BizBash May June 2009 NY Magazine

A six-foot-diameter helium balloon floated in the center of the courtyard. Glowing blue ice cubes added to the color scheme. An Elvis impersonator serenaded museum patrons Sam Rose and Julie Walters. to remind people that they were in an art museum,” tables and Chiavari chairs offered additional seating said Chamberlin. Another focal point: a six-foot-diaround the edge of the courtyard. Within the first ameter helium balloon, decked with the “Artrageous” half hour of the event, the space was full. Although logo, that floated in the center of the room. “We are most galas in the city have seen a drop in attendance, trying to do things on a grander scale to fit the venue “Artrageous” kept the same 500-guest count from The Smithsonian Museum’s better,” she said, referring to the courtyard’s debut in last year. “At $125 a ticket, our event is quite reasonable “Artrageous” benefit looked to a November 2007. “We have learned that you need to in this town,” said Chamberlin. “We price it that way recent acquisition for inspiration. go big in this space.” to bring in a younger crowd and to appeal to a new To match the blue uplighting, Chamberlin used audience, and it makes us almost recession-proof.” For its fourth annual “Artrageous” circular blue glow tables from Occasions for the bufAfter a set from Jacques Johnson and Friends, the WASHINGTON benefit on February 26 in the fet. Dishes included corn soufflé, shrimp-and-tomato museum presented awards to the patrons responKogod Courtyard, the Smithsonian American Art bisque with shrimp toasts, and beef short ribs, and a sible for bringing the sculpture to the museum, Museum paid tribute to Roy Lichtenstein’s 30-foot- separate table offered cheese tastings. including the artist’s wife Dorothy LichArtrageous Benefit tall sculpture “Modern Head”—a deep-blue outInstead of the traditional floral artenstein. Smithsonian head G. Wayne Smithsonian Museum door sculpture currently on view on the museum rangements on each table, ChamberClough thanked museum patrons Sam of American Art grounds. “We are looking to our new neighborhood lin worked with Fandango to create Rose and Julie Walters, who were then Catering Occasions landmark and using cobalt-blue colors everywhere,” abstract sculptures of neon light and serenaded by an Elvis impersonator—a Caterers said the museum’s special events manager, Emily blue blossoms, which became part reference to the real Elvis, who, Clough Lighting, Audiovisual Chamberlin. sculpture and part centerpiece— informed guests, performed at the Production Fandango Productions Blue hues swathed the museum’s exterior matching the glowing blue ice cubes couple’s wedding. Printing Lake Litho and the courtyard’s interior, blanketing everything in guests’ drinks. Following remarks, ’Round MidRentals Perfect Settings from the lighting to the centerpieces to the linens. Between the buffet tables, several night took over the music, and guests L.L.C. To make sure guests knew the artwork of honor, a all-white leather, Le Corbusier-style had dessert, which included a gelato Transportation Marc Parc Valet Inc. 25-foot-tall projection of “Modern Head” showed on chairs and sofas surrounded white station, macaroons, and cookies paintVenue Smithsonian stretched spandex against one wall. “We realized modern coffee tables atop shag cared with an image of Lichtenstein’s big American Art Museum that there was no art in the space and we wanted pets. Clusters of blue linen-topped blue head. —Danielle O’Steen True Blue PHOTOS: TONY BROWN/IMIJINATION PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BIZBASH bizbash.com may/june 2009 59 Sebastian Li grouped longnecked golden vases filled with sprays of yellow orchids. Vicente Wolf designed a gilded tower of Chinese lanterns. Shine On Subtle gold- and silver designs stood out among the many tables at the New York Botanical Garden’s annual benefit . A gilded obelisk-shaped birdcage was the focal point for the Cullman & Kravis Inc. table. Metallic orchids accented the centerpiece design by Stephen Elrod for Lee Jofa. The New York Botanical Garden celebrated its Orchid Dinner benefit at the Rainbow Room on February 24 with the customary mélange of tables decked out in a multitude of styles and packed with masses of orchids. Twentyeight designers, largely from the interior design world, created the settings, which ranged from elegant to austere. A dominant theme this year was the recurring use of metallic objects, like golden chargers at David Easton’s table, shimmering golden lanterns at Vicente Wolf’s setting, and shiny metal orchid accents from Stephen Elrod for Lee Jofa. . The garden’s Jennifer Rominiecki, vice president for individual giving and special events, oversaw the benefit, and Carolyn Englefield, Veranda magazine’s editor at large, served as decorations chair. The Tiffany & Company Foundation, the Bank of New York Mellon, and Veranda sponsored the event. Dan Dahl of Bowman Dahl served as design coordinator. New York Botanical The fund-raiser garnered Garden’s Orchid $600,000 for the garden’s Dinner orchid-research collection. Audiovisual Production —Lisa Cericola Citiview Audiovisual Ltd. & Mark Mavrigian Band The Bob Hardwick NEW YORK Michael Tavano’s table included white chinoiserie statuettes surrounding a hurricane-turned-terrarium topped with a pagoda-like cap. ON BIZBASH.COM More photos and details from this event Sound Catering, Venue The Rainbow Room by Cipriani Lighting Frost Lighting Rentals Party Rental Ltd. PHOTOS: ROGER DONG FOR BIZBASH Interior designer David Kleinberg’s setting had a sculptural feel, with a lampshade-like structure laced with orchids. Registration Web Development Travel & Housing Event Management www.e-ventsreg.com l 877.552.3401 Malcolm James Kutner placed towering, ornate silver candlesticks on his table, and a number of smaller arrangements in silver julep cups. To reserve ad space, contact Robert Fitzgerald at 917.438.0177. Advertising deadline: May 12, 2009 Subscribe today online at bizbash.com/subscribe, or call 866.456.0517. Aerial acrobats performed on a ladder that grew taller throughout the routine. A Redmoon actor poured drinks from his perch atop the theater’s wine bike—a machine with an umbrella of rotating glasses. A trio of singers, armed with masks and individual spotlights, sang short ditties for individual guests. for the planning team. To build a cohesive vision for the event, Stalling pored over the visuals, then set out to “heighten the ideas that seemed to be right for the evening and cut things that felt unnecessary,” Maugeri said. “She listened to the group and her Redmoon Theater’s Spectacle impulses.” Lunatique benefit showcased a Next, in order to bring the evening’s loose “Past, host of unexpected touches. Present, and Future” theme to life, the planning com- Redmoon mittee pulled costumes, props, and art objects from performers “That snorkeler’s constantly on the the theater’s warehouse, so that actors dressed as played CHICAGO phone, bitching to someone,” said characters from past productions roamed the space, unusual a guest at Spectacle Lunatique, a fund-raiser on and the 500 guests also got a peek at visuals that instruments March 13 for the Redmoon Theater. Indeed, at the will appear in future productions. throughout entrance to the dinner area—which occupied the Throughout the evening, performers trotted the cocktail center of Redmoon Central, the company’s sprawlout in a series of processions. At one point, acreception. ing, warehouse-like venue—a performer dressed in tors holding ornate fish puppets swarmed toward banana yellow snorkeling gear sat in a boat strung partygoers, slowly shook the puppets to make them with garlands of grapes, holding a prop telephone appear to float, then backed away quickly. A posse of to her ear and wearing an irate expression. And the mask-wearing actors wore pregnant bellies made of displeased snorkeler was one of the evening’s less papier-mâché; when they approached guests, they unusual visuals. flipped a switch that made the fake bellies open up “Spectacle-making is one of the things that we to reveal miniature puppet shows. In yet another do exceptionally well,” said Frank procession, a line of performers wearMaugeri, the theater’s artistic director. Redmoon Theater’s ing illuminated white peacock headSpectactle Lunatique “Throwing great parties is another.” dresses filed out into the crowd; a few Benefit The mission of the benefit, Maugeri minutes later, fake clouds and airplanes Catering Finesse Cuisine said, was to showcase Redmoon’s whooshed by on sticks, while the acEntertainment Silver Guy, flair for both of those things, while tors holding them made blowing-wind Seeking Wonderland, Shu simultaneously raising funds for the sounds with their mouths. Shubat, Chicago Dance company. In an attempt to explain an event Crash Entertainment, Venue Maugeri worked with associate that nearly defies description, Maugeri Redmoon Theater artistic director Vanessa Stalling to offered, “It’s a funny, beautiful party, Flowers Belmont Blooms spearhead the benefit, which he said and a very active evening. Every 10 Lighting John Horan, took about “eight weeks of thinking minutes, people see something new. It’s Sound Investment Ltd. Printing A to Z Printing and six weeks of action.” The thinkridiculous and bomRentals Tablescapes, BBJ ing part of the process began when bastic, and delightON BIZBASH.COM Linen—Chicago a team of artists associated with the ful and strange.” More photos from Signage GraphicSource theater assembled a series of images —Jenny Berg this event Valet Service VIP Valet Full Moon Guests pulled appetizers from a suitcase and napkins from a performer’s dress. PHOTOS: BARRY BRECHEISEN FOR BIZBASH bizbash.com may/june 2009 63 Special Advertising Section BIZBASH Spotlight on Activity Venues This issue of BizBash focuses on activity venues appropriate for teambuilding events, morale boosters, social events, or after-work stress relievers. Activity venues offer alternatives to the bar or club scene, restaurants, and formal affairs— in fun, relaxed settings. Events can be customized for small or large groups and create memorable moments that participants will talk about for weeks, meaning that activity venues are sure to please even the toughest crowds. Consider these activity venues for your next event. Yacht Star of America This 130-foot luxury yacht is the only grand yacht in New York Harbor built as a true private yacht. It is host to social and corporate events for as many as 149 guests. It has three decks, all available to guests. The main deck features a SoHo--inspired salon with stylish furnishings, a baby grand piano, and a full bar. At the stern is a cozy retreat with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV. The decor is sophisticated and upscale. The dining and service experience on board is nothing short of outstanding. The expansive upper deck is ideal for lounging yacht-style and viewing New York City’s amazing skyline on a sunny day or a starry night. Manhattan Steamboat Company Chelsea Piers, NYC Contact: Dorit Zeevi-Farrington P: 212.355.8304 C: 917.686.1016 E: dzf@manhattansteamboat.com Special Advertising Section Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge blends state-of-the-art lanes with a plush, high-energy atmosphere featuring designer seating, party space, sophisticated menus, fullservice bars, billiards, plasma TVs, DJs, and electronic art shows on the lanes! It is the perfect location for teambuilding and corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelorette parties. The space also hosts the ultimate nightlife atmosphere with the Luxe Lounge, a private bowling suite with four lanes, a bar, custom leather seating and a 20- by 12foot HD video projection screen with 3D capability. Get out of the gutter and into Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge 624-660 West 42nd St. (off 12th Ave.) New York, NY 10036 P: 646.829.0170 W: www.bowlluckystrike.com Astor Center Astor Center is the city’s premier culinary events venue. With state-of-the-art food production and entertaining facilities set in a landmark