This may be the one time it’s actually okay to get marker all over the furniture. Taking inspiration from the recent trend of adult coloring books, national furniture rental company AFR has introduced a new initiative called #ColorYourEvents, which allows guests to grab a marker and color in branded decals that are adhered to tabletops. (The company's Aspen Cocktail Table is pictured, but the decals can be used on other AFR tables as well.) Clients provide the artwork and markers, and AFR handles the decal printing and pasting. Pricing depends on the item and the size.
Think beyond the balloon animal. Self-taught “balloon twister” Addi Somekh makes unique, larger-than-life balloon installations, such as the pink poodle that greeted guests at the event registration area. In addition to funky decor, Somekh can provide live demonstrations for events, creating balloon hats and inflatable crowns custom-designed for guests’ personalities and style. He also hosts teambuilding exercises where guests create balloon flowers that are later donated to local nursing homes. Somekh can provide his services to events around the world; prices are available upon request.
Blueprint Studios showcased a variety of seating rentals at the expo. On the top row, from left to right, is the Giorgio ottoman in fur; the Bristol chair in green (it also comes in white, yellow, gray, light blue, and black); the Portofina lounge chair in brown and iron; the Louis chair in white (it also comes in black, silver, and gold); and the Whitby chair in green (it also comes in blue, brown, gray, yellow, and purple). On the bottom row, from left to right, is the Marais chair in red (it also comes in gunmetal silver); the Pino chair in green and chrome; and Portofino ottoman in brown and iron. Prices are available upon request, and the San Francisco-based company rents nationwide.
Olive & Cocoa provides high-end gift boxes. The company specializes in business gifting as well as social occasions, and can include marketing or promotional items inside the boxes. Gifts arrive in stylish wooden crates that can be customized with logos or other branding; it costs $395 to create a custom hot iron brand that can be reused on any order. Prices for gift crates vary depending on size and content.
For a unique amusement park-inspired entertainment option, the Conjurer provides live fortune-telling at events. Founder and performer Robert Smith, who is based in New Mexico, travels the country to work festivals and corporate events. Prices for corporate appearances start at $5,000, and for an extra fee, he can provide custom branding on fortune cards and custom audio fortunes for V.I.P. guests. Smith also offers a variety of magic performances for events.
New from national draping company Quest Drape is the Geo Panel. The geometric panels, introduced in January, are made from expanded PVC and hang from truss or the drape line. They are three-foot squares that come in six patterns; the solid pattern can be branded or used as a projection screen. Currently, the panels are only available in white. Prices vary depending on volume and location; the company has 19 locations throughout the United States.
Los Angeles-based catering company Fill ‘R Up Gastro Garage uses blow torches to cook on site, creating an interactive, entertaining option for events. The chefs—called “mechanics”—create sweet or savory “tanks”: brioche-style doughnuts that are torched and filled with nitrous foam in a variety of flavors. The company has worked with clients such as American Idol, Warner Brothers, and Social Media Week Los Angeles, and can travel to events around the country. Prices start at $10 to $20 per guest, depending on numbers, hours, and other factors.
Cotton candy is a summertime staple for people of all ages. A new twist on the classic treat is cotton candy illuminated by a colorful LED stick. Glo Cone’s flashy catering option costs $500 for a case of 400 glowing cones; the candy is not included. The company can provide their product nationally for events such as festivals, birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and more.
For a sustainable option, Bamboo Studio offers three product lines—two of which use parts of a bamboo plant and one that uses leaves from a palm tree. The result is dinnerware that is all-natural, disposable, and 100-percent biodegradable. The company’s plates, bowls, utensils, and other tabletop items have a clean, natural look, and custom branding can be created for corporate events, weddings, and more. The Arlington, Texas-based company ships nationwide, and prices vary depending on the item.
Forget the glow sticks or cell phone flashlights. Crowdsync Technology provides controllable LED wristbands for events or live performances that light up to the beat of music using specialized DMX control software. Wristbands last roughly six hours or can be purchased with replaceable batteries for multi-day use. They can also be printed with company logos. Prices range from $3.49 to $3.99 per wristband, and the company works on events nationwide. Crowdsync Technology can also be applied to festival-friendly items such as beach balls.
