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 

Wish Upon a Wedding Orlando Launch

A combination of over 200 event vendors, press, guests and planning joined in for the celebration of the launch of Wish Upon a Wedding Orlando chapter on Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at Tavern on the Lake in Metrowest in Orlando Florida. The cocktail party themed as “Give it Up For Love” accented the Wish Upon a Wedding’s logo and colors of yellow, light blue, sea foam green, and white which was consistently featured throughout the event.

Local chapter president Elisa Delgardio and the five-person board worked together to coordinate the two-and-half-hour event which was sponsored by 11 local event suppliers that contributed decor elements and delicious desert tastings. Guests were graced with a warm Hollywood like welcome as they walked the red carpet leading up into the venue – provided by Letz Dance on It,  a color branded balloon archway from Balloon Connection entrance greeted you at the door, accompanied by VIP security from Pro-Tect International Operations, Inc which added to the ultra chic exclusivity of the event. As you entered into the Tavern on the Lake, the warm earth tone colors and tuscan feel of the venue’s interior design, coupled with the event décor complimented the look and feel, which then followed a glamourous photo opportunity against The event’s branding and sponsor logo boards. Guest’s excitement and enthusiasm for the event all captured by Ashley Brockinton. Aqua glossy blue table linens from Kirby Rentals draped the highboy tables throughout the room topped with white orchid floral arrangements and trees lined the perimeter of the venue with strategically placed uplighting was also scattered throughout the room. A Wish upon a Wedding Custom cake and Desserts from Cakes by Design also caused quite delight. Cake O Licious created an amazing focal point to the room by adding a tiered white wedding cake filled with cake pops—balls of cake on a stick, similar to a lollipop. Event Mall showcased another classic photo booth of theirs for guests to enjoy takeaway photo memories. Elegant Imagery Photography was on hand to capture all the event décor and design of the event.

 
The red carpet entrance by Letz Dance on It coupled with the Balloon arch and accents by Balloon Connection

Guests posed and smiled for our step and repeat photographer Ashley Brockinton, who captured the moments in front of our sponsor logo boards designed by Chevere Creative  

The table top florals by Raining Roses, Ultra Blue linens and highboys by Kirby Rentals, and candle accents by Aroma Energie added beautiful ambience to the room.

The interior main room of Tavern on the Lake, The Cake-o-licious cake pops added a unique dynamic as a yummy focal point.

Ralph Rendsland of Three 2 OH, served up delicious Nitrogen ice cream as the sweet tastings continued on the outdoor patio with lime and aqua Wish Upon a Wedding inspired liquid-nitrogen ice cream courtesy of Three2Oh. 

Cakes by Design’s WUW Orlando inspired wedding cake and take away cupcakes that the guests enjoyed throughout the evening.

Elisa Delgardio  CSEP, PBC, Orlando chapter President, presenting to launch guests, the mission and purpose of the organization.

DJ Rekka on the one’s and two’s mixing up pop and dance beats.

During the height of the event and Elisa’s presentation, the Tavern was packed.

About 45 minutes after arrivals, Delgardio welcomed guests and showed a short presentation about the organization and a wedding conducted in northern California in April. Guests continued to mingle and dance to DJ Rekka’s music until the party wrapped up around 8:30.
         
The event brought in an additional 100 friends on Facebook within the last week of the event’s promotion. Cinematique Films also documented the entire evening on video, footage to follow shortly.

Attendees also received amazing parting gifts filled with sponsored items from: A Flair for Affairs, Kustom Koozies.com, Weddings by Socialites, Joie De Vie Weddings & Events, Aroma Energie Candles, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Spa.

In addition to a successful event and outpouring, 26 people and companies, including 10 of the event’s sponsors, have signed up to be Wish Granters for the organization and will be called upon for their services when a couple within 300 miles of Orlando is granted their wish by the Wish Upon a Wedding national board of directors. Along with the great news about the event and the support that it garnered, Orlando chapter President, Elisa Delgardio  CSEP, PBC, was also featured on Orlando’s Local 6 news and interviewed by Jackie London as well as the event was featured in in Biz Bash magazine’s online addition for the Orlando market. Stay tuned for more updates as the Orlando chapter will be sharing the footage from the news interview real soon. In the meanwhile, you can view the recap from Biz Bash Magazine CLICK HERE to read.