Event Planning Series: How Furniture can Take Your Event to the Next Level

At HELEN MILLS, we work with talented event professionals every day. Over the coming months, we will be posting insights and interviews from some of the most experienced experts in the industry as part of our HELEN MILLS Event Planning Series! Please let us know your thoughts by commenting, sharing, or contacting us. 

Kicking off the Event Planning Series, Rhonda Cosaluzzo of AFR Event Furnishings spoke with us on how event furnishings may be just the thing for impressing guests and creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Rhonda helped start AFR’s event furnishing business in NYC 7 years ago and has worked on events across the country from Miami to Dallas to Chicago to New York. Read on for highlights from our Q&A as well as top tips to consider when furnishing your next event. 

Essential Tips for Furnishing Your Event

MATCH FURNITURE TO EVENT GOALS
Before you decorate and design your event, know what you want your audience to do. Maybe they will be listening to speakers without much time for socializing. Maybe there will be time for networking and socializing before speakers. Or maybe you do not have presentations. All of these situations should factor into your decision of how to arrange the furnishings.

SAVE MONEY BY SPENDING IT ON SOMETHING EXPENSIVE
Take the "centerpiece" concept and apply it to the room. Instead of using 20 floral arrangements at $50 per table, sink all the money into one dramatic floral arrangement in the center of the room. People will not notice that you have scaled back on the tabletop pieces, but rather the extravagant piece in the center of the room could be a conversation starter.

...FOR MORE TIPS, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Q&A with a Professional

MOST UNCONVENTIONAL USE OF FURNITURE?
With one of our trade show booths, we turned cocktail and end tables on their side and stacked them to make a beautiful backdrop. We stacked sofas to make an entrance to the booth. You always have to think outside the box in the event industry. We’re always experimenting in our warehouse. We all put our heads together and figure out what works. Some of our experiments have resulted in a few broken pieces but it’s worth it to try new things.

WHAT CHANGE ARE YOU CURRENTLY SEEING IN EVENT FURNISHINGS?
Many of today’s top companies like Google and AOL have gotten away from the traditional chairs and have gotten into sofas and little ottomans where people can put their feet up. The day of sitting in a conference chair is over. Companies are now focusing on creating a welcoming, social atmosphere at their events. It’s a much more casual atmosphere, with corporate and social events alike.

...FOR MORE Q&A, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Want to Learn More about Planning Your Next Event? Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget or Contact Us for an event consultation. 

Sightsavers International Hits the Mark with Fall Decor

Sightsavers International celebrated World Site Day in style with gorgeous fall decor as part of their Million Miracles campaign to eliminate avoidable blindness. During the event, Sightsavers showed footage of their work in the field as well as a live stream of a Malawian man regaining his site after undergoing Cataract surgery (watch the moment here!). In addition to an inspiring mission, Sightsavers did an excellent job executing a fall theme with a gorgeous color palette, creative floral arrangements, and unique touches. Below are a few photos from the event highlighting decor details.

Consider the Drape

Drapes often sit low on the priority list, behind decor items like flowers, furniture and lighting. However, thinking of drapes only as a functional item that divides a room or creates a visual barrier means missing out on a design element that can change both the look and feel of your event. For this event, the Sightsavers team made excellent use of the venue's in-house drapes by tying them back to create both a multi-stage event (breakfast in the front, presentations to follow) and a sense of intimacy among the select crowd of attendees. The drape material also introduced a new texture into the space. Finally, the simple white drapes contrasted perfectly with the orange wall wash and yellow uplights that produced a warm glow and complimented Sightsavers' brand colors.

Small Accents Make a Big Splash

Simple furniture pieces are great canvases for using accents to tie a space together and extend your color palette or decorative theme. These simple white ottomans with gorgeous patterned pillows and a brilliantly colored throw not only kept with the other decor in the room but were very inviting for guests. Other places to add decor are side tables, centerpieces on highboys or cocktail tables, bathrooms, and of course where you first see your guests - at reception.

