Whether you’re looking for an immersive theme for your next event or just some ideas for accent decor, we’ve got you covered with the latest styles to make your event unforgettable.
1. Bring in the 2020’s with 1920’s Glam
Harkening back to the 20’s of last century, create an experience that goes from rustic speakeasy with whiskey barrels and leather decor, to Great Gatsby Glam with crystal chandeliers, golden tables, and feather centerpieces. Notorious for flappers, jazz, and bootleggers, the Roaring 1920’s bring a rebellious spirit and glamorous style that still resonates with us today
2. The Golden Rules
A decadent, rich color, gold is the perfect color to make your next event shine. For a classic look, choose gold and glass furniture, or put flowers in gold vases on your cocktail tables. Or make a stunning stage set or photo op with a gold-accented backdrop.
3. Mark Your Calendars
As we embark on this new decade, we look forward as we also reflect. Celebrate your organization’s history or personal accomplishments with interactive timeline walls. Today’s displays merge visual and interactive elements to engage guests physically and mentally in your story using 3-dimensional signage, timelines and infographics, photos, videos, and props.
4. Change It Up
Have a long event or multi-day conference? Keep your audience alert and engaged with real-time changes in decor, interactive elements, and activities. Switching out elements mid-event, especially after long days of panels and training, keeps things interesting! This can be as simple as changing w few decor pieces and lighting to go from reception to after-party, or a full room flip. Using technology like A/V Projection Mapping, you can even change a stage or room dynamically as your event is happening!
5. The Shape of Things
Bold, abstract shapes add dimension and interest to backdrops and dividers, while shapely curves in your furniture helps soften up the space. Combine curved furniture and angled backdrops to create a dynamic space for your guests.
6. Are You Blue?
This year’s Pantone color of the year is classic blue, a “shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk.” In truth, all blues tones from beryl to deep navy are popular so feel free to take your pick or mix and match! Accent it with warm, natural colors and organic textures to create a chic lounge space, or pair it with white and silver for your classy gala.
7. Naturally Warm
Warm natural colors are also trending, including natural wood tones. Rustic woods make room for refined lighter wood designs. Make your natural, warm tones more interesting by adding lots of organic texture.
8. Biophilia
Biophilia is described as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive” by German psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. In design terms, this simply means to bring the outside in. Living walls, large trees and plants, running water fountains, and other outdoor elements add life to your event and engage your guests using the organic colors, textures, and even sounds of nature.
9. Opposing Elements
Two design trends merge when natural materials are combined with synthetic, contemporary ones. Upgrade that hedge wall with a neon sign. Enclose your plants in lucite cubes. These seemingly incompatible juxtapositions lead to stunning results!
10. Insta Moments
Let your guests share in the excitement with Instagram-worthy props, backdrops, and environments. Don’t just go for the traditional step-and-repeat – add props, 3D elements to interact with, or furniture to sit on for a unique experience your guests will want to share!
By Gayle Gilberto, Event Designer & CIS
Thanksgiving comes late this year, which means most holiday parties are being planned within the first two weeks in December. That’s not very far from now but it’s still not too late to plan your gathering or to add some extra spice to the existing one! If you haven’t booked your venue or suppliers yet, Kristin O’Conner, Director of Sales and Marketing of Capers Catering advises the following: “Be willing to be flexible! Thursdays in December are the quickest dates to go. If you’re willing to do a different day we can play around and make it work for you. But, we almost always can make it work for our clients.”
Get People Excited About Your Holiday Party
You may also consider moving your party into the New Year. January and February dates a offer better venue and supplier availability and your guests can relax and enjoy your celebration without their personal Holiday plans getting in the way.
Build up excitement for your upcoming celebration by advertising through your company social media. Hint at the activities to come. If you haven’t told your guests already, consider “teasing” the theme to build anticipation. For example, if you are having a carnival theme, pass out popcorn or cotton candy during lunchtime or after a company meeting. Or invite a salsa dancer into your office to perform in advance of your “Havana Nights” theme event.
Another great way to build excitement for your Holiday party is to add an awards component to the affair. Create a few fun categories for your employees to vote on to get them involved and pumped up. Or look for in-house talent and have them participate in some way. I had a CEO who leads a company sing-a-long for his employees at the end of a Holiday celebration. This quickly became the beloved company tradition guests look forward to every year!
Brainstorm Ideas With Others
Kick up your food and beverage choices by chatting with employees and don’t be shy about brainstorming fresh ideas with your catering manager
Kristin O’Connor offers this advice: “We’ve had clients collect a few family recipes that we can incorporate into a menu. This spices up an event and makes employees experience all the feels when their own holiday traditions can be represented to their colleagues. Also, say yes to all the desserts- don’t make it an afterthought. Whether it is a fun unique station, like make your own s’mores, smashed cake bar, boozy hot chocolate station, or passed cookies and milkshakes, people love to put their healthy lifestyles on hold this time of year.
Plan Fun Activities For All
More active crowds love games of all types and there are plenty of options available! From casino games to arcade and video games, space, taste, and budget are your only limitations.
AC Anders, VP of Corporate Events at Fun Enterprises recommends activities that can double as company giveaways:
“All too often we are at an event and take photos that live in our phone or on our social apps. Switch things up and get a photo program that the guest leaves with the photo in a snow globe or snowflake. Also, personalization and DYO programs give your attendees something fun to do and take home.”
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
”Gifting this year? Check out the many companies offering to buy one give one options now (Bomba socks, One World Play and Smile Squared are just a few) guests can feel great knowing their gift was also donated to someone in need. Or you can empower your employees to be even more actively involved in the spirit of the season.
