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  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships

The Event Experience

May 6, 2016
The new V.I.P. cabanas allowed larger groups to eat, entertain, and mingle at the tasting event.
The new V.I.P. cabanas allowed larger groups to eat, entertain, and mingle at the tasting event.
Photo: Ashley Sears
The tented areas featured 'Shack Pack' service from Shake Shack, and a private butler who was on hand to serve food and drink from the on-site vendors.
The tented areas featured "Shack Pack" service from Shake Shack, and a private butler who was on hand to serve food and drink from the on-site vendors.
Photo: Ashley Sears
Brands like TV network Pivot were able to customize the cabana's decor items such as the coffee tables.
Brands like TV network Pivot were able to customize the cabana's decor items such as the coffee tables.
Photo: Ashley Sears
A wall of orange helium balloons featuring the No Kid Hungry logo served as the backdrop for the event's main photo booth.
A wall of orange helium balloons featuring the No Kid Hungry logo served as the backdrop for the event's main photo booth.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Seamus Mullen, chef and owner of Tertulia and El Colmado, rode a stationary bike throughout the event to help raise awareness for Chefs Cycle, a fund-raising endurance event for No Kid Hungry that features nearly 200 chefs and restaurant industry pros riding from Carmel to Santa Barbara in California from June 27 to 29.
Seamus Mullen, chef and owner of Tertulia and El Colmado, rode a stationary bike throughout the event to help raise awareness for Chefs Cycle, a fund-raising endurance event for No Kid Hungry that features nearly 200 chefs and restaurant industry pros riding from Carmel to Santa Barbara in California from June 27 to 29.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Empire City Casino's activation, which featured a casino night theme, included table games for guests to try their luck.
Empire City Casino's activation, which featured a casino night theme, included table games for guests to try their luck.
Photo: Ashley Sears
The casino served small bites including salmon with shaved fennel, dried tomatoes, and balsamic pearls.
The casino served small bites including salmon with shaved fennel, dried tomatoes, and balsamic pearls.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Guests noshed on freshly sliced prosciutto, along with crostini with poularde mousse, egg, and pearl onion, at Italienne's station.
Guests noshed on freshly sliced prosciutto, along with crostini with poularde mousse, egg, and pearl onion, at Italienne's station.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Citi, one of the event's national presenting sponsors, set up a special lounge area for cardholders.
Citi, one of the event's national presenting sponsors, set up a special lounge area for cardholders.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Guests posed with their cocktails and props at the Citi photo booth. For every photo visitors shared on social media, the bank donated money towards the cause.
Guests posed with their cocktails and props at the Citi photo booth. For every photo visitors shared on social media, the bank donated money towards the cause.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Bartenders served up tiki-inspired cocktails from New York bar Mother of Pearl.
Bartenders served up tiki-inspired cocktails from New York bar Mother of Pearl.
Photo: Ashley Sears
Foursquare asked guests to complete the phrase, 'When there's no kid hungry, every kid can...,' which was printed on tags that were hung on decorative trees.
Foursquare asked guests to complete the phrase, "When there's no kid hungry, every kid can...," which was printed on tags that were hung on decorative trees.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Attendees could score branded foodie swag from Citi if they shared their photo on Twitter or Instagram and included the event's hashtags.
Attendees could score branded foodie swag from Citi if they shared their photo on Twitter or Instagram and included the event's hashtags.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
For a bite-size sweet treat, Maya plated Mexican-style donuts with dusted cinnamon sugar and chipotle caramel.
For a bite-size sweet treat, Maya plated Mexican-style donuts with dusted cinnamon sugar and chipotle caramel.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
At the Sundae Parlor area, Sherry B Dessert Studio served ice cream sandwiches in different flavors including maraschino cherries and fluffernutter.
At the Sundae Parlor area, Sherry B Dessert Studio served ice cream sandwiches in different flavors including maraschino cherries and fluffernutter.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Sedgwick said one of the challenges of the event, which was held on the 43rd and 44th floors of 225 Liberty Street, was 'building a flow that worked on two floors and left guests feeling like they had space to move in but enough activity within to be entertained.' A dedicated area on the second level called the Rosé Garden featured more than 10 different rosé wines and included outdoor-inspired decor like picket fencing and AstroTurf.
Sedgwick said one of the challenges of the event, which was held on the 43rd and 44th floors of 225 Liberty Street, was "building a flow that worked on two floors and left guests feeling like they had space to move in but enough activity within to be entertained." A dedicated area on the second level called the Rosé Garden featured more than 10 different rosé wines and included outdoor-inspired decor like picket fencing and AstroTurf.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Starbucks Sparkle Pop-Up Shop
Starbucks Sparkle Pop-Up Shop

Starbucks Canada partnered with YouTube star Lauren Riihimaki (also known as LaurDIY) to promote its new Teavan Sparkling Tea Juices by turning a local Toronto café into a "Sparkle Shop" on August 8. People who stopped by the pop-up shop were able to sample the beverages, meet Riihimaki, and get "sparkled" by brand ambassadors who were on site to glitter hair, beards, nails, sunglasses, and more.

Photo: Courtesy of Media Profile
Designs for Dignity Spring Gala
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.

Photo: Ryan Sjostrom
Experiential Activities
Experiential Activities

“It is all about the experience. Millennials in particular are having fewer wedding guests overall but spending more per guest to ensure they feel cared for and have an incredible time,” says Amber Harrison, wedding expert from Wedding Paper Divas. “For weddings, these experiences include specialty food or beverage items, killer music, unexpected entertainment, and more. This trend is absolutely spilling over to corporate events. Some of our most successful events have included experiential elements to keep attendees excited and engaged. Fun activities included retro spin-art, nail bars, build-your-own succulent terrarium, D.I.Y. stationery bar, and more. For both weddings and corporate events, these kinds of hands-on experiences tend to lead to a significant increase in the social activity surrounding the event.”

Pictured: Los Angeles-based Seed Floral Interactive offers a customizable terrarium bar for events.

Photo: Courtesy of Seed Interactive
Decor Juxtaposition
Decor Juxtaposition

“I am loving all the fun juxtaposition I am seeing in both weddings and corporate events—soft florals in an industrial space; bright pops of color in a stark, white space; inviting, squashy sofas and arm chairs outdoors on the grass or the sand. Seeing these visuals whets an appetite for the unexpected and adds an element of excitement and adventure,” says Harrison.

Pictured: Miami club and restaurant owner David Grutman and model Isabela Rangel’s star-studded wedding, which was held at Miami's Wynwood Walls on April 24 and produced by Carolina Toledo, featured this trend with glam-meets-nature centerpieces that consisted of white phalaenopsis orchids and driftwood.

