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WE ARE PLEASED to bring you the spring edition of the BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter. The
goal of the newspaper is the same as our biweekly Event Style Alert e-newsletter, our
annual Event Style Show, and our resource Web site: to present the most comprehensive
resources for corporate event planners. We invite you to register online for our emails to
keep up with the latest news in corporate event style and design, and we encourage you
to submit new products, venues, and event-planning tools. Also call us when you’re
looking to boast about your fabulous events. After all, if a party takes place and there
are no pictures of it, did it really happen?
In This Issue
What’s Fresh Now
5
Loco Over Logos
6
Discoveries
Puzzle Plates
Ice Ball
Mrs. Fruit Flowers
Easy Projection Screen
10
10
Impresario Q&As
Discovery Channel’s Chad Beamish
CHUM Television’s Francine Socket
Designing Trendz’s Craig Gruzd
16
BiZBash.TO Event Style Show
24
Toronto Event Showcases
25
29 New York Event Showcase
Diffa Shows the Next Decor trends
31
Miami Event Showcase
Super Bowl XXXIX Hits Jacksonville
Cover Story
32
The Ultimate Directory of Planners
36
Feature: Chefs of Distinction
Kyle Hosick
khosick@bizbash.com
President
Robyn Small
rsmall@bizbash.com
Assistant Editor
Steven Franklin
stevenf@bizbash.com
Director of Sales
Felicia Pizzonia
feliciap@bizbash.com
Account Executive
Isaac Saraga
Circulation
Stacey Bernstein, Andre Bharti
Kavita Gosyne
Contributors
To subscribe to the BiZBash.TO Event Style Alert
visit www.BiZBash.to
33
To inquire about advertising email
torontoedit@bizbash.com
To send event information or press
releases rsmall@bizbash.com
BiZBash.TO
1 Thorncliffe Park Dr.
Toronto, Ont. M4H 1G9
phone 416.425.6380
fax 416.425.7389
www.BiZBash.to
BiZBash.TO Advisory Board
Robert Rosset of The Liberty Group
James Boyle of Fraser, Milner, Casgrain
Patti Glasner, Gibson & Lyle Catering
Craig Gruzd, Designing Trendz
Seth Feller, Word Of Mouth PR
Jennifer O'Donnell, CURA Communications
Vicki Zeppa, Delta Chelsea
Edith Jakobs, Opulence Catering
Saul Saks, Incredible Novelties
Dan Jankelow, Incredible Novelties
Licensed by BiZBash.com Inc., 220 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001 www.bizbash.com
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
3
What’s Fresh Now
The latest trends in special events and meetings
Loco Over Logos
concept is being applied to glass menus
propped up on easels.
Photo: Courtesy of Eatertainment
Companies demand smart branding for their events
As Shakespeare said, “All the
attendees were able to take away
world’s a stage, and all the men and
their own branded Maytag playing
women merely players.”
Competitive businesses
know that like theatre,
the successful launch of
a new product or the
announcement of a
corporate IPO require a
dramatic event that
captures imaginations
Eatertainment Special Events and Caterby providing a wealth of
ing created a Porsche logo out of
sights, sounds, and
skewered fruit for the launch of the
Front Street dealership of Downtown
scents, and a lot of interFine Cars.
activity and creative
The Iceman created an ice sculpture logo for BMW's 5 Series launch at the Town and Country
settings, with company logos
integration of branding BWM dealership.
appearing on the undersides of
that reinforces corporate identity.
cards that would be a constant reinglass charger plates. Bell calls the etched
Companies are always searching
forcement of the brand and its new
look “classy and expensive.” The same
for unique ways to project their
products whenever they used the
brand images, and they are prepared
cards.”
to spend money on appropriate and
“The hottest new party accesclever stagings of their logos.
sories for 2005 are LED-flashing
“Clients won’t waste money on
pilsner glasses and LED ice cubes
anything that doesn’t have a return
that can be branded with company
on investment. There has to be a
logos. They’re a great way to light up
meaningful synergy in the way logos your party, and companies want
are introduced that reinforces the
logos on items people are going to
brand message,” says Kari Lynn Larsen,
talk about,” says Incredible Novelties
sales director at event planning firm
president Saul Sacks.
Wynford.
The pilsner glasses are also
Logo placement is surprising
reusable and a fun keepsake for
guests in unusual places. Larsen
guests. “I think it’s important for
planned a casino-theme party for
companies to place their logos on
Maytag dealers and hired Hart Entertain- things that have a shelf life, things
ment to provide gambling equipment. guests can take away from an event
“We branded all the playing cards
that serve as a constant reminder of
used at the blackjack and poker
the brand,” says Larsen.
tables,” says Hart president David Hart.
“LED badges on which you can
“We made sure that the logo was feature your company logo and a
front and centre at every stage of the scrolling message are a new sighting
event,” Larsen says. “Dealers
at conventions. They really take the
received their invitations in tin boxes humdrum out of the traditional
labeled ‘The Sure Thing’ with a
name tag,” says Sacks.
Maytag logo on the outside. On the
“Neon serving trays are another
inside, it contained loaded dice that
favorite because of the subtle way
landed on the Maytag logo every
they reveal logos as guests pick up
time they rolled. The casino night
drinks,” says Décor and More president
was organized to welcome guests and Leslee Bell.
For more conservative corporate
provide a fun, interactive way to
reinforce the new product lineup. All parties, logos are finding a place at table
Some companies are also
encouraging guests to eat their logos.
“We’ve produced many edible logos. I
can’t give too many of our secrets
away, but strawberries, pineapple, and
blackberries on a customized foam
background formed a Porsche logo that
was both a feast for the eyes and a
taste sensation,” says Eatertainment
Special Events and Catering director
Sebastien Centner.
“Hugo Boss hosted a reception for
the Toronto Film Festival and we
designed their logo with roses set in
horizontal test tubes that we set on
the wall,” Centner says.
“Customized tables, food, and floral
applications or anything that
promotes a logo in a refined way is
always very well received.”
— Stacey Bernstein
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
5
What’s Fresh Now
DISCOVERYRENTAL
Easy Projection Screen
IMAGINE BEING
ABLE to put on a
projection show
without the
hassle of cords,
cables, and pulldown screens.
Décor & More’s
Amoeboid freestanding projection screen
requires no
rigging of any
kind. It’s an
ideal addition to
any stage or
presentation
area. It is
portable and can
be placed
anywhere,
acting in the
same fashion as
a stage screen.
— Robyn Small
DISCOVERYRENTAL
New Puzzle Plates Put Tables Together
GIVE GUESTS SOMETHING to talk about with the Vibe Collection, a new line of china from Libbey
Food Services. These 6-inch puzzle-shaped plates can be used independently or in combination to seamlessly link flavors and courses, and were made available for the first time in
Canada in February (they have been manufactured in the U.S. for much longer). — R.S.
6 BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
ADVERTORIAL
History of the DX
As you walk onto the Trading
Floor of the Design Exchange you
cannot help but think of a time
when the building bustled with the
frenetic pace of hundreds of
brokers. The Trading Floor more
endearingly known as “The floor
that launched a thousand fortunes”
housed the Toronto Stock
Exchange from 1937 till 1983. The
Exchange building designed by
architects George and Moorehouse
with associate S.H. Maw was a
major construction project for its
day acting as a public symbol of
the lifting of the depression. The
style of the building brilliantly
In 1983 the Toronto Stock
Exchange had abandoned its
historic home of the last 46 years
at 234 Bay Street. Olympic & York
(O&Y) purchased the building
which was designated a heritage
Tinsel town and the Paparazzi
mixed with the Barons of Bay
Street opening of the new exhibition 50 Costumes, 50 Designers:
Concept to Character on February
10. The exhibit direct from the
The Design Exchange hosted the media launch for the soon to be built Trump Tower in Toronto.
property. In return for
the air rights to build an
office tower on the site,
O&Y agreed to retain
and restore the building.
O&Y also commissioned
a study to consider the
idea of using the trading
floor as a public facility.
The study indicated
The exterior of the Design Exchange as it stands now on Bay St. in
that Toronto designers
Toronto.
from all disciplines represented
an enthusiastic audience for a
blends Art Deco and Art Modern
cultural design centre. Indeed
themes.
designers were quick to lobby City
The DX is truly one of the
Hall in support of the initiative.
hidden gems of the downtown
Their first gathering in January
core; the front façade of the build1986 was a standing-room-only
ing is wrapped by a 74-foot
event. City officials were so
bas-relief stone frieze created by
impressed by this response that
Charles Comfort depicting a
they immediately recognized a
procession of Canada’s industries.
body of ten citizens as the "The
The stonework was executed by
Group for the Creation of a Design
Peter Schoen, assisted by George
Centre in Toronto" (incorporated
Chadwick, through a combination
of pneumatic work and hand chis- on February 6, 1987 and hence the
birth of the organization which
eling. A rather ironic detail in the
frieze is the top-hatted stockbroker came to be known as the Design
Exchange)
whose hand appears to be in a
workers pocket – becoming an
inside joke to many of the
exchange broker’s. Comforts illusThe Design Exchange creates
trious style is carried through onto
and hosts innovative and thoughtthe Trading Floor in eight (4.9
provoking exhibitions about
meters by 1.2 meters) each panel
Canadian and international design.
depicting Refining, Transportation
This 3,500 square foot gallery is situand Communications, Oil, Smeltated on the 3rd floor of the Design
ing, Pulp and Paper, Agriculture
Exchange and features at least three
and Mining, Construction and Engi- major exhibitions each year on a
neering.
variety of design-related themes.
Exhibits
Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences features the best in
cinematic costume design over the
last five years at this exclusive
exhibit in Toronto only until April
19. Future exhibits on the 2005
agenda include STEALING
BEAUTY (May 5-June 12), an
expose of the attractive and func-
tional architectural works produced
on limited budgets and the
NORTHERN LIGHTS (June 30August 7) jewellery exhibit which
will feature winners of the Metal
Arts Guild national competition
and new works
by Bjorn Weckstrom, an award
winning
designer of
contemporary
jewellery from
Finland.
Renting the
DX for events
such as Product
Launches,
AGMS, Gala's,
cocktail parties,
Fundraisers and
private events such as weddings is
a unique choice and its role as a
Heritage facility serves an important role supporting culture, design
and innovation. All proceeds raised
from renting the DX facility are
dedicated to DX educational
programs. We look forward to
welcoming you for an event or
exhibit. —Gillian Hoff
ADVERTORIAL
With 65 professionals in Paris and 21 agents throughout the world, Peclers Paris imagines the future and
forecast the trends of tomorrow.