AC Anders: “Some companies decide that since it is the time of year for giving back it is a perfect time to sponsor a community project. Here are a few suggestions:
- Caroling at a senior center or hospital
- Volunteering at a food bank
- Collecting coats for the Winter Season ahead
- Donating Toys for a good cause”
Finally, don’t forget to make your event sparkle— try dazzling guests with a great theme. Glitz is always popular this time of year and themes that blend well with interactive activities are particularly hot right now. Brainstorm with an event design professional to find the theme that best suits your company’s demographic and image. This is your party and you can customize it in myriad ways that will make all your attendees feel like the VIPs they are!!!
Art of the Event
Are you planning a big holiday bash? Let Art of the Event’s Production and Design team help!
By Gayle Gilberto, Event Designer & CIS
After working as a supplier in this industry for 16 years and in another for five more, I’ve had every kind of working relationship with meeting and event planners. I’ve also had the privilege of supervising others in their working relationships. From my experience, I’ve gained insight into how different clients’ techniques, systems, and working styles affect their programs from the bidding process to the final on-site results. I’ve compiled a list of some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ that will help you get what you need and perhaps something extra from your suppliers.
Do: Take three bids, and tell your suppliers you are taking bids. The competition will drive your suppliers to sharpen those pencils and create quality proposals.
Do: Compare apples to apples! When sending out RFP’s, make sure each supplier is working with the same information. Be as transparent as possible, and let the suppliers know which elements are most important and which ones are not.
Don’t: Hedge on the budget question. I understand that there are times when you legitimately don’t know what your budget is; however, I recommend using past experience or event as your guide. Also, make sure to give each supplier the same budget range to avoid getting wildly different proposals back at various price points. Even if you have to modify the budget after receiving the bid, you’ll start with information you can use to access your three bids properly.
*Helpful Hint*: If you do know your budget, shave a bit off the top when sharing with suppliers. That leftover “padding” can be used in the future to add elements you don’t see in the initial proposal!
Do: Ask for other suggestions. You don’t have to be an expert on everything yourself. You are reaching out to experts in each of their fields. Let them share their knowledge with you by encouraging them to add suggestions and different options. You might end up liking the new ideas better than the ones you initially thought of!
Do: Be realistic with your proposal, timeframe. Try to get RFP’s in as early as possible and ask the supplier how much time they need for the turnaround. There is an old rule from my days in the film industry that equally applies to event production: “Good, Fast, Cheap!” Pick two!”
After the Bid: The Working Relationship
There are two ways to get what you need when you need it:
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Be an ally
We all enjoy doing beautiful things for our friends. That’s why clients and suppliers who are “friends,” even if only in the working world, tend to get better service and extra bonuses. Being thankful, considerate, and fostering a positive relationship with someone can go a long way.
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Be a ‘Squeaky Wheel’
We are all constantly busy in our industry. And although your suppliers genuinely want to give equal time to all their clients, the reality is that some clients make sure they get more attention than others. The ‘squeaky wheel’ is someone who is both present and persistent in getting what he or she needs. Clients who call consistently tend to get pushed to the head of the line.
Don’t: Be mean
Try not to confuse being ‘squeaky’ with being rude. Beating people down is not the same as being present. I’ve seen senior suppliers jump away from the phone in fear when they see a certain number come up on their cell. I’ve seen others pass on potentially lucrative projects just because their point person proved to be complicated. Suppliers can make or break your next program; keep them on your team by treating them like professionals, not servants.
Do: Feel free to ask for that extra something. Even if you’re pretty sure the answer is “no,” it never hurts to try. You’ll be surprised at how often you’re happily surprised by the outcome.
Event or Program Start Day
Do: Arrive early to make sure things are progressing smoothly. Get ahead of last-minute changes and potential snags during your set up.
Do: Act before you react. As we all know, unexpected contingencies arise on site. Elevators and trucks can break down, backups happen on loading docks, and people get sick. If your set up isn’t going as expected, find out what the challenges are, and ask for solutions.
Do: Request a walkthrough before anyone is dismissed.
Do: Request a rehearsal, run-through if AV, talent is involved.
After the Fact
Give feedback! Everyone wants to know how they are doing, and feedback is always appreciated. Suppliers should welcome constructive criticism so we can adjust and improve in the future. Leaving a review, especially when someone hits a home run, can forge a friendly feeling that will surely benefit you the next time around!
By: Cierra Dubinsky & Alanna Lynch
The positive effects of flowers are immeasurable; they can brighten up a room, someone’s mood, and promote healing. They offer vibrant colors, fragrant smells, and a small reminder of the beauty of the world around us. Flowers are a celebration, and naturally, an important part of what we do at Art of the Event Inc.
Our florists are passionate about creating arrangements that perfectly capture the essence of whatever event they are featured at. But what happens to these fresh flowers when the event is over? Most companies and venues simply discard them without a second thought. We at Art of the Event Inc. want to avoid waste and spread as much happiness as possible; that’s why we’ve partnered with the Power of Flowers Project, founded by Joyce Bellefeuille.
Located in Tewksbury MA and home to 75 volunteers, the Power of Flowers project takes lightly used flowers from events and services and delivers replenished bouquets to anyone who needs a smile. In their own words, they are “one small effort to reuse something beautiful and bring joy to others.”
Not only does this project better the lives of surrounding communities, but it is done in a sustainable fashion. The Power of Flowers “renews and refreshes gently used flowers, recycled from weddings, banquets, business conferences, memorial services—any event where flowers are left behind or tossed in the trash while they are still fresh.” By reusing flowers, they are saving land, money, and water used to grow and maintain new flowers!
