The Perfect Game

This past Thursday, Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game. Everybody that the Tampa Bay Rays sent to the plate to face the big lefthander was sent back to the dugout without reaching 1st base. It was only the 18th perfect game in Major League Baseball history, a history that spans over 100 years. An amazing accomplishment, to be sure, and one that set me to thinking what the “pitching a perfect game” equivalent would be in the event industry.

I think it would have to start out with an unassuming client that wouldn’t seem, at first glance, to be particularly special or helpful towards attaining the goal. As baseball is a sport where one side is pitted against the other and the goal of any good event producer is to work with the other side (i.e. the client) to achieve a common goal, this is an imperfect comparison, but interesting nonetheless. I say that the client should be unassuming because the Rays came into the contest near the top of their league in offensive output. When you’re on top of your game, as Buehrle was, the opponent matters very little.

One thing that stood out about the perfect game was that, while Buehrle had a few strikeouts, most of the putouts were executed by his teammates, cleanly picking up grounders and catching fly balls. There was even a spectacular, home-run-robbing catch in the last inning that, had it not been made, would have not only broken up the perfect game, but also the shutout, making the previous eight innings of perfection ordinary. This catch highlighted the examples of the efforts of the team backing Mark Buerhle up. Even at the height of excellence, one needs to rely on teammates to ensure a strong effort.

Of course, a perfect event would have to be planned well, accounting for all of the possibilities leading up to and during the event production. The client-planner relationship, like that of the pitcher and catcher, would have to remain on the same page, with slight adjustments to ensure consistency as the planning went along. Constant communication is key. This extends to the crew that is producing the event as well, with good communication and leadership from the planner making certain the team has the right game plan and tools at their disposal.

Lastly, luck comes into play. Any number of factors can derail the perfectly planned event. A gust of wind that knocks down that high line drive to deep left center, keeping it within the reach of the racing outfielder or a helpful banquet captain that turns the room over in half an hour can make all the difference in the world. Things have to fall just right to get everything to go off as planned. And even then, it always helps to have Lady Luck on your side. Sharply batted balls that go directly to infielders or an absence of traffic on Massachusetts Avenue when you’re trying to get to the Convention Center can be the difference between perfection and simply pulling it off.

While we strive for perfection at every event, it is difficult to attain. So many factors have a hand in the outcome of any game or event. This is why we limit the opportunities for mistakes with our team-oriented approach with double and triple checks along the way. It’s also why we have trusted people that work for us who know the ropes and know what position they’re supposed to be in to make the game-saving play. We’re capable of pitching that perfect game each time we plan an event. That’s what keeps our fans coming back.

Congratulations, Mark Buehrle. Thanks for the inspiration.

by Noah Steurer, Director of Operations

Transforming a Space

I spent the weekend searching for an apartment in the city. The reality is that what I want costs more than I can really afford, so I will have to make some compromises. In order to get the quality and location I am looking for I am going to have to give up space. So, I started to think about the transformation of space and how one can make it appear to be something different than it is. The question becomes, essentially, how can I make a tiny studio apartment seem larger than it really is and how can I make it completely fabulous? (One's perception is one's reality, right?) Yes, it is extremely small, but I am determined to make it work. First I must eliminate things that take up space but don't serve any real purpose or offer any real visual interest. Maybe I don't need that giant TV set that my father passed down to me. Hmmm...I can give up my grandmother's oversized dresser and store off-season clothing under my bed. And the pair of Bergere chairs that flank my love seat may become a single chair. I think I can create the illusion of a headboard for my bed with some fabric or carefully arranged art or tiles, and it will really help to define my sleeping area and take up much less space! Light, bright colors will be more reflective and will serve to amplify the effects of natural light. And a mirror might really open things up! I must make distinctions between the things I want and the things I need. I surprise myself when I tackle this honestly. By eliminating some pieces, changing the 'rules', moving the boundaries, and pairing objects and pieces that don’t necessarily match I can create the illusion of space and create a unique look. Not only does this allow me to function in a different size space than I am accustomed to, it creates visual interest and transforms a seemingly ordinary space into something unexpected. Hmm...maybe I'll pair that antique dining table with modern dining chairs (I'll have to go from six to four!) covered in a fun, colorful fabric...this will create a completely unexpected juxtaposition.

