Chicago design firm INDO uses sustainably sourced materials for installations, window displays, and interiors. Recently, founders Linsey Burritt and Crystal Hodges decked a tent ceiling with 200 sheets of red screen-printed polypropylene from a local recycling company. The duo is currently working on designing an event-friendly collection of rentable backdrops and self-supported structures.
Move over, sliders: miniature pizzas are trending. In Beverly Hills, California, Cory Martin Events is now serving an array of bite-size pies made with seasonal ingredients. Think fresh burrata caprese, organic enoki mushroom and truffle, and roasted fingerling potatoes with caviar.
Interactive marketing display company ZoomKube has launched the ZK100, a stand-alone touch-screen kiosk that allows consumers to interact with a brand while it captures real-time feedback, such as information accessed and time spent. The portable display is designed for use at events, product launches, and conventions, and includes customizable software, a built-in camera, social media sharing, badge-scan capability, and a heat or air-conditioning unit for outdoor use. The product is available to rent for around $10,000 per event.
The Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida has launched the Surf School by Billabong at the Beach Club. Offerings include private group lessons, clinics, and “Surf Off” competitions.
New Boston floral design company Wild Folk Studio, run by New England native and self-taught floral designer Caroline O’Donnell, can provide soft, rustic arrangements with an eclectic garden aesthetic for events.
Now available in the New York area through Classic Party Rentals is the ZAK Collection, a line of four design suites: Library (traditional oak), Chester (tufted leather), Mirror (beveled mirror panels), and Parsons (sleek dark wood).
Something to smile about: New York’s newly renovated Affinia Manhattan hotel has partnered with Operation Smile to deliver a meeting break that lets attendees build their own classic banana splits; 15 percent of proceeds are donated to the nonprofit.
Wise Guys Events in Los Angeles has launched a Minute to Win It-style teambuilding event. Teams of eight face off against one another at stations each featuring a different timed task like stacking five apples. The company stages events in California and Las Vegas.
Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr continues his New York takeover: His catering and events division is now the in-house food and beverage provider at the New York Botanical Garden, handling all special events. This fall, Starr’s team will also become the exclusive caterer at Carnegie Hall.
Orlando’s Totally Mod Event Furnishings has a new faux leather dining collection that offers a sleek look without the need for linens. The tables can be wrapped in white, red, brown, or black fabric with matching chair pads. The base of the table can be designed to match the top or can glow in any color. Rental prices start from $100.
The Hotel Monaco Alexandria near Washington is now offering county-fair-theme catering options for events, including mini funnel cakes, cotton candy, and root beer floats. Staffers can also set up carnival-style activities.
Groups can catch a wave on dry land with the new Surf Break option at Southern California’s Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. During the 15- to 30-minute meeting break, instructors teach guests how to ride specially designed skateboards that simulate riding a wave.
If you’re looking to disguise a staid-looking hallway in a hotel ballroom, check out Las Vegas–based FWR Rental Haus’s modular tunnel, which can display fully customized graphics. Mirrored surface tunnels are also an option. The rentable items are available nationwide.
A new way to serve cocktails, sorbet, and more: Molten Ice glasses are available in Toronto through the Idea Hunter. The special ice fits into a rentable glass or disposable container and won’t dilute drinks.
