BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Programming & Entertainment

Best of 2011: Event Highlights from Nine Markets

Matthew Mogavero
December 6, 2011

Our editors share highlights from some of the year’s most innovative, influential, or just plain big events across nine markets.







 
 

Sapwr 7190
Photo: Peter Richardson/SPREADHouse
Washington: The Growing Sweetgreen Festival
Washington: The Growing Sweetgreen Festival
Local eatery Sweetgreen hosted its fourth-annual Sweetlife festival in May, with big-name acts like Lupe Fiasco, Girl Talk, and headliners the Strokes. The sustainable music festival, which hosted 750 people in its Dupont Circle store’s parking lot last year, grew exponentially, hosting more than 16,000 people at Merriweather Post Pavilion, despite consistent rain. “Music is a big aspect [of our brand] and something we love personally, so it’s a great avenue for us to reach customers and show you can throw a festival in a sustainable way,” said co-founder Jonathan Neman. —Courtney Thompson
Photo: Peter Richardson/SPREADHouse
Boston: Up All Night at the Museum of Fine Arts' Opening Bash
Boston: Up All Night at the Museum of Fine Arts' Opening Bash
To celebrate the opening of its new wing—a $12 million structure that holds seven galleries devoted to contemporary art—the Museum of Fine Arts hosted a 24-hour bash. Beginning at 7 p.m. on September 17, the ambitious event segued from a glitzy, intimate cocktail reception to a dance party that lasted until 3 a.m. In the morning, a free open house offered everything from breakfast bites to sunrise yoga and dance classes. The inspiration came from Christian Marclay’s film The Clock, which spans 24 hours and screened during the event. —Jenny Berg
Photo: Genevieve de Manio
Miami: Ultra Music Fest and Winter Music Conference Split
Miami: Ultra Music Fest and Winter Music Conference Split
Ultra Music Fest, one of the most popular outdoor electronic music events, split from the Winter Music Conference for the first time this year due to scheduling conflicts and logistical issues. On its own, Ultra saw its largest crowd since its inception in 1999, drawing 150,000 spectators to Bicentennial Park in March. Founders also expanded the festival to a three-day event with performances from more than 300 acts. Tickets sold out 34 days in advance. —Jana Schiowitz
Photo: WorldRedEye.com/Courtesy LIV
Toronto: The Joe Fresh Lounge at the LG Innovators' Ball
Toronto: The Joe Fresh Lounge at the LG Innovators' Ball
In keeping with the trend of offering full-blown sponsor experiences instead of simple branding, the LG Innovators' Ball incorporated sponsor lounges into the evening. Fashion brand Joe Fresh outfitted its lounge with an orange carpet and white furniture to match its signature colors, and offered guests complimentary manicures and hand massages. The Porter Airlines lounge replicated the waiting area in the downtown airport with reps dressed as Mad Men-era pilots and flight attendants. The lounges allowed both sponsors to take complete ownership of a space and fully communicate their brand messages.   —Carla Warrilow
Photo: Gary Beechey for BizBash
New York: Target’s Fast-Selling Pop-Up
New York: Target’s Fast-Selling Pop-Up
As it did with its Liberty of London pop-up last year, Target built demand for its limited-edition Missoni collection with a temporary store, previewing it to the public on Fashion’s Night Out in September. What the retailer didn’t anticipate was the buying frenzy that ensued—within hours of opening, the pop-up sold out its inventory, causing it to close two days earlier than planned. The following week, the 400-piece Missoni for Target 400-piece line was rolled out in stores and online, provoking such a shopping spree that the Web site crashed, frustrating consumers and prompting a wave of angry comments on the retailer’s Facebook page. —Anna Sekula
Photo: Jika González for BizBash
Las Vegas: The Successful Move of the Electric Daisy Carnival
Las Vegas: The Successful Move of the Electric Daisy Carnival
After an underage girl died of a drug overdose at the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival in Los Angeles (promoter Insomniac Events had worked with the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for 13 years), the festival moved to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where it was widely considered a success, with only routine criminal and health incidents reported among 200,000 fans at the June event. The three-day fest was such a hit in its new Vegas home that it will return to the same venue next year, signaling that the festival’s Nevada move has proven to be the savior of an event otherwise mired in danger and controversy. —Alesandra Dubin
Photo: Erik Kabik
