A big theme at the 28th annual Winter Music Conference in Miami last month was exclusive V.I.P. lounges reserved for artists and industry movers and shakers to network and mingle—thanks to host sponsors.
The Motorola Music Lounge, a three-day alfresco suite presented by Sol Republic and hosted by SiriusXM, took over parts of the W South Beach. BMF Media produced the event, which saw big-name DJs including Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Afrojack, and Armin van Buuren spinning, while SiriusXM broadcast live and conducted interviews from the lounge. Talent and industry V.I.P.s received headphones from Sol Republic, while others could stock up on free gum, flip-flops, and colorful sunglasses courtesy of Trident. Armani Exchange created a photo booth where guests were encouraged to snap photos for both print and digital souvenirs. Motorola supplied a smartphone charging station and also handed out Motorola Universal Portable Power Packs. Mixologists poured five signature cocktails featuring Corzo Tequila and 42Below Vodka, while Vita Coco and Fiji Water supplied nonalcoholic beverages.
SRX Events provided audiovisual production, and other vendors at the event included printing and signage from DC Media Graphics, furniture from Ronen Rental, tenting from EventStar, and publicity from the Workshop and Aurelia Entertainment.
The Red Bull Guest House sponsored a four-day activation at the Dream South Beach, where the energy drink brand took over the boutique hotel along with a slew of record labels. Guests checked in to the Red Bull Guest House’s ground floor for Breakfast Sessions, which saw DJs hitting the decks from 3:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. as attendees enjoyed complimentary nosh from Serafina and an open bar. As daylight approached, the Red Bull Guest House transformed the property’s Highbar rooftop into an intimate pool party retreat, with drinks from Cocktail Bodega of New York, a tattoo parlor and salon courtesy of Black Banditz of Los Angeles, an ice cream stand from Haagen-Dazs, and a penthouse cocktail hour hosted by Marquee Las Vegas.
Record labels including Fool’s Gold, OWSLA, BoysNoize Records, Body High Records, and the Do-Over supplied branded pool toys and free fan gear. Red Bull also curated an interactive Instagram photo station, where guests were encouraged to use hashtag #RBGuestJHouse, find their photos, and then print them as keepsakes.
Online concert ticket vendor Wantickets partnered with Talenthouse and Magnetic magazine on the five-day Mixed Media Lounge at the Marseilles hotel. The South Beach hotel, which also invited guests to its quarters for a string of pool parties, offered media and talent a space to sip cocktails and conduct interviews with DJs including Krewella, Crookers, Steve Angello, Rukes, Hardwell, and Dyro & Dannic. Audio equipment producer V-Moda had a listening station for guests and gifted headphones to some guests. A daily happy hour was sponsored by Red Bull, Perrier, Belvedere Vodka, Flor de Cana Rum, and Milagro Tequila. DJPeoples provided audiovisual production.
The Red Bull Guest House was a four-day activation at the Dream South Beach, where the energy drink brand took over the boutique hotel along with several record labels.
Guests could play with branded pool toys at the at the Dream South Beach's Highbar rooftop pool.
Los Angeles-based Black Banditz offered tattoos and hair salon services to guests.
The Motorola Music Lounge presented by Sol Republic at the W South Beach was hosted by SiriusXM, which broadcast DJ sets by Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Afrojack, and others.
V.I.P guests at the Motorola Music Lounge were given Sol Republic headphones.
DJ interviews were a constant at the media lounge from online concert ticket vendor Wantickets, Talenthouse, and Magnetic magazine. CORT Event Furnishings provided furniture rentals.
