Perez Art Museum Miami's gala took place March 4. The event had a concept from Lee Brian Schrager and included interactive artist stations like a floor-to-ceiling coloring book, which invited guests to doodle on the wall.
On February 6, the Boston Ballet hosted its annual gala at the Castle at Park Plaza. The benefit's French theme was inspired by the upcoming production of Gaîté Parisienne, and dancers performed scenes from the show in a red-carpeted aisle that ran down the center of the dining area. The gala was designed by Altieri Events.
It's typical to use a celebrity as a featured entertainer. But guests are more surprised to encounter celebrities in unexpected place—such as behind the bar. At the MSNBC's White House Correspondents Dinner after-party in Washington in 2012, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow poured drinks for part of the evening.
Another way to surprise guests is to keep them amused and engaged during otherwise tedious parts of an event, such as standing in line to register or waiting for valet. At the Shedd Aquarium's 2008 gala in Chicago, fire dancers from Pyrotechniq performed for guests waiting for their cars after the event. The surprise aligned with the institution's overall brand messaging. “This is something we do at Shedd Aquarium on a daily basis—engage guests while they are waiting for something, to make the time go faster and the wait not seem so long,” said Jennifer Baryl, then the senior director of the aquarium.
Guests always enjoy gifts—perhaps even more so when they're unexpected. Coupa, a spend-management software company, hosts an annual user conference called "Inspire." In 2014, planners from Roar Events surprised guests by sending them home with boxes of doughnuts.
Quartz encourages its sponsors to bring unusual and engaging activations to its events. One example was a fully functional mini planetarium from Qualcomm.
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.
World Wildlife Fund Canada's inaugural Pandamonium fund-raiser took place June 23 at Andrew Richard Designs in Toronto. Toronto cocktail bar BarChef offered guests cocktails from a garden-like station inspired by the event's theme, "Doom & Bloom," celebrating the resilience of nature.
