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We’ve been working with MedShare International to plan the nonprofit organization’s annual Kaleidoscope fundraiser for several years now, and we were extra excited to design this year’s 20th anniversary event. Dedicated to improving the quality of life of people, communities and the planet by sourcing and directly delivering surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world, MedShare has a global reach, which has historically inspired the theme for the event. For this special anniversary, we took things up a notch and designed a clean, sophisticated look that gained inspiration from the oceans MedShare crosses.

Decadent Décor
From florals to fairy lights, the room at The Fairmont, Novare Events’ Westside venue, displayed modern luxe and was ready to accommodate nearly 700 guests. Round tables and highboys were draped with antique teal and seafoam linens and topped with eye-catching copper dinner plates. White resin chairs and Ghost stools offered plenty of seating without competing with the look of the centerpieces, which featured pillar candle tablescapes accompanied by succulents, dark red florals, and topiaries with metallic vines. From the ceiling, round string curtain hoops we crafted in white and blue gave new meaning to the idea of a chandelier.

Making a Mark
Branding events is important for nonprofits and corporate clients alike, and for this event, we devised new ways to incorporate logo placement and more for MedShare and the event’s sponsors. First, we made sure MedShare was visible everywhere. Gobo lights shone the MedShare Kaleidoscope logo along walls, the stage featured MedShare-branded white tile and drapery, and branding was included on the signage at the silent auction and on table number signs. The lounge included classic seating in fabrics with a hint of metallic tossed with colorful and branded pillows.

Sponsors were highlighted on video screens and the step and repeat. The event’s Premier Sponsor, UPS, got another opportunity for recognition when a “UPS man” in his uniform browns delivered a package holding the award for the evening’s honoree. Who doesn’t get excited when UPS arrives with a special package?

Keeping Guests Entertained
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour during which a slide show of the organization’s international work played on a loop. While San Juan Jam took the stage offering Latin tunes, guests had the chance to partake in a bourbon tasting. The silent auction and global market provided fun browsing and shopping for attendees and two smart ways for the organization to raise money by allowing bidding and outright purchase of items.

During a three-course seated dinner, entertainment from An Ko Fa West African drummers and dancers was interspersed with short videos giving a glimpse of some of the 20 million patients MedShare has served since its inception. Several speakers described MedShare’s work through short, emotional vignettes about individuals the organization directly helped. Finally, the evening’s honoree A.B. Short, one of the founders of MedShare, was honored, and a rousing live auction and financial ask brought in astounding sums.

Fun Fundraising
Fundraising efforts were augmented by DipJars, user-friendly electronic devices that enable guests to quickly donate by running a credit card through the slot. It’s as easy as an ATM, and it was well-received by the guests. For a fun take on live auction paddles, we used lighted wands, which were highly visible throughout the room and stirred up extra excitement. 

The evening closed with an “after party” featuring MedShare’s favorite 15-piece band Party on the Moon. This fundraising event celebrated the first two decades of MedShare’s success in a spectacular yet sophisticated manner. Even better, Kaleidoscope 2018 kicked off the next 20 years of MedShare’s vital international work of bringing needed medical supplies to all parts of the globe.

Event Planning, Management & Design: WM Events
Audio Visual: Active Production & Design
Venue: The Fairmont
Catering: Affairs to Remember
Entertainment: Party on the Moon, San Juan Jam & An Ka Fo
Photography: PWP Studio 

Home of the NFL Atlanta Falcons and MLS Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will soon host the 2019 Super Bowl, also known as Super Bowl LIII to people who can actually read Roman numerals. Opened last year, it’s the first LEED Platinum professional sport stadium in North America and, most likely, the coolest structure in the Southeast.

Designed by a team led by the HOK architecture firm, the 2-million-sq.-ft. building broke through the boundaries of how sports fans defined a stadium. Knowing that they were competing with the comfort of viewing games at home in front of today’s large-screen televisions, the design team set out to redefine the stadium experience. 

