How to Play: Cornhole

Cornhole, the simple and classic bean bag toss game using two wooden boards, each with a hole, has quickly become the fan favorite among our clients this summer.  And since it’s such a hit, we thought “why not share our love for this great lawn game with you?”  The more who know how to play, the more fun for everyone!

To start, set up the two boards 27-feet apart, front to front, with the hole at the board’s back.  Two teams of two will line up across from their teammates beside opposite boards.   Teams then designate one side to begin the play.  Each player on that side will have four of their colored bean bags and players will alternate tossing one bag at a time toward to the opposite board.   The goal is to get as many bags as possible into the hole or to land directly on the board!  Any bags that land on the board after hitting the ground (ie. bounce onto the board after hitting the grass) should be removed before play is continued.  Once all of the bags have landed on the opposite boards, the second team members have a go.  It is customary for players to switch sides halfway through the game, when one team reaches eleven.

Now that you know how to play, it’s time to learn how to score.

1) The first team to get to 21 points wins!  However, you must win by at least two points.

2) A team earns one point for every bag that lands on the board.  These bags are disqualified if they are touching the ground or if they bounced onto the board after touching the ground.

3) A team earns three points for every bag that goes completely into the hole – even if your opponent knocks you in!  Bags hanging over the hole only count for one point in official rules (however, many often play that these are worth two in casual play).

4) The score is determined by the difference in the team totals each round; equal points earned by two teams will cancel each other out.  For example, after a round of play, if the Red Team has thrown one bag into the hole and three bags landed off the board, they will have a total of three points.   If the Green Team has thrown one bag on the board and three landed off the board, their total score is one point.  After subtracting the final scores, the Red Team ends up with two points for that round.

Let’s get tossing!

Total Transformation

Look at what we can do in the exact same space over two days!  What could possibly be more Boston than these classic decor schemes?

With a group from out of town, often all it takes is a little New England inspired decor to make a standard hotel space or tent seem quintessentially Boston.  In the case of a recent incentive, we designed an evening of Boston baseball followed by a nautical night to give guests the best of the city at their hotel!

Boston’s Baseball

If Fenway Park isn’t your venue, let us bring the best of the ballpark to you!  We designed and printed this awesome 16′ x 12′ Green Monster background – and the best part about it is it’s ready to go for your next baseball night out!

To anchor the large space, we brought in a classic wooden sports bar, complete with baseball styling to provide guests with a central, functional and stand out decor piece.

Tables promoted the organization’s message, while keeping with the baseball theme.  The cards and baseballs that made up these centerpieces were such a hot commodity that there were barely a dozen left at the end of the night!

Nautical Inspired

With a few hours and skilled design team, we quickly transformed our standard tent into a nautical enclave for guests to enjoy a traditional New England clambake overlooking the harbor.  Large flags hung from tent walls to create blocks of color pleasing the eye and breaking up the white of the tent walls.

An array of dynamic seaside centerpieces were placed atop yellow and blue plaid overlays on small cocktail rounds.

Strings of vibrant nautical flags were strewn across the ceiling of the tent.  The once double-sided “sports” bar, became a single-sided double bar decorated with lobster traps, barrels, ropes and other seashore finds.

Dinner tables sported model sailboats, sea glass and votive candles for additional coastal flare.

Looking for a drastic decor transformation?  We can help!  As the experts in taking your ballroom, tent or any other space and creating a unique feel, we have what you need to create any design for any occasion.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Twenty Team Bandanas Ready to Go

We are thrilled to be abound with summer outings – there’s nothing better than making sure that everyone has  fun!  A few weeks ago, we ensured just that – great weather (perhaps that was luck?), dynamic team building, and lots of fun for everyone as groups participated in a day of rowing and lawn activities at Boston’s Community Rowing.

Teams prepared for the water on the ergs.

The one-hundred and fifty guests were divided into teams of seven and set to embark on a series of competitions.  From assembling a boat to volleyball, bocce to sessions on the erg, guests spent half of their day on land engaged in various activities.

Out on the Charles.

