DJ Mia Moretti spun from a custom DJ booth bicycle, a tribute to Amsterdam’s reputation as the bicycle capital of the world.
Co-working space WeWork brought its series of warehouse parties to Miami for an event at Thompson Miami Beach, during Art Basel on December 3. Hosted with artists FriendsWithYou, the gathering had a “house party” theme. DJ DZA played a set of late 1990s, hip-hop, and old-school music at a pop-art Barbra Streisand DJ booth. The Workshop produced the event.
Photoboxx is a social media printing station for parties and events. When guests post their photos to Twitter or Instagram using a designated hashtag, the Photoboxx printer automatically prints a hard copy. Hosts can customize the background color of the prints and also add graphics or logos. They can also choose whether to display or hide information such as username, profile image, and comments. After the event, Photoboxx provides a report on hashtag usage, impressions, and reach.
The SloMo Lounge from Air Graffiti Dallas turns four seconds of video into a 30-second slow-motion playback. The system uses a high-speed, high-definition camera to record guests interacting with one another and with quirky props so the playback can reveal funny facial expressions. Guests receive a copy of the video, and they can select stills from it to print on site; all the content is shareable via email, text message, or social media. The activation can be set up in a 10- by 10-foot area and can be done with a plain white, black, or green screen backdrop.
Add a splash of bright colors to event photos with the Neon Video Booth from Foto Master. Guests stand in front of a dark backdrop and use an LED spray can or pen to create virtual doodles. A camera in front of the guests uses an algorithm to detect and track the LED light. The resulting image of guests and their artwork can be saved as a video or turned into photos, GIFs, or flip books, all with brand logos and messages. Hosts can choose the color and size of the neon pen.
Create a virtual celebrity photo opportunity with Air Graffiti Dallas’s new augmented reality technology. The new system, which launches this summer, is intended for brands that are looking for ways to leverage their celebrity endorsement contracts. Air Graffiti Dallas shoots a brief video of the celebrity in advance, for example, walking into the shot, waving, or bouncing a ball. At the live event, fans stand in a designated photo area, and the video of the celebrity is virtually added to the image. Guests receive copies of the images, which can include sponsor branding, to share via email, text, or social media.
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina has partnered with San Diego Bay Adventures for a nighttime water activity. Dubbed “Nite Opps,” the experience lets guests take guided tours through the San Diego Bay while standing on LED-lit paddleboards. Afterwards, guests gather around a fire for refreshments and Hawaiian-style storytelling. A typical group for the activity is 10 to 20 guests, but the program is available for larger numbers of attendees.
In Manhattan, Halcyon Sailing offers interactive sailing events for groups of 24. Participants get a sailing course at the company’s TriBeCa loft; then head to the New York Harbor to race 30-foot boats past iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. After about two hours, the group returns to shore for a champagne toast. The entire outing lasts three and a half to eight hours.
In New Mexico, Adventure Partners has teamed up with Four Seasons Rancho Encantado to offer a summit climb for corporate groups of 15. The activity begins with a scenic drive to Windsor Trail. Guests then hike through alpine forests and wildflower meadows to reach one of several summits; each offers impressive views.
Art restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle has a new activity called Market to Art. Staffers take a group of 10 to the outdoor Pike Place Market, where guests are split into teams of two. Each team gets $60 and 30 minutes to select ingredients for one of five courses for the evening’s meal. The chefs at the hotel’s restaurant then make a dish using the gathered ingredients, and each team presents “its” plate to the group.
The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach in Oahu has a new canoe-based activity for groups. Inspired by the ancient Hawaiian tradition of outrigger canoe paddling, the experience puts guests in canoes (or wa’as) that seat six paddlers apiece. Teammates use synchronized movements to make the canoe glide through the water quickly and smoothly, and each team member has a different role. The activity is available for groups of 50 or more.
