florida`s top 100 events

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The Tribble Creative Group combined edgy and elegant
entertainment at the 10th annual Be-A-Star gala in Orlando.
See bizbash.com/florida for complete coverage.
Ann G. Keusch, Publisher & C.O.O.
ann@bizbashfl.com
Marcy Mock, Art Director
ads@bizbashfl.com
D. Channing Muller, Editor
cmuller@bizbashfl.com
Brittany Peitsmeyer, Assistant Editor
bpeitsmeyer@bizbashfl.com
Dana Gruber, Editorial Assistant
dgruber@bizbashfl.com
Avian Nobles Curtis, Ashley Guistolisi, Alexa Schwartz
Contributing Writers
Pedro Galvez, Chanele Hernandez
Contributing Photographers
Jia Castro-Salazar, Account Executive
jcastro@bizbashfl.com
Jennifer Stevens, Account Executive
jstevens@bizbashfl.com
Davis Dureault, Account Executive
ddureault@bizbashfl.com
Carrie LaCroix, Account Executive
clacroix@bizbashfl.com
Cynthia Pierson, Account Executive
cpierson@bizbashfl.com
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
© 2009 BizBash Media
ON THE COVER PRG Lighting projected iconic South
Beach images onto immense LED screens on three
sides of the stage at the Fontainebleau hotel for the
2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
FLORIDA
2
3
PHOTO:MAGICALPHOTOS.COM/MITCHELL ZACHS (COVER), MICHAEL MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY (TOC)
Front
THE SCOUT
The newest trends in linens
3 Budgets, 3 Ideas: Food Delivery
VENUES
4 Newest Activity Venues
7 Venue Spotlight: New and Renovated
Hotels Open Across Miami Beach
10 Venue Spotlight: Latest Hotel Openings
in Orlando
EVENT REPORTS
14 The newly opened Fontainebleau hotel
hosts the 2008 Victoria’s Secret
Fashion Show.
17 A look at Art Basel Miami Beach’s
expansion to midtown
18 Florida’s Top 100 Events
A roundup of the Sunshine State’s
annual events, from the Blue Angels
Homecoming to the South Beach Wine
& Food Festival
THE DIRECTORY
29 New Venues
30 Staffing and Premium Gift Companies
32 Transportation Companies
An Exciting Year to Come
The news may not broadcast it, but there’s plenty to be positive about!
A NEW YEAR MEANS a new attitude and another 365 days to be excited about.
With so much negativity regarding the economy in the news these days, it’s time to
focus on the positive (yes, there are positives out there), so I wanted to share some
of the things I’m looking forward to this year.
To begin with, there is the insane number of events surrounding the inauguration of the first African-American President of the United States on January 20
(though these will have already occurred by the time you read this). This occurrence
proves two things: 1) Though a task seems out of reach, hard work and determination can make it happen; and 2) Events are still taking place!!
Secondly, the Food Network’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival is in its final
planning stages and will bring together nearly 40,000 people at the end of February.
As a fan of both wine and food, I’m always eager to learn the insider-only info of the
culinary world, meet people from around the globe, and talk to the festival organizers
and F.I.U. volunteers about how they plan and execute one of Florida’s biggest events.
In April, BizBash Florida will shine the spotlight on hotels with our annual
Hotel Directory and Beyond the Ballroom feature highlighting properties around
the state with unique event spaces and the planners who seek out these spaces.
With the boom of new and renovated hotels and resorts throughout Florida the
past few months, there are even more unconventional spaces for you as planners
to use for your next event. And that is the third thing I’m excited about: the unlimited possibilities for events on the horizon (which is also something I encourage
you to be happy about).
So fill your glass, tip your hats, and toast 2009 yet again as it will be the year for
the most creative events yet!
Sandra LaFrance, Circulation Director
sandra@csmipi.com
Lori Brown, Traffic Manager
lbrown@csmipi.com
Stanley J. Schwartz, Managing Partner
stanley@csmipi.com
Hardy C. Katz, Managing Partner
hardy@csmipi.com
CONTACT US
For event coverage or press releases: edit@csmipi.com
To inquire about advertising: bizbashads@csmipi.com
Subscription information: sandra@csmipi.com
EDITORIAL OFFICES
BizBash Florida 1450 NE 123rd St., North Miami, FL 33161
phone 305.893.8771, fax 305.893.8783
www.bizbash.com/florida
Licensed by: BizBash Media
21 West 38th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.bizbash.com
CHICAGO
PUBLISHER
Susan Babin
1802 West Berteau Ave., Suite 208, Chicago, IL 60613
312.436.2525
LOS ANGELES
PRESIDENT
Elisabeth Familian
8721 Sunset Blvd., Suite P7, West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.659.9510
NEW YORK
PUBLISHER
Jacqueline Gould
21 West 38th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018
646.638.3600
TORONTO
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Michael Braun
1 Thorncliff Park Drive, Suite 110, Toronto, ON M4H 1G9
416.425.6380
WASHINGTON
PUBLISHER
Bruce Zalbe
1350 I St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005
202.684.8743
bizbash.com/florida february/march 2009 1
1/20/09
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Page 2
LET THERE BE LIGHT Light up the night, or day, with the newest
THE SCOUT
event linens from PBG Event Productions in New York. In October the
company introduced a line of wireless illuminated linens made of battery operated fiber-optic fabric, available in red, green, blue, yellow, and
white. Illuminated chair covers, overlays, table runners, and pillows are
also available. Prices vary depending on product, from place mats at $11
each to table runners for $65. (516.358.0800, www.pbgevents.com)
TABLE OF ART Atlas Party
Rental in Boynton Beach
offers Romero Brittodesigned linens. The Brazilian
neo-pop artist, known for his
cartoon-like style and vibrant
colors, has created linens
with coordinating napkins
specifically for the company.
Napkins are priced at $1.50
each and 90- x 90-inch overlays for $40. (561.547.6565,
www.atlaspartyrental.com)
Linens Get a Facelift
The newest products for linens and draping are a far cry
from ordinary. By Alexa Schwartz
FUNCTIONAL FASHION Designed
exclusively for Panache: A Classic Party
Rental Company’s four styles of
chameleon chairs, the newest chair covers come in ultra suede, stretchy spandex, and prints such as graphic Puccistyle and mod designs. With a tightly fitted seat and draping or adornment on
the backs, the covers offer flexibility in
design style without the worry of slipping or being uncomfortable
for guests. Prices range
from $15 to 60 depending
on fabric and print.
(954.971.8484, www.classicpartyrentals.com)
CLASSIC ELEGANCE At the beginning of January, New York-based
Cloth Connection debuted its newest linen collection: the Garden
Flock. Made from taffeta fabric with a raised velvet design, the new
linens come in three colors—wysteria, moss, and mustard—and are
available at the company’s 17 locations around the country including
Orlando. All colors are available in 132-inch round, though additional
sizes are available upon request. Rental prices depend on linen dimensions and quantity. (407.704.0817, www.clothconnection.com)
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF PANACHE: A CLASSIC PARTY RENTAL COMPANY,
JEFF KOLONDY (BRITTO), PERFECT PRODUCTIONS (ILLUMINATED), FLORAL DESIGNS MAUI (CLOTH CONNECTION)
Scout
Scout
1/16/09
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Page 3
3 Budgets, 3 Ideas
Gourmet & Organic
Food Delivery
By D. Channing Muller
BUDGET For those with
dietary restrictions, or anyone
who wants healthier fare at
their next office gathering,
Healthy Chef Creations
(407.339.2433, www.healthychefcreations.com) in Winter
Park offers organic catering—
with menus changing weekly
based on produce—tailored to
any diet. Breakfast items
include acai yogurt parfaits,
spinach frittatas, and shrimp and eggs, starting at just $8 per person, while lunches begin at
$10 for lemon-herbed albacore tuna pitas or a meat-and-veggie platter with a side item.
Dinners such as lamb braised in wine and Sicilian-style mahimahi are also available and can
be ordered for lunch, at an additional cost per person. Orders require a minimum of nine
business days’ notice, although no minimum number of diners or dollar amount is required.
All dishes can be delivered in disposable chafing dishes for an additional fee.
MID-RANGE With certifications in personal training,
special needs, nutrition, food safety, and stress management, as well as 16 years of culinary experience, chef
Marcus Ortiz is a food expert. His desire to share his
knowledge of food led him to found A Taste 4 Life
(786.399.2510, www.ataste4life.org). The Miami-based
catering and food-education company uses only 100
percent certified organic ingredients and offers a variety
of other services for events, including cooking demonstrations and classes. Menu options include hors d’oeuvres such as red pepper and sage meatballs and avocado and lime shrimp ceviche, as well as entrées like
grass-fed beef tenderloin with balsamic demi-glace and
brown basmati rice; and roasted free-range chicken
with peach, grapefruit, and scallion salsa—both of
which are served with fresh organic vegetables. Average
meal prices vary from $12 to $50 per person, depending
on the number of courses and guests.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WHISK GOURMET FOOD AND CATERING, COURTESY OF
HEALTHY CHEF CREATIONS, COURTESY OF CHEF ORTIZ (CAVIER)
SPLURGE Whisk Gourmet Food and Catering (786.268.8350, www.whiskgourmet.com)
in Coral Gables has a wide variety of catering options for the more liberal budget. When
the workday turns to night, Whisk can deliver a home-cooked meal with menu items like
grilled skirt steak with red onion marmalade and Gorgonzola (serves eight to 10 people for
$145) or baked cashew chicken with spicy peanut sauce ($12 per person, 10-person minimum). An extensive list of sandwiches, vegetables, gourmet cheeses, and platters are also
available for early-morning, midday, or even late-night brainstorming sessions. Serving
utensils, chafing dishes, and flatware can be provided upon request for an additional fee.
If you're seeking the perfect shade
of paprika to add some pop , or a
cute container for clove flavored
tea, look no further than Panache
to find the right ingredient for
your party. What's your flavor?
Visit us in person or online to
preview our tasty new collections.
Pompano Beach | West Palm Beach | Lakeland
www.ClassicPartyRentals.com
1/16/09
3:47 PM
Page 4
Glowing Golf
Monster Mini Golf, a monster-themed glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course opened in
August in Tampa. The 10,000-square-foot, 18-hole course is adorned with black lights and theatrical visual effects, along with three-dimensional set designs, fog machines, and lasers. The
hole-specific original artwork includes lifelike possessed trees, a sleeping giant, cemetery, and
toxic-looking orange-juice carton. Two private, side-by-side party rooms can accommodate 80
guests together or 40 each, and look like high-end haunted mansions. Monster Mini Golf will
coordinate the use of the course, catering, private rooms, and teambuilding activities. Buyouts
are available. (6429 U.S. Hwy. 19, 727.849.4653, www.monsterminigolf.com)
VENUES
By Ashley Guistolisi
Into Africa
In early December, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo introduced a 17,000-square-foot, climate-controlled
events facility —the Bank of America Safari Lodge.
This South African-inspired venue can accommodate as many as 1,000 guests, with an elevated
3,000-square-foot annex offering views of African
animal exhibits and a small private green room for
V.I.P.s. The zoo offers the latest in audiovisual technology, wireless Internet, and full catering services
from its on-site executive chef. Buyouts are available
though outside vendors are not allowed. (1101 West
Sligh Ave., 813.935.8552, www.lowryparkzoo.com)
Go Wild
The Miami Metro Zoo introduced the new Amazon and Beyond exhibit in
December, along with three spaces of varying sizes for hosting evening events.
The smallest is the Hidden Treasures Hall for groups of 50 with views of 22
species including snakes, frogs, spiders, and lizards. The 3,091-square-foot Flooded
Forrest Gallery has a 48,000-gallon fish tank wall, views of monkeys and porcupines, and can accommodate groups of 80. For larger events, the plaza at the center of the exhibit has views of Iguana Lake for as many as 500 guests. An on-site
chef is available for catering. (12400 SW 152th St., 305.251.0400,
www.miamimetrozoo.com)
Beyond the Ballroom
BizBash continues its quest to find more unconventional
hotel event spaces outside the ballroom.
Adult Lanes
Opened in October in South Miami’s Sunset Place shopping center, Splitsville has 13 lanes, billiard tables, a
DJ performing four nights a week, dancing areas, and five bars, including a champagne bar that specializes
in sparkling sake. At this adult-oriented, 26,000-square-foot bowling alley, the traditional menu of nachos
and hot dogs has been replaced with items like Thai shrimp quesadillas, filet mignon, and an extensive
wine list. For private events, five lanes are secluded for a more intimate teambuilding atmosphere. Splitsville
can accommodate as many as 700 guests and is open every night, although after 8 p.m. it is adults only, 21
or over, and guests under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Lanes rent by the hour;
buyouts are also available. (5701 Sunset Drive, 305.665.5263, www.splitsvillelanes.com)
Indoor Futbol
Miami Event Space’s latest concept,
Metegoal—a state-of-the-art indoor soccer
arena—was unveiled in January. The new sports
facility is available for three-on-three, four-onfour, and five-on-five soccer practices, games,
and tournaments, as well as teambuilding
events. The arena is fully equipped with newgeneration artificial turf, viewing balconies, and
locker rooms. (7520 NE Fourth Court,
305.438.9002, www.miamieventspace.com)
4 bizbash.com/florida february/march 2009
BREATHTAKING VIEWS The
Skybridge bar at the Four
Seasons Hotel in Miami offers
stellar views of Brickell Avenue,
Biscayne Bay, and the hotel’s
dramatic 80-foot water wall.