architectural gem, we host hands-on cooking or cocktail classes, wine and spirit tastings, and events themed around the pleasures of the table. We can provide planning assistance from our team of food, wine, and hospitality experts, as well as use of audiovisual, design, and service equipment; alternatively, you can simply use our space and rely on your own planning professionals to carry out your ideas. • Spaces: The Gallery, The Kitchen, The Study, The Lounge • Capacity: 300 399 Lafayette St. (at East 4th St.) NY, NY 10003 P: 212.763.0833 W: www.astorcenternyc.com For opportunities in upcoming Spotlight sections, please contact Robert Fitzgerald at 917.438.0177 or rfitzgerald@bizbash.com. Green linens, black tableware, and centerpieces incorporating white and pink blooms and jewel-shaped ice sculptures decorated tables. Large screens displayed imagery from the event’s invite. Ladies’ Night To celebrate the opening of its redesigned Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center hosted a sustainable gala. Lincoln Center has a new reason to celebrate: The organization’s nearly two-year, $159 million renovation of Alice Tully Hall is finally complete. And in any other time, a grand event would most certainly mark the occasion. But of course, a struggling economy and tightening budgets make these times very different, and the center’s gala for nearly 700 guests on February 23 reflected that. As a nod to the hall’s original benefactor, Alice Tully, the event—dubbed “The Leading Ladies of New York”—honored 12 female patrons of the performing arts campus. “One of the things that was very important to [honoree] Laurie Tisch was that the event be very sustainable, we repurpose as much as we could, and that we be mindful of the economic climate that we’re in,” NEW YORK said Lincoln Center’s senior director of special events, Mary Callaghan. (Plans begun in more flush times included dancing and a band, two elements that were eliminated after the market’s dive.) “Everyone is looking for the right way to entertain in the current economy,” said designer and producer Matthew David Hopkins. “You want it to feel appropriate. This is more intimate and celebratory, but not overtly grand.” Hopkins went through several more elaborate design concepts before arriving at the final result. (The gala marked the debut of Hopkins’ reconfigured company, now called 360 Design Events Ltd.) While decor in Alice Tully Hall—where a postcocktail hour and pre-dinner performance took place—was kept to a minimum, Hopkins created a transporting environment in the dinner space, the Tent at Damrosch Park. To create a sense of intimacy, Hopkins draped 5,400 feet of sustainable cotton from the tent’s 26foot ceiling, a solution that not only made the dinner space feel smaller, but also eliminated the need to fill the cavernous room overhead and offset the dark floor of the tent. “It was a way to solve a lot of things at one time,” Hopkins said. Additional decor elements included accent lighting in green and 66 bizbash.com may/june 2009 PHOTOS: EMILY GILBERT FOR BIZBASH Tight Budgets Demand Smart Venue Choices Models from Graff Diamonds wore jewels during the cocktail reception. Sustainable cotton hung from the ceiling in the dinner space. C Choose Wisely W With BizBash’s 2009 National Venue Guide Research 850 venues in 16 event markets A predinner cocktail reception showed off the new lobby of Alice Tully Hall. Check out our editors’ picks for venues, nightlife, and entertaining Find out what’s changed since last year Select the perfect venue while watching your budget. Order today! $24.95 (additional S/H rates apply if mailed outside of the U.S.) Call 646.839.6835 or email tharilall@bizbash.com pink, tabletop ice sculptures in the form of jewels (a nod to sponsor Graff Diamonds), and floral arrangements that incorporated white roses, hydrangea, and pink orchids. Large canvases displaying projections of graphics used on the invitations— cropped images of women in dresses—lined the perimeter of the room. Environmental sustainability served as another guiding principle of Leading Ladies of New the event, in part as an York Celebrate Lincoln acknowledgment of Center’s Alice Tully Hall Tisch’s commitment to social responsibility. Green components of the event included the donation of the fabric to nonprofit Materials for the Arts and centerpieces to the Flowerpower Foundation, the contracting of local vendors, and the use of municipal water to create ice sculptures. —Mimi O’Connor Audio, Lighting Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging Catering Catering by Restaurant Associates Design, Production, Flowers 360 Design Events Ltd. Ice Sculptures Okamoto Studio—New York Ice Sculpture Linens Party Cloths of New York Linens, Rentals Party Rental Ltd. Tenting Stamford Tent & Event Services Locate the best venues for your meetings & events now in: Atlanta, Atlantic City (NEW!), Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix/Scottsdale, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. VENUES: It’s never too early to reserve space in the 2010 National Venue Guide! Contact Robert Fitzgerald at 917.438.0177 or rfitzgerald@bizbash.com now to lock in the lowest rates of the year! First Protocol, an Award Winning Event Marketing Agency For more information on how First Protocol can help you support your event initiatives, including conferences, conventions, destination management, special events and incentives please call 212-810-4100 or email us at info@firstprotocol.com Logistics Design Data Management Production Strategic Planning Consultancy Outsourcing Precision in the Art of Communication www.firstprotocol.com What’s Worth It? “I don’t think it’s a matter of what you must cut from your budget, but what you do with the money you have,” says Ting Wang, events and promotions manager for Condé Nast’s Fairchild Fashion Group in New York. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is to produce a memorable event.” That pretty much sums up the point of the following pages—to explore which event expenses are worthwhile in an economic climate that can make many aspects of entertaining seem extraneous. Hosts with limited budgets face some difficult decisions, so we asked a diverse array of event planners about the line items they continue to approve (and fight for), and the costs they eliminate. Some opinions are specific to the respondents’ companies and brands; others are particular to their personal preferences and pet peeves. Some are contradictory—the print vs. email invitation debate is a hot topic—but in choosing which comments to include, we tried to focus on the concepts that many people agree on. When it comes time to set the final budget, PHOTO: COURTESY OF MCNABB ROICK Many planners agree that lighting can have a big impact, like these projections of moving bubbles at the opening-night party for the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid in 2008. Where to spend and where to save in today’s budgets. though, the ultimate decisions often depend on the situation. “Every event is so different,” says Katie Youngkin, senior events manager at the Fader Inc. in New York. “You have to judge each event based on the audience it would attract and what would be most valuable to reaching that audience. Is it more important to get a DJ with allure, or just one who will play fun music? Is food necessary, or would drinks only be fine?” You’ll have to make those calls on your own, but here are some suggestions to guide your choices. bizbash.com may/june 2009 69 A good DJ. Unless it is a very Where to Find DJs Skam Artist (310.659.2970, skamartist.com) books DJs including Chicago-based Tony Arzadon, who specializes in dance music and starts at $750. On the roster of the Mint Agency (416.923.6468, themintagency.com) in Toronto is DJ Shawn, who spins a mix of genres including Top 40, hiphop, and rock, starting at $800. The Scratch Events (866.955.8580, scratchevents.com) talent pool includes New York-based DJ Lexey, who spins ’80s hits, hip-hop, and rock, starting at $1,200. PHOTOS: DONATO SARDELLA/WIREIMAGE.COM (ELLE DJ), ERIC POWELL FOR BIZBASH (GREEN DRINKS), ANDREASPHOTO.CA (BLUE DRINKS) small gathering, a DJ gives a certain energy to any party that you’re just not going to get from an iPod. Also, if the crowd decides to turn your event into an impromptu dance party, having WORTH IT a good DJ allows that flexibility. Tomiko Iwata, vice president of special events, Fox Broadcasting Company, Los Angeles NOT WORTH IT Celebrity DJs, unless your event requires headline talent to perform. There’s so much talent out there that you can get a great DJ—who may even be better suited to your crowd— for a fraction of the cost. DJ Daisy O’Dell at Elle’s lounge at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles in February I would never cut the bar to just beer and wine or not have a premium top-shelf bar—I think that looks Iced blue martinis at the One Night Live Platinum Party in Toronto last year tacky. People usually stick to their own signature drink, and if the bar isn’t stocked with their liquor, WORTH IT that guest will remember that event forever … and not fondly. Taryn Lubin, senior manager of events, Mutual of America, New York Green cocktails and decor at a Carmen Group party in Washington last year WORTH IT Second only to food, drinks are one of the most important elements of a great event. Top-shelf liquors and a creative drink list are a must, and having capable bartenders is extremely important to the flow of the event; guests don’t like to wait around with an empty glass. Creating a custom drink menu based on your event theme or message adds an extra flair for no extra price. It signifies that you care about the guests’ experience and took the time to consider them while creating your menu. Lauren Farruggio, events and meetings coordinator, the Boston Consulting Group, New York 70 bizbash.com may/june 2009 Branding and messaging is still critical. In particular, we try to focus resources on the areas that will have the most impact WORTH for the longest amount of time. For example, rather than a branded entrance, we’d recommend putting the money into a branded set or stage area, since that’s where people’s attention will be for the longest and most critical parts of the event. Howard Givner, C.E.O. for North America, Global Events Group, New York IT The Gemini awards set in Toronto in November 2008 Maxwell House’s coffee lounge at Chatelaine magazine’s 80th anniversary event in Toronto in April 2008 Sheryl Crow at Mercedes-Benz’s House of BlueTEC event in New York in March 2008 PHOTOS: PETER FARAGHER/ACCT (GEMINI AWARDS), ANDREASPHOTO.CA FOR BIZBASH (CHATELAINE), ALICE AND CHRIS FOR BIZBASH (SHERYL CROW), BIZBASH (SEX AND THE CITY), JENNIFER GRAYLOCK (BLACKBERRY) WORTH IT It’s the little original details that people will really remember. For the launch of Hairspray, we did a party, and what people remember the most is that we had a lady in costume ironing grilled cheese sandwiches in the window. For the Sex and the City party, it was the pink tutus on the male waiters. Not only are those elements fun, but those surprises make great photo ops. We end up with media coverage, plus guests take photos that appear online, get forwarded around, and are posted on office bulletin boards. Carrie Wolfe, vice president of publicity and promotion, Alliance Atlantis, Toronto Male servers in pink tutus at the Canadian premiere of Sex and the City in Toronto in May 2008 WORTH IT At product launches, it’s worth investing in experiential, interactive elements. The goal is to generate as much press as possible, from print to broadcast to blogs. So it’s vital that the press gets to interact with the products. Having those interactive elements builds a connection between consumers and the brand, so the client gets a lot more out of the event as well. Ryan Jordan, national creative director, Harrison & Shriftman, New York A geek squad, called “Bold Brainiacs,” at a Blackberry launch in New York When forecasting our yearly calendar of events, we work very closely with our event partners to create assets that can be reused throughout