Los Angeles-based Plan-It Interactive provides carnival games, inflatables, and other event activities and equipment. They specialize in oversize games such as giant chess, Jenga, and Twister, as well as human bowling and obstacle courses. The games can be customized for events; the company can also organize teambuilding activities and scavenger hunts. Plan-It Interactive services all of California and Nevada, and can travel to other states upon request.
For a back-to-school or academic-theme decor idea, AE Events designed sunflower centerpieces wrapped with a row of pencils for Excel Academy's 10th annual Celebration of Excellence, which took place June 2 in Boston. Table numbers were created with new covers on old books, which were then used in classrooms and libraries.
The annual Budweiser Made in America Festival took place September 3 to 4 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The festival included a branded Budweiser swing ride that was produced by Fusion, DPI, and Motive.
Cantina La Veinte, a Mexican waterfront restaurant and bar in Miami, celebrated its two-year anniversary with a party on August 31. The event featured a branded miniature truck display of Don Julio, the tequila used to make margaritas that were served to 600 guests.
For a presidential-theme cocktail idea, Teddy & the Bully Bar in Washington, D.C., created a drink based on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The cocktail is a mix of Absolut Elyx vodka, Drambuie, blue curacao, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and soda.
The Trump Tower cocktail, also from Teddy & the Bully Bar, is inspired by Republican nominee Donald Trump. It combines Earl Grey-infused Absolut Elyx vodka, Dolin blanc vermouth, and aperol.
Tru by Hilton is putting a spin on its groundbreaking ceremonies by unveiling an 11 by 11-foot 3-D chalk painting of the hotel's exterior. The base of the artwork is a mobile dance floor from Snaplock, and an artist from We Talk Chalk studios created the 3-D image. The groundbreakings kicked off August 30 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and will end September 23 in Sumter, South Carolina.
American Express celebrated the second year of its Seattle Seahawks partnership by hosting a seated dinner in Seattle for card members on CenturyLink Field's 50-yard line on August 27. Produced by Momentum Worldwide, the event offered guests a four-course meal inspired by four quarters of a football game.
Billabong partnered with John Frieda to unveil the surf brand's 2017 collection on August 13 and 14 at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York. In between surf lessons, guests could lounge on private day beds and sip beverages from Corkcicle canteens and tumblers at Gurney's in Montauk.
During the month of July, Revolve Clothing hosted events for celebrities and influencers at a Watermill, New York, estate. On July 23, the e-commerce site celebrated the finale of its summer party series with Nicole Richie and her House of Harlow 1960 collection. The Instagram-worthy home featured comfy seating areas, cabanas, lawn games, and photo booths.
Revolve helped launch Moet & Chandon's new rosé on July 22 at a home in Watermill. Decor included a greenery-fronted DJ booth with social media handles and hashtags spelled out in Scrabble-style tiles.
Chefs including Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli greeted fans and signed books at the Twitter Food-branded station during the Grand Tasting at Pier 94.
The liquor brand debuted its new flavored bourbon—Jim Beam Apple—with an impressive tree display featuring dangling fruit and samples at the Grand Tasting.
Festival attendees were able to print and mail a sharable postcard by using the hashtag #CocaColaNYC at the beverage brand's activation. Mini Coca-Cola-flavored cupcakes with buttercream frosting were up for grabs as well. The company also created mocktails at the Grand Tasting and handed out Coca-Cola Life samples during Pier 92 rooftop events.
Fans posed for a photo at the beverage brand's activation during the Jets & Chefs event.
At the media company's sixth annual Barbecue & the Blues event, which was hosted by the Travel Channel's Adam Richman and held at Good Units, guests enjoyed barbecue fare and played branded backyard games like cornhole.
In addition to samples of its popular coconut water, Vita Coco's activation also featured popcorn made with the brand's coconut oil.
The centerpiece of the brand’s activation at the festival was the Samsung Lounge, an immersive space located at Pier 92. There, attendees enjoyed snacks and one-on-one chef demos, as well as learned about Samsung's new products. The brand's appliances were also used during the culinary demonstrations at the Grand Tasting.
