If we could give everyone who participated in Bravo! Live an award, we would! It was an unbelievable show thanks to all the exhibitors who created eye-catching displays, served delectable food, showed exciting team building activities and more.

Alas, we have just 3 awards to give out. This year show attendees and exhibitors voted for the Best of Bravo! Live 2011. The winners are…

Best Caterer: Premiere Catering
The Premiere Catering team provided attendees with a scrumptious array of comfort to gourmet food to sample. Delicious!

Best Booth Design: Peter Corvallis Productions
Peter Corvallis’s talented team of designers created their modern & edgy take on a NW Lodge from scratch! Yup, everything from the backdrop, fireplace, stage and tables were all meticulously created by Kristin & Nick.

People’s Choice: Royce’s Prop Shop with Cort Event Furniture Hollywood Glam – with feathers, gold star-men, bling, and modern furnishings, no detail was left out of their design. Gorgeous!

Premiere Catering - Best Caterer Bravo! Live Bravo! Live 2011

Peter Corvallis Productions - Best Booth Bravo! Live 2011

Royce's Prop Shop & Cort Event Furnishings - People's Choice Bravo! Live 2011

WOW! Bravo! Live exceeded our expectations and that of both vendors and attendees. Not only did we see excellent attendance but we had multiple people tell us during and after the show how much fun they had and how great everything was. For some Bravo! Publication employees and attendees it was their very first show and for others, it was a welcome gathering of old colleagues and friends. It was unanimously decided that it was Bravo’s best show ever and for very good reason. With the endless help of the Oregon Convention Center we were able to produce a seamless show that drew an amazing amount of attendees. Plus with our amazing group of vendors we were simply blown away by people’s creativity, hospitality and unique products.

The theme this year was Destination Northwest and immediately as you walked into the exhibit hall you were transported to a lush, inviting entryway that directly reflected how inspiring our landscape is. Just by walking around and seeing the different array of booths you could sense that it took a tremendous amount of work, most of the vendors working late into the night before getting everything to look just right. The collection of vendors that participated put on a fantastic show and many said that Bravo! Live is their favorite event of the year.

Many vendors also commented that they saw a tremendous amount of foot traffic and emphasized that it was the right type of foot traffic, making valuable connections with event planners from all types of industries. We were thrilled to hear this feedback because that is Bravo’s number one goal for putting on this type of event.

Hybrid Moon put together a great video for us which they recorded, edited and uploaded directly from the event, right from their iPhone! Check it out below:

Bravo! Event Live 2011 Tour • Shot, Editied and Uploaded using an iPhone 4

Again, this event was spectacular and the only way it was possible was with the joint efforts of so many hardworking and creative people. For us, it’s our biggest event of the year but also a chance for people to come together and do business in a way that is fun, interactive and unique. The success of this event inspires us to make the Bravo! Wedding Affair even more of a triumph. As the year winds down the work picks up and we thrive off the positive feedback we get from vendors and attendees after our shows.

People came hungry and the caterers did not disappoint- we’d list all the amazing food but the photos from Andie Petkus Studios simply speak for themselves! Take a look at the pictures below and make sure to check out the entire gallery from the show here.

Again, thank you to everyone involved and who came and here’s to next year’s show!

Peter Corvallis Production’s amazing booth. We loved the colors and mounted deer head!

That’s right folks, we needed TWO blog entries on transportation for our upcoming Bravo! Live event showcase on October 19 at the Oregon Convention Center. You’ve already heard us gush about Eco Shuttle, Aspen Limo Tours and Double Decker PDX but we simply have to rave about our other four transportation experts: Game Truck, Games 2 U, Twilite Limousine and Tour and Konect Aviation.

Game Truck and Games 2 U offer a fun and unique party experience- they literally bring the games to you. More importantly, it’s not just about playing games. Game Truck likes to look at video game parties as a way of team building and also stressing that they’re not just for the couch potato- they encourage kids and adults to get active. But its not just for kids- Game Truck can be utilized for your next corporate, bachelorette or birthday party!

Inside one of Game Truck's cars. Check out all those flat screens!

Games 2 U also offers great, exciting team building activities for both kids and adults. Need we mention that they have laser tag, 4-D video, foam machine AND a giant hamster ball? The real question is- who wouldn’t feel like a kid again?

Seriously, doesn't this look like fun?

