10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Bedding-Theme Photo Booth, a Tampon Ceiling Installation, an Illuminated Space Tank Backdrop

Here's a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week.

Ian Zelaya
May 27, 2016

This week's roundup includes a bedding-theme photo booth in Chicago, a tampon ceiling installation in New York, an illuminated space tank backdrop in Los Angeles, and a circus-inspired bar in Culver City, California. 

Designs for Dignity Spring Gala
Kehoe Designs hosted the Designs for Dignity spring gala on May 5 at the Geraghty in Chicago. A photo booth inspired by bedding company and event sponsor Hästens featured a checkered sheet backdrop and pillows, to make it seem as if attendees were lying in bed.

Kehoe Designs hosted the Designs for Dignity spring gala on May 5 at the Geraghty in Chicago. A photo booth inspired by bedding company and event sponsor Hästens featured a checkered sheet backdrop and pillows, to make it seem as if attendees were lying in bed.

Photo: Ryan Sjostrom
Propel Co:Labs
Experiential agency Invisible North partnered with sports drink brand Propel to launch fitness program pop-up Propel Co:Labs, which came to 800 Main Street in Venice Beach in California from April 27 to 30. The experience featured a program of partnerships with trending fitness personalities and included a 3-D photo booth that allowed guests to become part of the Propel campaign imagery. The event will come to New York in June.

Experiential agency Invisible North partnered with sports drink brand Propel to launch fitness program pop-up Propel Co:Labs, which came to 800 Main Street in Venice Beach in California from April 27 to 30. The experience featured a program of partnerships with trending fitness personalities and included a 3-D photo booth that allowed guests to become part of the Propel campaign imagery. The event will come to New York in June.

Photo: Courtesy of Propel
Mattel Children's Hospital U.C.L.A. Kaleidoscope Ball
The fourth annual Kaleidoscope Ball took place May 21 at 3 Labs in Culver City, California. The event, which was produced by Clare Davis of Harper Sloane Productions and designed by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, featured a circus-inspired bar for the ball's 'Circus for Research' theme.

The fourth annual Kaleidoscope Ball took place May 21 at 3 Labs in Culver City, California. The event, which was produced by Clare Davis of Harper Sloane Productions and designed by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, featured a circus-inspired bar for the ball's "Circus for Research" theme.

Photo: Courtesy of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
California Science Center Discovery Ball
The California Science Center's annual Discovery Ball on May 20 celebrated the acquisition of ET-94, the last space flight-qualified external tank in existence. The gala, which took place at Marina Del Rey, had a multicultural theme inspired by the tank's journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The outdoor cocktail space evoked the look and feel of a New Orleans street scene, with live jazz and hanging greenery.

The California Science Center's annual Discovery Ball on May 20 celebrated the acquisition of ET-94, the last space flight-qualified external tank in existence. The gala, which took place at Marina Del Rey, had a multicultural theme inspired by the tank's journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The outdoor cocktail space evoked the look and feel of a New Orleans street scene, with live jazz and hanging greenery.

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
California Science Center Discovery Ball
Guests dined in a clear tent structure, with the illuminated tank providing a dramatic backdrop outside.

Guests dined in a clear tent structure, with the illuminated tank providing a dramatic backdrop outside.

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
California Science Center Discovery Ball
Entertainers performed in birdcage-style decor pieces above the stage.

Entertainers performed in birdcage-style decor pieces above the stage. 

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
U by Kotex's the Period Shop
As part of U by Kotex's Period Projects, a multiyear program and project series aimed at changing the way people think about periods, the brand hosted the first-ever 'period pop-up shop' from May 13 to 15 in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. The event featured a ceiling installation created with dangling tampons.

As part of U by Kotex's Period Projects, a multiyear program and project series aimed at changing the way people think about periods, the brand hosted the first-ever "period pop-up shop" from May 13 to 15 in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. The event featured a ceiling installation created with dangling tampons.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
U by Kotex's the Period Shop
The event also featured a shop stocked with on-theme merchandise by primarily female-owned companies, including Gullah Girl PMS tea, Baggu pouches, and Coucou Suzette socks.