Without equivocation, we believe they succeeded. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is more than a venue; it’s a destination. Its winged form stands out like a futuristic arena against the downtown Atlanta skyline and boasts an oculus roof of sliding panels that open and close like a camera aperture. The architects say this feature was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Inside, the 58-ft.-high, 360-degree HD Halo Video Board provides a theater-in-the-round experience. And 16-story windows offer views of the city outside.

The focus on sustainability and earning Platinum LEED certification means that the builders used LED lighting and incorporated electrical vehicle charging stations. They also added more than 4,000 solar panels, allowing the stadium to produce enough renewable energy to power 10 football games.

In addition to these incredible architectural feats, what makes the stadium exciting from an event planner’s point of view is its outstanding flexibility. With 200,000+ square feet of event space, more than 15 distinct event rooms, 71,000 seats, 18 bars, the 100 Yard Club line of concession stands that runs the length of a football field, total connectivity through 4,000 miles of fiber-optic cable, and more than 1,800 wireless access points, Mercedes-Benz Stadium can easily accommodate events for groups of 15 or 15,000.

Because video screens are located throughout the entire space, the stadium has almost no fixed signage, making it ideal for seamless corporate branding during large events. And the experiential aspect continues with the major art collection created in partnership with Savannah College of Art and Design that takes sports memorabilia to a new level – a mural created from cleat shoestrings or a soccer ball ceiling installation. Commissioned artworks can be viewed throughout the event spaces. 

There are so many individualized event rooms that multiple events can take place simultaneously. The stadium offers formal space, raw concrete outdoor space, club rooms, and more. There is something for everyone’s budget and taste. Of course, the field is the supreme place to host an event, and adding a stadium tour to a party package offers an exciting bonus.

Atlanta really scored with this venue. It’s a 10 out of 10.

When one of our longtime audiovisual partners asked us to design the company’s 25th anniversary party, we were thrilled to get involved and determined to create an atmosphere that would give guests something to rave about. Active Production & Design had already chosen The Masquerade as the venue for its celebration, and we knew that President Matt Clouser launched the company by providing AV for raves. That meant hosting a 21st-century version of those wild, electronic dance parties seemed the only way to go. With visions of glowing neon already dancing through our heads, we set to work creating décor that would provide an electrifying atmosphere while seamlessly promoting the Active brand.

Taking inspiration from rave glow sticks, we outfitted the Heaven event space at The Masquerade at Underground Atlanta with decorative cubes and orbs featuring Active logos that were lit from inside and paired them with cocktail tables featuring glowing bases in a variety of colors. Other furniture, which was rented from Collection Event Furnishings and Peachtree Tents & Events, offered a sleek appearance, from modern sofas and glass-topped coffee tables to Louis Ghost chairs. Rather than rolling out the red carpet, we created a “welcome rug” and “area rugs” for lounges with neon floor tape. Not only did these floor features fit perfectly with the edgy rave theme, they offered a cost-effective solution.

We turned to the inflation geniuses at Balloonacy to install hundreds of neon balloons that appeared to drip from the ceiling and added blinking centerpieces to the tables. The serious party décor was taken to the max by Active’s lighting, which projected colors and shapes throughout the space. The event included lots of entertainment, including two DJs, stilt walkers, dancers and more. Guests enjoyed activities like a graffiti photo booth that allowed them to take their picture in front of a brick wall backdrop and then spray paint their own photo on a giant display. Active even included a UV paint area where ravers could decorate T-shirts or themselves.

The scene was set for a high-energy celebration that really kicked into gear when Matt declared, “Let’s glow crazy!” from the stage, and several confetti canons popped, throwing lit-up tissue paper into the crowd as blacklights transformed the space into a party worthy of 1993.  