Art of the Event Inc. is thrilled to be donating to this admirable project. Every time flowers or centerpieces return to our warehouse, they find new homes with Power of Flowers. Want to help the Power of Flowers flourish even more? Click here to contribute! “Making a difference, one flower at a time.”
One of the biggest trends right now is getting your guests involved in their menu choices. Skipping the plated meal or traditional hors d’oeuvres and opting for more interactive delights is a great way to make a lasting impression on your guests.
AotE has got you covered with unique interactive food displays on the market. Our one-of-a-kind food service stations create photo opportunities, conversation topics, and make food part of the fun. Most importantly, they allow your guests to customize their fare to fit their preferences, all but guaranteeing that everyone will be raving on social media about your event!
1. Bring the Refreshments Around on a Ferris wheel
Carnival and cirque themes are hot this summer! Whether you’re planning an outdoor or indoor festival or event, our working Ferris wheel will create a truly instagrammable moment for your guests!
Dimensions: 9’T with five trays to hold your snacks or merch, and a customizable base.
2. Not-Just-A-Doughnut Wall
There’s a new sweet treat dominating dessert bars everywhere: doughnut walls! Our sleek & whimsical doughnut wall will look impressive in your space, and you can customize it with a graphic, logo or monogram.
Not a fan of sweets? Display pretzels, bagels, candy canes, or any other hang-able food!
Dimensions: 8’Tx4’W, with 2’ of customizable space at the top and bottom, and 96 pegs.
3. Raise Your Glass with a Champagne Hedge Wall
Guests will have a blast choosing their glass, toasting to the night, and taking selfies in front of our elegant champagne wall! With faux hedge and custom florals, this wall is stylish, functional, and bound to be the center of attention.
Dimensions: 8’x8’ hedge wall, complete with slotted shelves that hold 96 of any size wine glass.
4. Tap the Keg Wall
Breathe new life into your bar space with our rustic & chic keg wall; A fully functional and staple decor piece, featuring your favorite brews on tap! Draft beer is also eco-friendly, with refillable kegs and less overall waste.
Dimensions: 74”Wx8’T with four beer lines.
It’s finally Summer in New England and outdoor celebrations are in full swing! Whether you’re hosting a wedding reception, BBQ, or rooftop party, AotE has got your seasonal event covered with limited time specials; our in-house designers are offering complimentary styling services & products to make your event the stand-out party of the season.
These specials won’t last long though – book by 8/31/19 to reserve yours!
Summer Style Spotlight: Lanterns
Whether your aesthetic tends towards bold colors or sparkly lights, lanterns are a simple & classic way to light up your summer night.
Summer Style Spotlight: Modern Lounge
Get your guests talking! Create a comfortable, social space at your event with specialty lounge furniture – from modern white lounge sets that match any decor to classic teak sets that never go out of style.
Summer Style Spotlight: Sun Umbrellas
Instead of baking under the hot summer sun during your next ocean-side gala, enjoy the shade under market umbrellas!
Cheeky Monkey
3 Landsdowne Street, Boston, MA, 02108
photo by Christopher Huang
Landsdowne Street has a new, hip brewpub on the block, and its name is Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company (CMBC). Located in-between The Landsdowne Pub and Loretta’s Last Call, CMBC prides itself on house-brewed craft beers, cross-cultural street food, and table games. The restaurant and the first level of the building occupy 10,000 square feet, with their capacity maxing out at 500 guests. A staircase within the brewery connects drinkers and baseball fans alike to Lucky Strike Social, a bowling alley and bar. Together, both places make up a multi-level, 70,000-square-foot behemoth.
Cheeky Monkey offers semi and fully private event spaces in their Tap Room & XO Lounge. Each room boasts its own distinct environment equipped for corporate parties and social gatherings. They are extremely accommodating to large groups, as the restaurant seamlessly entertains the masses that attend Fenway Park, and provides top-notch services at a reasonable price.
photo by Christopher Huang
The XO Lounge is the perfect place for small gatherings and is located in the far back of the restaurant. Enjoy a quiet, secluded craft beer on their leather sofas, just steps away from the game room with billiards, darts, ping-pong or shuffleboard. For larger groups, CMBC has a specialty Tap Room that can host up to 60 guests. This room features a private bar with craft beers on tap and is enclosed by their state-of-the-art beer tanks.
photo by Christopher Huang
Rounding out the entertainment experience, Cheeky Monkey is fully decked out in funky, modern decor & art pieces, including some Insta-worthy neon signs. This place is one of Fenway’s hot spots for millennials after hours as well. Going far beyond your average brewery, Cheeky Monkey truly creates a one of a kind experience in Boston.
Is Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co. the venue for your next event? Give us a call or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate!
By: Cierra Dubinsky
For Gayle Gilberto, President of Art of the Event, Inc., employee appreciation is #1! In fact, she recently spoke on this topic during the Boston HR Summit at the Westin Waterfront. So, what are the best management tactics to keep employees happy and satisfied? Gilberto suggests two efforts that can be easily implemented: special events & incentive programs.
It’s Party Time!
The most common employee events are holiday parties and company outings, which are a great way to keep morale up. Gilberto describes these as a “direct give back to employees.” AotE hosts a joint client/employee appreciation event every Spring, which functions as the perfect opportunity for employees, leadership, and clients to get to know each other in a different setting. Other special events that can improve a company’s dynamic include team building programs, awards galas, or any shared experience that, “make the employees feel like they’re part of the
family.” Something as simple as a summer afternoon ice cream outing could have an overwhelmingly positive influence!
Gilberto emphasizes the importance of management attending these events as a way of opening the lines of communication between employees of all levels who may not regularly interact. She also recommends having this outside of the office or workplace. A different atmosphere will encourage employees to relax and feel more comfortable mingling with one another.
