There was no air rage, no one behind you kicking your seat, and best of all, no long lines to go through the security gate at the launch event for Citibank's PremierPass airline miles credit card. And while it didn't actually take place on a plane—who'd go to JFK for an event, anyway?—Tami Gross of TMG PR, Citi Cards' public relations agency, and Corrin Arasa of Events East, planned an event that mimicked an air travel experience, without all the drawbacks, for a fun, chic launch for business and travel journalist guests.
A carpet runner lined with lights—like those in airplane aisles—ran through Sky Studio's street level hallway between the entrance and elevator, where guests got a Citibank-stickered bag of peanuts. As they left the elevator, a man dressed in a ground control crew uniform with neon batons directed guests upstairs to Penthouse B, which was transformed into a soothing blue and white lounge, complete with Aero Mock-Ups' real airplane seats and dotted with Francois-Pijuan Floral Design's lush pastel-colored floral arrangements. Mini bottles of Skyy vodka and Match Catering and Eventstyles' bartenders and caterwaiters dressed as flight attendants and pilots completed the theme.
Upstairs in Sky Studios' pool, Francois-Pijuan floated a giant Citibank credit card made of flowers, and silver cocktail tables topped with more flowers covered the poolside deck.
A short introduction and question-and-answer session with Citi Cards executive vice president and managing director Peter Knitzer followed an acapella performance by vocal group Toxic Audio, who sang "I Believe I Can Fly" with new lyrics about the features of the new card. The event was also Webcast live to more than 150 online guests.
—Suzanne Ito
A carpet runner lined with lights—like those in airplane aisles—ran through Sky Studio's street level hallway between the entrance and elevator, where guests got a Citibank-stickered bag of peanuts. As they left the elevator, a man dressed in a ground control crew uniform with neon batons directed guests upstairs to Penthouse B, which was transformed into a soothing blue and white lounge, complete with Aero Mock-Ups' real airplane seats and dotted with Francois-Pijuan Floral Design's lush pastel-colored floral arrangements. Mini bottles of Skyy vodka and Match Catering and Eventstyles' bartenders and caterwaiters dressed as flight attendants and pilots completed the theme.
Upstairs in Sky Studios' pool, Francois-Pijuan floated a giant Citibank credit card made of flowers, and silver cocktail tables topped with more flowers covered the poolside deck.
A short introduction and question-and-answer session with Citi Cards executive vice president and managing director Peter Knitzer followed an acapella performance by vocal group Toxic Audio, who sang "I Believe I Can Fly" with new lyrics about the features of the new card. The event was also Webcast live to more than 150 online guests.
—Suzanne Ito
Sky Studios was turned into a chic airplane-theme lounge for Citibank's PremierPass credit card launch. A lit, light blue carpet runner ran through the length of the room mimicking the aisle between seats on an airplane.
It's hard to make airline seats look good, but they were pretty appealing when paired with steel coffee tables and pastel-colored flower arrangements.
James Francois-Pijuan floral created a giant Citibank credit card out of flowers and floated it in Sky Studio's upstairs pool.
Silver cocktail tables topped with James Francois-Pijuan's pastel-colored floral arrangements covered the poolside deck.