Whether we’re talking about a party for the Super Bowl, a college bowl game or a football game at any time during the season, after the size of the screen, game day snacks are top on everyone’s list. Yes, wings and pizza are old standbys, and guac is great, but if you want to really wow your guests, turn up snack time by elevating your favorite bites. Your Super Bowl LIII party is “nacho” time to be conventional.

Instead of ordering pizza, consider creating a pizza bar and allowing guests to select their own toppings. Cook the pizzas on the grill for a new twist. Never made a grilled pizza before? No problem – take a look at these tips from Bon Appetit.

And if you love nachos, make them super by topping them with seafood, or pay homage to the season with cold-weather ingredients. These Cranberry, Butternut and Brussels Sprout Brie Skillet Nachos from HalfBaked Harvest will certainly have your guests cheering. While it might seem like a challenge, you can consider your health-conscious guests, too by offering healthy (or at least healthier) nachos. Check out these selections from Cooking Light.

In order to move into a more gourmet category of Super Bowl snacks, we checked in with our friends at Proof of the Pudding for some suggestions on how to get gridiron goodies on the table. From sliders to potato chips, these delicious bites are definite game day greats.

Twist Tonic Post-Cocktail Hangover Remedy
A mocktail of coconut water, turmeric, carrot, lemon & ginger

Southern Grilled Chicken Slider
With Fried Green Tomato, White Pimento Cheese & Bacon Jam

Twisted Peach BBQ Pork Skillet
With Mac & Cheese & Cornbread Topping

Homemade Truffle Potato Chips

Beer Cheese Soup Shooter
Bavarian Soft Pretzel Stick

Warm Pimento Cheese & Bacon Dip
With Buttered Brioche Chips 

Three Cheese and Artichoke Stromboli Bites
With Spicy Pomodoro Dipping Sauce

Farmers Market Mason Jar Salads
Romaine, Heirloom Tomatoes, Heart of Palm, Cucumber, Thomasville Tome, Herb Dressing
Prosciutto, Arugula, Roasted Peppers, Provolone, Parmesan Crisps Basil Vinaigrette

Roasted Jalapeno Poppers
Stuffed with Smoked Cheddar, Feta & Cream Cheese

Mini Meatball & Parmesan Waffles
Tomato Fondue

Thanks to Chef Howard for sharing these Super Bowl menu ideas, which you can easily tweak to match your cooking skills and guest list. Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party for 100 fans or a tailgate for 20 diehards, taking your snacks to the next level will please your guests and could even help your team to win. Or so we’ve heard…

Throughout the year, WM Events plans many fundraisers for nonprofit organizations that are making the world a better place. This fall, we are gearing up to help one Atlanta-based organization host an event that needs to reflect its global reach while keeping an eye on the budget. Because Caring For Others works to eradicate poverty locally, nationally, and internationally, the organizers want to host a fantastic evening without running through funds that could be better used to benefit those it serves.

In fact, with the recent Hurricane Florence, the Caring For Others staff and board members are turning their attention from organizing The Art of Caring Reception & Fete to organizing a Convoy of Care to North Carolina. In partnership with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Atlanta-based television station WSB-TV, Holland Trucking Company and a number of law enforcement officials and concerned citizens, Caring For Others developed the Convoy of Care disaster relief program in 2016 to provide food, clothing, household products and personal items to victims of natural disasters.

While Caring For Others collects new goods for distribution and schedules semi-trucks for delivery, WM Events will continue designing an annual Reception & Fete to remember. This is one of the important benefits of engaging an event planner for a nonprofit fundraiser – the organization can continue doing the important work it does best, while the planners can ensure the event moves forward. 

As a starting point in this case, we are working within the 3,500-sq.-ft. ballroom at the ERS Meeting & Event Space, which is adjacent to the Caring For Others South Atlanta headquarters. This venue has some built-in glam with marble floors, jeweled chandeliers, and gold-wrapped columns. We are going to add this year’s color theme – deep purples – to make the space all together luxurious. Wall banners and a video will show Caring For Others in action with scenes from clothing distributions, food pantries, and other community work the organization does.  

