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A bar was also upstairs, but this one roused spirits in a different way: the Airheads Oxygen Bar had 12 oxygen aromas, from fruit to floral, available to guests wanting a little lift. The bathrooms also got an after-worldly makeover with the signs on the doors: befittingly, the women's silhouette had a halo and wings while the men's had horns and a tail.
The FunShop began in a 30- by 50-foot tent EventStar set up in Revolution's large outdoor area. Inside, a cemetery scene was created onstage, where Southern Audio Visual displayed four flat-screen monitors for the keynote presentation, "The Hottest Event Trends: What's Hot… What's Not for 2007" by guest speaker Carol Beaugard. As founder of Affairs of Distinction (a full-service event planning and management company in New Jersey) and the featured planner on the Style Network's show Whose Wedding is it Anyway?, Beaugard dished about upcoming industry trends.
After the presentation, guests were directed to Voodoo Lounge, which hosted an hourlong networking break. Everyone visited with the vendors participating in the FunShop and frequented two buffet tables with light bites from The Chef's Table, such as mango chicken served in herbed waffle cones; radishes topped with salmon and caviar; and tomato and mozzarella salad. Waiters passed some of the tapas-style treats in mini coffins instead of typical trays. A real coffin actually decorated one of the buffet tables. Instead of an unappealing (not to mention unappetizing) corpse, one of the Wise Guys performers lay inside and periodically "rose from the dead" to interact with guests reaching for a bite or two. Caricature Entertainment by Tony Dee and Nameology by Natasha also provided some fun.
Once guests reenergized, it was time for them to choose between two educational sessions: "How Did You Get That Event?" and "Why Should I Come To Your Event?". In the former, moderated by BiZBashFla managing editor Vanessa Goyanes, panelists Donald E. Braun (managing partner of createabilities), Aviva Samuels (president of Outside the Lines Productions), and Stacy Stern (president of The Special Events Group) discussed the ins and outs of getting your company selected to produce an event. Shari Lynn Rothstein, BiZBashFla's associate publisher, moderated the latter session, where panelists Linda Hamburger (president of On Call PR), Gladys Mezrahi (president of Indigo Events Corporation), and Terri Neil (president of Terri Neil Relations & Marketing) shared tips on how to use marketing and PR strategies to get the right attendees excited about an event and through the doors.
Before it was time for the event style reception to begin, everyone regrouped in the tent for a special bonus session: a "mix" n' mingle sponsored by Premier Beverage Company and Svedka Vodka. Tim Harris of Svedka brought along Miami Beach mixologist Christian (like Cher, he goes by only one name) to demonstrate some of the futuristic drinks created by Svedka with its flavored vodkas. Audience participation was requested, and what better way could they help than as taste testers? They sampled Svedka .phpberry, vanilla, tangerine, and regular flavors straight up, and then sipped Time Capsules made of vanilla vodka, orange juice, and cola. As the session wound down, it was time for the reception.
By the end of the day, guests had been educated, wined, dined, and excited to see what the upcoming FunShops have to offer.
Photos: Bob Christie/Christie's Photographic Studios Orlando (decor, networking, seminars, tent); Robert Risse (CircX)
People frequented the Airheads Oxygen Bar upstairs in heaven for a quick pick-me-up.
Carol Beaugard discussed upcoming industry trends during the general session, held inside EventStar's tent.
The Chef's Table prepared an array of light bites for the networking break in Voodoo Lounge.
Outside the Lines placed a real coffin on one of the buffet tables, where a performer from Wise Guys interacted with hungry guests.
More than 160 attendees mingled inside Voodoo Lounge.
In one of the educational sessions, titled "How Did You Get That Event?", event planning professionals discussed the ins and outs of getting chosen to produce an event.
The other session, titled "Why Should I Come To Your Event?," had public relations gurus sharing tips with attendees.
During a special bonus session, mixologists from Svedka Vodka introduced guests to the future of cocktails.