A Team Effort
Incentive programs are another great way to “drive sales and help the company achieve its goals, which is to keep employees happy.” Incentives have gained a lot of popularity within the millennial crowd, as they are “very motivated by team experiences and feelings of belonging. Incentive programs will only get more valuable as time goes on.”
Recognition systems are relatively cost-free, and the benefits can be great when implemented effectively. “For every dollar spent on incentive travel programs, the business will benefit an average of $12.50 in increased revenue, and $3.80 in increased profitability… that’s $4 to the dollar spent!” That’s a win-win for any company, on and off the paper. In addition to travel, paid time off, vacations, bonuses, and gift cards are all examples of incentives that are overwhelmingly well-received amongst employees. According to CIS.com, 87.5% of people who participate in an incentive program feel they’re appreciated, 80% said their loyalty to the company increased, and 78% said they felt an increased sense of belonging. “These are all things we want our employees to feel!”
All in all, it’s about understanding what truly motivates and drives people. AotE is currently running a spa package incentive program throughout April, and employees have already shown extra enthusiasm to exceed this month’s goals!
“That’s how you want your best employees to feel— to feel valued. To feel appreciated by you, their peers, and the company itself.” – Gayle Gilberto
What does it take to stay on the cutting-edge of the rapidly changing world of events? Fast-moving trends can leave companies, nonprofits, and individuals continually searching for the next hot theme and the newest social-media friendly craze. Whether you’re planning a gala, a product launch, or a mitzvah, staying fresh and modern is critical when crafting a memorable event. Here are three ways to navigate this constantly shifting scene without getting bogged down in the details:
1. Follow Event Companies on Social Media
Whether you’re prepping for a wedding or a corporate holiday party, inspiration is readily available on social media! Follow industry-leaders to discover photos of unique and modern events. It will also give you a sense of what themes are hot and what company can best make your vision become a reality.
Our favorite channels? Pinterest and Instagram. Two imagery-focused platforms that let you get the full visual, and provide a bread crumb trail to similar images so you can delve more deeply into your favorite theme.
Get Inspired:
2. Discover Industry-Leaders in Event Production
How to tell if a company is a cutting-edge industry trailblazer? Look for new and unique designs, furniture, and concepts. Art of the Event’s brand new Edison Tables are one-of-a-kind and made in-house. By continually imagining and crafting unique individual pieces to make clients’ dreams into reality (or just because we had a cool idea!) we ensure that the company is always offering creative and modern designs that make each event one-of-a-kind!
Even if you’re re-using a past theme or going for a classic design, your event company’s capabilities shouldn’t box you in. Take a look at a company’s online catalog (see Art of the Event’s here) to see what kind of variety they have.
3. Choose an Event Company that can Customize
Does the event company you’re working with produce their graphics and builds in-house? If not, your business is being outsourced to another company, and you’re paying extra! Look for companies that employ graphics and fabrication staff full-time. Not only does this save you money, but it also helps prevent confusion and allows for greater customization.
When one of Art of the Event’s producers gets a request for branded pieces, a custom build, florals, or anything else that requires a personal touch, they’re able to go right to the source. Instead of making calls to external companies, they’re able to sit down with a member of the graphics, fabrication, or floral department and figure out how to make your vision come to life. Instead of asking ‘can we do this?’ our team is able to focus on crafting your unique vision.
Bonus: Pick a Veteran Company
Another major factor to consider: How long has an event company been around? Established companies have relationships with other providers, so if they do have to outsource for a specific item, they’re able to get a deal, which is then passed along to you, the client.
It also means they have relationships with venues and are often able to work more closely with your chosen location. Art of the Event producers always offer to coordinate directly with your venue, so you don’t need to worry about the load in or set-up at all. With floor plans for almost every venue in the Boston area already on file, and team members who are familiar with the load-in and strike procedures of every hotel, conference, center, and venue in Eastern MA and beyond, picking a veteran events company can take a considerable load off of your shoulders!
Trade shows provide a unique opportunity to boost your brand’s visibility, generate leads and create valuable industry and client connections Getting noticed at events saves you money and significantly benefits your business in the long run. A 2018 SpinGo data compilation showed that face-to-face meetings at trade shows are cheaper than in the office and that 77% of executive decision makers found at least one new supplier at the last show they attended. If your company hasn’t had a chance to exhibit at a trade show before, now is a great time to start!
LegacyMark_Jameson_WTC_0914-40
From the planner’s perspective, there’s no room for a mistake – every detail needs to be accounted for months before an event takes place. For the design team, the biggest question is how to make your trade show booth stand out from the competition?
The great thing about trade show booths is that there’s always room for creativity. Custom booths are popular because they allow your company’s personality to shine, while also serving as a one-of-a-kind exhibit solution. When designing your custom booth, consider your brand aesthetic, target customers, and how they will interact with space. Use modular walls and a layered display to bring height and dimension to your space at any trade show.
The other key to making your mark the exhibit floor? Branding, branding, branding! Custom graphics and branding are a crucial part of your trade show booth design. Use bright colors and high-impact visuals to promote your brand and clearly display your company’s message to ensure that everyone who walks by, walks in.
Never underestimate the importance of proper lighting. Lighting can be a low cost and high impact way to accentuate key features, such as product displays and promo materials. Consider in-booth media for more interactivity and custom flooring for a fully immersive experience.
Be an observer! Take notes of the most impactful trade show booths you’ve seen before: what made them stick out? Whether it was the captivating demonstrations, the interactive elements, or out of the box graphics – be creative and think what original features can apply to your design.