the year. This is a costsaving exercise that allows us to custom-design event assets that have staying power. Also, renting carpet can be very costly and the selection is limited. We use a custom company that is able to provide a very high-quality carpet that is very close to our brand color. The last piece of carpet we had cut has made its way to four different events, saving the company money but not undermining the quality we aim to achieve. Beth Appleton, director of communications and experiential marketing, strategic initiatives, Telus, Toronto WORTH IT bizbash.com may/june 2009 71 WORTH IT Staffers used computers for check-in and seat assignments at the St. Jude Gourmet Gala in Washington in February. Spending money on your people: a professional team to greet guests, troubleshoot, and stay calm under pressure, and a strong technical director to ensure a seamless and timely show/program. Stacy Seligman Kravitz, director of special events, Fulfillment Fund, Los Angeles WORTH IT It’s a mistake to cut service or staff. People don’t remember if the steak was outstanding at an event. They remember if it was cold, or if it took half an hour to get a drink. Kristy Pozulp, events and communications manager, Diamond Management and Technology Consultants, Chicago WORTH IT Working with a fine caterer that has exceptional service is always a must, but absolutely in this environment. You can always work to pare down a menu, perhaps serve something simple yet elegant, rather than fussy and particular—that menu may now seem over the top. Having a great catering staff that allows your guests to have a wonderful and carefree time is always worth the money. NOT WORTH IT Gift bags are not a must. It requires a lot of staff time to put just the right bag together, and that time could be better spent in many other ways, particularly for a nonprofit. Elaborate and extravagant gift bags may even be viewed negatively during these times. I don’t think guests will miss the bag. Kara Minogue, president, Kara Minogue & Company, New York WORTH IT A really terrific keynote speaker at a conference. Having a great speaker really helps with the initial marketing of the event, and can be a very successful draw. I’m not talking about motivational speakers—the key to a great keynote is having someone who’s directly tied to the content of the day. NOT WORTH IT Premiums are not something that people remember. We’re a health-care intelligence company, so when we hold meetings, we’re selling intelligence and not coffee mugs. The content is more important than the tchotchkes. PHOTOS: JOSEPH ALLEN FOR BIZBASH (STAFF), COURTESY OF ALIZA SHERMAN WORTH IT Your staff is a reflection of your company and provides one-on-one contact with your clients. They market your event philosophy through client interaction. When times are tough, well-trained service staff are one of the best assets you have. Hillary Harris, director of special events, Warner Brothers, Los Angeles Katie Jackson, director of conference and event services, Sg2 Health Care Intelligence, Skokie, Illinois A New Source for Speakers Media company Macmillan (212.561.8291, macmillanspeakers.com) recently opened a speakers bureau with its most popular authors: former U.S. undersecretary of commerce Robert J. Shapiro; Web entrepreneur Aliza Sherman; Glenn Kessler, diplomatic correspondent for The Washington Post; and William Shatner, who wrote his memoir last year. Fees range from $5,000 to $100,000. Aliza Sherman NOT WORTH IT Keeping costs down by doing things ‘in-house’ can be counterproductive and can cause staff burnout. One of the best investments is the hiring of a registration company to design online registrations and to work on site. This reduces the pressure on staff and provides needed assistance at events. We also used to spend countless hours working through hotel and convention center contracts. That too has changed. We are now working with a meeting management company. The purchasing power of this company is phenomenal, and we are in awe of the bargaining power they have when negotiating with hotels and venues for rental space and food/beverage. Janice Taylor, director of conferences and events, Canadian Wind Energy Association, Ottawa WORTH IT Guests are looking for an experience and not just another open-bar soiree. I bet people would remember a create-your-own-dessert or candy-bag station versus a perfect chocolate soufflé. Ting Wang, events and promotions manager, Fairchild Fashion Group, Condé Nast, New York NOT WORTH IT It’s easy to make do with an iPod and speakers as a stand-in these days. Live music is a fine thing to drop. Lauren Burack, vice president of promotional and event marketing, IFC Television, New York WORTH IT Quality audiovisual is key to a successful event. Nothing is worse than a presentation gone bad because the audiovisual equipment didn’t work. Guests often forget what they’ve had for dinner but always remember that they couldn’t hear the speaker or see the presentation. Nicholas Ferrando, special events manager, Food Bank for New York City WORTH IT Appropriate valet staffing. It is so tempting to cut and trim this line item, but it’s worth it. No matter how fantastic the event may be, if the guests have to wait around for 20 minutes to get their car, it could kill the evening. Tomiko Iwata, vice president of special events, Fox Broadcasting Company, Los Angeles WORTH IT Healthy food options. Many people have food allergies these days and are taking better care of themselves. You can get creative without going overboard, and people are appreciative. At my last conference, I added in a variety of 100-calorie packs, and the attendees loved them. Meredith Wolff, vice president, director of corporate events, OppenheimerFunds Inc., New York 72 bizbash.com may/june 2009 Good lighting can add immediate ambience to a room and create the atmosphere you’re looking WORTH IT for without spending a fortune on specialty linens and florals. Jenny Stahl, event manager, AOL, New York PHOTOS: JONAH KOCH FOR BIZBASH (ABSOLUT), ASSOCIATED PRESS (TRUMP DUBAI), COURTESY OF RIVER EAST ART CENTER Absolut’s Kanye West Glow in the Dark after-party in Washington last May WORTH IT Lighting can change the entire feel of the room. You can cover up a lot of unsightly spaces. Effective use of lighting can enhance the features within the space that deserve extra attention. Beth Appleton, director communications and experiential marketing, strategic initiatives, Telus, Toronto Scenic video projections within a dome structure at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai launch in Los Angeles in August NOT WORTH IT WORTH IT If you don’t have , then you don’t have a great event. The venue is a very core piece to the event’s success. No matter how much the economy forces people to tighten the belt, we wouldn’t downgrade our choice of venue. Katie Jackson, director of conference and event services, Sg2 Health Care Intelligence, Skokie, Illinois a captivating venue One of Jackson’s go-to venues: the River East Art Center in Chicago Big-name venues can come with a large price tag. Picking a smaller, lesser-known venue can save money and also be a more personal planning experience. Everyone is suffering because of the economy, so an obscure venue may offer you a great package you couldn’t get with a more well-known place. The venue manager may also be more flexible and accommodating, making the planning experience move smoothly for you. When the event goes well, your planning style will be noted as creative and original for taking a risk, and the venue will appreciate the chance to prove itself. Lauren Farruggio, events and meetings coordinator, the Boston Consulting Group, New York bizbash.com may/june 2009 73 The invitation sets the tone for the event, and the guests’ experience is one of the most important WORTH IT aspects. A smaller event with a lot of attention to detail is better than a big event with no attention at all. Rory Hermelee, director of public relations and communications for North America and Latin America, Bulgari, New York The Mini Rooftop NYC Fashion Week festival in September had a multipart invitation. WORTH IT Decor and printed materials are worth spending money on because it won’t appear that you have cut corners if your event is still elegant. There are other ways to cut expenses that would not be obvious to the eye. If you printed an elegant invitation on expensive card stock one year and the next year printed a two-color invitation on cheaper card stock, it would be obvious that the quality of your invitation had gone down, sending the message that the quality of your event had possibly gone down. Ann M. Dean, director of special events, Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, New York WORTH IT The invitation is the first opportunity for you to communicate with your guest. You want to be sure it properly reflects the mood of the event, speaks to you—or your brand—as the host of the event, and piques their interest in attending whatever it is that you have planned. Kimberly Burt, director of marketing and public relations, central region, Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon, Chicago Design Firms That Do Paper and Email Branding and invitation design agency Creative Intelligence (323.936.9009, creativeintelligence.com) has produced invites for Wynn Las Vegas and Montage Resorts. Florio Design (212.229.9064, floriodesign.com) is a New York-based graphic communications company that has created invitations for the James Beard Foundation and the Museum of Arts and Design. Los Angeles-based Kira Evans Design (323.954.0800, kiraevansdesign.com) serves clients such as Spike TV, Nissan, and Nascar. John Kneapler Design Inc. (212.463.9774, johnkneaplerdesign.com) is a New York-based firm that has created invites for the Food Bank of New York City and Hackensack University Medical Center. Clients such as the National Air and Space Museum have called on Tony Fletcher Design (703.212.0744, tonyfletcher.com), an Alexandria, Virginia-based company. Online Invitation Options Bailey House’s auction in New York in February had a folded, poster-size invitation. NOT WORTH IT For corporate events, printed invitations are a complete waste of money. People are constantly on their BlackBerries or smartphones, and they need invitations that can link directly to their personal calendars. Taryn Lubin, senior manager of events, Mutual of America, New York Janeen Saltman, president, JKS Events Inc., New York NOT WORTH IT Everyone has a sympathetic ear to hosts being more frugal, so people are more receptive than ever to electronic invites now. Howard Givner, C.E.O. for North America, Global Events Group, New York Socializr (socializr.com) combines social networking into its invitations, incorporating Facebook, MySpace, and similar sites. MyPunchbowl (mypunchbowl. com) allows users to upload photos and video from Flickr and YouTube. 