In 2012, trends take us even further away from the traditional thought process of furniture as furniture and capitalizes on it as a clear design element that helps create the environmental ambience of an event. Realizing that the definition of what a client is looking for ranges across a broad spectrum, let’s talk trend through different uses of furniture in an event.

Alternative Dining: Event planners and designers are still looking for creative and fun alternative dining options. Mixing and matching chairs with benches not only maximizes space, but also provides a style that is unique and fashionable. Need to create a rustic feel in a modern environment? A distressed dark wooden table with cushion top benches and crisscross dining chairs up the ante. To reincarnate lit tables, place a mirrored runner down the middle and add bold color blocking and it’s a must have look. Demands for unique tables that don’t need linens are hot! Distressed finishes, acrylic, and mirrored tables when paired with a synthetic chair, or even an event sofa, reinvent the dining experience through an eclectic mixture of styles.

The French Provincial look is back in the game in a big way. Our Chateau line featuring cabriole legs, and simple scalloped carvings defines this dining style. The look is popular this season with rich patterned textiles intermixed with other styles like a less formal distressed wood dining table. It’s a very French countryside feel with culture and design cleverly mixed together. Formal, meet normal.

Branding: Branding an event through accessories is big and going bigger. Clients and sponsors are asking for ways to better brand their events and still keep an edgy look. Intricate cutouts on bars, water features, accent tables to custom logo pillows and even branded furniture pieces dictate the forefront of this important trend. Additionally, monochromatic color-coding with brand colors allows clients to brand an event as their own in a subtle, yet distinctive way. Branding is all in the details when it comes to furniture.

The Lounge: The lounge is here to stay. This go-round people are looking for fabrics and textures that play into the overall design of the event. Our Extravaganza line is a perfect example. Brightly woven patterns help define the overall theme with a “world” flavor. Black is back in a big way by using different textures and styles. In addition, metallic finishes create an interesting interpretation of the new lounge look accompanied by mirrored accent cubes, bars and tables. Mixing synthetics with naturals is on the upswing. Think dark woods (from furniture pieces to wooden bars) mixed with vibrant color, luxurious fabric textures and brushed stainless accent tables. In addition, lounge elevations within events are a big deal right now providing exclusive areas and opportunity for sponsorship and branding.

The Meeting or Conference: Comfortable seating for general sessions and conferences are edging into the conscious of clients desiring to make sure that their employees are comfortable while effectively capturing their attention and getting their message across. AFR Event Furnishings recently provided VIP seating for a corporate conference where the VIP section was ticketed for the GM’s, VP’s and other upper management staff who enjoyed the general session from our white leather Whisper sofas. We’ve also done events for a thousand attendees where sofas and comfortable chairs were set throughout the ballroom creating a more comfortable and conversational seating option for guests. It’s not always the ballroom chair holding center stage anymore.

Weddings and Social Events: Personal touches are where it’s at when it comes to weddings and social events in 2012. Every element is a reflection of the personality of the couple or hostess. When it comes to furnishings, we are seeing a big trend in using a vintage home accent piece to create a very homey feel to the reception environment. Vintage “found items” fit whether your style is shabby chic or modern – it’s about creating a contrast. In the furniture world this might be an accent chest, a serving buffet or a distressed dining table for a candy bar, but whatever it is, eclectic settings within an environment speak to the personality of the couple or hostess in a very personal way.

Color: Tangerine is the hot Pantone color of the season. Vivid strokes of color blocking speak to a bold fresh approach rather than a more subdued environment with neutral or monochromatic palettes. Infused with different upholstery media of textured fabrics, weaves and patterns and you have new choices that play to the latest trends in design. Expanding the “found items” trend into the special event means utilizing pieces in an unexpected way to invent a “look.”

Metallic and distressed leathers are also very popular this year and we are seeing a demand for anchored accent pieces in these finishes rather than whole collections.

And, finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that during an election year primary colored traditional red, presidential blue, and classic white, coupled with, clean lined, masculine styled furniture is in high demand.

