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Our Partners Make Magic Happen! THE 52-MINUTE MIRACLE
O ur team executed an event at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for Qatar National Day a few months ago. It was incredibly high pressure: MoMA closed at 5:30 p.m., and the event was set to start just one hour later. We needed to move exhibits, set up plasma screens, put lighting in place, boot up a sound system, bring in eight miniature models of the World Cup stadiums, set up the coat check, build photo moments for the Ambassador of Qatar, and literally roll out the red carpet — all in 60 minutes. Fortunately, we didn’t have to do it alone! In the moments before the museum closed, our team was standing on the loading dock, practically vibrating in anticipation, next to more than a dozen of our most reliable vendors. We were pumped, aligned, and ready to jump into action! As soon as the second hand struck 5:30 p.m., we swarmed the museum floor. From overhead, I’m sure it looked like an intricate ballet. Our carpeting guys unfurled their rolls while the floral team leaned over them, placing flowers. Drapes went up, catering swept past with trays of food, and security and registration danced around each other near the front doors.
Our audio-visual partners, lighting gurus, printing team, and scenic/fabrication masters dashed back and forth, managing to perform their work without stepping on each other’s toes or even swearing under their breaths.
Everyone was smiling — and we finished setting up in 52 minutes.
That experience reminded me just how fortunate I am. Eventique has incredible vendor relationships. In fact, I’ll go one step further and call them friendships! A close friend is someone you keep in touch with, love having by your side, reach out to with good news, and can call to support you in a time of need — and that’s exactly how we feel about our vendors. In our business, this isn’t optional. Most people probably have fewer friends than they can count on one hand, but to successfully produce an event, you need two hands’ worth of great people. Our vendors don’t always get the credit they deserve from our clients, but they’re always doing fantastic work in the shadows. We demand perfection, and they deliver every time.
CHATTER the box
A Quick Word From Our Clients
“Eventique is one of those rare companies that encompasses everything needed to be successful: dedication, passion, and creativity. You see these qualities in everyone who works there, and when you partner with them, you often find your own abilities are lifted as well.” –Kevin Oliver, Omni Media Group “Thank you to the entire Eventique team for yet another great year of production and event management! Your assistance and responsiveness were second to none. It must be stressful at times to receive so many requests, but you always had a smile on your face, were positive and approachable, and handled any request, small or large, reasonable or silly, within minutes. “THANK YOU for providing the WorkWave events team with such a great customer experience and for making us look good.” –Casey Peros, Director - Events, WorkWave
This month, we want to pull back the curtain! Our vendors are our family, our friends, our coworkers, and our support system. We greet them with hugs and high-fives. They are the long-term partners in our inner circle, our fellow soldiers in the trenches, and we want to shout them out by name and thank them for their work. In the following two pages of this newsletter, you can read about a few of the many outstanding friends and partners who make our events possible. When we plan an event, we try to make things easy (or at least easier) for our vendors by putting ourselves in their shoes. We anticipate the work they’ll have to do and the effort it will take. Then — and only then — do we call them on the phone. Those phone calls are some of my favorite moments in this business. When I make one, I just know my friend is going to pick up the line with a grin on their face and say, “Okay, Liron, what crazy ask do you have for me today?” I thrive on that interaction, and our best vendors do, too! They love working with us because we challenge them, ask them to innovate, and force them to think outside the box. Sometimes, that means setting up “shower karaoke” in Times Square, and sometimes, it means transforming a museum into a 450-person Qatar National Day event in just 52 minutes. I’m proud to say they’re always up to the challenge, and I can’t wait for you to meet them.
- Liron David Founder and Executive Producer
THE HIDDEN COOKS IN THE KITCHEN
3 Superstar Vendors Bringing Eventique’s Visions to Life
Their creativity, communication, and flawless execution have kept them in Eventique’s rotation ever since. “We never say ‘no’ to an event,” says Nic Faitos, Senior Partner and Founder of Starbright Floral Design. “Stretching our toolbox to create what has never been done before is a trademark [for us].” During NFT Week, Eventique pushed Starbright’s creativity to the max. “We had the opportunity to create a bird’s nest that attendees could actually sit in and take a photo in at one venue, and then at Sony Hall, we decked out the venue as a jungle with what had to be hundreds of plants. We set up both of these events on the same day at two different locations clear across town,” Nic says. “Liron sent us a photo of himself sitting in the nest while our team was setting up the other venue. It was a moment of levity — we all laughed. Mission accomplished!” Above all, Nic says his team’s reliability sets them apart in the floral space. “Our clients know what to expect from us, and there is never an instance where we would jeopardize our word or our commitment to a client to get things done, exceed expectations, and dot even the very last ‘i’ before leaving a venue or event setup.” Asked what makes for a successful event partnership, Nic says, “Clarity in communication is key.” Abstract Image Group: Printing Perfected For the last year and a half, Abstract Image Group (AIG) has bent over backward to provide world-class printing, design, and fabrication services to Eventique and its clients. When Eventique signed on to plan an event for the United Nations
You can’t win a war with a single soldier, craft a Michelin Star meal with only one chef in the kitchen, or lead a country without a cabinet. Even picturing those scenarios is anxiety- inducing. Imagine the adrenaline that would jump and judder through your veins if you were standing alone in a restaurant kitchen, watching your ticket machine spit out order after order. You’d leap to your burners, frantically tossing chicken into skillets and spooning stock into risotto. Flames would spit, sweat would drip, and in the end, you’d send out dozens of imperfect plates. According to Eventique Vice President of Creative and Strategy Eric Wielander, the event business works the same way. Eventique may be the best “chef” in the country — but even they can’t pull off spectacular fundraising galas, corporate retreats, and gallery openings without a team of hardworking cooks in the kitchen. “We couldn’t produce at the high level we do without our vendors,” Eric says. “We truly cherish and appreciate those ride- or-die relationships.” Eventique collaborates with dozens of specialists in niches as diverse as photography, lighting design, audiovisual technology, and fabrication. Some of those partnerships have spanned more than a decade, but Eventique always welcomes fresh takes from new collaborators. Starbright Floral Design: Bringing the Flower Power One newer collaborator is Starbright Floral Design — a highly experienced team of flower artists. They first partnered with Eventique at the end of 2020, when in-person events blossomed again in New York City after months of COVID-19 shutdowns.