74 bizbash.com may/june 2009 PHOTOS: JESSICA TOROSSIAN FOR BIZBASH (INVITATIONS) Save the postage and NOT WORTH save the trees. Forgo a paper invitation. You can include a note about being green to show your concern for the environment. You can design a nice email invitation and send it out as many times as you like, or need to, to reach your target audience. You’ll never run out of invitations, so if you don’t get the response you want, send out more. IT No-frills Enclude (enclude.com) lets users create simple, ad-free invites using stock images or their own photos. Online event scheduler Boomguest (boomguest.com) allows attendees to list their guests, so plus-ones can be included on the host’s list by name. Zoji (zoji.com) gives hosts the ability to organize their contacts into groups, which can help manage lists for recurring events. Are You Worth It? Cost concerns have many organizations scaling back (or even eliminating) event departments, outsourcing planning tasks, and passing other work to inexperienced administrative staffers. This new reality makes proving your value increasingly important. Here’s a look at how to justify your job. By MICHAEL O’CONNELL by leveraging relationships with vendors and offering sponsors more visibility at events, we’ve managed to keep our cost to raise a dollar the same.” When presenting your savings, the point is to provide specific numbers. For example, you might show an itemized bill from a hotel that lists its original rates for a meeting—and the lower fees you negotiated. If your annual salary is, say, $70,000, showing that your negotiations saved the company $100,000 makes a pretty compelling case for your continued employment. Brand Consistency Full-time employees are inevitably more immersed in a company’s brand and corporate culture than outsiders, and skilled marketers can translate those qualities into the events and meetings they produce, whether they’re sales-driven events for customers or internal events for employees. “I think there’s a level of brand awareness you don’t get when you bring someone in from the outside that ultimately hurts the experience,” says Al Silvestri, vice president and director of corporate marketing and strategic development at Hachette Filipacchi Media in New York. He maintains a dialogue with his company’s sales departments and clients. “We’ve now got weekly meetings with clients to make sure they’re aware we’re integrating them into our experiences in an organic way while showing our company that we stay true to the brand.” The Argument These discussion points make the case for the value of smart, experienced event and meeting planners. Cost Savings Nothing speaks to employers like the bottom line, so you should already be keeping track of how much money you’ve managed to save through negotiations, partnerships, and minor budget-saving adjustments. “Even more than the economy today, people are worried about future money,” says Gen Art New York event director Kaki Stergiou. “Something I would have hired a freelancer for, I’m now hiring volunteers [to do], on the promise of partnering with them on something else. And for venues that are hesitant to give a low rate, I’ve gotten discounts for signing on to do two [events] in a year instead of just one.” It also makes sense to acknowledge the need to cut back before it’s asked of you. Heather Greer, director of special events at New York’s Citymealson-Wheels, worked out her 2009 budget last summer, but in light of the economic decline, decided to make a more modest draft earlier this year. “We revised our projections and presented them to the board,” Greer says. “Even though we’re spending less, Centralization Planners on staff are the main repository of knowledge and expertise. They keep track of past events, vendor information, budgets, and blueprints for annual initiatives. They know about negotiated discounts with suppliers, and they can make sure that all company events and meetings adhere to a set protocol (or at least work toward it). They have clear responsibilities, and don’t work on the details of an important meeting between other non-related tasks. They’re also there every day, so they can answer questions, help other departments, and contribute to event initiatives from their beginning stages, vetting costs and contributing ideas as concepts take shape. “We work alongside other departments to keep proactive as possible,” says Cathi Culbertson, director of protocol and corporate entertainment at Forbes in New York. “If sales has to meet with clients about future proj- Know how to solve problems discretely— and when to tout the crises you’ve averted. ects, we hand them five different event Accountability concepts, so when they pitch them, The ultimate success—or failure—of an they’re guaranteed to get a good recep- event depends on the conduct of the tion on at least two.” people in charge. Valuable professionals accept responsibility and know what to Relationships do if something goes wrong. The deposit you would have lost when “In all of my events, I make sure that the company canceled a meeting, I’m there for every step,” says corporate but which got turned into a credit event planner Jennifer Leto, who troublewhen you leveled with the catering shoots by maintaining a presence at manager you’ve known for a decade? each of the 20 to 30 meetings she proThe 20 percent discount you got from duces each year for the New York-based recommending a caterer to a friend Hess Corporation. “Guests have informaat another company? So much of the tion that tells them exactly what they value that experienced planners bring need to know—everything from knowto their companies is based on the rela- ing that gratuities are included to what tionships they’ve forged with vendors number to call if there’s an emergency. and other professionals. So make sure You can’t leave anything to chance. people know what your personal conExecutives shouldn’t be worried about nections mean to your employer. logistics when they’re at an event.” “Sometimes it’s as simple as sendThings often go wrong in the course ing out emails after an event to say, of an event, but even when they’re ‘Look at this great rate we got,’” says caught off guard, seasoned pros have a Stergiou. “It shows people what you’re backup plan—or can come up with one doing and how you’re cutting costs.” on the spot. They deal with unexpected weather conditions on the day of an outdoor party. They know whom to call when a vendor goes belly-up the week before a conference. They have the forethought to secure insurance to avoid hidden penalties. They know the ins and outs of security and how to handle medical emergencies. Most important: They know when to keep quiet and smile through such catastrophes, and when to show their bosses how they’ve skirted disaster. One possible time to speak up: when an exec is looking to hand over your responsibilities to someone who likely isn’t willing or able to be similarly accountable for them. 76 bizbash.com may/june 2009 Out of sight, out of mind. If you’re a telecommuter, you need to go into work. Everyone likes working from home, but it’s so much easier to fire someone you don’t see every day. If your boss isn’t seeing you on a daily basis, it’s easy for them to imagine you not being there. After years as a corporate headhunter If you had just one piece and résumé doctor, Stephen Viscusi has of advice to give someone taken on the role of job retention exconcerned about job secupert. His most recent book, Bulletproof rity, what would it be? Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out You have to approach your boss the Rough Times and Come Out on Top and be honest. Tell them that you at Work, offers tips for people sweating know revenue is down and that out the uncertain job market. times are tough, and you want to How can people best prove their know where you stand. Address worth in the workplace today? them directly. Don’t expect them to The most important thing is to estabanswer, and don’t force them to try, but lish a personal relationship with your let them know that you really love the boss, and your boss’s boss, so that they job and you want to stay useful and in know you as an individual. The hiring the loop. process today sterilizes who we are, Is there an easy route for people to and it means that bosses don’t often stay active and informed in their know their staff. Nobody likes firing industry during a recession? people, but it’s easier to fire someone Set a Google news alert for your comyou don’t really know. petitors, your company, and your boss. What’s the biggest mistake people You might not know everything that’s can make at their jobs right now? being said about your industry that’s The Expert Stephen Viscusi How to avoid getting the boot—and fight it if you do. relevant to you, but if you have any mentions of your company emailed to you as they’re published, you’ll probably hear the news before everyone in your office. It also keeps you updated on your competitors—if they’re landing big jobs or if they might be hiring. Your résumé should always be online, as well. You can keep it cloaked and ambiguous on job sites like Monster.com, but poten- tial employers can still show interest in you. What’s the best thing you can do if you find yourself being pushed out the door? Bosses almost always use the phrases “It’s a numbers thing” and “It’s not personal” when explaining why they have to let someone go. Then they’ll offer a package or a buyout, but it’s still just a fancy, white-collar way of telling someone they’re fired. What I’m reminding people today is that it takes a long time to find a new job, so you respond to your boss by telling them you’re willing to take a pay cut or work fewer days a week. If it’s a numbers thing, what’s the number? Try to negotiate, catch them off guard, and if it works, then you start looking for a new job. It’s always better to find a job when you still have one. Liz Glover Wilson The Example How one planner has expanded her department and her responsibilities, while adapting to her company’s changing needs. Liz Glover Wilson has spent nearly 13 years at iStar Financial, steadily increasing her presence at the company by centralizing its approach to meetings and events and rising to vice president of corporate events. Now that funds are being taken from her department, she approaches every project with an argument for its necessity, and so far, she’s making her point. How She’s Already Proven Her Worth When Glover Wilson joined the real estate investment firm in 1996, planning its events was a one-woman job. She spent her first few years running 35 big events a year on a shoestring budget and eventually implemented a standard by which all iStar events are produced. Glover Wilson now has oversight of all meetings and event initiatives nationwide, so whether someone in her department or an administrative assistant plans them, they should deliver a consistent brand message and use her proven cost-saving methods. “I’ve always talked to my staff a lot about being a part of the whole iStar team,” Glover Wilson says. “We’ve built the department in such a way that the company doesn’t see us just as event planners, but as a flexible extension return on investment. Going forward, I have this new term, and that’s ‘return on perception.’ What we’re facing now—especially as a public company What She Has to Show for It and financial firm—is the unfortunate After a few years on the job, Glover Wil- portrayal by the media that events son called a meeting with top execuare bad.” tives to discuss growth of her position. Earlier this year, Glover Wilson “I had a packet detailing how much was planning an event tied to a major money I spent on each event,” she says. financial conference, which a small “We went over the variety of projects iStar delegation planned to attend. She I’d worked on, from the $3,000 events was pulling it off on 75 percent of the to the $200,000 ones.” budget she’d expected, until the day That meeting lead to the addition before the conference, when a handful of a staffer and significantly increased of executives panicked and decided to her salary. When she felt it was time pull out. Instead of accepting the decito grow her department again, as sion, she approached the concerned the company itself was growing, she parties and asked them to explain their scheduled another meeting to show reservations. “Once I identified their how much money went to consultants worries,” she says, “we worked to find a and how much less would be spent hir- middle ground.” ing a midlevel assistant. During these The event went on—with a few alconversations, Glover Wilson focused terations to the menu and bare-bones on what she could do with more, not decor—but Glover Wilson thinks of it the things she wasn’t able to do alas a success. The company didn’t reready. She hired another assistant and ceive any negative attention, and she’s earned the title of vice president. working to make sure everyone knows how to handle it if they ever do. She talks to executives before every event Where Things Are Headed As one of the firm’s few employees about how to argue against possible not directly involved in finance, Glover accusations of wastefulness, and they, Wilson says, “I’ve always had to take a in turn, have schooled company represtrong position that events offered a sentatives attending these events. of their team that’s able to do other marketing projects and other strategic efforts in the firm.” PHOTOS: LESLIE HASSLER (GLOVER), COURTESY OF STEPHEN VISCUSI bizbash.com may/june 2009 77 Striking the Right Note Even if some Academy Award-related parties toned down their glitter this year, the economy did little to diminish the variety of events. wood, and earth inspired this year’s event, which Cheryl Cecchetto of The academy’s Zen-looking gala took Sequoia Productions produced with over the grand ballroom at Hollywood ball chair Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “In this & Highland following the awards economy, we wanted to go with a at the Kodak Theatre in the same pared-down look, but keep it elegant complex. The elements of air, fire, and beautiful,” Cecchetto said. Governor’s Ball Vanity Fair The magazine returned to the Oscarnight scene this year, after last year’s cancellation. The smaller viewing dinner and after-party at the Sunset Tower Hotel drew its usual A-list-only crowd. The guest list shrunk to about 650 (compared with 1,150 in 2007) in a venue known for its striking views and old-Hollywood cache, but lack of event space. 