Craftily utilizing the available square footage, we will strategically lay out a variety of seating while also leaving room for a dancefloor. The event includes a live band, and this is a crowd that loves to dance each year after the dinner and speeches conclude. Another exciting aspect of the evening will be the announcement of the winners of the two raffles for 90-day leases on luxury vehicles. With a spacious tent outside, a buffet stationed in a side room, and a silent auction, every inch of valuable space will be creatively used to welcome approximately 200 guests. Of course, we’ll create a fun step-and-repeat, too. Throughout, we’ll maintain a distinct flow to the evening so that the valet entrance is on one side of the building through the tent, and departing guests will exit through the opposite end of the building, passing by silent auction checkout as they go. 

This event is sure to be an enjoyable and meaningful evening. It’s coming up October 6, and tickets are still available! Click here for ticket information, and show how much you care about others.  

When Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer engaged WM Events to create its pre-Major League Soccer All-Star Game event for their exclusive guests, we were prepared to design a look that expressed the sleek, modern style the brand is known for. TAG had already developed many of the graphics that would be incorporated, and it was up to us to seamlessly blend those with additional features that would support the branding without making the event feel overly promotional.

We selected the 14th floor of Ventanas for the venue, a space that offered a terrific view of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where the MLS All-Star Game would be played the next day. Upon arrival, guests, who were high-level TAG sales reps, were greeted by branded interior and exterior elevator doors – transforming the venue immediately into an unmistakably TAG Heuer space.

In addition to the graphics for the elevator, our team installed a variety of tension fabric frames sent to us by the client. Each of these featured specific branded graphics, and many presented the tagline #DontCrackUnderPressure. With a dozen of these step-and-repeat-style installations throughout the event floor, guests had many opportunities for taking selfies and photos.

Décor was selected to further maintain TAG’s branding and impart a sophisticated, masculine look that was an exciting departure from most of the events we had previously planned at Ventanas. One example would be the inclusion of foosball tables, a must for the event’s raison d’être, and a second would be the use of TAG-approved colorways throughout.

We paired marble and chrome highboys with white communal tables and Ghost stools. Around glass cocktail tables, we placed white Bellini chairs. A black leather sofa and white leather club chairs created a lounge seating area. TAG provided black and white graphics, which we used to decorate the face of the bar, DJ booth, and table bases.

To complement all of the black and white, we picked up on the brand’s red and green hues with thematic and branded pillows in green and red, as well as others with the TAG logo. Atop the highboys and communal tables, red votives accompanied white roses in long, rectangular plate-glass planters.

The stage was set in the same understated manner with a logo backdrop and Ghost stools. On stage, soccer legends and former MLS players Alexi Lalas and Landon Donovan fielded questions from TAG Heuer’s Vice President of Marketing Andrea Soriani, including a fun round of rapid-fire questions to test the World Cup players’ ability not to crack under pressure.

Keeping all elements in line with TAG Heuer’s vision yielded an all-star event that proved as sophisticated and luxurious as the brand itself.  

Venue & Catering: Ventanas
Event Design: WM Events
Audio Visual: Active Production & Design
Entertainment: Mike Zarin
Photography: PWP Studio 

After years of planning events, we’ve learned that hosting a winning tailgate or Super Bowl party offers plenty of opportunity for creativity and begs for more than wings or chips and dip, whatever the Super Bowl commercials might say. If you’re looking to score big with your sports party, choose décor in the colors of your team, but go for the extra point with banners, flags, and even pillows displaying the team’s logo. Inflatable footballs, pom-poms, and foam hands come in handy when cheering or booing. If you have tables, eschew traditional flower centerpieces in favor of a full-size football helmet or mini footballs in a vase.

Photography: PWP Studio

Make sure there are plenty of screens showing the game, and place them strategically so that everyone can get a good view. Keep a dedicated dance floor space, and not only will your guests be able to join in the halftime show, you can use the same venue for the after party – just add a DJ.

Photography: PWP Studio

When it comes to the fare, finger foods work well, but put a gourmet spin on them. Let individual tostadas replace messy nachos, and put your grill to work making pizzas instead of hot dogs. Fresh kabobs, satays, and lollipops can be easy to make and eat while also being restaurant worthy. To accompany these high-end bites, craft beers, complementary wines, and super cocktails are a necessity. Create a couple specialty cocktails related to your party’s theme or even host a tasting, and serve them from a killer bar set up! This could mean a spiced bourbon cocktail with fall fruits or an all-out whiskey tasting for the upcoming Atlanta Super Bowl. Show your guests what the options are with a chalk talk menu board or a scoreboard-style presentation. 

Snacks & Photos provided by: Proof of the Pudding

Super Bowl parties only come around once a year, so don’t fumble the opportunity to host a memorable event. 

Now, is it too soon to talk about the World Cup coming to Atlanta in 2026??

Around the WM Events office, our team can be found many a day pouring over photos of floral arrangements, brainstorming ideas for centerpieces, and basically geeking out on flowers. Thanks to a recent multi-event project at AmericasMart Atlanta, we got to put our flower power into full gear. This summer, the WM Events team designed the settings for the ICON Awards, which recognize leaders in the home & gift industry, and the AmericasMart July Market, which included a variety of events and environments.

It took over 2,500 stems of a variety of florals, over 2,000 balloons, and one seriously large ice sculpture, but Rachel, Sarah, and Mark pulled together an array of looks for these important industry events.

At the ICON Awards, elegance ruled the evening. From the background of black and gold or white and gold linens and tufted velvet sofas, lush white florals bloomed. Next to petite votives, simple floral arrangements added a lush quality to the décor without overpowering the glamorous features. Centerpieces in soft or textured metal vases featured roses in multiple stages – some fully open, others still expectant buds. The choice of roses complemented the hints of popular rose gold that cropped up from the side tables.

 
Photography: PWP Studio

For the AmericasMart July Market, a variety of environments and events called for specifically themed florals to complement the areas and happenings. We opted for 30 summer floral arrangements focused on a variety of fresh, seasonal colors – think tangerine, yellow, pink, magenta, and violet – in the Registration area. Meanwhile the Demonstration Kitchen displayed colorful arrangements inspired by verano en Mexico with spicy florals springing from fiestaware. For the kitchen display, we combined flowers with fruits and vegetables, so “greenery” here meant broccoli and kale. Yum!

In the Seminar Room, we created a pair of large, boldly colored arrangements on white pedestals, and this theme continued into the Designer Workspace where we also added coffee table arrangements, palms in urns, and elegant orchids.

The July Market’s Wellness Spa highlighted white and soft pastel accent pillows with luscious floral to match. Succulents filled cubbies and lush greenery was woven through lattice walls to delineate space and impart a truly spa-like atmosphere where the occasional “Ahh…” could be heard.

For the Temporary Exhibitor Lunch, we created floral centerpieces that paid homage to the South. Silk magnolia blooms surrounded by the waxy green leaves the tree is known for sat within rustic boxes. And we created coordinating Georgia summer centerpieces for the highboys.

When it came to the Happy Hour event and VIPs, we glammed it up in the VIP Green Room with bright floral arrangements focused on fuchsia, mauve, and light pink atop silver pillars while the AMC Live Stage was adorned with a lush plate glass floral. These arrangements conveyed an elegant look that demanded to be noticed. A second Green Room offered a more neutral palette, and the large and medium-sized arrangements featured a summery green and white combination in clear glass containers.

At the Shop the Show Soiree, Poly Pink linens and bubblegum balloons in all shades of pink and purple added fun to this special event. From the entrance sign, encircled with tightly packed balloons in a variety of sizes accented with occasional greenery and flowers, to the ceiling installations guiding guests to the ballroom, the pairing of balloons and florals elevated the standard birthday party décor favorite into a fun and elegant feature.

