Ideal for company picnics and outdoor festivals, the mobile zip line from NY Party Works lets guests of all ages fly overhead. The line from the New York-based company accommodates two people at a time and travels at 21 miles per hour and as high as 300 feet. The zip line’s spring-based system slows down the landing, using a hydraulic decelerator to lower the thrill-seeker to the ground. The zip line is currently permitted for events in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Pricing, including staff, is from $3,795 for four hours.
Photo: Courtesy of Extreme Engineering
Evoke and Carnival Day teamed up to design and build a giant Lite-Brite for events in the Washington area. The 4- by 8-foot piece has 2,100 peg spaces backlit by 240 individual LED lights and can come customized with a company logo. Guests interact with it by plugging in their own colored pegs.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com
Old Crow Smokehouse in Chicago hosts country line-dancing workshops. Held in the spacious dining room of the Lakeview restaurant, the one-hour lessons include a welcome cocktail, and afterwards, groups help themselves to a barbecue buffet. The workshops accommodate groups of 50.
Photo: Courtesy of Old Crow Smokehouse
The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto recently launched Meetings by McEwan. Celebrity chef Mark McEwan heads up the hotel’s restaurant, One, and his new meeting packages include bespoke dinners with wine pairings and morning and lunchtime snacks. Items include house-made doughnuts, smoked-salmon wraps, and tagliatelle with roasted wild mushrooms.
Photo: Courtesy of the Hazleton Hotel
Try a unique teambuilding activity with Limo Cycle Tours, which offers ghost tours, history tours, and pub crawls in downtown Sanford, Florida. The company has two 15-passenger, pedal-powered vehicles. Both have padded seats with backs, personal fans that can spray cool mist, a six-speaker sound system, and two 60-quart coolers for drinks and snacks. Pricing starts at $175 per hour with a minimum two-hour rental.
Photo: Courtesy of Limo Cycle Tours
Add a pop of color and movement to events, festivals, and other gatherings with easy-to-install streamers from the Color Condition. The Dallas-based artists, known for their temporary installations using multicolored streamers in varying lengths and widths, collaborated with Brooklyn design and rental resource Patina for their latest collection. The decorations are available for rent nationwide in a mix of panels, baskets, or canopies through Patina.
Photo: Courtesy of Patina & the Color Condition
Crowd-source images at your next event with the South Beach Photo Booth Company’s #SocialParty Instagram Photo Bar. Guests can upload images to their own Instagram accounts with a unique hashtag. The South Florida company’s Photo Bar then adds custom event branding to the photos for guests to tweet, email, and post to Facebook or print. Services are available in several locations throughout the United States, including Florida, California, and Texas.
Photo: Courtesy of South Beach Photo Booth Company
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles debuted the exhibition “California Dreamin’: The Sounds of Laurel Canyon, 1965-1977” in May. The show explores the story of the Los Angeles rock scene from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s and features such artifacts as Jim Morrison’s writing chair, Arthur Lee’s six-string guitar, and the original photography of Henry Diltz and Graham Nash from the era. The show runs through November 30; group ticketing is available for 10 or more.
Photo: WireImage
Boston’s Krissy Price launched Pollen Floral Design last spring. Her arrangements for corporate events, fund-raisers, and weddings are inspired by the lush look of natural gardens. Services are available for travel throughout the New England area, including Cape Cod.
Photo: Courtesy of Pollen Floral Designs
Las Vegas’s Bellagio introduced what it’s billing as the first chef’s table within a buffet. The experience includes a team that prepares dishes table-side, including a specialty menu that can be adjusted based on guests’ preferences or dietary restrictions. Offerings include artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, caviar, live-action salad creations, meat carvings such as lamb and prime rib, and a house-made chocolate fondue presentation for dipping fresh fruit, brownies, and marshmallows. Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more.
Photo: O'Gara/Bissell Photography
An ombré wall of blooms including cabbage roses and hydrangeas was created by Todd Fiscus for a Fort Worth wedding. In the next few years, designers predict they will see fewer floral centerpieces and more floral environments.
Photo: Courtesy of Sara Donaldson
An example of a baby-theme catering presentation: New York-based event firm Rock Paper Scissors Events recently housed striped straws in baby bottles.
Photo: Courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors
Ladyfingers Letterpress created a book-like baby shower invitation with quotes and sentiments from the mommy-to-be’s favorite children’s stories. The cover was hand-sewn with gray-and-white baker’s twine, and a library card served as the R.S.V.P. card. Guests were encouraged to bring their favorite children’s book to help build the little one’s reading library.
Photo: Courtesy of Ladyfingers Letterpress
For baby showers, Truffleberry Market in Chicago presents desserts in small vessels that resemble baby food containers. The snacks are served with spoons that read: “Cute as a button.”