Share your goals and ideas with our award-winning team of planners and designers at Art of the Event, and we can create and execute the perfect design solution for your trade show booth.
First impressions are always important, so when your guests and clients enter your office make it count! Create a positive and long-lasting impression with decor that brings the spirit of the season into your space!
Our designers recommend keeping the lobby decor elegant and simple. Remember, less is more! If you oversaturate your space with decorations, you risk making it look cluttered and distasteful. The abundance of one decor element over another may offend some groups of people. Keeping it simple helps you avoid overlooking these decorative possibilities.
During the winter season, several holidays are taking place virtually at the same time. Be sensitive to all observers, and don’t forget about incorporating elements like menorahs for Hanukkah and kinaras for Kwanzaa.
The holidays may seem like they’re far away, but time flies! The celebrations are right around the corner, and it’s crucial to start planning early. Start with planning your budget and looking for event designers and decorators.
Brightly lit trees wrapped presents, garland, and ribbon – use traditional decor to warm up your space. Try converting your lobby into a winter wonderland with white birch, sparkling faux snow, and candles to light up the room. Whatever you choose, your lobby decor should reflect your company’s aesthetic.
Even small touches make a big difference: complement your existing decor with florals or small vignettes. This will help bring a pop of color and holiday cheer to your lobby.
Need ideas for your themed lobby decor? Call Art of the Event today for a custom proposal.
Count how many weeks left until Christmas—surprise! If that’s any clue, the holiday season is approaching faster than you think. The time to start planning your holiday party is now—you’ll want enough time to secure a location, organize vendors like catering, and give employees enough time to mark it off on their calendars. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.
There’s Competition
There’s a limited number of venues, and a limited number of desirable dates surrounding the holidays. Do you want to plan for a weekend or weekday evening? Both of these options have their pros and cons, but don’t expect your desired space to be available, even if you choose a date you believe may be unpopular. The Holiday season is short!! Rather than waiting and losing your best options, plan now and get the perfect venue for your group and budget.
Give People Time to Plan
The entire point of the holiday party is to reward employees for a year of hard work and show them that you care. If you give them notice on December 1st that the party will be December 10th, many employees may already have plans and obligations lined up. Rather than create resentment, give them as much time as possible to mark it off in their calendars.
Find Vendors
Many employee parties today, especially for bigger companies, may make use of a number of vendors, such as design and decor companies, catering, DJs, or even show performers. Regardless of the vendor you’re looking for, it makes sense to line them up as soon as you can. Why? Not only are you competing with other holiday parties, but you’re also competing with a popular season for other types of receptions. The city’s best catering options won’t still be accepting orders two weeks before your party date.
More Time to Get Creative
It’s 2018. Does your holiday party reflect that? Coming up with creative ways to keep your holiday party engaging will have everyone talking about it for months to come. Make your event experiential — this means giving your employees something to do during the event that will not only make it memorable but will help your team bond. Also important: think of social media-friendly setups. Custom design elements will get a great deal of photo ops.
When your employees are happy, retention rates soar — and that’s something that gets everyone in the holiday spirit. To find out more about organizing your next holiday party, contact the event planning design experts at Art of the Event for additional info.
Why do corporate holiday parties matter? Most satisfaction surveys conducted by human resource departments indicate that feeling valued, and feeling like they are a part of something, are important factors in how employees rate their workplace satisfaction and overall productivity.
Holiday parties aren’t just about having a good time and celebrating another year finished (though that is a big part of it). Done right, holiday parties ensure your employees feel appreciated and happy to be a part of your company.
The planning part isn’t always easy, though. Rather than just calling it a “holiday party” and sticking a big bow on it, here are 4 fun ideas and themes you can embrace for winter 2018.
Festive Activities
There’s often a fine line between group activities that feel like fun, and group activities that feel like torture for your employees, but there are some pretty solid winners you can choose from. Consider activities such as:
- Cookie decorating
- Gingerbread house decorating (make it a contest: which team can decorate the best in ten minutes?)
- Ornament painting
- Holiday trivia contest (example: where did the Christmas tree tradition originate?)
The key to making activities fun is to allow people to engage at their own pace, rather than forcing it. Also, remember to be inclusive of guest who do not celebrate Christmas.
Great Holiday Themes
Here’s a fact: people love themes. Don’t believe it? Test it yourself this holiday season with a theme like “winter masquerade ball” or “ugly sweater party.” Even a simple color party (everyone wear white and black, as an example) can heighten the festive mood. Other ideas:
- Victorian Holiday
- Santa’s misfit toys
- Nightmare before Christmas
Great Non-denominational Themes
Swiss Chalet gala
Candyland
Hollywood Glam
Fairy Tale Forest
It’s The Giving Season
Chances are, your employees are great people, and the holiday spirit gets them in that give-back mood. Why not double your holiday party as a canned food drive? Ask every guest to bring a can or other non-perishable and keep a large box (wrapped to look like a gift) by the door for collection. Also, ask a professional how to incorporate socially conscience gifting into your event as an activity!
Rather Than ANOTHER Mug…
Ditch the traditional $10 gift exchange and do something that nets more than just gag gifts. Have everyone bring a batch of cookies to share and a tupperware container—that way, everyone gets to take home some tasty treats for their families.
Planning a holiday party for your business doesn’t need to be a pain. Do it right, and your employees will be talking about it for a long time to come. Contact the event planning experts at Art of the Event for more tips and trips on organizing an amazing event.
What do you envision when you think of events? Being completely immersed in a story? An entire room transformation? A complete loss for words? Yeah, we do too. Events are our passion, and we want guests to feel transported to another world. How? By using sense engagement. Sense engagement is all about creating an immersive and stimulating experience.
