The Promise of Spring...

A note from Awny Khashoggi...

I am delighted by the personal connections my team and I had during our SPRING IT ON event on 4/3/09. I always understood and relished in the fact that we are in the business of “promise”. Every time our clients come together to do business or celebrate, they do so with anticipation of a happier tomorrow. When it was our turn to have an event, there was no exception. We picked spring as a time, theme, and spirit.

I would like to share a few reflections on the conversations and memorable inspirations I had with the guests that day. They centered around three words: real, partners and trust. The three notions work in tandem and are interchangeable with each other as you cannot have one without exercising the others.

We demonstrated at this event, along with our partners, that we can deliver real solutions for real needs. This get-together was marked by our community’s REAL need for collective comfort. The Unique Option Demo Room could not have gotten a better initiation than being the kitchen in which guests gathered for their heart to heart conversations as they kicked back and relaxed with friends.

We are grateful for Puff N’ Stuff’s hospitality, along with our event PARTNERS. American Audio Visual, who artistically enhanced the ambiance and the amazing entertainment throughout the day provided by Ms. Sammy, Belly Dancer, Jewels of the Nile, and the music of Alejjandro, and DJ Lu Fontanez.

If you joined us, you know that we had a real Spring celebration. To celebrate Spring is to reaffirm your TRUST in the promise of better tomorrow.

Thank you, I will end with some of the responses I received from guests after their visit.

Best regards,
Awny Khashoggi, Your Event Partner!
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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.

Respectfully,

Warren Dietel
President
Puff 'n Stuff Catering, LLC
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Dear Awny,

Thank you so much for your fabulous event! I didn't expect such a warm reception, great food, wonderful presentation and nice people! You made us feel welcome immediately. And you took so much time for me and my team showing us around - that felt really good! I think Puff N'Stuff did an excellent job - I tried the salmon/brie omelet and it was tasty, healthy and very unique! Actually your reception was an eye-opener for us: we realized that you and Puff N' Stuff are true leaders in town and that you know what you are talking about. Hopefully we can work more with you in the near future!

Please come and visit us at our new office as well - you are always welcome!

Thanks again,
Best regards,

Iris Langanke, DMCP
Owner / Director of Operations
PRA Destination Management Orlando
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The event was FABULOUS!!! The food was wonderful, and as usual, your creativity and remarkable event décor transformed your show space into a scene from ‘Breakfast at Awny’s’ I wish I could have seen and tasted what lunch and dinner had to offer.

Thank you for the invitation!

Rashida Erskine
Sales Manager
BBJ Linen

It was a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me. I am quick to refer business your way if anyone asks for furniture rental. You have the best quality and selection of anyone in town.

Congratulations on your new space. I loved your showroom. I wish you and your team the best.

Warm Regards,

Mike Cruz
Sales Manager
BBJ Linen
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I greatly enjoyed the event. I enjoyed meeting you, Awny and talking with your wife and being introduced to the wonderful food and furnishings your companies provide. We look forward to working with you.

Leya Black
ASI Production Services, Inc
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Awny,

It was great to see you and thanks for inviting my entire team out. We loved the new showroom, and look forward to bringing clients by to showcase your product.

I could not agree with you more on Puff-n-Stuff’s level of product and service.

Take care and good luck to al of us in these “UNIQUE” times….

Rich Whiddon
President/Owner
Exclusive Destination Management
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Awny~

It was wonderful! Congratulations to you and your team and partners! Well done!

I really hope we get to work together again soon!

Warmest regards,

ELISA DELGARDIO CSEP, PBC
principal, event & wedding designer | A Flair for Affairs
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Hello Awny,

Thank you, so much for your email. It was great to see you and your team again. You always know how to have fun and entertain your guests. Your event was wonderful to include such amazing food.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to working with you soon.

Best regards,
Jackie Zumaeta
Catering Manager
Reunion Resort & Bella Collina
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Awny:

Thank you so much for an amazing evening. You have some amazing items that I foresee will be a huge hit in the bridal industry. WE look forward to the opportunity to promote you in the future. Thank you again for a wonderful event!

