At the conference, which wrapped May 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, 16 large screens created a stunning display around the perimeter of the main networking area, known as the Experience Zone. The screens, if placed end-to-end, would fill the length of three football fields. Questions displayed on the screens were answered during the three keynote presentations.
The event on March 23 and 24 drew more attendees, and was bigger in every way. Especially remarkable was the main entertainment on the program's final night at the Mirage Las Vegas, which took a theatrical turn. Throughout the show, dancers performed a tango in midair on a bungee rope, cirque performers contorted, stilt walkers paraded down the aisles, and aerialists dangled above the audience while musicians and vocalists performed.
The stage show on the final night included a mockup of a G5 with two 150-foot screens for the jet’s wings. A DJ was meant to represent the captain of the plane, which was dubbed Rhythm Air and took guests on a virtual ride around the world.
The Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, and Los Angeles mixology company Pharmacie offers a new take on the race's signature drink, the mint julep. Called the Chocolate Mint Julep, the cocktail contains bourbon and mint syrup poured over ice with six dashes of chocolate bitters, plus a mint leaf garnish.
Guests, mostly local media and social media influencers, gathered on April 14 in the third-floor event space at Haven’s Kitchen in New York's Chelsea neighborhood for the mattress company's Breakfast in Bed Fest. Toast-shaped coasters made of cork brought the breakfast theme to the bar, where the drinks served included spins on a bloody Mary, mimosa, and coffee-based cocktail.
A Nyquil-hued Jell-O shot was among the more popular treats at the event. The venue Haven's Kitchen collaborated on the menu and came up with the idea.
On April 23, the Art Gallery of Ontario hosted a sold-out crowd of 1,900 guests for its 11th annual Massive Party. The Broadbent Sisters’ interactive installation "Clearing Spaces" was part-confessional, part-psychic reading.
Sponsor Absolut created its own art installation using oversize versions of its iconic bottle.
Bigger was better at the glitzy sales launch event for the mega real estate development Paramount Miami Worldcenter on April 18. Guests arriving to the event had no trouble finding it thanks to the massive disco ball overhead. Powerful Synchrolites that reflected off of the disco ball also marked the spot.
J.C. Penney’s launch event for Eva Longoria’s home collection took place on April 23 in Los Angeles. The filigreed logo from Eva Longoria's J.C. Penney home collection appeared in the middle of custom-made dream catchers that decorated dream interpretation stations.