Clients and designers can create an updated and versatile look by using different textures and upholstered pieces to give a sense of a residential feel. Add in further warmth with rich color and “found items” accents to create warm yet trendy environments. Furniture provides a foundational design element and allows event designers to infuse their flavor for a customized look. From a single stylized grouping to many different internal environments with distinctive theming, the impact and trending of furniture in event design is one that isn’t going anywhere.

AFR Event Furnishings is deeply involved with the special events industry’s newest charity EPTA (Event Pros Take Action). If you haven’t seen the video or want to know more about the work EPTA does, or get involved (hint), you can find more details at www.eventprostakeaction.com.

Last July, we embarked on EPTA’s inauguration trip to New Orleans to assist in helping rebuild the lives of families that are still misplaced due to the devastation left behind from Hurricane Katrina. Working in conjunction with St. Bernard’s Project, AFR was part of an industry team that helped design, rebuild and then completely furnish homes for two very special families. It was hard work, but the result equaled a life changing experience. It was just the beginning.

There’s more work to be done, and we are going back this summer, this time for Shelley Rose.

Meet Shelley Rose, a courageous woman fueled by a heart of determination. Shelley’s Soniat Street family home was lovingly built by her grandfather and has been home to four generations of the Rose family. It’s home, but not since August 28, 2005.

When evacuating the city to get out of the path of Hurricane Katrina, Shelley and her family got lost in the disastrous evacuation traffic jams clogging highways across the state the day before Katrina hit. Fortunately, they found themselves in Broussard, not far from a friend of Shelley’s sister who lived in Lafayette. The friend picked the family up, and they weathered the storm together with eighteen other people. They were safe, but their beloved home on Soniat Street didn’t fair so well. The roof caved in and the back walls collapsed and their possessions were destroyed.

In July 2007, determined to return to their neighborhood, Shelley, Micah, and Jamisen moved back to Soniat Street to a house just across from their old home. They were the sole family to return to the neighborhood. They were able to repair much of the damage, but when a dishonest contractor stole most of her money, their dream all but came to a halt. To add to the disheartening turn of events, after they had put up a great deal of new drywall, they discovered the walls were infested with toxic mold. While Shelley works at an electric company, she does not earn enough to support her family and repair the family home. Yet, she has not given up trying.

Time marches on, and while living across the street from their ancestral home, the Rose family has grown. Shelley now has two granddaughters, Saniya, now almost two, and Ezri, 3 months. The Rose family dreams of the day when they can move back across the street…to when they can move home…to continue their family legacy.

With our help (and many others), this July, their dream is finally going to become reality. Wouldn’t you like to join us?

I’m betting that you’ve really not really pondered or thought about it too much other than…”that will look best with everything we are doing.” Yet, furniture can be an useful consideration when creating atmospheric clues that touch the senses, create opportunity for interaction and complement the personality of an event. In fact, at times it can completely define the landscape.

Let’s talk about a few different examples of how furniture can be used a design tool:

Using lit furniture creates a distinctive setting, reflects a color palette or even delivers on a branding or communicates a message. Easily customizable, this element is flexible, and reflects a modern looking space.

One of the big things that we are hearing a lot about this spring is the trend color tangerine. Color options along with style can easily set the theme or create a focal point of a room. Furniture can easily add the bold splash of color you are looking for.

Love the style of the furniture, but you want to add a unique flavor? Consider custom slipcovers in a fabric and texture that really promote the theme of your event. Metallic? Moroccan? A styled slipcover can carry the theme a long way. Add in accents and accessories and you are on your way to creating a complete mood palette.

Having an outdoor event? Create cabanas styled with furnishings that carry the theme. From bar mitzvahs to outdoor club lounges, wicker and woods with colorful accessories accentuate the environment, and set the mood.

With a large selection of style choices, furniture can easily define any space. Consider modern white leather for a club feel or minimalistic theme or perhaps crystal-accented furniture for an ethereal elegance. Mix and match black and white or colors together to create an atmosphere that says anything from black and white party theme to Madmen. It’s all in what you want the environmental design to say. Don’t be afraid to step into other styles, colors and textures to really create a space that says exactly what you want it to say.

Furniture is a also a consideration when designing for a dining experience. From elegant sophistication of modern high top dining to rustic family French cottage styled settings, different furniture, can help carry the mood.

Finally take it to another level and create a distinctive and original theme by customizing tabletops and accessories to tie in a theme or brand.