Flowers Come in All Shapes and Textures

Flower arrangements can come in almost any shape, size, texture and color scheme. Don't limit yourself to what you think is typical or traditional. The Sightsavers team created unique floral arrangements by working within the seasonal color palette while at the same time being imaginative with the textures and types of flowers they used. On the left is a potted pepper plant which brought life to the event (literally and figuratively) and proved a good compliment for photos of the people the organization has helped through their efforts.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to event decor, designing small touches and taking a new approach to traditional elements will create a memorable experience for guests. Always ask yourself a few questions: Am I doing something new? Is there something special about the overall feel or each individual element? Have I ever seen this before.

Want More? Check out this post on 10 Tips to Make Your Event Look Amazing or Contact Us to discuss how we can help you plan your next event.

Want to Learn about Sightsavers? Read more about the organization here.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Manhattan Event Space

As Frank Sinatra didn't quite say: if you can make an event in New York work, you can make an event work anywhere. Manhattan has over 1 million people and, seemingly, a million different venue options. So while you may be spoiled for choice when it comes to different event spaces, navigating the variety of options can be a major headache. So, to make things easier, here are a few pointers when it comes to venue-shopping in Manhattan.

1. Big Apple, Bigger Budget

Keep in mind that you will need to pay more for an event space in Manhattan vs. an event space in other U.S. cities. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, professionals in Manhattan pay more than twice the national average for a basket of goods and services. Real estate, food, vendors -- everything is more expensive here. Therefore, if you are planning a series of events in cities across the U.S., make sure to budget higher for your event in Manhattan compared to your event in other cities.

2. Book Early

Manhattan is the busiest city in the U.S. for events, so you need to book your venue well in advance to make sure that you can secure your event date. Very often clients wait too long to book a venue, and end up with a back-up venue choice because of venue availability. Once you have decided on your dream venue, don't delay in going to contract to ensure that your date isn't reserved by someone else. Venues typically get multiple inquiries for an event date, and reserve the space for the first person to put down a deposit.

3. Location, Location, Location

Location within Manhattan should be a top priority when deciding on an event venue. Manhattan has distinct neighborhoods with different vibes, so make sure you choose a neighborhood that will work well for your event guests. What are your guests' interests? Are they interested in art? Tech? Fashion? Based on this information, you can choose a neighborhood that is nearby to galleries, tech start-ups, shopping, etc. Locate your event in an area that will be interesting for your guests.

4. Getting There

It is important to make sure that all guests can travel to the venue easily, so centrality and public transportation options are very important. Check that the venue is near to major subway lines, and easily accessible to Penn Station and Grand Central. Additionally, it is worth checking with the venue that it will be easy for guests to find taxis after the event. Another advantage of a central location is availability of hotel options nearby for out-of-town guests. Choose a neighborhood that is convenient for your intended guests. Think about where your guests work. If they all work in midtown for example, choose a neighborhood that is easily accessible to midtown.

5. The Perfect Fit

A Manhattan event space tends to be unique -- each space having its own character and feel. When attending a Manhattan event, people expect to be wowed by the space, and are looking for something fun and different. Make sure that you find a space that fits the event look/feel that you are going for, and will impress your guests. If you are inviting a tech crowd, choose a loft-like venue that has a digital, modern atmosphere. If you are inviting an older, more traditional crowd, choose a more classic venue with beautiful antique furniture.

photo credit: davic via photopincc

10 Facts You Should Know About New York Event Spaces

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Anthony Quintano.

New York is no ordinary city with event spaces that host ordinary events. New York is diverse, is innovative and is unique, just like the many event spaces it has. Did you know these 10 facts about Event Spaces in New York?

1. Each Neighborhood Has Its Own Style

This only means that the event spaces in each of the neighborhoods of NYC most likely reflect the characteristics of its surroundings. For example, SoHo has spaces that are chic and trendy, while the Upper East Side would have spaces that are elegant and traditional. Do you know where your event would “fit in”?

2. Event Spaces Aren’t Always on the First Floor

Venues in New York are on various floors. While some are on the penthouse level with a rooftop access and some on the 23rd floor of a corporate building, just keep in mind what the needs are for your event. It’ll definitely be much more convenient to book a street-level venue for a press event for a new automobile.

3. Storage Space is Limited in NYC

New York is the most populous city in the country. With that said, there is very limited storage space, so don’t expect a venue to hold your event materials/props/furniture/etc for days prior to your first day of rental. I’ve never heard anyone say that they have space in their apartment closet, so I doubt an event space would say the same.

