BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Catering & Design
  2. Florals

On Ice

This year's Red Cross Fire and Ice ball stayed true to its name (or at least the latter half), with massive branding in ice.

Adele Chapin
April 9, 2008
The Fire and Ice ball is the major annual fund-raiser for the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, and this year Denise Daffron, the chapter's director of corporate relations and strategic events, decided to make a statement. For the 600 guests entering the enormous ballroom at the Marriott Wardman Park on April 5, the first thing in sight was a five-foot by three-foot, torch-shaped ice sculpture.

Daffron used the ballroom’s floor plan to her advantage, positioning the back-lit sculpture—emblazoned with the Red Cross insignia and the Fire and Ice Ball logo—in a prominent location near the entry doors. “There’s a certain ‘wow’ factor at the Marriott,” said Daffron. “You come in at the top of the stairs, facing the ice sculpture, looking out toward the ballroom and all of the florals.” 

The sculpture and logo are part of a larger effort to grow the event. “It’s branding, so that the event starts to get name recognition,” she added. In keeping with the Fire and Ice ball’s aim to benefit the armed forces, the decor included miniature flags from all six branches of the military placed with the floral arrangements of red roses and orchids. Full-size flags in two tall urns also ringed the dinner space. 

Auctions played a major role in the event's program. To get guests excited, one of the items sat on display in the middle of the ballroom—a shiny orange limited edition FLHX Street Glide Harley-Davidson, with a price tag of $20,844. The evening also included a ceremonial performance by the Armed Forces Color Team, and a dinner of filet mignon with truffles and mushroom ragout and honey-seared sea bass. At the end of the night, guests took home a few Red Cross-appropriate gifts, including a first aid kit and a coupon for a health and safety class.
A giant ice sculpture at the American Red Cross's Fire and Ice ball
A giant ice sculpture at the American Red Cross's Fire and Ice ball
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
The five-foot by three-foot torch-shaped ice sculpture provided branding for the event.
The five-foot by three-foot torch-shaped ice sculpture provided branding for the event.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
The evening saluted the armed forces, as shown on the ball's program.
The evening saluted the armed forces, as shown on the ball's program.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
A Limited Edition Harley-Davidson—one of the high-end items up for auction—sat in the middle of the dining room.
A Limited Edition Harley-Davidson—one of the high-end items up for auction—sat in the middle of the dining room.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
The ice sculpture featured engraved stars, the Red Cross symbol, and the logo for the Fire and Ice ball.
The ice sculpture featured engraved stars, the Red Cross symbol, and the logo for the Fire and Ice ball.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
The tables included a mix of floral centerpieces (red roses and orchids pictured here), with miniature flags from each military branch.
The tables included a mix of floral centerpieces (red roses and orchids pictured here), with miniature flags from each military branch.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
A center table offered champagne flutes with strawberries.
A center table offered champagne flutes with strawberries.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
Two tall urns near the reception desk held full-size military flags and colorful floral arrangements.
Two tall urns near the reception desk held full-size military flags and colorful floral arrangements.
Photo: Damion Driggins/Davidedepas.com for BizBash
Latest in Florals
Inside the New York Botanical Garden’s 2025 Orchid Dinner
Florals
See Inside New York Botanical Garden’s 2025 Orchid Dinner—Celebrating Mexican Modernism
Robertson’s Flowers & Events scored the second-highest amount of points in the Floral category with its exhibit, 'Tending Our Roots.' The design takes inspiration from the proverb, 'One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.” The 'tree of life' figure in the center is drawn from a real-world park in Singapore focused on sustainability and is meant to symbolize the efforts of the current generation in planting seeds for a future filled with environmental benefits. Beneath the canopy is a cityscape 'where our roots connect us through a common weave under the promise of a shared sunrise,' the Robertson's team shared on social media.
Florals
11 Futuristic Floral Designs From the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show
Speaking of Coachella, at the festival's annual Neon Carnival, sponsor Tequila Don Julio grabbed attention with an oversize, succulent-filled version of its logo, produced by NVE Experience Agency. See more: Coachella 2022: Peek Inside the Festival's Buzziest Parties & Brand Activations
Florals
12 Stunning Floral Installations That Are Sure to Spark Event Design Inspiration
IllExotics
Florals
10 Inspiring Floral Designs From the Philadelphia Flower Show—Just in Time for Spring
Related Stories
A 38-foot metal beanstalk at Macy's
Florals
Flower Shop
Models wore floral fashions.
Florals
Flower Power
Niche Media's Lauren DeWind
Florals
Niche Media Picks Carving Ice and DJ Pesce
A harpist and a singer performed.
Florals
Blacked Out
More in Florals
Florals
See Inside New York Botanical Garden’s 2025 Orchid Dinner—Celebrating Mexican Modernism
The Plaza’s Grand Ballroom was in full bloom for the event, which supports global plant research, conservation, and education.
Inside the New York Botanical Garden’s 2025 Orchid Dinner
Florals