The same can be said about the spaces we choose and transform as event planners for our events. Each space and location has its own personality and defining characteristics. Some spaces are beautiful and the location works, but they are truly small and dimensionally demanding. When this is the case, it is then up to us to transform it and work with these attributes to create something entirely new...and fabulous...and to make it seem larger than it really is! Space planning is certainly an art and not a science, and it is exciting to find a space, work within its constraints and create an environment that one might not expect. It is quite possible to overcome the obstacles that come with a confined space with clever design, whether you are transforming a venue for a special party or event, or making a small efficiency apartment livable. Good things come in small packages, right?

by Julie Pike, Event Planner

All Purpose Planner

The notion that we plan parties is a reflection of a job well done. The end result might appear as if all we do is throw great parties, however we bring people together for a purpose! The real work is in the details that lead up to an event.

A Gala Events, Inc. planner considers the goal of having an event; we work together with our clients and utilize the resources within Gala to create events that address the objective. Our goal is to convey messages and impressions that our client wants to share with their guests.

by Howard Radis, Event Planner

My 25 Most Favorite Event/Work Things…This Week!

1. Hand made paper
2. Pink peonies
3. Our tree tables
4. Invitation by Dauphine
5. Brainstorming with our team
6. Tiaras
7. Napkin treatments
8. Father/daughter dances
9. A flawless timeline
10. Fresh
11. Reading our teams blogs
12. Mondays
13. Redoing the showroom
14. Tenting over a dance floor
15. Sharpened pencils
16. 4:00 Starbucks
17. Frosted Lucite
18. Our hydrangea covered lampshade
19. A finished proposal
20. Our Asian style bar
21. Pink flamingos
22. Peacock feathers
23. Duct tape
24. Decadent linens
25. The people I work with

by Jaime Greenwald, President

Budgets

Let’s Blog about Budgets
Event Planners are a huge advantage to their customers’ Budgets.
Today’s economy has to be concerned about budgets.
Whether you are planning for your business
Or for an event like a Bar Mitzvah or Wedding -Budgets are a huge part
Of today’s everyday life.

What’s in a Budget?
Well to start it is an expense breakdown.
The most important part of a budget is having all the necessary information.
Budgets should start with the actual breakdown of the event.
As an event planner I believe we all must spend wisely and be budget conscious.

Starting questions that will be needed to form a strong budget:
Do I have an Event Planner? What will they cost?
Where is the event taking place, what it is costing?
When it takes place are there additional costs in set up and breakdown?
Will invitations be needed? What are all the costs? Stuffing invites, stamping and hand canceling?
How many people will be attending? What is the cost per person?
Will catering and wait staff be needed?
What are the rentals needed? Tables, chairs, linens, bars etc.?
Will the venue need draping?
Will there be entertainment and what are the price options?
What are the costs for atmosphere/dance floor lighting?
Will there be a theme or atmosphere needed to transform space? What does décor cost?
Will a Photographer and Videographer be desired?
This is just the start to a detailed Budget.

There are many other parts of the planning that are very helpful to add.
Knowing to plan a budget allows there to be no last minute surprises.
An excel spread sheet is very helpful, much more direct to bottom line expenses.

A really great planner will negotiate all of your contracts. This will certainly help in the bottom line.

Budget is a very small word that has a huge impact on every event. Listening to what the customer’s desire is will help bring their event to life
The key to a fabulous party/event is in the translation. Bringing an event to life is about bringing
It to fruition. Using a planner allows the combined knowledge of expense and experience to create balance and budget.

by Nancy Radin, Senior Event Planner

Park City, Utah

One of my all-time favorite places is Park City, Utah. No matter what time of year you go there, there is always something to do. Whether it be skiing in the winter, or mountain biking or hiking in the summer, you are never bored in Utah. Park City is home to the 2002 Olympic Ski Park, as well as the Sundance Film festival every year.

Utah is one of those places where you go, and every single person that is there is the nicest most generous person you will ever meet. Everyone there is always doing something outdoors, and they are all in great physical shape.

