DesignSPARKS and Highlights: Connecticut

We kicked off our first DesignSPARKS Networker in Connecticut by welcoming attendees from all over the region to the Gershon Fox Ballroom. The venue is located in the historic landmark G. Fox Building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Bursting at the seams with Old Hollywood ambiance, the location was the perfect place to showcase our furnishings and network with excellent suppliers from the region.

The Gershon Fox Ballroom was a lovely venue. You can learn more about the history of the building and find information for your next event here.

This was the first networker that AFR had in Connecticut, and we wanted guests to experience the furnishings, provide an opportunity for guests to become more familiar with the region’s event suppliers, and encourage stellar networking. Sometimes all it takes to create a connection is a spark. Inspiration takes form in many different ways and this evening was all about inspiring relationships.

Rather than transforming the ballroom, we decided to play to the existing Art Deco theme of the space and created three different design vignettes that showcased our furnishings and integrated new products within each one. We focused on a “Gatsby-esque” style.

For the first vignette, we used our white Crystal Collection High Back Love Seat and white Plaza Chaise mixed with Metro and Whisper Cubes and black Empire Chairs. Zanzibar Tables were stacked and accented with fresh calla lilies and lit from within to create innovative light columns. A black Crystal Bar Surround with white Shanti Bar Backs accented with black and white patterned pillows created the perfect area for local vintner, Preston Ridge Winery to provide wine tastings. The look was finished with black, gold, and silver pillows.

The next styling focused on the same decade but with a more vibrant twist featuring the Regale Sofa, Chaise and Chairs mixed with Fuchsia Regency Ottoman, white Mon Accent Tables, and silver Zinc Pub Tables. The setting was finished with pink and white accent pillows. It was the first time the Regale Collection was showcased in the region and it was met with a very positive response.

The third setting was our take on a Gatsby Garden Party. Sticking with earth tones, we used a Chateau Sofa, Marteen Chairs, and Winston Ottoman backed by a white Shanti Bar Back on a Grass Rug. The setting also included Winston Sofa and Chairs set against Apple Regency Cube Ottomans. For an organic-feeling accent that lived within the grassy green, beige, and brown color palette, we combined Civic Cocktail and Hex End Tables topped with wooden boxes filled with succulents. New additions to our inventory were highlighted in this setting and included the Butterfly Pub Tables with glass tear drop vase with a single floral bloom and flickering votive candles and Gold Leaf Accent Tables, both of which provided a stylized twist on this classically themed vignette.

Each of these distinct areas demonstrated how AFR can make one cohesive theme (with a nod to Art Deco) come together by strategically selecting and styling diverse items from our expansive inventory.

The event was a great demonstration of how many of AFR’s items can be repurposed for serving stations, registration desks, and bars as all of the items used by caterers and beverage providers in the entire ballroom were provided by AFR.

Marquee Events catered the event with a menu that included fresh fruits, stuffed grape leaves, gourmet olives, artisan cheese and crackers, and hummus. To create the perfect Mediterranean themed food station, we used an Ashbury Table topped with Civic End Tables to create risers.

Tray-passed items included Steak Skewers, Bento Boxes with Seared Tuna, and a Prosciutto Fig Jam on Pita. For a sweet ending, local pastry shop Modern Pastry, provided a beautiful display of cupcakes on a Hayden Table with Rose Table risers. It was delicious and fun!

Beverages included wine tastings from a local vintner, a local beer tasting from Thomas Hook Brewery along with a full bar staffed by Marquee Events.

Entertainment by Powerstation Events included background music and a fun photo booth with props for a zany photo op. The Greek God “Telamon” (a living statue) from Ten 31 Productions posed for part of the evening, and later came to life handing out rolled scrolls containing words of wisdom.

There was great networking and we’ve received several emails telling us about new relationships and business that developed out of the evening. Isn’t it great when a plan comes together and works exactly how we want it to?

The winner of the Full Conference Package to the 2015 The Special Event Conference and Trade Show was Julia Miller, Director of Catering at Connecticut Convention Center. Congratulations! We’ll see you in sunny California in January, Julia!

The Connecticut Networker was a successful team effort thanks to our generous partners and sponsors! A big shout-out to the AFR Connecticut Team for a very successful first year!

If you have not registered for our Boston Networker yet, you can click here and take care of it right now! We know that you will not want to miss it!

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