Kind regards,

Brandi Zrallack
Market Manager, Perfect Wedding Guide
Managing Editor, Central Florida Bride
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Hello Awny,

It certainly was a pleasure meeting you and your team. Both events were great and so was the food.

All the best,

Kim H. Lightbourne | Hilton Orlando
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Hello Awny and Warren,

Thank you very much for including us for such a wonderful event ! We had a great time, and I really look forward to our continued partnership in the future.

Hope to see you both soon-

Best,

Janine M. Boylan, CFBE
Director of Catering
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Hilton Bonnet Creek
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No Awny and Warren, thank you. Both your companies did an amazing job and your invite to our team and the community as a whole was greatly appreciated. Like both your company's Greenery Productions has been growing emotionally, in it's design capabilities and with it's partners. We look forward to becoming as strong of a strategic partner to each of you as you have been to those in our industry.

Thank you both again,

Tommy Murphy
Greenery Productions
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RISE N' SHINE
Breakfast Event

IT'S A PICNIC
Lunch Event

SPRINGING HOUR
Cocktail Reception Event

Unique Option in the News!

Extra, Extra read all about it! Our recent announcement of our move to our new location made homepage news in Friday's 3.20.09 edition of Biz Bash Florida.

Check it out... CLICK HERE

Spring It On! Grand Opening Event 4.3.09

Join Us as we connect with our partners in springing into a new era of optimism for an industry that is founded on hope and the promise of prosperity.

The Special Event Show 2009

Group Therapy- by Awny Khashoggi

Lisa Hurley was leaving The Special Events Gala celebration (adorned with Total Event Resources harvest of Galas, special congratulations to Kathy Miller and all the other recipients) when she stopped and thanked me for coming to the TSE and I was happy to report back to her that this was my most successful Special Events Show.

I wrote this blog on my way back from California reflecting on why I felt that way. Success did not come from the open conversation with our competition that their business is down as well. It was not that clients are now coming to your booth spending time learning about the features of the product you introduced two years ago. Even the excitement over orders is not what made this the most successful show………The success is not that of an individual, a company but that of an industry that insists on being:

I) Resilience, as no one stopped innovating or creating amazing ideas.

II) Solidarity, we want to take all your business, but we wish our competition well.

III) Optimism, we are not out, done or forgotten. We are here to stay and rise to new heights.

IV) Genuine desire to help others, this is hallmark of being an event professional and it was never more obvious when we engaged in this group therapy to assure each other “I got your back”.

Our amazing trip....

A Marketer POV..
by Michelle Bergstein, Marketing Manager

Coming from the world of advertising and in my experience of exhibiting at trade shows it’s all about your booth’s gimmick and what can attract as many leads as possible to your booth. Not the case for the Special Event Show! Rather than quantity and massive traffic its all about the quality of the guests in your booth.

The most powerful gimmick is not having a gimmick and showcasing your creativity. In the events industry, planners and production companies are looking not to be sold to, but inspired, which is the true test of your achievement. It’s all about how your product or service can help accentuate their event, win them awards, gain repeat business and wow their prospective clients.

Showcasing at our booth creative use of space, combined with amazing products, and connecting with professionals by highlighting our inner passion for this business in a genuine way is how we accomplished our goal in driving the planners and production companies we set out to meet.

Super Bowl Bonding....

WOW! What a game last night! The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals went head to head last night, a match up that was quite interesting and unexpected! As this was the first year the Arizona Cardinals ever made it to the Super Bowl. The Steelers went on to win the game during the last 5 minutes. The Steelers now the only team in the NFL to win the most SuperBowl championships with 6 wins under their belts.

OK... enough about the game and sports talk... As last night's bonding event was all about the FOOD, COMFORT & FUN...

