Eleven Things We Loved About Event Inception
Australian Technology Park (ATP) and Decorative Events and Exhibitions (DE&E) recently teamed up to host an amazing venue and supplier showcase for 300 event professionals. Together with some of Sydney’s best caterers and suppliers, they created an elaborate event aimed at highlighting the latest in event styling and décor trends and inspiring guests to create sensational special events of their own.
For those of you who were unable to attend, here are eleven things we absolutely loved about the night (in no particular order):
1. The HOT entrance!
Who doesn’t love walking up a red carpet, especially one lined with fire!? On arrival, as we walked up the red carpet towards ATP’s towering archways, we felt like a star, but the thing that made it extra special was the blast of heat from the Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics firejets as we walked past.
With a yelp of delight (and shock), good first impressions were made and the temperature for the evening was set.
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2. The format of the night!
Forget a standard sit down dinner or a long evening of endless canapes, the creators of Event Inception wanted to mix things up! ATP’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Ruby Chronis, mooted the idea of a roving dinner experience and, with a little creative power from the rest of the team, voila! – three amazing pop up restaurants were created!
Decorative Events set up three very different ‘rooms’ behind luxurious floor to ceiling drapes. Within each unique event space a different caterer waited to serve guests entrée, main and dessert – the guests moving to a new location for each course. The anticipation ahead of each room reveal was electric!
3. The venue!
Australian Technology Park is one of Sydney’s best venues – not only is it rich in history and architectural awesomeness, but the venue provides endless opportunities for creative event managers, both in terms of event style and size. With the help of countless metres of drapes from DE&E and AV1’s clever lighting and production, ATP’s Exhibition Halls felt intimate, impressive and immersive. Australian Technology Park is a blank canvas venue located minutes from Sydney’s CBD and proved to be the perfect destination for this event.
4. The styling & décor!
We can’t go any further down the list without highlighting the spectacular styling and décor showcased at the event. The team of stylists from Decorative Events and Exhibitions did a stellar job of creating an immersive experience for their guests. The DE&E team featured three different styling collections: ‘Miss Antoinette’s Masquerade’, ‘Jungle Funk’ and ‘Future Lines Collective’. The styling was detailed, in-depth and intoxicating – a fabulous example of how a client can create a unique environment without walls. The styling and décor certainly left us feeling inspired!
5. Lobster entree!
Yes, you heard it right – we were served lobster for entrée! Bayleaf Catering matched the luxurious Miss Antoinette’s Masquerade room styling by serving Western Australian lobster with squid ink, baby elk, sautéed kale and saffron vanilla sauce, along with champagne from a crystal coupe (aka champagne saucer) – oh la la!
6. Beef cheeks with watermelon!
An unexpected, but super delicious combo – beef cheeks and watermelon – made up one element of Laissez-faire Catering’s divine main course. The full dish – braised Wagyu beef cheek, frenched lamb cutlet, artichoke puree with potato croquette and pan juices – was served in the Jungle Funk room and was a roaring success!
7. Dessert…!
The dessert served to us in the Future Lines Collective was amazing! The Chocolate Salted Caramel Pretzel Marquise, Orange Curd and Ale Roasted Pear by The Fresh Collective was divine, delicious, delectable and just so damn good! Hats off to Executive Chef Geoff Haviland.
As soon as The Diamonds (a trio of gorgeous ladies in sparkly dresses singing pop and disco songs from famous divas of the 20th century) took to the stage, guests were hitting the dance floor! Produced by SMA Productions, these gals are sure to be booked out over the Christmas party season – we LOVED them! Other fabulous acts provided by SMA Productions included Miss Bird Sings and The Rat Pack’s Back.
9. The waiters – they looked the part!
Even the fabulous wait staff from staffing agency, Clifford Wallace, were styled! Simple things such as sunglasses and lipstick on the waiters in the Future Lines Collective room, and jungle warrior face paint on waiters in the Jungle Funk room, ensured the theme was carried through the entire experience, rather than just the décor.
10. A pamper session!
After roving around the spectacular venue, sipping on delicious wines (provided by Angove Family Winemakers) and throwing some shapes on the dance floor, there was just enough time to fit in a pamper session with the lovely ladies from Pure Chica. Nothing like a buff of the nails, a spritz of perfume and a touch up of the hair mid-event to make you feel amazing.
11. Camera phones and hashtagging galore!
You know an event is going well when almost every single guest stops at the entrance to take a photo of the room. And then again when the meal is served. And then again when the entertainment starts…