June 6^th 2008 would have been just another ordinary Friday except that it was Amanda Young’s Sweet Sixteen Celebration at Weston Hills Country Club! The event was anything but ordinary…

M E Productions under the guidance of noted event designer Skip Panse created a magical evening for Amanda, her parents, and their guests with a unique “Club Amanda” themed sweet sixteen.

Skip created an exquisite and festive ambiance by epitomizing the essence of an elite Deluxe Manhattan Lounge. The event embodied a fusion of cool eclectic sophistication, along with dynamic, unique and outstanding chic decorations that added flair and unprecedented elegance to the evening.

The country club ballroom was transformed into a chic hot styled dance club fit for a queen. The space was dynamic and contemporary…a trendy gala enclave with suave sophistication. The floral arrangements were designed in “nouvelle-haute” style…contemporary, exquisite and distinctive, providing a sculptural and fresh design. Beaded chandeliers were incorporated over tall glass cylinder vases filled with pink California Crystals and LED lights. Magnificent rose clusters were placed atop to complete the centerpieces. Everything from the seating, linens, and tables, to the teen lounge, the adult bar and all the technical details was perfectly coordinated for an outstanding, sleek presentation.

The Young’s guests were able to live and be dazzled by this extravaganza of quintessential elegance.

Michelle, Amanda’s mother summed it up best, “Skip and M E Productions totally surpassed my expectations in every aspect of this event, from the initial planning stage to the amazing decorations in our ballroom. We will be forever thankful.”

]]> http://www.eventsbymeproductions.com/2008/09/05/%e2%80%9ca-sweet-sweet-sixteen%e2%80%9d/feed/ http://www.eventsbymeproductions.com/2008/09/05/%e2%80%9ca-sweet-sweet-sixteen%e2%80%9d/ http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EventsByMeProductions/~3/318407615/ http://www.eventsbymeproductions.com/2008/06/23/under-the-sea-a-nautical-magical-night/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:56:16 +0000 Dmiller http://www.eventsbymeproductions.com/?p=81 Sailing over the bounding waves is a beautiful experience but being under the waves is magical….Nina and David Mandel did just that when they hosted a beautiful “Under The Sea” themed Bat Mitzvah celebration for their daughter Jessica at Temple Beth Shalom in Miami Beach!

The Mandel’s “Bat Mitzvah Journey” included a stop to see Francine Luria at Executive Social Planners in Aventura. “Franny” provided the Mandel’s with exquisite invitations for Jessica’s event.

The evening at Beth Sholom was indeed magical. Nina and Jessica looked lovely in their beautiful gowns.

After cocktail hour, the guests proceeded to the lobby to get their place cards for dinner. They were greeted by a magnificent arrangement of gorgeous blue green and white blossoms set atop a tall glass vase filled with sea blue water and orchids. The guests’ place cards were arranged on the table around this floral display.

The entrance into the ballroom gave a subtle hint of the wondrous ballroom décor that event designer Skip Panse and his production and floral teams at ME Productions created for Jessica’s special evening. The entrance structure that supported the thematic sign for Jessica’s undersea adventure was draped with luxurious fabric in several sea tones and up-lit with soft mood lighting.

Expressions like “Oh My Goodness,” “Wow” and “Unbelievable” were heard from the guests as they entered the ballroom.

The ballroom ceiling was awe inspiring. Yards and yards of white, sea green and pale turquoise organza was creatively draped in random patterns throughout the room, giving the feeling that you were under the waves. Schools of fish were suspended on monofilament line at different levels under the wave canopy. Giant jelly fish moved among the kelp that hung at key points of the ceiling. Skip’s vision for the ballroom was one of serenity mixed with high impact drama.

Nina and David’s adult guests were treated to dinner by the expert catering of Lyons and Lyons at dinner tables that were sumptuously dressed with a shimmery iridescent sea green and soft turquoise floor-length linen. The chair covers matched the table cloth and featured a green/blue iridescent organza chair back “poof” that were very unique.

The centerpieces consisted of three tall glass cylinder vases and a large glass aquarium bowl with an underwater sea scene inside the bowl. Sea shells, greenery inside the cylinders that were filled with water, sea glass, and a combination of floating candles and votives created this upscale-custom designed table decoration. The ultimate surprise for their guests were the Japanese Beta fish swimming up and down in the vases! Each table was named for a body of water or an ocean. Custom artwork for all the signage was designed by the art department at ME Productions.

Jessica entertained her friends in a ‘Posh Lounge (see above) with white sofas, occasional chairs and oversize ottomans. High top cocktail tables, white bar stools, interior lighted cube tables and cushioned benches finished the seating. A cool feature of the kids area was a large shark that “swam above a coral reef.”