While event designers use flowers and greenery at nearly every event, tasked with providing décor for a variety of settings in one location challenged our team to reconsider how florals could be used to create distinct atmospheres. Our ongoing obsession with all things floral gets us excited about events like the annul RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the flower parades in Holland. But it also enables our team of flower nerds to come up with a never-ending supply of fantastic and sometimes fantastical floral arrangements.

We don’t yet know who will compete in the game, but we’re already gearing up for Super Bowl LIII, coming to Atlanta in 2019. First of all, we’re thrilled that it will take place at one of our favorite venues, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The LEED Platinum, state-of-the-art facility designed by the HOK architecture firm encompasses 2 million square feet and boasts 71,000 seats for NFL games. What we love most are the 15 options in private event spaces. 

But enough about the stadium, because what we love most about the Super Bowl and football season in general is the opportunity to design tailgate gatherings, football-themed events, and over-the-top Super Bowl parties. 

For the past few years, WM Events has worked with a group of philanthropists who host an annual Super Bowl party and fundraiser that takes inspiration from the host city to choose a fitting theme. That meant that when Super Bowl LI took place in Houston, we planned an out-of-this-world event inspired by the Johnson Space Center that calls the Texas city home. With glowing orbs, lava lamps, retro space film posters, and a suspended solar system, the event offered an ideal setting for the 500 guests who dressed in either football jerseys or futuristic space garb.

 
Photography: PWP Studio

Last year, the Minneapolis site of Super Bowl LII offered one perfect option. With that party, our client simply had to pay homage to Minnesota musical superstar Prince. We brought to life the memory of the artist with an installation of 50+ umbrellas above the dance floor, 6-ft. diameter tiered chandeliers representing rain, purple just about everywhere, and even a little red Corvette. Guests got into the spirit with Prince-ly attire, and if the name of the winning team escapes us, we’ll never forget the winner of the costume contest!

What’s on the horizon for Super Bowl LIII? We have about six months to find out. Until then, we’re looking forward to a football-filled fall.

When it comes to the event planning industry, Christmas in July is something we know well. This is because clients often start thinking about holiday event planning during summer, which is ideal for offering enough time to get the company’s end-of-year shindig just right. We love festive occasions, and we’ve planned and designed enough of them to offer some important tips for making sure that your next corporate or private holiday party makes all of your guests merry.

Choose a Budget and then a Venue
The first step to creating a memorable holiday party is to determine your budget. This will drive most of your decision-making process. Next, select a venue that will accommodate the type of party you have in mind. Are you interested in a family style event like a holiday festival, which would take place during the day in a large, open space, or something more formal, such as a special night out for adults, which would call for a more intimate or luxurious setting? You’d be surprised by the range of environments that can expertly welcome a holiday party, like a museum filled with airplanes, a rooftop above the Atlanta skyline, or even a brewery!

Provide Fitting Fun
When selecting entertainment, strive to choose an option that will be most appropriate for your group. If your attendees like to dance, by all means, book a band or DJ and definitely have a defined dance floor. Remember, you want to be sensitive to your guests and consider cultures that might not dance or drink alcohol. Therefore, if your attendees are not the dancing type, you will need to determine elements that would offer other fun and entertainment. Activities like different styles of photo booths, giant games, interactive coloring walls, and group murals get everyone in the mood to celebrate.

Traditional Theme or Something Fantastical?
If you would like to choose a theme for your event, some of today’s popular options include winter carnival, Hollywood Regency, period style casino, and speakeasy. These themes all lend themselves to high glamour. When it comes to holiday events, you can go all out with traditional décor or simply add excitement through subtle features and festive lighting. A rustic theme like Americana, international stylings, or something fantastical in the realm of “Game of Thrones” or a Venetian masquerade can put a fun twist on the standard holiday event.