11 Futuristic Floral Designs From the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show
The nation’s largest horticultural event returned with the theme "Gardens of Tomorrow."
Robertson’s Flowers & Events scored the second-highest amount of points in the Floral category with its exhibit, 'Tending Our Roots.' The design takes inspiration from the proverb, 'One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.” The 'tree of life' figure in the center is drawn from a real-world park in Singapore focused on sustainability and is meant to symbolize the efforts of the current generation in planting seeds for a future filled with environmental benefits. Beneath the canopy is a cityscape 'where our roots connect us through a common weave under the promise of a shared sunrise,' the Robertson's team shared on social media.
Florals
12 Stunning Floral Installations That Are Sure to Spark Event Design Inspiration
Talk about flower power. These gorgeous displays of bright blooms and sultry succulents can help unleash your creativity for your next event.
Speaking of Coachella, at the festival's annual Neon Carnival, sponsor Tequila Don Julio grabbed attention with an oversize, succulent-filled version of its logo, produced by NVE Experience Agency. See more: Coachella 2022: Peek Inside the Festival's Buzziest Parties & Brand Activations
Florals
10 Inspiring Floral Designs From the Philadelphia Flower Show—Just in Time for Spring
The nation’s largest horticultural event returned this year—back indoors—with an electric theme.
IllExotics
Florals
See These Inventive Centerpieces from the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner
The fundraiser celebrated the annual Orchid Show with opulent tablescapes that showcased the elegant flower.
FlowerSchool NY & LA
Florals
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Celebrated Its Floral Partnership with a Rosy Affair
FLOWERBX, the new exclusive floral partner of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, celebrated their partnership with a floral-themed, intimate evening.
The Ritz-Carlton New York's Intimate Dinner Celebration
Most Popular
Strategy
How Canva Used Creativity and Community to Reimagine the Typical Tech Conference
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Step Inside the First-Ever, Brand-Packed Ulta Beauty World Event
Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cue the Confessional: How Hulu Transformed a Beverly Hills Mansion Into a Reality TV Paradise
Sports
See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft
Event Tech & Tools
Event Tech Check: Cool New Solutions for Networking, Fan Engagement, Livestreaming, and More
Florals
How the Philadelphia Flower Show Bloomed Bigger and Better in 2022
This year’s event celebrated the restorative and healing power of nature and plants with more offerings and activities.
This year's show featured the work of landscape architects, garden designers, and florists, with an emphasis on diversity both in the demographics of exhibitors, including more female exhibitors than ever before, and in their unique designs.
Florals
7 Ways Event Planners Can Navigate the Current Flower Shortage
Struggling farms, supply chain slowdowns and an influx of rescheduled events have created a ‘perfect storm’ in the floral industry. Here’s what event planners should consider as they vet floral vendors right now.
“The floral industry is in a really unique space right now,” explain Danielle Flores-Gary and Katie Hartman, co-owners of Floral Crush, a Los Angeles-based floral design studio that has worked on high-profile events for clients like Event Eleven, Gina Wade Creative and NBCUniversal. (Pictured: a Floral Crush-designed display at Rosé Day L.A. in 2019.)
Florals
See This Summer's Floral Trends—From Anthuriums to Zinnias
Here’s what floral designers are working with this season.
“Dried flowers are coming back this year after a long hiatus. They will be popular for design due to their longevity, deep rich colors and added visual texture. Among the many popular dried flowers making a comeback are mini pampas grass, star grass, avena and helichrysum, which will be a popular species that designers are leaning towards integrating into arrangements with live flowers.” —Seth Pearsoll, director of design, shows and events for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (Pictured: The Samantha from East Olivia's spring collection)
Florals
Event Design Inspiration: 10 Over-the-Top Floral Installations
Steal some ideas for your spring and summer soirees from these larger-than-life floral arrangements seen at past events.
In 2018, Luxe Linen asked local designers and florists to create a tablescape around a swatch of fabric from its colorful new line of linens. Held for the first time at the Petersen Automotive Museum’s rooftop, the product launch drew more than 400 high-end event planners, designers, florists, members of the media and more. Designed around Luxe’s bright new Riley linen, this vibrant, summery table was a team-up between Jennifer Naylor Catering & Special Events and Mark’s Garden. See more: Get Inspired by 15 Colorful Twists on a Tropical Theme
Sponsored
Event Planners Are Thinking Micro To Bring Back Live Events
Coastal Cool - One of many hyper-curated tablescapes from Hestia Harlow, the newly launched event platform that's creating a revolution in our industry.
Florals
How These Industry Pros Are Keeping the Flower Business Blooming
From DIY kits to pop-up markets, find out how some event designers and florists are pivoting during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Visitors to the pop-ups actually thank us for being there, and you can see on their faces just how happy it makes them to see these gardens appear in their neighborhoods,” says Tom Kehoe about Kehoe Designs' Green Market Gardens.
Page 1 of 49
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.