This is perfect for a rehearsal dinner, wedding or executive dinner.  I would say this table has that "x-factor," wouldn't you?

image photographed by Aaron Delesie

We were tasked with designing 3 similar turn-key tradeshow booths for the Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsors.  We also had to design a booth for Coupa that was different than all the others, but still keeping similar design elements of the other properties.  We brought Group Delphi in to help us create the experience.

The space that we used for INSPIRE Hall was very ornate.  It was the Colonial Room of the Historic Westin St. Francis.  This room all by itself is stunning.  You would never be able to design something to match it.  Instead, we took the opposite approach.  We created booths that were very minimalistic and modern, that complimented the space vs making it disappear.

The ceiling in the room was extremely high with balconies on three sides.  To pull everything together, we used blue fabric to line the balconies.  To extend the branding, we printed the logo on two of the fabric panels.  It was the perfect and final touch that the room needed.

Take a look?  I would say success.  What do you think?

photography by Orange Photography, Turn-key booths by Group Delphi

As an example, we created 2 distinct seating vignettes.  There was very little seating in the common space and we wanted to create a area that went with the brand and allowed for networking.  We kept things simple, modern and colorful.  We also kept the florals very simple throughout the space from the networking areas to the party.  We didn't want anything over powering and Fig & Twine did a wonderful job.

For the INSPIRE party, the space used at the Westin St. Francis was incredible.  We wanted to compliment the venue with furniture vs completely transforming it into something different. Victors and Alexandras were two separate rooms on the 32nd floor and we utilized them differently as well.  As you can see, the rooms are very ornate and didn't want to compete with that.  Instead, we incorporated modern and transitional furniture pieces into the space.

Victors was the place for quiet Jazz music, conversation and incredible food.  

Alexandras was the spot to let your hair down and dance with the DJ, Strings ensemble and drummer.  Yes, you heard correctly - we didn't want to have only a DJ.  The conference was branded INSPIRE - we needed to do things differently, and INSPIRE.

And I couldn't resist showing you the view from the party.  This shot was taken around 7ish when the party was getting started.  Stunning, don't you think?

All photography by Orange Photography, Florals created by Fig & Twine, Furniture from Blueprint Studios

ROAR events is looking for a Summer Intern

Do you love planning events?  Don’t mind doing grunt work (because really – that’s the perfect way to learn)?  Are you the type of person who loves to find that perfect restaurant or gift and won’t stop until you do and settling is just not OK in your book.  Have a love for flowers, spreadsheets, social media, creativity and researching up the wazoo?  This might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Company: ROAR events group

Location: Danville, CA

Responsibilities:  You’ll get to see the inner workings of a small but mighty event management company.  Here are some of the things you could be doing:

- working on rooming lists

- making confirmation calls

- researching the perfect giveaways for a client

- researching hotels and venues

- finding the best restaurant in town

- sourcing for photo shoots

- learning the inner workings of a hotel

- working on blog posts

It really changes on a daily basis – and you need to be ready to switch gears.

Compensation: School credit or possible compensation for the right person

Qualifications:  Applicants must be proficient in Word, Excel, Power Point.  Knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign is a huge plus.  We work on Mac’s here you need to know what your doing when we put a Mac in front of you.  Events/Hospitality majors are a plus – it’s not a requirement.  You should be available to come in at least three days a week and be willing to work onsite at events.

Note: Unfortunately this is not a virtual position.

How to Apply: E-mail info@roarevents.com with the subject line “SUMMER EVENTS INTERN.”  Applicants without this subject line will not be considered.

Application should include:

-       your resume

-       your cover letter about why you want to work with ROAR events

-       a link to your facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram accounts

-       what would be your most favorite event to plan.  Why and how would you plan it.

Must apply by May 15

Duration: June 17 – August 16

image via

Let me set the stage for this event.  It was branded - INSPIRE.  So everything that we did had to inspire, it had to be different, it had to have that wow factor.  We didn't want it to be crazy over the top, it needed to be subtle, thoughtful and purposeful.

We hired a chalk artist and told him what we were trying to accomplish. Ryan Martinez came in with an idea, with a drawing of what he was going to do.  And then as the days went by (yes, with him drawing live with people walking and standing around watching him) - his vision, our vision became a reality. (If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen the sneak peaks - I just couldn't resist)

I thought it would be fun for you all to see the progression.

All images by Orange Photography

I love artist easels and when I came across this photo in one of the catalogs, I thought how cool it would be to use it in a meeting.  It would be a perfect element for any art company like Art.com to add to their corporate meetings as well as an unexpected surprise if you walked into a corporate office boardroom and there she was.  Connecting your laptop and running presentations from this beauty - FUN!

This is more the standard and of course use them all the time for corporate meetings.  But holy impact if you could use the easel instead.  If you could pick - which would you want to go for?

image one & two

To build the package, we started with a small white shipping box and used one of our custom ROAR stamps to showcase our branding on the outside of the box (the majority of these were being shipped).  Brown kraft tissue paper and natural crinkle paper filler were part of the packaging as well.

Each person received 3 amazingly delicious shortbread cookies; a logo, a thank you and a star.  They were all packaged up with matching ribbon.  Included were our business cards and taped a personalized note on the inside of the box with wasbi tape that of course matched our colors.

I'm so excited for everyone to receive unexpected treat.

These are so easy to do and can be themed for a specific event and branded.  Imagine sending something like this as a room drop to your guests after an evening event.  Change up the packaging just a little and add some milk on ice and it would be an old fashioned treat.

Do you have an idea for one?  Let us know, we'd be happy to help.

It's gorgeous in the Bay Area and this weekend will be no different.  I was researching the 2013 hottest hotels according to Conde Nast Traveler (OK - you got me, I was daydreaming) and here are some of my favorites.  How about you?

This is the Park Hyatt Sydney - and we just found out we're going to be working on an event in the Fall in this beautiful city.  I think this just might be a contender.  They just underwent a $70M transformation.

I'm completely in love with this London property - The Ampersand Hotel.  We're going to be heading to London in the Fall as well, but this luxurishly colorful little property sadly won't be large enough.

The Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa on the Amalfi Coast in Italy is just dreamy.  I mean, just look at that view.

I think a cocktail reception around this pool at the beachfront Surin in Phuket, Thailand would just be amazing.  Don't you?

All images via Conde Nast Traveler website

I have a confession...when I'm looking for event space in Chicago, I only want to go to places that I can use them.  Yes, they are that good!

I know with ever fiber in my body, if I have Wendy and her team at the Entertaining Company with me, the food for my event will be flawless, mouth-watering and so über creative, guests will be talking about it for.like.EVER!

I came across this video that they posted and watching it just made me love her and her company even more.

I love the way she journals and listen to the way they talk about their food concepts.  It's all in the details people!

Such a fun idea for an incentive group (AKA event speak for a celebratory getaway a company offers to their sales folks that make their quota).  My vision: Whisking the couples off to a park or the beach and have their picnic bag filled with decadent delights.  Sounds like so much fun.

Want one of these bags yourself, head over to Apolis.

Images via Apolis website