Don’t Forget the Festive Food
The holidays are all about indulgence, whether it’s eggnog or fruitcake. Offer your guests plenty of delicious food, especially colorful desserts that go beyond what they would experience throughout the rest of the year. The sweet treats can often be the most memorable part of the party!

Get Guests Involved
Interactive experiences offer guests opportunities that expose them to something they may not have ever tried before. Consider a chocolate and wine pairing, scotch and cheese pairing or, of course, a bourbon tasting. And don’t forget to offer a party gift. This might be something related to the experience, such as a wine chiller and gourmet chocolates or a custom corkscrew. Sending guests home with a framed portrait taken at an onsite studio offers more than a memory. But don’t eschew everyone’s favorite gift, a simple holiday bonus.

The most important aspect of any event is to be a good host. Focus on making all of your guests comfortable and keeping them entertained, and you’ll have everyone looking forward to your next company gathering.

When WM Events was brought on board to produce, manage, and design the 18th-annual Digital Ball fundraiser for TechBridge, an event that welcomed nearly 1,000 tech-savvy community leaders – real movers and shakers, we knew it would be vital to develop cutting-edge ways to wow the guests. The event served as the rollout for the organization’s Georgia Dream Big Grant, providing funds for many nonprofits instead of just one as TechBridge had done in the past. We determined to dream big too and set to work on creating a concept that would provide ongoing engagement and strategic awe-inspiring moments.

High-Tech Décor
To get that all-over high-tech feel, we took the blockchain as our design inspiration and reflected this digital concept in the Dream Big graphic on screens throughout the space, LED cubes on the stage, and LED panels on the stage backdrop. With the glowing shades of blue and green surrounding the stage mirrored from the linens to the décor of the VIP reception, the cybertastic theme created an ideal environment for the tech-friendly event features.

An Interactive Reception
At the Atlanta Marriot Marquis, guests of the VIP reception were greeted by a branded check-in counter then encouraged to take part in hands-on activities like virtual reality, ideation towers and string art (okay, not everything had to be high-tech). Executive ambassadors and VIPs were given jeweled boutonnieres to wear throughout the evening and have as a keepsake from the event.

In the custom-designed VR Poverty Experience developed by Rohit Ammanamanchi, guests came face to face with the challenges of everyday life in some of Atlanta’s low-income neighborhoods. But the focus turned to solutions with a string art activity that asked guests to chart the path out of poverty by connecting the elements necessary to creating stability and an ideation tower that took votes on which services could make the biggest positive impact on the rate of generational poverty. Signage in the lobby charted the history of TechBridge and the successes it has already accomplished.

Table Tech
When it was time to enter the ballroom, guests located their seating assignments on an 80-in. monitor, which was read vertically like a flight information display at the airport. This offered a fun and different way for TechBridge’s guests, comprising Atlanta’s technology community, distinguished corporate leaders, and even Gov. Nathan Deal, to confirm seating.

Inside, more than 100 tables draped with blue and green linens eschewed the traditional floral arrangements in favor of illuminated centerpieces detailing crowdfunding instructions. These provided a cost-effective solution for the nonprofit and reduced clutter on the table while also maintaining sightlines of the stage. 

STEM Meets Magic
TechBridge is a nonprofit that works with nonprofits on the frontline of breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing the technology tools and resources those organizations need to advance their missions more effectively and sustainably. At this year’s Digital Ball, TechBridge veered from its previous format by announcing the Dream Big Grant and also recognizing three of the most impactful community leaders from the nonprofit, corporate, and foundation sectors. Fitting all of these elements into the program presented a special challenge.

To ensure that presentations fit within the allotted timeframe, we selected mentalist Max Major as both emcee and entertainment. Max introduced guests and kept the presentations on track, and he performed interactive magic and mentalist tricks. At the beginning of the evening, Max predicted how much TechBridge would raise on Swell and kept his prediction in a box hanging above the stage. At the end of the evening, Max lowered the box, unrolled the paper containing key predictions, and showed that his projected number matched the actual amount raised. This focus on magic rather than science and technology proved amazing to even the worldliest guests.