Fall winter 2005 is all about freedom of expression! Interiors and environment are high in dram or energy.
Do away with guidebook principles, 2 main trends should inspire your decor this seasons.:
« DARK SIDE » and « COLOR POWER ».
DARK SIDE
For the « DARK SIDE » the ornamental spirit takes a contemporary turn, combining the extremes: baroque & design, discreet
& theatrical, dark & precious.
Hybrid precious decors and rough surfaces.
COLOR POWER
Do not forget that the simple objects are
metamorphosed by little details that make all
the difference. As an artist, design a work of
art directly on the wall.
Gigantism… extremism: larger
than life patterns. The
« COLOR POWER » trend is
about expressing yourself.
Apply colors without restraint.
After the vibrant colors of the
summer 2005, the colors are
now bold and rich. They
shine and are metallic.
Create a palace with almost nothing. An accumulation of myriad mini-treasures may transform the setting in a flash.
Nature has a strong influence on consumers attitude and on our environment. After a focus on elements, designers now
escape in an imaginary world, updating myths and legends. Colors are applied in rich color blocks or glazed like oil
panting. Animals shaped objects sneak in everywhere. Velvet, satin, feathers and furs gleam and glitter in the shadows,
adding a precious naturalist touch to the setting.
By Line Tousignant
Exclusive Canadian agent for Peclers Paris
Www. avomark-conseil.com
8
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
What’s Fresh Now
DISCOVERYDECOR
Fruit For All Occasions
MRS. FRUIT FLOWERS carves fruits and vegetables and arranges them into decorative
bouquets for any occasion. All arrangements are freshly made and completely
edible. The company’s creativity enables it to customize orders for any special
occasion, whether it’s a huge corporate event or an intimate dinner party. Prices
start at $25. — Robyn Small
DISCOVERYCATERING
Ice Cubes Get Hot New Look
ICECULTURE INC introduced a smart replacement for the traditional ice cube: the ice ball,
which debuted in February at the Montreal Bar and Beverage Show, and is now available in Toronto. The ice ball addresses the problem of watered-down drinks: available in
2.5-inch and 2.75-inch diameters, it melts slower than ice cubes thanks to its minimized surface area. The ice ball also retains its round shape as it melts. — R.S.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
9
ImpresarioQ&A
What’s Fresh Now
Discovery Channel’s Manager of Promotions
Chad Beamish
Planning events around TV programming
CHAD BEAMISH, manager of
promotions for the Discovery
Channel, Animal Planet, and
Discovery Civilization, has been
behind the company’s most important promotions, including one
that brought Jesse James from
Discovery’s Monster Garage to
Toronto.
What kinds of events do you plan?
We do many client appreciation
events. Our spring launch is an
annual event to which we invite
all our advertising agency media
buyers and planners, and we highlight what is coming up in our
spring programming. We give
them a gift, a lunch, and drinks as
a thank-you. We plan our events
around highly promotable
programming specials or theme
weeks coming up. Last year our
spring launch revolved around
Rome week; we built an ancient
Rome-themed tent at Yonge and
Dundas Square. We put up huge
columns, a huge mural of the
Colosseum, themed food,
the works.
The year before that it was at the
Royal Ontario Museum; we showcased a theme week called “Walking with Cavemen,” with a giant
cave for the entrance, cave art on
the walls, faux torches, and props
of rocks, and we had musicians
playing jimbay drums.
We also planned an event for the
viewing audience last year at the
Docks nightclub around Monster
Garage. It was a car rally of sorts,
10
and we invited Toronto and GTA
residents to bring their cars and
compete for the top Monster Garage
honour. The winner was handpicked by the show’s host, Jesse
James.
How many events do you plan in a
year?
Four or five. They vary in size,
with the larger ones hosting 800 to
1,000 people, and the smallest, 200
to 250 people.
What do vendors do to make you a
return customer?
I don’t often have time to shop
for suppliers, so I look for ones I
can stay with. I need them to be
loyal and help me work within
and maximize my budget. They
need great ideas and creativity. I
have complete confidence in the
suppliers we work with now; I
trust them and can truly rely on
them.
What’s the most challenging part of
your job?
Time management and outdoing
ourselves. We’re always trying to
one-up what we did the year
before or what we did for our last
event. Because our guests are
always the same people and they
attend a ton of TV launches, we
need to give them events that are
new and fun.
What’s your biggest event fear?
Any kind of natural disaster or
unpredictable element, like a
snowstorm. With any event, attendance always has to be a priority.
— Robyn Small
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
ADVERTORIAL
ImpresarioQ&A
CHUM’s Director of Special Events
Francine Socket
Delivering seamless, must-attend events
There is more to CHUM Television than programming. Corporate events are a large part of what
CHUM TV does, as BiZBash.TO
found out from Francine Socket,
CHUM’s director of special
events and marketing. Before her
event career, Socket worked as a
receptionist at CHUM while she
studied radio and television at
Ryerson University. She now
plans upwards of 70 CHUMrelated events each year, including
the MuchMusic Video Awards,
the Toronto International Film
Festival’s Festival Schmooze, CD
and book launches, off-site conferences, client appreciation events,
and staff appreciation functions.
How do you choose your preferred
suppliers?
My suppliers are chosen based on
reliability, quality, service, originality, creativity, and, of course,
the right price.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Suppliers not delivering on time,
and when they say, “Did I not
mention it was U.S. pricing?”
Do you plan any non-CHUM-related
corporate events?
Typically, the events are all
CHUM-related in some capacity,
like the MuchMusic Video
Awards (MMVAs) and the Festival Schmooze. Throughout the
course of the year, there are different types of events. For example,
CHUM is a big supporter of
Aboriginal Voices Radio, and they
just celebrated their first anniversary on the air, so we did a cocktail party for them. On election
night when we have election
coverage, we have all of Toronto’s
who’s who come down and
discuss the progress throughout
the night, and that becomes a
cocktail party.
What’s different about events many
celebrities will be attending, such as
the Festival Schmooze and the MMVAs?
There is a corporate side to
celebrity-driven events, like corporate sponsors. The difference is
from a security perspective. There
is also a green room rider that
usually does not accompany strictly corporate events.
What priority does merchandising have
in your role in the events you produce?
Merchandising is a huge part of
CHUM Television’s marketing
strategy. I oversee the selection
and purchasing of CHUM’s
promotional items for both
CHUMCityStore, the retail store
on Queen Street, and various
internal departments’ needs. Each
piece of merchandise we produce
has a clever application, which
reflects the personality of the
network. I never just arbitrarily
slap a logo on a piece of merchandise. Having said that, statistics
show that the average person passes on 87 percent of promotional
merchandise, so the challenge is to
create items that people will want
to keep and show off. Whether it’s
a giveaway at an event or a
purchase at CHUMCityStore,
people always love to take a piece
of CHUM with them after a visit
to the CHUM compound.
What’s the most challenging part of
your job?
The biggest challenge has become
my mandate: delivering unique,
seamless, novel, and must-attend
events on time and on budget, all
the while maintaining the high
standards of CHUM Television.
Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
From magazines. I am a magazine
junkie. I try to think outside the
box, even though I hate that
expression. I am always tuned in.
— Robyn Small
As one of Toronto’s most trusted and respected caterers, Encore
provides our clients with over two decades of culinary expertise and a
passion for excellence. From award-winning cuisine, inspired menus,
superlative service, attention to details, to cost-effective catering solutions, we pride ourselves in creating successful and memorable events.
We offer a variety of catering services, tailored to the needs of each
client. In addition to special event catering, we also provide freshly
prepared meals for your staff and corporate clients -- from a simple
sandwich luncheon to elaborate executive boardroom meals -- delivered
on time to your office.
We believe that no two clients are alike, and with that philosophy
comes our flexibility to work with our clients’ varying budgets. At
Encore, we know that outstanding cuisine and service should be a part
of each and every event, large or small; we welcome every excuse to
cater, for 2 or for 10, 000.
Let us show you how we can deliver your next event on budget and
on time with the highest standards.
We are reputable members of the following organizations:
TORONTO TOURISM
MISSISSAUGA BOARD OF TRADE
INTERNATIONAL CATERERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL, TORONTO CHAPTER
Sample menus, event profiles and more at
www.encorecatering.com
Contact us at : Telephone 416 661 4460, Fax 416 661 8140
Email : info@encorecatering.com
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
11
What’s Fresh Now
ImpresarioQ&A
Designing Trendz Senior Designer and Owner
Craig Gruzd
Expanding into the entertainment industry challenges his creative talents
FROM HIS BACKGROUND in kosher
catering to designing a $1.5 million
wedding, owner and senior designer
of Designing Trendz Craig Gruzd has
plenty to say about the industry that
he has come to love, including his
plans for influencing design and his
thoughts on the internal politics of
the supplier-planner relationship.
What is the single most important thing
an event planner should keep in mind
when working with an event design firm?
Keep an open mind. The role of an
event designer is to absorb the information clients give us and put that
in the forefront of our design
process. Our role is to be the creative
vehicle by which clients achieve
event success. More often than not
planners have a vision of what they
want the event to be; we have the
12
tools to make that vision a reality.
Most important, planners should
utilize the talents of the designers
they hire, trusting us to keep their
best interests in mind. The decision
to hire the right designer is often as
challenging as selecting a venue or a
caterer. Keep your design goals clear
and simple and let the designer work
on the nitty-gritty.
Are there any special criteria a supplier
must meet when working on an event
where you are the acting planner?
They are to be trustworthy, punctual, and most of all reliable. The
supplier’s role is about the bottom
line; on event day when the product
is late or not on par with a decision
made in advance then that will be
the last impression made on the
planner that hired you.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
How do you help event planners?
I always ensure that I customize
my event proposals and ideas to
that of the client and company. A
client will always be more open
and receptive to a decor design
that is tailored specifically to
them, as opposed to being presented
with a “cookie-cutter design solution.”
What has Designing Trendz recently done
that will help event planners?
We just moved into a 26,000-squarefoot space with a linen company.
The move will enable us to increase
our inventory and staff, as well as
offer a showroom space for more
efficient presentations to our clients.
Being able to grow this way will also
allow us to be more prepared to take
on larger corporate events.
What areas of the industry are you
currently working in right now?
Aside from expanding into larger
corporate events, we are doing work
in television. Recently we worked
on Making It Big, the series, and the
Groomed Wedding; we designed the
flowers for the event planners.