4. Not All Venues are Legally Operated

Did you know that if a venue is hosting an event with 75 or more guests, it should have a Place of Assembly Certificate with a Certificate of Occupancy? The Place of Assembly is renewed each year with an inspection from the fire department, and it will state the maximum number of people that are allowed in the space. You can find out if the event space you are considering for your next event has these certificates here. If legal matters ever arise from an event, you’ll want to make sure that you hosted it at a legally operated venue.

5. All-Inclusive Packages Can Help With Your Budget

Some venues in New York work with 3rd party vendors to create all-inclusive packages for their clients, so they’ll work with catering, staffing and furniture rental companies. When event spaces are able to provide steady business to their vendors, they are able to get a discount from them, rather than a corporate company finding and booking a caterer for the first and only time. If you’re on a tighter budget, find a venue that can offer all-inclusive packages, and usually, the more guests you can guarantee, the better per person pricing.

6. Rarely Do Event Spaces Rent by the Hour

Most event spaces are rented by the day (8-12 hours). Venues understand why clients would want a better rate for a 4-6 hour rental, but for that two-hour morning meeting, the venue would be giving up the opportunity to rent to an all-day meeting with a post-meeting reception. Some event spaces will have a better rate for renting just the morning hours, so ask your venue sales representative if they can be competitive!

7. You Will Need Insurance For Your Event

It’s very common that venues will require general liability insurance from their clients, and sometimes even their vendors (photographer, florist, DJ, etc). Even if your venue doesn’t require insurance certificates, you should still obtain one to protect you and your guests, and requesting them from your vendors will also protect them and the other parties involved. You can get a one-day coverage starting at $100 here.

8. Event Spaces Won’t Place Holds on Dates

A lot, if not most, venues do not place soft holds on dates for prospective events without receiving a signed contract and deposit. This makes sense, since it wouldn’t be fair to hold a date for one company when another is ready to book their event immediately, and the company with the hold decides to book elsewhere a few days later. What you could do is ask your venue sales representative to do their best to let you know if anyone else is considering your date.

9. Not All Event Spaces in New York Have Air Conditioning

If they do, it may not have the central air conditioning system you want to cool-down a 5,000 square foot venue. If you’re planning a summer event, ask the venue if they have central air conditioning so your attendees are comfortable.

10. NYC is the Heart of Unconventional Venues

There are so many event space options in New York. You may decide that an old firehouse turned event space is a good idea for your event, because of that warm (no pun intended), cozy feeling it has. No matter how big or small your event is, there’s a venue here for your unique event, and it doesn’t have to be in the same hotel that your guests are staying in.

Now you know a little more about New York event spaces, and I’m hoping that this helps you find the perfect venue for your next event. Are you ready to start the search?

7 Tips to Reduce your Event Catering Bill and Still Inspire

As many people who have planned events know, catering can be one of the biggest expenses associated with putting on an event. Having good quality food at your event is also one of the most important elements of a successful event. Poor food can leave guests with a literal bad taste in their mouth, and complaints that might ruin guests’ overall memory of the event.

Fortunately, there are some clever ways in which you can save on a pricey catering bill, while still inspiring. Below are seven tips to reduce your event catering bill, without your guests ever knowing the difference.

1. Remember that people eat with their eyes first

This is one of the truest statements in the culinary world, and having a caterer that takes the time to present a dish well can take your event from memorable to unforgettable. Appetizing food presentation can mean anything from a well laid-out buffet with a few special touches, or plated dishes with an exciting flourish. By enhancing your food’s aesthetic, guests will not only enjoy the food more, but they will also come away with a better overall impression of the event.

Insider event catering tip: if your caterer cares about how their food looks, you can rest assured that they care even more about how their food tastes. Confidence in flavor typically leads to confidence in presentation.

2. Do not dismiss stationary hors d’oeuvres

Stationary hors d’oeuvres can also save on your catering bill by minimizing your staff count. Instead of having one waiter per tray of passed hors d’oeuvres, you can have one waiter per table of hors d’oeuvres. Additionally, guests often prefer hors d’oeuvres stations to passed hors d’oeuvres, because they do not have to wait until something they like comes around on a tray.