The event also featured a shop stocked with on-theme merchandise by primarily female-owned companies, including Gullah Girl PMS tea, Baggu pouches, and Coucou Suzette socks.

Photo: Courtesy of Kotex
Havaianas Palm Tree Lot
To promote its flip-flops and celebrate the upcoming summer season, Brazilian brand Havaianas set up a free palm tree lot in Manhattan on May 17. Shirtless models were on site for photo ops and to help passersby pick out trees. Additional decor included the brand's social handle and official hashtag drawn with sidewalk chalk.

To promote its flip-flops and celebrate the upcoming summer season, Brazilian brand Havaianas set up a free palm tree lot in Manhattan on May 17. Shirtless models were on site for photo ops and to help passersby pick out trees. Additional decor included the brand's social handle and official hashtag drawn with sidewalk chalk.

Photo: Courtesy of Havaianas
Ice Bulb
One of the buzziest cocktail trends this season is branded ice cubes. Southern California-based Ice Bulb is one of the first companies to create these ice logos, which can be done in snow pops within a clear ice structure.

One of the buzziest cocktail trends this season is branded ice cubes. Southern California-based Ice Bulb is one of the first companies to create these ice logos, which can be done in snow pops within a clear ice structure.

Photo: Courtesy of Ice Bulb
More in Chicago
Blue Plate is putting a unique twist on the traditional bread service for seated dinners. At each setting, the evening's menu is printed on a bread sleeve containing an individual baguette. A trio of butters—including flavors like garlic and herb, honey pecan, and goat’s milk—is placed on the table and served family style for everyone to share.
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Hotel Zachary, the new 173-room Lakeview hotel from Tribute Portfolio, part of Marriott International as well as Hickory Street Capital, a real estate development company owned by the Ricketts family, who also are majority owners of the Chicago Cubs, officially opened in late March. Situated across from Wrigley Field in the midst of the new Gallagher Way entertainment district—which includes 12 restaurants, a 30,000-square-foot open-air plaza, and a conference center—the hotel contains a number of historical touches, such as original blueprints and an original sketch that Wrigley Field architect Zachary Taylor Davis made of the ballpark. In addition to serving breakfast every day, the intimate second-floor Alma Room, named after Davis’s wife, is available for seated events for 55 guests; with the tables removed, the space, which features exposed brick walls and a hot pink neon 'Love Alma” sign, accommodates as many as 100 guests.
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At 6,000 square feet, the Dalcy is Lettuce Entertain You’s largest private event hall in the city, housed on the third floor of new Mediterranean-influenced Aba eatery in Fulton Market. Although modern elements were added to the interior, no major structural changes were made to the building—which, dating back to 1887, is reportedly one of the neighborhood’s oldest—preserving original design elements such as its brick walls and arched windows. With room for 320 seated guests (with dancing) or 550 standing attendees, a number of seating options are possible, including a classroom configuration that could be used for a daytime meeting and a crescent-style layout for award dinners or other events. Catering options include Aba-inspired small plate dishes like beef tenderloin with a cauliflower puree or pan-roasted halibut; the restaurant’s rooftop, featuring skyline views, ivy, and a fireplace, can hold reception-style events for 220 guests.
new chicago venues
ChicagoOctober 24, 2018
#3 Art & Architecture Event (up from #4) The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s free festival gives the opportunity to see 250 properties in 48 hours that are rarely open to the public. Now in its eighth year, the event added Beverly, Morgan Park, and Austin neighborhoods joining 30 others. It is believed that the Chicago event is the second largest of its kind, outside of London, welcoming around 91,000 attendees last year. Next: Fall 2019
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On September 27, CitizenM Hotel celebrated the opening of its newest property in New York with a party created and produced by NA Collective. The burlesque-theme event featured three room experiences, one of which included a contortionist who popped out of the roomy luggage space under the bed.
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ChicagoOctober 5, 2018
The River North outpost of the speakeasy-style lounge Blind Dragon, which also has locations in California and Arizona, is situated in the basement of the Found Hotel. Since early August, the venue has been serving up cocktails infused with lemongrass, ginger juice, and other inventive ingredients—courtesy of beverage specialist Justin Campbell, who’s crafted libations for Girl and the Goat—alongside chicken satay, Asian barbecue pork ribs, and other savory shareable items. Vintage tiki matting decorates the walls of the 2,000-square-foot venue, which holds 80 seated or 120 standing guests. Three private karaoke rooms, two with space for 10 crooners and one that can fit 15, are also on hand, offering guests a choice of more than 25,000 songs.