During the Pier 92 events, the online deals site turned things upside-down with two different photo booth vignettes, a topsy-turvy pizza parlor and a concert venue. The company was promoting its mission to help users discover new eats, events, and more.
A new vendor at this year's festival, the meal delivery service's activation consisted of an Airstream trailer with cooking demos and a “guess the spices” giveaway during the Grand Tasting.
For the Grand Tasting, the pasta brand parked its custom trailer—a renovated shipping container with a high-tech kitchen that debuted at last year's festival—on the Pier. Throughout the two-day event, Barilla chefs prepared recipes to promote the brand's products.
At the Grand Tasting, the wine company offered attendees tastings from its truck, which was decorated to resemble a quaint home on the side of the road.
Delta staff handed out branded wine lanyards to the crowd, while also serving up glasses of vino. A lush background of colorful autumnal leaves covered the Grand Tasting booth.
As the culinary destination of the year, Mexico hosted a special pavilion at the Grand Tasting. Mexican and American chefs teamed up to offer a collaborative menu of Mexican flavors.
Mohegan Sun, which sponsored all of the festival's late-night parties, handed out screen-printed tote bags at the Tacos & Tequila event, which was held at Urbo in Times Square.
Staff handed out dishes featuring the brand's pasta from the Pier 92 kitchen setup. The large build out served attendees during all of the rooftop events.
Attendees and staff posed with culinary props inside an oversize pasta box at the Ronzoni activation.
The liquor brand served cocktails in front of a vibrant greenery backdrop with its hashtag #LiveItalian made of blooms.
Guests were able to sit and relax at the company's tented lounge area, which was open during the Pier 92 rooftop events.
Three of the festival's largest events were held on the top level of an open-air parking structure at Pier 92, adjacent to the West Side Highway, including the signature Burger Bash on Friday night. As part of its Community Created Art program, Burger Bash title sponsor Blue Moon had a professional artist on hand to help guests paint a pre-outlined mural of a giant beer bottle nestled among the New York City skyline.
Some sponsorships were baked right into the food: Inside the Betty Crocker tent at the Burger Bash, staffers served Blue Moon-flavored cupcakes.
Delta flight attendants pushed carts around the party, offering guests mini pretzels and other snacks. The staffers, real attendants for the airline, also passed out tickets that automatically entered guests to win two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.
Throughout the weekend, Groupon hosted a tote-making station atop the Pier 92 parking structure. Guests were given an object to find on a giant photo mural, such as a cocktail or a car. Once they located the item, staffers handed them a token that could be redeemed for a screen-printed tote bag.
Hosted by Restaurant: Impossible star Robert Irvine, Thrillist's Barbecue & the Blues event took place on Friday at Good Units inside the Hudson Hotel. Guests could pick up containers with logos holding toothpicks and breath mints—must-haves for any food tasting event.
On the upstairs mezzanine at Thrillist's Barbecue & the Blues event, sponsor Samuel Adams had a portable cooler set up to serve draft beer.
Held on the terrace at the Hudson Hotel and hosted by Food Network's Sandwich King star Jeff Mauro, Saturday's Soup'er Sandwich tasting saw 15 local chefs offering their best sandwich-and-soup combos. Title sponsor Hidden Valley presented its own farm-theme display of sandwiches, each featuring one of four new Hidden Valley Sandwich Spreads.
Soup'er Sandwich sponsor Martin's Famous Potato Rolls handed out squeezable stress balls shaped like packages of the brand's bread rolls.
One of the new events the festival debuted this year was Jets & Chefs: the Ultimate Tailgate, which took place on Saturday afternoon at Pier 92. In addition to more than 20 game-day cuisine samplings, guests could partake in activities like ladder toss, a game set up in presenting sponsor Pepsi's activation area. The space was marked off by low walls made from empty Diet Pepsi cans.
As part of Glad's Save It Sunday campaign promotion—which encourages people to avoid food waste by properly storing produce—guests helped color in a giant mural of an apple.
Coors Light created a football-theme photo op display at the family-friendly tailgate-theme event.