Mazel Tov to the entire Mandel Family! Kudos to Skip and the staff at ME  Productions for creating another memorable event.

The exclusive Woodfield Country Club was the site for the Bar Mitzvah celebration for Zack Charlse, son of Sheri and Steve Charlse on March 29^th, 2008.

The excitement ensued from the moment that the guests arrived in the lobby. The kids headed off to Zack’s VIP “crib” after being screened by the “club’s bouncer” and getting their VIP passes that were custom created by ME Productions.

Zack made it blatantly honest the over-16 crowd was not an option at this portion of the venue…

The adults ascended the staircase to the second level to partake of the cocktail fete that Chef Bart created to tantalize every ones palate.

Zack’ colors; blue, white, silver and black, along with the custom signage and logo’s that ME’s artists created,branded the club as Zack’s very own.

Back-lit oversize art work and photos of Zack that were combined with sequined fabric created a sleek entrance into “Club Zack”!

The entire room was draped floor-to-ceiling with black fabric that set a club tone and served as a neutral backdrop for the amazing decorations that Skip and ME Productions created for this event.

Sheri and Steve’s guests dined at ME’s hottest new tables. Alternating white acrylic square and round dining tables that were lighted from within by vivid blue battery operated LED lights. These trendy tables were hot and Skip chose to not use linens on them.

Large floral displays of white calla lilies rose from tall glass pilsner vases filled with blue gelled California crystals. Suspended in the crystals inside the vases, battery-operated miniature LED lights glowed. They illuminated the vases from within and created a “Wow” look. Glass blocks, cylinders with floating candles, glass-enclosed votive candles and orchid blossoms set into a bed of coarse rock salt crystals accented the bottom of each vase, creating a sensational candlescape right on the table. Each of the adult tables had been named with the names of famed clubs; some vintage and some current.

Zack and his friends had their own separate area of the ballroom that featured ME Productions’ custom white leather sofas, interior lit hightop tables, bar stools and seating pit areas with assorted electrical accoutrements to decorate the area.

Skip decided to arrange the dance floor in the middle of the room on the diagonal thus having the entire room revolve around the dance floor. Elevated dance platforms were another idea that Skip had to make this event different and chic.

Zack’s friends had use of the existing stage for additional entertainment and activities.

Every detail was handled right down to the custom logo gift bags, the custom logo CD’s and the monogrammed black fleece blankets that the Charlse’s ordered from the premiums department at ME Productions.

The evening ticked like a fine-tuned watch due to the planning and coordination by Woodfield’s Kim Todd and Eric Levesque. Skip said that working with these amazing professionals helped to take the Charlse’s event to the next level.

Mazel Tov to Zack, Sheri and Steve.  Congrats Bart, Kim and Eric and staff for a job well done.  And lastly, hats off to Skip, his assistant Cindy and everyone at ME Productions for a spectacular event!

Ira and Jody Orlowsky hosted a wonderful Bat Mitzvah celebration for their daughter Bari at the exciting new Haute Cuisine venue, Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland Florida on March 29th, 2008.

Bari’s theme, “Sealed with a Kiss,” more commonly known as “SWAK,” started in the lobby with a lovely elevated arrangement of pink roses in different shades set atop a tall glass cylinder vase filled with wrapped Hershey’s Kisses. The display was set atop a table that was dressed in floor-length satin linens to match the color scheme of the evening. Place cards for the Orlowsky’s guests were arranged around this lush setting.

The children had their cocktail hour in the Oneg room that is located right off the lobby. Activities and entertainment for the children included nail fashions and gave each child (and quite a few adults) computerized nail paintings. The boys loved it as much as the girls and some of the Dads sported nail designs from their favorite NBA and NFL teams.

After being treated to the exceptional “fete’’ that Haute Cuisine created in the adult cocktail hour, the children and adults reunited in the Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Bari’s friends went to her “Hugs and Kisses” Lounge to “hang out” in style with the custom lounge furnishings created by Skip and his staff from ME Productions. Leather sofa groupings, hightop cocktail tables covered in fuchsia metalic shag floor-length cloths, tall cylinder vases each with a giant Hershey’s kiss set atop the vase and white Chiavari bar stools gave the children a “posh” Manhattan-style lounge to enjoy for the evening.

Ira and Jody’s guests dined at the most elegantly appointed tables that were fitted with custom fuchsia linens and black satin napkins. Sleek black spandex chair covers gave a chic contemporary look. Elevated centerpieces of dozens of roses gave the room the look and scent of a rose garden.