Los Angeles: Cirque du Soleil’s Big Opening
Los Angeles: Cirque du Soleil’s Big Opening
Cirque du Soleil developed its new show, Iris, specifically for Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre—home of the Oscars. The show focuses on the history of filmmaking, including a tongue-in-cheek award-show scene. After much anticipation and buzz, the show had its official premiere and Hollywood Boulevard party on September 25. ELS produced the sprawling event over 35,000 square feet for 5,000 guests on the closed boulevard, which was completely blanketed in red carpet and transformed for the evening into a look reflective of a huge editing table. —Alesandra Dubin
Photo: Lance Bowling/A Cirque Du Soleil Event
Orlando: Brand Expression at the Delta Airlines Global Sales Conference
Orlando: Brand Expression at the Delta Airlines Global Sales Conference
The blue American Express logo showed up on flip-flops, pillows, bar carts, furniture, swizzle sticks, and ice cubes at a party the company hosted for the Delta Airlines Global Sales Conference in May at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. The goal: to let each of the 850 guests know that the company values its partnership with Delta. In addition to being a practical gift for the party held around the Swan’s pool and beach, the flip-flops also created imprints of the Amex logo in the sand. —Mitra Sorrells
Photo: Kayla Hernandez for Bizbash
Chicago: Targeting Young Philanthropists at Chicago Fund-Raisers
Chicago: Targeting Young Philanthropists at Chicago Fund-Raisers
Fund-raisers developed new ways to engage younger patrons. In January, the Chef’s Ball for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted its first after-party, with dessert and mixology stations. “We marketed the event to a younger crowd that wouldn’t necessarily spend [the gala’s full ticket price of] $400,” said planner Amy Patterson. “But for $60, they could come and check out the scene.” Likewise, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS’ June gala (pictured) introduced an after-party with a rock concert and a lower ticket cost, and a luncheon for the Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation in October offered a discount for patrons under 30. —Jenny Berg
Photo: Randy Corwin Photography
Latest in Programming & Entertainment
FX's 'A Murder at the End of the World' Dinner Party
Programming & Entertainment
Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events
Since 1996, more than 175 people have lost their lives at U.S. concerts, with over 722 deaths reported globally due to event-related crowd incidents. According to the Pink Bows Foundation, 82% of these were caused by preventable hazards.
Programming & Entertainment
How a Tragic Loss Led to This Groundbreaking Event Safety Initiative
For a 2023 event, Pixis Drones created a massive Pac-Man game in front of the Manhattan skyline using 750 drones. Watch a video here.
Programming & Entertainment
Bringing a Drone Show to Your Next Event? Follow These Expert Tips
Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland started EVA when they were college roommates in Nashville. The pair, now 30 years old, are on a mission to connect corporate clients with high-quality event entertainment.
Programming & Entertainment
How This Platform Is Simplifying Corporate Event Entertainment Booking
Related Stories
Sax
Programming & Entertainment
Best of 2011: Washington’s Most Notable New Event Venues
Sadream Downtown Lobby Credit Phillip Ennis Photography
Programming & Entertainment
Best of 2011: New York's 10 Most Notable New Event Venues
Sajcb 075
Programming & Entertainment
National Christmas Tree Lighting Draws 20,000, Stars Big Time Rush, Rodney Adkins
Sadesign Miami 2011 Schreiter 8088
Programming & Entertainment
At Design Miami, Sponsors Fendi, Audi, and Swarovski Showcase High-Tech, Textural Installations
More in Programming & Entertainment
Programming & Entertainment
Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events
From mystery-centric dinner parties to true-crime-inspired experiences, more and more events are letting guests channel their inner detective.
FX's 'A Murder at the End of the World' Dinner Party
Programming & Entertainment
How a Tragic Loss Led to This Groundbreaking Event Safety Initiative
The inaugural Showstop Procedure training and certification takes place in Houston this month in honor of Madison Dubiski, who was 23 when she was killed at the Astroworld Festival in 2021.
Since 1996, more than 175 people have lost their lives at U.S. concerts, with over 722 deaths reported globally due to event-related crowd incidents. According to the Pink Bows Foundation, 82% of these were caused by preventable hazards.
Programming & Entertainment