Then it was time to hit the water.  Divided into rowers, coaches and coxswains, each team was debriefed on the appropriate signals to communicate while on the water.  A designated Community Rowing guide was on board each boat to direct and off the teams went, in a series of  heats to determine the fastest of the group.

Racing to the finish!

The finale of the day was a much needed barbecue with all the fixin’s.  Sausages and burgers rejuvenated guests as they had the opportunity to unwind with colleagues and swap stories from their trials on land and river.

A Night of Urban Green at Boston’s Castle

We were approached by the Starwood Hotel Group of Boston to plan and manage an iconic event, the showcasing of one of their premier venues, the Park Plaza Castle.   We teamed with some of the areas top event vendors to transform the space to reflect an urban green venue.

Over four hundred of the Starwood’s clients, Boston’s finest planners and vendors, attended the “green” evening, where the caterers served their dishes on all biodegradable products to promote the industry-wide push to execute first class events while making a conscious effort to conserve.

Determining a cohesive floor plan, planning all aspects of decor and managing all of the necessary vendors, we sought to emphasize a modern yet recycled look.  Bars were made of reused materials, while branches emphasized outdoor natural features.

Fun was had by all and we look forward to going back time and time again to transform one of Boston’s most unique spaces into your next venue!

Huge thanks to everyone over at Art of the Event for their excellent work and fabulous photos!

Bring Fenway Park to Your Hotel

Or anywhere, for that matter!  Celebrate the best of Bostons sports culture with a Fenway themed event highlighting pure Red Sox enthusiasm.   We recently transformed the Westin Waterfront ballroom into a dinner destination for sports enthusiasts inviting guests to enter through the turnstile and pass under the “Fenway Park” entrance for an evening of baseball fun!

Upon entering the ballroom, guests were greeted by scattered high top tables with bar stools dressed in blue and red linens and adorned by festive centerpieces.

Anchored in the center of the room was a replica of the Cheers bar – and beyond guests could check out the “Green Monster” along the back wall.  LCD screens televising the nights game were surrounded by soft lounge seating for those interested in keeping up with every inning.

Looking for interactive fun?  We had a speed pitch where guests could test their toss, ping pong tables for a heated match, and foosball tables for added competition.

Let us take you and your guests out to the ballgame!

Where the tourists don’t go…

There are hidden gems everywhere.  No matter where you visit there’s always that must-see spot or activity boasting something that can’t be found anywhere else.  One of the best things about being in Boston is that these hot-spots or unique experiences are far from rare if you know the right people (like we do), so you can get in on all the excitement!

A dynamic group of professionals visited our city last week with a killer agenda.   Determined to experience the history, explore the culture and soak up the academia of Boston, we ensured that their activities were specifically tailored to their mission.  From a discussion with one of the country’s renowned professors at the Harvard Business School, to experiencing the epitome of Boston pride while watching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.  From their very own “Head of the Charles” experience rowing down Boston’s idyllic river, to the grand finale – a tour of one of the cities most prestigious stem cell labs, these guests left with memories, insight and a wonderful experience.

When planning your next program, let us know if there are specific motives or agendas.  We know the right people and the best places to make your Boston visit unique, personalized and memorable.

High praise!

We are honored to have won the business of a recent client, especially one who is so deeply invested in the Destination Management industry in her role as the Executive Vice President of the Association of Destination Management Executives.  Last week we successfully executed their program, which included an exclusive tour of MIT, dinner at the renowned Union Oyster House and a quick trip to Quincy Market, with flying colors.  A few quotes commending our work:

“I am delighted to share with you the incredible feedback I received from our personalized tour of MIT and dinner at the Union Oyster House.  From the moment your exceptionally knowledgeable guides helped our group onto the bus until we returned to our hotel everything went perfectly.”

“One participant said it best, ‘I don’t know how you do it, but you always manage to design an event that makes our conference location so memorable.  And, you’ve done it again!’”

“What I did to make this evening so successful was to ask you to design and implement an outstanding event – and you did!  I would not hesitate to recommend your services to anybody looking for an extraordinary destination management company.  We’re talking about returning to Boston in a few years; you’ll be one of the first to know about our plans so that you can create another spectacular event for us.”