The stage was flanked on either side by giant photo/portraits of Bari that were back-lit. This created an amazing focal point to the ballroom that customized it and made it Bari’s very own. The guests all boogied until late night to the great music provided by the DJ under a custom ceiling decoration of black organza with a myriad of tiny Tivoli lights. Large glitter lips and oversized glittered hearts were suspended from the ceiling and added the crowning glory for this spectacular evening!

Congratulations Bari, Mazel Tov Ira and Jody, and Hats off to Skip and ME Productions for another beautiful event!

Is Your Meeting Running Out of Gas?
Spice Up Local Meetings in times of Economic Downturn

(May, 2008 – Ft. Lauderdale, FLA) — Growth in the meetings industry could headed for a severe slowdown as record-high fuel prices and other factors curb demand, some insiders warn. “That slowdown just might affect your next meeting or corporate function,” adds Jim Etkin, president of South Florida’s largest event company, ME Productions.

“Take into account the added pressure of airline passenger security-screening delays and capacity constraints at airports, and meeting planners might soon be feeling a greater pinch, too,” says Etkin. As airlines look to pass on increased fuel costs and companies cut back on business travel due to weaker economic conditions, passenger demand is expected to suffer.

The solution, says Etkin, is to start aggressively looking in one’s own backyard for both clients and venues of choice. “We’re fortunate in that Miami is an international destination. As the American dollar is affected by recession, conversely, the buying power is up for international travelers. In my book, the expectations are that Miami will remain an active destination, and become even more attractive to Latin American businesses.”

However, for markets that rely more on the U.S. traveler, Etkin offers some additional advice:

1. Focus on regional meetings. It might be more cost-effective to use third tier destinations and boutique locations for events and break that meeting for 500 people into regional events of 100 each. And, use local vendors. Preferably find a DMC company that offers more “under one roof” as opposed to shopping around for independent vendors. A company like ME Productions is actually more cost effective in that clients don’t spend time and energy shopping for vendors in florals, entertainment, sound, lighting, et cetera. In addition, vendors are pre-screened so quality is maintained. This is more often available through larger DMCs, but smaller companies might also have a preferred vendor list, saving clients cost, energy and effort.
2. Don’t skimp on quality. That is one area where being cost-effective could backfire. “You still need to deliver all the content in a meaningful and entertaining way, or risk losing your message entirely.”
3. Promote using events. Etkin suggests that the ad budget, while necessary, could be replaced by other media approaches that include direct messaging and public relations.
4. “Go Green” when it make sense. “Going green” can be affordable when “done right,” says Etkin. “For example, when our team went to Jamaica for one client, they made certain to ship less material and use local products. Even the centerpieces were made from local vegetation and island artists. This saved having to ship enormous amount of material and ornaments, and resulted in a considerable cost savings.
5. Provide a “gas allowance” for potential clients. Why not consider an incentive for a tank of gas to clients who come “on site” for a visit? Auto dealerships have been doing this for years, along with other promotions. Those ad dollars might be better spent used as an incentive for face-to-face client meetings rather than blind pitches to a mass audience.

About ME Productions
Florida’s largest meeting and special events firm, ME Productions, is an award-winning full-service destination management and event production company specializing in national and international corporate and social events, décor, floral design, destination management services, business theater, staging, audio-visual, music and entertainment. For further information, contact Hal Etkin at (800) 544.0033, extension 121. The company web site address is www.meproductions.com, or send e-mail inquiries to oncallpr@aol.com.

ME Productions is headquartered in Pembroke Park, Florida. The company’s Central Florida Office is located at 6220 South Orange Blossom Trail, Suite 140, Orlando Florida 32809, 877.888.4436.

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Ken and Ellen Kay hosted a wonderful Bat Mitzvah celebration for their daughter Sharon after morning services at Temple Beth Emet on February 23^rd 2008.

“Are You Smarter than a Seventh Grader?” was Sharon’s was very unique and fun theme! It started in the lobby right after services. A magnificent floral arrangement was elevated above “the teacher’s desk” place card table.

School bus and apple place cards for the adults were a novel and thematic way to let each guest know where they would be sitting in the ballroom.

The children’s area of the ballroom had school desks and the podiums just like the television show. A feature of the party and a big hit with the guests was the interactive game that was modeled after the actual reality game show.

An enormous arch of purple, silver and white balloons created a backdrop for the blackboard like sign with math problems that was elevated in back of the children’s area.

The ballroom looked bright and crisp. The adult tables were covered in floor-length purple satin cloths and the chairs were covered in white accented with purple poly chair ties.

