At the entrance, representatives from the Hawaiian Islands doled out leis for guests.
Photo: Robin Carlson
Meetinghouse Companies provided the tiki-style bar, which had a large sign that read "Welcome to Paradise." Frost designed a warm, vibrant lighting scheme that gave the space a sunny feel.
Photo: Robin Carlson
Pink "Paradise" cocktails nodded to the rosy hue of the surrounding orchids. Guests sipped the drinks in resort-style lounge furniture donated by Williams Ski & Patio.
Photo: Robin Carlson
Culinary Landscape handled the catering and served dishes like mini coconut cream pies on plantain chips.
Photo: Robin Carlson
Guests also snacked on pineapple bruschetta with coconut cream cheese.
Photo: Robin Carlson
Hula dancers added to the Hawaii-theme atmosphere. The band Aloha Live also performed.
Photo: Robin Carlson
As part of a series of events celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami in 2011, the museum held its annual fund-raiser with with a surf theme that turned up in such details as a DJ booth designed to look like a lifeguard tower.
Photo: Juerg Schreiter for BizBash
One of the more striking food presentations at L.A. Center Studios for the Lexus grand tasting during Los Angeles Food & Wine festival last year, was created by Post Ranch Inn. The Big Sur resort used sugar as sand in a metal bucket where it served shaved ice cones. Starfish and greenery decked the beach-like scene.
Photo: Courtesy of Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival & Tyrone D. Washington
This year Chicago experienced one of its coldest winters in decades, so when the Chicago Botanic Garden marked the opening of its new Orchid Show, it opted for a tropical setting. The "Welcome to Paradise" event hosted by the garden's woman's board included a tiki-style bar and warm lighting.
Photo: Robin Carlson
The arrivals backdrop—featuring the Cartier and MoMA logos rendered in neon and marquee lights—echoed the dense arrangements of tropical greenery found inside the dinner space.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Neon tubes—interspersed with tropical foliage and ferns—also covered the front of the garden's elevated stage.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Inside the lobby and atrium, the museum’s planning team delivered a streamlined, modern affair that showcased exotic, lush greenery and pops of neon against a stark white background.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Overhead, dense arrangements of tropical plants were suspended between white pillars, creating a jungle-like canopy effect.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Slabs of neon green Lucite seemed to glow atop the clear rectangular dinner tables, while potted plants in green ceramic vases served as minimalist centerpieces.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Museum of Modern Art's Party in the Garden
At MoMA's Party in the Garden in April, the arrivals backdrop—featuring the Cartier and MoMA logos rendered in neon and marquee lights—echoed the dense arrangements of tropical greenery found inside the dinner space.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The Goodman Gala
The Goodman Gala in Chicago May 18 celebrated the theater's upcoming production of The Jungle Book. Kehoe Designs transformed the Fairmont Hotel's ballroom into a tropical setting replete with lagoon-colored lighting, leafy centerpieces, and giant cutouts of animal silhouettes.
Photo: Ryan Sjostrom/Kehoe Designs
Brûlée Catering's Tropical Picnic Spread
Brûlée Catering in Philadelphia offers tropics-themed spreads. The summery feast comprises ahi tuna salad with pineapple-sesame dressing, greens, tobiko, and sambal aioli; cucumber rolls; hoisin duck salad with quinoa, wakame, and roasted vegetables; macadamia nut biscotti; coconut alfajores; and Absolut Ruby Red vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, and Patrón Citronge cocktails.
Photo: Andrew Kahl for BizBash
HBO Emmy After-Party
At HBO's 2010 fete in Los Angeles, the banana-leaf-patterned carpet and animal print linens and seat cushions echoed the party's "Tarzan and Jane meet Palm Beach" motif. Banana and palm trees 30 feet high added to the lush jungle atmosphere.
Photo: Gabor Ekecs
Onyx Pharmaceuticals National Sales Meeting
A crew of more than 80 people spent four days working with turf flooring, waterfalls, and more than 600 plants and trees to transform a stark white airplane hangar into a lush tropical oasis for the Onyx Pharmaceuticals annual award banquet in Fort Lauderdale in 2011. To make the 120 guests feel as if they were having dinner in a clearing in the woods, decorators used fiber-optic draping to create a sky above and emerald green turf carpeting to simulate the forest floor below.
Photo: Camilla Sjodin/Sjodin Photography
Havianas 2013 Collection Preview
In April, Havianas showcased its 2013 collection with a Brazilian-themed bash in its New York showroom. Tropical-feeling snacks from KG Fare Catering & Events included paella on a stick.
Photo: Courtesy of Havaianas
California Science Center Grand Opening Gala For "Ecosystems"
At the 2010 gala in Los Angeles, guests' after-dinner options included dancing and cocktails in a tiki-theme room, complete with flower leis, towering palm trees, and mai tais.
Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
Entertainment From Zen Arts
Entertainment company Zen Arts offers an array of entertainment options for dramatic outdoor entertaining, including fire dancers, costumed mermaids, and transparent “bubble spheres” that float on water while holding dancers. Most recently, six female Olympians joined the company’s synchronized swimming troupe. Based in Los Angeles, Zen Arts performers can travel worldwide; performances cost between $10,000 and $100,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Zen Arts
Absolut Mango Launch Party
At the launch of Absolut Mango in New York in 2009, a mango tree stationed behind the bar made guests feel like they were sipping cocktails in a warm mango grove.
Photo: Liz Brown
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
At the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in 2011, Havaianas set up a tiki bar outside the Burger Bash tent, where Iron Chef Marc Forgione prepared Brazilian-inspired drinks, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Guests who visited the booth took home a pair of Havaianas.
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye
Dress for Success "Something to Share" Worldwide Gala
As a fun take on V.I.P. seating for its "Something to Share" gala in 2011, Dress for Success constructed 12 cabanas at the rear of the dining room. Situated atop platforms, the seating areas were marked with sheer drapes, wooden bench seating, and hand-painted signs.
Photo: Jeeyun Lee/BizBash
Decorators covered a wood bar with moss and vines and high-top cocktail tables with moss Fortuny satin linens.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
To make the 120 guests feel as if they were having dinner in a clearing in the woods, decorators used fiber-optic draping to create a sky above and emerald green turf carpeting to simulate the forest floor below.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Performers camouflaged as plants hid among the foliage.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Each of the 11 tables had unique centerpieces, comprised of flowers, miniature plants, and birch candleholders covered in moss and vines.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Faux monstera leaves served as place mats on the hand-carved oak tables.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Decorators maintained the theme into the hallway to the restrooms, covering the floor with green turf and hiding the walls with black drapes illuminated with green lighting.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Dinner began with an heirloom tomato salad topped with fresh baby greens, bocconcini mozzarella, and pine nuts with a basil vinaigrette.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Tropical plants surrounded the black lacquer stage, which was flanked by a waterfall in the rear and, on either side, video screens surrounded by faux rock.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
To enter the main event space, guests traveled down a 20-foot path densely lined with trees and tropical plants.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Near the bar, a performer camouflaged as a weeping willow tree blended into the decor.
Photo: Sjodin Photography by Camilla Sjodin
Kehoe Designs transformed the Fairmont Hotel's ballroom into a tropical setting with lagoon-colored lighting, leafy centerpieces, and giant cutouts of animal silhouettes for the Goodman Gala, which was held in Chicago in May 2013 and celebrated the theater's production of The Jungle Book.
Photo: Ryan Sjostrom
When Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong premiered in December 2005, Universal Pictures threw an enormous party for 3,000 guests in New York. The event included an elaborate—and complicated—waterfall that took a crew of workers from Garden State Koi and Aquatic Center three days to assemble. The installation was part of the jungle-theme section of the premiere party and included sound effects and a light fog.
Photo: Jeff Thomas/ImageCapture for BizBash
For the premiere of the King Kong 360 3-D attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood in June 2010, a python from Wildlife Waystation greeted fans on the red carpet.
Photo: David Sprague for Universal Studios Hollywood
For the HBO Emmy after-party in August 2010, event designer Billy Butchkavitz concocted a “summer safari” theme that featured animal-print tablecloths in preppy pink and banana and palm trees as high as 30 feet.
Photo: Gabor Ekecs
A fire pit next to the arrivals area kept HBO's guests warm at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
Photo: Gabor Ekecs
In late April 2015, the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago hosted its annual fund-raising gala. The event featured animal-theme decor from the Flower Firm, including a bar with leopard spots and eyes.
Photo: Kelly Tone
Palm leaves, lilies, and zebra print decorated the ballroom of the Four Seasons Chicago for the Service Club of Chicago's gala in November 2011.
Photo: Ryan Sjostrom
Tall palms topped the zebra-print bar during the cocktail reception at Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation's safari-theme gala in March 2010, which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto.
Photo: BizBash
Solutions With Impact topped the tables with lamps wrapped in animal prints at the 2010 gala, which supported Free the Children.
Photo: BizBash
Whimsical animal napkin rings provided by Jedando Modern Handicrafts, a Kenyan organization, marked each place setting at the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation's gala.
Photo: BizBash
Dense arrangements of tropical plants were suspended between white pillars, creating a jungle-like canopy effect at the Museum of Modern Art’s 2013 Party in the Garden in New York.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
The arrivals backdrop—featuring the Cartier, which underwrote the event, and MoMA logos rendered in neon and marquee lights—echoed the dense arrangements of tropical greenery found inside the dinner space.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Sporting a festive red dress, "Mindy the Monkey" interacted with guests at the Lyric Opera of Chicago's celebration in April 2015.
Photo: Jaclyn Simpson
The Palm Springs sofas ($500 for two) from Patina Rentals can add to an event's jungle vibe and are available in the New York area.
Photo: Courtesy of Patina
Chicago-based catering firm Truffleberry Market serves up a frozen version of classic Bananas Foster.
Photo: Courtesy of Truffleberry Market
In the summer of 2013, the History channel recreated destinations from its Mountain Men show in New York's Union Square. That included erecting two rock walls for visitors to climb.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Also at History's 2013 public promotion was an area dubbed "Tom's Tannery," which displayed authentic animal hides as well as hunting bows and arrows.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
For Nike's World Cup viewing party in 2010, Relevent set up a large video screen in the middle of New York's meatpacking district. Designed to look like a soccer field, the ground was covered with Astroturf.
