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AFR Networking Tour Finishes with a Splash in The Big Apple!

Posted: 12.06.13
Category: Special Events

We closed our 2013 national networking tour last week in New York City.  We love the Big Apple and couldn’t be happier that it was where we crossed the finish line – and what a line it was!

The event was at the Highline Ballroom on 16th.  In case you aren’t familiar, the Highline Ballroom, a performance space named after the High Line Park in the Meatpacking district, is one of NYC's premier performance spaces in Manhattan, both to up-and-coming bands and to established acts such as Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Justin Beiber, Stevie Wonder, Santana and most recently, the AFR DeSIGN & INspire Networking Tour.  It was a great venue and we loved being there.  You can find out more information by clicking here.

Guests arrived to the lobby of the venue and were greeted and directed to registration, which were created from branded VIP Glow Bars.  Around the registration area, were four built in screens where we played a slideshow of past events that showed furnishings in different design settings from throughout the 2013 Tour and NYC sponsor logos.  Once finished, guests were invited to the third floor for a VIP Champagne Reception where they could preview our new 2014 Collections.   Our Phoebe Table Collection were displayed on our Rose Tables, our blue Regale Collection was complemented with Mon Tables while we mixed it up with our Chandler Collection with Novel Benches, Zambia Cubes and a Safari Rug.  We used our Parma Collection with Civic Cocktail and End Tables, and showcased our Provence Bar Collection, later turning it into a Dessert Station filled with decadent treats by the venue’s chef and specialty candies provided by C. Brower & Creative Events.   Cupa Cabana Espresso and Coffee Catering also served up hot beverages for all to enjoy!

A custom step and repeat area with all the sponsor logos provided a photo op for guests to take their picture and post them on a live feed to Instagram via New York Party Works and was also shown on the main floor of the venue throughout the night.

After the reception, guests were invited into the main room with areas set in vignettes created by designer, Mark Musters of Studio Mamu.  We think you’ll love his work as much as we do. Let’s take a look!

In the center of the room, our Winston Collection matched with Civic end tables and Elio chairs atop a safari rug created a rustically modern look.  We loved how the mixture of organic fabrics with the metals and a splash of zebra wild turned out.  It all popped on top of the beautiful hardwood floors throughout the venue.

Just to the left of that another creative pairing that included two Memphis Rectangle pub tables with Marcus Bar Stools and an Espresso Shanti Bar Back in between created a cool community seating area.  We loved how the dark warmth of the woods made for a rich modern setting.  Topped with a contrasting table runner and finished with floral and ceramics it was a cool idea and one that we are sure we will have more requests for.  Check it out.

Our Ashbury Table mixed with the Evoke Cube Tables mixed with a Memphis High Top Pub Table made for a beautiful buffet set up featuring Grilled Veggies and Crudités.

On either side of the stage, vignettes featuring our Continental Curved Sofas, Wedge Half Moon Ottomans and Rose Tables were backed by sculpted fabric structures created by the Originators.  They were beautiful and picked up lighting up perfectly adding a punch of wow to the room.

On stage, two different groupings featured our Tangerine Collection mixed with Hex tables and beautiful draping with vibrantly colored pillows and our Turquoise Regency Cubes, and our Lit Cubes topped with beautiful floral pieces and Turkish Lanterns.

The second vignette included our Metro Sofas, Bench Ottomans and Zanzibar End Tables accented with Red Pillows and red drape with black patterned cubes behind it.  We loved how the draping brought the settings to life in a very dramatic way.

To pull the whole room together we utilized an LED Wall on stage to present sponsor logos and provide a focal point for the evening.

On the side wings, there were existing banquettes and we took out the tables to feature our Phoebe Table Collection on one side and a Novel Bench and End tables on the other.

The Lou Davis Trio provided live music during the first part of the evening and were fantastic.  If you haven’t heard them, be sure to check them out.

With the Big Game quickly approaching in January, the Gotham City Cheerleaders showed up to perform and get everyone in the mood for January.  In between their performances, a DJ kept the mood energized. It was lighthearted entertainment and perfect for the evening.

The menu was delicious and featured Passed Hors d’ Oeuvres, Grilled Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce, Grilled Veggies, Chicken Quesadillas and more.  Later in the evening a Dessert Station was opened upstairs filled with miniature cakes, cookies and pastries.

Jaclyn Bernstein of Empire Force Events won the drawing for the TSE Conference Package generously donated by our national partner, The Special Event.  Congratulations Jaclyn!  We will see you in Nashville next month!

The evening was amazing from start to finish and perfectly showcased our furnishings and the talent of our sponsors. We’d like to extend a special thanks to Jenna Bascom Photography and Peter Dilauro of Splash Photography for their time, talent and great photos of the event, whic you see throughout the blog!

Our sponsors and their commitment to the tour in each city have really made this year’s tour a complete success.  We are so appreciative.  It is the people in our industry that make it  (and us) shine!  Thank you!!!!

This is our last tour stop for this year.  Luckily, we finished just in time to barrel into the crazy holiday rush.  Keep tuning in for more AFR fun and merriment.  Check out our #ispyAFR Holiday Photo Social Media Contest.  Everyone needs a little cash right after the holidays and you might just be the lucky winner this year!

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