Unique Option teamed up again with long-time catering partner - Puff N' Stuff. The array of football food was amazing from personalized Steelers and Cardinal cakes, ice cream, with toppings galore- hot fudge, caramel, nuts, sprinkles, everything you can think of... and onto the food- from gourmet sandwiches, wings, chips, dip, margaritas, beer - of course... and every food item you can think of that completes any sporting shin-dig.

Guests experienced the game on a huge projection screen and enjoyed their food either gathered around the many 80" inch round tables or seated on the opulant black leather art deco sofas or the red or blue leather club chairs along with complimenting birch coffee tables. A collection so functional for a wild night of fun and football.

Till next month's bonding event.. stay tuned...

2009 Here we Come!

Happy 2009!

On behalf of the entire team here at Unique Option, we wish you all the best! The best success in your business and industry! We are dedicated in helping you achieve that success through great furniture and décor to enhance your next event!

With the new year our team is energized and enthusiastic and look forward to working with you! We wanted to share our excitement and commitment by introducing our team and sharing our new year wishes along with some our new year trends:

Awny Khashoggi
Owner and Right Brain Aerobics Instructor

*Hometown: Medina Saudi Arabia

*Passionate about: Success

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Royal blue


*What event would you be interested in working on: Green Trash Party

*What would you like to introduce clients to:
Join us for our regular right side of the brain aerobic workouts

Joe DiBlasio
Vice President and Go to guy...

*Hometown: Succasunna, New Jersey

*Passionate about: Motorcycles

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Deep Grape


*What event would you be interested in working on:
SuperBowl

*What would you like to introduce clients to:
Endless opportunities for business and making $

Michelle Bergstein
Marketing Manager/Company spokeswoman
a.k.a The Ham and cheese

*Hometown: N. Massapequa, Long Island NY

*Passionate about: Marketing, promotions, my son and hubby

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Burnt Sienna


*What event would you be interested in working on:
MPI’s SEC

*What would you like to introduce clients to:
Join us for our fun, crazy and creative monthly bonding events.

Zulkeira Rodriguez
Executive Manager/Fashionista

*Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico

*Passionate about: Fashion & beauty

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Black


*What event would you be interested in working on:
Ultra Music Festival in Miami

*What would you like to introduce clients to:
Our out of the box ideas and creative solutions

Sheri Spencer
Sales Coordinator

*Hometown: Catskills, NY

*Passionate about: Being a mom

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Fuchsia


*What event would you be interested in working on: Mardi Gras

*What would you like to introduce clients to: Visit us for ideas and inspiration

Hope Carr
Administrative Manager/ Party Mama

*Hometown: Pine Prairie, Louisiana

*Passionate about: My children and dancing

In 2009…..

*What color are you loving: Hot Pink


*What event would you be interested in working on:
Any A list celebrity event

*What would you like to introduce clients to:
Get to know our team, we are such a personable group who love working at Unique Option!

Spreading Good Will Uniquely

December 11, 2008, Spreading good will and connecting beyond our industry. Unique Option & Puff N’ Stuff teamed up to bring over the top holiday cheer through another means. Bringing on a holiday feast to those less fortunate with no home for the holidays- The Downtown Orlando homeless community experienced quite a treat of delicables which included a menu of fine cuisine courtesy of the two event partners:

GARDEN SALAD with tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, toasted sunflower seeds, house-made parmesan croutons and champagne vinaigrette
OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST MEDALLIONS with pan gravy
TRADITIONAL CORNBREAD DRESSING
RED SKINNED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE
ASSORTED ROLLS with butter
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
ICED TEA with sliced lemons

Much thanks to Ralph at Puff N' Stuff for his maestro leadership during the event and much thanks to Warren for the amazing food donation.

As long standing members of the Orlando community, Unique Option is dedicated in spreading good will for the holidays and throughout the year and this month we incorporated good will, good fun and appreciation all at once at our December bonding event.

The festivities continued on after the homeless feeding at Church Street's Hamburger Marys. Much thanks to John Paonessa & the Hamburger Marys staff for their hospitality and great burgers and martinis.

