It was nice to see an idea developed in 2009 find it's debut on the national scene. The Restaurant 2012 generated at the recent Special Events Show in Tampa, FL prompted us to re-post our blog from 2009.
(View prior blog below)
Unique Option’s demo room is a space that can be transformed to showcase new concepts that Unique Option and industry partners co-develop. It is also used for client’s custom designs and as an incubator for leading industry trends.
On April 3rd, the company welcomed a crowd of over 300 industry professionals for their grand opening event. Since then we have received a lot of requests about the event, especially questions about the demo room and how partner’s services were incorporated into the event.
CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT:
This event targeted central Florida’s leading players in the event, tradeshow, and convention industries. This busy group of individuals never marches to the same tune and it was a challenging exercise to design an event to welcome them to our new facility. We hit the highest marks by creating this SPRING IT ON celebration with a day of three mini events during breakfast, lunch and cocktail reception. The theme and execution afforded us and partners maximum exposure of our diverse and combined talent and put the Demo Room through a true test.
THE INVITATION:
RISE N’ SHINE:
The morning event, was a breakfast in bed treat, where guests enjoyed a prepared to order breakfast. Conjoined banquettes inlayed with modern tables created the massive party beds with oversized head boards that allowed for both intimacy and comfort. Guests indulged their food fantasies while orders were taken and delivered in the most hospitable bed side manner.
IT’S A PICNIC:
For a perfect spring day, local event and tradeshow industry professionals gathered for a comforting picnic menu of various delicatessen specialties. Orders were filled by the attentive wait staff that strolled the grounds in and around Unique Option’s facility. Orders were then passed to the kitchen that was installed in the demo room. Others placed their orders directly from the bar and utilized the assortment of cafĂ© and bar seating, especially the deli counter seating.
SPRINGING HOUR:
The evening’s cocktail reception, the final portion of a day of welcoming colleagues and friends transplanted guests to a Mediterranean getaway complete with the most delectable Mediterranean small dishes that were prepared again to order by the attentive kitchen staff. Whether you call these dishes- Antipasti, Tapas, Hors d'Oeuvres, or Meze that Mediterranean feel of gathering around a table, a bar or a room to share news and stories was perfectly accomplished.
The furniture setup for this mini event was a combination of lounge, nightclub and the neighborhood corner hangout. The entertainment of a Spanish guitarist, belly dancer and DJ included music from a far away land that kept the guests energized and entertained.
Event Designer:
Surrounded by critically acclaimed partners, and highly critical guests, the task at hand was to welcome clients, colleagues and friends to a showcase of the company’s capabilities. More importantly the requirement also included fun time for everyone.
Knowing that our target audience is made of early risers, avid networkers and social butterflies each with a schedule to match inspired me to offer a day with three mini events. This concept also created an ideal opportunity to show more, a welcomed challenge at a showcasing event.
This event transpired to be about Creativity, Partnership & Celebration. All of these co-existed and naturally flew together. The greatest joy of this event has been the good will that was born that day making it truly representative of the season where blooms keep on springing.
About those highly critical guests, they got to choose their time, theme, and menu items. All these were delivered in a simple, sophisticated and perfect execution. This innovative approach to event design will replace forcing an experience on guests who do not want to partake in it.
Partners:
Puff N' Stuff:
Your team did an outstanding job as well. It was a great event and beautiful facility. I too look forward to our next successful partnership. The Unique Option demo room was extremely useful, as it gave us the space and flexibility to create a Restaurant environment with a large interactive station that was hip, fun and new. The food evolved from each furniture transformation, but in designing the menu we made it work from the original design and only had to change minor equipment in the kitchen. The event was all about the furniture and food was to be the compliment.
Marketer:
The event accomplished 3 big event marketing achievements:
1. Effective event promotions-The 3 mini events accomplished the opportunity for everyone in town to drop by based on their schedule. Strategic and selective promotions leading up to the event at industry networking events, , emails blasts that included, save the date, reminders and attendance confirmation and directions and blog announcements all which yielded the maximum attendance.
2. Solidifying New Branding- With the recent new branding of the company’s new logo and business tag- event partner, this promotional effort finally tied in and brought to realty our new business description. We truly exhibited being an event partner, live in action, which was another success story.
3. Products in Action- As a marketing manager showing the use and purpose of our company’s product in action is the most beneficial selling tool. The event showed our products in use, demonstrated and enjoyed. Marketing by demonstration is so powerful and the impact of our demo room was proven that day.
Guests:
*It was an absolutely fabulous event! Bravo to all of you!
*I am quick to refer business your way if anyone asks for furniture rental.
*We loved the new showroom, and look forward to bringing clients by to showcase your product.
*It was wonderful! Congratulations to you and your team and partners! Well done!
*You always know how to have fun and entertain your guests.
*Thank you so much for your fabulous event! The warm reception, great food, wonderful presentation and nice people! You made us feel welcome immediately.
*You have some amazing items that I foresee will be a huge hit in the bridal industry.
*We had a great time, and I really look forward to our continued partnership in the future.
*Your company did an amazing job and your invite to our team and the community as a whole was greatly appreciated.
*I commend you for putting together this event and I have heard so much buzz and talk among the grapevines in the hospitality world and everyone did an amazing job.
*I plan on using Unique for every opportunity possible.
*Great event! I look forward to working with you and your team.