The earth-tone atrium bar featuring glass walls is on the sixth
floor of the hotel and can be
used for breakfast, lunch, and
dinner events, though its most
popular role is as a cocktail
venue. Skybridge can seat 70
people or accommodate as
many as 150 for a reception.
(1435 Brickell Ave., 305.358.3535,
www.fourseasons.com/miami)
VERO’S VARIETY The
Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
offers many event and
meeting spaces outside of
the traditional ballrooms.
The 1,595-square-foot
Shoreline Room’s oceanfront
banquet space and patio can
accommodate 90 guests for
a reception. For a smaller
group, the hotel’s guest
rooms can be turned into meeting space for six to eight people, while the
private room at the Indigo Room Restaurant and Lounge can accommodate
as many as 35 guests and be used in conjunction with the Shoreline room.
(3500 Ocean Drive, 772.231.5666, www.verobeachhotelandspa.com)
PHOTOS: BIZBASH (SPLITSVILLE), COURTESY OF MIAMI METRO ZOO, F FOUR SEASONS MIAMI (SKY BRIDGE), CHRISTINA
VITAGLIANO (GOLF), COURTESY OF VERO BEACH HOTEL & SPA, RENA VAN WEENEN (SOCCER)
Venues
Venues
1/16/09
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Page 5
Miami: 305.757.7500 · Orlando: 407.251.5959 · Tampa: 813.787.6903
DC: 301.772-7772 · National: 877.577.ROOM
info@roomservicerentals.com · www.roomservicerentals.com
Venues
1/16/09
4:34 PM
Page 6
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New World Symphony
TOP EVENTS
Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail February 12 to 16
Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival February 19 to 22
Winter Music Conference March 24 to 28
Meat Market
Miami International Wine Fair September 26 to 29
VENUE SPOTLIGHT MIAMI
By Brittany Peitsmeyer
Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach October
Art Basel Miami Beach December 3 to 6
Art Deco Weekend Festival January 16 to 18, 2010
Reinventing a Classic
The constantly evolving Miami Beach kicks off the New Year by updating iconic hotel properties, expanding its culinary portfolio to welcome a handful of new steak houses, and adding a grandiose music academy.
THE W IN WOW Opening in April, the W South Beach Hotel & Residences will add to
SoBe’s continually growing oceanfront skyline. Event space includes two 2,250-square-foot
ballrooms, three smaller meeting rooms that each accommodate 60, and the hotel lawn, which
holds as many as 1,000. The property will also house the first Florida outpost of Mr. Chow and
Serafina restaurants—the first Serafina outside of New York City—both of which can host private and semiprivate events. The new W will also have seven treatment rooms at Bliss Spa,
which will be able to accommodate groups of as many as eight for private events. (2201 Collins
Ave., 305.938.3000, www.wsouthbeachresidence.com)
A HUB FOR THE CLASSICS The New World Symphony broke ground back in January 2008
on its new 106,350-square-foot campus, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.
Scheduled for completion in 2010, the new campus will become a global hub, cultural meeting space, and educational insitiution for classical music. At the heart of 17th Street’s City
Center Redevelopment Project—a joint venture which will also include a 600-space parking
garage and two-acre public park adjacent to the campus—the campus will feature 36,570
square feet of performance space, as well as more than 30 intimate multipurpose function
rooms. Additionally, the main building will boast a 6,000-square-foot rooftop garden and more
than 12,000 square feet of both lobby and outdoor pavilion space. (305.673.3330, www.nws.org)
MEET FOR MEAT A joint effort by restaurateur David Tornek and chef Sean Brasel, both for-
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NEW WORD SYMPHONY, LYALL ASTON (MEAT MARKET)
Miami
merly of Touch, Meat Market opened on Lincoln Road in early November. The 4,400-squarefoot contemporary steak house can accommodate as many as 180 guests and features a unique
three-tiered menu format that allows guests to enjoy the cuisine at all price points. A semiprivate area for groups of 24—with seating arranged for six people at four chef’s tables—highlights the floor-to-ceiling wine cellar behind it. There is also a sushi and raw bar inside dubbed
Crudo Bar. (915 Lincoln Road 305.532.0088, www.meatmarketmiami.com)
NOLA COMES TO SOBE On South Beach’s busy Washington Avenue, executive chef Tom
Azar brought New Orleans-style Cajun-Creole cuisine to the Miami area with the opening of
Ahnvee Restaurant and Lounge in December. Named after the Creole word for “a food craving,” the 9,000-square-foot, 200-seat eatery has a French Quarter atmosphere with brick
walls, wrought-iron detailing and lights, and a raised aquarium floor featuring an assortment
of fish. The lounge has a contemporary feel, with cayenne-colored decor, gold-flecked stone
floors, and a stage for live musical performances. Additionally, groups of 10 may take advantage of the private dining room, which doubles as a cognac lounge. (621 Washington Ave.,
954.802.3350, www.ahnvee.com)
FOOD & PRICES WELL DONE On 41st Street, Rare Steakhouse is an approachable alternative to some of its more pricey neighbors. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant can accommodate
as many as 165 guests, and has a private second-floor dining room for as many as 25, complete
Miami
1/20/09
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Page 9
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1/16/09
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Page 10
Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar
VENUE SPOTLIGHT ORLANDO
By Brittany Peitsmeyer
The Real OC
With new resort properties on the horizon, Orlando continues to stake its ground as a first-tier city in the national
meeting and conventions market.
NEW YORK TRANSPLANT The first Waldorf-Astoria since the original in New York will open on part of 482
acres in Orlando’s Bonnet Creek in October. The 497-room hotel will have more than 28,000 square feet of
indoor meeting space (including an 8,000-square-foot ballroom), as well as several outdoor function areas
poolside and within the ground’s gardens. Additionally, the Waldorf offers groups use of a 25,000-square-foot
island just off the property, which can host groups as large as 200. Dining options—offering private dining and
buyouts on a case-by-case basis—will include the 159-seat Bull & Bear Steakhouse, Oscar’s, and Peacock Alley.
Other on-site amenities include the 24,000-square-foot Spa by Guerlain and the 72-par Rees Jones-designed
championship golf course. (14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, 407.597.5500, www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com)
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR Sharing the 482 acres with the Waldorf-Astoria, the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
will also open this fall. The 1,000-room property is connected to its neighbor via an 114,000-square-foot conference center. With its largest event space at just over 36,000 square feet, the hotel also has boardrooms and
small and midsize spaces ranging from 670 square feet to 1,800 square feet. American restaurant
TOP EVENTS
Florida Film Festival March 27 to April 5
Florida Music Festival May 14 to 17
Give Kids the World Gala May 9
Orlando Fringe Festival May 14 to 25
Gay Days June 2 to 8
Headdress Ball October 3
Orlando Citrus Parade December
CONTACTS TO KNOW
Orlando/Orange County CVB 407.363.5872, www.orlandoinfo.com
Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce 407.425.1234, www.orlando.org
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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CUBA LIBRE
Orlando
Orlando
1/20/09
3:12 PM
Page 11
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Rendering of Orlando Events Center
24-Hour Itinerary: The Big O
EAT Sand Lake Road welcomed Midwest restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s Ocean
Prime in November. The modern American supper club features seafood and steaks
and a contrast-driven atmosphere of rich wood and sheer drapery. With a total capacity of 324, the restaurant has two private dining rooms with built-in audiovisual
equipment accommodating 50 and 14 guests, respectively. (7339 West Sand Lake
Road, Suite 420, 407.781.4880, www.ocean-prime.com)
Ocean Prime
Pomegranate and Italian eatery La Luce are among the on-site dining options with semiprivate
event space. The more family-friendly of the two Bonnet Creek hotels, the Hilton also has a
large swimming pool with a lazy river and waterslide, in addition to the use of the Waldorf’s 18hole Rees Jones golf course. (14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, 407.597.3600, www.hilton.com)
PROPERTY WITH CONNECTIONS Connected to the Orange County Convention Center via
open-air walkway, the Orlando Hilton will open in August. Spanning 26 acres, the 1,400room hotel will offer more than 200,000 square feet of function space, as well as seven dining options, several outdoor activity spaces, and a 15,000-square-foot spa. Indoor highlights
include the 50,000-square-foot Orlando Ballroom, the 30,000-square-foot Orange Ballroom,
21 meeting rooms, and nine boardrooms. Additionally, Spencer’s steak house will have a private dining room and a bar for 12, as well as a terrace for alfresco dining. Activity-focused
groups can take advantage of the property’s two pools, a nine-hole executive putting course,
and tennis, volleyball, basketball, and boccie courts. (6001 Canadian Court, 407.313.4300,
www.orlando.hilton.com)
FOR MIDSIZE GROUPS Opening its main building this spring in Lake Buena Vista, the
155-room Venturella Resort & Spa will offer 1,800 square feet of meeting space, including
DRINK Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar brought a taste of Havana within walking
distance of the convention center when it opened in January. The tropically adorned
bilevel space can seat 500 or hold as many as 1,000 guests for receptions. The Cubaninspired restaurant has several private dining and multipurpose rooms as well as an
expansive outdoor patio. Additionally, the in-house event team can provide professional
salsa dancers, Latin DJs, cigar rolling booths, rum tastings, and customized decor upon
request. (9101 International Drive, 407.226.1600, www.cubalibrerestaurant.com)
SLEEP The Peabody Orlando is currently undergoing a $420 million expansion, set
for completion in November 2010. The convention property will reopen with a new
32-story tower (housing more than 1,500 guest rooms and 120 suites, which can be
used as intimate breakout rooms) and more than 200,000 square feet of traditional meeting space. Looking beyond the ballroom, the property will also add a Napa
Valley-themed restaurant with an enclosed patio, available for private dinners and
complete buyouts, as well as three new pools. Additionally, a 22,000-square-foot spa
and seven-story parking garage for more than 2,000 vehicles will be built. (9801
International Drive, 407.352.4000, www.peabodyorlando.com)
.
Solo entertainer performing instrumentals
and vocals in the style of Kenny G,
Michael Buble’, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Buffet
Quality
Music
HUGE VARIETY!
t
a
e
r
G ce!
Pri
TM
PHOTOS: G AND G ADVERTISING (LOBBY), HOK SPORT
(EVENT CENTER), COURTESY OF OCEAN PRIME
Orlando
Orlando
1/16/09
11:28 AM
Page 13
The Power of Three
Rendering of Venturella Resort & Spa Lobby
In July 2007, Orlando began one of
the region’s most significant multibuilding public works projects.
Costing an estimated $1.1 billion—
the largest in Central Florida’s history
—the construction will include a
750,000-square-foot reconstruction
of the Amway Arena (to be renamed
the Orlando Events Center), a
400,000-square-foot performing
arts center with three theaters, and a
$178 million renovation to the Citrus
Bowl. Aiming for an October 2010
opening, the Events Center has
installed 1,500 concrete support pillars, and columns around the building’s lower bowl are being added in a
clockwise fashion as of December.
The Dr. P. Phillips Performing Arts
Center has plans to break ground in
mid-August and open its doors in
September 2012. As for the Citrus
Bowl, the team is currently in design
stages with plans to start work in
the last quarter of the year and complete the project in fall 2011.
the Veranda Ballroom, complete with an adjacent covered terrace. An
annex building to be completed in the fall will add another 5,000
square feet of meeting space with a ballroom and several smaller
multipurpose spaces. Additionally, the resort will have two restaurants and a 3,500-square-foot spa. (8688 Palm Pkwy., 407.239.950,
www.venturellaresort.com)
A DISNEY HOLIDAY This fall the Walt Disney World Resort will welcome a 323-room Holiday Inn property. The hotel will have 11,000
square feet of event and meeting space—the largest with a capacity of
600—including the 14-story open-air Atrium restaurant. (1805 Hotel
Plaza Blvd., 407.828.8888, holidayinn.com/hiwaltdisney.com)
ADD-ON AMENITY The Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
opened a new 2,000-square-foot meeting facility in August.
Accommodating 125 people, the multipurpose area has two boardrooms
and restroom facilities separate from the hotel’s. (8101 Resort Village
Drive, 407.597.0214, www.lbvresortvillage.com)
Industry News
MPI has selected Orlando to host the
2011 World Education Conference. An
estimated 3,300 meeting professionals
from more than 30 countries are
expected to attend the annual convention July 23 to 26, which serves to educate, inspire, and motivate the global
meeting planner community.
Full Service Destination
Management
ONE CONTINENT
ONE CONTACT
ONE OF A KIND
8529 South Park Circle, Suite 420 Orlando, Florida 32819 • p321.445.2341 • f407.370.0228
nquiries@getusnow.com • www.getusnow.com
Creative Production Services
VictoriaSecret
1/16/09
3:18 PM
Page 14
The 2008 Victoria’s
Secret Fashion Show was
held in a five-story tent
on the Fontainebleau
Hotel’s property.
Throughout the show, decor
elements such as oversize
butterflies and bright pink
lighting spelling out “PINK”
were added, and later
removed, to further accentuate
the collection on parade.
EVENT REPORTS
PRG Lighting employed a variety of
effect and ambient lighting throughout
the show.
The stage was simple, with a bilevel
performance platform in the center
accented by white-lit palm trees and
an orchestra pit on either end.
The 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show took place in Miami on November 15 with a different approach to the production’s decor than in years past.
WHETHER THE ECONOMY HAD any effect or execs at Victoria’s Secret wanted to tap into
a different avenue with decor and the venue, the company’s annual fashion show took place on
November 15 with less decor than in years past. Held inside a five-story tent—created and
designed by EventStar and London-based event company E.S.S.—on the newly renovated
Fontainebleau Hotel’s property, the show traded in its signature over-the-top atmospheric elements and runway setup for colorful lighting, and emphasis on the fashions.