#1 Music Festival
Austin, Texas
Originally a music festival—and now expanded to film and technology—the fest brings thousands of attendees to Texas every spring. The event has also become a haven for corporate marketers, attracting experiential events, promotions, and partnerships from an array of brands. The SXSW Interactive festival, which marked 20 years in March, focuses on start-up companies. Next: March 7-16, 2014
#2 Music Festival
National
With shows in Las Vegas, New York, and Chicago, the celebration of electronic dance music attracts massive crowds. The largest, in Las Vegas, drew 345,000 people this year to the three-day weekend. Next: Summer 2014
#3 Music Festival
New Orleans
Around 425,000 people attended the 2013 version of the music festival, which featured performances by B.B. King, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean, Billy Joel, Jill Scott, Patti Smith, and other familiar names. The festival, which dates back to 1970, has been named the Festival of the Year four times by Pollstar magazine. Next: April 25-May 4, 2014
#4 Music Festival
Indio, California
To meet the massive demand, Coachella producer Goldenvoice expanded the program to two weekends last year. This year the event attracted some 90,000 revelers per day to the Empire Polo Fields. Next: April 11-20, 2014
#5 Music Festival
Chicago
Originally a traveling festival when it debuted in 1991, the fest has called Chicago's Grant Park home since 2005, but still gets big-name acts from alternative, indie, and hip-hop genres. It drew 300,000 fans over the festival’s three-day run this year, setting an attendance record. Next: Summer 2014
#6 Music Festival
Austin, Texas
The music-festival spin-off of the PBS concert series began in 2002 and has drawn some 225,000 fans in a weekend to its home at the city's Ziker Park. The 2013 edition will expand to two weekends, and the lineup includes Wilco, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, Phoenix, and Lionel Richie. Next: October 4-6 and 11-13, 2013
#7 Music Festival
Manchester, Tennessee
The four-day concert, owned and produced by Superfly Presents, continues to pioneer digital and social media elements, juxtaposing them against the rural grounds in southern Tennessee. Music fans who participated in an R.F.I.D. wristband program this year received a free 30-day premium subscription to Spotify and a “digital diary” recap of where they checked in and additional content about the artists they saw. Next: June 2014
#8 Music Festival
Miami
The electronic music festival celebrated its 15th anniversary this year by expanding to two consecutive weekends, which boosted attendance from 200,000 to 330,000. The new two-weekend format is one embraced by several music fests, including Coachella and Austin City Limits, and music insiders have wondered if Lollapalooza will follow suit. Ultra, which relocated to Bayfront Park in 2012, is still waiting approval from city officials for its second weekend next year. The move is no sure thing: After a city commissioner tried to block this year’s additional weekend, the festival had to pay $500,000 for increased security. Next: March 28-30, 2014
#9 Music Festival
Fort Worth
The annual July 4 celebration brings crowds for performances from country and folk singers plus the festival's namesake. The event celebrated 40 years in 2013 at Billy Bob's Texas. Next: July 4, 2014
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
San Diego
The pop culture convention fills the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding venues with some 130,000 fans, professionals, and exhibitors, as well as a significant Hollywood presence that seems to grow every year. Next: July 2014
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
Park City, Utah
The showcase for independent film reliably draws celebrities and industry power brokers. Corporate sponsorship also has grown, with brands such as AOL, Sprint, Acura, and Nintendo sponsoring events and activations. Next: January 18-25, 2014
#3 Entertainment Industry Event
Washington
The honors—among the highest achievement in the arts and an event attended by the president and the first lady—drew criticism from advocacy groups that claimed the selection process excluded Latinos. In response, the Kennedy Center announced revisions to its process that include accepting nominations for the first time and creating an advisory committee of artists, former honorees, and board members. The 2012 honorees were actor Dustin Hoffman, late-night TV host David Letterman, the band Led Zeppelin, blues guitarist Buddy Guy, and ballerina Natalia Makarova. Longtime host Caroline Kennedy has helmed the evening for 10 consecutive years. The event is televised on CBS. Next: December 26, 2013
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
New York
The television industry's annual unveiling of fall schedules only grows larger with additional cable networks joining in each year. The tradition even spawned a competing set of events for online programming, the Digital NewFronts, in 2012. Next: May 2014
#5 Entertainment Industry Event
Las Vegas
The National Association of Broadcasters' gathering of more than 90,000 media and entertainment professionals draws major brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and Canon for the panels, exhibit floor, and a handful of colocated shows. Among the 2013 panels were “How Saturday Night Live Produces Short Films in 48 Hours or Less” and “10 Critical Business Shifts for Radio Broadcasters.” Next: April 5-10, 2014
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
Miami
With more than 400 events across Miami and Miami Beach, the conference draws more than 100,000 artists and music industry delegates for its events, which include seminars, workshops, the International Dance Music Awards, and a famed slate of official pool parties. Next: March 21-30, 2014
