A Place at the Table for the New Year

A little before the holiday break, SITE SoCal hosted a tabletop competition at La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego County. AOO Events partnered with PRA Orange County and the luxury ocean view resort, Terranea in Palos Verdes to create this tabletop design with linen, napkins and sheer chiavari chair covers by Wildflower Linen. The team effort was totally successful for many reasons, not the least of which was that we won the competition!

Although that was nice, it certainly wasn't just about that. Everything we do ... in this industry, in business and our personal lives ... is not about solo victories or achievements. It's about the creative process we go through together and the partnerships and alliances that make us successful, whole and happy.

These past few years have not been without their twists and turns, but we are all still here and still passionate about what we do. As the industry goes through this latest incarnation, and we with it, it's still all about delivering the client's message. As we find new ways to do so, we grow and evolve becoming stronger on the one hand, and more flexible and resilient on the other. Just as anything new, change might feel strange at the beginning, but after 20 years in business, and surviving several recessions, I am here to tell you that with every adaptation, AOO Events has moved to another, higher level.

On this week before the New Year, I am setting a place at my "table" for all that I am thankful for and all that is to come in 2012. The message is in the bottle, and the only way to find out what it says is to pop the cork and welcome in the New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
From all of us
designdawgs and cool cats at AOO Events!

GUEST BLOG by Barbara Dick

Several of my speaking engagements have taken me to Canada recently putting me in touch with the event professionals there. So it was that I was talking about design last week with Barbara Dick about the launch event for a new capital campaign called "Boundless." I loved the word, but more than that I loved how the design of the event supported it. She sent me some information and photos to share here. Enjoy!
David Merrell Creative Director AOO Events, Lead Designdawg

BOUNDLESS
By Barbara Dick

This event, the kickoff for the capital campaign for the University of Toronto, took its cues from the campaign's theme, Boundless.

The underlying message was that the university is interested in exploring the boundless possibilities of the university and its community for global leadership and societal impact. Ultimately our campaign is about preparing global citizens and meeting global challenges; channeling the immense power and talent of our community to imagine a brighter future for Canada and the world.


The event drew 1,000 donors, alumni and volunteer leaders, senior university leaders, student ambassadors and musicians. We worked with Mediaco on the design and production of this beautiful event. Because of the lengthy history of the university which was established in 1827, they created a look that combined the traditional and modern; a mesh of the familiar with the delight of the unexpected.


The visual messaging for Boundless came from projections on the suspended banners in the reception tent, step and repeats (pictured above) and screen projections.


Four stages featured rotating performance from different faculty of musical ensembles.

Lighting was a major design component in the Convocation Hall during a presentation ceremony culminating in the presentation to all the guests of a diploma with a "Doctorate in Boundless Opportunity."


Barbara Dick
Barbara is Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations, at the University of Toronto, Canada's largest university. With more than 500,000 alumni, the University of Toronto spans three campuses and boasts one of the country's most successful advancement operations.

Barbara is a graduate of the University of Toronto with more than 20 years experience in the arts and higher education. As AVP, Alumni Relations, she provides central leadership for alumni relations within the de-centralized University of Toronto environment. She, along with colleagues in more than 25 divisions, works to foster alumni engagement in support of the university's mission and goals.

For more on the capital campaign featured here, please go to http://boundless.utoronto.ca/

Keeping the Hollywood Theme Fresh

This client had seen the best of Los Angeles, from Olvera Street downtown to Venice Beach. The one place left that was perfect for a closing night dinner was old Hollywood! In this city, this theme never wears out its welcome for out-of-town groups. It's especially good if you can hold it at a studio venue as this event was.


The event began with a red carpet entrance at Sony Studios. The excitement was high as faux paparazzi lined the carpet and a Joan Rivers look-alike interviewed guests as they were photographed in front of a branded step-and-repeat wall.


As the guests continued into the party and down Main Street, they grabbed a drink and watched old Hollywood movies that were being projected onto the building walls.


A harp and guitar jazz duo sat atop a riser so guests could see them throughout the cocktail party. At a given point, "Joan Rivers" announced dinner and two stilt walkers dressed in top hats and tails escorted guests to Sony's Cohn Park where dinner was set up.

Dinner tables were placed throughout the park and also surrounding an Art Deco stage.

Two long bars were set up with Hollywood elements.

