If the company can't get to New York, bring a New York-style event to the company. That's what insurance company First American Title requested when they hired Lynne Royek and Barbara Hornback of Meeting Masters to plan the three-day 2006 Southeast Sales and Leadership conference.Although the conference was held at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, the client wanted a New York theme, so they brought in Atmospheres Events to create three nights in New York. Atmospheres Events came up with the Streets of New York theme for the first night, and a Broadway theme for the last night, but the second night-the awards and achievements dinner-offered attendees a taste of New York-style nightlife and entertainment at a fictional lounge called Martini's New York.
Two performers dressed as showgirls greeted and ushered guests through a circular wooden entranceway into the lounge (aka the main ballroom). Throughout the room, tables were draped in cerise lamour, a satin fabric, and sheer black overlays, which had silver metallic martini glasses silhouetted across each from BBJ Linen-Orlando. The tables were lit from beneath with white light, creating a subtle glow. Chairs were covered in cerise with black ties. In the center of each table stood a Martini shaker filled with lit ice cubes; it was framed by a decorative metal Martini caddy wrapped with green dendrobium orchids.
On either side of the room were curved silver and black bars, with tops that were lit from within. On one side, illuminated circular steps led to an oval-shaped acrylic dance area, which was also underlit. On the opposite side, three-foot tall pedestals that resembled oversized stacked film reels served as platforms for posing performers.
The stage set-a replica of the Manhattan skyline-consisted of 15 12-foot-tall, hand-cut wooden buildings. Each was painted with neon paint and washed in black light. The windows were backed with plexiglass to ensure that whether lit from front or back, each window was visible.
Evention Show Productions performed three times throughout the evening. They opened the evening with a "New York, New York" chorus line; pre-entree, a couple dressed in a tux and evening gown were surrounded onstage by dancers dressed as showgirls who held white, feathered fans as they performed to "Steppin' Out." A Chicago-style dance number ended the show.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein
Two performers dressed as showgirls greeted and ushered guests through a circular wooden entranceway into the lounge (aka the main ballroom). Throughout the room, tables were draped in cerise lamour, a satin fabric, and sheer black overlays, which had silver metallic martini glasses silhouetted across each from BBJ Linen-Orlando. The tables were lit from beneath with white light, creating a subtle glow. Chairs were covered in cerise with black ties. In the center of each table stood a Martini shaker filled with lit ice cubes; it was framed by a decorative metal Martini caddy wrapped with green dendrobium orchids.
On either side of the room were curved silver and black bars, with tops that were lit from within. On one side, illuminated circular steps led to an oval-shaped acrylic dance area, which was also underlit. On the opposite side, three-foot tall pedestals that resembled oversized stacked film reels served as platforms for posing performers.
The stage set-a replica of the Manhattan skyline-consisted of 15 12-foot-tall, hand-cut wooden buildings. Each was painted with neon paint and washed in black light. The windows were backed with plexiglass to ensure that whether lit from front or back, each window was visible.
Evention Show Productions performed three times throughout the evening. They opened the evening with a "New York, New York" chorus line; pre-entree, a couple dressed in a tux and evening gown were surrounded onstage by dancers dressed as showgirls who held white, feathered fans as they performed to "Steppin' Out." A Chicago-style dance number ended the show.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein