CanadianSpecialEvents.com

Ontario Staging – more than just drapes

Helena — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:35:13 +0000

Ontario Staging Limited has been manufacturing stage drapes for 25 years supplying studios, theatres, schools, churches, productions and special events across Canada. OSL also provides the professional installation of rigging and staging equipment to ensure a safe and complete system, whether it's permanent upgrade or a short term rental.

They make all drapes custom to order, in house, whether it's a single backdrop or a large scale acoustic set – no project is too large or too small. Our best customer is a repeat customer and we aim to satisfy your staging needs. Please visit their showroom and pick up a product sample relevant to your needs!

Their rental department stocks over 10,000 square feet of drapes, including black out, coloured velours, film fabrics, and sheers. Together with over 3,000 square feet of staging and LED lighting, they have your event covered.

Visit them today at www.ontariostaging.com

The new 'Circle Wall' - a nifty alternative to the standard drape backdrop

Karaoke Reality

Helena — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:25:39 +0000

Karaoke Reality™ is a unique concept offered to corporate event professionals, bars and activity leaders in resorts, hotels and cruise ship. This innovation allows users to choose a song and perform it live on a large screen in a video clip, on the world’s biggest stages, in front of a cheering crowd. The user takes the personality of the chosen artist, then receives a souvenir performance via e-mail, by video messenger or on DVD. Users of all ages will be charmed!

Easy to operate, Karaoke Reality™ is a profitable concept requiring a minimal investment, without royalty fees, that will arouse a contagious enthusiasm. In addition to entertaining your clientele, the Karaoke Reality™ software application allows you to integrate your own sponsors. What a simple way to combine business with pleasure!

Karaoke RealityTM, an innovation that will distinguish you from your competitors, a winning investment. Check them out at www.karaokereality.com

Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc. – Sitting Pretty

Helena — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:06:54 +0000

Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc. is Canada's largest event furniture rental company. The depth and breadth of inventory includes the largest selection of colours, finishes, and sizes from which to design your event.

Their custom made Canadian collection, specifically designed for events includes more then twelve colours in upholstered goods, and more the five colours and textures for bars, food stations, dining tables, communal, occasional tables, and other case goods. They also offer North America's largest collection of Philippe Starck designed Ghost chairs, barstools, and accent pieces which can be seen in person in our, by appointment only, showroom.

Developing trends for event planners and designers is always on their minds so please contact them with any ideas or requests you may have so that they can help you make your events all that they need to be.
www.cfrentals.com

Click any image to view the gallery

A Culinary World Tour by Fete Events

stacy — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:35:15 +0000

On February 16, 2012 at the Carlu, Astellas Pharma Canada reached a successful end to a year-long sales campaign, "100 Million Opportunities" with a fabulous gala produced by Rosie & Anthony, owners of Toronto based event production firm, Fete Events. Astella asked for an unconventional, ultra chic event, the team at Fete Events responded with just that and more.

The event design paid homage to Astellas' Japanese roots and highlighted the company colors, red and grey. A stunning, larger than life Japanese Dragon water wall display installed by Decor & More welcomed guests as they stepped off the elevator and into the Grand Foyer of The Carlu. Once inside they were enveloped by deep red over-size floral bouquets, exotic green trees and an up-lit gifting table display, featuring bamboo arrangements, florals, and Japanese dragons. The decor was a testament to the history of the company and set a beautifully exotic mood amidst the art-deco canvas of The Carlu.

Moving into the Sky Room for cocktails, the company brand and slogan were highlighted on a custom made, 6 ft sake martini bar and 12 ft sushi bar which were illuminated in red and provided a beautiful contrast to the soft glow of the candle walls. As guests mingled, Caterer, Daniel et Daniel served up a delicious array of Japanese inspired hors d'oeuvres
After cocktail hour, dinner service began in the infamous Round Room. Wanting to utilize the unique shape of the room, Fete Events had a custom-built hardwood dance floor installed to fit around the crystal fountain in the centre of the room. The dance floor became a 360 degree stage for the plethora of entertainment that took place throughout the evening.

Each table was set with pewter-tone organza linens, silver custom-fold napkins, branded menus and topped with rich floral landscapes in the deep red tones flanked by votives of
different heights. A/V company, Soundscape Visual & Logistics, lit the crystal fountain in red, installed a 60" screen for branding, photo reels and video presentations in addition to perfectly choreographed lighting.

The "WOW" factor continued through dinner. Being inspired by the recent "foodie revolution", and as an extension to the Japanese themed cocktail hour, Fete Events worked with Daniel et Daniel to create a tasting menu that featured Japanese, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Italian, and Greek flavours, followed by an after-dinner French Creperie and Canadiana Grilled Cheese station. Each culturally inspired course served throughout the seated meal was paired with traditional entertainment from that region of the world. It was important to both Astellas and Fete Events to differentiate this corporate function from others by not saturating the evening with speeches, awards, and presentations, and rather
keeping guests absorbed in the event and maintaining an energetic momentum through the use of entertainment.

Entertainers took centre stage on the round dance floor, beginning with a dramatic Japanese Kodo Drummer performance, and followed by the tropical sounds of a Caribbean Steel Drum Band, exotic Belly Dancers, Italian Accordian player, Greek Zorba Dance Troupe and ending in a high-energy Can-Can performance that had everyone ready to get on the dance floor! After dinner, Emcee, Joe Campoli together with DJ Pipes, kept the energy high with an around the world dance party that had every single guest out of their
seats and on the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning. The luxury treatment continued right through the evening and each guest left the event for their complimentary hotel suite at The Metropolitan Hotel with an authentic bonsai tree parting gift and framed red carpet photo taken at the beginning of the night.

The event was a huge success and truly set a new bar for Fete Events' future endeavors. www.eventsbyfete.com

Ninutik – Canadian Sugar

Helena — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:32:24 +0000

Elegant, modern, distinctive – these are the words that describe the spirit of Ninutik design. N I N U T I K (nee noo tik) is the Ojibwa term describing maple sugar. They present this sweet treat – a Canadian cultural icon – through the lens of design, art and sugarmaking. Ninutik products are designed by Dianne Croteau and Richard Brault, the founding partners of Studio Innova (Toronto).

For several years Dianne, Richard and their young son Andre made small quantities of syrup from majestic sugar maples on protected land along the Niagara Escarpment. What started as a personal harvest soon evolved into a design exploration featuring maple syrup and sugar as the medium.

Chefs and event planners rely on Ninutik for tasteful melt-in-your-mouth single-serving maple sugar confections. Their award-winning products have been enjoyed at many prestigious events and venues.

Ninutik provides distinctive gifts for a variety of corporate functions including conferences, seminars, meetings, business trips, receptions, openings and award galas. Whenever your organization requires an iconic Canadian gift or treat that blends the sweetness of maple with striking design, please contact them. www.ninutik.com
Corporate discounts and branding are available.

Canadians Win at the Gala Awards

stacy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:45:30 +0000

The winners of the Gala Awards—were named last month at The Special Event 2012, held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.

The winners were chosen by members of the Special Events Advisory Board from a pool of entries representing event experts based in Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Spain and the United States. The Canadians who won are:

BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Cava Rose, Montreal
"Create Your Night"

BEST EVENT STAGED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
E=MC2 Event Management, Calgary, Alberta
"One Power"

BEST EVENT ENTERTAINMENT: BUDGET $25,000 TO $100,000
Alison Silcoff Events, Montreal
"The Daffodil Ball

BEST EVENT FOR A CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: BUDGET $250,000 TO $500,000
POP Kollaborative Inc., Calgary, Alberta
"MindJam"

BEST EVENT FOR A CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION: BUDGET ABOVE $500,000
Alison Silcoff Events, Montreal
"Frostbite

“Magic wand” for the Magnificent events

stacy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:07:14 +0000

A new book of a recognized expert in event management Alexander Shumovich “Magnificent events. Technology and practice of event management” is now available for eBook readers in 32 countries in a newest interactive Apple format created with the help of iBooks Author

This fully interactive book is written for those who make their first steps in event management, and for those who already have experience. It is useful and extremely interesting to employees of the companies that organize events themselves or supervise contractors, agencies offering such services to clients. It’s 100% helpful to managers in marketing and PR, as well as to persons interested in starting a business in the area of event management.

Practice and experience that is needed for every event to become magnificent is described in incredibly accessible way with various video and photo examples. The book is written by the event professional who has more than 18-year-experience in event planning and is ready to share some “magic” formulas with his readers. Author has a fresh and unique view on the standard approaches. His capacious and practical book “Magnificent events. Technology and practice of event management” has everything to hold the event from A to Z – examples of documents, calculations, instructions and… humor!

This book will easily inspire you to create the most magic events ever!

I absolutely recommend Alexander Shumovich’s new book on event management and marketing.

He is one of the world’s leading authorities in this field and it should become an essential reference to all on your bookshelf.

Professor Joe Goldblatt,

Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland

About the author:

Alexander Shumovich is the first event management writer who has issued a book in a special iformat for Apple devices (iPad, iPad2 with iOS5 firmware) available in Apple Store.

Alexander is co-owner of event & PR agency Eventum Premo, has more than 18-year experience in event planning. Alex was born and has grown in Riga, loves coffee and classical music. Reads much, teaches Event Management. Free time prefers to spend with his wife and being engaged in education of the daughter and the son. The author of two business books, dreams to write a detective. The businessman by nature, loves challenges and graceful decisions.

BC Catering Industry Needs Your Support

stacy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:00:42 +0000

The issue of Special Occasion Permits and the BC catering industry has come to head and they need your support. Please see below this special letter from Debra Lykkemark, President & CEO of Culinary Capers.

Dear Industry Friends,

Re: Special Occasion Licenses (SOLs)

I am representing a group of BC caterers that came together early this year to work on getting our liquor policy changed. We have spent countless hours and many dollars on our lobbying efforts and now we need your help. We are asking for your support to get our liquor policy changed so caterers and hotels can get a liquor license on your client’s behalf when they are hosting an event in a venue that does not have a liquor license. Please read the following and if you are in agreement please send a letter to your MLA as well as Minister Coleman’s office, referencing the solution we are recommending at the end of this article. The liquor policy is in review right now, so it is important that your letter of support is sent very soon.

Sincerely,

Debra Lykkemark, President and CEO

Culinary Capers Catering and Special Events

Issue:

The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch Policy 2.4.3 states “caters, event planners and other businesses which plan and manage events are not eligible to apply for SOL licenses. The license must be obtained by the individual or organization hosting the event. The licensee may choose to hire an event organizer, caterer, bartender, or staff to run the event or serve the liquor which the host has purchased under its SOL. The licensee is always responsible for purchasing the liquor and transporting it to the event and is always legally responsible for liquor service”.

Implications:

The implications of this policy are very significant to the Province’s tourism and hospitality sector especially for convention groups or individuals outside of British Columbia wanting to hold an event using an SOL. The following are examples from my company:

· In the first week of May, 2011 Culinary Capers catered nine large events for between 200 to 800 international guests for the RIM conference. These parties were hosted by international insurance firms such as Marsh Insurance, Trust Risk Control and Aon Reed Stenhouse. The parties were hosted at the Richmond Oval, The Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, Rocky Mountaineer Rail Station, Bill Reid Gallery and Holt Renfrew. All of these venues require a SOL (Special Occasion Liquor License). The holder of the SOL has to also purchase and transport the liquor.

Re: Special Occasion Licenses (SOLs)

Implications: continued

Caterers and Event Planners are not allowed to get an SOL or transport the liquor on their client’s behalf. Our international clients had to get the license, purchase the liquor and hire a delivery company to transport the liquor to the venue. They also had to accept liability for all their guests as the holder of the SOL assumes this responsibility. Being insurance companies they were very concerned about accepting this responsibility and could not understand why they had to get the liquor license and accept the responsibility when it is our staff pouring the liquor. The impact on our tourism and convention business could be massive if these international conferences decide not to return to BC because it is too difficult to do events here with the current liquor policies.

There are also serious issues with the current SOL regulations and accountability. The person required to the get the SOL license is not necessarily a BC resident or a Canadian citizen. If there are issues around the serving of liquor, how can they be enforced if the person holding the SOL has left BC or Canada?

The Presidents and CEO’s of Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler, and Tourism Victoria feel

strongly that this policy needs to be changed.

The solution we are proposing:

Create a New Class of Liquor License: Alberta has a Class D License which would be exactly what we need. A Class D commercial caterer’s license may be issued to a qualified applicant who operates a business with a permanent kitchen facility to cater to private and public functions off premises.