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BizBash Hall of Fame inductees are (top row): Katie Callahan-Giobbi; Dan Brice; Alexander deHilster; and (bottom row): Jim Horan and Barbara Siska.
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ChicagoSeptember 10, 2018
The Flamingo Rum Club opened in River North on December 1. With a nightly cabaret show that can also be booked for events, the venue seats 80 on its first floor or holds receptions for 100. The second floor has lounge-style seating for 20, or holds receptions for 50. On the menu, Caribbean-inspired tapas include shrimp ceviche and rice croquettes; the bar slings classic rum cocktails including mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba Libres.
Venues Chicago
ChicagoAugust 29, 2018
Tim Hortons hosted a pajama party and movie screening for media and influencers on August 2 at the screening room at Thompson Toronto hotel. Guests were given branded robes to wear, while they indulged in the Canadian fast food company’s breakfast offerings and custom coffee cocktails served in Tim Hortons cups. The event was planned and executed by NKPR and the custom robes were designed by Plan-It Promotions.
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Headline acts this year included The Weeknd (pictured), along with Bruno Mars, Jack White, and Arctic Monkeys.
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ChicagoAugust 9, 2018
Based in Fort Myers, Florida, Offshore Sailing School offers a variety of teambuilding options for corporate groups, including the “Sail-Race Challenge,” which combines sailing basics with real-time competition. Teams of four or five participants are assigned to each boat along with an expert coach, and each team member rotates as captain and crew. Pricing starts at $299 per person for a half-day session and $399 per person for a full-day session; events can take place on Captiva Island at South Seas Island Resort and on Fort Myers Beach at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina. The school also offers multi-day teambuilding and leadership development programs, which include sailing aboard 40- to 50-foot yachts and catamarans from Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotel Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, located on a private island off Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
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ChicagoAugust 8, 2018
Hosts looking to plan a beach-friendly summer bash may find one of the three event spaces in Shore Club, located on the edge of North Avenue Beach, fits the bill. The seasonal venue has doubled its kitchen to allow it to handle larger events; and the Patio at Shore Club, an open-air space that can accommodate 250 for a seated dinner or 300 for a reception, also added lighting for evening events before the venue’s May opening. The Oasis at Shore Club, offering cabanas, daybeds, and sun beds, can hold events for 200 seated or 250 standing guests. Decked out with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering unobstructed views of Lake Michigan, the Restaurant at Shore Club has incorporated additional seating this season to allow for bigger groups. The covered, temperature-controlled room serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu, with dishes that include a house charcuterie board, grilled baby octopus, and other fresh seafood; it can house 300 guests for a seated event or 500 for standing reception.
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HMR Designs extended miles of ribbons from 125 points on the ceiling. As guests moved around the room, the angles intersected to create interesting, dynamic visuals.
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Event DesignMay 15, 2018
Part of a $150 million renovation, the 1,544-room Hilton Chicago revealed several refreshed meeting spaces last fall. The concept from design firm Looney & Associates was inspired by Chicago's founding motto, Urbs in Horto, which translates to “city in a garden.” Shades of purple and blue in bold, geometric patterns, including vivid blue carpeting, are a nod to Lake Michigan; chandeliers and modern pendants mix with sleek grey and gold armchairs to provide both classic sophistication and a touch of modern flair. Part of the hotel’s 234,000 square feet of meeting space, the 119,000-square-foot Stevens Meeting Center also was part of the recent renovation. At nearly 29,000 square feet, the newly renovated Salon C features a bold floral carpet, suspended ceilings, and soundproof HufCor Movable Walls that can divide the room into as many as six separate spaces. The hotel’s third floor offers 12 small- and medium-size rooms, with the largest space, the 7,192-square-foot Williford Room, accommodating 850 guests for receptions.
CHICAGO
ChicagoMarch 17, 2018