Event Inspiration

Certain music festivals this year proved that going old-school can be the key to throwing an entertaining party. At the Essence Festival, which ran from July 2 to 5 in New Orleans, McDonald's threw a retro-theme community celebration, called the "Lovin' Skate Jam," which was designed by BPR and the Narrative Group. The fast-food chain's event offered roller skates and a skating rink for attendees, as well as a photo booth with '80s and '90s hip-hop-inspired props.

Netflix and experiential agency Magnetic launched a cross-country bus tour to promote the star-filled miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which the streaming service released July 31. Decked out in the series logo with the hashtag #WHASBusTour, the bus came with costumed camp counselors who encouraged passersby to participate in camp games like tug-of-war. The activation also offered show-theme swag like trucker hats, canned veggies, and camp T-shirts, and provided photo ops with cut-outs of the show's characters. The tour launched in New York's Madison Square Park in July and made a stop at the show's world premiere at SVA Theatre. The bus also stopped at locations in Austin and Los Angeles.

Another White House Correspondents' Association Dinner event, The Washington Post's reception took place April 30 at the Washington Hilton. Qualcomm had guests interacting with 3-D technology as part of its Invisible Museum installation. When users pointed an iPad camera toward a building model on a pedestal, the technology created an adaptable 3-D rendering of a city on the screen.

The seventh annual Amfar Inspiration Gala New York took place June 9 at Skylight at Moynihan Station. Sponsor Moët Hennessy brought an on-site champagne vending machine to the event.

Guests at the event could pose for photos at an arrivals wall framed by greenery.

Tall floral arrangements in the sculpture garden kept to the white-and-green color scheme during cocktails.

Concept Event Group's design mixed all-green floral arrangements with chic gray chairs and linens.

Following cocktails, guests entered the main dining room through a forest-like foyer with a dramatic drape of greenery sweeping up to the ceiling.

Work from each of the honored artists was on display, including a piece from sculptor Huma Bhabha.

The pop singer Robyn performed at the after-party on a stage set up in the sculpture garden.

Celebrating the city's urban grit, the arrivals wall mixed concrete blocks with exotic florals. Adore and Terrain handled event decor.

Place cards featured plant and garden motifs.

Body-painted "nymphs" from Vance Garrett Productions interacted with guests.

At an "irrigation bar," guests could serve themselves cocktails from spigots attached to a chain link fence. Aromatic garnishes included purple sage, mint, and basil.

A whiskey-based cocktail was served from wheelbarrows.

Moss- and butterfly-covered watering cans contained cocktails that event staff poured into guests' mouths.

The unpretentious dining room sat guests at four rows of picnic-style tables.

Chef John Fraser's interactive dinner menu started with a salad that guests assembled themselves. Guests cut vegetables and dressed their own salads. Chefs aprons and gardening gloves were provided for each table.

The family-style dinner included poached salmon served on a plank. Below it was a platter of beets.

Nonprofit educational organization Outward Bound hosted its National Benefit Dinner on October 18 at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York. Artist Michael Arthur, who specializes in live drawings of key moments, sketched on a visible screen as nine current and former students—including featured speaker author Michael Lewis—spoke about their experiences in the organization. The artistic showcase was designed to capture the impact and inspiration created by an Outward Bound experience.