3. Create buffet stations that inspire

A serving buffet not only gets people fed quickly, but it also offers guests a wider variety of food options. Additionally, buffets cut down on the number of staff needed to cater an event. Instead of having upwards of twenty waitstaff for a single event, a caterer can run lean with a couple of waiters per buffet table. A buffet can still be elegant and include a carving station or even a simple cooking station where pasta or omelettes can be made to order. Buffet lines are also great places for guests to mingle and meet others who are seated at other tables.

4. Consider a modified menu

Another creative option to reduce catering costs is to ask your caterer about a modified menu. Oftentimes your caterer will offer a discount if you select menu options that have less expensive ingredients. For example, you might consider selecting one seafood hors d’oeuvre, instead of two. Or you could go with a chicken main course instead of a beef main. Additionally, some caterers will reduce the total cost of the catering bill if you have fewer menu options, but still the same amount of food.

5. Win over your sweet-tooth crowd with a creative dessert table

Instead of serving traditional desserts, which are costly and usually go uneaten, win over your dessert lovers with a fun dessert table. Some crowd pleasers include a chocolate fountain with dipping treats, a candy bar table for guests to fill small bags, or mini cupcakes on a pedestal. All of these options require little staffing, and create a ‘wow’ factor, while being cost effective.

6. Go with your venue's preferred caterer

Most often, your venue's preferred caterer is your best option. The caterer has been taste tested many times by the venue and has won the venue's stamp of approval. Furthermore, the venue's preferred caterer is usually your most cost effective option, as the venue receives quantity discounts from the caterer, which are usually passed along to clients. Additionally, the venue's preferred caterer knows the venue's facilities well, which will ensure that the catering process is seamless. You won't have to worry about missed delivery times, confusion about drop-off location, or issues with food preparation times.

7. Look into alternative beverage service options

Depending on your event, you may not need a full premium bar. Most of your guests will not specify a liquor type anyway, so it may not be worth the additional per person charge for a premium bar for the couple of guests who do. Instead, consider a standard bar with mid-tier liquor options. For more savings, go with a wine and beer bar. For certain types of events, such as networking happy hours, wine and beer will be what most people want to drink anyway. If you are thinking of serving champagne at your event, look into having a champagne toast instead of offering champagne all night.

10 Tips To Make Your Event Look Amazing

We’ve put together a handy list of 10 things you can do to make your event look amazing and leave a lasting impression on your guests. The more creative you can get in your planning process, the more your guests will be wowed.

So have fun with planning your event, and read our list to get your creative juices flowing!

1. Use lighting to add a "wow" factor.

The power of lighting to make an event shine should not be underestimated. Lighting can be used to give your event grandeur and set the intended mood for your event. Dim the lights to create a feeling of intimacy, spotlight a beautiful bouquet on the bar, spotlight a speaker, or use up-lights to create dramatic effects on walls and columns.

2. Consider a theme for your event.

If appropriate, a theme is a good way to make an event feel well thought-out and tie various parts of the room together. A theme can be anything from following a set color palette, to having decor related to a specific interest such as travel or old films, or even converting the venue into a scene from Harry Potter.

3. Use color to transform the room.

Color can transform the mood in a room and create energy. Consider choosing a linen color that is bright and playful. Add a wall wash to change the feeling of your event when transitioning from daytime to nighttime cocktail hour.

4. Use furniture and room set-up to create your event's desired aesthetic.

Furniture choice reflects the tone of the event, as well as helping with the flow and the feeling of movement in the room. It is important to strike the right balance between enough furniture so that people are comfortable, but not too much that people sit for the entire event.

5. Don't forget table centerpieces and bar accent pieces.

Table centerpieces are important to give your event a polished look. Have fun with table centerpieces, whether it's a colorful arrangement of flowers, fun candy bowls, a framed photo, or unexpected centerpieces such as books, or stuffed animals.

