Company Parties

With attendees at Fashion Week using their phones to snap photos and post comments to Twitter, Target's free charging stations came in handy. Set up as part of its Everyday Café in the Chelsea Market, the retailer's activation included lockers where visitors could leave their devices to charge.

For a party Maxim threw to celebrate January cover girl Michelle Branch in 2004, the magazine's in-house design team created a unique invite: Guests received a white branded ski cap; instead of a price, the tag on the hat carried the event info and served as an admission ticket.

Aerial performers poured champagne for guests at the National Association for Catering & Events holiday party Monday at the Vault in downtown Tampa. The party had a speakeasy theme: guests received the address and password after they registered for the event, and entertainment from Event Show Productions included burlesque dancers and actors playing poker. Vendors included event planning and execution by Sandy Rule; decor, furniture, and lighting by MMD Events; draping by Quest Drape; and catering by Good Food Catering.

Dubbed "Passport to Discovery," the American Cancer Society's Discovery Ball at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel on April 27 had a travel-inspired theme. Based on an old-fashioned train station, HMR Design Group's decor included suitcases, trunks, and street lamps; the registration desk looked like a ticket counter.

At TEDActive in Palm Springs, buttons with blank fields labeled "Talk to Me About ... " invited guests to write a short list of topics they love or are knowledgeable about, to encourage meaningful mingling.

Canned cocktails are trending in the world of mixology right now. At the Manhattan Cocktail Classic gala in May, Campari served up canned Negronis, made with gin, sweet vermouth, and the Italian aperitif. Red-and-white-striped straws added a summery touch.