Packed with a Playful Punch: Newton-Wellesley Hospital Gala

On Saturday night, we designed and produced the 12^th Annual Newton-Wellesley Hospital Gala in the Commonwealth Foyer and Ballroom at the Copley Place Marriott.  And with over 850 guests in attendance, the evening raised 3 million dollars for the Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health services – a great success!  The gala celebrated “The Time is Now… to Focus on Our Kids’ Mental Health,” projecting a sense of importance and urgency for the cause, while playful décor elements added a whimsical, “kid-like” tone.

Welcomed into the Commonwealth Foyer by spandex glow columns, guests meandered through the silent auction space, navigating the 300-plus items by signage hanging from plump balloons.  They perched at light infused, color-changing high tops, industrial platinum swirl tables or shopped at the glamorous Judith Ripka bar.

At 7:30pm, auctioneer, John Terrio, welcomed guests through a series of glowing “tornado” columns into the whimsical ballroom.   Cylindrical hurricanes rested on over-sized gerbera daisies, which sat upon neon linens, while suspended spheres hung above the ballroom, echoing the balloons from the silent auction area.  Advanced Lighting & Production Services’ ever-changing lighting colors and patterns were projected throughout the ballroom, highlighting the silver cell backdrop, glowing spheres and the Beantown Band’s rockin’ performance.

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While dining on a seasonal spring menu, guests battled for live auction items and enjoyed a surprise presentation by Jack Connors to celebrate Michael Jellinek’s 10^th year of service as the president of Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Dancing ensued in the ballroom while those looking for interactive post-dinner entertainment gave one of the four “Minute to Win It” events a try; battling the clock to perform quirky tasks, such as a team of two creating a three-soda can pyramid a piece of spaghetti and no hands.  A tech-inspired “teen lounge” boasted Wii games, while classics such as hula hoop, Twister and Jenga were also offered.

Bill Brett’s photos from the night can be seen on Boston.com here.

Winter Cool at the InterContinental

We’re celebrating our 11th anniversary by sharing swanky decor photos from one of our recent events!

For a corporate client’s awards reception, we created a winter-chic wonderland at Boston’s InterContinental Hotel.  Using predominantly decor elements of silver, white and glowing blue, the otherwise warm ballroom turned into an icy-cool space for guests to mingle throughout the night.

Now we’re ready to break out the playful spring hues!

A Presidential Evening

Two weeks ago, guests received the “presidential treatment” on a beautiful fall evening.  After boarding privately hired motor coaches, guests were escorted swiftly through the streets of Boston to the John F. Kennedy Library by six of Boston’s finest motorcycle-riding police officers.

Upon arrival at the Library, guests were greeted by an authentic bagpiper, evocative of Kennedy’s Irish heritage.

Guests first had a private viewing of the Library’s iconic film which details the life of JFK leading up to his campaign for president.  They then toured the exhibits and discovered who the great leader was during his presidency.  Upon leaving the exhibits, guests entered the Pavilion filled with sounds from a string trio and were greeted with drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres.

The dinner itself was a replica of a French menu that would have been served in the White House during the Kennedy administration.  Delicious appetizers including deviled eggs and chicken vol au vent were passed along with traditional French wines.  The gold ballroom chairs, Federal Blue Chateau Linens, gold flatware, crystal stemware and silver bowls filled with cream roses completed the Presidential theme.

Guests feasted on a three course dinner that ended with a real presidential treat, a lively acapella performance by the Harvard Krokodiloes!

A Nautical Riverboat Ride

A lucky group of ours has spent the afternoon cruising the Charles aboard this nautically themed riverboat – aren’t you jealous?

This lighthouse used to be a bird feeder – but with our creativity, it’s the perfect bar decor!

It doesn’t get more nautical than sea glass and anchors.

Sea grass, shells and lanterns adorned the remaining tables.

Ahoy, friends!

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.