“Virtual events. I love the Virtualis Convention Center in Second Life. It is a virtual environment for trade shows, meetings, and even virtual banquets, dances, concerts, etc.”
—Patti Shock, professor and director of distance learning, Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada
“The increased focus on security and event-professional responsibility after crashers made it into the White House last year.”
—Alison Bossert, senior vice president, special events, Columbia Tristar Marketing Group, Los Angeles
“PDA marketing. More than ever, the event industry has taken to the PDA airwaves to promote and update events, meetings, and trade shows. Within seconds, text message updates can get to attendees. You also gain a database to market next year’s event.”
—Dargan Watts, director, Birchmore Group Inc., Orlando
“I loved the Leukemia Ball’s use of handheld wireless devices. They were given to bidders, enabling them to track their bids as the evening progressed.”
—Ron Bracco, creative director, events, Hargrove Inc., Washington
“One of my favorites ideas is the cheesecake ‘ice cream’ cone, where there is a soft center of whipped flavored cheesecake inside a miniature sugar cone. It eliminates the intense labor of scooping out ice cream during an event, and you don’t have to worry about melting. Guests also love the surprise of biting into cheesecake instead of ice cream.”
—Pasquale Ingenito, executive chef, Windows Catering Company, Washington
“I’ve seen many events make use of the service staff to tie elements into the branding or theme. At Ubisoft’s launch event, [staffers wore] Revenge of the Nerds costumes with taped rimmed glasses, ‘Hello My Name is NERD’ nametags, and bow ties. The servers have a lot of interaction with the guests and almost act as live, moving decor.”
—Alison Slight, managing director, Candice & Alison Luxury Event Management, Toronto
“Throughout the Remarkable Indonesia gala’s seated dinner, the event touched on different aspects of Indonesian culture. The finale of the evening was when every guest was brought an angklung—an instrument made of bamboo tubes—that played a single note. A music director on stage directed us in a performance. As we were playing, we realized it was an ABBA song! The angklung was also a gift to take home.”
—Barbara Blauhut, director of special events, WETA Public Television & Radio, Washington
“Showtime’s Nurse Jackie RX Games event concept. From the event title to the tournament activities to the idea of engaging and rewarding real nurses for the second-season launch, it was brilliant and certainly targeted to a deserving audience.”
—Jenny Powers, vice president of special events, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern New York Chapter
“Dessert inside a balloon. Guests are given a pin to pop and eat."
—Bryan Rafanelli, owner, Rafanelli Events, Boston
