With a James Bond theme in place, event planner Chris Weinberg of East Coast Events and Dena Willman, director of the Young Presidents Club—a fund-raising arm of Mount Sinai Medical Center and Miami Heart Institute—enlisted event producer Galaxy Productions to bring it all to life. They further instructed all guests to come dressed in Bond-like attire, resulting in outfits ranging from bathrobes and go-go boots to evening gowns and tuxedos.
The "mission," as it was called, began by dropping cars with the valet. Invitees then walked for about 100 yards, guided by staffers offering hors d'oeuvres and further instructions, until being loaded into an awaiting freight elevator that would take them to a surprise destination. The doors opened to a check-in point, where a curtain made of hanging heavy chains blocked the room. Inside, rows of tables housed silent auction items ranging from designer handbags and a Mini Cooper to baskets filled with grown-up toys and fabulous jewelry. Light up martini glasses sold for $25 each and came with a chance to win a sunset flight on a Learjet. Bikini-clad Bond babes, a belly dancer, Moroccan-themed lounge and 007 projected on a wall perpetuated the theme.
As smoke started to blow into the room, guests were ushered into an adjoining space where Galaxy Productions had gone to work. A performer danced behind a giant ice wall that Galaxy developed in conjunction with Ice Magic, which also did an ice louge and an ice sculpture designed to enhance a caviar station. Reserved tables surrounded a central dance floor. Performers stood behind screens on stage, creating the effect of projected images of Bond girls—until they began to move. Sexy seating areas such as a Caribbean lounge with colorful cushioned couches, a Moroccan area with a white, circular bed, as well as a casino area with craps, blackjack and roulette tables offered options in which to socialize, play games or simply relax.
The Deauville Beach Resort's in-house culinary crew catered the buffet, which ran the length of the hall, providing hungry patrons with carving stations, Chinese food and other tasty treats. But it was dessert that grabbed attention. Eggwhites provided the chocolate to cover the body of a woman who adorned a table while guests dipped and rubbed pieces of fruit, cake, marshmallows and macaroons across her chocolate-laden body. Festivities wound down as winners collected their silent auction prizes, but no one went home empty-handed. Guests were sent home with sandwiches, Krispy Kreme donuts and a gift bag filled with treats from Le Spa, the LA Sports Club, Energy 69 energy drinks and more.
