Party Ideas

Bypassing Skylight Soho's main entrance, organizers of the Samsung Galaxy S III launch in New York used its Renwick Street entrance, adding signage to the facade of the building.

The entryway for the New York event was a tunnel filled with smoke, projections, and audio. The sounds and images playing were of frustrated smartphone users, designed to contrast the setting inside.

Inside the SoHo venue, Samsung Mobile crafted an experiential tour of the new smartphone's features. This included a photo-op area where attendees could snap a picture of themselves and then experiment with "share shot," which enables the device to send images to other phones within a 200-foot area.

With blue lighting as the main backdrop, the event producers used white or clear furnishings for the cocktail tables, sofas, and seating. The gadget's brand imagery decorated surfaces like the facades of the bars and the venue's walls.

To showcase "S-Beam," a Galaxy S III function that allows users to transfer files by touch, the event offered a "beam bar." Attendees used the new phones to order drinks and bartenders would collect the orders by tapping their devices against them.

As a way to demonstrate the phone's "burst shot," a feature that takes three images a second, guests could throw a basketball while a staffer took photos. The photos were then printed out as a take-home item.

Another area showcased the "group cast" feature that allows users of the Galaxy S III to share and collaborate on documents, presentations, or images. A station in this section played up the $1.5 million donation Samsung Telecommunications America made to benefit the World Wildlife Fund.

Divided into several sections, the venue also included a central lounge that faced the stage.

Through custom kiosks, consumers can download content—books, musics, apps, and news—for free. The freestanding stations were featured at the event and are part of the larger campaign for the phone's launch.

Twilight actress Ashley Greene hosted the New York event, speaking briefly about the new device and its functions.

Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso took to the stage in New York, spinning house music in front of animated projections as the audience snapped shots on their smartphones.

Capping off the event in New York was a performance by surprise guest Skrillex, who brought his brand of electrohouse to the late-night shindig.

CasaBubble rents inflatable, modular spheres for events. Envisioned by French designers Frédéric Richard and Pierre-Stéphane Dumas, the transparent, pressurized bubbles can be used as V.I.P. areas, pop-up shops, dining spaces, and more in outdoor environments. There are five different models and the structures come with a wooden floor. Solar cells and battery equipment are also available.

The lounge had clear Plexiglas walls on four sides, giving guests the illusion they were outside.

At the T-shirt counter, attendees fill out a form indicating which years they have attended the Worldwide Partner Conference, and then staff print those "tour dates" on the back of a shirt, similar to a concert tour shirt.

Organizers are offering the custom U.S. partner tour T-shirts as a way to celebrate longtime attendees.

Microsoft is using R.F.I.D. wristbands to transmit information that in the past was delivered as printed materials. The wristbands will also be used to enhance some of the attendee experiences, such as a party Tuesday night at Walt Disney World.

In the audio spotlight area, attendees can view short videos about seven non-profit companies using Microsoft products in their work. Speakers mounted in a panel above the guest’s head direct the sound in a very narrow beam, so only someone standing directly below it can hear the narration.

Around the lounge, attendees can tap their R.F.I.D. wristbands to activate things such as event R.S.V.P.s and receipt of photos.

The lounge’s photo area includes a tropical backdrop and a variety of playful signs for guests to hold.

Behind the lounge's welcome counter, a monitor displays social media posts using #usatwpc, a hashtag specifically for the U.S. partner experience.

The lounge offers a variety of seating options including work tables with built-in charging ports and soft seating with tropical pillows.

Microsoft product specialists staff the lounge’s help desk.