ME Productions decorated the table tops with actual laptops that were placed on mirrored risers. All sorts of school supplies - protractors, pencils, erasers, markers, rulers, composition books and dictionaries - were clustered around the laptop. A purple and white floral arrangement was incorporated in the setting with a cluster of balloons that color-coordinated with the purple and white linens. Sharon had a Powerpoint presentation on each of the laptops on the tables that played during the event and her guests were delighted. (what a fabulous idea!!)

The guests were treated to a delicious luncheon by Haute Cuisine Caterer at Beth Emet. This was definitely a unique, colorful and fun luncheon.

Congratulations Ellen and Ken on your daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and Mazel Tov Sharon!

A big “Thank You” to Skip and the Staff at ME Productions for another beautiful event.

“Sailing Away with Sandy” was a very special theme for this young man. The guests were treated on arrival with glowing tiki torches and palm trees that lined the staircase to the cocktail room. Once inside the Club, the crisp royal blue, lime and white color scheme dazzled the eyes while the soft rhythmic sounds of the steel drum band, provided by ME Productions’ Entertainment Department, delighted the ears of each guest.

Sandy’s guests had a blast with the live crab races in the cocktail area. People were cheering and betting on which crab would win the race!

After cocktail hour, the Lichtensteins’ guests proceeded across a rustic wooden footbridge that traversed an actual “tidal pond.”

Once inside the ballroom, artistic backdrop panels of sail boats, set full sail in regatta mode, set the scene at the entrance. Lush foliage, sea gulls, buoys, dock pilings and lobster traps, gave the impression that you were at the seashore watching the boats race…

The ballroom was decorated in the same lime green, royal blue and white color scheme. White Chiavari chairs gave an “out doorsy” look to the room and complemented ME’s lush table linens. As an added touch, napkins were “French” folded and accented with a miniature white orchid blossom. “Exquisite!”

One of the highlights of the adult area were the custom logo Regatta Sail Boats that glided over a sea of wonderful blue and green premium blossoms elevated above the tables on tall glass cylinder vases filled with sea shells and blue tinted water. The additional drama of glass-enclosed hanging candles created a sensational effect. Every detail on the table right down to custom table markers were meticulously handled by the professional party planning and coordination of Skip Panse and the ME Productions renowned Floral, Production and Art departments.

The room was entirely draped in royal blue fabric from ceiling to floor. The ballroom ceiling was decorated with yards of white chiffon, accented with a multitude of Tivoli lights, creating a “crowning” effect.

A scenic backdrop of a setting sun on the ocean placed in the rear of the children’s area set the mood of a surreal seaside and three custom made sail boats with Sandy’s very own logo were placed in front of the backdrop to enhance the setting.

Sandy and his friends relaxed and “hung out” in his seaside lounge with leather sofas and area-pit seating groupings. Hightop cocktail tables surrounded by barstools were adorned with lighthouses and model sail boats to complete the look.

As additional entertainment area featuring foosball, air hockey, Black Jack and Texas Hold ‘Em tables was provided for the children. A terrific candy bar with both vintage and new candies was a big hit with the adults and the children alike.

Christine May, the catering director at St. Andrews, and her wonderful staff, made this event extra special with the personal, elegant, sophisticated touch that both she and St. Andrews are noted for. St. Andrews’ new Chef created wonderful dinner fare that delighted the guests’ palates.

The live and combined DJ music had the guests dancing and celebrating Sandy’s special evening to the fullest.

Congratulations Jeff and Barbara on your son’s Bar Mitzvah and Mazel Tov Sandy. Kudos Christine and St. Andrews. “Hats Off” to Skip and ME Productions on the Production of another sensational and creative event!

The Club’s bouncer, a former “Mr. Florida,” took charge of the kids. The kids got VIP Passes to the exclusive “Club Jordan” for this special evening. ME Productions entertainer, a Cher look-a-like female impersonator, welcomed the adult guests. Wendy was magnificent in a beautiful chiffon gown with a feathered bodice. She looked like a movie star!

The event, designed by Skip Panse of ME Productions, was a shining example of totally transforming a vintage venue into a “chic” South Beach club with strong overtones of the décor of the old Delano Hotel. The crisp white fabric dining alcoves accented with crystal chandeliers appointed with lots of tightly packed red roses was amazing. The ceiling décor and the black and white dance floor were stunning additions to the décor.