6. Add an element of interactivity to your venue.

Help inspire guests and make the venue uniquely yours by having guests engage with the venue. Have a step and repeat with fun props for guests to pose with, have guests create art to paste on the walls. Interactivity helps the event look and feel more energetic, and also leaves guests talking about your event after its over

7. Make sure your food presentation is top notch.

Good food is partially about taste, but it's also about presentation. You don't have to spend a ton of money to make food look good. Have fun with food presentation - whether it's putting flowers near the food to make the food look fresher, or using unique serving dishes and plate set-ups to elevate the look of the food

8. Remember the details.

While most of the time we focus on the big details for an event, it’s sometimes the little details that can really pull your event together. Don’t forget about the bathrooms, hallways, and outdoor areas. Some fun details we have seen include putting flowers in restrooms and hallways, having monogrammed hand towels in the restrooms, decorating outdoor spaces with lanterns, creating a signature drink, and creating a goodie bag table for guests to take home.

9. Invest in creating beautiful signage for your event.

Guests’ first impressions of your event will set their expectation for the whole event. Having impressive signs outside of your event will set the right tone for the rest of the event. Signs are also great backdrops for event photos!

10. Have fun and be creative.

This is your event, and you set your own rules. Make the event yours, and give it a personality. Nobody will remember a cookie-cutter event, but people will remember an event that was unique. If you have fun and get creative in the planning process, it will show the day of your event

Wondering How to Make Your New York Business Event Rock? Read This!

More and more, guests are expecting to be surprised, delighted and ultimately impressed by all types of events they attend, including corporate events. While it may be less time consuming to follow a familiar way of planning and executing your next corporate event, it will be well worth the extra effort and attention to detail to bring new ideas and ultimately new energy to your next event. So, let's make your next New York business event rock. The following are a few ideas to get you started:

Create a Hashtag and Proudly Display It in the Venue

Hashtags are the new promotional norm. Using them is a clever way to spark engagement at your event. Hashtags make it possible for users to enter search terms and have results come up all on one page. This allows businesses like yours to provide an easy way for interested event participants to stay updated and to share information about your upcoming event. Incorporating hashtags in your promotional campaign makes your business appear trendy and hip to the latest marketing strategies.

Don't Be Afraid to Highlight Your Company.

Don't be afraid to highlight your company, especially if it adds value to your guests’ experience. One of the best ways to highlight your company is to give guests a little taste of your products and services.

Are you a photography services company? Wow your guests with high-resolution graphics and images. Imprint your images on wide-format banners and flags and wave them on flagpoles located in the far corners of your venue. Print examples of some of your clients’ images on everything from the table menus to the wait staff’s t-shirts. If marketing is your company’s expertise, highlight your company the way you would showcase theirs if they hire you. Pull out all the stops as far as exhibition items, presentations and live entertainment. This is not the time to be subtle.

Do Something Different.

Don't be afraid to shake things up. So, be sure to entertain, engage and surprise, even at a business event. Think about what people expect and then think about what you can do to not only fulfill those expectations, but also add something a little special. Remember, know your audience... the event is for them, and when you fully understand their desires, you can craft an outside-the-box amazing experience.

Some ideas for ways that you can do something different are:

• Instead of having your CEO make the keynote speech, hire a celebrity or professional consultant in the industry. Someone like this will be much more likely to draw in a crowd and keep everyone’s attention.

• Hire a well-known live band to open up the event. Bands that are past their heyday, yet remain wildly popular are surprisingly affordable. Live music will excite your audience and prime them to be more receptive to receive your business message.

• Host an auction or drawing during the event to entice people to stay during the entire event. If you interrupt proceedings with drawings as the even goes on, audience members will stay throughout the day or evening to see if they have a winning number.

• Do something totally out of the box and hire entertainers like dancers, hostesses, acrobats or magicians. These can be sideline entertainers that shake up the vibe in the room and prevent the mundane.

Use Technology to Enhance the Experience.

Everyone has a phone and everyone likes to play on his or her phone. Consider any apps or promotional tie-ins that can enhance the experience from a digital standpoint. Get everyone’s cell phone number when they first sign in to the event. In the middle of the proceedings, send out a group text in the middle of the event that gets everyone’s phones buzzing at once. Surprise them with an announcement such as a special event. Instruct everyone to get up from his or her seats and move to another room down the hall, where something special awaits them.

Make Your Event Count, Even After It's Over.

With the help of social media, easy photo and video editing, and other tools, it's now easy to extend the life of your event, even after the live portion is over. Consider how you'll be recording the event and consider investing in a photographer or videographer on event day. You'll be happy you did when you're looking to use the event in promotional materials or communications afterwards.