Park City is probably the most peaceful place in the world. No matter where you look, beautiful mountains and scenery that is beyond belief surround you. I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to go to Utah every winter and at least once a summer.

by Jenna Monsein, Event Planner Intern

Museum Event Space

This past week I visited several museums to check out their event space. Moving to D.C. only two months ago, I am still not too familiar with the unique quality of the city. After visiting places such as the Corcoran Gallery, National Building Museum, and the DAR Museum I have come to appreciate and better understand the culture of D.C. The DAR museum in particular offered spectacular views of the Washington Monument and the National Mall. This venue would be the perfect spot for a bride who wants a wedding with distinct D.C. feel. I am excited to continue touring more venues and to learn more about the city that I now call home.

by Jessica Marzelli, Event Planner Intern

Quality Vandal

The art of graffiti, in some form, has been around since ancient times. The evolution of this art form, from the simple scratching of images on a wall to the sometimes elaborate painted words and images that permeate primarily urban settings across the globe in the twenty-first century, has been slow. Modern graffiti is recognized as the vandalism of social and urban activists making personal statements and of gang members marking their territories, and their images have moved from subway cars and underground tile walls to the streets of cities around the world. Among the current vandals who arm themselves with spray paint cans and brushes, there is one rather anonymous but quite prolific artist who stands out -- the British street artist known as Banksy.












Banksy offers striking and often quite humorous images that present significant and controversial social commentary; he is clearly anti-establishment and doesn’t hesitate to criticize war, capitalism, and all that he feels is wrong in the world. He is an innovator in the world of street art, or graffiti, who has created an image of himself that he alone controls. He remains anonymous and does not reveal his identity to the public. In addition to this element of control, the public experiences Banksy’s art not by their own choice but, rather, by his. By virtue of the fact that he places his art in public places, on public walls, the passersby cannot avoid it. One does not typically experience it deliberately but very much by accident – perhaps only because of the route traveled to work or play. Through his intentional play on both the visible and invisible he has created an artist’s persona or identity that has given him the freedom and ability to explore both local and global issues. Banksy is the imaginative leader of a new artistic movement. This is art as activism, and the anonymous voice for free speech and equality around the globe.

by Julie Pike, Event Planner

Employee Appreciation Day! Crab Fest 2009

I can’t think of a better way to thank all your hard working employees than to show your appreciation for all those long hours of hard work. Whether they are balancing family, school and work, no one is exempt. Why not show your appreciation by planning a special event for your staff? Whether it is as simple as a picnic or a full blown party, let our team at Gala show you how to make it happen!

I just planned a really fun event for a company that wanted a “Crab fest”. We turned their parking lot into a fun beach oasis with picnic tables, umbrellas, a tiki bar and palm trees. It was so cool and every one had a blast! The crabs were delicious and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We can cater to any budget and make your event truly something your friends and family will always remember. All you bosses out there, let’s come together to show your appreciation and let Gala plan your special day!

by Rosine Goulette, Event Planner

Specialty Cocktails

Specialty cocktails are a great way to spice up any event. I’ve always been intrigued by unique drink concoctions because the possibilities are endless. I love the fact that cocktails are often catered to a particular season because they stimulate the senses so much that we often associate certain drinks with certain months/seasons.

Another facet of specialty cocktails that I find so intriguing is the presentation of them – what type of glass will it be served in? How much will be served per glass? What will be used to garnish the drink? Most people are often drawn to aesthetically pleasing things, so why not make the cocktail look beautiful and delicious at the same time?

There are so many unique things one can do when creating cocktails and no two cocktails are ever truly the same. For your next event, I recommend providing a beautiful and colorful specialty cocktail to keep your guests excited by your creation!

by Anna Pike, Event Planner Intern

Tanning

Brides… We know you’re dying to have that certain glow when walking down the isle… you know what I’m talking about… a TAN of course.

I am a huge fan of tanning. Whether it’s a summer tan, spray tan, tanning bed or even a tanning lotion, I have got to be tan all year round.

When it comes to tanning, it’s awful to have a bad experience. Let’s just say you don’t want to end up looking like Anne Hathaway after Kate Hudson sabotaged her in Bride Wars.

