A Bachelorette Theme Immortalized at MPI-GOA 2010 Gala

This year I have the honor to serve on the Greater Orlando Area's Meeting Planners International chapter's board of directors as Sponsorship Director. To kick off the inauguration I lend a preview to our board as to my abilities as an Event Marketing Maven to connect talents, creative minds and amazing companies together to produce a spectacular event. Boy Oh boy did we achieve this at the 2010 MPI Orlando Installation and Chapter Awards Gala.

Drawing from our incoming President- Dana Perrino's favorite television show "The Bachelorette" we created a surreal environment complete just as an episode straight out of the show. Enough of my bantering, I will leave it up to my colleague, good friend and our chapter's VP of Membership, Ms. Karen Kuzel to take you on a masterful literary journey of what went on that magical evening!

Some photos to lead you into the story...

A Chair Affair accented each table with beautiful Mahogany Chavari Chairs, complimenting Table Lines and Florals by Over the Top and Greenery Productions

Roses as place settings by Greenery Productions, Tabletop linens and napkins by Over the Top Linens and Program design by BeatCreative/Chevere Creative

Reception Furniture by AFR by Room Service

Left to Right, Jason Carroll, MPI Tampa President, Danelkiss of American Cancer Society, Yours truly, the EventMktgMaven, Past President, Kathy Masterson and Dianne Christie Dir of Leadership Development

Stage decor by Hello Florida and lighting by AVI-SPL

A complete view of the ballroom for dinner and the award reception

The board being inducted

Our incoming President, Dana Perrino and husband Paul

26th annual GOAMPI Installation & Chapter Awards Gala
By Karen Kuzsel aka Natasha the Psychic Lady

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, to cite an immortal line uttered by Juliet to Romeo, but only a crimson rose could crystallize the elegance, passion and ceremony of the 26th annual GOAMPI Installation and Chapter Awards Gala.

From the invitations to the long-stemmed beauties decorating vases and table settings, the delicate attar scented the pomp of the occasion, held in one of The Peabody Hotel’s newly-renovated stunning ballrooms.

About 130 members and guests dressed in cocktail finery first gathered in the foyer to imbibe in Makers Mark specialty cocktails and delectable passed hors d’oeurves or pose for instant photos by Christie’s Photographics. Even the photos had a rose set in the background.

This was an evening of sophistication, glamour and a light-hearted approach to awards, board installation, and introduction of incoming President Dana Perrino’s theme, Pump up the volume.
   
Outgoing President Kathy Masterson began by introducing Gregg J. Herning, Vice President of Sales Marketing for Peabody Hotels, whose humorous speech outlined the hotel’s unprecedented expansion and who invited everyone for a hard hat tour following the evening’s program.

We were there for the awards, but the Peabody deserved one as well for the impeccably scrumptious meal. It began with Pear and Cheese Fiocchi, small pasta pouches tossed with Crimini mushrooms, chives and a thin blanket of sweet Marsala cream. The Northwestern Salad scored points for including Oregon Bleu cheese, currant tomatoes, dried cranberries, golden raisins, apple chips and honey mustard vinaigrette.  The Chef proved that banquet favorites of beef filet topped with merlot jus and chicken breast could be cooked to perfection. Dessert was another winner worth waiting for: a chocolate mousse with chocoloate Genoise, vanilla poached pears and Crème Anglaise. Awards were also presented between courses.

The Board also wants to thank the sponsors whose generous support ensures that every event is successful. This night’s sponsors were:

A Chair Affair, Inc.: Chiavari Chairs   http://www.chairaffairrentals.com/
AVI-SPL: audio/visual  http://www.avispl.com/
Balloon Connection: creative balloon décor. http://ballooncon.com/
Chevere Creative: design of gala invitation and program    http://www.cheverecreative.com/
Christies Photographics: onsite photos    http://www.christiesphotographic.com/
CNTV Convention News:  for video coverage  http://www.conventionnewstv.com
Day Entertainment & Events: strolling violinists   http://www.dayentertains.com/
Greenery Productions: tabletop design & florals    http://www.greeneryproductions.com/
Hello Florida: romantic perimeter décor     http://www.hello-florida.com
Ice Magic : bar area  & “smoking” cocktail creations     http://www.icemagic.biz/billwhiddendesigns/
Letz Dance On it: red carpet decor   www.letzdanceonit.com/
Maker's Mark:  specialty drinks & raffle items    http://www.makersmark.com/
Over the Top Linens: linens    http://www.overthetopinc.com/
Peabody Hotel: venue & raffle items    http://www.peabodyorlando.com/
Reflections Entertainment : evening’s DJ    http://www.reflectionsentertainment.net/
Room Service by AFR: reception furniture    http://www.roomservicerentals.com/

For more photos visit MPI Orlando at www.MPI-GOA.org