events with all different styles where we can showcase our unique line of products. We have had the chance to collaborate on many events with them; however, one particularly fond memory was the grand opening of their venue, Lavan 541. We were honored to be their top choice for furniture and décor!” Katy says that for her, “A successful partnership is a perfect balance of reliability and communication!” With those tools, “Bubble ensures that we will provide the best quality products every time.” Through Thick and Thin Eventique’s vendor lineup is vast. Starbright Floral Design, Abstract Image Group, Bubble LLC, Omni Media Group, Bombshell Graphics, SBI, photographer Luis Ruiz, and lighting designer David Zeffren are just a few of the company’s favorite partners. “It is very hard to build relationships with vendors at a level where you know when push comes to shove, they will have your back and do whatever is necessary to see you and the event succeed, but we’ve done it,” Liron says. He adds that Eventique’s vendors have been with the company “through thick and thin, through the insane hours, through the frustrating loading docks, through the challenging spaces, and despite the challenging timelines. They do that all with a smile on their face because they have one goal and one goal only, and that is to see their client and partner succeed!” Next time you or a company you work with imagines an event design that seems near-impossible, reach out to Eventique. With their host of superstar vendors, they’ll make even the wildest dreams come true.
Girls’ Education Initiative, for example, they knew exactly where to turn for help outfitting the United Nations Headquarters. As AIG President and Founder Ron Singlemann recalls, “The details and execution were flawless on a project that included over 60% of the public spaces at the UN.” It was a big job, but Ron’s team integrated seamlessly into Eventique’s event strategy. “Eventique’s team of professional event planners make it easy to execute their ideas, as they are well planned out at the onset of the event date,” he says, adding that listening is a vital part of that partnership. “The ability for us to listen to our partners’ ideas and visions, then execute dynamic solutions that make their visions come to life [is key]. When this works, it is truly rewarding to see the results as well as make any event a true success,” he says. Bubble LLC: Furniture Worth Photographing When Eventique needs a bar shelf shaped like a many-limbed tree, chairs that glow from the inside out, or a couch straight out of a Salvador Dalí painting, the first choice is Bubble LLC. The high-end furniture rental company has been a favorite for Eventique’s New York and Miami events since 2017. Their furniture and décor lineup can fulfill any vision, bringing even the wildest event designs to life in style. According to Bubble LLC Founder and Director Katy Brami, the affection is mutual. “Bubble always enjoys working with Eventique’s creative and dynamic team,” she says. “They always give us a wide array of
Watch Out for That Sword! MEET LYNNE, THE TOUGHEST OFFICE COORDINATOR IN TOWN
“[In 2017], I was looking at Groupon and saw an ad for three sword classes for $30,” she recalls. “So, I went to the beginner class in a basement in Harlem. It looked very sketchy from the outside, but it turned out to be a treasure trove of new friends! One was an opera singer, one was a corporate lawyer, and one was a pilot for the U.S. Air Force who disappears and can never tell us where or why. It was an interesting group of people, and I got to meet them all in one place.” Lynne was hooked. Drawing on her childhood fearlessness, she dove into the male-dominated world of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)! Today, she helps run sword-fighting events across the country in her spare time and fights as a squire alongside her partner, Lu. “I’m the one who runs the events — the one with the big stick and the clipboard yelling at people in protective gear and making sure they go where they’re supposed to go and follow the rules,” she says. HEMA has taken Lynne as far afield as a castle in Switzerland — and it’s surprisingly similar to her day job as team coordinator for the office of the CEO at Eventique. Instead of corralling knights in full armor, she onboards new vendors, keeps the office organized and running on time, schedules pickups and deliveries, handles invoices, and works directly with founder and CEO Liron David.
Lynne Khouri was born an underdog.
