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When a window of
opportunity comes along, take it--which is what more than 4,200
special event professionals did January 7- 11 at The Special Event
'99 in Orlando, Florida. There, attendees got a new view on business, cuisine and
design trends through educational seminars. Networking events
opened new doors for both professional and personal
relationships.
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1.
Working off the Windows of Opportunity
theme, designers Cindy Wiedenheft and Randy Dupre of Los Angeles-based EventWorks created
a stark, futuristic set for the Opening General Session. Using metal--the symbol of
progress and industry--as their medium, the designers juxtaposed soft and sleek; aluminum
window screening was loosely draped like soft fabric through clean, geometric, steel
window frames. Shafts of light symbolized rays of hope for tomorrow.
2.
Opening General Session speaker Richard Barrett told attendees
how to incorporate spirituality into the work environment to improve communications and
inspire creativity.
3. Mary
Ann Reilly, CMP, director of The Special Event, and Lisa Vested, publisher of Special
Events Magazine, congratulated Melvin Baker. Baker was drawn from many attendees who
registered for The Special Event before December 10, 1998. The prize was a round-trip
ticket to San Diego for The Special Event 2000, a full education package, five nights at
the Hyatt Regency San Diego and a rental car.
4.
Close to 400 exhibitors showcased their products and services on the trade show floor of
The Special Event '99.
5.
Practiced at the art of confection: Popular exhibitor Shan Ichiyanagi (known on the trade
show floor as "the candy man") demonstrated ameziku, an ancient Japanese
candy-making technique in which molten sugar is formed into whimsical, animal-shaped
lollipops.
6.
Sarah Hyrb of Baltimore-based P.W. Feats was one of many speakers to lead informal and
informative roundtable discussion the first day of The Special Event '99. At this
roundtable, Hyrb discussed corporate event marketing strategies. Other roundtable topics
ran the gamut, ranging from starting your own business to booking name entertainment.
7.
Performers from Hardrive Productions, Orlando, entertained guests
with a host of 1960s-inspired musical dance numbers.
8.
It's who you know: As its name suggests, Network Café was all
about meeting new people and building professional relationships. Here, a few attendees do
just that.
9.
A series of elevated, intimate lounges was created around the
perimeter of the ballroom of The Peabody Orlando for Network Café '99, a networking event
co-produced by Dave Peters of Orlando-based
Absolute Amusements Rental Company and Tom McCombs of Hello Florida!. Designers from The New Queenfish
and Wizard Connection, also of Orlando, helped transform the room into a hip, urban
environment, using sleek, leather sofas and chrome tables from Cort Trade Show
Furnishings, Orlando.
10.
SeaWorld Florida played host to Opening Night, co-produced by Connie Riley, CSEP, of T.
Skorman Productions, Orlando, and David DeLoach of the Magic Kingdom Park. For this event,
which was a cooperative effort between ISES and The Special Event, three pavilions and one
tent were designed to represent the different facets of Florida, such as a tropical Miami
sunset, pictured here. A sunburst effect was achieved with Transformit fabric structures
and vivid lighting.
11. Fun and games: When not partying in the pavilions, guests were
enjoying interactive games, provided by Dave Peters of
Absolute
Amusements, Orlando.
12.
Walk on the wild side: Leopard-print chair covers from
Sculptchair, pumpkin-colored linens from BBJ Boutique Linens, and a sleek art
deco-inspired bar defined the look of Club South Beach, designed by Laura Connaughton of
The New Queenfish Event Decor and Design, Orlando.
13.,14.
A "Tacky Tourist" theme encouraged guests to don their tourist best (or worst).
Plaid Bermuda shorts, goofy hats and Hawaiian shirts reigned.
15.
Beyond the sea: Undulating balloon bubbles and whimsical fish balloon sculptures, created
by Bobbi Roberts of The Balloon Connection, Orlando, transformed one of the SeaWorld
pavilions into an underwater wonderland. Balloons were provided by Kansas-based Pioneer
Balloon.
16.
With all the heat radiating from the tropical-themed tents, guests needed a place to
chill. The icy, penguin-perfect jazz tent provided a contrasting cool spot.
17.
Ready to rumba: Sexy go-go girls and muscle-bound boy-toys invited guests into swanky Club
South Beach, where revelers enjoyed lively Latin music, a little conversation and a whole
lot of cha-cha-cha!
18.