It is our pleasure to work with such wonderful clients!

Flavor Trip!

Photo by Joe Fornabaio for the New York Times

The trip of the moment is not via plane but one for your taste buds and perhaps a trick for your mind!  On Tuesday, our wonderful intern, Amanda, sat us down for a mid morning snack and none of us quite knew what we were in for but it was certainly an experience!  After sucking on a tablet for only a minute, a lemon became the most delicious thing we had ever tried and hot sauce was actually bearable in large amounts.  That tablet contained the native South African miracle berries, which have started a fad throughout the country as they transform taste buds in a way that turns bitter and sour to sweet.  This all natural berry surely has super powers!

After a discerning taste test, our courageous team of miracle berry “guinea pigs” determined flavor tripping to be the ultimate party activity! Guests can sample an array of sour and bitter foods before and after the miracle tablet and gawk at the difference.  An experience enhanced by those in awe around you, not only will you entertain guests and provide endless conversation, but it is guaranteed to be memorable occasion for all.  So go ahead, let us make your event a little sweeter for you.

Corinthian’s New Faces

It’s on everyone’s mind – when can we officially say that the recession is over?  Though challenging to predict, it seems like things are looking up.  There are signs of a comeback all around us and in order to cope with the industry-wide increase in business, event and meeting professionals are looking to add to their teams.  In a study conducted by Sheryl Sookman Schelter entitled “Meetings Industry Hiring Plans for 2010,” Schelter surveys a group of meeting managers regarding their intentions to hire anyone new in 2010.   Findings were overall optimistic with almost 65 percent of planners maintaining the size of their operation or department and an even more positive 29 percent intending to fill new full-time positions this year.

In keeping with Schelter’s observations that there is “a tendency for hiring to remain flat until the volume of business increases on a consistent basis,”  we have added a couple of fresh faces to our team and are prepared for the upswing in the industry!  Read on to learn about our newest employees.

Laura Keeler

Laura joined the Corinthian Events team in December and is elated to be a part of such a dynamic organization.  After graduating from Colby College in 2007, she applied her Art degree to a position in the New York City art world.  A recent transition to both Boston and event planning brings on bouts of enthusiasm about the vivacious city, the energy and creativity within the industry, and the everyday problem solving that she is faced with.  In her time away from Kingston Street, Laura enjoys all things artsy, blogging, scuba diving, and homemade pesto.

Vanessa Childs

A Corinthian Events team member since March, Vanessa is enjoying working for and learning from the three talented, multi-faceted and fabulous partners.  With over seven years of experience in corporate meeting and event planning, Vanessa brings her negotiating prowess and grace-under-pressure attitude to the Corinthian Events team.  A Boston native, Vanessa can often be found practicing Pilates, cooking for family and friends, and traveling.

Banned in Boston!

Last Saturday, we successfully designed and executed Urban Improv’s annual Banned in Boston benefit.  It was a celebrity-filled evening of creative food and fun performances with all profits going towards Urban Improv and their mission to help students solve problems creatively through improvisation.

Celebrity Chefs at the Lansdowne Pub

Guests began the evening at The Lansdowne for cocktails and an array of tastings by a selection of Boston’s best chefs.  After strutting along the red carpet (or dashing through the pouring rain!) to the House of Blues, guests were greeted by the fabulous Joan Rivers who had commentary on each and every outfit that walked through the doors of the music hall.

The Fabulous Joan Rivers and Even More Fabulous Julie

Guest tables were arranged cabaret style on the music hall floor and decked out in true Hollywood glamour with pink and gold linens and feather boas.  The highlight of the evening was the show itself, Banned in Boston, an amusing improv performance involving local celebrities like Martha Coakley, Tom Hamilton, and Mayor Tom Menino.  Guests enjoyed edible centerpieces comprised of classic movie snacks including popcorn, Raisinettes, and Twizzlers.

Hollywood Glamour at the House of Blues

The evening of laughs proved to be a huge success for a great organization!  Check out the Banned in Boston press from Fox News and Tonic!

Corinthian Events has what it takes to make your event one that wows guests and keeps donors coming back year after year – let us help you with your next fundraiser!