Art of the Event brings your vision to life. Our production, fabrication, and design teams work together to transform your venue with full-scale props, graphics and more, so you can create your dream event!
Here are some fun themes we have done in the past!
- Enchanted Garden
- Day of the Dead
- Circus
- Graffiti
- Sports
- Candyland and many more!
Create your perfect, immersive event this fall and transform your space!
Interactive floors and wall displays give your guests an engaging element. This can be integrated into any theme. Add this interactive feature to your next event!
This interactive medium will take your event to the next level! Technology is rapidly growing and always improving. With sense engagement, your guests are given that extra element of touch! Interactive walls and display floors leave them entertained for hours, setting apart your event from any other they have attended.
And if these interactive displays are not exactly what you’re looking for, try our interactive games! We have classic favorites like Connect 4, Cornhole, Basketball, Ping Pong, and so many more!
So, are you ready to impress your guests? Contact us and plan your next event with sense engagement features!
Autumn is in the air and we couldn’t be more excited for the best time of year in Boston! Fall is the perfect time to plan a corporate event; employees are no longer taking lengthy vacations and perhaps you’ve acquired some new employees that you’d like to introduce to the rest of your staff. Scheduling a corporate outing simply to celebrate the new season is also a great excuse. Whatever the case may be, Art of the Event has some great corporate outing ideas in Boston that are guaranteed to be a fun time for everyone.
Fall Corporate Outing Ideas in Boston
- Action Kitchen at Seaport Hotel. Is everyone a die-hard foodie in your office? If so, we highly recommend The Action Kitchen at The Seaport Hotel in Boston’s new hip neighborhood. Here you can either work as a team and create some delicious fall season, New England inspired cousine or work against each other (think Chopped). Art of the Event is here to do the booking for you as well as provide logistics, transportation, and other DMC services for your company.
- South End Happy Hour Tour. There’s nothing better than walking around the South End during a crisp, bright fall day. We highly recommend a South End happy hour tour if your employees are all about exploring the city and sampling some of the best food and beverages in the area. Art of the Event will contact Bites of Boston (the ones responsible for this wonderful private tour) and ensure that your group is booked and transportation is arranged for those attending. We can also reserve and set up a private event space at a restaurant of your choosing.
- Paddle Boston River Tours. The Charles River offers unobstructed views of the Fall foliage this time of year and is a great activity for companies with outdoorsy individuals. Choose from either a guided river and harbor tour or take your team out on your own exploratory adventure. Art of the Event will create custom signage to ensure that arriving employees know where to go. We can also raise a tent along the banks of the river and coordinate with a catering company to make this a picnic outing!
- Station Karaoke Bar. Located in Chinatown, this karaoke bar is perfect if you’re looking to celebrate an employee’s milestone, birthday, or retirement. This bar also offers a private room with ample space for a medium-sized group so that no one but your co-workers will be able to judge your singing voice. Art of the Event will also work with Station Karaoke Bar to provide design and decor services for the private room.
- Trapology Boston. Escape the rainy New England fall weather by booking an escape room in Boston for your next corporate event. Trapology Boston offers a variety of different themed escape rooms that will test your groups ability to work together. This is a great problem solving activity that will no doubt help bolster employee morale. We highly recommend booking a room at a nearby restaurant for some lunch, dinner, or drinks afterwards.
Whether you’re looking to book a corporate outing or you’re planning for a more formal fall corporate event, Art of the Event is here to provide professional event design and decor services. Contact us to learn more about our capabilities!
Fall and winter is a great time for both private and corporate events. Not only are there numerous holidays to incorporate into your theme, but also seasons to work with when it comes to event decor and design. The goal is to spark conversation between your guests and make the entire event an interactive one. If you’re looking to really wow your guests with an out-of-the-box theme, below are a few ideas Art of the Event has designed for past events.
2018 Fall & Winter Event Theme Ideas
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Day of the Dead Themed Event.
There’s no better feeling than a family celebration. Bring that feeling of belonging and family to your next event while celebrating the past and the future with our Day of the Dead theme. With our larger than life sugar skulls and festive floral arrangements, your event’s decor is sure to stand out.
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Alice In Wonderland Themed Event.
Fall down the rabbit hole and join Alice on a trip through wonderland. Art of the Event will help you shrink down to enjoy the magic of wonderland with our eye-catching florals and custom graphics
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Star Wars Themed Event.
Realize your childhood dream of flying the Millennium Falcon and jumping to light-speed at your fall and winter events. Our Star Wars and galaxy themed decor will make that galaxy far far away appear at any venue. Art of the Event’s custom fabrication team can build spacecrafts and decor that will engage your guests and create an unforgettable experience.
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Royal/British Themed Event.
Let’s face it, we all are obsessed with royal weddings. Why not bring that regal charm to your Fall or Winter event. Art of the Event will ensure that all of your guests get the royal treatment on their trip across the pond. Imagine dining like the cast of The Crown at the royal table or being a guest at the royal wedding-with our full service event planning company the possibilities are endless.
Contact Art of the Event, Inc. today to request more information about our event design capabilities. We provide free proposals and free estimates for all of our projects!
Corporate branding is a crucial part of any successful corporate event. It makes a lasting impression on the guests and positions your company for success. Corporate branding is the company’s public image portrayed through a company’s logos, colors and messaging and is designed to make a lasting impact on the consumer. Events are the ideal location to communicate your branding to consumers and make a lasting impression. Leading up to an event, branded social media marketing creates excitement and familiarizes the public with your company. This is important to make a positive impact as you want to build anticipation leading up to the event.
