Republican National Convention Highlights: 26 Ideas From Huffington Post, Facebook, CNN, and Others

Union Square Events provided food for the 250-seat CNN Grill, which served lunch and dinner for delegates and credentialed media. AFR Event Furnishings and Panache Classic Party Rentals provided rentals for the space.

Rafanelli Events transformed Aja nightclub in Tampa into the Huffington Post Oasis, using an all-white palette and soothing music to create a tranquil lounge for delegates and credentialed convention attendees. “We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to unwind in the midst of all the activities at convention. Everyone is going to be on their laptops and phones and working really hard, and the Oasis is providing an environment to relax and recharge their batteries,” said Jennifer Feeney, vice-president of event marketing for AOL, parent company of the Huffington Post. To create that atmosphere, Bryan Rafanelli, owner of Rafanelli Events, said he used decor that is “more intimate and comfortable than clean and sleek.” Rafanelli is creating a similar Huffington Post Oasis next week in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention.

Off the Mat, Into the World provided private and group yoga classes on the second floor of the Huffington Post Oasis. For guests who did not bring their own yoga attire, organizers offered complimentary clothing from J. Crew and American Apparel. Rafanelli Events brought in yoga mats and a marley floor to create a soft surface for participants.

At the Huffington Post Oasis, guests could rest inside an EnergyPod from MetroNaps. Sleep medicine experts from Harvard Medical School were also on hand to offer consultations.

Lyfe is a new company that sells microwaveable frozen food that is all made with fresh ingredients and under 300 calories per item. At the Huffington Post Oasis, Lyfe served complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests.

Civic Entertainment Group is producing the CNN Grill at the Republican and Democratic national conventions. In Tampa, the company began work in mid-July to turn a 10,000-square-foot space in the bottom of a parking garage into the network’s restaurant and mobile studio.

The CNN Grill offered free Wi-Fi and plenty of electrical outlets, along with fun activities such as an on-site caricature artist.

Karl’s Event Services erected a 30,000-square-foot tent at Curtis Hixon Park to create 1OAK pop-up nightclub. Jamestown Entertainment produced the nightly parties inside the tent on behalf of groups such as the California delegation. Jamestown is also producing nightly parties at the Democratic Convention next week at the North Carolina Music Factory.

To replicate the ambiance of the permanent 1OAK nightclub in New York City, designers brought similar decor to Tampa, including the venue’s signature gold lettering.

Jamestown Entertainment decorated the space with large paintings of Republican presidents created by Georgia artist Steve Penley.

The Definitive Style provided decor and florals for Jamestown Entertainment’s parties at 1OAK at the Republican National Convention.

The Rock the Vote bus stopped at Saint Leo University north of Tampa on Tuesday to help students register to vote. Organizers estimate nearly 600 students stopped by throughout the day.

The Rock the Vote activation, produced by BMF Media, included an opportunity for students to try the Twonky Beam app to wirelessly and immediately share digital content.

Rock the Vote took its campaign to the Amphitheatre in Ybor City Tuesday night, for a Pringles-sponsored party that featured DJ Steve Aoki and saw crowd-surfing by inflatable raft.

Sara Evans performed at the Wednesday night benefit hosted by Lifetime Network at Glazer Children’s Museum. The event was a benefit for Got Your 6, a campaign to ensure successful reintegration of veterans into civilian life.

Facebook’s politics and government team is managing several activities at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. In Tampa, the company set up “photo spots” where credentialed attendees could swipe a special badge and instantly upload commemorative photos to their Facebook timelines.

Stress-relievers designed to look like patriotic hats were a popular item in Facebook’s workspace in the Tampa Convention Center.

Tuesday night the Republican Governors Association and BGR Group hosted a private concert for 500 guests with country duo Montgomery Gentry at Stumps Supper Club.

Organizers presented each governor in attendance with a hand-dipped commemorative bottle of Maker’s Mark, concert T-shirts, and Hatch Show prints.

Cort Event Furnishings provided the furniture at the Woman Up! Pavilion, hosted by the YG Network for delegates and media. Monica Varner of Elan Event Studio was the producer for the space, with lighting from Bay Stage Lighting, and draping, floral, and accessories from Conceptbait Global Events and Floral Design Group.

The Woman Up! Pavilion included a small exhibit of artifacts from the women’s suffrage movement, and hosted panel discussions and presentations on policy issues. The 14,000-square-foot space also had a hair and makeup salon, coffee bar, and charging stations.

The Distilled Spirits Council hosted a party Monday night at the Florida Aquarium. More than 1,000 people attended the event, sponsored by the National Retail Federation, Business Roundtable, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Association of Homebuilders, National Association of Realtors, The Hill newspaper, and General Cigar Company. The council is hosting a similar party at the Democratic convention next week in Charlotte.

In addition to experiencing the existing exhibits at the Florida Aquarium, party guests were also entertained by the Weeki Wachee mermaids.

Patrón Spirits Company brought its Tequila Express rail car to Tampa. Company founder John Paul Dejoria hosted a dinner on behalf of the Creative Coalition last night on the train. He’ll do the same next week in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention.

The 85-foot Patrón rail car dates to 1927 and has a gourmet kitchen, dining room, three staterooms, and an observation room filled with rare textiles and exotic wood carvings. It is pulled by Amtrak and can travel anywhere on Amtrak’s rail network.

PRG provided audio, video, lighting, staging, and show management inside Liberty Plaza, a 28,000-square-foot pop-up concert venue constructed by Regal Tents near the Tampa Bay Times Forum, site of the Republican National Convention. Performers included Trace Adkins Tuesday night and Kid Rock last night. Tonight Journey performs at an event hosted by the Creative Coalition.