#7 Entertainment Industry Event
Los Angeles
Broadcast networks present their stars and executives to more than 200 television critics from the United States and Canada. The event happens twice a year, with the annual T.C.A. Awards handed out in conjunction with the summer tour. Next: January 2014
#8 Entertainment Industry Event
Boston
Harvard University's two-day theatrical extravaganza feted Marion Cotillard and Kiefer Sutherland as Woman and Man of the Year in 2013. The tongue-in-cheek presentations are coupled with the organization’s student-written burlesque spectacle, in which men play both the male and female roles. Next: Winter 2014
#1 Award Show
Los Angeles
The 85-year-old show is the culmination of film's award season. The event has perpetual buzz about its every detail—from voting and the host to winners and the fashion. Then there are the related parties, including bashes for Vanity Fair and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Next: February 24, 2014
#2 Award Show
Los Angeles
The Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences' awards, billed as "Music's Biggest Night," take over the Staples Center with a huge after-party at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Buzzed-about performances from this year's show included Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake with Jay-Z, and Fun. Next: January 26, 2014
#3 Award Show
Los Angeles
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's opulent award ceremony is known for unpredictable winners as well as edgier hosts than the Oscars; Ricky Gervais skewered the celebrity crowd last year, and this year's well-received co-hosts were Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Next: January 12, 2014
#4 Award Show
Los Angeles
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' awards honor the best in television. The crowd moves from the show to the academy's splashy annual Governors Ball for about 3,900 guests: the ball is billed as the country's largest formal dinner. Next: September 22, 2013
#5 Award Show
New York
The always-headline-making celebration of music videos moved from Los Angeles to Brooklyn this year, marking the first time in four years the Moonman statues were handed out in New York City. MTV used a social media campaign to announce the show's location and nominees. Next: Summer 2014
#6 Award Show
New York
The genre-spanning event honors power brokers and celebrities from the worlds of politics, media, entertainment, and science. The 2013 gala brought honorees such as Vice President Joe Biden, Stephen Spielberg, and Yahoo's Marissa Mayer to Jazz at Lincoln Center. Next: Spring 2014
#7 Award Show
Los Angeles
Now in its 21st year, the network's award show attracts top athletes from major sports, honoring them in categories such as Best Championship Performance and Best Upset. Next: Summer 2014
#1 Fashion Industry Event
New York
More than 100,000 industry insiders gather for eight days of runway shows and flashy parties during the semiannual event. Produced by IMG Fashion, with Mercedes-Benz as the title sponsor, it made a successful move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center in 2010. Next: February 6-13, 2014
#2 Fashion Industry Event
New York
The celebration of art, fashion, and charity overseen by Vogue editor Anna Wintour has grown from a socialite gathering into a must-attend event for A-list Hollywood celebrities. The gala raises funds for the museum's Costume Institute and typically takes its cues from the spring exhibition. Next: Spring 2014
#3 Fashion Industry Event
National
Broadcast on CBS, the music-and-fashion extravaganza—which has called Las Vegas, Miami, and New York home in recent years—attracts national attention for bringing together many of the world’s supermodels. Next: November 2013
#4 Fashion Industry Event
New York
The Swarovski-sponsored black-tie gala, the industry's flashiest award show, draws big-name designers and other high-profile names, including Hillary Clinton, who was a presenter at the 2013 ceremony. Next: Spring 2014
#5 Fashion Industry Event
Miami
The country's largest fashion showcase dedicated to swimwear returned to Miami for its ninth iteration this summer. The Mercedes-Benz-sponsored event’s runway shows and presentations take place at the Raleigh hotel in South Beach; this year’s kickoff party was a surf-themed poolside bash sponsored by Roxy. Next: Summer 2014
#1 Sports Event
National
The N.F.L.'s championship game—now watched by 108.4 million people in the United States—is taking a gamble next year with host city New York. The game, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, will mark the first outdoor Super Bowl in a cold-weather city. The host committee has embraced the weather with plans for attractions such as a nearly 60-foot-high toboggan run down Broadway as part of the Super Bowl Boulevard fan fest. Success or failure in New York will set a precedent for other cold-weather cities that would like to host the game such as Chicago and Philadelphia. The Super Bowl has also become an experiential marketing bonanza, where brands such as Playboy, ESPN, and DirecTV stage lavish activations and celebrity-filled parties throughout the weekend. Next: February 2, 2014
#3 Sports Event
Daytona Beach, Florida
Nascar pioneered corporate sponsorship of sporting events, and the jewel of the schedule attracts the largest American TV audience of any auto race, surpassing even the Indianapolis 500. The popularity of the “Great American Race” is growing: ratings for the 2013 event reached a five-year high as fans watched Danica Patrick contend and Jimmie Johnson win. Next: February 23, 2014