Corporate Branding: Building Anticipation
• Using count down images on Instagram and Facebook the week leading up to the event builds anticipation and can highlight different images, parts of your event, or the past year’s event.
• Publishing speaker profiles in the weeks leading up to the event attracts the speaker’s followers as well as other people interested in the topic.
• Having a range of promotional images keeps people’s attention and prevents redundancy.
Corporate Branding: At The Event
• Branded graphics placed around the venue keeps your company front and center throughout the event. Using a company’s existing logo will help with name recognition later down the line.
• Center-pieces on cocktail tables are a great place to put your company logo and add detail to the event using company colors.
• Lighting and decor colors can compliment or match a company’s logo and marketing.
Ready to work on your next event’s corporate branding? Contact Art of the Event today for graphic and marketing services, event design and event production services.
Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt — Portsmouth Team Building
- Location: This particular event is available in Portsmouth, Manchester, Concord, Durham, Portland and Quincy Market area of Boston. Coming soon to Patriot Place.
Put the problem-solving skills of your employees to the test in a team-building game of Amazing Race. Take part in your company’s own reality show that challenges participants to locate destinations and complete collaborative tasks. In the span of 2-3 hours, teams will use a handheld GPS unit to find the locations and will document completion of each task with digital cameras. Teams will return to the finish line once they have completed all of the tasks, and the winning team will be determined and awarded prizes. At the conclusion of the race, participants will relive the excitement of the games in a slideshow of pictures. Celebrate your team’s victory, or mourn your team’s loss, at a restaurant, pub, or location of your choice after completion of the Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt.
Random Acts of Kindness — Portsmouth Team Building
- Location: This activity can take place in any city/town.
Learn more about your co-workers while giving back to the community! With more than 25 random acts of kindness, team members will enjoy exploring and giving back to their city. Each team will be provided with team-specific bandannas, scorecards, writing utensils, musical instruments, $40 cash and 4 gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts. Within the allotted time slot, teams will complete acts of kindness and a winning team will be determined and awarded a prize. Photos of this activity will be taken throughout, and shared with the teams upon completion.
Team Building Cocktails & Mixology Event — DrinkMaster Bartending School
- Location: Group events are offered in Boston, Framingham, and Worcester, MA.
Treat your company to an educational and interactive dining experience with a cocktail class accompanied by a signature cocktail and gourmet cheese tasting. Your employees will leave this event feeling like professional bartenders as they learn how to prepare and serve classic cocktails and mixed drinks.
Food Truck Challenge — TeamBonding
- Locations in MA, NH, New England
Food trucks continue to grow in popularity as a key player in the ongoing food revolution and have become a staple of city life. In “The Food Truck Challenge,” teams will prepare a menu of delicious food and construct and design their own food truck façade, with their team’s food truck name and logo. Each food truck team will be judged based on the taste of their food, and the creativity and originality of their truck façade and logo. If you are looking to provide your teams with an incentive and some inspiration for their food trucks, local food trucks can be arranged to attend your company’s event.
Wicked Good Chowda Cook-Off — TeamBonding
- Locations in MA, NH, New England
Channel your inner Bostonian and engage your company in a clam chowder cooking competition! Using cream, butter, onions, corn, potatoes, raw eggs, fish or clams, teams will create bowls of delicious, prize-worthy chowder. Each team will be judged not only on the taste of their creation but on how well they worked together as a team and a chowder champion will be named.
Harry Parker Boathouse
Enjoy a beautiful day on the scenic Charles River in Boston with your company! As the largest public access boathouse in the world, Community Rowing Inc.’s Harry Parker Boathouse offers you the opportunity to participate in a day of rowing and a reception overlooking the water. A combination of balance and teamwork, rowing is a great activity for individuals of all ages and experience levels! World class coaches teach everyone and will help your team develop the basic skills of rowing and prepare you for the thrill of racing across the water. We will break into teams to execute the rowing technique and will explore the role of growth and trust through this team-building activity. The Harry Parker Boathouse is the perfect backdrop for a corporate event full of fun and team spirit.
Urban AdvenTours
Visitors and Boston natives alike will learn something new about the city through Urban AdvenTours bicycle programs. The company offers tours that encompass almost every neighborhood in Boston and offer a secret look at backstreets and hidden gems while providing history and interesting information about each stop. Enhance your experience with a gourmet meal in the Boston Common at the conclusion of the tour to celebrate your hungry bikers!
GO! RED SOX® — Boston Adventures
Experience Boston’s amazing baseball team with the exciting GO! Red Sox team- building event at Fenway Park! This scavenger hunt will take you around the ballpark, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the team and the history of the franchise, and ends with a luncheon at a nearby restaurant. Take in the sights and history on a tour of the ballpark while having fun with your colleagues! The day concludes with the highly-anticipated awards ceremony where the winners are recognized and awarded special prizes.
Paddle Boston: Charles River Canoe & Kayak
Join us on an outdoor adventure and take your company on a paddling trip! Canoe or kayak with our trained facilitators who will help your group improve communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills while enjoying the beautiful scenery and water. Compete against your colleagues in our Charles River Poker Challenge where teams work together to collect 5 poker cards as quickly and efficiently as they can! With time to strategize before the challenge begins, teams will use maps and devise a plan before going out on the water and will be awarded prizes dependent upon their skills and success. Trophies will be awarded for top speed team, team spirit, and team with the best poker hand! Paddle Boston provides the perfect opportunity to companies to learn boating skills while also gaining a deeper understanding of the foundation of a positive and productive team. Celebrate the successes of the day with a post-paddle barbecue or picnic nearby.