Expanding into the entertainment
industry is a great way to challenge
our creative talents in ways that will
end up offering our corporate clients
more variety and a better opportunity to see our abilities in action.
— Robyn Small
ADVERTORIAL
Since 1987, Mariposa Cruises has been a harbourfront mainstay, offering
unique and innovative event venues, and spectacular harbour cruises. With
fully revamped catering services, overhauled entertainment capabilities, and
state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, Mariposa is once again
making waves in the tourism and special event industries, and continues to
grow as the venue of choice for business and corporate affairs.
Now one of the largest cruise lines in North America, Mariposa Cruises
offers groups of up to 600 people with over 34,000 square feet of stunning,
flexible floating space. As the cruise line of choice for special events, Mariposa
Cruises offers a unique alternative for business or social entertaining, providing
all-inclusive, “one-stop” event management. It’s the new boardroom for the
discriminating executive looking for a new way to woo potential clients,
discuss mergers, hold corporate functions, give presentations – whatever the
business need. A “one-stop” shop for the busy executive, Mariposa Cruises
has made corporate event planning its top priority.
Complete with up-to-date conference rooms and meeting facilities, each
vessel is well equipped for a wide range of parties and functions, boasting
fully licensed bars, chefs, wait staff, and distinct wine and menu selections.
Each Coast Guard certified cruise ship offers its own unique style and character
to fit the distinctive mood of every occasion - from the old world charm of the
Mariposa Belle paddle wheeler, to the unsurpassed elegance of The Captain
Matthew Flinders, and the contemporary casual style of the Torontonian.
For more information on Mariposa Cruises or to book your special event
visit: www.mariposacruises.com
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
13
BiZBash.TO Show
Is Bigger, Bolder
This year’s BiZBash.TO Event Style Show saw more than 1,000 event
planners and more than 100 unique exhibitors converge on the National
Trade Centre's Heritage Court on February 1 and 2 for two days of idea
sharing, selling, entertainment, and education. To attract corporate planners, the show was moved from the International Centre, site of the 2004
show, to the centrally located Heritage Court.
Peter Somers of Contemporary Furniture Rentals provided modern, chic
furnishings for the show. Massive banners from Beyond Digital Imaging
soared under the 35-foot ceilings, creating a dramatic registration area
where staffers from Streampoint Solutions and BBW International welcomed attendees and registered them for the show.
Somers' white lounge furniture and communal tables created a comfortable area in front of the stage, where 3L Sound and Lighting and AVFX
built an innovative talk show set for the BiZBash TV segment, complete
with large video screens, rolling cameras, and a studio lighting rig.
Ed (seated) and David Mirvish (left) accepted the 2nd annual BiZBash.TO
Lifetime Achievement Award presented by James Bradley (second from
left), Minister of Tourism and Recreation Ontario, Bruce MacMillan (second
from right), president of Tourism Toronto, and Kyle Hosick (right), president of BiZBash.TO.
Cheryl Cecchetto of Los Angeles-based Sequoia Productions shared behind-thescenes details of the planning of the annual Academy Awards Governors Ball.
Photos: Courtesy of Signature Studios
Industry association presidents Maria Dicuna (left) of SITE, Susan Prophet of
MPI (second from left), Karen Eluck of Impac (second form right), and Carol
Moxam of ISES (right) discussed the merits of association membership.
16
Gibson and Lyle presented a
stylish booth complete with
samples of their food.
Incredible Novelties’ Saul Saks introduced his wares.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
Attendees asked questions during seminars.
Michael Cerbelli of Total Entertainment
gave attendees fresh entertainment ideas.
The fabulous B-Girlz, one of many acts presented by theideashop, gave a colourful performance during the cocktail party at the
conclusion of day one.
Juno-winner Maestro performed a medley of Canadian
hip-hop classics.
Theideashop presented “Les Coquettes Nouveau Burlesque,” who performed a sexy can-can
and striptease for cocktail party attendees.
Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Tourism, and Bruce MacMillan, president and C.E.O. of Tourism Toronto, presented the second annual
BiZBash.TO Lifetime Achievement award to Ed and David Mirvish. The
Mirvishes became well known in Toronto for their contributions to the
entertainment and hospitality industries through development and ownership of some of the city's major theatres and restaurants. "The Mirvishes
have made extraordinary efforts in promoting this city and helping build its
tourism industry," Bradley said. MacMillan also expressed appreciation for
the Mirvishes' "commitment to create a dynamic, trendsetting theatre
scene."
Speakers during the two-day show included Richard Aaron, president of
BiZBash Media; Cheryl Cecchetto, producer of the Governors Ball for the
Academy Awards and president of Los Angeles-based Sequoia
Productions; and Michael Cerbelli, of New York's Total Entertainment,
who offered 21 hot entertainment ideas for corporate events. A panel dis-
cussion featuring the presidents of the Independent Meeting Planners
Association of Canada (Impac), International Special Event Society (ISES),
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and Society of Incentive &
Travel Executives (SITE) considered the state of industry associations and
encouraged attendees to join them. Toronto media veteran Dini Petty
offered suggestions on how to attract media to an event; Line Tousignant,
the Canadian agent for Peclers Paris, gave a trend forecast for spring and
summer of 2005; and multimedia marketer Tasso Lakas talked about using
creativity and imagination in events today.
BiZBash.TO hosted a cocktail party at the Heritage Court following the close of
the show on the first day. Guests took in dynamic performances by Maestro and
the Idea Shop while sipping BiZBash.TO martinis from the Martini Club, and
nibbled on hors d'oeuvres from Opulence Catering and Centreplate. The party
afforded exhibitors and attendees an opportunity to network, and to absorb the
environment of the Event Style Show. –— Kyle Hosick and Robyn Small
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
17
Talk show host Dini Petty offered guests
tips on attracting media attention to events.
Opera Forte performed an operetta singing only “BiZBash.”
Corey Mandell of Mandell Entertainment Group,
and Greg Dean of Signature Studios, played
“Toronto Hold ’Em” at the Mandell World Poker
Tour booth.
Guests listened to speakers in the lounge.
18
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
Line Tousignant, Canadian agent for Peclers
Paris, forecasted trends in colour and texture
for 2005.
Bartenders from Flairco mixed drinks and performed bartending theatrics.
Acknowledgements
Additional Staffing
Additional Staffing
Audiovisual Production
Catering
Catering
Decor
Decor
Entertainment
Event Design/Decor
Flowers
Invitation Design
Lighting
Lighting/Sound
Liquor
Liquor
Liquor
Liquor
Liquor
Photography
PR
Printing/Signage
Registration
Rentals
Venue
Video
BBW International Inc
Flairco
AVFX Audio Visual
Centreplate Catering
Opulence Catering
Contemporary Furniture Rentals
Solar Aquatic Systems Inc.
Theideashop
Contemporary Furniture Rentals
Hofland's
Paper Ideas
Airstar Canada
3L Sound and Lighting Ltd.
Churchill Cellars
Martini Club International
PMA Skyy Vodka
Select Wines
Steam Whistle Brewery
Signature Studios
Word of Mouth PR
Beyond Digital Imaging
Streampoint Solutions Inc
Chair-man Mills
National Trade Center
Mandell Entertainment Group
Eric Aragon and Daniella
Pateman of the Aragon Group
celebrated their victory in the
first annual BiZBash.TO Iron
Florist competition. Their stylish arrangement received the
most votes from attendees.
Craig Gruzd of Designing Trendz worked away at his contemporary piece.
Other competitors included Visions Display and D&D Floral Designs.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
19
BiZBash Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.com • Winter 2003
21
ADVERTORIAL
Daniel et Daniel
Celebrating 25 Years
Graceful twin storefronts herald Daniel et Daniel’s bustling retail
food shop and catering headquarters located in the heart of
Toronto’s historic Cabbagetown. The welcoming façade veils the
hub of activity of over 60 full time employees that primarily service
the special event division of the business.
Daniel et Daniel employs 11 dedicated consultants & event planners that are eager to help you realize your vision. The fact that
Daniel et Daniel is the preferred caterer at more Toronto venues
than any other caterer attests to the integrity of the company and
makes finding that perfect venue simple. Combined with the perfect marriage of china, linens, florals and striking lighting, your
Daniel et Daniel event will be planned and executed flawlessly.
Whether planning a magical wedding, corporate event, fundraiser, high profile protocol evening or glittering social occasion, Daniel
et Daniel has the expertise to confidently transform your vision into
reality and ensure that you are a guest at your own party.
Congratulations to Daniel et Daniel for 25
years of success from your friends at
Morgan Scott we are proud to provide you
with ‘Dedication – Distinction – Distribution’
www.morganscott.com
22
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
BiZBash Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.com • Winter 2003
23
EventShowcase
Virgin Mobile Launches With Nearly Nude Models
Virgin Mobile launch • Lucid nightclub • Tuesday, 03.01.05, 7 PM onward
IT’S NOT ONLY FITTING that Virgin founder and overthe-top businessman Sir Richard Branson would host a
launch event that’s beyond your standard drinks-andpitch drill. It’s expected. Segal Communications’ Laura
Fischer planned a launch that treated both male and
female attendees to some titillating eye candy. The
risqué focal point: a nearly-nude model from Gibson
Modeling being painted red to match the colour of
Virgin’s logo.
Gibson also provided female models in tight red
and white leather nurse uniforms to suit the colour
scheme. The models danced and mingled while their
topless, buff-bodied male counterparts ushered guests
into the main area. Fischer said: “The nurse costumes
impressed that Virgin is the cure for the catch behind
many other companies”—as in the hidden catch in
other companies’ calling plans.
On the club’s second floor, tables were topped
with candles complemented by red hanging lights
provided by Parallel Productions. Guests got cozy and
munched on pad Thai, sweet potato fries, apricot brie
bundles, and other bites from Marigolds & Onions. They
also had the opportunity to unwind with massages
offered by Diesel Fitness and to take in a full club experience, complete with DJ Matt C blasting beats for the
throng of partygoers below. — Andre Bharti
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group of companies,
addressed guests.
Event planners from Segal Communications provided centerpieces of
red glowsticks and white feathers throughout the space to suit the
red and white colour scheme.
A risqué focal point on stage at Virgin Mobile Canada’s launch event
at Lucid nightclub was a model being painted red to match the
colour of Virgin’s logo.
Design Exchange Exhibit Celebrates the Oscars
Style of Design exhibition launch event • Design Exchange • Thursday, 02.10.05, 6 PM to 10 PM
AS HOLLYWOOD GEARS up for an evening with Oscar,
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas)
has made other plans—well, at least as far as wardrobe.
A display of movie garments called “50 Designers, 50
Costumes,” was launched at the Design Exchange (DX)
Style of Design gala party.
The evening was coordinated by DX staffers and
Ampas representatives, who collaborated to create a
Soaring calla lilies added height and freshness to the large, illuminated Art Deco bar by
Contemporary Furniture.
Hollywood-inspired party that began with a main-floor
reception and ended with a viewing of the collection.
On the second floor, guests sipped cocktails served
from Contemporary Furniture’s illuminated Art Decostyle bar, which was accented with soaring calla lilies
and other glamorous white floral arrangements from
24
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
the Aragon Group. Presidential Gourmet Fine
Catering served baby green salads in cappuccino cups, wild game appetizers, and decadent chocolate dessert plates.
Magicians Adam Swaye and Anthony Lindan
and an Austin Powers look-alike entertained
guests, including venue supporters and
design industry members. The feature performance was by Eugene Draw of
Alchemy Entertainment, a theatrical combination of
violin music, break dancing, and classical dance
movements.
The highlight of the evening was,
of course,
Ampas’ thirdfloor display of
the 50 movie
costumes.
Selections from
films like Austin
Powers:
Goldmember, Big
Fish, Matrix Reloaded,
Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone, and
Pirates of the Caribbean
were crowd pleasers.
— Robyn Small
The exhibition “50 Designers, 50 Costumes,” donated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences, launched at a gala event at the Design
Exchange. The collection included items from Matrix
Reloaded and Austin Powers: Goldmember.
EventShowcase
Museum Bash Launches New Partnership with Panache
Royal Ontario Museum’s Hospitality Night 2005 • Royal Ontario Museum • Thursday, 03.10.05, 6 PM to 9:30 PM
accommodate as many as 4,000 guests. from the Martini Club included the
THE ANNUAL Hospitality Night for
Absolut Razberi Cosmo, the Remy
During the video presentation,
event and meeting planners and
Sidecar, the Plymouth Star, and the
members of the hospitality industry guests enjoyed a variety of edibles
at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
was slightly different from previous years: the event introduced a
new partnership between the
ROM and Restaurant Associates.
And afterward, the museum
closed its doors to events until the
first of its newly renovated spaces
opens in December 2005.
More than 800 guests enjoyed
the festivities, which kicked off
with a video that unveiled the
venue’s renovation plans.
Overflowing rose
petals from Church
Restaurant Associates’ three new
Street Flowers
dining facilities will include fine
decorated furnishings by
Pink lighting from Westbury National Show Systems set the tone for the Royal Ontario Museum’s
dining in the rooftop Crystal Five
Contemporary
Hospitality Night.
bistro bar, family fare in the ROM
Furniture Rentals.
Cruisin Cocktail.
from catering sponsors A la Carte
World Diner, and light snacks in the
In another room was the ROM
Kitchens, Daniel et Daniel, En Ville
Rotunda Café. Corporate event spaces
Cocktail Challenge. Sponsored by
Catering, Gibson & Lyle, and Gourmet
to come, such as the Michael LeeMaxxium Canada, officiated by the
Cuisine, L’Eat Catering, Marigolds and
Chin Crystal Hall , Hyacinth Gloria
Martini Club, and hosted by noted
Onions, Presidential Gourmet, Rhonda
Chen Crystal Court, and the adjacent
Litwack, and Sen5es Catering. Cocktails party aficionado Jaymz Bee, the cocktail
Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery, will
mixing competition had local bartenders vying to create the ROM’s signature cocktail, to be served at all ROM
events. A backlit stage with an LED wall
of multicolored, abstract patterns decorated
the space.
Attendees relaxed in various
rooms decorated by Contemporary
Furniture, such as the “Fuchsia
Room,” with its independent
lounges set on custom shag rugs
accented with white furniture and
pewter-coloured sequined pillows.
Aromatic arrangements of pink rose
petals from Church Street Flowers and
lush draping by Micki’s Linens completed the look. Another room featured chocolate-colored furnishings
and glamorous calla lily arrangements accented with banana-leaf
wrapping and candles.
The evening ended with a sampling of DJ talent from Third From
the Sun, Mandell Entertainment Group,
Fish-Fry, and Vinyl Factory.
— Robyn Small
Venture Steel Has CasinoTheme Holiday Party
SS Promotions/May Models’ Catwalk Cure fund-raiser • Next Level, Docks
Nightclub • Thursday, 03.03.05, 7 PM to 11 PM
OPULENCE CATERING AND EVENTS created a
night to remember when it
staged a Vegas-inspired theme
party for Venture Steel’s, a steel
manufacturer, corporate holiday
party.
An impressive lounge area
in one of Venture’s warehouses
was decorated by Décor & More,
which was responsible for furniture and props for the event.
White couches and glass tables
were illuminated by designer
lamps, and enhanced with
Venture Steel’s Vegas theme party at a Venture Steel wareglowing orchid centrepieces.
house boasted a unique event design by Opulence Catering
A raised ice bar created by Ice and Events.
made of Plexiglas and metal truss.
culture had partygoers lined up for
Awesome audiovisual special
brightly coloured cocktails, while
effects
by Visual FX enhanced stage
servers offered hors d’oeuvres in
performances by Elvis and Tom Jones
the crowded room. Opulence
impersonators from Cuthbertson
Catering offered healthy organic
drinks and snacks at a separate bar. Entertainment and Events. Third From
the Sun DJs cranked out tunes into
Innovative light-less chandeliers made of opalescent, reflective the wee hours of the morning.
Lucite beads, captured and reflect- Attendees not interested in dancing spent the evening gambling at
ed illumination from a laser show
the casino. — R.S.
onto the bars and food stations
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
25
EventShowcase
Distillery Party Welcomes New Partner
Distillery Historic District’s “Clearly Industrial” hospitality industry party • Distillery District, Fermenting Cellar • Wednesday, 01.19.05, 6 PM to 10 PM
IT’S A DAUNTING TASK to put on a
special event with the hope of dazzling professionals in the event planning business. However, the Distillery
Historic District was able to impress
with finesse when it held a “Clearly
Industrial” theme party to welcome
its new real estate partner Dundee
Distillery District (GP) Inc..
Guests from the event planning
and real estate sectors attended the
bash hosted by Dundee, Cityscape
Holdings Inc., Chair-man Mills,
Contemporary Furniture Rentals, the
Martini Club, Iceculture Inc ., Fortis
Productions, and BiZBash.TO.
The cool entranceway featured
two 1,500-pound, custom-made ice
chandeliers from Iceculture. Event
designers Peter Somers of
Contemporary Furniture Rentals
and Frank Rae of Forget Me Not Flowers
decorated the venue in pewter and
white, with splashes of colour
throughout.
Two 1,500-pound iceculture inc. chandeliers flanked the
entranceway.
Lounges were furnished with
pewter-coloured couches, candlelit
coffee tables, and nouveaux silver
shag rugs. Unique accents included
a water wall installation provided
by Solar Aquatics, custom mirrors on
the walls by Contemporary
Furniture, and Eventure Inc.’s ele-
Contemporary Furniture and Forget Me Not Flowers helped
create the look for the Distillery District’s “Clearly
Industrial” soiree to welcome its new real estate partner,
Dundee Distillery (GP) Inc.
Fund-Raiser for Gentlemen
Has Sultry Twist
SS Promotions/May Models’ Catwalk Cure fund-raiser • Next Level, Docks Nightclub
• Thursday, 03.03.05, 7 PM to 11 PM
WHAT DO THE city’s sexiest lingerie models and fund-raising have
to do with each other? Well, at SS
Promotions/May Models’ fourth
annual Catwalk Cure lingerie runway
show benefit for gentlemen, the
two paired like haute and couture
for a different type of guys’ night
out.
Event producer Lori Heller of
Heller Productions worked with sev- A choreographed runway presentation by theideashop stole the
show at the fourth annual Catwalk Cure gala fund-raiser for general members of Toronto’s event
tlemen only at the Next Level, at Docks Nightclub.
industry to produce the event. Eddie
After dinner guests enjoyed a show
Design Studio designed the invitations,
with models from SS
Swing Rosie performed swing music
Promotions/May Models which was
favourites, and theideashop produced
choreographed and designed by theithe runway show.
deashop. Westbury National Show Systems’
The evening began in Next Level,
lit runway was set off by a tall LED
the newest rooftop addition to the
Docks Nightclub, with culinary offerings wall set to display various images of
models in lingerie, the colour changing
from such varied caterers and restauwith each act. The male crowd’s
rants as North 44, Ace Bakery, and Sotto
evening concluded with sexy sirens
Sotto. The buffet-style setting was
cascading along the runway to tunes
enhanced with decor from Sumo
like “Singin’ in the Rain” while carryLounge: a collage of tan and red beaning umbrellas. — R.S.
bag chairs and ottomans.
26
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
gant drapery.
Yellow florals in Plexiglas decorated the bar, where the Martini Club
poured cocktails throughout the
evening.
Food included A La Carte’s savory
brioche with braised beef and
watercress; LEAT Catering’s gourmet
antipasto, meat-filled sandwiches,
and grilled veggies; and black tiger
shrimp cocktail shooters filled with
greens, avocado, mango, and
Chinese water chestnuts done in a
julienne with a citrus dressing by
North 44 Caters. Daniel et Daniel
brought rack of lamb on creamy
wild mushroom polenta topped with
foie gras. Other tasty treats were
provided by Marigolds and Onions, Dish
Cooking Studio, Sen5es, Gibson and Lyle,
Distillery Restaurant Group, and Stuart
and Saladino.
Invitees also enjoyed ambient
music provided by Third From The Sun.
— Robyn Small
EventShowcase
Art Plays a Part in Helping the Homeless
Homes First Foundation’s ‘The Coldest Night’ benefit • Lucid • Wednesday, 01.26.05, 6 PM to 11 PM
EVENT PLANNERS Pipeline Communications
inc. planned Homes First Foundation’s
second annual “The Coldest Night”
fund-raiser for supportive housing at
Lucid.
Spacious lounges in earth tones featured custom lighting, cushions, and
oversize ottomans, enhancing the open
floor plan of the club venue.
Tone Catering and Décor & More displayed hors d’oeuvres from brightly
coloured eight-foot-high upright buffet
stations with independent lighting,
where attendees munched on lime-marinated tiger shrimp, maki sushi rolls,
cheese-filled tortellini, and origamicarved vegetables.
Guests enjoyed the music of the
Danny Marks and the BLUZ FM Review,
whose appearance was arranged by
Elwood Saracuse Productions. The highest
bidders at a silent auction snapped up
works of art by residents of the Homes
First Foundation and other donated
pieces. — Robyn Small
Homes First Foundation’s benefit, held at LUCID, featured
hors d’oeuvres on the walls at food stations from Décor &
More and Tone Catering.
Cozy lounges designed by Décor & More were done in a palette of earth tones.
Design Show Gala Bold With New Looks
Interior Design Show opening night gala • National Trade Centre • Thursday, 02.10.05, 7 PM to 11 PM
sored stage as
THE 2005 Interior Design Show marked the dawning furnishings from Signature Rentals,
the evening’s
including mirrored chandeliers, white
of a new era in concept and style. The opening
guest speaker.
night party, which took place on the
Following the
show floor of the National Trade
guest of honour
Centre, gave design industry memwas a live perbers a sneak peek at some inspiring
formance from
looks for the coming year.
Jeff Healey’s Jazz
Greeters dressed in burlesque
An inverted case of
Wizards,
arranged
through Live Tour
costumes welcomed guests, handchairs from Chair Source
showcased a new look
Artists.
ing out wineglasses for the many
display design.
DJs from Piers flooded the
tasting areas set up around the
room with ambient beats as guests
room. The Martini Club and other
visited the various food stations,
distributors supplied the boozeincluding one by Marcy’s Salad
heavy bash with Moet & Chandon,
Dressing and Croutons serving healthAmarula, and Skyy Vodka. A virtual
Burlesque-costumed
greeters
met
guests
at
the
entrance,
offering
ful helpings in clear acrylic branded
wonderland of colours, textures,
wineglasses to be used for tastings throughout the party.
containers. Decadent Catering offered
and new looks filled the room,
wasabi and lime-leaf sabayon, as
shag rugs, and chrome-andincluding a showstopper called the Big Frock. The
well as nori rolls with tuna and
white lounge furniture. Sales
30-foot crimson gown, designed by architects
salmon; and Gibson and Lyle created
from Alsop and Brown and Storey Architects Inc., hung staff wore custom Globe and
seared scallops on the half shell
Mail shirts.
from the rafters and actually included a concept
with grapefruit glace and pomeGala sponsors Mercedesliving space at its hem complete with chandeliers
granate drizzle; crispy plantain club
Benz and House and Home magand intimate decor.
sandwiches with tomato concasse
A dynamic display from Chair Source present- azine welcomed Lady
and avocado creme fraiche; and
Weinberg, Anouska Hempel,
ed chairs in various styles and positions, some
The
30-foot
“Big
Frock”—a
giant
dress
with
a
conminiature tartes tatins with golden
hanging upside down within a display unit 15 feet founder of Blake’s London, the
cept living space at its base—was unveiled at the
world’s first luxury boutique opening-night gala of the Interior Design Show at chanterelle mushrooms and truffle
above the ground. Nearby, the Globe and Mail
essence. — R.S.
lounge was a trendy space accented with chic new hotel, to the Hugo Boss-spon- the National Trade Centre.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
27
EventShowcase
Discovery Woos Advertisers with Bikes and Big Cats
Discovery Channel 10th anniversary • Lucid • Thursday, 03.03.05, 12 to 3 PM
DISCOVERY CHANNEL CANADA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a luncheon at Lucid nightclub. “We
always choose venues in the downtown core,
that’s where our clients work,” said Discovery
Channel’s Chad Beamish. “We wanted something new and fresh with fun lighting. It
worked out pretty well for us.”
To highlight the diversity of the channel’s
documentary content, Beamish brought in live
animals, including a panther and a bobcat from
Bowmanville Zoological Park, and three chopper
motorcycles from Kahuna Cycle.
Guests included sales clients, media buyers,
media planners from advertising agencies, and
direct advertisers. Chair-man Mills decorated the
space with a beautiful display of long white
sheer drapes.
The luncheon began with VideoScope’s 20minute presentation of upcoming Discovery
Channel programming. Gourmet Cuisine Full
Service Catering’s finger-food-style buffet featured make-it-yourself fajitas, a condiment station, and a hoagie station. Drinks and coffee
were served along the bar. The food was displayed with an array of large banana leaves and
greenery. — Kavita Gosyne
Discovery Channel Canada
celebrated its 10th anniversary at Lucid nightclub with
choppers from Kahuna
Cycle to pay tribute to the
channel’s programming.
A trainer from the Bowmanville Zoological Park got friendly with a black jaguar.
Sean John Launch Puts
the Focus on Fashion
The Future of Fashion • Rosewater Supper Club • Tuesday, 03.29.05, 8 PM to 11 PM
WHEN SEAN “P. Diddy”
Combs throws a party,
chances are good it
will be a spectacular
affair complete with
bubbly, babes, and
bravado. With his
Sean John clothing
line launch at the
Rosewater Supper Club,
the focus was on the
clothes and nothing
else.
Rosewater event
coordinator Jeannie
DesRoches and
MacPhee Marketing and
Sean Combs greeted the press warmly to launch his Sean John line
inside the Rosewater Suppler Club.
Communications worked
together to create a clean, sleek look with virtually no added decor inside
the club. Other than some lighting accents with the Sean John logo on the
wall, the focus really was on the fashions. Combs made sure of it, putting
his models in outfits that ranged from urban casual to classic upscale and
having them mingle with the crowd and pose on raised pedestals throughout the venue.
Guests left the event with a Sean John take-home of a signature duffle
bag filled with a T-shirt, a copy of Strut magazine, and MAC cosmetics.
— Andre Bharti
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BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
NEW YORK EventReport
Diffa Shows the Next Decor Trends
Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS’ Dining by Design benefit • Hammerstein Ballroom • Monday, 02.07.05, 6:30 PM onward
As the fashion industry was busy churning
out trends in the Fashion Week tents in Bryant Park, a
few blocks away in Hammerstein Ballroom, the Design
Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS’ (Diffa) Dining by
Design benefit offered a glimpse of the latest looks
for tabletops. Crammed with 51 individual dining
environments, the fund-raiser was a runway of
sorts, where a roster of top event, interior, and
fashion designers—aided by products and funds
from corporate sponsors—could unveil their latest
ideas for event decor.
Although the designers typically make grand,
one-of-a-kind creations, every year a few trends
emerge from table to table, and they often influence the look of place settings to come. (Last
year’s clear plates showed up often in 2004.) This
year, the designers used many ornate, old-fashioned pieces—but not in old-fashioned ways.
Instead of making tables that looked fussy, designers mixed and matched patterns, materials, and
colors, and combined the disparate elements in
ways that felt vibrant and fresh. At the Quest
Quest International Fragrances created an innovative centerpiece of Bunsen burners, beakers, test tubes, white roses, and pastel-colored elbow gloves. The
International Fragrance table, that meant setting
mix-and-match tableware included plates with vintage drawings of plants on top of ornate, floral-patterned china. Each place setting was unique, giving the
plates with vintage drawings of plants on top of
old-fashioned pieces a modern, not-so-perfect feel.
ornate, floral-patterned china, and
silver-rimmed champagne flutes with
an assortment of beveled wine glasses
of different heights.
The few stark, minimalist designs
looked a bit stale and boring. With so
many top designers—and sponsors—
looking to stand out, the event is about
big statements, after all. So, as in years
past, the designers also used scale to
make an impact in a room of showoffs hoping to hear “Wow…” from the
design crowd walking the floor.
Maria McBride designed a wooden lattice garden structure laced with fabric
daisies for the table sponsored by Free People. Glass crystals and strings of
Suzanne Kasler put her table under a
beads hung from a driftwood chandelier.
giant Eiffel Tower replica, and a mast
rose behind the Nautica area—built to
resemble the deck of a ship.
Another big trend: The flatware
wasn’t so flat. Many designers used
thick-handled utensils instead of the
minimalist, skinny silverware popular
Suzanne Kasler Interiors designed one of the largest and most striking tables, for Elle Decor.
last year. Walking the floor, we also
The French-theme table showcased an Eiffel Tower that rose up over the table and was draped
found table after table with the flatware in the colors of the French flag. Even the stems of the glasses were miniature Eiffel Towers.
Produced by Diffa’s Mark Beckham and sponset in unusual ways—forks crisscrossed over each
plate, or a pair of spoons nestled within a rounded sored by Elle Decor and GE , the event began with a
cocktail reception when everyone could check out
plate. One recurring theme seemed a bit inapprothe tables and bid in a silent auction. Then for
priate: the use of animal products, from feather
dinner, Creative Edge Parties served ravioli made of
boas draped over the chairs at the Artistic Tile table,
puff pastry and stuffed with wild mushrooms, folto leather pieces used as a tablecloth on the Quest
lowed by an herb-encrusted loin of lamb with
table (otherwise, one of our favorites). A giant
sweet pea pancakes and mustard sauce. Later, DJs
arrangement full of fake birds and giant feathers
billowed over Matthew Smyth’s table for Larson-Juhl— Todd Oldham and Billy Beyond spun at the Bubble Blast
after-party, sponsored by faucet-maker Brizo.
sure, it had visual impact, but would you want to
Kate Spade used glass vases of fruit, brightly colored chair cushions in
beach-style chairs, a bar cart stocked with gin and whiskey, and a beach
—Chad Kaydo
eat under it?
umbrella hung with small lamps to give the table a 50’s cocktail party vibe.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
29
TREND: Unmatched
Table Settings
Red plastic goblets contrasted with traditional clear wine glasses at the
Container Store’s red-and-white, modern-looking table.
On the Darren Henault Interiors table, two plates—one floral-patterned,
one plain white—topped each patterned charger, and red-tinted wine
goblets alternated with clear etched glasses of varying sizes.
The table from SeaCloth and John Rosselli & Associates was a peppy mix of pinks, yellows, and blues with its striped canopy, short white vases of brightly colored flowers, and pretty plates, napkins and stemware.
The Ralph Lauren Home space was decorated with a
large piece of driftwood hung with small votives.
Elaine Griffin’s table for the New York Design Center had nautilus shells with a nacre finish on
each plate, and a cluster of long-necked glass vases on the table.
Keeping with Waterworks’ signature clean lines and colors, each setting
mixed green and clear glasses in angular and curvilinear shapes.
TREND: Chunky Utensils
Inspired by a picnic basket in Coach’s spring collection, C.E.O. Reed Krakoff
placed real bamboo-handled utensils alongside his logo-laden dinnerware.
30
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
Crate & Barrel paired its creamy white Eva Zeisel-designed tableware with
thick, rounded pakka wood-handled flatware from its “Cordova” collection.
At the David Beahm-designed club tables sponsored by various companies,
bamboo-handled utensils from Party Rental sat atop the plates.
MIAMI EventReport
Super Bowl XXXIX Hits Jacksonville
turntable. Guests grooved to the beat on the carIN THE BEGINNING of February, the city of
ment, Kim Willis, marketing director for the magapeted floor.
zine, hired event planner Brian Gordon of Miami
Jacksonville, Florida began gearing up for what
Marketing Group and production company Event
On the way to the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions,
would be one of the biggest events ever to touch
Eleven
to
set
up
televisions,
pool
tables,
video
San Francisco 49ers, and Indianapolis Colts den, six
down on its soil—Super Bowl XXXIX. Several compagames, and bars in the historic house and former
Xbox gaming stations sat ready for players, while
nies hosted Super Bowl-related events to promote
the Taste of the NFL image was projected onto the
their products to the masses of football
school buildings. Dim lighting set the mood inside
fans in town for the game. Preparing for
each tent. Fresh flowers and foliage were abunmonths prior to the main event,
dant, and audiovisual screens hung above each
Jacksonville’s NFL Host Committee helped
table. A majority of the tables were set in a square
organize these festivities, as well as the
shape in the center of the room. Guests perused
bowl itself.
the food, nibbling dishes such as creamy polenta
President Michael Kelly, director of
with mascarpone and truffle oil; Oaxacan green
special events Nikki Epley, and director of
mole pork; and seared red snapper with artichoke
communications Heather Surface oversaw
ragout, chive oil, and balsamic syrup. Over each
the creation and execution of the fourtable hung four- by six-foot screens displaying
day fiesta that began Thursday, February
team logos, chef information, and real-time
3, and continued until the wee hours of
updates of a silent auction, also going on in canopy
Super Bowl Sunday.
tents.
The NFL Host Committee and the Florida
Times-Union hosted the outdoor TimesWith the help of Fandango Special Events, seven
Union SuperFest in downtown
vignettes of furniture
Jacksonville, which ran all four days. A
from the company’s
five-mile stretch of downtown was filled
so-called “funkiture”
with live performance stages and hunline were set
dreds of vendors. New York-based
Don Mischer Productions hired Tait Towers to
throughout the space.
EventQuest surrounded the SuperFest area create a dramatic stage with projected images and
Funkiture is predomcolorful lighting for Paul McCartney's half-time perwith 20 towers made of steel tressing and formance at Super Bowl XXXIX.
inantly contempocovered with white stretch fabric branded
rary, but for Reebok,
with sponsors’ names. The towers also displayed
church. A red-carpet
the company brought
signs for key venues and housed built-in audio sys- entrance was set up
in more conservative
against an ESPN backtems, so public announcements and a live audio
cream-colored armfeed of music—from Top 40 hits to 70’s funk songs drop, and journalists
chairs and sofas,
selected by SuperFly DJs—could be piped throughout and entertainment
EventQuest surrounded the SuperFest area with towers made of steel tressing and
along with brown
reporters waited behind covered with white stretch fabric branded with sponsors' names.
the area. Seven of the towers were equipped with
leather and
velvet ropes to catch
lasers and situated on both sides of the river to
microfiber
pieces,
all
of
which
sat atop area rugs.
arriving stars like Alicia Keys, Tyson Beckford, and
project a bridge of green light over the river.
Nick Lachey.
They also created a 21-foot-long mahogany bar
On Friday, Coors Light held its Super Bowl
Once inside, guests walked into a courtyard of
complete with brass rails and fittings, as well as
party. Diana Frank from Coors hired Hello Florida to
Astroturf. A football goal post had been set up on
branded brushed-aluminum barstools and 42-inchcreate an icy experience inside the River City Brewing
one end, with bars and tables full of foods and
tall cocktail tables with the Reebok logo. Local
Company restaurant. The restaurant’s wooden and
desserts lining the wall. Duck quesadillas sizzled
catering company Front Page Catering kept guests
nautical look had to be concealed to create an
on the newest line of Weber grills, adding a touch
well fed, while Wilson Empire played music for all to
event that would feel cool and nightclub-like, and
of tailgate. TLC Lighting used the side of the twoenjoy. Most of the space was set up for entertainwork in conjunction with the current Coors Light
story white Victorian house as a screen for the
ing, with a pool table that had substituted Patriots
“Cold” campaign. Dance cages of ice made by Ice
projected ESPN logo. The church-turned-lounge
and Eagles logos for stripes and solids, video games
Magic, fog effects from Party Guys, frosty windows,
was transformed into a funky lodge with animal
for kids of all ages, and several video feeds about
and tables dressed in white crushed linens from
heads mounted on the walls, dim lighting, and
Kirby Rentals helped create the appropriate atmosthe game.
flat-screen televisions showing images of burning
phere. In addition, machines supplied by Snow
All these parties primed guests for the real
fireplaces. Event Eleven transformed the 10-room
reason Jacksonville was the place to be—the game.
Masters blew faux snow in the restaurant, and
house into a sports lover’s playground, putting
Paul McCartney headlined the Ameriquest Mortgage
video games and bars in just about every room,
Airstar Space Lighting employed blue and white
along
with
TVs
and
framed
ESPN
magazine
Super
Bowl XXXIX Halftime Show. He was almost
lights for a wintry ambience. Models and dancers
covers on the walls. There was even a separate
upstaged by the stage, which featured projected
from Peyton and Day gave Coors Light distributors
room
for
poker.
Downstairs,
there
was
a
barberimages of athletes, dazzling lighting effects, and
and other V.I.P.s something to look at while DJ Dou
shop,
complete
with
a
red,
white,
and
blue
striped
separate areas for the other musicians, courtesy of
played tunes that kept attendees dancing into the
barber pole. And all this was just the beginning:
Don Mischer Productions, who hired Tait Towers from
wee hours.
The
main
party
was
outside
in
a
tent
behind
the
Pennsylvania to create it.
Also on Friday was ESPN The Magazine ’s NEXT
house.
White
couches
and
bar
tables
lined
one
big weekend event. Festivities began at 9 PM,
—Vanessa Goyanes, John Horan, Juana Jordan,
wall, lending a nightclub feel. The tent also had its
when the ultimate sports club atmosphere was
Felina Martin, and Shari Lynn Rothstein
unveiled at the Merrill House. To create the environ- own bar, which faced a stage that drew the likes of
hip-hop artist Biz Markie, who jumped on the
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005 31
Photo courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images
Super Bowl XXXIX • Various locations throughout Jacksonville • Thursday, 02.03.05 to Sunday, 02.06.05
THE ULTIMATE DIRECTORY OF PLANNERS
Many of Toronto’s largest corporations work with an independent
event planning company when they’re launching a product or hosting an event. BiZBash.TO has assembled
a complete directory of firms working for corporations like Microsoft, Hugo Boss, Porsche, Canadian Tire,
and Virgin. These are the planners behind some of Toronto’s largest
corporate events and are experts in the field.
A N D Logistix Inc.
Conferences and Incentive plus inc.
Entertainment Ontario
Gruv Marketing
345 St. Clair Ave. W., 3rd Floor
Toronto, On., M6E 1C3
416.593.7744
416.593.1805
Contact: Dana Zita
963 Pape Ave.
Toronto, On., M420K 3V6
416.406.3282
416.406.0767
Contact: Priti Karia
125 Weldrick Rd., Unit 16
Richmond Hill, On., L4C 3V2
905.770.0231
905.770.6729
Contact: Ian Carter
65 International Blvd., Suite 200
Toronto,On., M9W 6L9
416.674.9005
Contact: Jennifer La Rose
A La Carte Kitchen
Congress Canada
Event Edge
345 St. Clair Ave. W., 3rd Floor
Toronto, On., M6E 1C3
416.971.4068
416.971.5972
Contact: Brian King
49 Bathurst St., Suite 100
Toronto, On., M5V 2P2
416.504.4500
416.504.4505
Contact: APam Graham
1276 Kensington Park. Rd.
Oakville, On., L6H 2G9
905.849.7373
905.849.8323
Contact: Carol Moxam
Aragon Group
Cornerstone Entertainment Concepts
Event Fusion
16 Palomino Dr.
Carlisle, On., L0R 1H3
905.690.4200
905.690.4202
Contact: Don Saytar
316 Adelaide St. W
Toronto, On., M5V 1R1
416.504.9777 x 23
416.5049776
Contact: Alice Parnis
Cura Communications
Event Spectrum
114 Shuter St. Lower Suite.
Toronto, On., M5V 1Z8
416.652.7995
416.352.0034
Contact: Jennifer O’Donnell
18 Keewatin Ave.
Toronto, On., M4P 1Z8
416.481.7776
416.481.0078
Contact: Susan Minns
Cuthbertson Entertainment & Events
Event2Event
40 Havenbrook Blvd.
Toronto, On., M2J 1A5
416.496.8200
416.496.8900
Contact: Larry Cuthbertson
156 A Highbourne Rd.
Toronto, On., M5P 2J7
416.480.0315
416.480.2304
Contact: Alanna Gross
Daniel et Daniel Event Creation & Catering
Evolving Events
248 Carlton St.
Toronto, On., M5A 2L1
416.968.9275
416.968.6343
Contact: Russell Day
813 O’Connor Dr.
Toronto, On., M4B 2S7
416.288.0900
416.2881321
Contact: Colleen Walker
Decor Events
Fete Events
180 Doncaster Rd.
Thornhill, On., L3T 1L6
905.709.4979
905.709.4110
Contact: Joseph Bouganim
131 Bloor St. W, Ste 200-352
Toronto, On., M5S 1R8
416 533 5005
416.532.7575
Contact: Laurine Bromley
Diversified Talent Associates
5th Element Events
8 Greengate Rd.
Toronto, On., M3B 3P2
416.696.6041
416.444.9162
Contact: Trudy Moffatt
45 Milford Ave.
Toronto, ON M6M 2V8
416.241.4440
416.241.5261
Contact: Aaron Kaufman
Eatertainment Special Events & Catering
Flip Events
Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. W., Suite 216
Toronto, On., M4W 1A6
416.964.1162 x 20
416.961.3258
Contact: Sebastien Centner
781 King St. W. Suite 514
Toronto, On., M5V 3L5
416-504-6536
416.368.6324
Contact: Joan Bendon
Eclectic Events International
Gameplan Management
208 Andona Cres.
Toronto, On., M1C 5J8
416.413.7887
416.208.9100
Contact: Carolyn Luscombe
250 The Esplanade, Suite 201
Toronto, On., M5A 1J2
416.203.7191
416.203.2238
Contact: Murray Shields
Eden Planning
Golden Canadian Productions
1571 Dockray Dr.
Milton, On., L9T 5L4
905.878.0638
905.878.2606
Contact: Deni Kondric
14 Winfield Ave.
Toronto, On., M6S 2J8
416.766.8494
Contact: Dan Stapleton
Elements Event Management
7050 Pacific Circle
Mississauga, On., L5T 2A7
909.565.9300
905.565.1166
Contact: Deborah Macfie
381 Richmond St. E, Studio B
Toronto, On., M5A 1P6
416.597.0777
416.597.9741
Contact: Eric Aragon
Arato Entertainment & Events Inc.
90 Centurian Dr., Unit 6
Markham, On. L3R 8C5
905.477.9926
905.477.7758
Contact: Debbie Arato
Astronomical Events
8 Purdue Enclave
Ajax, On., L1T 4L2
905.426.1966
905.426.7522
Contact: Nadine DK
Atlantis Creative Group Inc.
1179 King St. W, Suite 101
Toronto, On. M6K 3C3
4.534.7100
416.524.2240
Contact: Kellie Smith
Audience Communications
17 Isabella St.
Toronto, On. M4Y 1M7
416.703.3737
416.703.7033
Contact: Kathy Wale
Avant-Garde Event Management
439 King Street West, 4th Floor
Toronto, On., M5V 1K4
Tel: 416.644.8892
Fax: 416.644.8891
Contact: Melanie Clancy
Backstage Creative Solutions & Events
70 Pippin Rd., Suite 52
Concord, On., L4K 4M9
905.760.8280
905.760.8233
Contact: Leandra Ruttan
Barque Communications Inc.
99 Atlantic Ave., Suite 212
Toronto, On., M6K 3J8
416.533.8077
416.352.5936
Contact: Greg Albrecht
CAO Productions Inc.
3128 Constitution Blvd.
Mississauga, On., L4Y 2Z3
905.306.0639
905.3069010
Contact: Carolann Organ
Communique Incentives Inc.
21 Four13 seasons Place, Suite 110
Toronto, 14On., M6B 6J8
647.436.891559 x 106
647.439.007016
Contact: Ardith17 Freethy
32
33 Sackville St., Upper Level
Toronto, On., M5A 3E1
416.603.6300
416.203.2810
Contact: Catherine Fowler
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
Gourmet Cuisine
Hart Entertainment
45 Gurney Cres.
Toronto, On., M6B 1S9
416.762.2200
416.762.8180
Contact: Phil Hart
Heller Productions
592 Hillsdale Ave. E.
Toronto, On., M4S 1V2
416.483.8333
416.483.9303
Contact: Lori Heller
HOST Destination Management
6999 Ordan Drive
Mississauga, ON L5T 1K6
905.564.9911 ext. 237
905.564.5959
Contact: Snehal Belgaumkar
Ingram Micro Event Services
55 Sandish Court
Mississauga, On., L5R 4A1
905.755.5000 x 55944
905.755.1335
Contact: Anthony Hall
Imagination & Meeting Planners
101 Hammersmith Ave., Suite 202
Toronto, On., M4E 2W3
416.694.7121
416.694.7457
Contact: Sandy Biback
JPDL
2 Berkeley St., Suite 500
Toronto, On., M5A 4J5
416.221.5679
416.221.6372
Contact: Ann Corbitt
JAAC Corporate Enterprises Inc.
1268 Roseberry Court
Oakville, On., L6M 1V9
905.847.3363
905.847.7232
Contact: Jyl Ashton Cunningham
JGardner Entertainment and Event
Management Inc.
86 Gerard St. E., Suite 20 E
Toronto, On., M5B 2J1
416.506.1643
416.506.1812
Contact: Jenny Gardner
JUMP! Creative
490 Adelaide St. W Suite 202
Toronto, On., M5V 1T2
416.367.5867
416.682.3416
Contact: Sharyn Abelson
KEP Events
88 Cavalry Trail
Unionville, On., L3R 9H8
905.470.0780
905.470.0384
Contact: Karen Eluck
K & M Productions/Corporate Event Planners
1626 Tawnberry St.
Pickering, On., L1X 2C2
905.427.4984
905.428.2029
Contact: Michael Kaye
Paradigm Events
Solutions with Impact
Vision Group
1173 Dundas St. E, Suite 238
Toronto, On., M4M 3P1
416.752.9232
416.752.6485
Contact: Krista Slack
159 Jane St., Unit 2
Toronto, On., M6S 3Y8
416.760.0360
416.760.0793
Contact: Michelle Planche
119 Spadina Avenue, Suite 501,
Toronto, ON, M5V 2L1
416.703.5371
416.703.7425
Contact: Lida Gadacz
99 Blue Jays Way, Suite 300
Toronto, On., M5V 9G9
416.341.2474
416.341.2476
Contact: Nancy Mastrocola
Krplink Inc.
Paragon Group Inc.
Stellar Conference and Event Management
Visions Display Inc.
67 Mowatt Ave., Suite 332
Toronto, On., M6K 3E3
416.533.9446 x 222
416.588.5293
Contact: Yvonne Dewar
P.O Box 168
Cobourg, On., K9A 4K5
905.349.9990
905.349.9991
Contact: Elisabeth Lafontaine
1829 Queen St. E, Suite 316
Toronto, On., M4L 3X6
416.686.4121
416.686.4122
Contact: Ellen Boddington
250 Carlaw Ave., Unit 108
Toronto, On., M4M 3L1
416.469.9906
416.465.9765
Contact: Jo-Ann Craigie
Larry Zaidlin Productions
Parallel Production Services Inc.
The Farm
Wave Communications
214 Ava Rd.
Toronto, On., M6C 1X1
416.925.8927
416.256.3524
Contact: Larry Zaidlin
99 Atlantic Ave., Suite 315
Toronto, On., M6K 3J8
416.597.0030
416.597.0081
Contact: David Arnold
17 Church St.
Toronto, On., M5E 1M2
416.368.7998
416.368.7987
Contact: Thomas Howlett
111 Queen St. E, Suite 555
Toronto, Ont., M5C 1S2
416.504.5151
416.504.5655
Contact: Seymour Kanowitch
Live Tour Artists
Party Barbara Co.
Toronto Tours Ltd.
Welcome to the City
1451 White Oaks Blvd.
Oakville, On., L6H 4R9
905.844.0097 x 236
905.844.9839
Contact: Mark Grysluk
25 British Columbia Rd.
Toronto, On., M6K 3C3
416.542.3789
416.260.0598
Contact: Barbara Hershenhorn
60 Harbour St., 5th Floor
Toronto, On., M5J 1B7
416.945.3420
416.869.0284
Contact: Kimberly Beaume
100 Dupont St., Suite 100
Toronto, On., M5R 1V2
416.924.4778
416.924.5919
Contact: Mary Ellen Tristram
Logicom Management Group Inc.
Peregrine Agency
Theideashop
Welcome to the City
36 Crawford Cres., PO Box 158
Campbellville, On., L0P 1B0
905.854.5433
905.854.5436
Contact: Melissa Vance
26 Soho St., Suite 205
Toronto, On., M5T 1Z7
416.661.1855 x 229
416.661.1882
Contact: Lindsay Crawford
30 Stadium Rd., Suite 222
Toronto, On., M5P 3V4
416.977.6689
647.438.8599
Contact: Jann Coppen/David Connolly
100 Dupont St., Suite 100
Toronto, On., M5R 1V2
416.924.4778
416.924.5919
Contact: Mary Ellen Tristram
Mandala Communications
Pinnacle Group
Up and Coming Events
Whirl Inc.
5700 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 10
Mississauga, On., L4W 5B9
905.629.1440
905.629.2208
2 Pardee Av., Suite 300
Toronto, On., M6K 3H5
416.588.5051
416.588.5047
Contact: Leslie Bradley
601 Magnetic Dr., Suite 39
Toronto, On., M3J 3J2
416.665.6100
416.665.6105
Contact: Karen Garscaden
313 Sumach St.
Toronto, On., M5A 3K4
416.924.3651
Contact: James Turner
Mary Mulligan Event Management
47 Sun Row Dr.
Toronto, On., M9P 3H5
416.240.8869
416.240.8911
Contact: Mary Mulligan
MCC Planners
310 North Queen St., Suite 201
Toronto, On., M9C 5K4
416.621.6622
416.621.0363
Contact: Marsha Jones
McNabb Roick Events
581 Wellington St. W.
Toronto, On., M5V 1G3
416.703.1000
416.703.1001
Contact: Jeffry Roick
Mixer Inc.
107-300 N Queen St.
Toronto, On., M9C 5K4
416.504.0933 x 23
416.504.0934
Contact: Lorrie Locke
Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre
2026 Yonge St.
Toronto, On., M4S 1Z9
416.486.7469
416.482.0604
Contact: Brian Caws
Opulence Catering
and Event Management
Pipeline Communications
2339 Queen St. E.
Toronto, On., M4E 1H1
416.694.2777
416.694.1707
Contact: Phil Greenen
Plan-It Meeting
& Special Occasion Planners
119 Pinewood Ave.
Toronto, On., M6C 2V4
416.363.7900
416.363.7874
Contact: Michael Rosen
Prime Time Events
1335 Grosvenor St.
Oakville, On., L6H 3L4
905.842.9406
905.842.6455
Contact: Norma-June Silcox
THE ULTIMATE DIRECTORY OF PLANNERS
Krista Slack + Assoc.
Redhead Stage Productions
1703-300 Bloor St. E.
Toronto, On., M4W 3Y2
416.944.0944
Contact: Jen Cohen
Relevent-The Event Company
9 Wichey Rd.
Toronto, On., M1C 2H5
416.282.7955
416.282.2688
Contact: Stephanie Brooks
Rock-It Promotions
3197 Bathurst St.
Toronto, On., M6A 2B2
416.785.7000
416.783.6455
Contact: Edith Jakobs
60 Montclair Ave., Suite 601
Toronto, On., M5P 1P7
416.489.0055
416.489.0030
Contact: Debra Goldblatt
Ovation Meeting Solutions
Roni Feldman & Associates Inc.
97 Mosaics Ave.
Aurora, On., L4G 7L5
905.841.7333
905.841.1533
Contact: Janet Campbell
49 Spadina Avenue, Suite 405
Toronto, On., M5V 2J1
416.408.0252 ext. 222
416.408.4121
Contact: Roni Feldman CMP, DMCP
OverCat Communications
Showmakers
17 Madison Ave., Suite 222
Toronto, On., M5R 2S2
416.966.9970
416.966.8775
Contact: Audrey Hyams Romoff
30 Titan Rd. Unit 28
Toronto, On., M8Z 5Y2
416.362.3353
416.362.0000
Contact: Taras Shipowick
Massive Party
The Art Gallery of Ontario hosted the Massive Party
at the AGO to launch the massive change installation in the museum. A three-wheel car was used
as decor behind the bar lit in orange from
Contemporary Furniture Rentals.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
33
Special Advertising Section
Barque Communications Inc.
416.533.8077
Contact: Greg Albrecht
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
We plan, design, and produce events including onsite event management and video and multimedia services.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
The CTV Fall Series launch party at the Princess of Wales Theatre. It was challenging because of space constrictions at the venue as
well as our limited load-in and set-up time.
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
We will manage all the events associated with the 2005 Grey Cup in Vancouver.
Eatertainment special Events & Catering
416.964.1162 x 20
Contact: Sebastien Centner
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
Food, decor, staffing, rentals, audio-visual, valet, entertainment, even PR, we standout by virtue that we caterer as well.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
It was the launch of the Downtown Porsche dealership and unveiling of the Carrera GT. A notable reporter commented,
“This is a New York or LA party, I can’t believe this is happening in Toronto”.
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
On June 1, we are hosting a dinner and private concert with Michael Bublé for four hundred guests, also Fashion Cares on June 4, an event which I am a co-chair.
Eclectic Events International
416.413.7887
Contact: Carolyn Luscombe
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
We are a full-service event and meeting management company. Our clients include corporate event planners as well as end clients.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
It was an event that spanned three days commemorating a journey a corporation took thirty years ago across the waters from Italy to
Canada, we got a nomination for the 2004 Special Event Magazine Gala Awards for it.
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
An annual awards gala that involves a headline act to be announced and a day of fun and teambuilding for 1,500 people to take place in the summer months.
Special Advertising Section
Event Edge
905.849.7373
Contact: Carol Moxam
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
Event Edge specializes in custom event design and production.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
It was in Los Angeles, California for a private client. We created a Cuban experience in a nightclub including furnishing, decor,
catering and tenting, and entertainment.
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
The media launch for Goodrich Airbus A380, the world's largest landing gear test facility in April. This event has facilities in Ohio,
Tennessee, France, Canada and England getting involved in the design and production.
Evolving Events
416.288.0900
Contact: Colleen Walker
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
Design, development, production and management for a broad spectrum of events.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
A 100 Million Dollar campaign launch party for Ryerson University
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
We are involved in a few annual fundraising events to which we are truly looking forward.
Daniel et Daniel Event Creation & Catering
416.968.9275
Contact: Russell Day
What aspects of event planning is your company involved?
Daniel et Daniel is a full-service caterer, offering gourmet food, service staff, rental equipment, and a group of event planners experienced in all aspects of event planning.
What was the best event you planned in 2004?
It was one with Hope Fridal from Bell Canada that took place at Roy Thomson Hall during the Toronto International Film Festival. We created a
French Provincial theme.
What event are you most looking forward to in 2005?
2005 marks our 25th year in Catering and Event Planning, thought it already happened we were most looking forward to our March 29 “morphing” anniversary party at the Design Exchange.
Krista Slack + Associates
416 752-9232
fax-416 752-6485
contact: Carlton Aylett
A leading event marketing company creating customized experiences for a broad range of industries,
KS+A/DNA provides integrated, tailored services including event strategy, design & production,marketing
communications and multimedio production.
CHEFS
OF DISTINCTION
Toronto is a city known for its
multicultural diversity, and with that comes
a variety of cuisine.
The corporate event industry in Toronto
is lucky to have many talented chefs
at hand with a variety of cultural influences.
Among them are 12 we have profiled
to enhance our knowledge of these industry
experts and the role they play in our
corporate events.
Patrice Bellouard
Scott Gerrie
Gourmet Cuisine Full Service Catering
7050 Pacific Circle, Mississauga, Ont. L5T 2A7
416.461.5890
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
Corporate clients are educated, and they do their research. Many corporate clients
have annual catering budgets. That’s not the case with private catering.
What’s the most challenging event to cater, and why?
Outdoor events like the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and golf tournaments, because
you’re at the mercy of the elements.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event industry?
Always keep the menu in the forefront of your mind, because it could make or break
your event. Give us a budget for food. Even if the budget is low, let us know, because we
want you to present a proposal that is appropriate in meeting a client’s needs. Nothing
is more efficient than to meet a budget on a first attempt. the chef.
Robert Christie
L-Eat Catering
3829 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ont. M3H 3N1
416.631.9226
Marigolds & Onions
2700 Dufferin St., Unit 20, Toronto, Ont. M6B 4J3
416.256.4882
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
Corporate events are stricter by nature. They have a budget to adhere to, and we don’t
usually have creative leeway.
Corporate events are much simpler to organize. Social functions celebrate a non-reoccurring event in a person’s life, and any mistake can endanger the success of the event.
What’s the most challenging event to cater, and why?
What’s the most challenging event to cater, and why?
Outdoor events are the biggest challenge, because they require the same equipment as
indoor events but usually lack power outlets.
Many of today’s venues do not have kitchens. The challenge is to produce top-quality
food that’s cooked to perfection and beautifully presented at the right temperature.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event industry?
If you can, set up the event site a few days prior to work out any kinks.
Cory Marks
Opulence Catering and Event Management
3197 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ont. M6A 2B2
416.783.7000
Mark Jachecki
Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering
7351 Victoria Park Ave., Units 5 and 6,
Markham, Ont. L3R 2Z8
905.415.0790
Who was the greatest guest you ever served?
One of the most enjoyable yet demanding clients I ever had was the Toronto Raptors.
Cooking for 20 basketball players wasn’t easy; each guy liked something different and it
was hard to please them all.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event
industry?
Organization is the key to success in my book. You must coordinate time lines with the
client, the kitchen, the entertainment, and the rental company.
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BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
Catering for corporate and private events is similar in intent, because both have obvious goals.
What’s the most challenging event to cater, and why?
The biggest challenges occur when communication breaks down, or when aspects of the
party are handled by organizations that don’t share the planner’s standards of excellence.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event industry?
Have the questions who, what, where, when, why, and how answered to the best of your
ability before you meet with a caterer. Try not to request a quote at the last minute.
CHEFS OF DISTINCTION
Albino Silva
Chiado
864 College St., Toronto, Ont. M6H 1A3
416.538.1910
Tell us about the name Chiado.
Chiado is named after the neighborhood in which I grew up in Lisbon.
How does Chiado set itself apart from other restaurants?
We think of nutrition and very simple cuisine. We serve very fresh, healthy dishes prepared without saturated fat. We also have a wine cellar filled with the most prolific collection of Portuguese wines in Toronto.
What’s your signature dish?
Fresh fish dishes are my specialty. We guarantee that our fish is as fresh as 12 hours old,
and at the most 24 hours from the time it is harvested and through the bidding process,
transport, and finally to the restaurant.
Robert Hudyma
Catered Affare Cuisine & Event Design
813 O’Connor Dr., Toronto, Ont. M4B 2S7
416.288.0886
What’s your signature dish?
Some of our most notable creations are based in the Canadian tradition, using ingredients
such as salmon, maple syrup, and rye whiskey. Our most requested item is planked salmon.
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
For us, there is no difference. The challenge is to convey the importance of each party to
the respective client.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event
industry on how to better handle the catering aspect of
their jobs?
Try setting a new standard in service. Start a new food trend.
Daniel Clairet
Nilay Usakli
10tation Event Catering
3419 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ont. M6S 2S4
416.243.5144
What advice would you offer to planners in the event
industry?
Daniel et Daniel Catering Inc.
248 Carlton St., Toronto, Ont. M5A 2L1
416.968.9275
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Food allergies have become a challenge in recent years; we now cater to more specialized needs, such as gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and nut and seafood allergies.
It’s crucial to understand the client’s needs and be honest with them. Sometimes the event
they’re dreaming of isn’t realistic, so you need to gently direct them toward the most
appropriate function
How do corporate events differ from private ones?
For corporate events we create a menu around a theme, not just personal preference. For
example, if a company is launching a new product that comes in purple packaging, we
might incorporate purple into the food as well.
Jeff Dueck
Eatertainment Special Events and Catering
55 Bloor St. West, Suite 216, Toronto, Ont. M4W 1A5
416.964.1162 ext. 20
What has been your biggest professional challenge?
One of the most dramatic challenges was when we prepared a lunch for Martha Stewart.
The event was the launch of the Martha Stewart line at Zellers, and we had chosen a few
of her signature dishes and were serving them to her at the event. The recipe we were to
use for the crème brûlée in a phyllo cup didn’t work out properly. I ended up having to
redo the desserts of which there were 200 that needed to be made and it took all night to
finish the job properly. We met our deadline, and sighed with relief when Martha Stewart
attended the event and commented on how much she enjoyed the food.
How does Canadian cuisine stack up internationally?
Canada has some of the finest chefs in the world. I think great food is great food regardless of the style of cuisine. It’s more in the way we look at food service, not just putting
maple syrup or smoked salmon into the dish.
BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005
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CHEFS OF DISTINCTION
Caesar Guinto
Gibson & Lyle Catering with Style
284 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ont. M4V 2G7
416.961.4782
What’s your signature dish?
I tend to stay away from trends. My style is simple and elegant.
What’s the most challenging event to cater, and why?
High-end five- to six-course sit-down dinners, because usually you’re not cooking in a proper
kitchen. Makeshift kitchens make cooking difficult.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event industry?
Kitchens are often overlooked when it comes to planning a 600-person plated event. To make
a makeshift kitchen conducive to a perfect performance, you need to work with the chef.
Roshan Wanasinga
Encore Food with Elegance
62 Magnetic Dr., Toronto, Ont. M3J 2C4
416.661.4460
What is the most challenging event to cater, and why?
Large events with numerous thematic food stations are more unpredictable than a multicourse plated dinner for 1,500 guests. With food stations, on any given day one station is
most popular and gets depleted more rapidly than the others.
What advice would you offer to planners in the event
industry?
Establish strong communication between your front of house [planners and coordinators]
and back of house [chefs and kitchen staff], especially in the planning stages, when
establishing the time line, kitchen logistics, and delivery scenarios.
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BiZBash.TO Event Style Reporter • www.BiZBash.to • Spring 2005