Summer

Last fall, Tori Spelling and J.C. Penney celebrated the launch of Spelling's line for kids, Little Maven, at a family-friendly event at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. Banners strung between treelike posts decorated the outdoor area.

Pieces from the Little Maven clothing collection hung above a kitschy campfire setup on the lawn.

Dessert table offerings sat upon rustic wood slabs at the Little Maven event.

After a move to Las Vegas, Maxim's annual Hot 100 event returned to Los Angeles this year. Taking over SBE's newest property, Create (formerly Vanguard), the Visionary Group transformed the raw space into an ode to American summer nights. Outside, the patio had a bonfire built into a real sandpit.

At Maxim's bash, there were lounge areas with embroidered beach cushions and custom listening stations in Coleman coolers, where guests could test Sony's new headphones. "We knew having an expansive patio was key to integrating the theme," said Visionary Group's Brian Diamond. "While we wanted to infuse the spirit of summer and patriotism throughout the overall event, building out an inviting outdoor space for guests to gather was what this concept was all about."

At the Hennessy V.S. Presents Details at Midnight event at Coachella, guests gathered in a tricked-out teepee.

Conceptbait Global Events & Florida Design Group used real graham crackers, Hershey bars, and two sizes of marshmallows to create centerpieces at the launch party for Three Olives S’mores Vodka at Hattricks Tavern in Tampa. Designers spray-painted manzanita branches brown and used a blowtorch to char the marshmallows before attaching them to the branches.

At the Catalina Casino for the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball in Los Angeles, the camp theme included centerpieces of illuminated apothecary jars filled with the makings of s'mores. Although the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows on the table were there for the look, guests did have a chance to taste the nostalgic treat. Chef Paul Hancock of the Santa Catalina Island Company, who created a three-course meal for the evening, served a dessert that comprised layers of graham crackers with bittersweet dark chocolate and melted marshmallows.

At the 2011 Campfire Ball benefit for Children’s Oncology Services in Chicago, Cork Catering set up a make-your-own-s’mores station.

Sears and Kmart wanted a garden-like setting for the December 2011 press preview of the spring 2012 home collections. Inside the the pop-up park at Openhouse Gallery in New York, an oversize picnic table set the tone for the warm-weather motif and provided a creative setting for the brands to showcase the brightly colored tableware in the Sandra by Sandra Lee collection.

For the fifth annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, an all-night celebration of contemporary art presented by the City of Toronto, British artist Ryan Gander set up a wood-burning campfire at Yonge-Dundas Square for an exhibit called "Just Because You Can Feel It Doesn't Mean It's There."

Throw a little craft-making into the mix for a camp-like experience. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, guests engaged in a make-your-own-jewelry station. Attendees at the D.I.Y.-themed poolside cocktail party were invited to make haute couture summer fashion accessories out of the luxury car brand's seat leather.

Eyewear brand Warby Parker hosted a summer pool party in June 2012 at the Standard in downtown Los Angeles. Poolside tables displayed the company's glasses alongside buckets of branded towels.

During Thrillist's “Best Day of Your Life” event in June 2014, Stoli handed out branded sunglasses and sweatbands to attendees.

Stoli also hosted a dance party at Brazen Fox as part of the festivities and handed out the ideal summer swag: branded bottles of sunscreen.

Los Angeles-based Gold Ink Tattoo, whose clients include Jamba Juice, Taco Bell, Nike, Zico, and Bebe, creates custom metallic temporary tattoos in either gold or silver foil. Pricing depends on quantity and color, with a minimum order of 500 sheets.

Gifts for the Good Life designed a set of pouches and accessories attached to a large metal ring for easy transport to the beach. Items included a water bottle, a branded sarong, and an SPF lip balm.

For the third annual Thrillist “Best Day of Your Life” event in June, T.G.I. Friday’s traded sunglasses and beer koozies for guests' tweets via vending machine.

For the Engage14 summit in the Cayman Islands, Gifts for the Good Life put together mini manicure sets with nail polishes in beachy hues for guests. Prices range from $25 to $35 per custom set.

In August 2014, Viacom-owned Centric Network launched its re-branded image with a three-day “Island Takeover” tour on Martha’s Vineyard, produced by Events By Fabulous. A custom-wrapped gifting truck distributed branded tote bags and beach towels.

Guests can keep themselves cool with sandalwood fans from Beau-coup. The natural wood hand fans can be personalized with a custom hang tag and are available in white gift boxes. Prices range from $1.18 to $1.80 each, depending on quantity and gift boxes.

A custom cocktail kit by Gifts for the Good Life, featuring images from photographer Jasmine Star, include all the necessary ingredients to mix up a refreshing summer libation. The kits start at $65 each.

Wedding planner Mindy Weiss spoke at the three-day conference. The custom-designed speaker stage backdrop by Event Effects Group featured the event's beachy color palette and icons that were designed by Gifts for the Good Life.

The design's ombre palette and cut-out icons were incorporated into the agendas, itineraries, and other conference materials.

The tropical designs carried over into watercolor patterns, which were used on pillow fabrics customized for the event and more.

"Make Waves" was spelled out in the pool during the welcome party; it was embraced as the unofficial theme of the event.

For the poolside party, the Breakers constructed an elaborate ice sculpture featuring an array of encased fish and seafood.

Branded towels were draped over the waiters' arms during the pool party.

Floral flamingos decorated the lawn during the croquet lunch.

This year, organizers enlisted Gifts for the Good Life to create a pop-up "boutiquerie" where guests could customize their welcome gifts. Miami-based event design company the Gilded Group collaborated on the area's design and provided the rentals, florals, and branded carts for the space.

The pop-up's custom carts and branded bars featured "his" and "hers" accessories, candy by Sugarfina, and more.

The event's branding was introduced in a countdown advent-style, two-part mailer. First, guests received a pop-up invitation and schedule of events, then a box filled with Engage! branded accessories, such as a sleep mask, luggage tag, and sunscreen. Gifts for the Good Life also created turn-down gifts for each evening of the event, which were themed to complement the activities the following day, such as a spa kit with a towel and robe and a travel set.

The gifting boasted positive and playful messaging like "take it all in," "you got this," "make big plans," and "power full."

Vanessa Kreckel of Two Paper Dolls designed the leather name tags, which featured a charm for each year the guest had attended an Engage! summit.

For the beach club luncheon, Kreckel designed delicate laser-cut menu cards shaped like sea fan coral.

For breakfast, guests enjoyed cherry-chia seed pudding and coconut acai bowls.

Ornate fruit carvings served as colorful decor during the morning meal.

Artisanal popsicles on custom idiom sticks—with sayings like "Just chilling at Engage!16 The Breakers"—provided a refreshing afternoon break.