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!

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/

With such a beautiful environment, you’ll want to capture every moment of it. A Light in the Attic Creative Media offers both video and photography services and even offers Super 8 MM film to compliment the rustic feel of the vineyards. They offer a wide variety of packages and prices to suit your budget and tastes plus they offer a free consultation.  In 2010 they were voted Best New Vender by Oregon Bride Magazine and they are an approved vendor by The Green Bride Guide.

The people at Willamette Valley Wedding Professionals will help you put together the perfect ceremony, from start to finish. No wedding is exactly the same so each member of their team is selected based on the needs and specifications of the bride and groom. The Willamette Valley Wedding Professional Members include everyone from caterers, DJs, florists, officiants, planners and venues.

The Bravo team recently made the trip up to the Gorge to meet with current and potential clients, along with the Columbia River Gorge Visitor’s Association to promote the regional expansion of Bravo! The meeting took place at the Brick Haven Bed & Breakfast, a nice place to stay if you’re visiting the Gorge!

While we were in town we toured multiple properties, and found some great locations for weddings, events, honeymoons and weekend getaways! Our first stop was at the Columbia Cliff Villas, where the motto is “easy to get to, hard to leave!” The hotel itself is gorgeous, with hard wood floors and modern amenities (flat screen TV’s and wireless internet in every room!), and with picture windows, the views cannot be beat. If you do find it hard to pack up and leave, the hotel offers ownership options for 18 of their luxury villas! Located right next door to the Cliff Villas is the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel that is worth a peak even if you don’t plan to stay the night! Another option is the newly renovated hotel, Best Western Hood River Inn. It is located on the shore of the Columbia River, and they have just added gorgeous suites that overlook the Columbia River—a spectacular nighttime view.

During our time at the Gorge we went to the Cathedral Ridge Winery, where we enjoyed tasting a variety of wines while listening to stories from Rob. He told us about the local climate, and how every grape they use is grown within 25 miles of Cathedral Ridge. Aside from tasting and tours, the winery also is a great location for company parties, social events, and wedding receptions.  Our final stop for the day was Hood River’s newest hidden gem, Mt. Hood Winery. With breathtaking views you will experience 360 degrees of mountain vistas. The winery is available for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and corporate events.

We stayed at Skamania Lodge, to which we give rave reviews. The Lodge is amazing, as are the pool and the 18-hole golf course. We ended our day sitting out front watching the gorgeous sunset, a truly amazing experience.

On our way back, we stopped at the Carson Ridge Cabins. This hotel is a great place to hold a retreat or family reunion, as each cabin is private and luxurious. You can spend your time at the in-house spa, drive the Fruit Loop, “a 35-mile, scenic drive through the valley’s orchards, forests, farmlands”, or visit Carson Hot Springs which is less than a mile away!

This trip made us appreciate how truly beautiful Oregon is.