The Meeting Professionals International Southeastern Education Conference began on Thursday in Miami with a day of education sessions and networking at the Eden Roc. The conference planning committee reached out to local destination management company Deco Productions to coordinate a Rat Pack-themed welcome party that night for the 425 attendees at LIV nightclub inside the Fontainebleau Miami Beach next door.
Deco account executive Beth Failer coordinated the entertainment-focused event that showcased Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin look-alikes in one of the stars' favorite hangouts from the 1960s. “The [Rat Pack] theme has been done over and over, and not always [in] the most exciting [way], so we saw it as a chance to showcase our abilities and what we can do for events,” said Failer, who scheduled performances throughout the four-hour party.
The acts performing on the club’s main stage depicted recognizable entertainment styles from the 1960s through today, progressing from the Sinatra and Martin impersonators to a modern dance performance from New Century Dance Company.
After the day’s education sessions ended with a keynote speech from economist Don Reynolds, the conference planning committee directed guests along the beach boardwalk behind the hotel to the Fontainbleau for the party. Attendees circulated throughout the bilevel club that Deco filled with food and beverage stations—including a lounge on the second floor with liquid-nitrogen-infused cocktails from Aaron’s Catering—and roving entertainers such as two cigarette girls from A Hot Party passing out real and chocolate cigars.
The music pumping through the club stayed in sync with the performances on stage playing recognizable tunes from the 1970s, 80s, and current Top 40 hits. As the night wore on, the cocktail event turned into a full-scale dance party before the event wrapped around 11 p.m.