#4 Sports Event
National
Studies have been done on lost worker productivity when basketball fans and office pool participants tune in to the premier college sports tournament. CBS purchased the broadcasting rights for $10.8 billion in a 14-year deal, and corporate sponsors such as AT&T, Capital One, and Coca-Cola add to the event. Next: April 5-7, 2014
#5 Sports Event
New York
The fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year drew some 710,000 fans to tennis’s biggest fortnight in 2012 with 17.7 million taking in the women’s final on television, a 10-year high. Sponsors are integrated into the competition: brands like Nike, Evian, and Mercedes-Benz host events and promotions on the grounds and around the city. Next: August 25-September 8, 2014
#6 Sports Event
Boston
The nation's oldest sporting event was rocked when two bombs exploded at the finish line this year, killing three spectators. Despite the tragedy, the event will remain the country’s premier marathon—with guaranteed changes in security—and promises a poignant 118th running next year. Next: April 2014
#8 Sports Event
New York
The 137-year-old tradition—the second-largest continuously held sporting event—expanded to 3,200 entrants in 2013 and creates instant stars out of its winners, like year's Banana Joe, an affenpinscher. Next: February 10-11, 2014
#1 Technology Industry Event
California/Vancouver
The insanely popular California gathering draws big names and big thinkers in its namesake categories technology, entertainment, and design, and it spawned a new event format with its 18-minute talks. The pricey event typically sells out a year in advance, and tickets will be even harder to come by next year, when it downsizes from 1,400 to 1,200 attendees. For the 30th anniversary in 2014, the TED conference moves from Long Beach, California, to Vancouver, with parallel event TEDActive meeting in Whistler, British Columbia. With a theme of “the Next Chapter,” the conference will debut other changes, including a custom theater that organizers envision as “designed to maximize the impact of talks, permitting multiple configurations for sitting, listening, and connecting with audience members, speakers, and performers.” Next: March 17-21, 2014
#2 Technology Industry Event
Las Vegas
Billed as the largest show in its more than 45-year history, the 2013 run took over 1.92 million square feet of exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing more than 3,250 exhibitors to showcase their wares. Next: January 7-10, 2014
#3 Technology Industry Event
San Francisco
Hosted by Salesforce, the cloud computing show offers more than 1,000 sessions, big-name speakers, and a gala/rock concert that this year will take place at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Next: November 18-21, 2013
#4 Technology Industry Event
Los Angeles
The Wall Street Journal's conference marked its second decade this year. The event brings high-level discussions with big names in media and technology such as Sheryl Sandburg, Barry Diller, and the C.E.O.s of Twitter and Pinterest. Next: Spring 2014
#6 Technology Industry Event
Los Angeles
The expo popularity known as E3 draws nearly 50,000 video game industry professionals, investor analysts, and retailers to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The show is hosted by Electronic Entertainment Association and produced by IDG World Expo. Next: June 2014
#7 Technology Industry Event
San Francisco
The search giant's developer conference offers product launches and innovations, as well as instantly viral stunts like 2012 demonstrations of Google Glass that saw skydivers jumping onto the conference venue's roof during the keynote address. Next: Spring 2014
#8 Technology Industry Event
New York/San Francisco
Hosted by popular technology news site TechCrunch, the technology showcase has quickly become a buzzy, bicoastal event with more than 100 start-up companies jostling for attention. Next: Spring 2014
#9 Technology Industry Event
San Francisco
One of the world's largest information technology events takes place in 14 venues and in 2012 drew 52,000 attendees. The event is noted for its commitment to environmental sustainability and offers carbon offsets, compost receptacles next to trash and recycling stations, and hotels within walking distance of the event. Next: September 22-26, 2013
#10 Technology Industry Event
Orlando
The conference attracts some 15,000 IT and communications professionals. The new Cisco Live 365 series offers a virtual meeting with a constant flow of content that helps drive attendance to the in-person events. Next: May 18-22, 2014
#11 Technology Industry Event
Orlando
The event from the German software company SAP AG set attendance records in 2013 with more than 20,000 people attending in person and nearly 80,000 online participants. Next: May 2014
#1 Trade Show
Detroit
While Chicago and New York contend with auto expos of their own, the home of the United States auto industry lays claim to the top show. The 2013 edition included nearly 60 vehicle debuts and a total ticketed attendance of 795,416. Next year the event celebrates its 25th anniversary. Next: January 13-26, 2014
#2 Trade Show
Las Vegas
The semiannual fashion trade show boasts nearly $200 million in order volume per day. In 2010, it expanded to two campuses, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, to add more space for its sold-out crowds. Next: February 17-20, 2014
#3 Trade Show
Chicago
Co-located with the International Wine, Spirits & Beer event, the food service expo had more than 2,100 exhibitors and 62,500 attendees in 2013. The most recent run also added programming dedicated to special dietary needs, created a hydroponic garden, and offered a tour of chef Rick Bayless’s home garden. Next: May 17-20, 2014