With assistance from PRG Lighting, the lingerie company took attendees on a tour of
the world, from Greece and the Caribbean to South Beach,
and finally home to the Fontainebleau. Each scene was creatVictoria’s Secret Fashion
ed with recognizable and iconic images of each location—
Show 2008
such as the Art Deco hotels on South Beach and 1950s
Lighting Design/Equipment
images of the hotel—projected onto immense LED screens
PRG Lighting
PR O’Connell and Goldberg PR
on three sides of the stage.
PR Full Picture
The stage—overlooking the grandstand-style audience
PR KCD Inc.
Rentals Taylor Creative Inc.
and used instead of a conventional runway—was simple, with
Sound Southern AV
a bilevel performance platform in the center accented by
Tent EventStar
white-lit palm trees and an orchestra pit on either end.
14 bizbash.com/florida february/march 2009
Throughout the show, decor elements such as oversized butterflies, dragonflies, and flamingos, as well as crystal chandeliers and bright pink lighting spelling out “PINK” were added,
and later removed, to further accentuate the collection on parade.
Nearly 1,200 celebrities, fashion executives, buyers, and V.I.P.s watched as models, in
true VS fashion, strutted and danced on the runway for a 45-minute showcase of Victoria’s
Secret’s latest designs. Usher was the headlining performer, and also kicked off the show
with VS model Adriana Lima.
The show wrapped up with a grand finale of raining red rose petals onstage, another performance by Usher, and a fireworks display visible through the clear-span section overlooking
the hotel property.
Guests then made their way through the lobby into the hotel’s on-site nightclub, LIV, for
the official after-party. To keep order among the thousands of attendees and hotel guests
looking to catch a glimpse of the big names in attendance, celebrities were brought from the
pool level up to the club through Blade restaurant.
Notable names in attendance included John Stamos, Paris Hilton, Jason Lewis, Diddy,
Miami residents Donald and Lisa Pliner, and top Victoria’s Secret face Heidi Klum and her
husband, Seal. —D. Channing Muller
PHOTOS: WENN/MAGICALPHOTOS.COM/MITCHELL ZACHS, BIZBASH (FONTAINEBLEAU)
Victoria’s Secret Comes Undressed
VictoriaSecret
1/16/09
3:37 PM
Page 15
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1/16/09
4:25 PM
Page 16
Caterer of Choice:
“Celebrating 75 Years
of the Orange Bowl”
Creating Stunning Signature Events …Exclusively
Orange Bowl Committee 75th Anniversary Kick Off
FedEx Orange Bowl 75th Anniversary Gala
AT&T Sponsored Orange Bowl President’s Dinner
National Bowl Championship Series Gala
305.899.9117
www.2tastecatering.com
5
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TopEvents
1/16/09
2:01 PM
Page 18
FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
These 100 annual events make an impact on the state every year. Here’s an inside look at
the people and companies who make them happen. By Avian Nobles Curtis, D. Channing Muller, and Brittany Peitsmeyer
Fashion Events
GEN ART’S SHOP MIAMI Shop Miami 2008 returned to the Moore
FUNKSHION: FASHION WEEK MIAMI This four-day event celebrates the fusion of fashion and music by providing a platform for
progressive, established, and emerging designers to showcase
their collections. For the spring 2008 shows in October the event
took a more eco-friendly approach to fashion by bringing in environmental experts to assist with the production. Produced by Alain
Perez—owner of EventStar and cofounder of 3B Productions with
Aleksandar Stojanovic—the week included the inaugural Red Dress
fashion show, the debut of the Cookie Catwalk show (sponsored by
Cookie magazine, a family lifestyle publication from Condé Nast),
and shows at the Funkshion tent inside the Miami Beach Botanical
Gardens, the Gansevoort rooftop, and the Setai hotel. A second
show with fall/winter 2009 fashions begins March 1.
GEN ART’S FRESH FACES IN FASHION SHOW Organized
by Gen Art, the 2008 event on April 12 showcased nine emerging
fashion designers hailing from New York and Miami. Staged over
the rooftop pool at the Gansevoort Hotel and Residences in Miami
Beach, the fifth annual show drew more than 1,000 guests with
an after-party at the hotel’s rooftop lounge, Plunge. The event,
Gen Art’s largest fashion program, returns in April.
Food & Wine Events
BILTMORE INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE WEEKEND
For 2009, the festival has partnered with the South Beach Wine &
Food Festival, and will take place Feburary 21 to 24. Housed at the
Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, this is the only major festival in the
country to feature all reserve, single-vineyard, and upper-tier
wines exclusively, from more than 30 vineyards. In its 11th year, the
event is coordinated by Cellar Club director Yvonne Roberts and
presented by Wine Spectator in conjunction with the club.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the University of Miami
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
DELRAY BEACH GARLIC FESTIVAL The ninth annual event,held
again at historic Old School Square, featured the Garlic Chef competition, where hand-selected South Florida chefs competed Iron Chefstyle for the coveted title. From February 13 to 15, the 2009 event will
add the Great Delray Beach Pizza War, a new competition exclusively
for the city’s pizzerias. Other activities include the Cloves and Vines
Wine Garden, sponsored by Crane’s Beach House in downtown
Delray and Budweiser; and a variety of concerts—Los Lonely Boys are
slated for 2009. The event, produced by Nancy Stewart of Delray
Beach Arts Inc., draws about 30,000 people and more than 150 vendors to the city annually. Executive director Nancy Stewart and
Festival Management Group produce the event.
CHOCOLATES OF THE WORLD This international gala, hosted
by the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville, pits worldrenowned chefs against each other in the ultimate dessert showdown. Competitors for the “Chocolates of the World” title are
judged in three categories, including presentation, decorated sta-
Building in Miami’s design district on June 26 with an evening of fashion presentations, shopping, cocktails, and music. Forty of Miami’s top
boutiques set up shop throughout the building’s four floors to sell their
wares at discount prices, while guests enjoyed an open bar from
Bailey’s and Perrier,a set by DJ Induce,a fashion show sponsored by Citi,
and spa treatments.Gen Art regional director Julia Brown and regional
event director Monica Glass planned the event with event coordinator
Andrea Aberegg.The discounts return to Miami this summer.
IMAGINE 2008 Presented by the International Academy of
Design & Technology, this annual sold-out fashion show in Tampa
replaced the academy’s former annual Strut event. In 2008, nearly 300 supporters stepped out at the A La Carte Pavilion on June 14
to see the latest designs in bridal, cocktail, evening, and sportswear fashion from more than 50 avant-garde designers. The 2009
event, benefiting the American Cancer Society, will return to the
pavilion on April 30 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
JOCKS AND JEWELS CELEBRITY FASHION SHOW More than
200 guests attended this seventh annual fashion show and fund-raiser—put on by Charisse Strawberry, former wife of New York Yankee
Darryl Strawberry—on February 28, 2008, to support the National
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Tampa Bay. Athletes,
wives, and mothers of famous all-star athletes served as models for
the runway show at Saks Fifth Avenue. Former professional baseball
and football star Deion Sanders served as M.C. for the live auction,
which raised nearly $150,000. [Dates for 2009 have yet to be set.]
MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK SWIM The second annual swimwear fashion week was held in 2008 at the Raleigh Hotel
from July 17 to 21. Coordinated by IMG Fashion—the world’s
largest producer of fashion events—the week brings together big
names in fashion labels including Tommy Bahama, Ed Hardy, and
Custo Barcelona, with sponsors such as Smashbox cosmetics,
Smartwater, and Ocean Drive. The designers return to South
Beach July 16 to 20 to showcase their 2010 collections.
MIAMI FASHION WEEK The 10th annual event took place April
9 to 13 at Soho Studios, home to all of the week's events for the second year in a row. The shows had fashionistas, media, and aspiring
designers alike running from the Wynwood shows, trend seminars,
and discussions to the South Beach after-parties. Founded by Sobol
Fashion Productions Inc. and coordinated by powerhouse public
relations firm KSVP Media & Events, the five-day extravaganza featured more than 60 Latin American designers, whose wares ranged
from jewelry and accessories to menswear and lingerie. The fashions return to Soho Studios from March 19 to 22.
tion, and taste, and draws close to 300 spectators each year. The
2009 competition took place on January 31 at the Sawgrass Golf
Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach.
EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL The 13th
Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival—which ran
September 26 to November 9—showcased regional foods, wines,
and beers from 25 countries. Held at the Walt Disney World theme
park,the event also featured food demos,competitions,and a concert
series dubbed “Eat to the Beat” with acts such as Boyz II Men. Dates
for 2009 have yet to be set.
FEAST OF LITTLE ITALY Running for three consecutive days in
Jupiter, this festival celebrates Italian culture, music, art, and most
importantly, cuisine. Presented in 2008 by Maroone Lincoln-Mercury,
the event ran from November 7 to 9 at the area’s Abacoa Town
Center. Activities included a Francis Ford Coppola-sponsored wine
tasting, cooking demos, and an entertainment lineup of local talent.
In its seventh year, the festival is still run by its founders, Bill Fagnano
and Jerry Somma. [Dates for 2009 haven’t been announced.]
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Dating back to 1930—
when it was first organized by the founders of the Plant City Lions
Club—this community affair features ethnic traditions, social
events, contests, youth development programs, and music. Other
attractions include arts and crafts, horticulture and livestock,
parades, and midway rides. Held at its own namesake fairgrounds,
the fest attracts more than 550,000 people from around the country. The 2009 event is scheduled for February 26 to March 8.
ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL Taking place in
Fernandina Beach the first weekend in May, the 45th annual Isle of
Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in 2008 had an impact of more than
$16 million on the local economy. The event hosts a multitude of
music, arts and crafts, antique, and food booths spread out
throughout the historic downtown Centre Street business district
on Amelia Island. The 2009 event is scheduled for May 1 to 3.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL WINE FAIR The seventh annual
Miami International Wine Fair—managed by Vineamericas Inc.—
took place October 25 to 27 at the Miami Beach Convention
Center. The fair was spread across more than 70,000 square feet,
ranking it among the five biggest wine shows in the country. More
than 7,000 industry professionals and aficionados tasted nearly
1,500 wines from 15 countries and participated in a diverse seminar schedule with topics such as pairing sushi with sake, and
introductions to wines from India, the Pacific Northwest, and
Brazil. After the show wrapped up, V.I.P.s were invited to intimate
wine dinners at venues across the beach, including Smith &
Wollensky, Hotel Victor, and Opium Garden (for the official afterparty).The 2009 fair is scheduled for September 26 and 27 with an
expanded exhibit floor of 85,000 square feet.
NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL More than 30 of the
world’s renowned vintners and celebrity chefs were on hand to
attract prominent bidders, high rollers, and collectors of fine
wines from around the world to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort on
January 25 and 26 last year. The eighth annual event sold 635
tickets—the most in its history, with an additional 80 people
put on a wait list—999 bottles of wine, and 73 luxury auction
items, raking in $14 million for children’s charities, with the
average auction bid at more than $197,000. Ranked among the
top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans by
the Luxury Institute, the festival combines the efforts of 1,350
Check out
Rich in historic character • Superb acoustics
Recently upgraded technical capabilities
Extensively restored interiors • ADA accessible
Seating for 1,567 guests • Ticketmaster outlet
Private receptions available
Personalized service for meeting and event professionals
Dazzle Your Guests
Private dinners on stage, speaking engagements,
gala fundraisers, film screenings, concerts
Call 305-374-2444 x222 to book your next event.
Office: 169 East Flagler St., Suite 837, Miami, FL 33131 • Theater: 174 East Flager St., Miami, FL 33131
www.gusmancenter.org
BizBash.com/florida
for complete
coverage of
many
of these
noteworthy
events.
TopEvents
1/20/09
3:10 PM
Page 19
Reinvented . Recreated . Renewed
TopEvents
1/16/09
2:03 PM
Page 20
FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
Ritz employees and nearly 400 volunteers. Founded by the
Naples Children & Education Foundation, the event benefits the
organization’s efforts to improve the lives of underprivileged
and at-risk children in the county. The 2009 festival is scheduled
for February 6 to 8.
PENSACOLA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL More than 75,000 attendees enjoy local musical acts and the fare of more than 150 carefully selected food and craft vendors at the Pensacola Seafood
Festival every September. Popular elements of the three-day
event are a 5K walk/run and a fishing tournament, the Oberto
Redfish Cup. The festival is held in the Seville Square area of historic downtown Pensacola and is produced by the Fiesta of Five
Flags Association. Andrea Tippett is the event coordinator and
works with more than 400 volunteers. The 2009 festival will
return September 25 to 27.
Sports Events
dent Curtis Gray, “Ford Championship Weekend is the toughest
annual sports ticket to obtain in South Florida.”The three-day event
also includes concerts and driver meet-and-greets.
GATE RIVER RUN More than 18,000 participants turned out for
the 31st annual Gate River Run in Jacksonville last March. Billed as
the largest 15K run in the country, the race begins at the
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and runs through downtown and
historic San Marco before returning to the start line. The 2009
race is scheduled for March 14.
KONICA MINOLTA GATOR BOWL CLASSIC Beginning in
1946, the Gator Bowl Classic became the first-ever coast-to-coast
telecast of a college bowl game in 1955 and has continued to be
nationally televised since. Played on New Year’s Day each year at
the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the bowl attracts more than
60,000 people each year and is preceded by the Gator Bowl Parade
on December 31, which has nearly 100 participants, including bands
from across the country, giant balloons, floats, and performers.
