by Moët’s in-house experiential team, through a floral- and greenery-lined hallway. Guests drank from golden goblets through the evening, and danced to music by DJ Anthony Pisano.
Returning for its 15th year, the HBO Luxury Lounge teamed up with Ancestry.com to create a retreat for celebrities and influencers at the Four Seasons. Ancestry asked guests to write notes and attach them to a "family" tree; there was also a historian on site who helped attendees navigate their family histories. Other lounge sponsors included Lucy Hart Ink, which provided on-site brow-shaping, as well as Pinkberry, Don Julio Tequila, and Watch Gang.
Esquire magazine and Hollywood power couple Mike and Irena Medavoy teamed up with Maserati to celebrate this year’s Golden Globes nominees. Drawing attendees such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Joan Collins, and Kyle MacLachlan, the Friday-night party took place at the Medavoy home. A clear tent featured hanging lightbulbs and white florals.
W magazine and Audi kicked off the celebrations on Thursday with a penthouse party at Chateau Marmont. With additional sponsorship from Dior and Dom Perignon, the evening included a light dinner and cocktails alongside a celebration of the magazine’s “Best Performances” issue. Audi chauffeured V.I.P. guests such as James Franco, Gal Gadot, and Salma Hayek to and from the event. Inside the penthouse, the walls were lined with larger-than-life images from the magazine.
The Recording Academy’s official Grammy after-party, known as the Grammy Celebration, followed the awards next door to Staples at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s West Hall. Produced by the Recording Academy’s Brandon Chapman and Rex Supa, working with Angel City Designs, the event drew its traditionally massive crowd of 5,000.
Angel City Designs' look for the huge bash was a modernist take on Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The party’s production used three distinct lighting and scenic looks: silhouettes of trees through the morning mist, followed by warming color hues to evoke a day getting brighter, and then a sunset through a forest, which included a diffused lighting glow meant to represent the Aurora Borealis. ShowPro handled the lighting and video projection.
Aerialists performed from within a dramatic green-draped cube.
A neon-green outline of the recognizable shape of an Absolut bottle served as an entrance into a platform bar area, designed and produced by MKG.
Flowers from CJ Matsumoto & Sons topped tables with varying linens meant to conjure various natural environments.
Roaming performers wore fanciful costumes, and entertainment came from Kool and the Gang and Gavin DeGraw.
Patina’s catering included edible flowers on desserts, meant to conjure natural and fanciful environments.
Essence kicked off Grammy weekend with its eighth annual Black Women in Music event at NeueHouse Hollywood, sponsored by Lincoln and Absolut, featuring live performances from Erykah Badu and Tiwa Savage.
Gold Sky Productions designed the event, where a color-blocking theme lent a bold, graphic look.
A floral and succulent wall announced sponsor Lincoln.
Logo pillows in black popped against textural white seating groups.
Desserts served on a roving cart bore the event's messaging.
Presented by American Airlines and Citi at the Ace Hotel following the Grammys, Universal Music Group’s event included a chic candlelit bar bearing the sponsors' names.
An angular, illuminated structure overhead lent a graphic, modern look to the party space.
Lucian Grainge’s Artist Showcase at the Theatre at Ace Hotel on February 11 gave attendees access to Universal Music Group’s established and up-and-coming talent through performances. A gallery-style wall included sponsors' names—Citi and American Airlines presented—as well as a place for talent to add signatures.
A range of old-school concert stubs—from a time when people saved them as souvenirs, before digital ticketing was the norm—arranged under a glass tabletop created eye-catching, on-theme decor.
Republic Records, in partnership with Absolut and Pryma, hosted a February 12 event at Catch, where, painted models drew attention.
On February 12, CAA hosted a Grammy party at Hyde with nominees and past winners in attendance including Stevie Wonder, Boy George, and others. There, marquee-style lettering spelled out the agency’s name against a wooden-slat wall, and carnival string lights hung over head.
Mastercard opened a record store in the former Tower Records location in the week leading up to the Grammys. The #Thankthefans House at Gibson Brands Sunset (formerly Tower) offered a taste of old-school-style record store nostalgia, with vinyl listening stations, a recording booth, Gibson guitar displays, and other activations. BMF Media produced the pop-up event.
The program kicked off on February 8 with a performance by Best Country Album nominee Brandy Clark and the band Temecula Road, as well as an industry panel discussion featuring industry pros.
Official Grammy partner Delta Air Lines hosted its pre-awards event on February 9 at Beauty & Essex, adjacent to the new Dream Hollywood hotel. New this year, celebrities on the red carpet were asked to stop and sign two oversize metallic airplanes, mimicking the form of paper airplanes, which decorated the arrivals line.
For every unique signature, Delta committed to donate $1,000 to the Grammy Museum, where one of the planes will live. The second plane will be displayed at the Delta Museum in Atlanta.
Decorative objects within the MKG-produced party space echoed the angular look of the paper plane motif.