Guests’ jaws literally dropped when they entered the ballroom! Jordan and his friends had their own personal club with a wide assortment of activities and casino games. The adult cocktail space featured ME Productions all-new interior-lighted buffet tables. The “wow” of ME Productions’ acrylic high and low cocktail tables lighted with battery- operated LED lights helped to create this posh cocktail lounge that combined the past with the current “sleek and chic now look.”

A “highlight” of the evening was when the adult guests left the ballroom for a trip to the past into the “Paskow Disco.” The DJ had the guests shaking their booties long after midnight to the sounds of the likes of Gloria Gaynor and Donna Summer in a upscale club that Ira and Wendy had Skip create for their guests’ enjoyment.

This was a spectacular event. No stone was left unturned! The planning and execution of this event by Skip and ME Productions was flawless.

Congratulations and Mazel Tov to Ira and Wendy! Congratulations Jordan!

Fast cars, good food, and hot entertainment were the name of the game during Ford Championship Weekend (November 15 - 18, 2007).

Sports Illustrated Invades SoBe
Over on South Beach, members of the racing community, celebrities, and athletes partied Miami-style with Sports Illustrated at The Fifth before heading off to the track for the weekend to witness the finale of the Nextel Cup Series.

ME Productions transformed South Beach’s the Fifth into Club SI to jump-start Ford Championship Weekend.

ME Productions transformed the venue into the specially branded “Club SI.” They began outside by adding Club SI signage and gobo lighting to the side of the building, along with four Ford production vehicles, both on the red carpet and suspended on ramps above it. Inside, guests walked through a fog screen and into the venue’s intimate bilevel space. The Fifth’s high-energy bartenders served drinks below So Cool Events’ suspended ice sculpture of the club name while caterwaiters served assorted hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of the club.

“We used a lot of red, orange, and yellow hues to convey a fiery inferno, yet chic theme”, said Jennifer Freedman of ME Productions.

The Miami Heat Dancers were among the many notable faces at Club SI.

Miami’s DJ Irie and guest DJ Funkmaster Flex entertained the group, remixing dance favorites as the Miami Heat Dancers, in Sports Illustrated attire, performed atop illuminated acrylic columns throughout the space. Guests were also treated to a special performance by the Wallflowers, which served as the climax of the evening.

It’s Miller Time
Up the beach from Club SI, ME Productions once again transformed one of SoBe’s best venues with bevy of branding. Mansion played host to more than 400 people to celebrate “Miami Lites,” an event campaign developed by ME Productions after being recruited by GMR Marketing, Miller Lite’s alliance marketing agency.

New Century Dance Company dancers in spandex racing-themed costumes and Miller bikinis performed for guests.

Inside the nightclub, ME hung 12 giant air-filled spheres from the ceiling, onto which they projected custom-made graphics that changed colors throughout the evening. The team also constructed a 30-foot projection wall around the DJ booth that featured Miller graphics and racing clips.

Throughout the night, guests sipped their Miller Lites while lounging on white couches (on which branded Miller Lite pillows had been placed) and off-white, branded plexiglass high-top tables illuminated with LEDs. Performers from New Century Dance Company danced atop Mansion’s platforms. Eggwhites Catering served sliced prime rib, boneless pork loin, sliced marinated chicken, and more.

ME Productions strategically placed flat-screen monitors throughout Mansion, which continuously played multimedia clips from both Nascar and Miller Lite commercials.

Further up the beach, at Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort in Sunny Isles, the Miami Lites Weekend continued poolside. Guests entered the pool area through a checkered-flag-inspired entryway and were greeted by a racing model perched on a branded Miller cube waving flags.

Catering stations provided by the Trump International Sonesta Resort were outfitted in black-and-white checkered stretch spandex and featured hubcap centerpieces and orange traffic cones.

Various branded seating areas, catering stations with tropical fare, and portable bars were placed around the perimeter of the lagoon-shaped pool-onto which a Miller logo was also with gobos. The 400 guests chilled out to reggae band the Monarchs.

The ISB Roster offers hundreds of speakers and entertainers, from comedians like Jay Leno and Howie Mandel to inspirational speakers like Lance Armstrong, Erin Brockovich and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The ISB network features speakers and entertainers in the fields of:

• Celebrities/Entertainers (including comedy, hypnotists, jugglers, emcees, musicians, etc.)
• Motivation/Inspiration
• Current Trends
• Economics
• Health/wellness
• Politics
• Sales/Customer Service
• Sports
• Technology/Science
• Terrorism/Homeland Security
• University/Education

“We are very excited about expanding our services to include this impressive roster. Now, in addition to our own network, our partnership with ISB greatly expands our reach into the entertainment world opening access for our clients,” said ME Productions President Jim Etkin.