Painting on a hotel’s walls would normally result in a fine or worse. At Marriott Stanton South Beach, groups can channel the arty vibes of the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami and “vandalize” the hotel’s walls during organized graffiti lessons. The “Murals & Meetings” activity pairs groups with local artists to create their own street-art masterpieces.
Photo: Courtesy of Marriott Stanton South Beach
The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills recently announced the launch of its helipad yoga program, offering group classes on the property’s rooftop helicopter pad. The space had been strictly off-limits for guests since opening in 1987. Classes are available for private groups of as many as 25 people per session. The 17th-floor location offers views of landmarks including the Hollywood sign and downtown Los Angeles skyline.
Photo: Michael Bezjian
Based in Boston, SpeechBooth rents out lightweight video booths that can be delivered to conferences, trade shows, award ceremonies, and other types of events. The app-based video messaging recording unit does not need an attendant, and it allows guests to record messages in HD video. All recorded messages are professionally edited, then saved to an online user account.
Photo: Alexandra Meseke Photography
To Market
Art restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle has a new activity called Market to Art. Staffers take a group of 10 to the outdoor Pike Place Market, where guests are split into teams of two. Each team gets $60 and 30 minutes to select ingredients for one of five courses for the evening’s meal. The chefs at the hotel’s restaurant then make a dish using the gathered ingredients, and each team presents “its” plate to the group.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Pike Place Market
SF Mixology hosts group cocktail competitions in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Photo: Michael Specht
Aerialists in Toronto
Launched in the fall, No Parachute Theatre is an aerialist and dance company headed by Katelyn McCullouch. The ensemble consists of three female performers, and the troupe is available as event entertainment.
Photo: Courtesy of No Parachute Theatre
Live Karaoke in Washington
HariKaraoke Band, a live four-piece band that backs amateur singers, can play for corporate groups in the Washington area and offers a catalog of more than 300 songs that guests can sing along to on stage via an iPad displaying lyrics. And if a performance is truly painful, guests can bang on a gong à la The Gong Show—all in good fun, of course. Pricing starts at $1,050 for two-hour events.
Graffiti Teambuilding Classes in San Francisco
San Francisco street-art gallery 1:AM hosts graffiti-themed teambuilding activities for groups of 15 to 25. Most teams opt for the three-hour “whole works” workshop, which includes an introduction to the history of graffiti, a mural walk tour, and hands-on T-shirt stenciling and mural production sessions. Activities can be customized, and prices range from $80 to $200 per person. If the workshop takes place during regular gallery hours, a $300 closure fee applies.
Photo: Courtesy of 1:AM
Liquor Tastings in New York
Add an educational element to an event’s liquor offerings with a tasting bar and a spirits sommelier. “Alcohol professor” Adam Levy from All Spirits Events can gear tastings towards topics like Whiskies from Around the World or Craft Spirits From New York State.” Because the company is not tied to specific brands, it can provide a variety of liquors.
Photo: Paul Martinka
Trivia Events in New York
NY1 morning news anchor Pat Kiernan has joined forces with trivia event production company TrivWorks to host live trivia entertainment and teambuilding activities for corporate groups. Kiernan-hosted events typically start around $10,000 and include pre-event planning assistance, 40 custom trivia questions (with Kiernan’s personal counsel), plus an iPod round and picture round, one-on-one mini games between each round, a high-stakes showdown finale between the top two teams, a staff of runners to collect score sheets, audiovisual equipment, and prizes. The company has produced events for as many as 300 people.
Photo: Patrick Donahue/Super Duper Photographic
Corporate Event DJ in Boston
With experience spinning at weddings, clubs, universities, and nonprofit and corporate events, DJ Addam Bombb uses Denon CD turntables—no iPods, preplanned sets, or sync-button mixing allowed. The remix producer customizes sets based on clients’ musical preferences. His typical rates for nonprofit and corporate events range from $1,400 to $2,200. Preferred dates are best secured nine to 15 months prior to an event.
Photo: Greg Cooper
Co-founded by Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C., Scratch DJ Academy is a professional DJ school that offers teambuilding events at its New York, Miami, and Los Angeles locations for groups of six to 50. The customizable workshops range from one-hour basic teambuilding exercises to eight-hour events that include activities, DJ lessons, and a mixer. Prices start at $75 per person for a two-hour event.
Photo: David Richards Photography
For a family-friendly holiday party at a private home in Los Angeles in December 2015, Seed Floral set up a wreath-making station and make-your-own snow globe and ornament stations.
Photo: Courtesy of Seed Floral
Redpath Waterfront Festival
The West Coast Lumberjack Show presented a 45-minute presentation of lumberjack demonstrations, including log rolling, tree climbing, and axe throwing. The Show has been featured on Canada’s Got Talent, The Bachelor Canada, and Bates Motel.
Photo: Courtesy of Redpath Waterfront Festival