"Shamu Rocks America"--and The Special Event! Opening Night was highlighted by a
special Shamu performance.
19.
Wet and wild: The crowd prepares for a Shamu-induced shower.
20. 1st Place, Budget $1,000 and Above
Rogelio Gonzales, owner of Fantasyland, an event
design firm in the Republic of Panana, took first place in the Budget $1,000 and Above
category. His elaborate, colorful untitled tablescape was a celebration of human
creativity from the past and present; places were set with name cards for actors, writers
and artists throughout history. Its vibrant, over-the-top decor represented the
celebratory aspects of the approaching millennium. Table budget: $2,270
21. 2nd Place, Budget $1,000 and Above
Designers Martyn Fernambucq and Judy Goldberg of
Skokie, Illinois-based BBJ Boutique Linens took second place in the Budget $1,000 and
Above category. Their "Elements of Time" tabletop featured a sculptural
centerpiece embellished with clocks, hour glasses and other symbols of time passing. Table
budget: $1,968
22. 1st Place, Budget Under $1,000
Janet Landey of Party Design in Johannesburg, South
Africa, took first place in the Budget Under $1,000 category for her extraterrestrial
tabletop titled "The Mars Millennium." Silver lamé table and chair linens, an
alien figure and a Milky Way's worth of aluminum tubing completed the intergalactic
experience. Table budget: $672
23. 2nd Place, Budget Under $1,000
Joanne Hulme of Main Line Party Rental, King of
Prussia, Pennsylvania, was awarded second place in the Budget Under $1,000 category. Her
table, "Tick, Tick, Tick," incorporated clocks of all shapes, styles and sizes
into an artistic centerpiece. Table budget: $478
24. In
this two-part Focus On Lighting seminar, lighting designer Jim Block and event designer
Douglas Johnson explored the myriad design aspects of event lighting. The designers
demonstrated projections, rear and front illumination, and other lighting techniques.
25.
Attendees became part of the crew in this two-part, hands-on set
design seminar taught by Sandy Zeigler of Nashville, Tennessee-based Zeigler &
Associates. Attendees designed and constructed the sets used for the Closing General
Session--an eclectic array of wooden frames representing the Windows of Opportunity theme.
26.
Caterers and rental dealers learned the logistics of producing successful off-premise,
tented events at an educational luncheon hosted by Ralph Rendsland of Black Tie to
Barbecue and Pat Mobley of Kirby Rentals, both of Orlando. Topics discussed included use
of flooring and staging, building an off-site kitchen, measuring table distance and more.
27.
Flower Power: Funky sixties fashion meshed with fabulous floral creations at this year's
wedding luncheon, where a runway fashion show highlighted bouquets and nosegays created by
floral designers Randy Baehre, AIFD, Carolyn Shephard, AIFD, and Jen Stone.
28.
Chef Tony Baran of legendary Trader Vic's restaurant in Los Angeles created Asian-fusion
cuisine at a catering seminar that explored foods and cooking techniques from the Middle
to the Far East.
29.
Johnny Cool and the Swing Band provided by T. Skorman Productions, gave a 1940s feel with
Big Band and swing music.
30.
What a drag!: Dallas darling Steve Kemble, along with Special Events Magazine publisher
Lisa Vested and The Special Event director Mary Ann Reilly, CMP, paid campy tribute to the
Andrew Sisters with a hilarious, not-to-be-forgotten rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
31.
John Daly, CSEP, Mona Meretsky, CSEP, and Tim Lundy, CSEP, were among the guests offering
their support to SEARCH. Daly is incoming chair of the SEARCH Foundation.
32. Go,
daddy, go!: SEARCH Foundation chair Richard Aaron, CSEP, CMP, served as a swingin' master
of ceremonies for the second annual SEARCH Foundation Cabaret. The SEARCH Foundation is a
nonprofit organization created to help industry professionals suffering from
life-threatening illnesses.
33.
Under the influence: When subconsciously told they were taking part in a bodybuilding
competition, hypnotized participants put on their buff best.
34.
Laughter echoed throughout the auditorium during Tom DeLuca's session.
35.
Closing General Session speaker Tom DeLuca, president of Orlando-based DeLuca Enterprises,
opened the subconscious minds and imaginations of about a dozen brave attendees during a
riveting--not to mention hilarious--hypnosis session designed to help channel creativity.
The stage set was created by attendees of Sandy Zeigler's theatrical design workshop.
