Tips for Planning an Epic but Intimate Wedding in 4 weeks!

Here, some tips on how to work with time constraints from planner and event designer Vanessa Van Wieren, of Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations:

For whatever reason, whether your pregnant sister is due on your wedding date or you simply don't want to wait to marry the love of your life – fear not, a dream wedding can be planned in a flash, but you won't be able to do it without help! Read on to find out how it can be done.

byBest Events

in Weddings

12:10 PM

Tips for Planning an Epic but Intimate Wedding in 4 weeks!

Here, some tips on how to work with time constraints from planner and event designer Vanessa Van Wieren, of Alchemy Fine Events & Inv...

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15 Questions to Find Your Perfect (Exhibit Vendor) Match

Just as marrying someone you hardly know is usually a recipe for disaster, it's equally "cray cray" to enter a long-term relationship with a new exhibit house before you determine if its strengths and weaknesses mesh with your program's requirements.

byBest Events

in Trade Show Tips

8:03 PM

15 Questions to Find Your Perfect (Exhibit Vendor) Match

Just as marrying someone you hardly know is usually a recipe for disaster, it's equally "cray cray" to enter a long-term rela...

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Frozen Inspired Party

Recreate the adventures of Olaf, Anna and Kristoff, who battle the elements to rescue Arendelle from eternal winter.

Decor

We'll start with the decor. Sequin fabrics can be used to cover table tops for that essential winter shimmer.

What's a party without balloons? Snowflake patterned ones go well with the theme or you can opt for Frozen themed ones.

byBest Events

in Kids Parties, Party Ideas, Party Supplies, Party Themes

11:30 AM

Frozen Inspired Party

Recreate the adventures of Olaf, Anna and Kristoff, who battle the elements to rescue Arendelle from eternal winter. Decor We'l...

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The Cardmaker's Workbook: The Complete Guide to Design, Color, and Construction Techniques for Beautiful Cards

The most complete volume on card making available

The Cardmaker's Workbook is the only book on cardmaking that a crafter will ever need, and is formatted in a sturdy volume that can kept on the desk and referred to again and again. The book is divided into chapters focusing on composition, color, theme, construction and inspiration. Instructions are clear but concise, making room for large pictures and multiple variations. It has the look of a designer's notebook with sketches and templates that show different card formats. Unlike other cardmaking books available that are occasion driven or aren't stylized, The Cardmaker's Workbook provides an inspiring and hands-on tool for paper addicts to use to expand their skills and stretch their imagination.

The designs cover many different styles, from detailed multi-layered beauties to simple cards that can be quickly made and given as a set of stationery.

byBest Events

in Fabulous Finds

10:58 AM

The Cardmaker's Workbook: The Complete Guide to Design, Color, and Construction Techniques for Beautiful Cards

The most complete volume on card making available The Cardmaker's Workbook  is the only book on cardmaking that a crafter will eve...

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Ways to Help Attendees Navigate a Large Trade Show

From self-guided audio tours at the National Association of Broadcasters show to custom artwork at the SEMA Show, here are ways to make a large trade show more user-friendly.



International C.E.S.

A roving team of helpers known as MyCES assisted the more than 150,000 attendees and exhibitors at the International C.E.S. at the Las Vegas Convention Center in January. Team members, identified by the tall, colorful flags on their backs, carried Sony tablets with custom software created by Map Your Show that included information about exhibitors, booth numbers, conference sessions, awards, events, and social media. All of the data was accessible offline so team members did not have to rely on an Internet connection as they fielded questions in the center’s main hall. Organizers said they received good feedback on the service and plan to expand it next year.

Photo: Courtesy of CES



H.I.M.S.S. Conference & Exhibition

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society provides trolley service—in the form of an extra-long golf cart—to transport attendees from one end to another down the main aisle of its show floor. For this year’s event at the Orange County Convention Center in February, organizers estimated the one-way distance was nearly a mile, with six trolley stops along the way. In addition to providing a service for attendees, the concept also was a sponsorship opportunity: organizers sold signage space on both the trollies and at the stops. The 2014 conference was the association’s largest to date with nearly 39,000 attendees.

Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash



SEMA Show

The SEMA Show—short for Specialty Equipment Market Association—positions its more than 2,300 exhibitors on the show floor based on 11 categories, such as tires or racing and performance, so buyers can easily find products that match their interests. New last year, the association worked with a graphic artist to create icons and other custom artwork for each section that was used in signage, collateral materials, advertising, apparel, and more. “We wanted each section to have its unique look and feel, and we wanted it to resonate with our attendees on a visual level. We got a lot of positive feedback that demonstrated to us that they got it,” said Peter MacGillivray, the association’s vice president of events and communications.