Post photos of the event on the company’s Facebook page, and invite attendees to do the same. In fact, on the day of the event, announce that there will be a Facebook contest for the most entertaining photo from the event. The attendees will vote online for the winner, and a valuable prize should be awarded to the winner. This will draw in the attendees to your company’s social media page and force them to “follow” your company if they want to be in with a chance to win.

Your event attendees will be raving about your event for weeks or even months to come when you implement these innovative strategies. Get them to look forward to next year’s event and spread the news!

Open the Gates for Your Business with Great Corporate Events

As 21st century companies continue to rely more on technology to contact and communicate with their customers and colleagues, coordinating several special events per year ~ where the attendees can celebrate, learn, raise awareness, or make new connections in person ~ has never been more important. Successfully bringing people together at a thoughtfully chosen central location can boost morale, increase camaraderie, secure new accounts, inspire great ideas, or build confidence and understanding about a product.

Seminars

Whether your company is planning a seminar for potential new investors or to educate employees about a service, seminars require lots of space. Since seminars typically take hours, being able to have your attendees dine, drink, and take breaks while still on site is a priceless convenience ~ especially for those out-of-town guests who may not be familiar with the venue’s neighborhood. A venue that can offer designated areas for dining and the event’s breakout sessions saves time and creates an overall stress-free, enjoyable experience. Expecting attendees to snack on crackers all day while simultaneously seated in a row of folding chairs trying to jot down key notes doesn’t pair well with the ingredients of a truly successful seminar. Seminar venues require space, access to technology, and lots of on-site options for food and beverages.

Product Launches

Whether your company just designed a new running shoe or developed a new app, creating a buzz around its release will ensure its successful launch. Venues that welcome media from the local press, can accommodate lots of displays and demonstrations, and are as modern and fresh as the new product will contribute to getting the word out about your company’s creation. Selecting an inappropriate venue that will be captured on the evening's news or in videos-gone-viral will garner more attention to the location than your product. Launching a new skincare line at a local brewery would not make sense, because the location would take too much attention away from the product.

Award Ceremonies

Acknowledging and rewarding the initiatives and accomplishments of individuals, groups, or companies inspires others. If you want to award others at an organized event, you must do it in style – and that includes choosing just the right venue to reflect how much they are appreciated. Having a celebration at the local pizza shop for sales executives who have earned millions for the corporation will surely have those sales executives talking about your company. It is the thought that matters. If you are going to award others at a venue, go big or don’t go at all.

Networking Events

Meeting clients, colleagues from other regions, or potential customers ought to be an exciting, fun, and rewarding experience. If an individual is open to attending a networking event where he/she may not know many people at the onset, you don’t want the common denominator or conversation icebreaker between the guests to be about the event’s obvious low-budget or disorganization. A welcoming, comfortable venue where attendees have different places to gather, connect, and network will speak volumes about its success and your company.

Business Luncheons and Dinners

Even though these types of corporate events are all business because the attendees are on a very tight schedule in their respective professions, your choice of venue is all that more impactful and critical to accomplishing the objective for hosting the lunch or dinner. Whether you are a pharmaceutical company inviting doctors for dinner or a publishing company inviting agents, the venue must provide exceptional food, be well-organized, and in a convenient (for both locating and parking) location.

Fundraising

Celebrating and empowering special groups, cultures, or causes is a great way to increase awareness and raise funds. A venue for this event must be impartial and non-discriminatory in the food it offers, its décor, and the staff it employs.

Customer Appreciation Parties

Who better to thank for your corporation’s success than its customers? The venue must create an ambiance that is right in sync with the customer. If you’re an animal-awareness company, you are not going to want to book the event at a hunting lodge. If you sell products for football tailgating parties, you don’t want to book a black-tie only event at an exclusive venue.

Holiday Parties

Whatever the particular culture’s holiday celebration, you’ll want the venue to be appropriate. Since not everyone celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, choose a venue that accommodates all your attendees’ particular preferences.

There are as many different reasons to gather groups of professionals, clients, or staff members together as there are different services and experiences venues can provide. The more flexible, creative, and versatile a venue, the more diverse corporate events it can accommodate. As you add one, several, or all of these corporate events to your company’s schedule this year, ensure that the venue selected has the essential ingredients to host the event without a hitch.