See? I bet you have never stopped to think about all the different ways that furniture can set the mood. Perhaps now, you’ll have a different perspective. Furniture can truly be your passport to design!

For those of you who’ve read my most recent article regarding renting, you know I’m always looking for something new that can be rented. While in Italy this past Fall, I noticed you can rent motor scooters, like the really cool VESPA we came to love in the movie Roman Holiday. Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest you double up on your life insurance policy before venturing out on the streets of Rome, Naples or the Amalfi Coast on these two wheeled marvels.

Did you know you can also rent a SEGWAY? Yes, even on the streets of New York, these truly unique and speedy forms of travel that requires very little energy except for maintaining balance on the two wheels while propelling forward through the crowds. If you can’t handle the two wheeled version, then rent one of the newer three wheeled models that give you tricycle security and stability.

But my favorite since I’m considering upgrading to a new digital camera and I simply cannot decide if I want another point and shoot, a mid range version or a full sized SLR (single lens reflex) I’m also considering a professional camera. Did you know that many camera stores right in Manhattan rent cameras by the day? It might cost me a bit more to try out a few cameras, but I can be certain I’ve made the right choice Calumetesp in Manhattan, a local camera outlet recently ran an ad in The New York Post that read; “Want to try it? RENT it!!!” I for one concur it’s a great way to try before you buy. When I am finally ready to purchase I will find comfort in knowing I am truly satisfied with the product before I consummate the sale.

There are many items available for rent, so many new products and services pop up on the rental market each week. I recently saw in the Wall Street Journal, you can even rent an Apple i pad.

I’m in the business of renting commercial office furniture here at AFR FURNITURE RENTAL Inc., and we specialize in a variety of rental programs from one day to more than a year. We typically customize the rental based upon the customers’ requirements. This past quarter in my market place, New York Metro, we did a wide variety of projects including the Beyonce baby suite at Lenox Hill Hospital. Suffice to say that both mother and Ivy Blue Carter were quite comfortable and so to were visitors and extended family in their spacious suite. This was an amazing effort showcasing our creativeness that spoke volumes to our new tagline: The Definition of Style.

We also did several projects at the new RESORTS WORLD CASINO at AQUEDUCT RACEWAY in Jamaica, NY. Our products were used throughout the facility including the Chinese restaurant, the oval bar, and the High Limit Lounge. Once again, the client’s furniture order was late from the manufacturer, and we helped them complete their project on time to hold their Grand Opening party by utilizing our rental specialties.

We hear a lot of mumblings within the office furniture industry about the demise or death of the cubicle. For years Scott Adams through his DILBERT cartoon series has often mocked the office cubicle, and most of the industry pundits have prematurely said panel systems are passé. Well we continue to delivery, install and rent cubicles for as little as two months to two years, and at the end of the day, the cubicle still provides more privacy than open plan desk systems. In fact we just completed another cubicle project in North Brunswick, NJ, for MERIAL Corporation and their new swing space. It was all done in record time of less than one week.

These are banner times for the rental business. Think about it. Renting might be the right answer to solving your problem – simply contact the experts now.

Ron Lanzo is the Commercial Account Executive at AFR FURNITURE RENTAL, Inc., covering the New York Metro area.

THE AWARDS!!!

First, just in case you haven’t already heard, with your support, we RockED the Vote at the 2012 Spotlight Awards bringing home awards in the categories of Event Supplier of the Year and Marketing Professional of the Year! We’re so excited about the awards, and even more importantly the opportunity the campaign gave us to communicate with our clients and the event community at large in a fun and meaningful way. Of course, we really love how our new Spotlight Awards look on the AFR Awards shelf too! (Jerry, our President hasn’t stopped smiling yet!)

THE REST OF THE WEEK:

In addition to winning awards and making a fashion statement with my crutch and go-kart, we had so much going on at the show this year that we were busy every minute of every day. Without out all hands on deck, we couldn’t have gotten it all done!!!