LITTLE EVERGLADES STEEPLECHASE More than 16,000 attendees attended the eighth annual Mercedes-Benz Little Everglade’s
Steeplechase Races in Dade City last year on March 9.Named the Best
Attraction of 2008 by the readers of Florida Monthly, the day included
six sanctioned horse races, an antique-style carriage parade, and a hat
contest billed as the most outrageous in Florida. The event raised an
estimated $60,000 for three charities.The race returns on March 8.
MIAMI BEACH POLO WORLD CUP For the fourth year in a row,
Miami Beach hosted the international polo community at the 2008
Miami Beach Polo World Cup April 25 to 27. Six international teams,
and nearly 80 ponies, participated in the three-day event coordinated
by ACT Productions and held in the sands of Miami Beach just behind
the Setai.The inclusion of two additional teams gave the tournament
the official title of the world’s largest and most prestigious polo tournament on the beach. A host of events surrounded the matches
including a horse parade on the beach and V.I.P. “Polo Goes Social”
cocktail party at the Sagamore.The tournament returns May 1 to 3.
MS GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS Formerly held at the Amelia
Island Plantation, the MS Group Championships (formerly the
Bausch & Lomb Championships) will return to North Florida for
the 2009 tournament April 6 to 12 at the Sawgrass Country Club
in Ponte Vedra. Celebrating its 30th year, the tournamentis one of
the most anticipated stops on the Sony Ericsson WTA tour, the
world’s premier professional sporting event for women, with
more than 2,000 players, which attracted more than 4.7 million
attendees to its matches in 2007.
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP The PGA Tournament’s
Players Championship golf tournament is held each year at TPC
BIKE WEEK Half a million motorcycle enthusiasts descend on
Daytona Beach the first week of every March to celebrate Bike
Week. Since its inception in 1937, Bike Week has grown into a 10-day
spectacle of cycles, live entertainment, and vendors—selling bike
gear, of course, plus a variety of food and beverages. Organized by
the Daytona Beach and Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce, Bike
Week features several rides for charity and activities at surrounding
bars and nightclubs, in addition to its impressive display of hogs.
DAYTONA 500 Produced by the Daytona International Speedway,
the 2008 race marked the 50th anniversary of the “Great American
Race.” Taking place on February 17, the event marked the first year
using the Nascar Car of Tomorrow—a boxier car boasting better
safety, cost maintenance, and competition performance. Marking
the beginning of Nascar season, the 2008 race posted more than
$18.6 million in awards.The race kicked off with Trisha Yearwood performing the national anthem for the 250,000 fans in attendance.
The 51st annual race is scheduled for February 15.
FEDEX ORANGE BOWL The 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl featured
the Doobie Brothers as the halftime performer. Played on January 1
at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, the surrounding Orange Bowl
Festival includes the Budweiser Tailgate Party, the AvMed Coaches
Luncheon, and the National Fan Fest in Bicentennial Park.
Presented by the city of Miami, Fan Fest draws revelers to a one-day
concert of top musical performers attended by former football
players, cheerleaders, bands, and mascots of the teams participating in the BCS National Championship game, which occurs a week
later. Organized by the Orange Bowl Committee, this year’s event
marked the 75th anniversary of the game.
FLEET WEEK PORT EVERGLADES Due to the cancellation of
the McDonald’s Air and Sea Show in 2008, Broward Navy Days produced the 14th annual Fleet Week Port Everglades. The weeklong
tribute to the nation’s seagoing military personnel began April 28
with an official reception at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and
Casino in Hollywood. One of the largest spectator events in the
country, Fleet Week brought nearly 2,500 sailors, marines, and coast
guard servicemen and women—along with their vessels—to
South Florida through May 4. Surrounding events include golf tournaments, blood drives, intramural athletic tournaments, and more.
The ships return to Port Everglades April 27 to May 2.
FORD CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND Every November,
Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the conclusion of three Nascar
racing series—the Craftsman Truck Series, Busch Series, and the
highly anticipated Sprint Cup Series. According to speedway presi-
POMPANO BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL The end of Atlantic
Boulevard, where the street meets the sand, marks the location for
the annual Pompano Beach Seafood Festival. In its 24th year, the
event ran from April 25 to 27 in 2008 and included beachfront performances, a boardwalk arts and crafts bazaar, fresh seafood food
court, and kids-only zone. Good Event Management produces the
festival, which draws in 25,000 revelers annually, and all revenues
benefit local charities such as the Boys and Girls Club. The 25th
anniversary will be celebrated April 24 to 26.
FOOD NETWORK SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Founded and directed by Lee Brian Schrager, the South Beach Wine &
Food Festival has evolved expotentionally over its eight-year existance. What began as a one-day festival at Florida International
University’s Biscayne Bay campus has grown to include a lineup of
more than 40 events across Miami’s most exclusive venues.
Benefiting Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and
Tourism Management, the event attracts the most celebrated chefs
and culinary personalities, as well as more than 2,000 vendors and
40,000 guests.The 2009 dates are February 19 to 22.
WINEQUEST In its 13th year, this summer wine festival offers wine
tastings, dinners, auctions, and interactive seminars at Orlando venues such as the JW Marriott Grand Lakes and Grand Bohemian
Hotel. The 10-day event supports Quest Inc., an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. WineQuest
is coordinated by a team of wine industry professionals, including
sommeliers, wine educators and brokers, restaurateurs, chefs, and
retailers. [Dates for 2009 have yet to be determined.]
Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. In 2008, Spaniard Sergio Garcia
became the second European to win the title in the tournament’s
35-year history, taking home $1.7 million of a $9.5 million purse—
the largest in the tournament’s history and richest in world golf.
The 2009 matchup is scheduled for May 7 to 9.
RED HILLS HORSE TRIALS This annual equestrian event serves
as an International Equestrian Federation World Cup Qualifier, as
well as one of the U.S. Eventing Association’s Adequan Gold Cup
Series events. The 2008 trials, which took place March 13 to 16 at
Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee, sent shockwaves through
the equestrian world as one rider was injured and two horses died
during competition. The three-day event also includes A Taste of
Red Hills, a county-fair-style event with merchandise and food
vendors, educational demonstrations, and a kids’ fun area.
Organized by the Red Hill Horse Trials board of directors, the 2009
trials will take place March 13 to 15.
SONY ERICSSON OPEN Attracting nearly 300,000 guests, the
2008 Open on Key Biscayne unfolded a portfolio of events in addition to the tennis matches. These included concerts and fashion
shows at the tournament's makeshift village in Crandon Park,
which also hosted sponsors like Mercedes-Benz, Fila, and Bank of
America in their own branded tents and booths. To lead into the
tournament, top tennis players Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal
faced off for the tournament’s “Walk on Water” contest played on
a custom-built court submerged just below the water’s surface in
the Gansevoort South hotel’s rooftop pool. Produced by IMG, the
12-day tournament took place March 26 to April 6.
WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WEEKEND Approximately
18,000 athletes participated in a weekend of fitness expos and
challenging races in January 2008. The weekend of energizing
events includes a half-marathon, kids fest, health and fitness expo,
Goofy Race, and the concluding 26.2-mile marathon through four
of the Walt Disney World Resort parks. Event organizers expect
more than 22,000 participants for the 2009 marathon, which took
place January 9 to 11.
WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS-CA CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2008 tournament marked the second consecutive year that
CA Inc. was the title sponsor. The three-day championship golf
tournament attracted just under 100,000 spectators to the Doral
Golf Resort & Spa from March 20 to 23. Geoff Ogilvy beat out the
other 74 participating golfers to take home the Gene Sarazen
Trophy and a check for $1.35 million. The win made him the third
player to win more than one World Golf Championship title. The
tournament will return to the Blue Monster golf course at the
Doral from March 9 to 15.
Events are
about People.
The most important part
of any event is people,
exhilarate them!
TopEvents
1/16/09
11:46 AM
Page 21
PHONE
LOCATIONS
800. 854. 4705
New Castle, PA
Atlanta, GA
Las Vegas, NV
WEB
www.pyrotecnico.com
Montgomery, AL
New Orleans, LA
Tampa, FL
e ars of
100 yinnovation
TopEvents
1/16/09
3:40 PM
Page 22
FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
Dance, Music &
Theater Events
BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC CONFERENCE & AWARDS The
most prestigious Latin music conference to date, the 19th annual
event brought more than 1,000 music industry professionals to the
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood April 6 to 10 to
honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers.
Determined by sales and radio airplay data gathered for Billboard’s
weekly charts, the awards were sponsored by Heineken. Peripheral
events included educational seminars, nightly networking parties,
and the Billboard Bash—a preshow event featuring performances
by the finalists—at Spirits nightclub the night before the awards.
The 2009 event, sponsored by State Farm Insurance, is scheduled for
April 19 to 23 at the Eden Roc resort in Miami.
CLEARWATER JAZZ HOLIDAY What started as a 10-day series
of jazz concerts held on the back of a flatbed truck has evolved
over the past 30 years into an international jazz festival. The free,
four-day event—presented by Mercedes-Benz and Marine Max—
attracts 60,000 jazz enthusiasts to the Tampa Bay area each year.
Jazz ’n’Art Walk (running in conjunction with the festival) debuted
in 2008 and will double its size to include 50 displaying artists in
2009. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation, the City of
Clearwater, and its volunteers coordinate the event, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary October 15 to 18.
FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL Held at the Stephen Foster Folk
Culture Center State Park in White Springs, the folk fest celebrated
its 55th year in 2008. More than 20,000 attendees enjoyed dance
workshops, arts and crafts, banjo and fiddle contests, and of
course, folk music. Originally started by Ada Holding Miller—president of the National Federation of Music Clubs—in 2002, the
Florida Park Service produces the festival.The 2009 event is scheduled for May 22 to May 24.
FLORIDA MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE The music
industry takes over downtown Orlando every spring for this fourday event consisting of concerts, seminars, music video screenings,
and industry parties.The 2008 event featured more than 250 artists
at 15 venues throughout the city. Sean Perry and Rick Wheeler are
the founders and directors of the fest, produced by aXis Productions
& Events. The music returns to Orlando from May 14 to 17.
INTERNATIONAL BALLET FESTIVAL OF MIAMI In its 13th season, the festival has become a major international ballet event, featuring nearly 120 dancers representing more than 25 dance companies from around the world.Workshops,dance film showcases,ballet
master classes, and the presentation of 94-year-old Frederic Franklin
with a lifetime achievement award were among this past year’s highlights. The festival is the creation of Pedro Pablo Peña, founder of the
Miami Hispanic Ballet, and will take place August 28 to September 6.
LANGERADO MUSIC FESTIVAL In its sixth year, the jamband-based music festival relocated from Sunrise’s Markham Park
to the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, in the heart of the Florida
Everglades. The four-day festival attracted more 25,000 revelers in
2008 with bands like R.E.M and 311. Produced by co-founders
Ethan Schwartz and Mark Brown, Langerado moves yet again for
2009 to downtown Miami’s Bicentennial Park from March 6 to 8,
with featured acts such as Snoop Dogg and Death Cab for Cutie.
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL Created in
1992 by Terry Olson, the festival is now the longest-running Fringe
festival outside of Europe, Australia, or Asia. It has evolved from using
empty storefronts as venues to using the Orlando Shakespeare
Theater and the Orlando Reparatory Theater. Twenty-five thousand
guests and 500 artists attended and participated in 2008. The festival—whose philosophy is to be 100 percent unjuried, uncensored,
accessible, and profitable for the artists—returns May 14 to 25.
PENSACOLA JAZZ FESTIVAL In spite of some rain, the 25th
Annual Pensacola JazzFest—held April 5 to 6, 2008—drew more
than 10,000 to downtown’s Seville Square. Butch Thompson's Big
Three, the Shelly Berg Trio, and Jazz Guardians were amongst the
nationally known headliners. Produced by the Jazz Society of
Pensacola, the 2009 event will take place the weekend of April 4.
SPRINGING THE BLUES FESTIVAL Known as Florida’s largest
free outdoor blues festival, the three-day event draws more than
40,000 attendees to the city of Jacksonville Beach. Held annually
on the first weekend in April, the festival is planned and executed
by the Springing the Blues Society, and attracts renowned blues
artists from all over the country to perform at Jacksonville Beach’s
oceanfront Sea Walk Pavilion. Other events at the fest include a 5K
run, a surfing contest, and a bike ride for cancer research.
SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL City Theater presented its 13th
annual theater program to thousands of viewers at two south
Florida performing arts centers, the Adrienne Arsht Center and the
Broward Center.The theater creatively divided the program’s works
into age-appropriate formats: “Shorts 4 Kids,” “Undershorts” (for
adults only), and “Signature Shorts” (consisting of 16 plays divided
into two programs). The 2009 theater program will take place
throughout May and June at both venues.
SUNFEST Founded in 1982, this waterfront music and art festival
brings more than 300,000 people to West Palm Beach annually. Top
names such as Santana, Ludacris, Sheryl Crow, and Kool & the Gang
have performed.Produced by Sunfest of Palm Beach County Inc.and a
structured board of directors and members (including Jimmy Buffett
as an honorary member), the 2009 concert is set for April 29 to May 3.
TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL Some 45,000 blues fans head to St.
Petersburg’s Vinoy Waterfront Park for the three-day Tampa Bay Blues
Festival every year.The 2009 festival—sponsored by Florin/Roebig personal-injury lawyers—is slated for March 20 to 22,and will feature performances by Delbert McClinton and Irma Thomas, as well as an official after-party at independent event venue Nova 535.
WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE Going into its 24th year, WMC
is an annual weeklong music conference in March, offering more
than 500 performances, seminars, and networking parties. Held in
more than 30 Miami venues, the 2008 event attracted 2,211 of the
world’s most celebrated artists and DJs like Lady GaGa and Bob
Sinclair, as well as 3,726 industry delegates and more than 62,000
music lovers from 70 countries. The electronic music industry will
return to Miami from March 24 to 28.
ULTRA MUSIC FEST The closing event of the Winter Music
Conference, Ultra draws more than 40,000 revelers to Bicentennial
Park to witness more than 200 musicians and DJs perform on 10
stages.With sister events in Ibiza, Brazil, New York, and Puerto Rico, the
event—founded and produced by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes—is
the largest of its kind in the United States. The 11th annual concert is
March 27 and 28 featuring Tiësto, Moby, and the Prodigy.
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Trade Shows, Expos &
Conventions
FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW The Fort
Lauderdale Boat Show, billed as the largest boat show in the world,
returned to South Florida October 30 to November 2. With events at six
sites in the coastal Fort Lauderdale area, the annual boating event showcased an estimated $3 billion of marine transport hardware. An international news and press breakfast and the 11th annual Bremen Brothers
Beach Bash at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park were among the events surrounding the four-day conference.The 2008 event was presented by Ginn
sur Mer,a luxury community atWest End on Grand Bahama Island.
HD BOUTIQUE A design trade show for the hospitality industry,
the HD Boutique expo and conference in Miami attracts everyone
from architects and hoteliers to interior and furniture designers.
Presented by Hospitality Design magazine and held at the Miami
Beach Convention Center, companies and hotel suppliers showcase
their latest products and the newest design trends during the
three-day show, which hosted more than 700 manufacturers, suppliers, and artisans in 2008. The expo returns to south Florida
September 14 and 15.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW AND STRICTLY SAIL
This annual event brings together thousands of the year’s newest
Film & Media Events
INTERNATIONAL CLIO AWARDS The 49th annual
International Clio Awards and Festival took place May 14 and 15,
headquartered at the Gansevoort South Hotel on South Beach.
The ceremony, co-produced by Neil Vogel and Rodger Berman, is
the most recognized global award competition for the advertising, design, interactive, print, radio, and television industries. The
show moves to Las Vegas for its 50th anniversary May 12 to 14.
MIAMI GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL Presented by
HBO, the 10-day 2008 international film festival began April 25
with the official opening-night “Christmas in April”-themed
gala at Jungle Island. Following the film screenings each night,
after-parties were held at various South Beach venues, including
powerboats,engines,sailboats,electronics,and marine accessories from
more than 2,200 exhibitors. Based at the Miami Beach Convention
Center, with in-water displays at the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
and Strictly Sail taking place in the Miamarina at Bayside, the five-day
show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association
and is one of the largest consumer boat shows in the world. Events
scheduled for the 2009 show February 12 to 16 include the annual block
party, Discover Boating Center, Big Game room, and the new child play
area across the street at the Miami Botanical Gardens.
PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW The 2009 PGA Merchandise Show
was scheduled to take place in Orlando from January 29 to 31, offering more than 70 educational seminars presented by the PGA of the
Americas and the Association of Golf Merchandisers. Launched in
1954 as the first golf trade show of its kind, the three-day show draws
more than 45,000 people annually to the Orange County Convention
Center. The 2008 show covered more than a million square feet of
floor space with 1,200 companies represented and nearly 45,000 PGA
professionals and leading industry experts in attendance.
Throughout the show attendees may also test-drive the newest
products on demo day, attend the award banquet honoring the best
in the PGA America ranks, and more.
SEATRADE CRUISE SHIPPING CONVENTION The 24th
annual global exhibition and conference drew nearly 11,000 atten-
dees, an 11 percent increase from 2007, to the Miami Beach
Convention Center from March 10 to 13, 2008. Each year the show
brings together the commercial shipping, cruise, and yachting
industries under one roof to network and share information such
as new destinations, new products, and traditional port updates.
The show, considered the leading industry event, introduced two
new elements in 2008: Cruise Shipping Television and Travel
Agent Thursday, a trade education program for agents to attend
the show and gather insider information about the industry’s latest advancements. The show is produced by CMP Princeton Inc.
and will return to the convention center March 16 to 19.
SOUTH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW One of the
largest and most prestigious in the country, the South Florida
International Auto Show previewed the newest models of cars,
trucks, and SUVs from November 7 to 16 at the Miami Beach
Convention Center. The 38th annual show featured nearly 1,000 of
the newest models from more than 40 manufacturers—from luxurious and exotic to concept and everyday vehicles—from all over the
world in more than one million square feet of exhibit space. For the
first time, attendees were also given the chance to test-drive general motors’and Hyundai’s 2009 cars at ride and drive events held during the show. Clifford S. Ray is the event show coordinator; the show
is organized by the South Florida Auto-Truck Sealers Association.
the Dorset rooftop at the Catalina Hotel, Score nightclub, Vino
Wine Bar, and the Maxine hotel. The festival wrapped up after
showing a record 97 shorts, documentaries, and feature films,
with a closing-night gala at the Miami Art Space in the
Wynwood arts district. The Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film
Festival held its inaugural event May 1 to 4 in conjunction with
the established Miami fest. The 11th annual event returns to
Miami from April 23 to May 3.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Close to 70,000
people—along with 300 filmmakers, producers, and industry representatives from around the world—attended the 25th annual
festival February 28 to March 9, 2008. The event experienced a 300
percent increase in film submissions since 2007, resulting in a 20
percent increase in the number of screenings—totaling 166 in
2008—over the same number of days as in years past. Screenings,
including 10 world premieres, were held nightly at the Gusman
Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. The festival—
which attracts big-name actors and directors like David
Schwimmer, Helen Hunt, and Demi Moore—returns March 6 to 15.
SUNSHINE STATE AWARDS CEREMONY The 14th annual
Sunshine State Awards took place on May 31, 2008, at the Sheraton
Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel. The awards, given in 67 categories,
were presented by the South Florida chapter of the Society of
Professional Journalists, are bestowed on journalists across the
state for excellence in categories such as feature writing, investigative reporting, and non-deadline sports journalism. The Miami
Herald took home top honors, with 10 first-place wins, followed by
The Tampa Tribune. The 2009 ceremony is scheduled for late May.
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Page 24
FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
Arts & Cultural Events
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH A four-day art fair, Art Basel Miami
Beach combines millions of dollars of contemporary art with million-dollar parties and thousands of international visitors, making
it one of the biggest annual events in Miami. A spin-off of the main
fair in Basel, Switzerland, the event takes place every December at
the Miami Beach Convention Center and multiple venues across
the city. The 2008 festival was held December 4 to 7 and attracted
nearly 40,000 people.
ART DECO WEEKEND FESTIVAL The 32nd annual Art Deco
Weekend, presented by the Miami Design Preservation League,
took place between 5th and 15th streets on Miami Beach’s Ocean
Drive from January 16 to 18. Nearly 400,000 people were expected
to attend the three-day festival’s more than 85 events, including
lectures, films, parades, and a street fair. The event aims to attract
visitors to the Art Deco historic district and raise awareness of the
arts and culture of the Art Deco era (around 1925 to 1945). The 2010
fair is scheduled for January 15 to 17.
ARTIGRAS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Named one of the top 50 fineart festivals in the country by Southeast Tourist, the ArtiGras Fine Arts
Festival takes place every February at the Abacoa Town Center in
Jupiter. Attracting nearly 150,000 guests, the three-day event is coordinated by the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce,
along with 1,200 volunteers, and features more than 280 artists
annually. The 2009 festival will take place February 14 to 16.
ART MIAMI Previously held in January at the Miami Beach
Convention Center, Art Miami was rescheduled to December and
relocated to the midtown Miami arts district to coincide with Art
Basel Miami Beach. The 100,000-square-foot pavilion in midtown
housed more than 115 national and international contemporary art
galleries’ featured artists from December 3 to 7. Shuttle service to
and from Art Basel’s home base at the convention center was
sponsored by BlackRock, the country’s largest asset manager.
CALLE OCHO Serving as the culmination of Carnival Miami,
this 23-block street festival attracts nearly one million Hispanic
partygoers of all ages to Little Havana every March. Renowned
for its musical attributes, the festival’s talent lineup includes the
top names—as well as newcomers—in Latin entertainment and
an array of authentic culinary vendors. Produced by the Kiwanis
Club of Little Havana, Calle Ocho will return on March 15 to celebrate its 31st year.
Benefits
AN AFFAIR OF THE ARTS GALA Every January, the National
Foundation for Advancement in the Arts hosts the An Affair of the
Arts gala as the culmination of youngARTS week in Miami. The
event brings together the area’s best young and established artists
and donors to raise money for the foundation’s support of young
artists, art education, and support of the arts in America. The 2009
gala was scheduled for January 17 at the remodeled Fontainebleau
hotel on Miami Beach.
BAPTIST HOSPITAL BALL Nearly 650 guests attended Baptist
Hospital’s annual ball on November 22 at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa
in Miami. The Rock ‘n’ Royalty-themed gala—the brainchild of Baptist
Health Foundation’s Lori Elsbree and executed by Galaxy
Productions—was the foundation’s departure from the traditional
black-tie gala,inviting guests to wear their best jeans and jewels. From
CHASCO FIESTA Ranked as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s
top 20 events for five consecutive years, the Chasco Fiesta is centered
on the legend of Queen Chasco and her consort, Pithla. Celebrating
Florida’s Native American heritage in New Port Richey’s Sims Park,
this 11-day event includes a street carnival, antique show, golf and
softball tournaments, and parades benefiting more than 30 nonprofit groups. The 2009 festival is scheduled for March 19 to 29.
COCONUT GROVE ARTS FESTIVAL The festival, held every
February, attracts more than 150,000 patrons to check out the
juried work of the more than 330 participating artists, and is one of
South Florida’s premier events. The BlueCross Blue Shield of
Florida-sponsored festival sells an estimated $4 million of art in
three days. The 2009 festival—the 45th annual event—will take
place February 14 to 16 on the streets of Coconut Grove.
DELRAY AFFAIR The 47th annual Delray Affair, the most popular
arts and crafts street festival in Palm Beach County, is scheduled for
April 17 through 19 along 10 city blocks and side streets of downtown Delray Beach. Drawing more than 250,000 people annually,
the fair has more than 600 vendors, as well as strolling entertainment and live performances on three stages. This three-day festival is held the first weekend after Easter and is produced by the
Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
DESIGN MIAMI Last year’s Design Miami was held December 3
to 6—taking place alongside Art Basel—in a 43,000-square-foot
modular structure in the city’s design district, constructed specifically for the event by EventStar and New York-based architects
Aranda/Lasch. The four-day event, featuring installations by 25
leading historical and contemporary design galleries, was presented in partnership with HSBC Private Bank and sponsored by Audi
and Swarovski Crystal Palace.
DIGITAL GRAFFITI AT ALYS BEACH Every Labor Day weekend,
Alys Beach—a white sand, white-walled Caribbean-inspired town
on the panhandle—welcomes artists from around the world to
participate in its Digital Graffiti event. In 2008, more than 40 digital artists created temporary technological installations by projecting digital art such as short films, photography, and YouTube
videos onto the walls of the beachside community. More than
1,000 attendees from as far as Japan and New York gathered to see
the one-of-a-kind art show.
FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL The 16th annual Florida
Renaissance Festival brought more than 100,000 history buffs to
Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Taking place each Saturday
the ticket booth and security entrance, to the ticket scalpers and rock
entertainment, the rock-concert theme was evident. In the end, more
than $320,000 was raised for the hospital’s radiology department.
DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE’S LOVE AND HOPE BALL
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation once again held its 34th
annual Love and Hope Ball at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in
Hollywood on February 16. In keeping with this year’s theme, “An
Evening of Dance and Romance,” Atlas Floral Decorators—with help
from Nuage Designs and Panache: A Classic Party Rental Company—
employed shades of red, pink, burgundy, and creamy white from floor
to ceiling within the hotel ballroom. In combination with the event’s
preview party in December 2007, the event raised more than $1 million
for the foundation.The ball will return to the Westin on February 14.
DELIVER THE DREAM DENIM & DIAMONDS GALA Deliver
the Dream, a nonprofit, specialized retreat program for families facing serious illness or crisis, held its fifth annual Denim and
from February 9 to March 9, the festival—produced by Bobby
Rodriguez Productions—gives patrons a taste of the 16th century
with Renaissance-era arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as
knights in full armor jousting and sword fighting. The 2009 event
is scheduled for February 11 to March 8.
GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL This three-day juried art
show in Pensacola’s historic Seville Square receives more than 600
applications annually for the approximately 200 artist spots available. The event offers nearly $25,000 in prize money and was
recently ranked as one of the top 50 fine art shows in the nation by
Sunshine Artist magazine. The next festival is scheduled for
November 6 to 8.
PHOTO MIAMI Held in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach
each December, the third annual Photo Miami—a photo-based
art, video, and new media exhibit—took place December 3 to 7. In
a 40,000-square-foot temporary structure in the Wynwood art
district, the exhibit showcased work by more than 200 contemporary artists from more than 60 galleries. Organized by Artfairs Inc.,
the event was expected to attract nearly 15,000 people.
SPRINGTIME TALLAHASSEE The annual Springtime
Tallahassee Festival brings nearly 200,000 people and more than
$5 million in tourism income every March. Started in 1967, the
event is dedicated to the preservation of the city’s history, and with
a parade of more than 70,000 participants, has been ranked as one
of the top 20 eventsby the Southeastern Tourism Society. The next
festival is scheduled for March 28.