And great thanks to those guests who came out yesterday evening and toasted the holidays with the Unique Option team. We heart our industry partners, clients and colleagues - Jackie & Michelle with Ginn Reunion Resort, Marina with JW Marriot Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, Ralph at Universal Orlando, Dave with ME Productions, Dianne with the Courtyard Marriott Ocoee, Tommy with Greenery Productions, Christine & Christian with TreeFrog Cinegraphix, Jessy with E-Events all the delightful guests that also attended.

Great holiday fun!

The Knot Florida Fall/Winter 2008

We love publicity! We also love our clients and partners! Much thanks goes out to Tommy/ Marketing/Sales Director at Greenery Productions for informing us of this great event coverage in the Fall/Winter issue of the Knot Florida magazine.

We teamed up with one of our many favorite local wedding planners- Lisa Konecny of E-Events for one of the Knot Florida showcasing events. Check out the coverage:

We featured one of our recently retired Hepburn chairs to the table setting grouping. It was a great pleasure to be involved along with many talented local event resources- Flourish Productions, Dragonfly Custom Designs, DJ Carl and Wine by Design.

November Bonding Event at The Sushi House

Thursday, November 13th we hosted Make your own sushi and eat it too! Our first official exclusive bonding event at The Sushi House.

We transformed the Orlando Sushi House into a modern, Japanese dining room surrounded by Bamboo accents and peaceful Water Walls and used our White Eccentric line along with our White Lacquer tables along the restaurant's perimeter for seating which also doubled as a working table to roll and enjoy sushi rolls. In the center of the restaurant our Hepburn Bar tables and Mocha Leather cafe stools created a good working area as well as completed the Zen feel.


Thanks to the knowledgeable and generous sushi chef Mr. Dunn, who provided us with all the tools we needed, we were able to learn how to make our own sushi rolls, learned Japanese dining customs, and even had a sake ceremony! This was definitely a creative bonding experience!

Thanks to Heather Wilson and Robyn Jacobs of ME Productions, Bill Masterson, Keirsten Dossey, Amy Leas, and Jay Tappen of Experience Florida, Debbe King and Raul Balda from Lynx, Maisa Kingstone of Heaven Event Center, Melissa Collier and Emma Casares of Hello Florida, and Nia Netane and Vika Netane of Netane Entertainment for making it, we really appreciate it and had such a great time with everyone. Please be on the lookout for our next bonding event on December 11…Check out the pictures by E. from Epic Photography

VINO!

Vino, great food, great contributors,
and all for a great cause.



This past weekend we had the opportunity to participate as a sponsor for Easter Seal's 9th annual VINO event which raised over $55,000 for people in Central Florida with disabilities and special needs. Local restaurateurs provided some delectable food samplings which were complimented by the best of Orlando's winerys with their finest Merlots, chardonnays and unique wine selections. Church Street Station and the Puff N' Stuff staff hosted the event at their amazing historical venue..


Our Beige Intrigue collection with our Crescent Coffee Tables along with C&S Themed events infamous red cushion walls set the scene for a relaxing lounge area for guests.







Our fine guests who accompanied us included Marina from the Orlando Ritz Carlton's event planning team and E from Epic Photography who documented this most appetizing event. Thank you E for the great photos!

Pampering & Relaxation...

Massages, Facials, Fish Pedicures, relaxation, bonding, fun and cocktails. What better way to complete a week! Friday, October 3rd we debuted our industry bonding event, the 1st of many exciting, interactive relationship building events to come. That is what true partnerships are all about! Check out the fun flicks from our last event at the Spa... Much thanks goes out to our friends at Hello Florida, The Ritz Carlton, Tommy at Greenery Productions, and Tish with PowerSnaps for coming out and relaxing with us!

Stay tuned for our next event... Coming November 13th... mark your calenders..

Much thanks and props go out to our amazing photographer and partner-
Hanif Abdur- Rahim..