DesignSPARKS & and Highlights: Charlotte

AFR welcomed 200 guests to their annual networking event at the McColl Center for Art and Innovation in Charlotte. Yes, you read right, Art and Innovation. Could there be a better place to find sparks of inspiration for a design?

Located in a historical, neo-Gothic church in Uptown Charlotte, the Center houses nine artist studios and over 5,000 square feet of Gallery space. In addition, it is a beautiful event space. To find out more about this venue for your next event, you can go here.

To create an inspiring experience centered on the six senses, AFR found unique ways to bring the senses to life for guests. Entering the event from the back of the venue through the loading dock was a signal to guests that things were going to be different from the moment they arrived.

Guests were offered Rosemary Citrus infused champagne as a way to start the evening off with a nice touch after checking in at registration. Next, taste and smell awakened at the Blindfold Tasting where guests could touch different foods, smell and taste them, and ponder what the different foods were. At a Scratch and Sniff Station, guests were able to sample the aromas, guessing what each might be, and then finally sampling the foods that corresponded with the “blind” aromas. At a custom Jack Daniel's Honey ice bar, drinks were served with liquor infused ice cubes.

Vision and touch came to life through a plethora of visually delightful and tactile settings while dueling VJs further stimulated guests’ sight and hearing.

The event progressed through the venue’s inspired settings, creating a whirlwind of sensory experiences.

To carry the sensory theme into the design, our three showcase designers used lighting, color, floral, patterns, and textiles in exciting ways to spark the senses. Because the venue architecture featured exposed brick the design vignettes contrasted well and highlighted the furnishings. Floral arrangements and chandeliers hanging throughout the space created a beautifully unique, artsy décor touch.

Our designers let their creative juices flow and developed compelling settings in three different areas. The event was stunning thanks to their DesignSPARKS.

DBB Events used a mixture of collections including the Chateau Collection with Elan Chair, and the Winston Collection mixed with Udder Madness and Red Cubed Ottomans accented with pink, orange, and red pillows. Wooden Butterfly Tables lent an organic touch to the finished area.

Fresh Affairs used the white Continental Collection, Gold Leaf Tables, Zinc Pub Tables, Ghost Chairs, and Ghost Stools to create a modern look against an existing art installation. Muted tones of gold and blue pillows highlighted the setting and made the accents pop from the artwork. A transparent raised dance floor filled with fresh floral created an elegant pathway through the room.

At the front of the venue, Sterling Events switched up the vibe and created a rock and roll theme in an outdoor tent. They used the Regale Collection set on Safari Black Rugs mixed with Zambia Cube Ottomans, and accented the ottomans with red pillows, light orbs, and rock and roll props. For club style guest seating, Manhattan Bars interspersed with LED Acrylic High Tops were surrounded with Ghost Stools. The visual anchor of the tent was the AFR ROCKS created from illuminated letters hanging on one side of the tent. Food stations arranged with Hayden Tables topped with mirrored elevations and glass ceramic vessels created a stylish look.

AFR added a couple of stunning design vignettes of their own, creating a pre-event registration space that included Aspen Tables along with the new Hylton and colorful Aria Tables. Industrial chandeliers completed the look, and a lovely ribbon aerialist swirled gracefully overhead.

Outside, AFR also created a Beer Garden using Hayden Tables, Civic Cocktail Tables, and the Broadway Collection intermixed with Grass Ottomans and Yellow Phoebe Tables topped with luscious lemony-yellow floral for vivid pops of color. Guests could grab a beer and relax in the outdoor setting.

While the progressive approach allowed guests to mingle back and forth through the venue, all the action and entertainment pushed forward with the evening ending in the tent and beer garden.

Throughout the evening, there were flashes of entertainment that kept the energy up, and the audience engaged; from the graceful aerialist at the entrance, the roaming magician to the dueling VJs. For a fun twist, the VJs presented the sponsors via a duel styled face-off. The evening was filled with fun and interesting interactions. If you missed out, you can check out the video right here.

The winner of the TSE Full Education Package and Opening Night Party during the 2015 The Special Event Conference and Trade Show was long time AFR supporter, Aisha Thomas, Wedding and Event Producer at Aisha Thomas Events. Congratulations! We’ll see you in sunny California in January, Aisha!

The Charlotte Networker was a total success thanks to the Charlotte AFR team, and of course every single one of our amazing sponsors.

If you have not registered for the Philadelphia Networker yet, you can click here and take care of that! Hurry, hurry as registration closes very soon, and you’re not going to want to miss it.

Please join in the AFR tour conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the official tour hashtag: #afrTOUR.

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