It Takes a Village

On the heels of Giving Tuesday, #teamPARTNER is reminiscing about generous vendors working together in support of something good. One of our favorite examples of this from 2018 is producing the 6th Annual Philip's Fund Gala Dinner.

Let's give you some background, The Philip Begonja Memorial Foundation was created in honor of Philip Begonja, whose life was cut short on December 25, 2011 at the age of 18. Philip’s Fund awards educational grants and scholarships to young people with need through donations secured throughout the year. The biggest fundraising day for Philip’s Fund is the Gala Dinner!

New York’s food world elite gathered at Chef Tom Colicchio’s Riverpark for the 6th Annual Philip’s Fund Gala this past October. Unbelievable auction items and delicious activations from generous sponsors filled the evening. Endless truffle goodies from Urbani Truffles, hand carved Ibérico ham from Cinco Jotas, bubbly Taittinger Champagne, decadent Calvisius caviar, delicious treats from Leonelli Taberna, and delicately hand-brewed La Birra di Meni beer were all expertly lit by Bentley Meeker Lighting Staging. As guests left with their Staub mini cocottes (see photo above) and auction winnings in hand, the evidence was clear: it takes a village!

Do good!
-Team PARTNER

Photo Credit: Philip Greenberg

Experiential Treasures

Our gift to you as the season of giving approaches: two treasures we’re loving right now. While #teamPARTNER are experts at customer experience, we are also experts in something else: New York City. Whether born and raised here or avid explorers, we are constantly searching for experiential (new & slightly hidden) treasures in this city. What are we currently excited about? Retail restaurants, because shopping and eating are two of our favorite things!

Tucked into interior design powerhouse Roman & Williams Guild (photo above), and a few blocks from our office, you will find the La Franc table (top photo) at La Mercerie. Smooth leather, bright wood, and custom florals adorn this 6-8 person table available for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. While this isn’t a private room, you will feel a world away from the restaurant 30 feet away. A designated server will oversee your experience in the heart of this design sanctuary while enjoying elevated French café fare from celebrated Chef Marie-Aude Rose. Did we mention everything on your table is available for purchase (photo below)? Talk about #dinnergoals!

Perched atop a 6 story glass, steel and brick structure, RH Rooftop Restaurant is an oasis in the Meatpacking district (housed in the former Pastis space) and a collaboration with the furniture store formerly known as Restoration Hardware. This new rooftop restaurant offers a "seasonal, ingredient-driven menu". As one would expect from the luxe furniture store, the restaurant is adorned with manicured shrubbery, crystal chandeliers and elegant furniture (photo below). Did we mention there is a wine terrace with striking views of downtown Manhattan? Unlike at La Mercerie however, none of the furniture is for sale at RH Rooftop.

We want to hear from you, what are your favorite experiential treasures in your city?!

Keep exploring!
-Team PARTNER

Photo Credit: rwguild, La Mercerie Cafe, RH

360 Degrees of 3D Fun

Do you think about 3D printing…yourself? We are long past boxy photobooths that fit four people (maybe five if you squeeze!) Are we dating ourselves now? Today, opportunities for shareable moments at events start at GIF photo booths and green screens and go way beyond. What if your guests want something more…something tangible?

This is where photo booths and 3D printing make magic at events. Step 1: take a 360 degree photo shareable via social media for immediate satisfaction. Step 2: wait a few weeks while the photo falls down your Insta feed. Step 3: get a package in snail mail of a 3D printed half foot model of yourself, translated pixel by pixel from the 360 degree photo (see photos above). Talk about a tangible memory!

Next time you head to an event, choose your outfit wisely because it may be immortalized forever!

Say cheese!
-Team PARTNER

Photo Credit: beheld3d, shapifymylife

60 Floors Above Manhattan

Sometimes the stars align and timing is right to be one of the first to plan an amazing evening in Union Square Hospitality’s first-ever event space. A client looking for the ideal location for their NY launch approached #teamPARTNER the same week Bay Room opened its doors. Seriously we were the 2nd large event in the space! What did we do with this lucky timing? We brought in color, glowing furniture and covered pillars in florals!

We did mention Bay Room is 60 floors above downtown Manhattan with oversized windows and breathtaking views, right? These windows provided the ideal branding opportunity with a stunning backdrop. Six sponsor logos each over 4 feet wide decorated a section, with the main sponsor brands located behind the stage. (see above) We didn't stop there, blue and silver balloons arched over the stage, adding a playful branding element to this important launch. Ombre uplights, a large step and repeat, and a metallic blue carpet aisle runner brought the room together. (see below)

Full of knowledge and excitement, guests traveled west as the sun set, surprised yet again by the view. Striking south, west and north (twilight) views greeted them for a celebratory cocktail reception. Giant pillars covered in floor-to-ceiling greenery with ombre accents were center stage as guests enjoyed bites from Union Square Hospitality (see top). Glowing furniture added to the ambiance as sponsor logos reflected on the windows, almost becoming a part of the skyline. (see below)

When the stars align (or even when they don't), let your imagination run wild and have all the fun you can to create an epic event.

Have some fun!
-Team PARTNER

Photo Credit: blink

The Top 500 People in Events

BizBash recently announced their inaugural list of The Top 500 People in Events, representing the best of the event industry in North America. To quote Bizbash (THE event industry media source), the Top 500 “give those of us not at their events FOMO. And some of them truly change the world.” In the company of industry leaders and friends, PARTNER Productions is humbled to announce our CEO, Diana Tsao, made the list!

Together with her dream team, Diana has transformed the face of international Chinese corporations entertaining in NYC. When Chinese companies IPO in NYC, they frequently trust PARTNER to produce their listing day celebrations because of our unique understanding of Chinese culture, Chinese people, Mandarin speaking skills and experience producing exceptional events at the highest level.

Thank you for recognizing Diana and #teamPartner. So honored and thrilled. Champagne for everyone! 🍾

Congratulations Diana (and the other 499 professionals)!
-Team PARTNER