If giant hamster balls and foam parties aren’t your thing, fret not! We have two other great transportation vendors that will be at the Bravo! Live event. Twilite Limousine and Tours offers all sorts of vehicles to get you where you want and need to go. They have a fleet of trolleys, limos, Hummers and even Prius’! How’s that for luxury and being environmentally friendly!

One of Twilite's awesome vintage trolleys!

Finally, let’s not forget Konect Aviation. They were at the Willamette Valley Event Showcase at the beginning of October, flying in their helicopter as the sun was barely rising. They offer tours, lessons and commercial work and taking a ride in one of their ‘copters is a truly COOL experience. C’mon- we KNOW you’ve always wondered what it would be like to take a ride in a helicopter! Started in 2009 by Michael Kopera and Ingo Nehls, they transformed their love for flying into a quickly growing business and we’re lucky enough to have them again for the Bravo! Live event.

Susan from McMenamins, Ingo from Konect and our very own Mary Lou from Bravo!

Make sure to visit all of our fabulous transportation experts at Bravo! Live from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center-Hall D. Admission is complimentary for all qualified event planners. For more information on the event please see below:

http://www.bravoevent.com/bravolive/

When planning an event the issue of transportation can be a tricky one- what kind do we need? How many people are we taking? Will it be comfortable? If you underestimate or under compensate you could be in hot water. Sometimes just getting to and from the event is the most important part!

Luckily, these three fabulous transportation companies take the guess work out and make it simple, affordable and fun. Aspen Limo, Double Decker PDX and Eco Shuttle all offer great ways for your guests to travel in style and comfort. What’s more fun than riding in a limo? Or a double decker bus painted cherry red? Let’s not forget the sustainable Eco Shuttle!

All three of these companies will be at the Bravo! Live event showcase displaying their services and offering great deals for attendees. What’s great about Double Decker PDX is that they can go anywhere- no seriously. Whether its a wine tour or touring downtown Portland’s nightlife, they can do it. each bus can fit up to 30 people, which makes for planning a corporate event a breeze. Plus, with their affordable rates you don’t have to stress about people finding a safe way to get to your event.

Aspen Limo is great if you want variety. Maybe you want a limo for a bachelorette party or a Black Denali for a more private event. They have five types of cars to choose from, easily fitting around your party size and criteria. Did we mention they offer more than 15 different types of tours? Yup, from wine tours, Columbia Gorge tours, Oregon Coast tours and more, they’ll take you there!

Eco Shuttle is great for the environmentally conscious party planner. They use waste vegetable oil which is free from most restaurants and causes significantly less damage on the environment and is 100 percent safe on motor vehicles. They offer everything from Green Beer Pub Crawls, wine tours, sporting event transportation and of course, corporate events.

Make sure to check them out if you come to Bravo! Live! For more information on Bravo! Live and how to register, please visit http://www.bravoevent.com/bravolive/

This Sunday, September 25th Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents the  “Very Engaging Bridal Show” at Bridgeport Village from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. where more than 30 stores and 80 wedding professionals will be on hand to show you the latest wedding trends and tips. Admission is free, however if you’d like a VIP ticket which includes a light brunch, fashion show and gift bags, they’re available for $20. There will be wedding planners, bridal jewelry, floral arrangements, beauty and spa, photography and much more.

This event is in conjunction with “Brides Against Cancer” where hundreds of discounted designer wedding gowns will be available to purchase. This event is part of the Making Memories- Breast Cancer Foundation and takes place on Saturday September 24th and 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but for $10 you get first dips on the selection of gowns and can start browsing at 9 a.m. However, the $10 tickets are limited to the first 50 brides so buy yours now!

“Brides Against Breast Cancer” helps fund the Breast Cancer Foundation by selling donated designer wedding gowns for a fraction of their original price. More than half the wedding gowns for sale are brand new and directly from the designer, manufacturer and bridal retailers. These gowns will be anywhere from 25 to 75 percent off.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for women to donate their old wedding gowns for an amazing cause. Any wedding gown donations are tax-deductible, too!