Photo: World Red Eye
To incorporate presenting sponsor Max Mara beyond the typical step-and-repeat, the gallery featured visual installations from the brand's latest collection.
To incorporate presenting sponsor Max Mara beyond the typical step-and-repeat, the gallery featured visual installations from the brand's latest collection.
Photo: Mauricio Calero/Candice&Alison Events Group
The Power Plant created a time-lapse video of flowers slowly decaying in honour of its 25th year. A still from the film served as the imagery for the event's invitation; at the party, the video looped behind a bar covered in flowers. The flowers slowly wilted as the evening wore on.
The Power Plant created a time-lapse video of flowers slowly decaying in honour of its 25th year. A still from the film served as the imagery for the event's invitation; at the party, the video looped behind a bar covered in flowers. The flowers slowly wilted as the evening wore on.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
For the first time, the V.I.P. area of Power Ball was outside, situated near the Natrel pond. Sponsored by Soho House and Grey Goose, the space was inspired by an English picnic and styled with rustic elements. Loading pallets acted as banquette seating and cocktail tables.
For the first time, the V.I.P. area of Power Ball was outside, situated near the Natrel pond. Sponsored by Soho House and Grey Goose, the space was inspired by an English picnic and styled with rustic elements. Loading pallets acted as banquette seating and cocktail tables.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
V.I.P. guests helped themselves to freshly shucked oysters.
V.I.P. guests helped themselves to freshly shucked oysters.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Guests filled the bilevel V.I.P. area, which overlooked Lake Ontario and the stage where Dragonette performed.
Guests filled the bilevel V.I.P. area, which overlooked Lake Ontario and the stage where Dragonette performed.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Dragonette performed onstage for the 450 V.I.P. attendees.
Dragonette performed onstage for the 450 V.I.P. attendees.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
In the patio area of the main party, Marc Thuet (pictured, left) doused a roasting bison with bourbon. Throughout the night, guests had the opportunity to watch the chef prepare and serve the bison from seats on the patio.
In the patio area of the main party, Marc Thuet (pictured, left) doused a roasting bison with bourbon. Throughout the night, guests had the opportunity to watch the chef prepare and serve the bison from seats on the patio.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Once the party was under way, guests helped themselves to roasted bison on the patio. Channeling a backyard-barbeque birthday party, piñatas hung from the trees and picnic tables lined the area.
Once the party was under way, guests helped themselves to roasted bison on the patio. Channeling a backyard-barbeque birthday party, piñatas hung from the trees and picnic tables lined the area.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Outside, guests doodled on a Land Rover covered in vellum.
Outside, guests doodled on a Land Rover covered in vellum.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
On the patio of the main party, Hugo Boss took over the high-traffic tent with a three-dimensional display of its latest runway show. Sleek, branded 3-D glasses lined a cocktail table.
On the patio of the main party, Hugo Boss took over the high-traffic tent with a three-dimensional display of its latest runway show. Sleek, branded 3-D glasses lined a cocktail table.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Kobo sponsored the event again this year. Selecting novels and quotes that matched the quarter-life-crisis theme, the brand dangled its e-readers from a tree in the main area. The nearby swing read, 'Take a moment to breathe ...'
Kobo sponsored the event again this year. Selecting novels and quotes that matched the quarter-life-crisis theme, the brand dangled its e-readers from a tree in the main area. The nearby swing read, "Take a moment to breathe ..."
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Guests were free to swing in the main party area, under a tree full of Kobo e-readers.
Guests were free to swing in the main party area, under a tree full of Kobo e-readers.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Guests danced under Philippe Blanchard's stalactite- and stalagmite-like sculptures, which flashed and changed colour when lit by LED strobe lights at the the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery's Power Ball.
Guests danced under Philippe Blanchard's stalactite- and stalagmite-like sculptures, which flashed and changed colour when lit by LED strobe lights at the the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery's Power Ball.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Artist Sarah Febbraro developed a talk show that had guests discussing their anxieties about their own quarter-life crises. She transformed the gallery's famous smokestack into a rocket ship for the installation.
Artist Sarah Febbraro developed a talk show that had guests discussing their anxieties about their own quarter-life crises. She transformed the gallery's famous smokestack into a rocket ship for the installation.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Artist Marisa Hoicka created a performance piece. Guests looked through windows and peepholes and could communicate with her via a computer.
Artist Marisa Hoicka created a performance piece. Guests looked through windows and peepholes and could communicate with her via a computer.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
The Enwave Theatre was a quieter area of the party, where guests could sit on beanbag chairs and watch B-list movies from the '90s in honour of Power Plant's 25th year.
The Enwave Theatre was a quieter area of the party, where guests could sit on beanbag chairs and watch B-list movies from the '90s in honour of Power Plant's 25th year.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Guests posed for photos in front of a Photostar booth.
Guests posed for photos in front of a Photostar booth.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Guests helped themselves to candy stuffed in birthday party grab bags.
Guests helped themselves to candy stuffed in birthday party grab bags.
Photo: Josh Fee for BizBash
Designed to look like the signs found at a typical American campground, the entrance to the after-party was marked by pillars decorated to look like distressed wood.
Designed to look like the signs found at a typical American campground, the entrance to the after-party was marked by pillars decorated to look like distressed wood.
Photo: Courtesy of Events Forum Inc.
Gin Mare's Med Rooftops
Gin Mare's Med Rooftops
A wall of wooden crates showcased the Gin Mare bottles paired with fruit and greenery. The giant installation also served as an unconventional step-and-repeat.
Photo: Charles Roussel/BFA.com
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