The Art Deco stage

After dinner, the band, NRG, performed and guests could take a guided tour of Sony Studios.

Small touches of elegance go a long way.

The Hollywood theme is timeless and enduring.
To me, the nicest thing about it is that it allows us as designers to bring the dream alive in a new way each time to an always appreciative crowd!

The team
Decor and Executive Production: AOO Events, Kelly Stein, Producer
Photography: Jahon Pilichowski, AOO Events
Venue: Sony Studios
Lighting: Images by Lighting
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering
Linens: BBJ Linens
Reception Entertainment: Karla Ross Productions, Dee Dee Hanson
Joan Rivers look alike. JazHarp Records, Dinner Band: NRG

GUEST BLOG by Ann Turner

When Ann Turner, editor of Event Solutions magazine, asked me if she could be a guest blogger, the word "yes" was out of my mouth before she could finish asking. I love this piece that focuses on two great designers you may not have heard of ... yet. Their edgy work inspired Ann to share it. It definitely inspires me. I hope it will do the same for you!
Dave Merrell
Creative Director of AOO Events, and lead designdawg


Star Search
By Ann Turner

One of the cool things about my job is discovering new or unsung design talent. Maybe it's the mother in me, or the teacher I used to be, but there's nothing quite as satisfying as helping one of these well-deserved stars make it to the national stage.

And I have the perfect pulpit to do this. As editor of Event Solutions magazine, hundreds, even thousands, of photos of spectacular work cross my desk each year. Some get a smile or a nod, but a few make me actually sit up and reach for the phone because I must have more. And I must have it now.

That's what happened when I was putting together the latest edition of Event Solutions, which focuses on trends and people who are breaking the boundaries of traditional design. I found some amazing talent, artists who may be making news in their own part of the world, but who deserve a special spotlight from the industry at large.

I'd like to introduce you to two of them. From the West Coast, meet Natasha Lisitsa of Waterlily Pond Floral and Event Design Studio in San Francisco.

A floral chandelier by Lisitsa.

Photo by Arrowood Photography

Lisitsa has expanded her floral design business to encompass complete event design for weddings, corporate and other social events. Waterlily Pond also specializes in large-scale organic installation for private clients, building lobbies, hotels and other businesses.

Waterlily Pond created this 1,000-pound "Fantastical" creation that was suspended at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The organic forms were built from 2,500 feet of vibrantly colored bamboo fashioned into interlocked 3-D pyramids and embellished with giant, 5-foot "flowers" built from Mexican fan palm tree leaf-boots.
Photo: Erin Beach Photography

A "Fantastical" detail from Waterlily Pond's work.
Photo: Prokopets Studio

Growing up in the Ukraine, Lisitsa and her family explored the local countryside, where one of her favorite spots was a Monet-like waterlily-filled pond.

In addition to hanging it high, Lisitsa likes to float elements from food buffets to escort cards. Photo by Erin Beach Photography

Her work is reflective of the serenity of nature, with suddenly surprising drama and startling imagery that takes your breath away.

She and her team earned the cover spot on the December/January issue with a stunning tablescape with a floating floral chandelier.

From the East Coast we bring you Golf Srithamrong of Tantawan Bloom in New York City. I heard about Golf from Seth Stern of Something Different Party Rental, one of my go-to guys when I am looking for ... well, something different.

A page out of the Arabian Nights
Photo: Shira Weinberger

An innovative take on the escort card table.

My jaw dropped when I first laid eyes on Golf's work, and I couldn't get enough. Golf comes from Thailand, and this influence is easy to spot in his work which also fuses European and American style.

Awesome escort card table takes a global perspective.

A gorgeous chuppah that will never be forgotten.
Photo by Fred Marcus

Tantawan Bloom was founded in 2004, and quickly grew to become a full-service event production company, much in demand for many high-profile weddings and social events.

Rethinking the centerpiece as a framed work of art.

Golf has also made appearances on local TV shows and charity events. If I lived in New York, I would visit his shop on a weekly basis to be inspired and exhilarated by his art. Truly masterpieces.

Still hungry for more? Check out the latest issue of Event Solutions for more outstanding work from some of our industry's finest! And if you see talent that deserves a boost, let me know at ann@eventsolutions.com



Ann Turner
Ann Turner is editor of Event Solutions magazine where she brings more than 20 years of meeting and event planning experience to the table. She blogs at Backstage Ann Turner and tweets at @annlturner.



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