Swing Into Spring Event at the Bently Reserve with AllSeated

Event Production Management

In our ninth year of production, our annual celebration has become one of the most anticipated Bay Area event industry events. Receiving such recognition is not only rewarding but fires up our creative team to try and top the previous year. Needless to say, after the amazing and beautifulSuddenly Spring at the Bently Reserve last year, the team could not wait to begin scheming on how to WOW our fellow event professionals this year.

Rooted in showcasing the best of our talent while keeping experiential design (check out our Burning Man article regarding "XD") top of mind, the team set out to take guests on a sensory journey back to Palm Springs circa the 1960's. If you’re unfamiliar with the aesthetic of this glamorous time period, think Pop Art, geometrics, and mod muted color tones. We took a little more creative liberty by adding a few flamingos here and there—leaving the jello molds and fondue to things of the past.

Partnering with the Bently Reserve and AllSeated, we began the evening with a special VIP pre-party for our most esteemed wedding industry friends. With the creative collaboration and vision of the team at Glow Event Design, we fashioned the historic Sansome Lobby and Adriatic Room into a serene bridal lounge. California-cool in design with lush florals and banana leaves, guests were treated to an exclusive session with renowned event planning guru Mindy Weiss and our president, Natasha Miller. While guests mingled in the lobby with bubbles from BBC, bites from Barbara Llewellyn Catering and a gourmet cake bar by Global Gourmet Catering, our poet crafted instant prose for guests while our 1960s band, Project Pimento, wooed everyone into a lounge-like vibe.

Once everyone took their seats, Natasha, Mindy and Sandy Hammer of AllSeated shared their thoughts on the significance of unique entertainment acts when it came to designing guest experiences. They also took questions from the audience, dispersing wisdom and bits of laughter throughout.

After this intimate discussion ended, guests were invited to join the main party. Entering through the Battery Street Lobby, attendees cued up and waited as one of our retro flight attendants checked them in. Upon entrance, a 6-foot living champagne tower greeted guests with spirits, while our pilot for the evening, DJ “Captain” Cody brought guests back in time with Motown hits. In the PanAm-inspired airport Gateway lounge, Snap Fiesta captured passengers ready for take-off, while our Jewelry “Making” Bar encouraged attendees to adorn themselves with their own DIY mod necklaces.

For veterans of our spring celebration, you’ll know that we love to create a sense of anticipation and suspense. We hold all of our attendees in the lobby until it's time for the grand reveal. This year, our PanAm flight attendants led attendees into the main Banking Hall, welcoming all to Swing into Spring. As if preparing for take off, our flight attendants broke into their safety dance and were later joined by our dance band for the evening, The Klipptones.

We brought in over 70 artists that evening - an unprecedented number for our company’s event. From the Giant Martini Glass with our beautiful go-go dancer to our colorful body-painted walk around characters, we not only aimed to engage all of our guests’ senses but to also inspire our industry to break the regular mold of event entertainment.

Our planning of this fete was almost as much fun as the mesmerizing evening itself. Almost.

We are so grateful to our incredible sponsors and artists whose generous contributions brought this event to life. We could not have done it without them and we hope you think of them first for your next event.

OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Producing + Venue Sponsor The Bently Reserve Producing Sponsors AllSeated

A/V Sponsor Elevate Productions

Catering Sponsors 49 Square Catering Barbara Llewellyn Catering & Event Planning The Hugh Groman Group Ladies Who Lunch Michi

Beverage Sponsors Best Beverage Catering Company Benziger Family Winery

Cake Bar Global Gourmet Catering

Decor & Rental Sponsors AFR Napa Valley Linens Suite Treatments Classic Party Rentals Event Drape Rental Floral Sponsors Amy Burke Designs Kitani Floral Design

Photobooth Sponsors Snap Fiesta

Photography Sponsors Misti Layne Photography Photogenic Events

Special Creative VIP Bridal Suite Design by Glow Event Design Mod Jewelry "Making" Bar by Very Mary Inspired 

Staff The Party Staff

Graphics & PrintsS ADMAC Digital Imaging

Media Sponsor Modern Luxury Give Away Sponsors: Swift LLC OTR Cocktails

If you joined us, we hope you were inspired. If you weren't able to, make sure you don't miss out next year. We're already planning for 2018!-Tesha

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