TAMPA BAY BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL A 10-day annual
cultural event in January, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
was founded by Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright Sr. and the Tampa Bay
and Company to raise awareness of African heritage within the
Florida community. The 2008 event brought 180,000 people to
more than 20 venues across the Tampa Bay area for a variety of cultural enrichment activities, including a keynote speech from actor
Danny Glover alongside Felix Justice.
URBAN BEACH WEEK Held over Memorial Day weekend on
South Beach, Urban Beach Week has become a major attraction for
young African-Americans, drawing as many as half a million people. Originally started as Urban Fashion Week, it has morphed into
a multipronged party week, with hip-hop fashion and music at the
center. Nightclubs around the beach host concerts from top promoters, which in turn bring in a host of celebrities and models to
the Magic City. The 10th annual event will take place May 22 to 25.
Diamonds Gala at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort
Lauderdale. On November 1, nearly 450 guests stepped out in their
best combination of denim and formal wear to enjoy a night of
entertainment and fund-raising coordinated by the organization,
which resulted in more than $150,000 for the charity.
HEADDRESS BALL The 2008 Headdress Ball took place
September 6 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Billed
as Orlando’s most outrageous black-tie event, the fund-raiser
included the traditional reception-dinner-dancing combination of
many charity galas, but stood apart from the pack with its outrageous headdress fashion show and competition depicting the
year’s “Wild Thing: A Night at Headdress” theme. Organized by and
benefiting the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, the 20th
annual event will take place October 3 at the new Hilton Orlando.
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TopEvents
1/20/09
3:11 PM
Page 25
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TopEvents
1/16/09
11:51 AM
Page 27
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Directory
1/16/09
11:54 AM
Page 29
THE DIRECTORY
A selection of resources from our comprehensive online directory of event and meeting suppliers and venues.
IN THIS ISSUE NEW VENUES STAFFING COMPANIES PREMIUM GIFT COMPANIES TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES
NEW VENUES
NORTH
In the Works
HOTEL DUVAL
This upscale boutique hotel—in the heart of Tallahassee’s historic downtown district, just six blocks from the State Capitol building—is scheduled
to open in March with 114 luxury guest rooms and suites, a full-service
American-style steakhouse, lobby bar, gym, and business center. There will
be more than 5,500 square feet of meeting space including six meeting and
banquet rooms, the largest of which seats 250 guests or holds 300 for a
reception. The hotel also has a glass-encased rooftop that can be used for
events. The property has no exclusive vendor contracts and is available for
buyout. (415 North Monroe St., 850.224.6000, www.hotelduval.com)
CENTRAL
Renovations
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE RESORT
On a 22-acre bluff overlooking Clearwater Bay, this historic resort built in
1897 has announced a $100 million restoration including a new spa, ballroom, 90,000-square-foot hotel annex, and fully landscaped event lawns.
The Biltmore has three existing ballrooms, nine meeting rooms, and an
additional cottage that boasts more than 40,000 square feet of event
space. The 13,000-square-foot Tiffany Ballroom can host as many as 1,200
guests and features 22-foot ceilings and a stained-glass dome. As an
added bonus, the Belleview Biltmore Beach Club can be reserved exclusively to accommodate private beachfront events. Audiovisual support
and full-service catering are available. (25 Belleview Blvd., 727.373.3000,
www.belleviewbiltmore.com)
OCEAN CENTER
Just a short drive east from Orlando, the Ocean Center’s $76 million
expansion, which began in April 2005, is scheduled to be completed in
February. The Daytona property will have more than 200,000 square feet
of interior and exterior meeting space, just 400 feet from the Atlantic
Ocean. The center will feature a state-of-the-art sound system throughout, staffing services, equipment rental capabilities, and more. On-site
Ovations Food Services is the exclusive caterer, although a list of other
preferred vendors is provided on the Web site. (101 North Atlantic Ave.,
386.254.4500, www.oceancenter.com)
RENAISSANCE VINOY RESORT
This St. Petersburg property has announced plans to give its ballrooms a
$500,000 makeover in August. Slated for completion in mid-October, the
renovations will include new furniture and a complete revamping of two of
the hotel’s four ballrooms. The 900-acre property has a combined 40,000
square feet of indoor and outdoor event and meeting space equipped with
wireless technology, including 20 breakout rooms and three landscaped
lawns offering views of nearby Vinoy Park and Marina. The property has an
exclusive, full-service D.M.C. relationship with Welcome Florida. (501 Fifth
Ave. NE, 888.303.4430, www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com)
By Dana Gruber
SADDLEBROOK RESORT
Rated one of the top 100 golf resorts by Condé Nast Traveler, this Tampa
resort completed a $300,000 face-lift to its conference center in early
December. The new center has 95,000 square feet of meeting and function space, 34 meeting rooms, and three column-free ballrooms ranging
from 7,790 to 17,743 square feet. The resort also features five restaurants, a
European-style spa, and two Arnold Palmer golf courses. Teambuilding
activities and audiovisual services are also available. (5700 Saddlebrook
Way, 800.729.8383, www.saddlebrook.com)
TEATRO ON SEVENTH
Opened on October 10, this Ybor City restaurant is in a restored building
built in 1892. The restaurant offers hand-rolled Ybor City cigars on the
cigar terrace, which can accommodate 16, as well as 6,200 square feet of
dining space for 275 seated or as many as 800 guests standing. Teatro
serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner nightly. Off-site catering
and custom menus are available, as are buyouts. (1600 East Eighth Ave.,
Suite C-201, 813.248.9400, www.teatroonseventh.com)
SOUTH
AREA 31
On the 16th floor of Brickell Avenue’s Epic Hotel in downtown Miami,
Area 31 opened on December 15, offering skyline views and seating for 78
guests. The restaurant has two private dining spaces for groups of six and
12, and poolside dining for 64, including 10 cabanas accommodating two
to eight. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Area 31 will arrange buyouts on a case-by-case basis. (270 Biscayne Blvd., 305.424.5234)
CITY FISH MARKET
The former home of local landmark Pete’s, this newly renovated 15,000square-foot restaurant opened in October in Boca Raton with a variety of
spaces for events or business entertaining. Providing water views and
adorned in nautical colors with porthole-style mirrors on the walls, City
Fish Market has four private dining rooms, three of which are interconnected and accommodate 150 guests when used together, and a separate
space for 85 opening onto one of two terraces that can host 100. Outside
audiovisual, linen, and floral vendors are welcome. (7940 Glades Road,
561.487.1600, www.buckheadrestaurants.com)
JOEY’S ITALIAN CAFE
Joey’s Italian Cafe opened in December 2008 in Miami’s Wynwood arts
district. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant can seat 45 guests inside,
with accommodations for an additional 30 on the private terrace.
Executive chef Ivo Mazzon’s menu changes seasonally and is complemented by a selection of Italian wines hand-selected by owner Joey
Goldman. The cafe is open for both lunch and dinner, valet parking is
available, and buyouts are welcome. (2506 NW 27th Ave., 305.438.0488,
www.joeyswynwood.com)
LAYLA
The contemporary, Moroccan-inspired Layla opened inside South
Beach’s Hotel Astor in November. Separated from the hotel’s main
Event Photographer
Reliable, Professional Photographer
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restaurant— Maison d’Azur—by a two-story wine cellar, this 800square-foot restaurant can accommodate groups of 40 for dinner and
provides in-house belly dancers, DJs, sound, and lighting, as well as a
projection screen for events. Buyouts are available. (956 Washington
Ave., 305.403.7618, www.hotelastor.com)
MAISON D’AZUR
Opened in November, this French-inspired seafood brasserie inside South
Beach’s Hotel Astor can seat 150 guests inside and features a vertical water
sculpture in the connecting garden. For private affairs, two outdoor cabanas
can host 15 people combined, while the wine cellar can accommodate parties of six. Buyouts are available. (956 Washington Ave., 305.403.7618,
www.hotelastor.com)
PRIME ITALIAN
Myles Chefetz of Miami’s Prime One Twelve teamed up with developer
Jorge Perez for this 7,500-square-foot Italian restaurant on South Beach.
Opened in December, the 180-seat restaurant features an open kitchen
with a wood-burning pizza oven, a semiprivate wine room for 12, and outdoor seating for 60. All areas are public or semiprivate, and the restaurant
does not offer buyouts. (101 Ocean Drive, 305.695.8484, www.primeitalianmiami.com)
SAGE BISTRO & OYSTER BAR
Owned by renowned chef Laurent Tasic, Sage Bistro & Oyster Bar brings
French-American cuisine to Hollywood. Opened in December, this 5,000square-foot restaurant can seat as many as 120 guests, with an additional private room for 50. Buyouts and outside vendors are welcome. (2000
Harrison St., 954.391.9466, www.sagecafe.net)
SERENDIPITY
This famous ice cream café in New York City—so good a movie was
named after it—opened inside the Boca Raton Resort & Club in midNovember. Jose Gonzales Architects employed color schemes related to
ice cream flavors and rainbow sherbet to give the space, the company’s
first outside of the Big Apple, a candy-esque feel. The 1,200-square-foot
eatery can accommodate 47 people seated or 75 standing and offers buyout options. (501 East Camino Real, 561.447.3700, www.bocaresort.com)
660 MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN
In the historic South Beach Art Deco district at the Angler’s Boutique
Resort, 660 Mediterranean is an intimate restaurant with two semiprivate
dining spaces (which accommodate 55 guests total), a front porch for 40,
and two poolside cabanas complete with dark wood picnic tables and
seashell chandeliers. As many as 200 can be accommodated for receptions
poolside, and a 250-square-foot boardroom is also available for as many as
14 guests. The Mediterranean-inspired menu of fresh seafood, steaks, and
pasta can be served inside or out. (660 Washington Ave., 866.729.8800,
www.theanglersresort.com)
Renovation
WESTIN BEACH RESORT, FORT LAUDERDALE
This resort—in the yachting capital of the world—completed a multimillion dollar renovation in January and now boasts more than 32,000
square feet of meeting and event space equipped with high-speed
Internet access and the most up-to-date audiovisual and videoconferencing capabilities. The Las Olas Ballroom has more than 10,000 square feet
of space for groups of more than 900, while the Atlantic Ballroom’s 7,000
square feet can accommodate 850. Additionally, the 6,300-square-foot
Sunrise Terrace offers views of Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Atlantic
Ocean for groups of 600. Catering is available, and audiovisuals are exclusive to PSAV. Buyouts are welcome. (321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.,
800.823.2240, www.westin.com/fortlauderdalebeach)
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PHONE
LOCATIONS
800. 854. 4705
New Castle, PA
Atlanta, GA
Las Vegas, NV
WEB
www.pyrotecnico.com
Montgomery, AL
New Orleans, LA
Tampa, FL
e ars of
100 yinnovation
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FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
Dance, Music &
Theater Events
BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC CONFERENCE & AWARDS The
most prestigious Latin music conference to date, the 19th annual
event brought more than 1,000 music industry professionals to the
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood April 6 to 10 to
honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers.
Determined by sales and radio airplay data gathered for Billboard’s
weekly charts, the awards were sponsored by Heineken. Peripheral
events included educational seminars, nightly networking parties,
and the Billboard Bash—a preshow event featuring performances
by the finalists—at Spirits nightclub the night before the awards.
The 2009 event, sponsored by State Farm Insurance, is scheduled for
April 19 to 23 at the Eden Roc resort in Miami.
CLEARWATER JAZZ HOLIDAY What started as a 10-day series
of jazz concerts held on the back of a flatbed truck has evolved
over the past 30 years into an international jazz festival. The free,
four-day event—presented by Mercedes-Benz and Marine Max—
attracts 60,000 jazz enthusiasts to the Tampa Bay area each year.
Jazz ’n’Art Walk (running in conjunction with the festival) debuted
in 2008 and will double its size to include 50 displaying artists in
2009. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation, the City of
Clearwater, and its volunteers coordinate the event, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary October 15 to 18.
FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL Held at the Stephen Foster Folk
Culture Center State Park in White Springs, the folk fest celebrated
its 55th year in 2008. More than 20,000 attendees enjoyed dance
workshops, arts and crafts, banjo and fiddle contests, and of
course, folk music. Originally started by Ada Holding Miller—president of the National Federation of Music Clubs—in 2002, the
Florida Park Service produces the festival.The 2009 event is scheduled for May 22 to May 24.
FLORIDA MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE The music
industry takes over downtown Orlando every spring for this fourday event consisting of concerts, seminars, music video screenings,
and industry parties.The 2008 event featured more than 250 artists
at 15 venues throughout the city. Sean Perry and Rick Wheeler are
the founders and directors of the fest, produced by aXis Productions
& Events. The music returns to Orlando from May 14 to 17.
INTERNATIONAL BALLET FESTIVAL OF MIAMI In its 13th season, the festival has become a major international ballet event, featuring nearly 120 dancers representing more than 25 dance companies from around the world.Workshops,dance film showcases,ballet
master classes, and the presentation of 94-year-old Frederic Franklin
with a lifetime achievement award were among this past year’s highlights. The festival is the creation of Pedro Pablo Peña, founder of the
Miami Hispanic Ballet, and will take place August 28 to September 6.
LANGERADO MUSIC FESTIVAL In its sixth year, the jamband-based music festival relocated from Sunrise’s Markham Park
to the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, in the heart of the Florida
Everglades. The four-day festival attracted more 25,000 revelers in
2008 with bands like R.E.M and 311. Produced by co-founders
Ethan Schwartz and Mark Brown, Langerado moves yet again for
2009 to downtown Miami’s Bicentennial Park from March 6 to 8,
with featured acts such as Snoop Dogg and Death Cab for Cutie.