THE AFR BOOTH:

This year, we worked with Frank Clemente and Lynn McGee at ConceptBAIT to build a Moroccan Pavilion that would show-off our new Extravaganza Slipcovers to the event community. The covers were created to fit the Function Line and effectively transform event spaces in a savvy world culture way. To show off the furniture, Frank designed a beautiful fabric Pavilion with stained glass lanterns hung from the ceiling in a variety of heights that put the finishing touches to the environment. In addition to the new Extravaganza line, we showcased prototype metal tables that will be available within the next two months. Please tell us, what you thought of them.

THE DESIGN DIVA CHALLENGE

Last year, as a sponsor of the design stage we were given 20 minutes to talk on stage. Rather than boring people to death we did a mini design contest with David Merrell and Frank Clemente. It was such a big hit, that this year, we were invited back to produce the official “AFR Design Center.” The headline event for the stage, was the DESIGN DIVAS CHALLENGE featuring industry design experts, Cheryl Fish of Someone’s In The Kitchen, and Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events. Talk about generating some excitement! The competition was high drama, funny and fierce.

AFR brought a truck of furniture and partnered with Mayesh for floral, Deko Vase for vases, 81 Main for décor, 10 Strawberry Street for china and Rentals Unlimited for linens. Sasha and Cheryl had 45 minutes to design using these items that they had not ever seen before. Our MC, JC York from Wise Guys Entertainment kept the audience engaged beginning with making our Divas arm wrestle for their choice of design space and adding surprise elements like pony and cow hide rugs that needed to be incorporated into their designs 15 minutes into the competition. In addition, our MC placed the Divas in a surprise 2 minute penalty box to see how well they had given their team direction. Unexpected interruptions happen all the time in events, right? After the challenge finished, tradeshow attendees voted by ballot for their favorite design vignette. Congratulations to the 2012 Design Diva, Cheryl Fish who was “crowned” in David Tutera’s Closing Session on Wednesday evening.

Watch out for our Battle of the Sexes Challenge next year at the 2013 Event Solutions Design Challenge. It’s going to be AHHHHmazing!

CATERSOURCE MAGAZINE LOUNGE

With just two days notice we agreed to sponsor the CaterSource Magazine Lounge. We recruited Deb Roth from Pink powered by Moss to offer us Ribbons and Phyliss from Eventricity in Glenside, PA to do the florals.  We showcased our Function line with the Extravaganza slip covers and previewed two other slip covers- Titan and Saffron which are currently only available in Florida, but may be available in additional markets very soon.

Are you out of breath yet? We are, but rest assured we are celebrating such a successful show. And, just in case you missed it, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT of AFR Event Furnishings!!!

“Being honored and recognized by our peers and industry leaders really made it one of the best weeks ever for AFR! It’s an amazing feeling to know that people really think well of us and so graciously supported our Rock the Vote campaign. Without our extended family of client partners, colleagues and friends, we couldn’t and wouldn’t be so successful. These awards are something we share with all of them,“ says Tricia Schmitt, Director of Marketing for AFR.

The Event Solutions Spotlight Awards are an annual national awards presentation dedicated to recognizing the best and the 
brightest event professionals in the industry. The awards 
are presented in a variety of categories and honor both 
individuals and companies for their body of work in the 
previous year.

AFR Event Furnishings is the nation’s premiere provider of stylish, quality furnishings and accessory rentals for conferences, meetings, tradeshows and events.

For more information this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Tricia Schmitt. For more information on AFR Event Furnishings, please visit www.afrevents.com.

The Event Industry’s Newest Charitable Organization – Bigger, Better & Making a Difference!

February 14, 2012. Pittsburgh, PA. If you haven’t heard of Event Pros Take Action yet –stand up and take notice – EPTA, the event industry’s newest charitable organization, is taking the event world – and beyond – by storm!

At just 10 months old, this ambitious organization has already accomplished a great deal. It kicked off 2012 with a trip to The Special Event, where its powerful video message not only played in its booth, but also brought the audience to tears during the opening session.  Funds and awareness increased significantly – and this was just the beginning.

At the end of this month, February 27-29, 2012, EPTA will head to Las Vegas for Catersource/Event Solutions’ Idea Factory. EPTA’s moving video message will kick off the opening session given by Preston Bailey. Attendees who can’t be there – don’t fret – you’ll be able to stop by booth #2167 to watch the video, meet the team, join, or donate in a number of ways to this worthy cause.