To complement Max’s prestidigitation and emcee duties, we developed a Siri-like concept we called Bridget (as in TechBridge) who acted as the VOG. Not only was Bridget a great match for the tech crowd, she provided lots of good laughs as anyone who uses voice command on the phone will understand. We pre-recorded Bridget’s script and had her interact with speakers and presenters in the manner of a digital virtual assistant. When Bridget spoke, sound waves showed on the screen to match her computerized voice.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
As with most nonprofit events, recognizing sponsors was as important as branding the event for TechBridge. With the focus on technology, we were able to incorporate sponsor logos in a variety of ways, including GOBO lights in the ballroom, on digital signboards (a huge hit), and on branded coffee tables at the Pulse Loft after party. Of course, we also added sponsor mentions in traditional ways too, such as printed programs and by creatively writing them into the program script or getting representatives involved in the evening’s entertainment and award presentations. 

A significant undertaking that challenged our skills at creating an innovative, astounding event for the type of guests who regularly attend galas, balls, and high-tech conferences, the TechBridge Digital Ball proved successful to the tune of more than $1 million raised.

Event Design & Production: WM Events
Photography: JM Photographics & PWP Studio
Venue & Catering: Atlanta Marriott Marquis

The skyline said Atlanta, but inside Ventanas, the party we designed for a tile and stone company was all Portugal and Italy. In town for the Coverings trade show, the client sought to host designers, showroom managers, and specifiers to reveal the brand’s new products, which are crafted in the Southern European countries. With two floors of space to utilize and a view of the design capital of the South, WM Events seamlessly integrated tile pieces and displays into a décor that celebrated the winemaking tradition of both countries. 

To turn the modern event space into a European winery, we honored the rustic and handcrafted traditions of Portugal and Italy with wood furniture, which began with the antique-style registration desk and continued in the simple tables and stools. The event included wine tastings from both countries, so we accented that theme with wine barrel-bottomed tables. Centerpieces featured verdant green foliage in silver urn-like vases or antique glass, and topiaries were placed throughout the rooms. To complete the homage to wine lovers’ Southern Europe, we crafted globes from “vines” and dotted them with lights and leaves. Foliage draped from the upper walls, and we added strings of single-bulb outdoor lights across the ceiling. 

Ventana’s massive windows provided plenty of natural light to illuminate product displays of tiles in marble, wood, and stone looks. Arranged along the perimeter, the displays were visible from most angles, but they did not compete with the luxurious rustic atmosphere of the event.

We created additional opportunities for showcasing the client’s new tile products by incorporating them into the décor under centerpieces.  

Corporate clients often approach us with the dual mission of providing an aesthetically pleasing, high-end event, meeting, or conference and highlighting the company’s products or services. This is when the WM Events team gets super creative and devises myriad ways to incorporate everything from corporate logos and messaging to history, core values, products, and more.

For one corporate client, the latest product launch happened to be an 85,000-pound forklift, which we included via a “red carpet” entrance for the machine and with display monitors featuring images of the company’s products throughout the event space. When another client wanted to show that it was “larger than life,” we designed a setting filled with giant décor, fun upsized games, and cutting-edge lighting. And when a carpet manufacturer celebrated its 50th anniversary, we featured its products throughout the event both as the flooring and running up columns. For this 3,500-guest celebration, we also offered elements related to the company culture via Virtual Reality, Ideation Towers, and a Story Corps-style recording booth.

Whether it’s incorporating wine, carpeting, or even a forklift, WM Events brings seamless flow to corporate events in many industries. Stay tuned for more innovative branding ideas – this summer, our team will create a corporate-themed event for an industrial rubber company!

Photography: PWP Studio
Venue: Ventanas
Design: WM Events
Audio Visual: Active Production & Design