78 bizbash.com may/june 2009 PHOTOS: LINE 8 PHOTOGRAPHY (GOVERNOR’S BALL, ESSENCE), ALBERTO E. RODRIGUEZ/GETTY IMAGES (VANITY FAIR EXTERIOR), ERIC CHARBONNEAU/GETTY IMAGEGS (VANITY FAIR INTERIOR), DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/WIREIMAGE (ELTON JOHN, DALE WILCOX FOR BIZBASH (MERCEDES, NIGHT) Mercedes-Benz Elton John The 17th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit at the Pacific Design Center saw budget cuts this year, but the streamlining didn’t result in anything that looked jarring to guests. Instead of a production trailer, this year producer Virginia Fout and the team made use of a spare room in the design center. John and husband David Furnish hosted the viewing dinner and party, and Chopard, Jo and Raffy Manoukian, and VH1 were the evening’s cosponsors. Foundation executive director Scott Campbell oversaw the event. The automaker took its bash to the new Montage Beverly Hills, after previous years at the Four Seasons. The move was tied into the auto brand’s hotel partnership program dubbed Destinations, which entitles Mercedes owners to lodging privileges. The evening, produced by New York-based Bronson Van Wyck, included a viewing party amid lounge seating, towering palms, plasma screens, a center bar, and an after-party, at which DJ Samantha Ronson spun. Essence One thing Essence magazine would have been wise to provide at its second annual Black Women in Hollywood award luncheon, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, was tissues—as presenters and award winners such as Halle Berry and Diahann Carroll brought the room to tears on at least a half dozen occasions. The event’s glittery look included platinum carpeting, a tufted stage set in ivory dupioni, centerpieces of lush white roses and hydrangea in cut crystal bowls, and napkins festooned with rhinestone buckles. Night to Make a Difference The first Oscar-night benefit for the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and Olivia Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre took to Mr. Chow, where about 250 guests dined on a 10-course meal during the broadcast, which showed on 16 plasma screens in the space. Musical guests including singer Thelma Houston and DJ Steve Aoki performed at the event, which streamed live online for six hours on Sunday. bizbash.com may/june 2009 79 BIZBASH EXPO & AWARDS • OCTOBER 21, 2009 • THE JAVITS CENTER • NEW YORK Y Your job: Create memorable, impactful events that leave your guests completely blown away. Our job: Give you access to breakthrough venues, services, tools, and ideas to help you excel. O BizBash Expo & Awards brings you the best of the best in event suppliers and services, education B as well as a Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year the BizBash Event Style Awards are a being held in conjunction with the BizBash Expo! That’s right, both events in one big day at the b Javits Center! Ja E Experience the latest technologies, products, services and connect with thousands of leading e event professionals and discover what’s hot, what’s new and what’s next. Empower your creativity and “bash” the expected with leading education, exhibits, and entertainment. BizBash Expo & Awards: open yourself to a world of outrageous event potential. Registration opening soon. For more information on entering the BizBash Event Style Awards, visit our Web site at bizbash.com/newyork/eventstyleawards. To exhibit, contact Robert Fitzgerald, senior vice president sales and marketing, at 917.438.0177, or rfitzgerald@bizbash.com. EDUCATION • EXHIBITS • ENTERTAINMENT • HALL OF FAME • EVENT STYLE AWARDS The Directory A selection of resources from our comprehensive online directory of event and meeting suppliers and venues New Venues ACTIVITY VENUES DYKER BEACH GOLF COURSE main dining room, 70 in the bar, and 13 in an outdoor section. A 60-seat private room will also be available. (135 West 42nd St.; for more information, call 212.755.7050) HARBOUR American Golf Corporation manages more than 100 different golf courses throughout the country and recently finished multimillion-dollar renovations to its Northeast properties. Brooklyn’s Dyker Beach Golf Course originally opened in the late 1890s and is now a public course, offering 18 holes and a restored 8,000-square-foot clubhouse. In addition to group activity packages, the property has event and meeting space and a restaurant. (86th St. and Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, 718.225.7472 ext. 2) PELHAM/SPLIT ROCK GOLF COURSE 1,087-seat wood-paneled Starr Theater and the 6,161-squarefoot grand foyer. For smaller groups, the glass-enclosed Hauser Patron Salon seats 140, overlooks the main lobby, and has its own outdoor terrace. (1941 Broadway, 212.875.5954) LEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY Another of the courses operated by American Golf Corporation is the Pelham/Split Rock property in the Bronx. The 36-hole facility has banquet and function rooms. The clubhouse is 5,000 square feet and has a maximum capacity of 200. Packages for teambuilding activities and meetings are available. (870 Shore Road, Bronx, 718.225.7472) The Lower East Side location of Lehmann Maupin Gallery recently became available for corporate and nonprofit events. Encompassing three floors behind an unassuming storefront, the gallery offers its main level for dinners and its basement for catering prep and back-of-house operations. There’s room for 144 seated, or a maximum of 200 can take over the first- and second-floor galleries for receptions. A sister space in Chelsea is also available. (201 Chrystie St., 212.255.2923) Opened in March, this SoHo restaurant from owner Richard Schaeffer and chef/partner Joe Isidori is styled after yachts and waterfront sights. The front bar and casual eating area feature shingle-style whitewashed walls designed to imitate the siding of a beach house and a wine tower housed in a lighthouseshaped structure. The main dining room has polished hardwood floors, portholes along the eastern wall, and leather banquettes. Directly across the street from Skylight, Harbour seats 76. (290 Hudson St., 212.989.6410) INAKAYA OUTDOOR SPACES WATER TAXI BEACH GOVERNORS ISLAND This Japanese restaurant is on the ground floor of the Midtown headquarters for The New York Times. Operated by the same company that runs the Grand Central Oyster Bar, Inakaya is a 3,000-square-foot space sporting 19-foot ceilings and design accents made with rice paper. The restaurant serves robatayakistyle fare—Japanese dishes grilled in front of diners—as well as sushi and sashimi. (620 Eighth Ave., 212.354.2195) LA FONDA DEL SOL HOTELS ACE HOTEL NEW YORK Scheduled for an April opening, the Ace Hotel is the first New York outpost from the owners of the Ace Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Designed as an affordable but stylish boutique property, this venue will feature an eclectic array of vintage and contemporary furnishings and 160 rooms. The ground floor will have a restaurant from Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig. (20 West 29th St., 212.679.2222) STANDARD NEW YORK The official opening for André Balazs’ meatpacking district property is scheduled for this summer, timing that coincides with the debut of the public park on the High Line. The first Standard hotel outpost in New York will, when completed, offer 337 rooms, indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, a rooftop space for events, and a restaurant. (848 Washington St., 212.645.4646) In addition to its sandy outdoor venue in Long Island City, New York Water Taxi will have a beach spot on Governors Island this summer. Scheduled to open July 4, this makeshift beach will be on the northern side of the island, adjacent to the Governors Island ferry landing. Managed by the Harbor Experience Companies, the waterfront recreational facility will have tons of sand (literally), a café and grill, volleyball and basketball areas, and a stage for concerts. (Governors Island; for more information, call 212.742.1969 ext. 207) WATER TAXI BEACH SOUTH STREET SEAPORT Where to... Keep a Group in Harmony For avid Rock Band fans and amateur singers, there’s Pulse Karaoke Lounge & Suites. The site, which opened in mid-February, is directly below Midtown event space Arena and is designed specifically for groups. In addition to the main room, Pulse offers six private rooms equipped with their own karaoke gear, a programmable LED lighting system, and a Nintendo Wii. Also available for meetings and events, Pulse has a menu of comfort food, as well as a selection of cocktails, spirits, and beer. (135 West 41st St., 212.278.0988) In late January, the Patina Restaurant Group opened La Fonda del Sol, a modern Spanish restaurant inside the MetLife building. As a nod to the eatery’s name—which means “inn of the sun”—Adam Tihany’s interior design features a subtle sunburst motif throughout. At the kitchen’s helm is Josh DeChellis, a chef noted for his work at Sumile, Jovia, and Bar Fry, who serves a tapas-focused menu. La Fonda del Sol seats 210 between two rooms. (200 Park Ave., 212.867.6767) MINETTA TAVERN INDEPENDENT EVENT SPACES CHACALA In late February, Laujack Inc. launched Chacala, a 6,000-squarefoot loft on the outskirts of Chinatown. Tucked away on the fourth floor of a nondescript building on Broadway, the roomy venue sports hardwood floors, exposed-brick accents, bay windows, and a cyclorama. In addition to freight elevator access, the venue can also provide production and design services. The entire space holds 300 for receptions. (394 Broadway, 4th Floor, 212.244.4464) LIGHT SPACE NYC Also operated by Harbor Experience Companies, Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport is slated for a Memorial Day weekend opening. Like the locations in Long Island City and Governors Island, this beach will not permit swimming, but will offer 18,000 square feet of sandy space and include a food stand, a nine-hole miniature golf course, Ping-Pong tables, and a site for skee ball. (Pier 17; for more information, call 212.742.1969 ext. 207) The latest addition to Keith McNally’s empire is Minetta Tavern, which the restaurateur restored and reopened in March with partners Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr. The 72-yearold space is now an 85-seat restaurant serving French-influenced bistro fare. Vintage murals and old photographs are reminders of the spot’s storied past, while tiled floors, bright red banquettes, and wood-paneled walls keep the overall look cozy and casual. (113 Macdougal St., 212.475.3850) TRIGO RESTAURANTS ARMANI RISTORANTE In early March, Levy Lighting announced that its Midtown West studio is available for event rental. At around 1,500 square feet, the modern space seats 50 or holds 110 for receptions. The street-level facility, usually used as a showroom for the lighting company, is rigged with LED, audiovisual, and projection technology. Also on site are a kitchenette, bathrooms, and a storage area. (347 West 36th St., 212.925.4640) NO. 554 Atop the 43,000-square-foot Giorgio Armani store that opened on Fifth Avenue in February is this new Italian restaurant. Like the store, the 125-seat eatery was designed by architects Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas and features a minimal palette of beige and black. Lorenzo Viani, a chef from northern Tuscany, is responsible for the menu, which emphasizes fresh seafood. (717 Fifth Ave., 212.207.1902) ATRIA This Mediterranean brasserie opened in January inside a former TriBeCa warehouse. Light and airy, the 150-seat dining room is accented with 20-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, iron latticework, and tiled flooring. Executive chef Michael Garrett is responsible for the array of market-driven seasonal dishes, which complement a selection of wines from small family-owned vineyards. (268 West Broadway, 212.925.1600) SHO SHAUN HERGATT PHOTO: COURTESY OF PULSE KARAOKE LOUNGE & SUITES At the end of last year, catering firm Sonnier & Castle moved into a bilevel town house and in early March started offering part of the building for corporate and nonprofit functions. Less than two blocks from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, No. 554 offers a 550-square-foot gallery space on the ground level and a 700-square-foot section on the floor above. The venue is equipped with A.D.A.