Photo: Courtesy of Truffleberry Market
Washington-based event designer André Wells planned a baby shower that had an untraditional guest book. Guests could snap Polaroid selfies and leave the images, along with a note, in the book.
Photo: Davide De Pas
At a travel-theme baby shower planned by Andre Wells, guests left notes detailing their best baby advice.
Photo: Davide De Pas
At the Ritz-Carlton South Beach in Florida, the catering team surprises guests at social functions with a “sushi cupcake” setup. The station presents the whimsical cakes on a boat-like stand.
Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Rock Paper Scissors Events designed a shower with a “lavender” theme that included purple candies and lavender in the floral arrangements by Cristina Lozito. Because showers are usually held during the day, planners like to use a light, cheerful color to design a cohesive look.
Photo: Courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors
Paramount Catering and Events in Chicago offers whimsical pretzel stations. The pretzels hang on stands, and guests dip them in sauces, including whole-grain mustard and tomato-bacon jam.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Catering and Events
Paramount Events suggests utilizing a tabletop pegboard to present breakfast items like bagels and doughnuts in a fresh, new way for a bridal brunch.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Catering and Events
The wedding-theme event hosted by Mindy Weiss and Wedding Paper Divas in Los Angeles featured the D.I.Y. trend: one station invited guests to customize cookies with watercolor-inspired paints.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Wedding Paper Divas
Guests at the Los Angeles event hosted by Mindy Weiss and Wedding Paper Divas could also create custom bags of potpourri.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Wedding Paper Divas
Lollipops can be sweet or savory like the seared tuna version with togarashi, avocado mousse, arare, and micro shiso from Paramount Catering and Events.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Catering and Events
Chicago’s Meatloaf Bakery, which got its start making cupcake-shaped meatloaf topped with mashed-potato “frosting,” now makes entire savory cakes. The centerpiece-worthy snack can be served as lunch at afternoon affairs like bridal showers.
Photo: Courtesy of Meatloaf Bakery
There were several quirky photo opportunities, including one that let attendees insert their heads into cowboy and cowgirl cutouts.
Photo: Photagonist.ca
Modern-style shelving and tables displayed silver trays piled high with French macrons, petit fours, and traditional crouqembouche.
Photo Credit: Jack Roman
A French accordion player dressed in Parisian style entertained guests as they entered Le Petit Café.
Photo Credit: Jack Roman
Marie Antoinette shouted, “Let them eat cake!” as guests entered the café.
Photo Credit: Jack Roman
As guests entered a 1920s-inspired premiere, they were captivated as an acrobatic bartender dressed flapper-style topped off champagne flutes while suspended from a 12-foot crystal chandelier.
Photo Credit: Jack Roman
For HBO’s Game of Thrones premiere, party-goers were treated to shaved ice cones flavored with custom branded syrups inspired from the show. Flavors such as Dragon’s Blood, White Walker, and Night’s Watch were served from a 10-foot, hand-carved ice bar complete with a faux taxidermy back bar display designed by Invision Events.
Photo Credit: Jack Roman
At a media launch for Heinz's new yellow mustard, Peter Callahan Catering's test kitchen was turned into a backyard barbecue. The decor included Weber grills that served as tables.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
Guests could dress their burgers at a summer barbecue-style buffet table. Clear trays were placed on faux grass, and hollowed-out condiment bottles held tomatoes and onions.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
Guests posed with oversize bottles of ketchup and mustard in front of a wall comprising hundreds of bottles of yellow mustard.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
The menu from from Peter Callahan Catering included summertime favorites like sliders, hot dogs, and cheesesteaks, paired with mini bottles of Coca-Cola.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
The catering tray for the mustard-topped corn dogs incorporated the label of Heinz's new yellow mustard.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
A summer picnic-like vignette surrounded a screen that showed Heinz's new commercials for its yellow mustard. Gift bags with a bottle of Heinz ketchup and two bottles of mustard—one to keep and one to share—stood underneath.
Photo: Paolo Ferraris/Michael Jurick Photography
The vibrant green cucumber water cocktail from event planner Barton G. Weiss is shaken with fresh lemon balm, lime juice, gin, and a touch of ginger ale, and garnished with torn lemon balm. The accompanying bite includes spicy liquid pimento beads with gin-soaked cucumber balls and coriander blossoms.
Photo: Claudia Uribe
For a Huggies “Little Swimmers” launch event at the Annenberg Community Beach House, Schaffer’s Genuine Foods created a watermelon "shark" filled with fruit salad, featuring blueberries for eyes and kale “seaweed” with swedish fish and chocolate shells.