Photo: Sara Jaye Weiss
The Nike World Cup viewing event also included foosball, British- and American-influenced fare, face painting, a photo booth, and a retail area for Nike products.
Photo: Sara Jaye Weiss
To launch its Olympic sponsorship earlier this year, Duracell partnered with Synergy Events to design a stadium-like space with areas representing different sports. At one station, taekwondo champions Diana and Mark Lopez showed off their moves, while TVs screened highlights from past competitions.
Photo: Diane Bondareff/Insider Images for Duracell
The invitation for the New Balance experience store preview in New York in 2011 was a brass-colored relay baton, which hinted at the running-themed event concept.
Photo: Jeeyun Lee for BizBash
Matthew David Hopkins of 360 Design Events highlighted the park's many uses at this year's Hudson River Park gala in New York by creating centerpieces that incorporated running shoes and bicycle wheels.
Photo: Courtesy of 360 Design Events, Jamie Watts Photography
Centerpieces at this year's Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" in Las Vegas featured logo boxing gloves adorned with calla lilies.
Photo: Curtis Dahl
Jeffrey Foster of Event Creative designed custom-built tables and props, including glowing baseball-diamond-shaped tables and a scoreboard that hung above the dance floor for a baseball-themed bar mitzvah in Chicago.
Photo: Lee Ross Photography
Night Vision Entertainment created a "shoe chandelier" for this year's N.B.A. All-Star Game in Orlando. The design featured 22 pairs of Adidas Superstar shoes hanging from the ceiling in a spiral configuration.
Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash
For the 2011 U.S. Open, sponsor Moët & Chandon created a small-scale tennis court inside their New York offices.
Photo: William Star/ShootingStarsPro.com
At the U.S. Olympic Committee's "Raise Our Flag" campaign launch, which took place earlier this year, Hilton created a "dream wall," where people could scrawl messages and show their support for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Photo: JM Photo for BizBash
Paralympic sports demonstrations were also a big part of the experiential promotion. One area invited visitors to shoot basketballs from a wheelchair.
Photo: JM Photo for BizBash
Team Up's Players' gala, which took place in Toronto earlier this year, featured food stations inspired by athletes.
Photo: Graig Abel Photography
Created by TBA Global Canada and partner GES Canada, the temporary pavilion that showcased the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 included interactive gaming stations that gave attendees a better understanding of potentially unfamiliar sports like curling.
Photo: Dean Hannas
The N.C.C.A. and Turner Sports' temporary lounge, set up at the Time Warner Center, included a seated area with basketball-court-style flooring for the public to watch March Madness on four large-screen TVs.
Photo: Brian Nevins
The activation also included a photo booth, which allowed visitors to pose with virtual images of Turner Sports' announcers.
Photo: Brian Nevins
At the Tide Plus Febreze Sport launch party in Miami, the detergent brand staged multiple sports activities, including mini golf and basketball, on the W's rooftop tennis and basketball courts.
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
ESPN the Magazine's Super Bowl party last year featured sports-themed decor, which included a wall of framed athlete photos.
Photo: Jessica D'Onofrio for BizBash
At Nike's Primetime Knockout event a couple years ago, guests were encouraged to customize their own T-shirts.
Photo: Courtesy of Relevent
Tony Berger of Relevent brought in falafel, taco, and soda stations from PTG Event Services at the Nike party to help guests feel like they were at a real sporting event.
Photo: Courtesy of Relevent
Other activities at Super Bowl Village included the Super Bowl Host Committee and Global Inheritance's 100-Yard Hamster Wheel Dash, which let fans go head to head in human-powered wheels.
Photo: Courtesy of Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
Product reps for Coca-Cola handed out vintage Olympics pins.
Photo: Courtesy of Coca-Cola
In 2009, the Museum of Science and Industry's Columbian Ball in Chicago featured an acrobatic performance by Jesse White Tumblers in the dinner tent.
Photo: JB Spector/Museum of Science and Industry
For the Moneyball premiere, a parking lot adjacent to the Paramount Theatre was transformed into a baseball field, complete with scoop stadium lights and 200 authentic stadium seats from Brown United.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
The producers of St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School's sports-themed auction in 2010 tapped commercial sculptor A.J. Strasser to create oversize models of sports-related objects.
Photo: Stephen Elliot/Mud Productions for BizBash
To maintain the evening's sports theme, servers from Main Event Caterers wore referee uniforms.
Photo: Stephen Elliot/Mud Productions for BizBash
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield, stars of the Food Network show Ice Brigade, put on live ice-sculpting performances in this year's Super Bowl Village. Naturally, their frozen sculptures had a sporty theme.
Photo: Courtesy of Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
At Coca-Cola's "Celebrate the Spirit" event, which took place in Chicago in 2009, producers hung the Olympic rings from the tent's ceiling as a nod to the theme.
Photo: Courtesy of Coca-Cola
