It’s easy to spot a good event when you see it. The proof is in the pictures. With every event full of attendees with smartphones at the ready, it takes a skilled event photographer to elevate an event image to be truly memorable. Chosen by BizBash photo editor Lisa Vecchione, the photos here are standout examples of photographers going the extra mile to present unique and eye-catching imagery.
Every year, Washingtonian magazine spotlights nine of the most fashionable men and women in the city in its September issue, with an equally stylish bash to fete these “Style Setters.” The party moved to the rooftop of the Navy Yard apartment building Agora at the Collective. Electric Events dressed up the pool deck and rooftop, with Whispering Angel rosé and hors d’oeuvres provided by Relish Catering and a soundtrack by DJ Sean J of Pelonkey.
The I.B.M. Think Gallery in Las Vegas in March showcased six of the company’s current projects using 18-foot-high digitally mapped video screens that surrounded visitors and allowed them to sit and think about what they were watching. The videos featured topics such as I.B.M.’s work to cut down on ocean pollution, how the human mind can help prevent disease, how the brand can cut down on gas leaks, and more. More than 15,000 people visited the gallery, which was produced by Drury Design.
San Francicso-based event company Glow Events produced and designed a Batman-theme event for a client’s 40th birthday at Clos Pegase winery in Napa Valley. Clos Pegase has a wine cave that organizers transformed into the “Batcave” for the dinner portion of the evening. Tabletops were adorned with tall candelabras, trailing ivy on the tables (a nod to Batman villain Poison Ivy), leather-accented linens, and elegant place settings.
One of the trends we spotted in 2018 was floral installations in cars. In June, PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown hotel in New York set the tone for its Amalfi coast-inspired Aperitivo Tuesdays—a weekly happy series—with a pop-up car installation that featured a limited-edition ’84 Alfa Romeo Spider parked curbside. The vintage vehicle, which was provided by the Tao Group, was hand-painted with illustrations inspired by small Italian towns and culinary landmarks like Da Adolfo and Ristorante La Fontelina. The back seat of the vehicle was filled with greenery and lemons. The installation was conceptualized by Yvonne Najor, director of outreach and sponsorships of food and beverage for Dream Midtown and Dream Downtown. Artist Jenevieve Penk designed the installation.
Total attendance at the 2018 edition of the nation’s largest rodeo show reached 2,408,550 with paid rodeo and concert attendance reaching 1,346,388. Organizers debuted a new, 48-foot star-shape stage, which held performances for musicians including Garth Brooks, who returned to perform at the event for the first time in 25 years. To capture new angles of the action, producers used an aerial NavCam in the stadium for the first time; the technology is similar to what’s used in the N.F.L.
Marriott executives sought to educate sales and marketing employees about its portfolio of 30 hotel brands and how they differ from one another by creating an experiential environment that appealed to their senses. For the luxury St. Regis brand, the agency BMF created an illuminated tree installation to demonstrate the history of the brand, which has roots that go back to 1904 in New York. The installation, which was inspired by the brand’s modern indulgence aesthetic, hung over a long table that displayed key milestones in the history of the brand. The event took place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in the spring.
In the spring, American Express Canada partnered with Toronto-based creative agency BT/A to launch the Live Life Experience, a pop-up art exhibit that showcased a series of rooms designed by local artists. The “Don’t Be Entertained Without It” room, created by artist Mediah, provided a timed, kaleidoscope-like 4K mirrored experience that had changing animations.
This year’s 12th annual gala at the Beverly Wilshire honored dancers and choreographers Jenna Dewan, Derek Hough, and Adam Shankman, and featured a preview performance from the ballet’s Swan Lake. The event, which was hosted by Antique Roadshow’s Mark L. Walberg, drew 325 guests and raised more than $1 million.
The 16th edition of the music fest, produced by C3 Presents, drew 450,000 people over two weekends to Zilker Park. Headliners at the event included Jay-Z, the Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Another welcome—and furry—trend was dogs at events. In November, Samsung hosted a pop-up pet park in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, where dog owners could stop by and learn about the brand’s SmartThings Tracker. Rescue Dogs Rock was onsite to assist with finding homes for adoptable dogs.
This spring, the Renwick Gallery unveiled its “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” exhibit. The exhibit included Marco Cochrane’s towering Truth Is Beauty statue.
Beaches Resorts decided to organize its own influencer conference at its Turks and Caicos property. During the "Mad Hatter" after-party, guests were able to get psychedelic head and arm marbling from Black Light visuals. The event was one of BizBash's 15 most innovative meetings of the year.
Over three days each June, the blockbuster Governors Ball Music Festival draws 150,000 attendees to New York's Randall’s Island for a celebration of music, art, food, and entertainment. The 2018 lineup includes headliners Eminem, Jack White, Travis Scott, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Koncept Events designed a Kentucky Derby watch party for a private client on May 5 at the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Tables were decorated with colorful flowers in white pineapple vases, as well as geometric horse centerpieces.
At BizBash's annual Los Angeles event for meeting and event planners, the entertainment company Lucent Dossier provided costumed circus-theme performers throughout the day at the California Market Center. The company can supply customized entertainment packages, including large stage shows, roaming characters, interactive stations, aerial performers, and more for social and corporate events.