Photo: Peter Rogers



I.A.A.P.A. Attractions Expo

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo offered several guided, two-hour tours at its show last fall at the Orange County Convention Center, which was its largest in 10 years with nearly 1,100 exhibitors. One tour was targeted to first-time attendees while the rest were grouped by theme, for example for buyers looking for inflatable products or those focused on water parks. Buyers paid a fee—$20 for association members and $30 for non-members—to participate. The expo is the largest trade event in the world for the $24 billion attractions industry, attracting 27,000 attendees from more than 100 countries.

Photo: IAAPA/Funworld

By Mitra Sorrells for BizBash

byBest Events

in Trade Show Tips

2:35 PM

Ways to Help Attendees Navigate a Large Trade Show

From self-guided audio tours at the National Association of Broadcasters show to custom artwork at the SEMA Show, here are ways to make a l...

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Easy Party Food

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSÉ MANUEL PICAYO RIVERA

Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

These tasty and stress-free recipes take the tension out of entertaining so you can spend more time enjoying your guests.

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil, for baking sheet
3 slices white sandwich bread
1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
1 log (5 ounces) soft goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Coarse salt
2 packages (10 ounces each) white button mushrooms, stems removed

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.
STEP 2
In a food processor, pulse bread and garlic until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside. To food processor, add goat cheese, parsley, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt, and pulse filling until combined.
STEP 3
Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

YIELD: Makes about 24

SOURCE: Everyday Food, October 2007



White-Bean Dip with Toasted Pita Chips

Everyone will love this dip, so make some extra; it will keep, refrigerated, three days.

INGREDIENTS

1 can (19-ounce) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
Coarse salt and ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
In a food processor, combine cannellini beans, olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon); season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Puree until smooth.
STEP 2
Place puree in a serving bowl, and lightly sprinkle chili powder over the top, if desired. Serve dip with toasted pita chips.

SOURCE: Everyday Food, October 2003



Parmesan Straws

These flaky, cheesy appetizers are the perfect addition to any occasion.

PREP: 20 MINS TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS
YIELD:Makes 24

INGREDIENTS

1 large egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
All-purpose flour, for rolling
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce box), thawed

COOK'S NOTE

To give decorative flair to cheese straws, twist the dough, and flatten the ends so they stick to the baking sheets. This way, the strips won't untwist as they bake.

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water; set egg wash aside. In another small bowl, combine Parmesan, mustard powder, salt, and cayenne; set aside.
STEP 2
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough (still folded in thirds) to a 16-by-12-inch rectangle. With short side facing you, cut in half crosswise; brush one side of both halves with egg wash. Sprinkle one egg-washed half with cheese mixture. Sandwich halves together, egg-washed sides facing in; press lightly to adhere. Run a rolling pin over dough to seal.
STEP 3
With short side facing you, cut dough crosswise into 24 strips, each 8 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Place strips, 1 inch apart, onto two baking sheets; twist strips, pressing down on ends to adhere them to sheets. Bake until cheese straws are puffed and golden, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

SOURCE: Everyday Food, November 2008



Devils on Horseback

Joan Rivers and Martha Stewart make hors d'oeuvres inspired by the best picture nominees, including Devils on Horseback.

YIELD:Makes 24

  

INGREDIENTS

24 large dates, pitted

12 slices beef/chicken, halved crosswise

1/3 cup crumbled Stilton cheese

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 24 toothpicks in a small bowl filled with water; let soak 15 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and fit with a wire rack; set aside.

STEP 2

Halve dates lengthwise being careful not to cut all the way through. Place a small amount of cheese in the center of each date. Wrap a piece of beef/chicken around each date. Secure meat with a toothpick.

STEP 3

Place dates on prepared baking sheet. Bake until meat is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

SOURCE: The Martha Stewart Show, February Winter 2007

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Wings

This sweet-and-sour chicken wing recipe, adapted from Everyday Food, is a family-friendly meal sure to become a favourite in your home.

SERVINGS:4

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds chicken wings
1/2 cup sherry-wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
Place chicken wings in a large resealable plastic bag or large bowl. In a medium bowl, mix together vinegar, oil, sugar, paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Measure out 1/4 cup vinegar mixture and set aside. Pour remaining mixture over chicken; cover and transfer to refrigerator. Let marinate for at least an hour, or up to overnight.
STEP 2
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 3
Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Transfer chicken to prepared baking sheet and bake, until juices run clear, about 30 minutes, basting with reserved marinade halfway through cooking. Remove chicken from oven and brush with any remaining marinade before serving.