Call me crazy (I know) but I have tried almost everything out there. We all know the harms that we face when going to a tanning salon. Although we love it, we really should hate it. So being the tan freak I am, here are some of the best products I have used that doesn’t leave you orange and streaky. And certainly doesn’t leave you looking like you just FAKED AND BAKED.

St. Tropez ( anything of theirs is my favorite)

• It’s used by the host of Dancing with the Stars!!
• This is the most well known tanning product out there.

Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist

• Lindsey Lohan’s new tanning mist
• I have to admit this product ROCKS! It leaves an awesome golden brown tone on your skin. Some advice…DON’T RUB IT IN… just spray and let it dry.

Bronze

• Airbrush tanning here in the DC area
• She is my go to gal! Probably the best fake tan I have ever had
• Call me here at Gala and I’ll get you an appointment

Jergens Lotion

• We all know how great this is. Need a tint of color in the winter? Use this, for it will moisturize and give you a glow.

Michael Kors Leg Shine – Classic

• If you’re looking for a mild shimmer, this is your go to product. Not only does it add a nice glow to your legs, it also smells amazing. (We are obsessed)
• Here is a little secret, use it all over!

These are my favorite products, try them, love them, and be tan all year round.

by Tala Farr, Event Planner

Custom Dance Floors

You may notice from my previous blogs that I use the word “custom” pretty frequently. The reason is because nearly everything we do here at Gala is truly custom made for our clients. Custom signage, custom décor, custom layouts and renderings-you get the idea. I’d like to briefly discuss our custom dance floors, as I don’t think you’ll find anything quite like what we do here.

The vast majority of special events include a dance floor. That floor may just be tiles put together by the venue to keep their carpet from getting worn down, but they can be so much more. Custom dance floors involve cut-to-size sheet vinyl that is hand painted by our art director Tom Kemp. This hand painting process can take many hours, but it ensures that the look is artistic and highly professional. Often times, the center logo will be created from adhesive vinyl to ensure sharp lines and vibrant colors. The finished product is a sleek and exceptional piece that guests will remember long after their event has passed.

By Bryan Fox, Senior Designer

Custom Signage

For my last blog, I discussed the importance of a specially designed logo as an important aspect to the customization of an event. I’d like to now discuss another facet that really goes hand-and-hand with the logo, and that’s custom signage. Custom signage can make a huge impact on a special event, and here at Gala, I’d consider us experts of the art.

Signage may not be the first thing that one thinks of when designing a special event, but it can be a very versatile medium. It can act as something that helps thematically pull the party together, direct guests to various parts of the venue, display the name or number of a table, or embellish specific areas. Many times, all of these properties are covered in a single event.

At Gala, we have a large scale printer that can create signage in any number of sizes, from a 6 inch by 8 inch table number to a 7 foot by 8 foot stage backdrop of a sports car for a young man becoming a bar mitzvah. Much of our signage is mounted on Fome-Cor, a board made of foam and paper that allows it to be freestanding or remain straight when attached to drape. All custom signage at Gala can be kept by the client at the end of the event, so the foam-backed mounting also allows the sign to be a long-lasting commemorative item.

Most typically, signage is included behind a stage, on top of custom centerpieces, on tables for identification and as part of an entrance treatment, but whatever the need for signage, I’m sure Gala can do it and do it well. We’ve got a lot of talent here that makes even the most daunting tasks go as smoothly as an everyday routine.

by Bryan Fox, Senior Designer

Gala Offers 3D Renderings

Many clients have difficulty visualizing how a space will look. As designers, we at Gala Events have that gift of visualization; however it is often difficult to communicate that picture to our clients. Through renderings, Gala planners and clients can be on the same page. Below are some examples of our 3D renderings.



Above is the rendering of the stage, catwalk and seating layout for a St. John fashion show at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C. we included in our proposal.




Above is a picture of the auditorium with the stage and seating completely set up. You can see there were a few minor changes from the original rendering, but the rendering helped excite the clients enough to move forward and invest in our abilities to complete such a grand stage treatment.