EPTA has raised $26,600 so far, and can proudly underwrite a home for one of its partner families; it is on the way to covering costs (the goal is a total of $30K) for a second family by continuing its fundraising efforts. The current drive includes $100 and $150 kitchen/bathroom baskets that can be sponsored any time between now and its next mission, which will take place this coming July.

In just five months, EPTA will commemorate its inaugural mission by heading back to NOLA, and this time, it will be partnering with the National Association of Catering Executives(NACE). “The NACE Experience is July 16-18,” explains Tricia Schmitt, director of marketing for AFR, one of EPTA’s key partners/sponsors “We are hoping people attending the conference will stay one or more days and work with us.”

“NACE is excited about our partnership and will certainly encourage its attendees to stay and work if at all possible,” says Susie Perelman, co-founder of EPTA and owner of Mosaic Inc. “If there is one thing we have learned from the first mission, it is how incredibly satisfying – and life-changing – it is to be able to get in there and make a difference. Once you see the looks on the families’ faces, the smiles, the tears of joy and gratitude…you will never be the same.  We are changing the quality of life for families in need. For all the suffering Katrina victims have endured, these families deserve to move on with their lives and close a chapter in their lives. Knowing this is what drives us to make 2012 even bigger and better than last year.” Co-founder, Stacey Mehalik adds “We went down to NOLA last summer to give, but we left with gifts from a community that is determined to rebound from environmental and personal despair.  Participants in our mission learned lessons in resilience and the value of community and we cannot wait to go back next summer!”

Capturing the hearts of event industry leaders nationwide, individuals and companies including A-1 Tablecloth, American Turf & Carpet, Atlas Party Rental, Hospitality Connects,Intellievent, Liberty Party Rental, and Panache, a Classic Party Rental Co. continue to support the cause with a host of other supporters in the industry. Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings, Inc. and Mark Wells of Hello Florida will reprise their roles as “Design Angels”, the ones who bring the design vision to life for two special families in need. Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer of SLK Creative will again lead the PR charge; AFR Event Furnishings not only presented EPTA a check for $20K, but again, will offer furnishings for two homes this summer. Also presenting significant contributions is Larry Green of Rentals Unlimited, and of course, Mosaic Inc. Both companies will again take leadership roles in the 2012 mission.

For more information on EPTA, please visit www.eventprostakeaction.org or contact Susie Perelman or Stacey Mehalik at 412.562.2800 or sperelman@partymosaic.com /smehalik@partymosaic.com

Learn more – Watch the EPTA video!

For media inquiries, contact Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer at 305.466.4312 or shari@slkcreative.com

For more information on the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), visit www.nace.net or NACE or 410.290.5410; media contact David Harrison at 410.843.3869 ordavid@harrisoncommunications.net

Event Pros Take Action (EPTA) is a charitable organization that lets special events professionals give back to those in need. Our endeavors focus on relief efforts for communities that have experienced a natural disaster and are in the process of recovering from substantial loss and rebuilding communities. Professionals from The Special Events Industry throughout the USA have come together in an unprecedented undertaking: a merging all of their talents and products, in an all-out effort to create dramatic results for the communities it aims to impact.

As all of you know, it takes a village to prepare for a major industry tradeshow. For TSE, that means that AFR designs a 20’ x 20’ booth and the Attendee Lounge on the tradeshow floor. It’s a fine line to walk in trying to promote the products that we want showcase and creating the right impression with the attendees. This year, I think we really were able to have a lot of fun with the booth and the lounge and highlight some of the trendy looks that are at the forefront of the industry.

This year, we worked with Frank Clemente and Lynn McGee at ConceptBAIT (some of our favorite peeps to work with) in Tampa to build a Moroccan Pavilion to showcase our new Extravaganza slipcovers to the Special Event World. The covers were created to fit on the Function Line and work to really transform a space in a very global culture way. To really show off the furniture, Frank designed a beautiful fabric Pavilion with glass lanterns hung from the ceiling in a variety of heights that really drove the look home. On a side note, we are so proud that we took home the award for Best Large Booth this year…it’s an award that says everything about great teamwork at AFR!