SOURCE: The Martha Stewart Show, April 2009

byBest Events

in Fabulous Finds, Party Food

1:13 PM

Easy Party Food

PHOTOGRAPHY:  JOSÉ MANUEL PICAYO RIVERA Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms These tasty and stress-free recipes take the tension out of ente...

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Ways to Acknowledge Event Honorees

Sure, a statuette or trophy might become a prized mantle or office decoration for an award recipient after an event—but it's not the most innovative way to show respect and gratitude. From personalized baseball cards and bubbly bottles to interactive displays and tributes woven into the decor, here's how to pay homage in new, non-traditional ways.


Send Tribute Souvenirs

For the New York Yankees 2014 Homecoming Dinner honoring Mariano Rivera, Chris Koch, and Andy Pettitte, invitations arrived with all three honorees spotlighted in the form of custom baseball cards.

Photo: Andrew Martin for BizBash



Add Cheeky On-Theme Details

Zagat honored its local list of the 30 best chefs under 30 years old—Zagat’s “30 under 30”—in Austin with an event where drink coasters referenced other celebrities and personalities, real and fictional, who achieved fame by the same age.

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash



Showcase Framed Portraits

Every year for Essence magazine's annual Black Women in Hollywood event—an award luncheon that takes place during the week before the Oscars—producer Caravents creates a gallery of framed oversize portraits that are also pictured in the magazine's special issue. The artistic tributes hang in the Beverly Hills Hotel's grand stairway, which acts as the entrance to the celeb-mobbed event.

Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.


Create an Interactive Installation

This year's Essence Black Women in Hollywood event also included a Target-sponsored “Power of Our Presence” wall, where guests could pull a message of inspiration; as the messages were removed, images of honorees appeared beneath the star-shaped installation.

Photo: Alessandra Dubin/BizBash



Personalize a Motif

The Museum of Modern Art honored Quentin Tarantino in 2012, choosing not to plaster the walls with explicit references to the filmmaker's iconic movies. Instead, the New York art institution crafted a more subtle homage with a color palette of indigo and a commissioned sketch of Tarantino. Nathan Milner's sketch—artwork commissioned by Tarantino that depicted the director and iconic characters from his films—was incorporated into visuals, used on the step-and-repeat, and printed on the dinner program.

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash



Customize Entertainment

In honor of Tommy Hilfiger receiving the C.F.D.A.'s Lifetime Achievement award in 2012, the Princeton Footnotes performed a live tribute to the designer. Naturally, the all-male a cappella group was outfitted in head-to-toe Tommy Hilfiger clothing.

Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com



Place Faces on Stage

The Children's Defense Fund's Beat the Odds award ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2012 honored five Los Angeles high school students who overcame personal obstacles and achieved academic excellence. To incorporate the teenagers into the night's visuals, the organizers used a gallery of black-and-white portraits as the backdrop for the stage.

Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages




Host an Engaging Conversation

The Gene Siskel Film Center honored Gwyneth Paltrow at its 2013 fund-raiser at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Instead of simply presenting the actress with an award, the evening included an hour-long onstage Q&A session. Amanda de Cadenet, host of Lifetime TV's The Conversation and a friend of Paltrow's, led the discussion. The event's menu also included dishes inspired by Paltrow's films.



Use Artful Multimedia Displays

For the first-ever event marking its annual list of Game Changers in 2010, the Huffington Post wanted to produce an interactive experience that would appropriately honor the leaders and innovators selected by the five-year-old news site's readers. The awards were bestowed on 100 individuals, people who used new media to make a global impact in fields as diverse as business, politics, sports, and food, and scrolling projector displays mimicked the way the Huffington Post presents content online. The changing text also served to educate attendees on the works of each Game Changer honoree. David Stark produced the event at Skylight Soho in New York.

Photo: Courtesy of David Stark



Make It Personal

TD Bank's employee recognition dinner—called the “Wow” awards—got a major format change in 2009, meant to avoid the feeling of a typical dinner and presentation. The event shrunk from 2,000 people to 100, with the 27 honorees, their guests, and TD Bank senior execs all siting at a single amoeba-shaped table. Lucite easels displaying photos of the evening's honorees lined the hallway.

By Alesandra Dubin for BizBash

byBest Events

in Event Decor, Events, In The Spotlight

12:44 PM

Ways to Acknowledge Event Honorees

Sure, a statuette or trophy might become a prized mantle or office decoration for an award recipient after an event—but it's not the mo...

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