#4 Trade Show
Atlanta
Held in AmericasMart's seven-million-square-foot complex, the show is a wholesale marketplace for home, rug, gift, and apparel products and includes more than 1,400 permanent showrooms and 2,500 temporary exhibits. More than 90,000 people attend the twice-yearly show. Next: January 8-15, 2014
#5 Trade Show
Columbus, Ohio
Arnold Schwarzenegger founded what has become the nation's largest health and fitness exposition—and he attends each year. About 175,000 people come annually for events including Olympic sport and bodybuilding competitions. The event marked its 25th anniversary in 2013. Next: February 28-March 2, 2014
#6 Trade Show
Chicago
The largest manufacturing technology show in the Western Hemisphere drew more than 100,000 industry decision makers over six days in 2012. Next: September 8-13, 2014
#7 Trade Show
New York
One of the city's largest trade gatherings in any industry, the beauty show brings nearly 60,000 attendees to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Next: March 9-11, 2014
#8 Trade Show
Las Vegas
The automotive specialty products event, which is expanding from the Las Vegas Convention Center into the LVH hotel, draws some 130,000 attendees and nearly 2,000 exhibitors. Thousands watch the load out, a rolling car show that has become the official closing event. Next: November 5-8, 2013
#9 Trade Show
Orlando
More than 1,00 exhibitors and 40,000 golf professionals and buyers come to the Orange County Convention Center for the annual event. Next: January 22-24, 2014
#1 Benefit
New York
After hosting a special benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy relief in December—and raising a staggering $70 million—the Robin Hood Foundation raised another $80.7 million at its annual benefit, the city’s biggest-money annual fund-raiser. The total marks a significant jump from last year’s $59.2 million take thanks in part to a $25 million challenge grant in honor of the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The event is known for its large-scale, eye-popping decor—recreating Times Square or building a castle from 100,000 paper coffee cups inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center—which is always funded by board members, as well as its innovative approach to soliciting donations from guests on site. The A-list entertainment always includes unannounced performers; this year it was a duet between Paul Simon and Sting. Next: May 12, 2014
#2 Benefit
San Francisco
The museum's biggest fund-raiser, which in 2012 raised $2.8 million for art education programs, is an elegantly design gala with highlights like chef Hubert Keller—as the event's DJ. The ball will take place off site next year while the museum is closed for expansion. Next: April 2014
#3 Benefit
New York
The always-stylish fete—this year with a modern, tropical design and pops of neon—raised $4.1 million for the Museum of Modern Art. The benefit, sponsored again this year by Cartier, honored Mayor Bloomberg and artists Ellsworth Kelly and Cindy Sherman. At the after-party, the band Fun performed in the museum’s sculpture garden. Next: Spring 2014
#4 Benefit
National
The Foundation for AIDS Research began its Inspiration series of galas in 2010 and now has the A-list events in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, and Miami, along with Toronto and Rio de Janeiro in 2013. Each event has a new design inspiration—the June gala in New York had a camouflage and military tailoring theme for its runway show—and together the series has raised more than $10 million. Next: December 12, 2013, Los Angeles
#5 Benefit
Los Angeles
The buzzy benefit draws attention for its experiential events tied to exhibits and artists. This year, the theme was marijuana, and the event honored cannabis with details such as a “4/20 buffet” with pizza and junk food, the marijuana leaf motif on pillows and throw blankets, and a video from Cheech Marin. Next: Spring 2014
#6 Benefit
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Starkey Hearing Foundation's benefit raised more than $7.6 million at its 2012 event, where Bill Clinton was a presenter. This year’s honorees included Richard Branson and Barbara Bush, and Lionel Richie and Marc Anthony provided entertainment. Next: July 20, 2014
#8 Benefit
Chicago
This year's Discovery Ball at the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel had a travel-inspired theme to celebrate the society's 100-year history. The registration area decor included worn suitcases, vintage train schedules, and other tropes that brought the year 1913 to life, while the ballroom represented the present, and the after-party evoked the future. The event raised $2.1 million. Next: April 2014
#9 Benefit
Boston
One of the biggest gatherings of corporate and philanthropic leaders in the city, the fund-raiser celebrates spring with cocktails followed by a gourmet boxed dinner and concert. In 2013 Seinfeld star Jason Alexander entertained with songs from Broadway. Next: Spring 2014
#1 Political Event
Washington
Reporters who cover the executive branch gather each spring for the city's "nerd prom," known for its wonkish guest list and inside-the-Beltway humor from an A-list comedian as well as the president. A long weekend of events from media brands such as Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, People, and MSNBC draw Hollywood and Washington celebrities to the pre-dinner cocktails, after-parties, and next-day brunches. Next: May 3, 2014
#2 Political Event
New York
Coinciding with U.N. Week each fall, former President Clinton’s marquee annual event has brought together 150 heads of state and garnered some $73 billion in pledges for global aid. Next: September 23-26, 2013