Photo: Lisa Reilly/Pinky Blue Photography
At outdoor parties, help guests stay hydrated by serving nonalcoholic beverages in easily accessible containers like the sculptured plastic beverage dispenser ($29.99) from Smarty Had A Party.
Photo: Dylan Murphy
Instead of glassware, consider festive, non-breakable acrylic or plastic cups like the colorful pineapple ones from Oriental Trading ($20.50 per dozen).
Photo: Courtesy of Oriental Trading
Schaffer’s Genuine Foods' "Bathing Bears” cupcakes made with butter cake and topped with vanilla buttercream, graham cracker “sand,” and Teddy Grahams snacks with frosting bikinis and cocktail umbrellas were fun, easy to eat bites at the Huggies event.
Photo: Lisa Reilly/Pinky Blue Photography
Simple pool decor like inflatables makes an impact without the mess. Colorful, papery decor can bleed when wet and items like small beads could gum up the works on the deck area or in the pool, warns Friedman.
Photo: Courtesy of Annenberg Community Beach House
For a Patrón industry party at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, branded towels were laid out on lounge chairs and the pool umbrellas were changed out to match the Patrón theme. Guests snacked on a create-your-own-nacho bar and Café Patrón mini cupcakes and traditional churros for dessert.
Photo: Michael Brewer
At a Lululemon event at the Montauk Beach House, hair-braiding stations and flower-crown-making booths fit the relaxed feel of the yoga brand’s party.
Photo: Courtesy of Montauk Beach House
Perfect for pool parties and resort events is L.A. Photo Party's underwater photo booth. The self-contained unit includes a DSLR camera, strobe flash, preview monitor, and an underwater trigger button. The booths are available globally; pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of L.A. Photo Party
From TED conferences to celebrity events, Los Angeles-based water ballet company Aqualillies has redefined synchronized swimming for whole new audiences. In or out of the pool, the bathing beauties add a touch of Old Hollywood glam to any gathering. Available globally, pricing ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Aqualillies
Stella Artois "Host Beautifully"
For dinner, guests sat at long, farm-style tables decked with clean white floral arrangements and no linens.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Stella Artois
Pepsi Limon Launch
On May 20, Pepsi launched its new "Limon"-flavored soft drink with a festive event at Chace Park in Marina Del Rey, California. The promotion featured a concert from La Santa Cecilia, and the band performed on a colorful, decorated boat.
Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Pepsi
Pepsi Limon Launch
Casual snacks accompanied the free-flowing Pepsi. At a nacho bar, guests could top corn tortilla chips with pico de gallo and cilantro.
Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Pepsi
Captain Morgan Rum Launch
On May 22, Captain Morgan launched new rum flavors—including grapefruit, coconut, and pineapple—with an event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. To underscore the beverages' fruity flavors, flower arrangements from Athletic Club Flower Shop were contained in hollowed-out pineapples.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Stella Artois "Host Beautifully"
On May 18, beer brand Stella Artois launched its new "Host Beautifully" campaign with an event at the Golden Oak Ranch in Los Angeles. The open-air event featured a performance from singer John Legend. Mother New York handled production.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Stella Artois
Stella Artois "Host Beautifully"
The event's promotional signage was printed onto rustic chalkboards.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Stella Artois
Stella Artois "Host Beautifully"
Guests could float above the crowd in tethered hot-air balloons branded with the Stella Artois logo.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Stella Artois
Stella Artois "Host Beautifully"
Menu items were served in rustic vessels arranged on slabs of wood. Heirloom LA handled catering, and the menu was designed by chef Aliya Leekong.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Stella Artois
Veuve Clicquot's Yelloweek
Champagne label Veuve Clicquot hosted a promotion called "Yelloweek" in Toronto May 5 to 11. A kickoff party for the series of events was held at Thompson Rooftop Lounge on May 1. Bubbly was served on tray tables covered in grass and daisies. Melissa Andre Events handled production.
Photo: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company
Veuve Clicquot Yelloweek
Hanging replicas of hot-air balloons also played into the whimsical decor.
Photo: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company
Veuve Clicquot Yelloweek
Dressed in the brand's signature yellow-and-white hues, a ballerina entertained guests with impromptu performances on the rooftop.
Photo: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company
De Nolet Presented by Ketel One Vodka Event
On May 13, a promotional event for Ketel One vodka took place at New York's Sir 37. To let guests experience the brand's classic and flavored varieties, a tasting bar was stocked with sample pours. Ketel One's national mixologist, Ricky Gomez, led attendees through the taste test.
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Ketel One
The French Polynesia Hilton properties in Moorea and Bora Bora offer sandcastle contests as site-specific teambuilding activities for groups.
Photo: Robert Voets/CBS