City Brewery Tours
City Brew Tours presents a total experience for your corporate summer outing! They offer unique and engaging ways to increase company productivity through customizable events, informative guides and can provide transportation for your group. They have strong connections with more than 75 breweries, cider houses, and distilleries in the area to present company’s with superior customer service in creating your ideal experience or event, no matter the budget. City Brew Tours also partners with local restaurants and caterers to create specialized menus that complement the hand- selected tastings.
Every wedding is unique, but oftentimes wedding trends become so popular that it can be difficult to make your wedding stand out among those of your family and friends. At Art of the Event, we believe it’s all about subtle changes to your decor that can make your special day really shine. When it comes to making small tweaks without disrupting the overall theme, our wedding planning company always recommends changing up the floral displays.
But we don’t just mean changing your flowers from roses to hydrangeas — we recommend exploring some truly unique, rare, and exotic flowers to decorate your tabletops and your wedding party. Below are our floral department’s top 10 picks for unique wedding flowers.
Seldom Chosen But Beautiful Wedding Flowers
- Bouvardia. Available in white, peach, pink or red — these flowers are the perfect addition to any bouquet or arrangement. They are tiny, star-shaped clustered flowers that make arrangements delicate and feminine for any springtime wedding. The best part? They’re affordable and don’t have a strong scent (if that’s what you’re aiming for).
- Coxcomb. Before you say no to this daringly bold flower, hear us out. The coxcomb is unique due to it’s resemblance to a rooster and works as a beautiful, vibrate centerpiece to any arrangement. Available in yellow, green, orange, pink and crimson, the coxcomb is unscented and pairs well with garden roses and dahlias.
- Dahlia. Mentioned above as an accompaniment to the coxcomb, the dahlia flower works as an eye-catcher. It’s bold appearance (available in white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple) and wide spread of petals makes this flower ideal for filling out otherwise scant arrangements. We recommend adding the dahlia to bouquets or arrangements for early fall weddings.
- Freesia. Unlike the flowers above that are unscented, the freesia flower is completely the opposite. Just a few flowers placed strategically throughout your event venue can create a sweet-smelling room that will delight your guests. These affordable wedding flowers are also perfect to use year-round and their lengthy stems work best in table arrangements.
- Gladiolus. Best known for it’s flowers protruding down it’s lengthy stem, the gladiolus is perfect for summer beach weddings and outdoor weddings. Available in white, yellow, apricot, pink, dark pink, red, purple and a variety of other colors, this unscented flower is affordable and perfect for adding height to centerpieces. Some brides have often carried a bundle of gladiolus for their walk down the isle!
- Ornithogalum. Available year-round in white, ivory, yellow or orange, the ornithogalum is an affordable wedding flower that is long-lasting (a couple weeks after it’s been cut!). This flower is perfect for outdoor weddings and is best known for opening during the day and closing at night — so if you plan to include it in your bouquet, make sure your ceremony is during the day.
- Queen Anne’s Lace. We know you’ve probably seen this one growing in your local park or along the neighborhood sidewalk — but the queen anne’s lace popularity is due to it’s flower head’s similar appearance to traditional lace. Affordable with a grassy scent and available in white or green, many brides opting for a rustic-themed wedding will add this flower to fill out bouquets or centerpieces.
- Stephanotis. Although this is often a popular choice for weddings, this traditional wedding flower just had to be in our list of unique wedding flowers. What makes this flower unique is that it’s white blossoms bloom along a vine, making it the ideal choice for floral decor arrangements such as altar adornments (they can also be hung from wall fixtures). Although inexpensive to purchase, the stephanotis needs to be specially arranged for bouquets which can increase it’s price.
- Sweet Pea. A traditional wedding flower that seems to have gone on the wayside as of late. The sweet pea’s delicate petals, floral scent and beautiful green vine make this another perfect wedding flower for table arrangements. Available from November to June, the sweet pea has an intense fragrance and is well worth shelling out a few extra bucks to include it in your arrangements of non-scented flowers.
- Tuberose. Perfect for summer or early fall weddings, the tuberose has a strong scent — which means a little bit goes a long way. Include a floret in a table centerpiece with unscented flowers to add some fragrance. Many brides will also include the tuberose in a bouquet to add a touch of softness against other, more brightly colored flowers.
Ready to impress your guests with your floral arrangements at your wedding? Contact Art of the Event and our floral department will work with you to ensure that you receive the perfect flowers in the color of your choice.
As one of the Boston area’s premier event design and event management companies, our clients can expect to work with some of the most creative, energetic, and inspired individuals in the business. With that said, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the design and planning aspect without actually understanding where those brilliant design ideas are coming from.
In an effort to get our clients more acquainted with our amazing team, AOTE is tracking down our employees in their natural habitat (the design and planning room, or warehouse) and asking them everything from what inspires them to what makes working at AOTE so special.
Meet Art of the Event’s Josh Manning
Q: How long have you been with Art of the Event?
A: Almost two years
Q: What is your favorite event and why?
A: We designed a live green room for the 2017 NFL draft in Philly. That was cool because I got to build it and go down and install it. I got to meet a lot of cool people and it was an unforgettable experience.
Q: What is your favorite outside of work activity?
A: I do military simulation air soft tournaments. I am on a team called the Tyrant Kings.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: Movies and books. I enjoy urban gothic, and horror novels.
Q: What makes Art of the Event special?
A: If feels like a family run company in how people interact, the leadership is approachable and they never set anyone up for failure.
Q: How did you get into the event planning business?
A: I kinda fell into it. I was looking for work and for something secure and now I have been here for almost two years.
Q: What is the strangest thing in your fridge right now?
A: A jar of pickle juice.
Q: If you could throw a parade int he office, what kind of a parade would it be?
A: Sasquatch parade.
