BEFORE AND AFTER: From Cavernous to Convivial

As I'd said before in this blog, there is just nothing better than a before and after shot of an event to show what we really do!

This was a 850-person fund-raising event for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute hosted by the University's Medical Center. I've done the event (which is held every year and a half) four years in a row but this was the first year that AOO Events was the Executive Producer.

As such, we were in control of everything from the big picture to the smallest of details. In addition to design and production we handled the logistics (which were daunting), training a non-professional catering staff and coordinating entertainment and rehearsals.

As you can see from the before and after the photos, the space was huge and we had only a day and a half to install everything. Careful planning and taking everything step-by-step got us the results we wanted. So I thought I'd take the blog posts about this event step-by-step as well.

Over the next few posts I'll break this event down more for you into the elements that make for a great event -- logistics, lighting, floral, entertainment, food and beverage and branding. And of course, the details!

P.S. The event was so successful this year thanks to our ability to create an environment that looks this good within a responsible budget the client has increased its frequency to once a year! Pittsburgh -- we'll be seeing you again soon!

The Dawgs...Runnin' At The Special Event!

King Dahl, me, Michael Cerbelli after our Designdawgs seminar at The Special Event

As you know, I just got back from The Special Event in New Orleans. I had the best time reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and running with the designdawgs! In fact, I presented a seminar entitled "Designdawgs Part II" with my Guest Bloggers King Dahl from Las Vegas' MGM Grand and Michael Cerbelli, owner of Total Entertainment in New York. On stage we discussed design and event trends for 2010. It was a great session and you can see more of their work and design philosophies on their blog posts from designdawgs 2009:

Guest Blogger: King Dahl

Guest Blogger: Michael Cerbelli

Bringing Home The Gala!

On the way to The Special Event in New Orleans last week the dawgs and I were filled with expectation and excitement. We were speaking and we were up for a Special Events Magazine Gala Award, the industry's Oscar.

On the way home yesterday we traveled back with warm memories AND a Gala Award in hand!

I'm pleased to tell you that AOO Events won the Gala for Best Event Decor, Budget $50,000-$150,000 for this high-energy corporate event that took place on a rooftop in San Diego! Here is a look at that event from beginning set up to the final, winning look.

When a Venue has "Good Bones"

Only a few elements were added to this lounge area to help tie the look together
and customize it for our client.

When working with a venue that already has good "bone structure," we don't need to always reinvent the wheel. A good event designer (like a good make-up artist) should be able to do a lot by enhancing the site's natural beauty.

As I’ve said often in this blog, with so many fabulous hotels and venues available to us these days (and believe me, there was a time when there wasn't), our role as event designers becomes more subtle and much more about the details than about creating a huge statement. In some ways it requires more finesse on our part to strategically integrate our client's brand and objectives.

The Ivy Hotel in San Diego is one of these venues.

I mean, just look at this view! I took these photos during setup so they don't do it justice. But trust me, as the sun goes down and the lights go on in the city, it's just stunning.

And we utilized what was already there by adding a few touches.

Here you can see how the details can make a difference. Custom pillow cases were made to cover accent pillows tying the event together.

The lampshades were covered in a similar fabric.

And even the votive candles were wrapped in the same fabric ribbon fabric. It doesn’t need to be about flowers!

But now that I've mentioned flowers – green cymbidium orchids really popped against the black-and-white linen.

AOO Events Nominated for Five Spotlight Awards!

What a way to start the New Year!

When I returned from the holidays I learned that three members of the AOO Events team had been nominated for Spotlight Awards by Events Solutions magazine. This is quite an honor for all of us! Since a picture tells a thousand words, I thought I'd show you a few photos of the events for which they were nominated.

Tom Budas

Nominated for: Marketing Professional of the Year
The photo above is from The Heart Foundation fundraiser honoring the designer Valentino. Tom worked with the foundation to help market the event.

Jahon Pilichowski Nominated for: Rising Star
Above is the G-Loft, Gatorade's launch of a new product during the Super Bowl. Jahon was an integral part of our design team on this and many other amazing projects during the year.

Zaid Arriola Nominated For: Event Producer of the Year

This photo is of a Bohemian event that Zaid designed and produced at the Miramonte Resort and Spa.

To see their full entries and to vote for them, simply click here:

VOTE

Note: Your entrance into the voting ballot will require your e-mail address but rest assured that the magazine does not pass that on. It just helps them ensure that someone doesn't "stuff" the ballot box.

Thank you for your vote and continued support. We appreciate it!

A hip hop bar mitzvah we produced this year in Detroit.

And as you go through the ballot, you'll also see that AOO Events is up for Event Company of the Year and I'm up for Creative Director. These nominations are also very special as they reflect the team effort that helps support me, AOO Events, our clients and the events we produce together. To me, the recognition for our work in 2009 makes us winners already.

Happy New Year indeed!!!