Three good reasons to hold an event occurred simultaneously at the Tampa Bay area chapter of Meeting Professionals International's (MPI) recent event: the chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary, held its annual awards ceremony and installed its new officers for the 2004-2005 term.
Held in Clearwater Beach, the 20th anniversary celebration committee turned a room at the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key into an Asian-inspired extravaganza. Event chair Liz Villarejos of Raymond James & Associates worked closely with Crystal Bruce of Raymond James Financial Services, Tara Liaschenko of the Link Event Planning, Mary Lou Spinelli of Meeting and Events of All Kinds, Shelly Smith of Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key, Cindy Dervech of Breezin' Entertainment, Dick Hall of Dick Hall Productions and Kirk Whelan of Audio Visual Innovations (AVI) to bring the event to life.
With the support of sponsors including Breezin' Entertainment and Evention Show Productions, the cocktail hour included a cellist, a person dressed in a Chinese Foo dog costume who performed a dance and a ribbon-twirling geisha. Guests passed through a foliage-filled pagoda where Divine, a person dressed as a living vine character, was on hand to surprise guests, and then it was in to the main room, which was completely done in black and red. Chairs, dressed by Connie Duglin Specialty Linens, wore black covers belted with red sashes, which glowed under the red light-washed room. Long tables were accented with black polished river rocks and red Chinese lanterns, as well as paper fans and tiny bottled lotions that doubled as takeaways. Thanks to Grand Events of Florida, who did just about all of the props and décor, two screens with colorful Asian characters flanked the stage, while a large, gold dragon head and oversized fans loomed overhead. Throughout the night, Key Artist Group's host, singer and comedian John Charles kept the crowd laughing and the festivities moving along with songs, jokes and music created for the chapter.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein
Held in Clearwater Beach, the 20th anniversary celebration committee turned a room at the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key into an Asian-inspired extravaganza. Event chair Liz Villarejos of Raymond James & Associates worked closely with Crystal Bruce of Raymond James Financial Services, Tara Liaschenko of the Link Event Planning, Mary Lou Spinelli of Meeting and Events of All Kinds, Shelly Smith of Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key, Cindy Dervech of Breezin' Entertainment, Dick Hall of Dick Hall Productions and Kirk Whelan of Audio Visual Innovations (AVI) to bring the event to life.
With the support of sponsors including Breezin' Entertainment and Evention Show Productions, the cocktail hour included a cellist, a person dressed in a Chinese Foo dog costume who performed a dance and a ribbon-twirling geisha. Guests passed through a foliage-filled pagoda where Divine, a person dressed as a living vine character, was on hand to surprise guests, and then it was in to the main room, which was completely done in black and red. Chairs, dressed by Connie Duglin Specialty Linens, wore black covers belted with red sashes, which glowed under the red light-washed room. Long tables were accented with black polished river rocks and red Chinese lanterns, as well as paper fans and tiny bottled lotions that doubled as takeaways. Thanks to Grand Events of Florida, who did just about all of the props and décor, two screens with colorful Asian characters flanked the stage, while a large, gold dragon head and oversized fans loomed overhead. Throughout the night, Key Artist Group's host, singer and comedian John Charles kept the crowd laughing and the festivities moving along with songs, jokes and music created for the chapter.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein
Asian-inspired ambiance filled the room at the Tampa Bay Area chapter of Meeting Professionals International's 20th anniversary celebration at the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach.
Guests sat at long tables bedecked with Asian-inspired goodies including fans, black river rocks and lanterns.
John Charles hosted and entertained chapter members and their guests with music and comedy.
The entrance to the main room was turned into a pagoda and adorned with greenery.
