Summer's huge blockbusters seem to cast their spell across pop culture with effects that ripple into event pros' decision making. From lasers that conjure Star Trek, to a champagne parade reminiscent of The Great Gatsby and a hangover buffet that nods to—you guessed it—The Hangover 3, steal these playful ideas inspired by summer's biggest movies for your event this season.
If you're being honest, you know you may have some hungover guests at some of your events, so this idea is as practical as it is inspired by summer’s huge comedy flick. At South by Southwest in 2011, Groupon's hangover brunch had necessary staples like sunglasses, energy bars, and survival kits in oversize pill bottles.
Pay homage to Brad Pitt’s zombie flick with an idea inspired by the Dana Hotel and Spa’s zombie-themed Halloween bash. The event saw 50 costumed dancers sporting everything including fake blood and checkered socks—one even held a sign that said "Eat You Maybe?"—take over a Chicago intersection for a spooky pop-up performance. Jason Laws (who was also the assistant choreographer for the famous Oprah and Black Eyed Peas flash dance in 2009) choreographed the dance to a mash-up of "Thriller" and "Ganhgam Style."
White House Down on the brain? Channel the idea into an event like one held around the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner: This year Capitol File magazine held its after-party at the Carnegie Library, famous for its lighted dance floor showing a map of the city.
Disney revived the western classic, and so can event planners. Summon the rugged landscape like Sundance Institute did at its 27th annual gala in 2008, where the dining area was enclosed by large canvas photographs and collages of Utah. The space was designed so that every guest would have a view of something.
Make like Moët & Chandon, which hosted an after-party for the premiere of the film at the Plaza in New York. The evening began with a festive procession, which saw costumed performers make their way through the crowd holding vintage 1920s champagne bottles and sparklers.
Will Smith’s big-budget flick may not have struck box-office gold, but its basic concepts about life outside of our planet will forever capture our imaginations. The California Science Center scored one of NASA's coveted spacecrafts late last year amid citywide pomp, and later sold out tables for its Discovery Ball—even before the invitation dropped. The glitzy event took place under the wings of the Endeavour this spring.
Working on a car-centric event? Take inspiration from this smart strategy from Lincoln Motor Company. The brand's 11-city "Hello Again" marketing tour is currently underway. Focused around the new MKZ, the tour creates a series of unique experiences for drivers to see their home city from the driver's seat of a Lincoln and is part of the company’s recent rebranding efforts. In each city, guests sign up for a tour time online, then check in at the venue and choose a car from the fleet lined up on the street (pictured). Guests have the option to drive or be driven in the vehicle for the experience, led by a brand rep in the front car who provides turning directions via walkie-talkies in each car.
A Star Trek-themed vintner dinner was one of 17 celebrity chef-helmed events at private homes as part of the 13th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival earlier this year in Florida. At the entrance, guests walked through a constructed “scanning” passageway filled with laser lights that led to the pool deck and terrace.
