Celebrating Truffles with Urbani

Is there a better way to start the week than surrounded by the sweet smell (and taste!) of truffle? Thanks to Urbani Truffles (seriously thank you!) this was our reality a few short days ago.

This Monday Pier 40 brimmed with all things Italian for the Urbani Truffles annual celebration cruise. Risotto, arancini, burrata mozzarella, and even panna cotta - all with truffle! Those looking for something without truffle (why?) could enjoy caviar served on the back of their hand, jamón thinly sliced or gelato to satisfy their sweet tooth. 

Once the sun set and guests were well fed, the Hornblower took the celebration on the move. Because the Statute of Liberty wants to celebrate truffles too!

Delicious food, cigar girls, dinner theater, and the Statue of Liberty! We cannot wait to see what Urbani does next year to top this year's celebration! 

Happy Summer!
-DTE Team

Sustainability x Events

Today is World Ocean Day and has us thinking about the environment and how to incorporate sustainability in events. We have all experienced it. Your event is over, there is uneaten food and beautiful florals on every table. You can only carry so many boxes of leftovers. What do you do? This is a question many event producers face. Don’t worry – we have the answer!

DONATE! You may not be able to carry all those leftovers home, but there are many charities that can. donateNYC is a government database connecting donatees to charitable organizations (this includes more than just food!). There is even an app! Transfernation is another NYC based non-profit using technology to end hunger. Not in NYC? Rock and Wrap it up! has an extensive "Hungerpedia" that will connect you wil local organizations in need.

So you have food covered, but what about those breathtaking florals? Enter Rebloom. Planners need only to submit a request with details about the arrangements and event. Rebloom then shares a photo, description and price of flowers with their list of subscribers and posts on their site. Once your event is over, Rebloom appears to pick up your florals. Sounds pretty easy to us!

Food to floral to leftover gifts technology and caring individuals have made it easier than ever to eliminate waste.

Happy donating!
-DTE

Setting Our Sails to Bermuda

The crystal blue waters, friendly locals, recent renovations and racing drama have us enthralled with this year's America's Cup and wishing we were there under the blue skies of Bermuda. With festivities well underway in the Great Sound, Bermuda is buzzing with excitement for this year's 35th annual America's Cup. And for good reason!

Picture this: relaxing on a luxurious yacht, watching the most prestigious sailing event while sipping champagne. Sounds ideal, right? In Bermuda, it is possible! Experiencing the thrill of the race for the Auld Mug in the spectator zone of the race-course while receiving play-by-play analysis from your skipper (who knows all the latest news thanks to the morning briefings), sounds like a dream to us!

Get sea sick? Experiencing the electricity of the race from the island is nothing to scoff at. Especially if you are staying at the official America's Cup hotel, the Fairmont's Hamilton Princess. A recent $100 million renovation has created endless possibilities to experience the 35th America’s Cup at this pink palace. From a private balcony overlooking the harbor to a full-service marina, or a 2,000 sq. foot outdoor terrace you can experience the race any way you choose. Think you might need a break from the racing festivities? Spend your down time touring the extensive art collection (Banksy, Koons, and Damien Hirst under one roof!), relaxing at Exhale, shopping at the the official America’s Cup store and dining at Chef Marcus Samuelsson's new restaurant, Marcus.

Watching from land or water, one this is certain: the 35th America’s Cup will be an unforgettable experience.  

Happy watching!
 -DTE Team

Photo Credit: Americascup, Hamilton Princess

BizBash's 2017 New York Hall of Fame Ceremony

BizBash's 2017 New York Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place Wednesday, May 24th at the Manhattan Center. Event professionals gathered to pay tribute to industry leaders and rising stars who are making the industry better, one innovative idea at a time. The night was full of giant paper flowers, delicious cocktails, beautiful ceilings (carved by Freemasons!) and a whole lot of fun.

We had such fun cheering on our dear friends at Tinsel and Twine, recognized as Rising Stars. How fitting to receive this accolade a few short days before their 7 year anniversary! Keep up the innovative work ladies!

The five 2017 Hall of Fame Honorees offered wise words of wisdom to the crowd of event professionals gathered in the Grand Ballroom. We heard topics ranging from Whitney Houston inspiration (who hasn't she inspired?!) to new technological advances to new opportunities in event studies. One thing every Honoree had in common? Passion and excitement for the industry!

Having that same passion and excitement, we feel a mix of inspiration and invigoration for the future of the event industry and DTE!

Congratulations Inductees!
-DTE Team

Behind the Met Gala's (Hand-Painted) Red carpet

The Met Gala is arguably one of THE most elaborately orchestrated, complex and closely watched productions every year. Major respect to Vogue’s special projects consultant Sylvana Ward Durrett and director of special events Eaddy Kiernan with the help of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s in-house staff who were responsible for creating a flawless celebration of the acclaimed avant-garde designer Rei Kawakubo with "Art of the In-Between”. The red carpet (well, technically hand painted sisal with royal blue trim) was expectedly glamorous, only this time we were enthralled by shapes not usually seen on it. Seriously, how did Rihanna get in this dress?!?

As event planners, we like looking behind the glamour to see how the largest museum in the US transformed for this momentous evening. Because who doesn’t want to know every detail about the larger-than-life floral installation (first photo above) by Raul Àvila inspired by a single dress? The place settings paid homage to Kawakubo’s Japanese heritage - sake cups and gold-tipped chopsticks - love!

Those sake cups were placed on the table for good reason! Ginjo and wine flowed freely throughout the evening with Japanese-influenced cuisine. The menu was all things luxurious from Caviar with Lobster and King Crab to Matcha to Coconut Mango, and Yuzu Citrus Mochi dessert. This year’s menu gave us serious hunger pains!

We may still be thinking about Rihanna’s dress or the countless hours it must have taken Raul's team to complete the floral installs, but one thing is certain: this year’s Met Gala was another one to remember and a fitting celebration of Rei Kawakubo.

Here's to the next first Monday in May!
-DTE Team

Photo Credit: Vogue