“From an early age growing up in Lebanon, I had to figure out creative
ways to get over the obstacles that are usually present when you’re a girl in a culture that glorifies boys and underestimates
women,” she says. “I grew up hearing a lot of, ‘You can’t because you’re a girl,’ or ‘Your brother is allowed to do that because he’s a boy — it’s different!’” But Lynne didn’t let that stop her. She quickly learned the art of persuasion, first using it to convince her father to let her on the basketball court (and create a new set of rules to put her on equal footing with her brothers), then gaining admission to college in Lebanon. Lynne climbed the educational ladder to a master’s degree. Against all odds, she became a licensed psychotherapist! Then, in 2008, she moved to New York City. “I wanted to see the world and leave Lebanon because it was becoming very oppressive,” Lynne said. She landed a job at a friend’s restaurant, kicking off a roller coaster career path that eventually led her to Eventique’s door. “Before Eventique, I had a very fun and diverse work background,” Lynne says. “I worked in broadcast set design designing sets for newsrooms and talk shows, spent time with an architecture firm, and even worked as an office manager at a high school in Harlem.” Lynne continued to pull off the near-impossible along the way — like figuring out how to transport a curling stone from the U.S. to Sochi, Russia, for a newsroom set during the 2014 winter Olympics. She honed her organizational skills, coordination expertise, and powers of persuasion. And she also picked up a new hobby: She became the girl with the sword.
“My favorite part of working at Eventique is that it’s never boring, not even for a split second,” Lynne says.
“There’s always something fascinating and intriguing going on. I’m learning so much here about what
goes into creating large-scale events.”
Given her background, it’s no surprise Lynne is always ready to pull strings and tackle challenges. With her sword and her cat, Batman, at her side, she isn’t the underdog anymore.
JUST WRAPPED
Welcome to “Just Wrapped,” a monthly summary of what our team has been up to. Every year, we plan events like corporate parties, virtual experiences, concerts, and charity galas. This list is just a small peek behind the curtain. ByteDance’s New Year, New Campus Party To kick off 2023 in style, Eventique continued its long-standing relationship with TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance! The team produced an unforgettable New Year’s celebration on San Jose, California’s 658,000-square-foot former Yahoo! campus. Eventique transformed the 3,000-person campus into a vast party space. It featured multiple entertainment experiences, including a custom mirror room, a karaoke room, a game room, and an infinity dance floor that starred the sounds of the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants DJ, DJ Umami. SK Signet’s New Construction Content Capture Eventique recently sent its videography team to Plano, Texas, to shoot for South Korean manufacturing and service conglomerate SK Group! SK plans to bring its latest electronic vehicle charging station arm, SK Signet, to the Houston suburbs — starting with a large warehouse facility. Eventique’s team was on the ground at the property, capturing the construction process in preparation for a grand opening and ribbon cutting later this year. Want your upcoming event to be next on our list? Request a proposal from our all-star team at Eventique.com. 2 Events That Kick‑Started 2023
Lynne at a Glance All-Time Favorite Book: “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Favorite NYC Restaurant: Oh Taisho Top Travel Destination: The Swiss Alps Favorite Movies: “The Lord of the Rings” extended editions Preferred Way to Relax at Home: Playing with her cat, Batman Favorite Hobbies: Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), board games, and card games
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4 2 Inside
The 52-Minute Miracle
Meet 3 of Eventique’s Best Vendors
6 7
Meet Our Swordfighting Office Coordinator
Our Monthly Event Rundown
Low lighting and soft music are classic tricks for building intimacy, whether you’re hosting a date night for Valentine’s Day or having friends over for a dinner party. But a skilled event planner knows how to go beyond those obvious cliches to make a night memorable, cozy, and exclusive. Next time you’re schmoozing investors for your latest project, angling to impress new friends, or hoping to wow a first date at home, use these tips from the experts — including Eventique’s own Lynne Khouri. 1. Plan one-on-one time. There’s a reason 4,000-person conferences schedule breakout sessions and mentorship moments: to create an intimate, personal touch with each attendee. If you’ve invited multiple people to your gathering, create a one-on-one “moment” with each guest to make them feel unique, valued, and prioritized. If you’re planning a date, silence your cellphone, turn off the TV, and minimize other distractions. 2. Set the scene together. Inviting your guests to stir a sauce, set the table, choose the next song, or light a few candles can make them feel at home. “My partner and I cook together all the time, and if there are friends over, we include them in the prep,” explains Lynne, Eventique’s team coordinator for the LET’S GET COZY! How to Turn an Event Into an Intimate Experience
CEO’s office. “People always feel more satisfied with a meal if they’ve had a hand in making it, and it ends that separation between the guest and the host trapped in the kitchen cooking and preparing.” 3. Prioritize quality over quantity. Be selective about everything, from the people who make your guest list to the decorations, entertainment, and food on the table. Then, display that exclusivity. Think about it: Would you be more impressed if your host laid out five types of truffles for dessert or unveiled a single box of award-winning truffles and shared the chocolatier’s story? If you aim to provide only the best, the people who make the cut will notice — and they’ll remember your attention.
Follow these suggestions to create a priceless and intimate experience.
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