36.
"Aloo oot ubaay veep? Ay, eebzoo dweezbay doos deek
vat!" If you speak Martian, as do these two hypnotized participants, you'd know
exactly what this phrase means. Tom DeLuca, center, does his best to interpret.
37.
Three's a charm: First-time Gala nominees Jaclyn Bernstein and Rob Hulsmeyer of New
York-based Empire Force Events became first-time Gala winners, taking home three awards,
two of which were for the same event.
38.
Presenting the 1998 Gala Award nominees at the 1999 Gala Awards Ceremony, produced by
Patti Coons, CSEP, and Paul Creighton of T. Skorman Productions. This year, Special Events
Magazine and The Special Event changed the name of the ceremony to reflect the year in
which it was held--1999. Thus, the event was called the 1999 Gala Awards Ceremony &
Celebration. The companies and individuals honored, however, were for events produced in
1998.
39.
Little drummer boys: A team of young skate boarders pounding garbage cansña nod to the
popular musical Stompñwas the high-energy finale to the opening percussion performance.
40.
Wedding coordinator Randie Pellegrini of Beverly Hills, California-based Cordially Invited
won her first Gala Award for Best Wedding, Budget Above $30,000. That category was one of
the evening's two ties. Also a winner for Best Wedding, Budget Above $30,000 was a joint
entry by Famous Firsts, Pompano Beach, Florida, and Designs by Sean, Dania, Florida.
41.
Sound and vision: Colorful, kinetic light, designed and engineered by Shawn Richardson of
Orlando-based Richardson Designs, set the tone for the 1999 Gala Awards Ceremony, which
honored the 1998 Gala Award Nominees. The ceremony was kicked off by a powerful,
multicultural percussion session, featuring African, Asian and Native American drummers,
courtesy of T. Skorman Productions. The set, which incorporated tension-fabric sculptures,
was designed by Disney Business Productions.
42. Tim
and Denise Novoselski, former owners of Miramar Communications and founders of Special
Events Magazine, The Special Event and the International Special Events Society, were
given the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by ISES president Carol McKibben, CSEP,
(far left) and Special Events Magazine publisher Lisa Vested (far right). Through their
efforts with the magazine, the trade show and ISES, the Novoselskis have helped the
industry achieve the respect and credibility it deserves.
43.
Five Star Productions' John and Mary Ross won the Gala for Best Event Produced for a
Private Individual.
44.
Never one to miss a good party, Bill Clinton paid a surprise visit to the 1999 Gala Awards
Ceremony, presenting the award for Best Event Photography, which went to Nadine Froger and
Jean-Jacques Pochet, Los Angeles. The Clinton impersonator was provided by T. Skorman
Productions, Orlando.
45. You
gotta jump, jive and then you wail! Swing performers put guests in a Big Band mood. The
evening progressed to incorporate music and dance from all eras. Entertainment was
produced by T. Skorman Productions, Orlando, and Wild Video Dance Party, New York.
46., 47.
You can leave your tray on! Actors dressed as waitstaff surprised guests with an
on-the-money strip performance taken from the film The Full Monty. The stripping waiters
came courtesy of The Interactive Waitstaff Discount Comedy Outlet, Orlando.
48.
David Tutera, executive designer for the 1999 Gala Awards Celebration, created the look of
the post-awards dinner and celebration, held in the ballroom of The Peabody Orlando. Using
gray as his primary color, Tutera draped the entire ballroom in gray velvet and topped
tables with floor-length gray velvet linens. Silver chiavari chairs were covered with
iridescent pearl-gray chiffon covers. Lime-green, tangerine and lemon-yellow
satin-bordered chiffon overlays added visual punch, as did the fruit and floral
centerpiece montages, created with eclectic vases and table lamps from New York-based
Props For Today. All linens and chair covers were custom-made by Spring Valley, New
York-based Cloth Connection, while floral was provided by Florabundance, Carpinteria,
California. Abstract chandeliers made by Los Angeles-based lighting designer Jerry
Astourian added an artsy ambience to the room.
49., 50.
Do a lot of dance: Guests of the 1999 Gala Awards Celebration boogied until the
wee hours. Lighting and sound, designed and engineered by Current Events, Atlanta, and New
York-based Wild Video Dance Party, transformed the room into a high-energy disco. Wild
Video Dance Party provided the extensive trussing for a kinetic lightshow throughout the
evening. |
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