For more information please see below:

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Very Engaging Bridal Show”

Sunday September 25th

Bridgeport Village

9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Tickets available here: http://veryengaging.eventbrite.com/

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Brides Against Breast Cancer”

Saturday September 24th & Sunday September 25th

11 a.m.-4 p.m. (both days)

9 a.m. (if you bought $10 early entrance ticket)

Bridgeport Village

Tickets available here: http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

JELD-WEN Field is nestled in the heart of downtown Portland, welcoming Timbers fans from all over and serving as a beacon for sports lovers. True to the Oregon spirit, JELD-WEN Field boasts both architecturally unique and sustainable features. Beyond that, it’s simply a fantastic place to watch a professional soccer game. Even if soccer isn’t your sport, it’s hard to deny that the stadium is beautiful.

JELD-WEN Field not only serves as the home of the Portland Timbers but also as a special events facility and on October 5th you can exclusively view the facility and its new amenities like the brand new KeyBank club level restaurant, the D.R. Horton community and meeting room and the 12,600 square foot Widmer Brothers Southern front deck area along with other outside event spaces within the stadium. This will be hosted by JELD-WEN Field’s Special Events Team where there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Centerplate, tours of the stadium and giveaways. This is an amazing opportunity for event planners to scope out JELD-WEN Field as a possible venue for their next show and experience first-hand the amenities it has to offer. If you would like to attend this event or for more information please see below.

When: Wednesday, October 5th 2011

Where: JELD-WEN Field- KeyBank Club

What: Private Event Space Open House

Special: Complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Centerplate, stadium tours and giveaways

Dress: Business casual

RSVP: Please send RSVP to events@portlandtimbers.com *No later than Friday, September 30th*

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Castaway at an ISES event.  Castaway is over 10,000 sq.ft. and located at the edge of the Pearl District near the Willamette River. The building was originally used as a  smelting warehouse and most recently to showcase bronze sculptures. The warehouse has been restored with polished concrete floors, an executive office space, retractable 116 inch projection screen and a drive-up loading ramp. Additional outdoor space is available.

The warehouse is a perfect space to create the event of your dreams. The August ISES event featured a large center bar and smaller stations to sample the wonderful food from Food In Bloom. A piece of the warehouse floor was converted into a stage featuring the band Hit Machine.

To rent this space or for more information, contact them at 503.224.4898 or castawayportland@gmail.com.

Oregon Health & Science University offers venues that showcase the best of Portland. Choose one of their venues on Marquam Hill and enjoy the  incomparable views of Portland and Mount Hood. Or, you can select their state-of-the-art facility located in the desirable South Waterfront district and accessible by bike, streetcar, car or kayak.

Can’t decide? Pick the best of both worlds and have your guests float above the city in the Portland Aerial Tram during your event. They offer onsite catering, AV services and parking for guests.

Contact OHSU at 503.494.4312 or events@ohsu.edu for more information.

Heliu m Comedy Club is the perfect venue for a wide variety of day and nighttime events, including:

• Daytime meetings and seminars
• Birthday, bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Fundraisers
• Corporate roasts and entertaining
• Team building functions
• Product launches
• Corporate holiday parties
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Group parties for a comedy show can be scheduled for any night Wednesday through Saturday. Group discounts are available for show tickets on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Helium is located at 1510 Se 9th and also has comedy shows available Tuesday- Saturday night and if you want to try being a comedian, check out the open mic night. Give them a call for more information 888.643.8669.

Take your next meeting outside of the box and check out what Helium Comedy Club has to offer.

Have you ever had that afternoon slump? Have you had trouble focusing during a full-day meeting? Many times food can be a contributor. Event planners and hotels are working carefully on creating menus that provide optimum “brain food” for meeting attendees. There have been many scientific studies on the effects that certain types of food have on mood, performance, and motivation.

It makes sense for planners to focus on keeping their attendees alert and attentive  throughout the day by providing food that balances blood sugar levels and doesn’t cause energy dips. Limit the amount of fat in the meals, even some meat causes the release of serotonin which calms people down. Think about it, you don’t want your attendees calm and relaxed when they are supposed to be learning new information.

Many large hotel chains have already started to offer better options. They are offering seasonal menus, fewer sugars and less fat. Many options include an “energy” break with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and  antioxidants.

As a planner for your event, think about what activities you want your attendees to engage in. Are they brainstorming and planning or celebrating a success?  Work with your caterer to develop meals that will align with your outcomes and not work against them. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the quality and taste of  the food and the level of engagement of your attendees.

Source: Meetings & Conventions, June 2011

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