This year's BiZBash.TO Event Style Show saw more than 1,000 event planners and more than 100 unique exhibitors converge on the National Trade Centre's Heritage Court for two days of idea sharing, selling, entertainment, and education. To attract corporate planners, the show was moved from the International Centre, site of the 2004 show, to the centrally located Heritage Court.
Peter Somers of Contemporary Furniture Rentals provided modern, chic furnishings throughout the show floor. Massive banners from Beyond Digital Imaging soared below the 35-foot ceilings, creating a dramatic registration area where staffers from Streampoint Solutions and BBW International welcomed attendees and registered them for the show.
Somers' white lounge furniture and communal tables created a comfortable area in front of the stage, where 3L Sound and Lighting and AVFX built an innovative talk show set for the BiZBash TV segment, complete with large video screens, rolling cameras, and a studio lighting rig.
Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Tourism, and Bruce MacMillan, president and C.E.O. of Tourism Toronto, presented the second annual BiZBash.TO Lifetime Achievement Award to Ed and David Mirvish. The Mirvishes became well known in Toronto for their contributions to the entertainment and hospitality industries through development and ownership of some of the city's major theatres and restaurants. "The Mirvishes have made extraordinary efforts in promoting this city and helping build its tourism industry," Bradley said. MacMillan also expressed appreciation for the Mirvishes' "commitment to create a dynamic, trendsetting theatre scene."
Speakers over the two-day show included Richard Aaron, president of BiZBash Media; Cheryl Cecchetto, producer of the Governors Ball for the Academy Awards and president of Los Angeles-based Sequoia Productions; and Michael Cerbelli, of New York's Total Entertainment, who offered 21 hot entertainment ideas for corporate events. A panel discussion, featuring the presidents of the Independent Meeting Planners Association of Canada (Impac), International Special Event Society (ISES), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE), discussed the state of industry associations and encouraged attendees to join them. Toronto media veteran Dini Petty offered suggestions on how to attract media to an event; Line Tousignant, the Canadian agent for Peclers Paris, gave a trend forecast for spring and summer of 2005; and multimedia marketer Tasso Lakas talked about using creativity and imagination in events today.
BiZBash.TO hosted a cocktail party following the close of the trade floor on the first day at the Heritage Court. Guests took in dynamic performances by Maestro and the Idea Shop while sipping BiZBash.TO martinis from the Martini Club, and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres from Opulence Catering and Centreplate. The party afforded exhibitors and attendees an opportunity to network, and to absorb the environment of the Event Style Show.
—Kyle Hosick and Robyn Small
Photos: Courtesy of Signature Studios
Peter Somers of Contemporary Furniture Rentals provided modern, chic furnishings throughout the show floor. Massive banners from Beyond Digital Imaging soared below the 35-foot ceilings, creating a dramatic registration area where staffers from Streampoint Solutions and BBW International welcomed attendees and registered them for the show.
Somers' white lounge furniture and communal tables created a comfortable area in front of the stage, where 3L Sound and Lighting and AVFX built an innovative talk show set for the BiZBash TV segment, complete with large video screens, rolling cameras, and a studio lighting rig.
Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Tourism, and Bruce MacMillan, president and C.E.O. of Tourism Toronto, presented the second annual BiZBash.TO Lifetime Achievement Award to Ed and David Mirvish. The Mirvishes became well known in Toronto for their contributions to the entertainment and hospitality industries through development and ownership of some of the city's major theatres and restaurants. "The Mirvishes have made extraordinary efforts in promoting this city and helping build its tourism industry," Bradley said. MacMillan also expressed appreciation for the Mirvishes' "commitment to create a dynamic, trendsetting theatre scene."
Speakers over the two-day show included Richard Aaron, president of BiZBash Media; Cheryl Cecchetto, producer of the Governors Ball for the Academy Awards and president of Los Angeles-based Sequoia Productions; and Michael Cerbelli, of New York's Total Entertainment, who offered 21 hot entertainment ideas for corporate events. A panel discussion, featuring the presidents of the Independent Meeting Planners Association of Canada (Impac), International Special Event Society (ISES), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE), discussed the state of industry associations and encouraged attendees to join them. Toronto media veteran Dini Petty offered suggestions on how to attract media to an event; Line Tousignant, the Canadian agent for Peclers Paris, gave a trend forecast for spring and summer of 2005; and multimedia marketer Tasso Lakas talked about using creativity and imagination in events today.
BiZBash.TO hosted a cocktail party following the close of the trade floor on the first day at the Heritage Court. Guests took in dynamic performances by Maestro and the Idea Shop while sipping BiZBash.TO martinis from the Martini Club, and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres from Opulence Catering and Centreplate. The party afforded exhibitors and attendees an opportunity to network, and to absorb the environment of the Event Style Show.
—Kyle Hosick and Robyn Small
Photos: Courtesy of Signature Studios
Attendees were enthralled by Cheryl Cecchetto's behind-the-scenes look at her events at the BiZBash.TO Event Style Show at the National Trade Centre, Heritage Court.
BiZBash.TO presented the second annual Lifetime Achievement Award to David (left) and Ed Mirvish (center), of Mirvish Productions and Honest Ed's, who were accompanied by manager Russel Lazar.
Daniella Pateman, of the Aragon Group, feverishly placed flowers during the "Iron Florist" competition, which challenged four floral design teams to create the best arrangement in 30 minutes.
Maestro performed at the Event Style Show cocktail party for attendees and exhibitors.