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL Created in
1992 by Terry Olson, the festival is now the longest-running Fringe
festival outside of Europe, Australia, or Asia. It has evolved from using
empty storefronts as venues to using the Orlando Shakespeare
Theater and the Orlando Reparatory Theater. Twenty-five thousand
guests and 500 artists attended and participated in 2008. The festival—whose philosophy is to be 100 percent unjuried, uncensored,
accessible, and profitable for the artists—returns May 14 to 25.
PENSACOLA JAZZ FESTIVAL In spite of some rain, the 25th
Annual Pensacola JazzFest—held April 5 to 6, 2008—drew more
than 10,000 to downtown’s Seville Square. Butch Thompson's Big
Three, the Shelly Berg Trio, and Jazz Guardians were amongst the
nationally known headliners. Produced by the Jazz Society of
Pensacola, the 2009 event will take place the weekend of April 4.
SPRINGING THE BLUES FESTIVAL Known as Florida’s largest
free outdoor blues festival, the three-day event draws more than
40,000 attendees to the city of Jacksonville Beach. Held annually
on the first weekend in April, the festival is planned and executed
by the Springing the Blues Society, and attracts renowned blues
artists from all over the country to perform at Jacksonville Beach’s
oceanfront Sea Walk Pavilion. Other events at the fest include a 5K
run, a surfing contest, and a bike ride for cancer research.
SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL City Theater presented its 13th
annual theater program to thousands of viewers at two south
Florida performing arts centers, the Adrienne Arsht Center and the
Broward Center.The theater creatively divided the program’s works
into age-appropriate formats: “Shorts 4 Kids,” “Undershorts” (for
adults only), and “Signature Shorts” (consisting of 16 plays divided
into two programs). The 2009 theater program will take place
throughout May and June at both venues.
SUNFEST Founded in 1982, this waterfront music and art festival
brings more than 300,000 people to West Palm Beach annually. Top
names such as Santana, Ludacris, Sheryl Crow, and Kool & the Gang
have performed.Produced by Sunfest of Palm Beach County Inc.and a
structured board of directors and members (including Jimmy Buffett
as an honorary member), the 2009 concert is set for April 29 to May 3.
TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL Some 45,000 blues fans head to St.
Petersburg’s Vinoy Waterfront Park for the three-day Tampa Bay Blues
Festival every year.The 2009 festival—sponsored by Florin/Roebig personal-injury lawyers—is slated for March 20 to 22,and will feature performances by Delbert McClinton and Irma Thomas, as well as an official after-party at independent event venue Nova 535.
WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE Going into its 24th year, WMC
is an annual weeklong music conference in March, offering more
than 500 performances, seminars, and networking parties. Held in
more than 30 Miami venues, the 2008 event attracted 2,211 of the
world’s most celebrated artists and DJs like Lady GaGa and Bob
Sinclair, as well as 3,726 industry delegates and more than 62,000
music lovers from 70 countries. The electronic music industry will
return to Miami from March 24 to 28.
ULTRA MUSIC FEST The closing event of the Winter Music
Conference, Ultra draws more than 40,000 revelers to Bicentennial
Park to witness more than 200 musicians and DJs perform on 10
stages.With sister events in Ibiza, Brazil, New York, and Puerto Rico, the
event—founded and produced by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes—is
the largest of its kind in the United States. The 11th annual concert is
March 27 and 28 featuring Tiësto, Moby, and the Prodigy.
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Trade Shows, Expos &
Conventions
FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW The Fort
Lauderdale Boat Show, billed as the largest boat show in the world,
returned to South Florida October 30 to November 2. With events at six
sites in the coastal Fort Lauderdale area, the annual boating event showcased an estimated $3 billion of marine transport hardware. An international news and press breakfast and the 11th annual Bremen Brothers
Beach Bash at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park were among the events surrounding the four-day conference.The 2008 event was presented by Ginn
sur Mer,a luxury community atWest End on Grand Bahama Island.
HD BOUTIQUE A design trade show for the hospitality industry,
the HD Boutique expo and conference in Miami attracts everyone
from architects and hoteliers to interior and furniture designers.
Presented by Hospitality Design magazine and held at the Miami
Beach Convention Center, companies and hotel suppliers showcase
their latest products and the newest design trends during the
three-day show, which hosted more than 700 manufacturers, suppliers, and artisans in 2008. The expo returns to south Florida
September 14 and 15.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW AND STRICTLY SAIL
This annual event brings together thousands of the year’s newest
Film & Media Events
INTERNATIONAL CLIO AWARDS The 49th annual
International Clio Awards and Festival took place May 14 and 15,
headquartered at the Gansevoort South Hotel on South Beach.
The ceremony, co-produced by Neil Vogel and Rodger Berman, is
the most recognized global award competition for the advertising, design, interactive, print, radio, and television industries. The
show moves to Las Vegas for its 50th anniversary May 12 to 14.
MIAMI GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL Presented by
HBO, the 10-day 2008 international film festival began April 25
with the official opening-night “Christmas in April”-themed
gala at Jungle Island. Following the film screenings each night,
after-parties were held at various South Beach venues, including
powerboats,engines,sailboats,electronics,and marine accessories from
more than 2,200 exhibitors. Based at the Miami Beach Convention
Center, with in-water displays at the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
and Strictly Sail taking place in the Miamarina at Bayside, the five-day
show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association
and is one of the largest consumer boat shows in the world. Events
scheduled for the 2009 show February 12 to 16 include the annual block
party, Discover Boating Center, Big Game room, and the new child play
area across the street at the Miami Botanical Gardens.
PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW The 2009 PGA Merchandise Show
was scheduled to take place in Orlando from January 29 to 31, offering more than 70 educational seminars presented by the PGA of the
Americas and the Association of Golf Merchandisers. Launched in
1954 as the first golf trade show of its kind, the three-day show draws
more than 45,000 people annually to the Orange County Convention
Center. The 2008 show covered more than a million square feet of
floor space with 1,200 companies represented and nearly 45,000 PGA
professionals and leading industry experts in attendance.
Throughout the show attendees may also test-drive the newest
products on demo day, attend the award banquet honoring the best
in the PGA America ranks, and more.
SEATRADE CRUISE SHIPPING CONVENTION The 24th
annual global exhibition and conference drew nearly 11,000 atten-
dees, an 11 percent increase from 2007, to the Miami Beach
Convention Center from March 10 to 13, 2008. Each year the show
brings together the commercial shipping, cruise, and yachting
industries under one roof to network and share information such
as new destinations, new products, and traditional port updates.
The show, considered the leading industry event, introduced two
new elements in 2008: Cruise Shipping Television and Travel
Agent Thursday, a trade education program for agents to attend
the show and gather insider information about the industry’s latest advancements. The show is produced by CMP Princeton Inc.
and will return to the convention center March 16 to 19.
SOUTH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW One of the
largest and most prestigious in the country, the South Florida
International Auto Show previewed the newest models of cars,
trucks, and SUVs from November 7 to 16 at the Miami Beach
Convention Center. The 38th annual show featured nearly 1,000 of
the newest models from more than 40 manufacturers—from luxurious and exotic to concept and everyday vehicles—from all over the
world in more than one million square feet of exhibit space. For the
first time, attendees were also given the chance to test-drive general motors’and Hyundai’s 2009 cars at ride and drive events held during the show. Clifford S. Ray is the event show coordinator; the show
is organized by the South Florida Auto-Truck Sealers Association.
the Dorset rooftop at the Catalina Hotel, Score nightclub, Vino
Wine Bar, and the Maxine hotel. The festival wrapped up after
showing a record 97 shorts, documentaries, and feature films,
with a closing-night gala at the Miami Art Space in the
Wynwood arts district. The Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film
Festival held its inaugural event May 1 to 4 in conjunction with
the established Miami fest. The 11th annual event returns to
Miami from April 23 to May 3.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Close to 70,000
people—along with 300 filmmakers, producers, and industry representatives from around the world—attended the 25th annual
festival February 28 to March 9, 2008. The event experienced a 300
percent increase in film submissions since 2007, resulting in a 20
percent increase in the number of screenings—totaling 166 in
2008—over the same number of days as in years past. Screenings,
including 10 world premieres, were held nightly at the Gusman
Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. The festival—
which attracts big-name actors and directors like David
Schwimmer, Helen Hunt, and Demi Moore—returns March 6 to 15.
SUNSHINE STATE AWARDS CEREMONY The 14th annual
Sunshine State Awards took place on May 31, 2008, at the Sheraton
Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel. The awards, given in 67 categories,
were presented by the South Florida chapter of the Society of
Professional Journalists, are bestowed on journalists across the
state for excellence in categories such as feature writing, investigative reporting, and non-deadline sports journalism. The Miami
Herald took home top honors, with 10 first-place wins, followed by
The Tampa Tribune. The 2009 ceremony is scheduled for late May.
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FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
Arts & Cultural Events
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH A four-day art fair, Art Basel Miami
Beach combines millions of dollars of contemporary art with million-dollar parties and thousands of international visitors, making
it one of the biggest annual events in Miami. A spin-off of the main
fair in Basel, Switzerland, the event takes place every December at
the Miami Beach Convention Center and multiple venues across
the city. The 2008 festival was held December 4 to 7 and attracted
nearly 40,000 people.
ART DECO WEEKEND FESTIVAL The 32nd annual Art Deco
Weekend, presented by the Miami Design Preservation League,
took place between 5th and 15th streets on Miami Beach’s Ocean
Drive from January 16 to 18. Nearly 400,000 people were expected
to attend the three-day festival’s more than 85 events, including
lectures, films, parades, and a street fair. The event aims to attract
visitors to the Art Deco historic district and raise awareness of the
arts and culture of the Art Deco era (around 1925 to 1945). The 2010
fair is scheduled for January 15 to 17.
ARTIGRAS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Named one of the top 50 fineart festivals in the country by Southeast Tourist, the ArtiGras Fine Arts
Festival takes place every February at the Abacoa Town Center in
Jupiter. Attracting nearly 150,000 guests, the three-day event is coordinated by the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce,
along with 1,200 volunteers, and features more than 280 artists
annually. The 2009 festival will take place February 14 to 16.
ART MIAMI Previously held in January at the Miami Beach
Convention Center, Art Miami was rescheduled to December and
relocated to the midtown Miami arts district to coincide with Art
Basel Miami Beach. The 100,000-square-foot pavilion in midtown
housed more than 115 national and international contemporary art
galleries’ featured artists from December 3 to 7. Shuttle service to
and from Art Basel’s home base at the convention center was
sponsored by BlackRock, the country’s largest asset manager.
CALLE OCHO Serving as the culmination of Carnival Miami,
this 23-block street festival attracts nearly one million Hispanic
partygoers of all ages to Little Havana every March. Renowned
for its musical attributes, the festival’s talent lineup includes the
top names—as well as newcomers—in Latin entertainment and
an array of authentic culinary vendors. Produced by the Kiwanis
Club of Little Havana, Calle Ocho will return on March 15 to celebrate its 31st year.
Benefits
AN AFFAIR OF THE ARTS GALA Every January, the National
Foundation for Advancement in the Arts hosts the An Affair of the
Arts gala as the culmination of youngARTS week in Miami. The
event brings together the area’s best young and established artists
and donors to raise money for the foundation’s support of young
artists, art education, and support of the arts in America. The 2009
gala was scheduled for January 17 at the remodeled Fontainebleau
hotel on Miami Beach.
BAPTIST HOSPITAL BALL Nearly 650 guests attended Baptist
Hospital’s annual ball on November 22 at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa
in Miami. The Rock ‘n’ Royalty-themed gala—the brainchild of Baptist
Health Foundation’s Lori Elsbree and executed by Galaxy
Productions—was the foundation’s departure from the traditional
black-tie gala,inviting guests to wear their best jeans and jewels. From
CHASCO FIESTA Ranked as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s
top 20 events for five consecutive years, the Chasco Fiesta is centered
on the legend of Queen Chasco and her consort, Pithla. Celebrating
Florida’s Native American heritage in New Port Richey’s Sims Park,
this 11-day event includes a street carnival, antique show, golf and
softball tournaments, and parades benefiting more than 30 nonprofit groups. The 2009 festival is scheduled for March 19 to 29.
COCONUT GROVE ARTS FESTIVAL The festival, held every
February, attracts more than 150,000 patrons to check out the
juried work of the more than 330 participating artists, and is one of
South Florida’s premier events. The BlueCross Blue Shield of
Florida-sponsored festival sells an estimated $4 million of art in
three days. The 2009 festival—the 45th annual event—will take
place February 14 to 16 on the streets of Coconut Grove.
DELRAY AFFAIR The 47th annual Delray Affair, the most popular
arts and crafts street festival in Palm Beach County, is scheduled for
April 17 through 19 along 10 city blocks and side streets of downtown Delray Beach. Drawing more than 250,000 people annually,
the fair has more than 600 vendors, as well as strolling entertainment and live performances on three stages. This three-day festival is held the first weekend after Easter and is produced by the
Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
DESIGN MIAMI Last year’s Design Miami was held December 3
to 6—taking place alongside Art Basel—in a 43,000-square-foot
modular structure in the city’s design district, constructed specifically for the event by EventStar and New York-based architects
Aranda/Lasch. The four-day event, featuring installations by 25
leading historical and contemporary design galleries, was presented in partnership with HSBC Private Bank and sponsored by Audi
and Swarovski Crystal Palace.