Bringing a Drone Show to Your Next Event? Follow These Expert Tips
Here's how brands and event hosts can safely—and effectively—grab attention with a high-flying drone display.
For a 2023 event, Pixis Drones created a massive Pac-Man game in front of the Manhattan skyline using 750 drones. Watch a video here.
Programming & Entertainment
How This Platform Is Simplifying Corporate Event Entertainment Booking
EVA—which just announced $2 million in funding—bridges the gap between planners and performers, offering a streamlined, tech-driven approach to booking event entertainment.
Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland started EVA when they were college roommates in Nashville. The pair, now 30 years old, are on a mission to connect corporate clients with high-quality event entertainment.
Programming & Entertainment
Booking a Controversial Event Speaker? Here’s How to Prepare for the Unexpected
Careful preparation and clear communication are key to managing the risks of booking a potentially polarizing speaker.
Pexels Jibarofoto 2774556
Programming & Entertainment
How to Creatively Execute Stunts at Events—Without Sacrificing Safety
Last month's The Fall Guy premiere grabbed headlines with five action-packed stunts on the red carpet. Learn how the team pulled it off—and see some other jaw-dropping stunt moments we've loved at events.
Action-Packed Stunts at Events
Most Popular
Event Production & Fabrication
20 Bold Event Entrances That Made a Lasting Impression
Event Production & Fabrication
5 Tips for Producing Events in Real-World Locations
Meetings
How The Wall Street Journal Designed Its Future of Everything Event Around a B2B Crowd
Meetings
See How Fast Company Combined a Business Summit with a Black-Tie Gala
Sports
Why Golf Is Suddenly the Coolest Brand Platform Around
Event Production & Fabrication
5 Music Event Trends Making Noise in 2025
Programming & Entertainment
Event Personalization Moments That Really Worked
Personal touches, from custom playlists to innovative swag, are redefining attendee engagement. Here, event professionals share some of the most effective personalization moments they've created.
For a six-city tour with German gin brand Monkey47, creative marketing agency BMF designed custom silk scarves—which were then styled on site to enhance attendees' personal looks. “We chose scarves over any other branded giveaway because they are definitely having a fashion moment and allowed for guests to still embrace their individuality,” explains Melissa Notaro, a creative director for BMF.
Programming & Entertainment
Smooth Moves: How to Create Engaging Transition Moments at Events
Moving guests from one room to another can be an unexpected place for some surprise-and-delight moments.
“We once had a premiere for a show that was set in New Orleans, and transitioning 250 guests from the screening room to the after-party was an opportunity for us to enhance the experience by bringing in a New Orleans-style second line band—who led the entire audience across a busy NYC street,' remembers Vox Media's Tara Reilly. 'It not only created a smooth transition, but it gave our audience an unexpected experience that was memorable and sparked conversation.”
Programming & Entertainment
Q&A: How Neon Carnival Became One of the Year's Most Coveted Event Invites
Hospitality veteran Brent Bolthouse discusses why the Coachella-adjacent party has stood the test of time, why he refuses to sell tickets, and the hospitality trends he's loving (and hating) right now.
Brent Bolthouse Discusses Neon Carnival 2024
Programming & Entertainment
7 Important Tips for Working with Event DJs
The right DJ can make or break the vibe of your event. Here are some tips for getting it right.
Shutterstock 670249444
Programming & Entertainment
SXSW 2024 Preview: Catching Up with the Festival's Chief Programming Officer on What’s New and Noteworthy
BizBash tapped SXSW’s longtime programming chief, Hugh Forrest, to dish on what to expect at this year’s fest, taking place March 8-16 in Austin, Texas.
South by Southwest 2024 is anticipated to draw 300,000 guests to downtown Austin, Texas, March 8-16 for keynote and featured speaker sessions, music festivals, brand activations, film premieres, over-the-top events, and so much more.
Programming & Entertainment
7 Wellness Trends to Expect at Large-Scale Events in 2024
From tech-infused therapies to sound healing to new food waste efforts, we spoke with seven wellness industry players to find out which trends they predict at big events in 2024.
The team from Carillon Miami Wellness Resort plans to bring a variety of touchless wellness technologies to various trade shows that can offer quick, 10-minute recharge sessions to attendees.
Page 1 of 171
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.