For more information go to http://www.aglc.ca/pdf/liquor/5225.pdf

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions please call me at 604-875-0123 or email me at debra@culinarycapers.com.

Please email your letters of support to your local MLA and to Minister Coleman’s office: rich.coleman.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Event Pros Take Action

stacy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:51:06 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Event Pros Take Action yet –stand up and take notice.

At just 10 months old, this ambitious organization has already accomplished a great deal. It kicked off 2012 with a trip to The Special Event, where its powerful video message not only played in its booth, but also brought the audience to tears during the opening session. Funds and awareness increased significantly – and this was just the beginning.

At the end of this month, February 27-29, 2012, EPTA will head to Las Vegas for Catersource/Event Solutions’ Idea Factory. EPTA’s moving video message will kick off the opening session given by Preston Bailey. Attendees who can’t be there – don’t fret – you’ll be able to stop by booth #2167 to watch the video, meet the team, join, or donate in a number of ways to this worthy cause.

EPTA has raised $26,600 so far, and can proudly underwrite a home for one of its partner families; it is on the way to covering costs (the goal is a total of $30K) for a second family by continuing its fundraising efforts. The current drive includes $100 and $150 kitchen/bathroom baskets that can be sponsored any time between now and its next mission, which will take place this coming July.

In just five months, EPTA will commemorate its inaugural mission by heading back to NOLA, and this time, it will be partnering with the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE). “The NACE Experience is July 16-18,” explains Tricia Schmitt, director of marketing for AFR, one of EPTA’s key partners/sponsors “We are hoping people attending the conference will stay one or more days and work with us.”

“NACE is excited about our partnership and will certainly encourage its attendees to stay and work if at all possible,” says Susie Perelman, co-founder of EPTA and owner of Mosaic Inc. “If there is one thing we have learned from the first mission, it is how incredibly satisfying – and life-changing – it is to be able to get in there and make a difference. Once you see the looks on the families’ faces, the smiles, the tears of joy and gratitude…you will never be the same. We are changing the quality of life for families in need. For all the suffering Katrina victims have endured, these families deserve to move on with their lives and close a chapter in their lives. Knowing this is what drives us to make 2012 even bigger and better than last year.” Co-founder, Stacey Mehalik adds “We went down to NOLA last summer to give, but we left with gifts from a community that is determined to rebound from environmental and personal despair. Participants in our mission learned lessons in resilience and the value of community and we cannot wait to go back next summer!”

Capturing the hearts of event industry leaders nationwide, individuals and companies including A-1 Tablecloth, American Turf & Carpet, Atlas Party Rental, Hospitality Connects, Intellievent, Liberty Party Rental, and Panache, a Classic Party Rental Co. continue to support the cause with a host of other supporters in the industry. Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings, Inc. and Mark Wells of Hello Florida will reprise their roles as “Design Angels”, the ones who bring the design vision to life for two special families in need. Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer of SLK Creative will again lead the PR charge; AFR Event Furnishings not only presented EPTA a check for $20K, but again, will offer furnishings for two homes this summer. Also presenting significant contributions is Larry Green of Rentals Unlimited, and of course, Mosaic Inc. Both companies will again take leadership roles in the 2012 mission.

For more information on EPTA, please visit www.eventprostakeaction.org or contact Susie Perelman or Stacey Mehalik at 412.562.2800 or sperelman@partymosaic.com / smehalik@partymosaic.comLearn more – Watch the EPTA video!

For media inquiries, contact Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer at 305.466.4312 or shari@slkcreative.com

Watch Decor & More on CBC’s Redemption Inc. Monday Feb. 20th!

stacy — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:34:09 +0000

Tune in to Redemption Inc on CBC, Feb 20th 2012 at 9:00 PM Eastern time when Kevin O Leary brings the final four contestants to Decor & More Inc so they can try their hand at branding and design. What an exciting opportunity for the Oakville design firm. For nearly 20 years, Decor & More has partnered both with corporations to drive results as well as discriminating families for celebrating life's most memorable moments. Their team of event professionals has no equal in delivering customized events for their clients' marketing, corporate communications and human resources initiatives. The company has deep roots in the international event community and is Canada's most awarded design company.