-compliant restrooms and entrances and a surround-sound system. (554 West 48th St., 212.957.6481) In January, the owners of Grayz reopened their Midtown site as Atria. Chef Gray Kunz is no longer associated with the property; heading up the kitchen instead is chef Martin Brock, who oversees a menu of internationally inspired dishes. Design changes include shifting the formal dining area to the lower-level atrium and adding a sculptural chandelier installation from Brooklynbased artist Shaun Acton. Atria seats about 225. (13-15 West 54th St., 212.262.4600) AT VERMILION Slated to open in May, this modern French restaurant will be inside the Setai, New York, a 34-story condo development in the financial district. Designed by Denniston International and Robert D. Henry Architects, this spot will feature tables with mother-of-pearl and glass inlays, silk-upholstered walls, and Brazilian walnut and terrazzo flooring. The venue offers three private spaces, including a 16-seat tasting room surrounded by glass wine displays. (40 Broad St., 2nd Floor, 347.891.0367) STADIUMS CITI FIELD MUSEUMS & CULTURAL SPACES HOSFELT GALLERY Owned by Todd Hosfelt, this gallery just east of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is now available for corporate events and meetings. With remnants of its 19th-century warehouse beginnings—wooden floors, beams running across the ceiling, and distressed columns—the 7,500-square-foot Hosfelt Gallery is an open space that can be divided into four areas. Audiovisual equipment is available, and the entire venue holds 350 for receptions. (531 West 36th St., 212.563.5454) LINCOLN CENTER—ALICE TULLY HALL In November, Chicago restaurateur Rohini Dey opened At Vermilion, a sister Indian-Latin American eatery to her highly regarded spot in Illinois. Serving dishes with a wide array of influences—from Spanish and Portuguese to food eaten by the Persians and the Moors—this restaurant features a two-story fountain, a 22-foot mesh chandelier, and a backlit bar. There’s room for 30 in the private room; for buyouts, the entire space seats 450 or holds 600 for receptions. (480 Lexington Ave., 212.871.6600) AUREOLE Replacing Shea Stadium as the home of the New York Mets, Citi Field is a 45,000-seat arena with multiple spaces for corporate event rental. The largest space is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, the 19,000-square-foot entrance with a capacity for 1,500 people. Elsewhere, the 10,000-square-foot Excelsior Club holds 600, the Left Field restaurant seats 350, and an auditorium has space for 150. (12301 Roosevelt Ave., Queens, 718.803.4032) YANKEE STADIUM Within the Upper West Side campus of Lincoln Center is Alice Tully Hall, a performance space that opened in late February after a redesign by Diller, Scofidio & Renfro. Various sections of the facility are available for event rental, including the Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, originally situated inside an Upper East Side townhouse, will move to a new location in May. Inside the Bank of America Tower by Bryant Park, this eatery will serve the chef’s modern American cuisine and offer 56 seats in the The Yankees’ news stadium will go up in Macombs Dam Park, adjacent to the existing ballpark. Construction on the multimillion dollar 51,000-seat stadium began in August 2006 and, as of press time, was scheduled to be finished for the 2009 season. The new stadium, which is set to have 410 party suites, is part of a development project that includes a hotel and conference center. (161st St. at the Harlem River, 718.589.4416) bizbash.com may/june 2009 81 Audiovisual Production, Lighting, Sound & Staging Companies ABOUT THIS DIRECTORY We aimed to include production companies that work on events in New York and are based here or have offices here. Not every company that works in audiovisual production, lighting, sound, staging, and special effects was included— only those that work on events and/or meetings on a regular basis. You can find more companies in our complete directory on BizBash.com. HOW WE COMPILED THE INFORMATION Our researchers gathered this data from the companies themselves, through email and telephone interviews. Although our editors have reviewed the directory for errors, we trusted that the information given by each company was accurate. A few declined to answer some questions, and others didn’t respond in time for publication. Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects WHAT THE DATA MEAN Although many companies specialize in a particular type of production, the core competencies section is intended to give you a sense of what the company offers on a regular basis—not just the work it is willing to do. Did we miss your company or a company you work with? Let us know: Send an email to listings@bizbash.com. Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Company/Phone AAA EVENT SERVICES 973.808.8888 ABE NYC INC. 212.924.0510 ABE V. SYSTEMS INC. 718.904.0404 ABOTT AUDIO 212.875.9787 ACCESS EVENT SERVICES 800.823.5515 ACE VIDEO & ACE PROPS 718.392.1100 Address 15 Riverside Drive Pinebrook, NJ 07058 401 West 22nd St., Suite 4E New York, NY 10011 1420 Seabury Ave. Bronx, NY 10461 420 West End Ave., GR B New York, NY 10024 45 Arthur Ave. Carteret, NJ 07008 37-24 24th St. Long Island City, NY 11101 Company/Phone AUDIO CHEF LLC 914.301.5793 AUDIO INCORPORATED 908.620.1007 AUDIO 300 INC. 518.489.5848 AVAILABLE LIGHT 212.977.2611 A V INSIGHTS 201.493.8101 AV PRODUCTIONS NY 347.728.7089 AV WORKSHOP 212.643.0040 BAKER BROTHERS CREATIVE INC. 646.345.2162 BARKLEY KALPAK ASSOCIATES INC. 212.947.1502 BAY FIREWORKS 631.549.0900 BENTLEY MEEKER LIGHTING & STAGING 212.722.3349 BERNHARD-LINK THEATRICAL LLC 201.727.9440 BESTEK LIGHTING & STAGING 631.643.0707 BEXEL 212.246.5051 BEYOND IMAGINATION INC. 845.561.1589 4 WALL LIGHTING ENTERTAINMENT 212.226.0925 BIG MO PRO INC. 973.439.1656 BIG WAVE PRODUCTIONS AND DESIGN 800.291.9837 BML BLACKBIRD 201.617.8900 BOULEVARD PRO 201.262.7740 BROADCAST VIDEO RENTALS LTD. 212.541.5390 BROAD STREET 212.780.5700 BSX DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS 646.278.5643 CAFFEINE MEDIA INC. 212.951.7125 CARAMEL SOUND, MUSIC & LIGHTS 212.691.9122 Address 59 Meadow Lane Katonah, NY 10536 172 West Westfield Ave. Roselle Park, NJ 07204 39 Maplewood Ave. Albany, NY 12205 1650 Broadway, Suite 405 New York, NY 10019 One Hollywood Ave. Ho Ho Kus, NJ, 07423 37 Captain Honeywells Rd. Ardsley, NY 10502 527 West 34th St. New York, NY 10001 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York, NY 10007 315 West 39th St., Studio 607 New York, NY 10018 400 Broadhollow Road Farmingdale, NY 11735 465 10th Ave., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10018 131 Industrial Ave. Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 98 Mahan St. West Babylon, NY 11704 625 West 55th St. New York, NY 10019 1 Wisner Ave. Newburgh, NY 12550 2 Empire Blvd. Moonachie, NJ 07074 323 New Road, Suite 3 Parsippany, NJ 07054 P.O. Box 188 Roxbury, CT 06783 1 Aquarium Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094 387 Kinderkermack Road Oradell, NJ 07649 355 West 52nd St. New York, NY 10019 920 Broadway, 12th Floor New York, NY 10010 1375 Broadway, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018 152 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016 511 Ave. of the Americas New York, NY 10011 ADVANCED CONCERT & EVENT RESOURCES 61-15 43rd Ave., Suite 4E 718.478.0434 Woodside, NY 11377 AFRIKAN ROOTS SOUND COMPANY 631.491.4545 AG LIGHT AND SOUND INC. 631.471.3700 ALDEN HD EVENT SOLUTIONS 866.802.5336, ext. 248 ALTMAN RENTALS INC. 914.476.7368 AMERICAN CONFERENCE CENTER 212.527.9000 AMERICAN FOLIAGE AND DESIGN GROUP 212.741.5555 AM PRODUCTIONS 212.315.9009 ANDREWS AUDIO CONSULTANTS 212.736.9570 ANNE KOCH SET DESIGN 212.253.5322 ANGEL CITY DESIGNS 818.997.1662 THE ANTONY RICHARDS COMPANY 212.957.1171 AO PRODUCTION 212.462.4425 APPLIED AUDIO/BRIGHTON LITES 585.272.9280 ARC3 DESIGN 212.368.3023 ATLANTIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP 888.330.4234 ATOMIC DESIGN INC. 717.626.8301 A TO Z TOOL & PARTY RENTAL 516.293.4192 AUDIBLE DIFFERENCE 212.662.4848 138A Lamar St. West Babylon, NY 11704 2905 Veterans Mem. Hwy. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 1120 Ave. of the Americas New York, NY 10036 57 Alexander St. Yonkers, NY 10701 780 Third Ave., 5th Floor New York, NY 10017 122 West 22nd St. New York, NY 10011 310 West 56th St., Suite 10H New York, NY 10019 299 Scholes St. Brooklyn, NY 11206 24-32 Union Square East New York, NY 10003 6856 Valgean Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91406 458 West 52nd St., Suite 1-A New York, NY 10019 20 West 22nd St., Suite 1003 New York, NY 10010 2 Townline Cir. Rochester, NY 14623 243 West 63rd St., Suite 4D New York, NY 10023 226 West 47th St., 8th Floor New York, 10036 10 Wynfield Drive Lititz, PA 17543 165 Price Pkwy. Farmingdale, NY 11735 275 West 96th St., Suite 32D New York, NY 10025 82 bizbash.com may/june 2009 Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Company/Phone CHANNEL BASS 917.548.5630 CHARLES FOSTER LIGHTING DESIGN 917.204.2343 CHRIS DALLOS LIGHTING DESIGN 917.287.0233 CIRCUIT LIGHTING INC. 732.968.9533 CITIVIEW AUDIOVISUAL LTD. 212.632.5196 CLASSIE SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT 718.256.5700 CMI COMMUNICATIONS 585.424.1900 COLOREDGE VISUAL 212.594.4800 COMPOSITION WORKSHOP INC. 718.855.1211 CONCEPT X INC. 718.361.0240 CONCERT QUALITY SOUND 609.965.8110 CONNECTICUT AUDIO & THEATRICAL 860.293.2231 CORPORATE AUDIO VISUAL SERVICES 800.488.8408 Address 141 Devoe St., Suite 2 Brooklyn, NY 11211 20-09 38th St., Suite 3 Astoria, NY 11105 19 Marquand Ave. Bronxville, NY 10708 299 Route 22 East, Suite 12 Greenbrook, NJ 08812 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 7903 New Utrecht Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11214 400 Mile Crossing Blvd. Rochester, NY 14624 127 West 30th St., Floors 2-5 New York, NY 10001 45 Summit St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 43-01 21st St., Suite 227 Long Island City, NY 11101 P.O. Box 225 Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 102 Skitchewaug St. Windsor, CT 06095 111 North Lawn Ave. Elmsford, NY 10523 Company/Phone E.S.P. NEW YORK INC. 631.242.0044 EVENT ENERGIZERS LLC 917.687.5600 EVENT ERGONOMICS LLC 212.695.7881 EVENTION INC. 201.444.7789 EVENTLIGHTS INC. 201.401.4471 EVENTS PLUS ENTERTAINMENT 973.503.1700 EVERYTHING ENTERTAINMENT INC. 718.556.3430 EXCEL LIGHTING PRODUCTIONS INC. 212.957.1777 EYEMAG MEDIA 212.367.2185 FAIRFIELD PRO PRODUCTION SERVICES 516.791.5121 FIREHOUSE PRODUCTIONS INC. 845.758.9898 FIREWORKS BY GRUCCI 631.286.0088 FIVE ELEVEN PRODUCTIONS INC. 917.642.8906 FLYING FROG EVENTS INC. 732.525.2400 FOCUS AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES 212.629.9696 FORWARD MOTION THEATER INC. 718.706.6181 FOURTH WALL EVENTS 212.316.0052 4 WALL ENTERTAINMENT LIGHTING 201.329.9878 FROST LIGHTING 212.751.0223 FUSION LIGHTING 516.626.2255 FUSION PRODUCTIONS 585.872.1900 GEOFF HOWELL STUDIO 212.366.0567 GEORGE PALUMBO WOOD ENTERPRISES 718.387.3842 GEPPETTO STUDIOS INC. 718.398.9792 GIANT AUDIO VISUAL INC. 973.927.1112 GLOW DESIGN GROUP 646.201.9557 GR ASSOCIATES 917.847.7323 GUY SMITH LIGHTING 917.734.3863 HB GROUP INC. 800.331.1804 H.G. LIGHTING DESIGN 917.797.3624 HOLLYWOOD POP GALLERY 212.777.2238 HOTOPP ASSOCIATES LTD. 212.843.8800 IGO DISPLAYS LLC 973.344.6163 ILLUMINATION PRODUCTION SERVICES 845.429.2883 Address 41-6 Mercedes Way Edgewood, NY 11717 689 Fort Washington Ave. New York, NY 10040 265 West 37th St., 7th Floor New York, NY 10018 582 South Broad St. Glen Rock, NJ 07452 343 1/2 8th St. Jersey City, NJ 07302 622 Route 10 Whippany, NJ 07981 236 Arlington Ave. Staten Island, NY 10303 693 10th Ave. New York, NY 10036 567 10th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215 P.O. Box 63 Valley Stream, NY 11582 20 Firehouse Lane Red Hook, NY 12571 1 Grucci Lane Brookhaven, NY 11719 41 Watchung Plaza Montclair, NJ 07042 41 Fielek Terrace Parlin, NJ 08859 548 West 28th St. New York, NY 10001 43-01 21st St., Suite 230 Long Island City, NY 11101 209 West 40th St., Suite 201 New York, NY 10018 2 Empire Blvd. Moonachie, NJ 07074 P.O. Box 489, FDR Station New York, NY 10150 165 Roslyn Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 46 North Ave. Webster, NY 14580 150 West 22nd St. New York, NY 10011 23 Bushwick Ave., Suite 3F Brooklyn, NY 11211 201 46th St., 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11220 111 Canfield Ave., Unit B6 Randolph, NJ 07869 23-59 Borden Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 31-58 30th St. Long Island City, NY 11106 560 West 43rd St., Suite 16L New York, NY 10036 60 Dodge Ave. North Haven, CT 06473 618 Dean St., Suite 1A Brooklyn, NY 11238 13 Gramercy Park South New York, NY 10003 50 West 17th St., 10th Floor New York, NY 10011 8 Lister Ave., Bldg. 4 Newark, NJ 07105 46 Samsondale Ave. West Haverstraw, NY 10993 CREATIVE STAGE LIGHTING COMPANY INC. P.O. Box 567 518.251.3302 North Creek, NY 12853 CREATORS MEDIA GROUP 914.769.0676 DALZELL PRODUCTIONS 212.647.1877 D AND D PRODUCTIONS 718.585.2451 DARDENNE DESIGN LLC 212.226.4900 DAVID AGRESS LIGHTING INC. 203.938.9606 DCM FABRICATION INC. 718.625.7900 DEPALMA PRODUCTION INC. 516.294.1127 DERRICK ROBERTS PRODUCTIONS INC. 212.832.0802 DESIGN & PRODUCTION LLC 212.655.9698 DESIGN AUDIO VISUAL 800.886.1328 DESIGN COMPENDIUM 718.499.7722 DESIGN ONE CORPORATION 212.477.5662 DESIGNTRONIX INDUSTRIES INC. 631.244.8090 DOGMATIC INC. 646.336.7977 DORIAN ORANGE 212.206.6595 DRU WHITACRE MEDIA SERVICES LTD. 201.770.9950 EGGSOTIC EVENTS LLC 908.735.9870 8TH STREET LIGHTING 917.335.0712 E1 914.693.7800 EG SOUND INC. 718.726.2622 415 Bedford Road Pleasantville, NY 10570 100 Grand St., 5th Floor New York, NY 10013 903 East 135th St. Bronx, NY 10454 55 West 39th St., 12th floor New York, NY 10018 28 Limekiln Road Redding, CT 06896 Brooklyn Navy Yard, 280 Brooklyn, NY 11205 421 Andrews Road Mineola, NY 11501 400 East 57th St., Suite 18A New York, NY 10022 96 Wyckoff St., Suite 3L Brooklyn, NY 11201 195A Central Ave. Farmingdale, NY 11735 155 20th St., 1st Floor Brooklyn, NY 11232 25 Park Place, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10007 155 Comac St. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 419 West 14th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10014 231 West 29th St, Suite 1006 New York, NY 10001 3200 Liberty Ave., Unit 2C North Bergen, NJ 07047 78 Route 173 Hampton, NJ 08827 394 East 8th St., Apt 5E New York, NY 10009 1 Bridge St., Suite 72 Irvington, NY 10533 34-50 11th St. Long Island City, NY 11106 bizbash.com may/june 2009 83 Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Company/Phone IMAGO ENTERTAINMENT 917.806.4549 IMCD LIGHTING 646.415.7588 IML 212.249.1807 IMPACT PRODUCTIONS LLC 908.301.1030 INDUSTRIAL THEATER INC. 212.582.5888 INS & OUTS 845.256.0899 IN SQUARE CIRCLE DESIGN CONCEPTS 718.598.5239 INTERMEDIA EVENTS & CONFERENCE 212.629.9393 JACK MORTON WORLDWIDE 212.401.7000 J & M SPECIAL EFFECTS 718.875.0140 JANET RACY & COMPANY 212.696.4772 JKLD INC. 212.226.2075 JK PRODUCTIONS 973.279.6891 JMVISUALS 212.929.1686 JOHN CREECH DESIGN AND PRODUCTION 718.237.1144 JOSEPH FREEMAN & ASSOCIATES 212.560.8905 KADAN PRODUCTIONS INC. 212.674.7080 KCD INC. 212.590.5100 KING COLE AUDIO VISUAL SERVICE INC. 212.532.6780 KINGDOM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP 212.947.2595 KL PRODUCTIONS INC. 718.292.1257 KVL AUDIO VISUAL SERVICES 914.479.3300 LANDMARK EVENT SERVICES 212.618.6313 LARGENT STUDIOS LTD. 718.254.9220 LEVY LIGHTING 212.925.4640 LIFETIME ENTERTAINMENT 201.725.5214 THE LIGHT HOUSE INC. 800.721.6191 LIGHTNING SHAKES NEW YORK 917.204.9690 LIGHTSWITCH 212.840.6060 LIGHTWORKS INTERACTIVE INC. 631.667.5483 LITE BRITE NEON STUDIO 718.855.6082 LIV DESIGN INC. 201.751.4013 LIVEWIRE ENTERPRISES 718.337.0454 LLOYD SOUND INC. 607.753.1586 Address 730 Columbus Ave. New York, NY 10025 150 West 21st St., Suite 2G New York, NY 10011 199 Water St., 26th Floor New York, NY 10038 144 Saint Paul St. Westfield, NJ 07090 625 West 55th St., 3rd Floor New York, NY 10019 60 Jansen Road New Paltz, NY 12561 631 Hicks St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 50 East 42nd St., Suite 706 New York, NY 10017 919 Third Ave. New York, NY 10018 524 Sackett St. Brooklyn, NY 11217 401 East 34th St., Suite N17L New York, NY 10016 54 Greene St., Suite 4A New York, NY 10013 19 Hillery St. West Paterson, NJ 07424 122 West 26th St., Suite 1004 New York, NY 10001 129 Van Brunt St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 6 West 37th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10018 36 East 12th St., 5th Floor New York, NY 10003 450 West 15th St., Suite 604 New York, NY 10011 47-59 49th St. Woodside, NY 11377 1 Fourteenth St., Suite 703 Hoboken, NJ 07030 2680 Park Ave. Bronx, NY 10451 466 Saw Mill River Road Ardsley, NY 10502 1230 Ave. of the Americas New York, NY 10020 499 Van Brunt St., Suite 9A Brooklyn, NY 11231 347 West 36th St. New York, NY 10018 402 Foxwood Road Union, NJ 07083 221 Evans Way, Suite C Branchburg, NJ 08876 13-14 Plaza Road Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 241 West 37th St., Suite 924 New York, NY 10018 160 Gray Way Ronkonoma, NY 11779 232 3rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11215 567 52nd St. West New York, NJ 07093 P.O. Box 670081 Flushing, NY 11367 3915 Highland Road Cortland, NY 13045 Company/Phone LMS ENTERTAINMENT 800.975.0035 LOCAL ONE IATSE 212.333.2500 LOT71 917.626.6775 LUCE GROUP LLC 212.330.7640 LUMINOUS DESIGNS INC. 866.678.5444 MAIN ATTRACTIONS 732.225.3500 Address 212-03 35th Ave. Bayside, NY 11361 320 West 46th St. New York, NY 10036 20 Clinton St., Unit 6G New York, NY 10002 21 East 4th St., 7th Floor New York, NY 10003 234 Route 109 Farmingdale, NY 11735 85 Newfield Ave. Edison, NJ 08837 MAINLINE PRO LIGHTING, SOUND & VIDEO 41-23 162nd St. 718.359.4848 Flushing, NY 11358 MANNOMEDIA 212.677.3500 MARK SOLAN DESIGN 212.631.0124 MARLYN PRODUCTIONS 914.788.0102 MASQUE SOUND 201.939.8666 MASSEE PRODUCTIONS 917.968.5695 MASSIVEMEDIA 212.730.7222 MATT MURPHY EVENT LIGHTING 631.287.7026 MB PRODUCTIONS 973.439.0044 M COMMUNICATIONS 800.788.4445 MECHANICAL DISPLAYS INC. 718.258.5588 METROSOUND INC. 800.432.7525 MICHAEL T. FIUR PRODUCTIONS INC. 212.414.4321 30 East 20th St. New York, NY 10003 143 West 29th St., Suite 901 New York, NY 10001 22 North Division St. Peekskill, NY 10566 21 East Union Ave. East Rutherford, NJ 07073 289 Third Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215 34 West 27th St., 6th Floor New York, NY 10001 P.O. Box 701 Southampton, NY 11969 4 Edison Place Fairfield, NJ 07004 456 Glenbrock Road Stamford, CT 06906 4420 Farragut Road Brooklyn, NY 11203 P.O. Box 1263 Port Ewen, NY 12466 50 West 17th St., 10th Floor New York, NY 10011 MILLER’S SKYTRACKER PREMIERE SERVICES 764 U.S. Hwy. 1 732.985.3050 Edison, NJ 08817 MODA TECH INC. 212.929.9295 MOE HALLAK DESIGN 917.930.6353 MOMENTIUM EVENTS 646.485.0895 MOORE PA HIRE 718.389.8727 MULTI IMAGE GROUP: NYC 866.692.4644 MUSIC FIRST PRODUCTIONS 212.979.0081 NEW YORK SOUND & VISUAL CORP. 212.535.6700 NMR 800.637.2496 NORTHEASTERN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 585.427.8760 NU AMERICA AGENCY 212.360.1818 NUMBER NINE DESIGN & PRODUCTION 212.380.1705 NYFF EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT 516.822.6400 ONE DREAM SOUND 718.433.3030 ONE KICK LLC 212.647.0081 1123 Broadway, Suite 809 New York, NY 10010 888 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306 465 North Syracuse Ave. Massapequa, NY 11758 19-21 Box St. Brooklyn, NY 11222 196 Ave. of the Americas New York, NY 10013 276 Meserole St. Brooklyn, NY 11206 P.O. Box 1113 Scarsdale, NY 10583 28 Abeel Road Monroe Township, NJ 08831 P.O. Box 23199 Rochester, NY 14692 113 East 125th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10035 225 West 36th St., Suite 704 New York, NY 10018 270 Duffy Ave., Suite L Hicksville, NY 11801 36-15 48th Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 242 West 10th St., Suite 22 New York, NY 10014 84 bizbash.com may/june 2009 Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Core Competencies Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Company/Phone OUO AUDIOVISUAL 888.939.6935 OVERLAND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY 212.262.1270 PANAVID INC. 973.831.5655 P&V ENTERPRISES 212.534.3052 PARK SLOPE PRODUCTIONS 718.344.2016 PARTY SENSATION 516.767.3737 PBG EVENT PRODUCTIONS 516.358.0800 PCA AUDIO DESIGN AND ENGINEERING 201.453.1450 PEGASUS PRODUCTIONS 718.232.5709 Address 133-31 39th Ave., Unit C17 Flushing, NY 11354 257 West 52nd St., 5th Floor New York, NY 10019 210 West Pkwy., Unit 5 Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 185 East 85th St., Suite H New York, NY 10028 Park Slope, NY 19 Davis Ave. Port Washington, NY 11050 6 Tulip Ave. Floral Park, NY 11001 2500 83rd St., Suite 19S North Bergen, NJ 07047 1726 84th St. Brooklyn, NY 11214 Company/Phone RON FOGEL & ASSOCIATES LLC 973.571.0300 ROOFTOP FILMS RENTALS 718.417.7362 RSA AUDIO SERVICES 631.242.8008 SCHARFF WEISBERG 718.610.1660 SCOTT PASK SCENIC DESIGN 212.620.5775 SEE FACTOR INDUSTRIES 718.784.4200 SELAVI EVENTS 212.840.6078 SENSORY LIGHTING & SOUND INC. 631.851.1052 THE SET DOCTOR 201.659.9990 SHADOWSTONE INC. 973.458.9550 SHOP STUDIOS 212.245.6154 SIA ACOUSTICS 212.387.9105 SIAM PRODUCTIONS LLC 212.769.4441 SIGNATURE EVENTS 212.505.7593 SILVER PRO AUDIO 800.297.2263 SINE AUDIO INC. 212.924.5727 S.I.R. (STUDIO INSTRUMENT RENTALS) 212.627.4900 SITE NY 718.366.7483 SK SYSTEMS INC. 631.563.7375 SMARTSOURCE AV 718.943.0840 SOUND ASSOCIATES INC. 914.963.3452 SOUNDS GOOD 917.544.3754 SPECIAL EVENTS AVAILABLE LIGHTING 718.707.9798 SPECIAL F/X 732.469.0519 SPELLCASTER PRODUCTIONS 609.567.4824 SPL SOUND INC. 856.691.6690 SPS INC. 609.978.1330 STAGER SOUND SYSTEMS 212.595.4065 STAGING HORIZONS 631.789.2534 STAGING TECHNIQUES 212.736.5727 STAR GROUP PRODUCTIONS 646.723.0809 STARLIGHT SCREENINGS LLC 201.894.8750 STARLITE PRODUCTIONS 856.489.9000 STEELDECK 877.607.8243 Address 2 Lakeside Ave., 2nd Floor Verona, NJ 07044 232 3rd St., Studio D101 Brooklyn, NY 11215 100 Executive Drive, Suite B Edgewood, NY 11717 36-36 33rd St., Suite 202 Long Island City, NY 11106 1 Union Square West New York, NY 10003 37-11 30th St. Long Island City, NY 11101 108 West 39th St., Suite 300 New York, NY 10018 P.O. Box 847 Commack, NY 11725 299 Pavonia Ave., Suite 1-4 Jersey City, NJ 07302 1 Entin Road, Unit 2 Clifton, NJ 07014 442 West 49th St. New York, NY 10019 257 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010 253 West 73rd St., Suite 3B New York, NY 10023 28 Ave. B, Suite 2A New York, NY 10009 12-61 Sunnyside Drive Fairlawn, NJ 07410 347 West 36th St. New York, NY 10011 475 10th Ave. New York, NY 10018 49 Bogart St., Unit Z Brooklyn, NY 11206 1595 Ocean Ave., Suite B10 Bohemia, NY 11716 45-15A Barnett Ave. Long Island City, NY 