The debate over saying "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" has raged in the media lately, but corporate planners have steered clear of the issue by throwing holiday parties without religious overtones. "It's the only way to be sure no one feels excluded," says Rick Decker, human relations specialist and event planner for Liberty Medical in Port Saint Lucie. He chose Fire & Ice as the theme for the annual holiday bash, in keeping with company policy to be belief-neutral.
Instead of bringing in old Saint Nick and mistletoe, Decker went with the icy-hot theme. He hired Dana Coates of Eventmakers International to produce the event. Working with J Entertainment & Productions, Coates created a megaparty for 2,000 employees in the parking lot of Liberty's campus. Using five tents that spanned 35,000 square feet, the team brought to life a lush environment that was bisected into two separate areas: Fire & Ice.
The Ice side was bathed in blue light and fog and featured a martini bar by Cassidy's Ice accented with ice luges by Ice Caters. A dancer performed inside a frozen pyramid by J Entertainment, and each table was topped with an ice globe from Ice Caters.
On the Fire side, J Entertainment & Productions constructed a huge cauldron with spandex and lighting effects that mimicked flames. It was enhanced by flame-patterned table linens by BBJ Linen-Dania Beach and dancers who performed with batons of fire.
Aside from sidestepping religious issues, Decker said the company's party is always a chance for him to experiment with new, exciting themes. "I'm always trying to do something different," he says.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Instead of bringing in old Saint Nick and mistletoe, Decker went with the icy-hot theme. He hired Dana Coates of Eventmakers International to produce the event. Working with J Entertainment & Productions, Coates created a megaparty for 2,000 employees in the parking lot of Liberty's campus. Using five tents that spanned 35,000 square feet, the team brought to life a lush environment that was bisected into two separate areas: Fire & Ice.
The Ice side was bathed in blue light and fog and featured a martini bar by Cassidy's Ice accented with ice luges by Ice Caters. A dancer performed inside a frozen pyramid by J Entertainment, and each table was topped with an ice globe from Ice Caters.
On the Fire side, J Entertainment & Productions constructed a huge cauldron with spandex and lighting effects that mimicked flames. It was enhanced by flame-patterned table linens by BBJ Linen-Dania Beach and dancers who performed with batons of fire.
Aside from sidestepping religious issues, Decker said the company's party is always a chance for him to experiment with new, exciting themes. "I'm always trying to do something different," he says.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
J Entertainment & Productions created a huge cauldron with spandex and lighting effects that mimicked flames for the Liberty Medical Fire & Ice holiday party.
A fire dancer entertained on the red-lit Fire half of the party.
On the Ice side, a dancer performed in a frozen pyramid from Cassidy's Ice.
An icy martini bar by Ice Caters was the coolest spot in the party.
