The NBA Store in Midtown was filled with about 650 event planners and hospitality industry folks for an event to show off how the store can be used as a special events venue. Great Performances, the store's contract caterer, offered an array of buffet food to guests, who had their hands full eating, networking and shopping at the same time. It was multitasking at its finest.
Co-hosted by NYC & Company, the event mostly showcased the food and the venue. But it had one noticeable decor touch: Matthew David's floral displays with huge, deep green philodendron and Ti leaves. The arrangements were offset by some bright yellow and orange tulips, red roses, yellow Cala-lilies, and fuschia anemones. (These were a nice change from all of the tall cherry blossoms that we've been seeing everywhere.)
Great Performances served up a savory array of foods, including three-cheese ravioli with pesto, sesame chicken in peanut sauce, roasted lobster, peasant bread pizzas, tomato gazpacho and mushroom bisque with tarragon creme fraiche. For dessert, fruit custards and an assortment of cookies and brownies were passed around, and a bar was available for those who needed an after-work drink. The store also held a free-throw contest (with prizes from the NBA store), which was hosted by store concierge Steve Candeloro.
The NBA Store has hosted several special events since opening two years ago. The 35,000-square-foot space can accommodate as many as 800 for a cocktail party, and 100 for a sit-down dinner. The mini-basketball court on the bottom floor has hosted concerts with performers Boyz II Men, Destiny's Child, Run-DMC and De La Soul.
--Suzanne Ito
Co-hosted by NYC & Company, the event mostly showcased the food and the venue. But it had one noticeable decor touch: Matthew David's floral displays with huge, deep green philodendron and Ti leaves. The arrangements were offset by some bright yellow and orange tulips, red roses, yellow Cala-lilies, and fuschia anemones. (These were a nice change from all of the tall cherry blossoms that we've been seeing everywhere.)
Great Performances served up a savory array of foods, including three-cheese ravioli with pesto, sesame chicken in peanut sauce, roasted lobster, peasant bread pizzas, tomato gazpacho and mushroom bisque with tarragon creme fraiche. For dessert, fruit custards and an assortment of cookies and brownies were passed around, and a bar was available for those who needed an after-work drink. The store also held a free-throw contest (with prizes from the NBA store), which was hosted by store concierge Steve Candeloro.
The NBA Store has hosted several special events since opening two years ago. The 35,000-square-foot space can accommodate as many as 800 for a cocktail party, and 100 for a sit-down dinner. The mini-basketball court on the bottom floor has hosted concerts with performers Boyz II Men, Destiny's Child, Run-DMC and De La Soul.
--Suzanne Ito
The NBA Store's downward spiral ramp ends at a mini-basketball court.
Great Performances' director of business development Trey Moynihan, owner and president Liz Neumark and general manager Paul Sharon at the NYC & Company business card exchange at the NBA Store.
Matthew David brought in some gorgeous displays with huge, deep green philodendron and Ti leaves that were offset by yellow and orange tulips, red roses, yellow Cala-lilies and fuschia anemones.
AnnMarie Mattie, director of the events and attractions for NBA Entertainment, and Kelly Ann Curtin, director of events and trade shows for NYC & Company.