11104 979 Saw Mill River Road Yonkers, NY 10710 420 Winant Ave. Staten Island, NY 10309 29-20 37th Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 P.O. Box 293 Bound Brook, NJ 08880 625 Albertson Road Winslow, NJ 08095 3450 Reilly Court Vineland, NJ 08360 6760 Washington Ave. Egg Harbor Township, NJ 159 West 85th St. New York, NY 10024 1199 Sunrise Hwy., Suite 5 Copiague, NY 11726 210 West Lincoln Ave. Mount Vernon, NY 10550 110 East 42nd St., 4th Floor New York, NY 10017 10 West Ivy Lane, Suite 9 Englewood, NJ 07631 2 Keystone Ave., Suite 500 Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 143-145 Banker St. Brooklyn, NY 11222 PERCEPTION AUDIO-VISUAL SERVICES INC. 509 West 34th St., 3rd Floor 212.239.8187 New York, NY 10001 PERFECTION PRODUCTION SPECIALISTS 917.579.6641 PERFORMANCE BML VIDEO LLC 201.617.8900 PLS STAGING 973.857.7242 PMJ INDUSTRIES LLC 732.672.7471 POWERHOUSE STUDIOS 973.560.9560 POWER POSSE PRODUCTIONS 212.489.5225 PRAGMATECH SOUND CORPORATION 718.325.8888 PRG (PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP) 212.589.5400 PROACTIV TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION 845.359.3333 PRODUCTION GLUE 866.255.7177 PRO SYSTEMS EVENT TECHNOLOGY 860.646.2716 PSAV 212.279.9640 PULSE STAGE LIGHTING 908.630.0204 PYRO/FX ENTERTAINMENT INC. 203.776.7979 RAINBOW PRODUCTION SERVICES 212.831.9505 RAINBOW SOUND INC. 631.752.8869 RAW MEDIA NETWORK 212.725.0014 READYSET INC. 718.609.0605 REBELTOFT DESIGN 718.208.6386 REGATTA INC. 212.475.1290 RGH LIGHTING 212.647.1114 RHYTHM IN MOTION INC. 718.236.4925 ROBERT ISABELL INC. 212.645.7767 ROBERT STARK LIGHTING 212.586.2744 839 Narragansett Ave. East Patrichague, NY 11772 1 Aquarium Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094 371 Little Falls Road Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 450 Oakridge Ave. North Plainfield, NJ 07063 7 Littell Road East Hanover, NJ 07936 21 Avery St. Mystic, CT 06355 4516 Byron Ave. Bronx, NY 10466 630 Ninth Ave., Suite 610 New York, NY 10036 20H Mountainview Ave. Orangeburg, NY 10962 756 Washington St. New York, NY 10014 P.O. Box 837 Manchester, CT 06045 511 West 33 St. New York, NY 10001 198 Route 206 Hillsborough, NJ 08844 2155 State St. Hamden, CT 06517 1185 Park Ave. New York, NY 10128 80 Rome St. Farmingdale, NY 11735 253 Fifth Ave., 6th Floor New York, NY 10016 663 Morgan Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11222 252 Skillman Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211 304 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010 236 West 30th St. New York, NY 10001 1958 71st St. Brooklyn, NY 11204 410 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014 600 West 57th St., 3rd Floor New York, NY 10019 bizbash.com may/june 2009 85 Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Audiovisual Production Lighting Design Lighting Equipment Rental Set/Staging Design Staging Equipment Rental Sound Design Sound Equipment Rental Special Effects Company/Web Site Company/Phone STELLAR DESIGNS INC. 973.208.1600 STIEGELBAUER ASSOCIATES 718.624.0835 STORTZ LIGHTING AND PRODUCTION 718.237.5371 STRATOSPHERE MULTIMEDIA 212.702.0700 SYNCROSPAN 718.227.5022 TJE PRODUCTIONS INC. 610.250.5701 TODD STREET PRODUCTIONS 212.966.5900 TOUCH OF CLASS DJ AND VIDEO 201.997.0077 TOUR MASTERS INC. 732.416.1100 TRAVIS BASS INC. 646.416.6693 TRI-LUMINARY 888.733.5674 TRIPP/MIXX PRODUCTIONS 973.247.7680 UJIMA SOUND PRODUCTIONS 718.590.8753 UNION SQUARE GROUP 212.979.7588 UNITED STAGING AND RIGGING 203.416.5380 Address Address Year Phone Estab. Company/Phone 212.414.1502 Square Footage Specialty Address 1650 Broadway, Suite 405 New York, NY 10019 32 Coles Ave. Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 71 Robinson St. Pottstown, PA 19464 521 12th St., Suite 2R Brooklyn, NY 11215 18 Leonard St. Norwalk, CT 06850 96-01 23rd Ave. East Elmhurst, NY 11369 600 East 156th St. Bronx, NY 10455 35 West 36th St. New York, NY 10018 262 Martin Ave. Highland, NY 12528 72 Colonial Ave. Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 377 5th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215 135 West 26th St., 4th Floor New York, NY 10001 28 Waling Drive Wayne, NJ 07470 101-02 Dupont St. Plainview, NY 11803 636 West 28th St., 9th floor New York, NY 10001 1614-0 Union Valley Road West Milford, NJ 07480 Brooklyn Navy Yard, 20 Brooklyn, NY 11205 609 Degraw St. Brooklyn, NY 11217 551 Madison Ave., 7th Floor New York, NY 10022 3670 Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10312 624 Lehigh Drive Easton, PA 18042 111 Eighth Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 753 Kearny Ave., 1st Floor Kearny, NJ 07032 151B Hillside Ave. South River, NJ 08882 332 Bleecker St., Unit F8 New York, NY 10014 337 Court St., Suite 1 Brooklyn, NY 11231 4 Squirrelwood Road West Paterson, NJ 07424 1000 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451 594 Broadway, Suite 907 New York, NY 10012 250 5th St. Bridgeport, CT 06607 UNLIMITED VISIBILITY LIGHTING DESIGN UPSTAGE RIGHT PRODUCTIONS INC. 856.667.1900 UPSTAGE VIDEO 877.484.3887 VIBRANT DESIGN 718.701.5018 VIDEOFILM SYSTEMS INC. 203.866.7319 VINNY’S MUSIC SERVICE 718.752.0777 VISUAL EFFECTS INC. 718.324.0011 VISUAL WORD SYSTEMS 212.629.8383 WALTERS-STORYK DESIGN GROUP 845.691.9300 WARREN Z PRODUCTIONS 914.674.0064 WIDE IRIS PRODUCTIONS 888.810.1211 WIZARD STUDIOS NY 212.568.9500 WOLFE PRODUCTIONS 917.846.6882 THE WORLD OF ILLUMINATION 516.576.6100 XA, THE EXPERIENTIAL AGENCY 212.625.9191 Audiovisual Equip. Rentals Tabletop Rentals Audiovisual Production Servingware Lighting Design Tables/Chairs Lighting Equipment Rental Other Furniture Set/Staging Design Small Decor Items Staging Equipment Rental Large Design SoundProps Tablecloths/Linens Sound Equipment Rental Cooking Equipment Special Effects RENTAL AND PROP COMPANIES Core Competencies Rental Categories Core Competencies We’re Moving! The 2009 New York Event Style Awards will be held in conjunction with the BizBash Expo in the fall. Two amazing BizBash events in one. That’s right–one stop! Deadline for submissions is August 14, 2009 For rules, 2009 category descriptions, and to submit your event, visit: www.bizbash.com/ny/eventstyleawards or call 646.839.6831 Ted Kruckel What’s Working Now? Five top operators point the way through the economic minefield. Creative Edge’s grab-and-go dessert stations André Wells Events by André Wells has been perfecting parties in the nation’s capital for six years. BET turned to Wells to work his magic for its inaugural ball this year. He also runs one of the city’s hottest annual events, the Young and the Guest List, which is sponsored by Washington Life magazine. What’s working now? We’re finding lots of ways to save money and still provide pow pow. For a centerpiece, choose a cluster of candles instead of flowers. Forgo sit-down dinners in favor of passed micro-meals. We’ll serve a tiny tureen of tomato soup with a mini grilled cheese and a salad of baby lettuces, all on one plate. Meyer’s 11 Madison Park lowered wine corkage fees to $10 per B.Y.O. bottle. Come summer, what should I be serving? Vodka has had a great run, but I’m into daiquiris this summer. Let’s drink some rum. Banana and mango daiquiris or kiwi and lychee is another combo I like. The new Daniel received four stars from The Times. Danny Meyer Carla Ruben Along with her partner, Bob Spiegel, Carla runs and owns 20-year-old Creative Edge Parties. Based in downtown New York, she has a staff of 48 (“our secret weapon”), including two full-time location scouts. In 2008, the company booked Calvin Klein’s 40th anniversary at the High Line and the opening of Chanel’s mobile art installation in Central Park. How is your role changing? Well, if a decor budget has been cut, we step in and try to create a theme and atmosphere with the rentals we choose. If you can’t afford a fancy decorator, you can still have a custom look by being creative with rentals—it just takes longer. Glasses are key. I’m not into stemware these days. I like short and stubby. I’m into turquoise. Think Spiegelau, Salviati. For fabrics, I’m concerned with feel and color—Ultrasuede, flannel tablecloths, or stretchy rubber. And spend the money where it has impact: the napkins. The napkins are in your hands one way or another all night. Nobody cares if you have fancy salt and pepper shakers. Do you have any predatory negotiators? There are still plenty of people with a lot of money. Then there are the people who start the conversation with, “Hey, it’s a bad economy …” We’ll work with people, but we have standards. It’s a fine line. Mary Micucci When I asked the founder and owner (since 1976) of Los Angeles catering company Along Came Mary to give me a few highlights of her career for this introduction, she sighed. “I’ve done over 300 film premieres. Well over 300. I’m just guessing. Every major studio. It’s hard to pick one thing.” Despite the economy, the movie biz is booming. That must be a relief. But the whole film-premiere thing is not anywhere what it used to be, and I don’t know that it ever will be again. Now it’s all about just the red carpet. There’s no catering on the red carpet. There are still big premieres, but the business has changed, and I don’t see it going back. Daniel Boulud Chef superb Daniel Boulud—the toque behind Café Boulud, DB, DB Bistro Modern, and Feasts & Fêtes catering— had an excuse to be worried last fall, when he re-opened his flagship, Daniel, after a multi-million dollar face-lift just as the market tanked. But a designation of four stars in the The New York Times has led to a new rush of gourmands. Up next: his newest to open (hopefully while you read this), a Lower East Side beer and sausage bistro, DBGB. So business at Daniel is good. How do you do it? There are challenges. Corporate business has been soft. But we’re trying to show our customers that we’re willing to offer more for the dollar. For example, we now offer a prix fixe five-course tasting menu with wine pairings for $98 at early hours. The same meal without wine is normally $105. ON BIZBASH.COM Our regular customers are My complete responding conversations with to that. all five experts Okay, so people are spending less, but what are they spending money on? For a cocktail party, without sacrificing the ambience and the yummy, you just can’t have as many choices. We’re not using caviar from the Caspian Sea. It’s amazing that caviar is now being produced in Sacramento. Right in our own backyard, and it’s fantastic! Sterling Sevruga is one of the Mint, two juices, and brands I like. Always on top Elderfower liqueur keep of a crispy potato pancake Micucci’s champagne or a classic blini—it makes cocktails fresh. me a happy girl. So what’s working now? Thoughtful service. For a group birthday, I ate at the Modern [Meyer’s restaurant at MoMA], in the bar, and when the kitchen sent out seven plates of dessert, one woman observing Lent couldn’t eat sweets, and felt uncomfortable—as did the rest of us by extension. But the waiter was paying attention, and soon up rolls the cheese cart, to all our delight. I was so proud. He cared, and that left a great impression. What’s not working now? Trophy wines. And late night. Restaurants have a hard time generating turns after 9:15, as opposed to a year ago, which would have been 10:30. 88 bizbash.com may/june 2009 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CREATIVE EDGE PARTIES, JIM FRANCO (11 MADISON PARK), E LAIGNEL (DANIEL), SEAN TWOMEY PHOTOGRAPHY (COCKTAIL) If it’s true that history repeats itself, good food may soon be the topic of not just texts and blogs, but Central Park jogs. Because the man who quietly opened Union Square Cafe 24 years ago, and then went about transforming Madison Square Park with Tabla, 11 Madison Park, and Shake Shack, has set his sights on another piece of turf. This May, Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group is planning to submit a bid for the license to operate Tavern on the Green, and I am hopeful that maybe for once the landmark will live up to its potential. The right location makes even the most delectable food taste better. Happily, we can help you with both. creativeedgeparties.com 212-741-3000