Hosted by Bobby Flay and sponsored by Olmeca Altos Tequila, Saturday night's Tacos & Tequila event filled an indoor space on the second floor at Pier 92. As guests entered the room, they saw a giant tiered display of televisions playing news clips from supporting sponsor NY1.
The DJ booth at Tacos & Tequila was set in front of a giant screen that projected guests' Instagram photos and sponsor logos arranged inside a Mondrian-inspired configuration of squares.
Guests lined up at the event's MasterCard-sponsored bars to receive margaritas served in glowing glasses.
On Saturday night, chef Todd English hosted a late-night walk-around tasting at the Plaza Food Hall. Food Network Star winner Justin Warner was on hand to promote General Mills's "Hello, Cereal Lovers" campaign. In addition to pop-art installations made with Trix and waitresses wearing mod dresses covered in images of Cheerios, Warner served cereal-inspired cocktails to guests.
The inaugural La Sagra Sunday Slices event closed out the festival. The pizza-centric affair showcasing 15 of New York’s best-known pizzaioli (pizza chefs) was held on the roof of Pier 92. Presenting sponsor Ronzoni placed vases filled with pasta and hydrangeas on rustic wood tables throughout the event space.
On Sunday, the Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern and Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted an Oktoberfest-theme affair at Long Island City beer hall, the Garden at Studio Square. Sponsor Samuel Adams handed out on-brand beer steins and felt hats to attendees.
Pier 94 was packed with brand activations, food sampling stands, and drink stations on Saturday and Sunday for the festival's Grand Tasting. Coffee brand Illy brought its Push Button House, an enormous shipping crate that opens up into a mobile café space at the push of a button. The "house" hosted book signings and chef tastings, and guests could tag selfies taken inside with #IllyCoffee and #NYCWFF for the chance to win prizes, like a coffee maker.
Tables in the Illy Push Button House displayed centerpieces of fresh red roses arranged among coffee beans.
To promote its new Guy Fieri-hosted show Guy's Grocery Games, the Food Network booked the Shopper Chopper, a nine-foot-tall drivable shopping cart. In addition to touring around Manhattan, the on-brand cart made a pit stop inside the Grand Tasting.
At the Celebrity Cruises booth, produced by Grand Central Marketing, attendees could pose for photos while sitting in an oversize deck chair.
MasterCard set up a candy-shop-theme counter, where attendees who signed up to receive more information on the brand's Priceless New York experiences could help themselves to a sweet.
The Do AC campaign brought its two-story pop-up experience, designed by BMF Media, to the Grand Tasting floor. Each cubicle emphasized a different interactive experience themed around Atlantic City's offerings, including a gambling table and free mini massages.
The Do AC activation also included a Twitter-activated vending machine. Eventgoers tweeted using a specific hashtag to receive a free T-shirt and a chance to win a free trip to Atlantic City.
At the Cooking Channel's booth, staffers served freshly made savory pizza-, miso-caramel-, and black-and-white-cookie-flavored popcorn. Guests could also pose in a nearby photo booth, using props displayed in vases filled with popcorn kernels.
Pier 94 also hosted a series of KitchenAid-sponsored culinary demonstrations by Food Network personalities throughout the weekend. The audience was able to easily see what the chefs were doing thanks to a reflective mirror placed above the cooking area.
The Cupcake Vineyards truck, which is currently making its way to more than 25 states across the country, made a stop at the Grand Tasting. Guests could climb into a cozy lounge in the back of the truck and sample different varietals.
At The New York Times booth, attendees used iPads to make Word Cloud portraits—staffers captured images of guests, which were then recreated by a computer program that searched for food-related words within the Times’s article database.
Inside the Grand Tasting, guests could relax at Delta's Sky Club lounge, choosing to sample sommelier-selected wines served in-flight or chow down on pulled pork sandwiches from barbecue restaurant Blue Smoke. Outside, Delta offered guests free pedicab rides to and from the far-flung piers and Columbus Circle.
Featuring a rustic farm aesthetic dotted with freshly picked floral arrangements, Buick's setup was dubbed the Honey Garden. Attendees could sign up via iPad to win a car, plus sample cocktails made with honey-flavored syrup.
