The theme of the closing-night reception for the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) 51st annual meeting—held in Canada for the first time—was Ontario: A Destination for All Seasons. Florals, golf props, faux snowflakes, and an artificial skating surface were among the decor items used to illustrate the different faces of Ontario at different times of the year. Vicki Owen, coordinator with Ontario Tourism and Marketing Partners (OTMP), one of six event sponsors, said the theme was chosen by the sponsors "to convey to our delegates Ontario's rich diversity of destinations and year-round experiences." The other sponsors were the Sheraton Centre Toronto, Weston Harbour Castle, Niagara Parks, Ottawa Tourism, and Tourism Toronto. Owen worked with Premier Conference and Events to organize the fete for 2,400 guests at the Sheraton Centre.Lavish Designs and 5th Element Events joined forces to create stunning original decor, including a powerful audiovisual exhibit. The foyer outside the grand ballroom was a winter wonderland complete with crystalline snowflakes that hung from the ceiling and unique white intertwined branches that swirled up to the ceiling. In one of the many corridors, a winter vignette featured skaters twirling on a raised artifice ice surface in front of a screen showing skaters on a natural ice surface. Other corridors displayed golf and winery themes to represent Ontario's lifestyle during warmer times of the year.
In the ballroom, each of the seasons occupied a corner. Stacks of carnation-covered cubes represented summer, while abundant floral arrangements depicted fall. Decor in the Ottawa-sponsored area included the winning ball gown from the 2006 Ottawa Tulip Festival, which is held in the spring. A winter-theme buffet station included colourful berry, vegetable, and cheese salads. A bar made with a silver lighting truss occupied the centre of the ballroom. This structure included a decorative truss protruding high overhead and dripping with white calla lilies, some upright and some upside down. Caterers from the Sheraton Centre and Weston Harbour Castle contributed to the decor with seasonal-themed food items such as golf ball-shaped chocolate and berry dessert.
Overall, the most attention-getting decor element was an audiovisual display from 5th Element combining the sounds of thunder and rain with lightning visuals. This exhibit, which came and went throughout the evening, marked the changing of the seasons in high dramatic fashion.
For entertainment, singers, dancers and look-a-likes from Cuthbertson Entertainment performed on the main stage. Cuthbertson also provided costumed models of several ethnic backgrounds to showcase Ontario's ethnic diversity.
—Robyn Small
Posted 01.25.07
In the ballroom, each of the seasons occupied a corner. Stacks of carnation-covered cubes represented summer, while abundant floral arrangements depicted fall. Decor in the Ottawa-sponsored area included the winning ball gown from the 2006 Ottawa Tulip Festival, which is held in the spring. A winter-theme buffet station included colourful berry, vegetable, and cheese salads. A bar made with a silver lighting truss occupied the centre of the ballroom. This structure included a decorative truss protruding high overhead and dripping with white calla lilies, some upright and some upside down. Caterers from the Sheraton Centre and Weston Harbour Castle contributed to the decor with seasonal-themed food items such as golf ball-shaped chocolate and berry dessert.
Overall, the most attention-getting decor element was an audiovisual display from 5th Element combining the sounds of thunder and rain with lightning visuals. This exhibit, which came and went throughout the evening, marked the changing of the seasons in high dramatic fashion.
For entertainment, singers, dancers and look-a-likes from Cuthbertson Entertainment performed on the main stage. Cuthbertson also provided costumed models of several ethnic backgrounds to showcase Ontario's ethnic diversity.
—Robyn Small
Posted 01.25.07