Unless you're staging an event in Hawaii—or your guests have an incredibly high tolerance for frigid temps—your event could benefit from some warming up right now. Whether its projecting surfer films onto the walls, as the Museum of Contemporary Art once did, or taking Nintendo's cue and hiring steel drummers to entertain the crowd, here are some ideas for making guests feel warm at winter events.
In 2011, Macy's staged a Star Beach Party to promote its spring-break-ready wares. Although it took place in chilly Chicago in March, the pop-up promotion let guests pose with beach-themed props against sunny backdrops.
Held in Paris in 2011, the event had touches inspired by a winter in Russia. Traditional Russian folk scarves draped the backs of each seat, adding not only a decorative element, but also a parting gift for guests and an on-the-spot warmup.
At the 2008 event in Chicago, Frost created a lighting scheme meant to evoke the glow of a fireplace. Gold Plexiglas topped long tables and added to the fiery effect.
Fiery lighting patterns illuminated the wall and created a warm vibe at the PricewaterhouseCooper holiday party in Toronto in 2008.
In 2009, the Travel Channel promoted a beach-focused show with a thematic activation in New York. Amusitronix provided three different adventure games that recalled summer vacations in tropical locales.
As a fun take on V.I.P. seating at its tropics-themed New York event in 2011, Dress for Success constructed 12 cabanas at the rear of the dining room. Situated atop platforms, the seating areas were marked with sheer drapes, wooden bench seating, and hand-painted signs.
At the launch of Absolut Mango in New York in 2009, a mango tree stationed behind the bar made guests feel like they were sipping cocktails in a warm mango grove.
In 2008, the Chicago gala had a Four Seasons theme. During the cocktail reception, a dancer from Stage Factor sported butterfly wings to represent spring and danced around an indoor tree hung with lanterns.
To promote its Wii game Sports Resort in 2009, Nintendo hosted a promotion in New York with a steel drummer, a singer, and even staffers handing out leis. Tons of sand lent a beachy vibe to the public event.
At a Jamaican-themed promotion for House of Marley goods in Chicago in 2010, guests received Rasta reggae threaded bracelets at the entrance.
Surf movies played on projectors at a surf-themed gala for Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art in 2011. The room also featured a "Night Beach Bonfire" installation by artist Jen Stark.