In the attendee lounge, we partnered with Backdrops Beautiful and Jose Ramirez. TSE sells two sponsorships and pairs us together. Then together we come up with concepts that work and showcase both of our companies well. It’s a win-win. This year, from New York to the French Countryside we had great looks that gave attendees a spot to rest on our furniture…and get away to another world. Max King Events (*LOVE*) of Tampa stepped in to help us with décor and floral design was provided by Touch of Paradise. Guests loved the chalkboard tables and graffiti wall and had a lot of fun leaving their mark, Twitter handle or well wishes. We love that you all loved it too! Thanks for all your wonderful comments and support – they meant so much to us after the tough time we had getting it all put together. You probably didn’t know, but GES lost Backdrop Beautiful’s pallet. Illana flew in from San Diego with replacements late Tuesday night and Jose and his intern, Sean, worked through the night at the convention center to be sure we were ready (just in the nick of time) for our 10am floor opening. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and trust me; we’re feeling really strong (and happy) about how it all turned out in the end. Check out the video – it’s the next best thing to being there.

AFR wasn’t just in our booth – we were everywhere! We furnished booths like Cast Software and the EPTA booth, the industry’s newest charity (if you missed the video during the General Session, you can check them out here – www.eventprostakeaction.org). Sign up for the trip and change YOUR life by helping people who really need it.

AFR was also proud to be the furniture supplier at the fabulous Opening Night Celebration– which if I might just gush for a moment was “absofreakinglutely” over the top and so well done. Hats off to Stephanie Berry and Byron Loper at Showorks for producing what is being touted as the BEST Opening Night Celebration ever. We agree. We are so proud to have been a part of such an amazing event! Thank you Limelight Photography for these awesome photos!

Congratulations to all this year’s winners at the GALA Awards! Gala night you might have relaxed on one of our new outdoor collections Evoke or perhaps our Green Grass line, in the Gala garden. We heard that you loved them, and rest assured that Green Grass will be “sprouting” at a location near you very soon.

CONGRATULATIONS to AFR’s cold hard cash drawing winner, Soosie Lazenby of Urban Coast. We hope you enjoy something special for yourself with that cash!

In closing, the week was busy, busy, busy, but we loved every minute of it. And, last, but not least, I’d like to give a shout out to the AFR team that works so hard to make it all happen. Without our amazing team, we’d be nothing!

So, if you missed out on Tampa this year…bummer…get your boots and scarf and get ready for next year and meet us in January in the Windy City of Chicago!

“With the expansion and growth that AFR is experiencing as a company and industry leader it has become necessary to put a team in place to effectively manage a smooth process for our various departments within the company. In addition, both Greg and Mark have a great wealth of knowledge and experience that will help redefine the rental and tradeshow experience for our customers”, says Tricia Schmitt, Director of Marketing for AFR Event Furnishings.

AFR Event Furnishings is taking significant strides to pay close attention to how clients define a preferred supplier partner. With a deep commitment to serving its customers needs in the best way possible, AFR is focused on continually evolving an exciting marketplace with innovative products and superlative customer service. These new position appointments underscore that approach to doing business while meeting long term goals for the company.

“Our decision to shift management assets and increase our focus on securing long-term partnerships with General Contractors, Exhibit Houses and Corporate Clients falls in line with our long term strategy for the Short Term rental business at AFR. Our service capabilities, locations, product mix, competitive pricing, our team, and continued support from our clients convince us that we are in a prime position for growth in this area” says, Mark Greason, head of AFR’s Tradeshow Division.

“In 2012 and beyond, AFR will transform the event furnishings rental industry with state of the art new product lines, custom designed for AFR along with customer service that extends far past just delivering high-end products. This is an exciting time to be in the special event industry, and I’m lucky to be working side by side with some of the most talented event professionals in the business”, adds Greg Zalkin, new Director of Special Events at AFR.

AFR Event Furnishings is the nation’s premiere provider of stylish, quality furnishings and accessory rentals for conferences, meetings, tradeshows and events.

For more information this topic, or to schedule an interview with Greg Zalkin or Mark Greason, please contact Tricia Schmitt at 856-406-1200 or tschmitt@rentfurniture.com. For more information on AFR Event Furnishings, please visit www.afrevents.com.