DIGITAL GRAFFITI AT ALYS BEACH Every Labor Day weekend,
Alys Beach—a white sand, white-walled Caribbean-inspired town
on the panhandle—welcomes artists from around the world to
participate in its Digital Graffiti event. In 2008, more than 40 digital artists created temporary technological installations by projecting digital art such as short films, photography, and YouTube
videos onto the walls of the beachside community. More than
1,000 attendees from as far as Japan and New York gathered to see
the one-of-a-kind art show.
FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL The 16th annual Florida
Renaissance Festival brought more than 100,000 history buffs to
Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Taking place each Saturday
the ticket booth and security entrance, to the ticket scalpers and rock
entertainment, the rock-concert theme was evident. In the end, more
than $320,000 was raised for the hospital’s radiology department.
DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE’S LOVE AND HOPE BALL
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation once again held its 34th
annual Love and Hope Ball at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in
Hollywood on February 16. In keeping with this year’s theme, “An
Evening of Dance and Romance,” Atlas Floral Decorators—with help
from Nuage Designs and Panache: A Classic Party Rental Company—
employed shades of red, pink, burgundy, and creamy white from floor
to ceiling within the hotel ballroom. In combination with the event’s
preview party in December 2007, the event raised more than $1 million
for the foundation.The ball will return to the Westin on February 14.
DELIVER THE DREAM DENIM & DIAMONDS GALA Deliver
the Dream, a nonprofit, specialized retreat program for families facing serious illness or crisis, held its fifth annual Denim and
from February 9 to March 9, the festival—produced by Bobby
Rodriguez Productions—gives patrons a taste of the 16th century
with Renaissance-era arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as
knights in full armor jousting and sword fighting. The 2009 event
is scheduled for February 11 to March 8.
GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL This three-day juried art
show in Pensacola’s historic Seville Square receives more than 600
applications annually for the approximately 200 artist spots available. The event offers nearly $25,000 in prize money and was
recently ranked as one of the top 50 fine art shows in the nation by
Sunshine Artist magazine. The next festival is scheduled for
November 6 to 8.
PHOTO MIAMI Held in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach
each December, the third annual Photo Miami—a photo-based
art, video, and new media exhibit—took place December 3 to 7. In
a 40,000-square-foot temporary structure in the Wynwood art
district, the exhibit showcased work by more than 200 contemporary artists from more than 60 galleries. Organized by Artfairs Inc.,
the event was expected to attract nearly 15,000 people.
SPRINGTIME TALLAHASSEE The annual Springtime
Tallahassee Festival brings nearly 200,000 people and more than
$5 million in tourism income every March. Started in 1967, the
event is dedicated to the preservation of the city’s history, and with
a parade of more than 70,000 participants, has been ranked as one
of the top 20 eventsby the Southeastern Tourism Society. The next
festival is scheduled for March 28.
TAMPA BAY BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL A 10-day annual
cultural event in January, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
was founded by Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright Sr. and the Tampa Bay
and Company to raise awareness of African heritage within the
Florida community. The 2008 event brought 180,000 people to
more than 20 venues across the Tampa Bay area for a variety of cultural enrichment activities, including a keynote speech from actor
Danny Glover alongside Felix Justice.
URBAN BEACH WEEK Held over Memorial Day weekend on
South Beach, Urban Beach Week has become a major attraction for
young African-Americans, drawing as many as half a million people. Originally started as Urban Fashion Week, it has morphed into
a multipronged party week, with hip-hop fashion and music at the
center. Nightclubs around the beach host concerts from top promoters, which in turn bring in a host of celebrities and models to
the Magic City. The 10th annual event will take place May 22 to 25.
Diamonds Gala at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort
Lauderdale. On November 1, nearly 450 guests stepped out in their
best combination of denim and formal wear to enjoy a night of
entertainment and fund-raising coordinated by the organization,
which resulted in more than $150,000 for the charity.
HEADDRESS BALL The 2008 Headdress Ball took place
September 6 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Billed
as Orlando’s most outrageous black-tie event, the fund-raiser
included the traditional reception-dinner-dancing combination of
many charity galas, but stood apart from the pack with its outrageous headdress fashion show and competition depicting the
year’s “Wild Thing: A Night at Headdress” theme. Organized by and
benefiting the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, the 20th
annual event will take place October 3 at the new Hilton Orlando.
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TopEvents
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TopEvents
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FLORIDA’S TOP 100 EVENTS
annual In the Garden Gala—the newly renovated Fontainebleau
in Miami Beach—was not going to be ready for the November 1
event, a new location needed to be found to accommodate a large
turnout just a few weeks before the event. The Miami Beach
Convention Center was chosen, and Barton G. went to work transforming the grand ballroom and lobby into a scene reminiscent of
Venice, Italy. From the classically dressed masked performers to
the trellises weaved with greenery and the large gondola in the
center of the bar,Venetian style was abundant. Switching off each
year with the Party in the Park fund-raiser, the gala will return to
Miami in 2010.
INTERCONTINENTAL MAKE-A-WISH BALL The 14th annual InterContinental Make-a-Wish Ball took place on November 8
in Miami, once again attracting a star-studded crowd, including
live-auction host Kim Kardashian. Sutka Productions transformed the property’s lobby and ballroom into an enchanted forest, with ferns lining the steps to the hotel, ambient lighting
throughout, a horse wearing a unicorn horn that posed for photo
ops, tables draped in leaf-printed linens, a variety of mythical
creatures entertaining guests, and more. Recognized as one of
the premier fund-raising galas in South Florida, the 2008 event
raised $1.6 million for the charity.
INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS BALL The 52nd annual
International Red Cross Ball was scheduled for January 31 at
Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. Recognized as
one of the most anticipated events of the Palm Beach social season, the gala is known for its elegance, with guests clad in white
ties, tails, tiaras, and couture gowns. Coordinated by American Red
Cross’ Greater Palm Beach Area chapter, the affair raised $1 million
for the charity in 2008.
MAGNOLIA BALL The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research
Institute once again held its annual Magnolia Ball at the A La
Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. Corina Wian-Literski, event designer for the pavilion, designed and created the spring-themed event,
which raised $3.2 million for the organization, exceeding the 2007
net results by $600,000. The 2009 gala is scheduled for April 25,
with the Beach Boys as headlining performers.
MARINERS HOSPITAL BOUGAINVILLEA BALL The
Mariners Hospital held its annual Bougainvillea Ball at the Cheeca
Lodge & Spa in Islamorada again. More than 400 guests stepped
out on January 26 and raised $154,000 for the hospital.
Coordinated by the hospital’s in-house event planner Wendy
Gentes and designed and executed by Deco Productions, the
“Follow the Silk Road”-themed 19th annual event channeled the
Orient with its use of orchids, flowing silk, and bright colors. The
2009 event was scheduled to take place January 31.
STORYBOOK BALL This Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Tampa Bay annual fund-raiser is always themed after a classic
fairy tale. For the 2008 affair on May 17—which raised $390,000—
Vicki Walters of Gold Productions brought to life Where the Wild
Things Are by Maurice Sendak with Busch Gardens' Jungala
dancers leaping about while “King Max” and his wild things
roamed throughout the A La Carte Event Pavilion. Lasso the Moon
will be the theme for the 2009 gala on May 16.
TASTE OF THE NATION Share Our Strength’s Taste of the
Nation is the country’s preeminent culinary benefit supporting
anti-hunger and anti-poverty efforts. Beginning April 29 at the
Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, the annual culinary showcases took
place across the state, with Fort Lauderdale’s 16th annual event
held on June 11 at the Broward County Convention Center, Miami’s
20th annual held at the Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne on July 24, and
Orlando’s on August 9 at the Orange County Convention Center.
THE UNGALA GALA The John and Mable Ringling Museum of
Art’s 23rd annual fund-raising event took place on October 18 in the
museum’s 1920s-style courtyard and gardens overlooking Sarasota
Bay.The 1,200 black-tie guests are by invitation only with the theme
each year kept a tightly guarded secret until guests arrive with
hints given to the appropriate attire by the design of the invitation.
The event—named “Best Black Tie Event” in Black Tie and Sarasota
magazine’s Best of the Best in 2006—is organized by the museum
and raised nearly $50,000 at the retro Ringling-themed event in
2008. The 2009 event will take place October 17.
VIZCAYAN BALL Every November,Vizcaya Museum and Gardnes
hosts its annual Vizcayan Ball to raise money for the restoration
and upkeep of the house and gardens. Held on November 22, the
2008 gala—dubbed the Preservation Ball in celebration of the half
century of work put into restoring, protecting, and preserving the
property—welcomed 500 guests to the James Deering estate for
an elegant dinner from Thierry’s Catering. The evening concluded
with a fireworks display over the waters of Biscayne Bay.
X-CUISINE DINNER AND DESSERT The Museum of Science
and History holds its annual X-Cuisine benefit—a night where culinary demonstrations,science discovery,historical reenactments,and
live entertainment collide—every September to raise money for the
museum’s programs. Scheduled for September 12, the 2009 dinner
and dessert event will feature Top Chef participant Richard Blais, the
X-Fire and X-Elimination food and trivia challenges, and more.
Parades & Festivals
downtown Tampa to watch a reenactment of the invasion by Ye
Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla—complete with a ship and blasting cannons. Organized by Tampa Bay and Company, the festival also features the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates and Pirate Fest Street Festival,
with food and beverage tents set up along the 3.5-mile parade route.
GAY DAYS Beginning as a single day in 1991 where the gay community was encouraged to “wear red and be seen” while visiting Disney
World, Orlando’s Gay Days has evolved into a weeklong celebration
with more than 50 different events citywide. Held June 3 to 9, 2008, it
attracted more than 145,000 celebrants—up 10,000 from 2007—
including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people from
around the world. Organized by the Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual
Community Center of Central Florida, the event brings in $100 million
annually and is scheduled for June 2 to 8.
HEMINGWAY DAYS American legend Ernest Hemingway
comes to life every July during Hemingway Days in Key West. The
three-day festival consists of a series of parties and events, the
highlight of which is the Hemingway look-alike contest, which
attracts participants from around the world. The event is produced
by an unofficial board of locals and with Hemingway’s granddaughter Lorian Hemingway, who’s also a Pulitzer Prize-nominated
author. The 29th annual celebration will be July 23 to 25.
MIAMI BOOK FAIR INTERNATIONAL The 25th annual Miami
Book Fair International, recognized as the country’s largest book fair,
took place November 9 to 16 in downtown. The event has three
parts: the Festival of Authors, a two-day street fair, and the
International Pavilions Village. For those unable to attend, podcasts
of select book-fair presentations were available on iTunes. A partnership between Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan and MiamiDade College, the 2009 fair is scheduled for November 8 to 15.
SPHERION ORLANDO CITRUS PARADE Just before the
Capital One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium each
December, thousands of people from around the world tune in to
watch this popular parade, which is broadcast in more than 150
international markets. Presented by Delta Air Lines and produced
by the Florida Citrus Sports Committee, it is part of a three-event
celebration, with more than 50 corporations involved. The event
celebrated its 29th anniversary in 2008 with 12 marching bands
and six citrus floats made up of more than 100,000 grapefruits,
oranges, and tangerines—all donated by local citrus growers Heller
Bros., Leroy Smith Inc., and Conoley Citrus Packers. Nearly 85,000
onlookers lined the two-mile parade route in downtown Orlando.
WHITE PARTY WEEK This week of parties and events at Miami’s
hottest clubs and hotels includes the renowned White Party, which
featured Cyndi Lauper in 2008 and is held annually at Vizcaya
Museum & Gardens. Produced by Care Resource, an HIV/AIDS
awareness organization, the 24th annual event took place
November 26 to December 1 and annually raises more than $1 million.The event attracts more than 10,000 gay men and women from
around the world and is being held November 25 to 30 this year.
WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE Sponsored by Seminole Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, the 2008 parade was held on
December 13. The 37th annual event had participants transforming 100 boats into elaborate displays of color and light employing
the “Rockin’ the Night Aweigh” theme. The parade draws nearly
one million spectators along its 12-mile route each year, making it
the seventh largest one-day event in the country. The
International Festival and Events Association have also ranked it
the 20th-best parade in the world of more than 50,000 in the U.S.
alone. The 2009 event is planned for December 12.
Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, entertained more
than 15 million spectators in 38 cities across the country on the 2008
national air show tour. The six-month tour concludes in November
at the squadron’s home base, Pensacola Naval Air Station. The
homecoming air show is a mix of formation flying and solo routines
using F/A-18 Hornets, with pilots performing about 30 maneuvers
during the hour-and-a-half-long demonstration. More than
200,000 attendees from around the country gather to celebrate.
FANTASY FEST The 10-day festival held the week leading up to
Halloween is estimated to attract 90,000 revelers to Key West.
Fantasy Fest is comprised of an outrageous assortment of events,
including a pet masquerade parade, celebrity look-alike competition,
beach party, masquerade march, and street fair, as well as the highlight Duval Street Promenade and Captain Morgan’s Fantasy Fest
Parade.The revelry returns October 23 through November 1.
FIESTA OF FIVE FLAGS This annual summertime festival celebrates the founding of Pensacola which has since had five different
flags flown over it: the Spanish, French, British, Confederate, and
American. One of the oldest and largest heritage festivals in the
state, the 2008 event featured the traditional boat parade, in which
people can either decorate their own boats and join the parade at
the mouth of Bayou Chico or watch from the shores. The Fiesta
Forces coordinate the event each year with the assistance of nearly 400 volunteers.The 2009 event is scheduled for May 1 to June 14.
GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL The annual festival is named in
honor of legendary pirate Jose Gaspar, who invaded Tampa centuries ago with his crew. In 2008 nearly 400,000 people gathered in
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