Below are a few more renderings.



by Tom Kemp, Art Director

Nationals Stadium

Last night I attended my second rained out baseball game of the year at National’s Stadium. As I sat in the nose-bleed section getting absolutely soaked by the mid-summer downpour, I should have been miserable. Instead, I was having a ball! There’s something about a baseball field that puts everyone in a good mood. From the amazing food smells to the silly crowd games, baseball stadiums never fail to make people feel like kids again. For this reason, I think National’s Stadium is a fabulous place to hold an event. Event guests are immediately put at ease in a location that evokes both nostalgia and playfulness. The next time a client asks me for venue suggestions, I won’t hesitate to mention the ballpark as a unique option.

by Laura Miller, Event Planner

Running Around Everyday Life

Running Around
Everyday life…

Running around
Day after day

Running to keep balance
Between work and play…

We run around
Crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s

This running keeps us
Sharp and wise…

Running around is part
Of the plan

It is a key to us being
A successful women or man…

We run around to make our
Lives just right

Working so hard for all the accomplishments
In sight…

If we slowed down and stopped running
Life could stand still

Id bet this Running around
Keeps our lives truly full filled…

by Nancy Radin, Senior Event Planner

Day-of Planning, Why do I need it?

So here you are planning your beautiful day, and you start getting frantic about how this wonderful day is going to play out. If you already planned out the whole wedding, then why should you worry about how it is going to turn out? Well hello, the day of your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and you should want it to be perfect without a hitch.

Day-of planning is the single most important investment that you can possibly make. The amount of work that goes into the event is worth every penny: from coordinating with vendors to managing the details, securing the timeline and paying attention to every detail that your expert’s trained eye will do. It will guarantee that you and your fiancé will reign supreme on that day. A small price to pay for a lifetime of great memories… So relax and hire the experts at Gala to plan your day, and never worry about a thing because you are in great hands!

by Rosie Goulette, Event Planner

My Career

With only months left until my college graduation, I realized that the time had come for me to figure out what I wanted to do as a career. It seemed like every second I was being bombarded with questions about what I was going to do after school, and I always had the same answer—that I wasn’t sure yet. Over the past couple of summers, I had spent my breaks interning at an art gallery, a trust firm, and a non-profit group, all of which were unique experiences that were completely different from one another. In the end, I came to realize that I walked away from each experience with loads of new knowledge and skills, but no true passion for any of the dynamic career paths. Over the years, I had always considered event planning as a potential career that I could really love, but had little actual experience in the field outside of small sorority recruitment events at my university. When I came across the incredible opportunity to intern with Gala, I was more than excited to learn more about this industry that I previously knew so little about. Within the first week I learned more than I had ever anticipated I could possibly learn in an internship. From learning how to set up and number tables in a room, to how to fold a napkin five different ways, I gained a wide range of new knowledge and skills that I genuinely found interesting and fun. However, the most valuable thing I learned during that first week at Gala was the importance of the strong relationships event planners have with each and every one of their clients. My very first day on the job, I was able to sit in on a meeting with a planner and her client, where I was able to witness the passion that the Gala planners have for their work. After seeing this, I was really inspired to be an event planner, and I knew for sure that this was a career path that I wanted to pursue.

by Jessica Marzelli, Event Planner Intern

Glass bubble candle holders

Right now, I am excited about new and inventive ways to use candlelight at my events. I especially love this glass bubble candleholder by CB2. I think they would look amazing hanging in clusters over a table, a dance floor, or really any other focal point in your event space. Hung with translucent wire, groupings transform into a cost effective and unique “floating chandelier.” Fresh and modern, hanging bubbles are a nontraditional way to add romance to any space.

by Laura Miller, Event Planner

A lesson learned

There was a time, early in my career, when I was working regularly at a downtown hotel and my clients were small associations and small corporations with special events. Three times within a two month period, my clients told me that they had a limited budget for the special event that would be the grand finale of their annual meeting.

I would plan their events and give them a bit more than they were budgeted to spend. It was a big bang for their buck. I also had a trick up my sleeve. The hotel had beautiful, 8 feet tall palms in large terra cotta containers lining the large concourse in front of the ballrooms.

After my crew set up the décor that the client had paid for, I had my guys bring in as many of the palms as we needed to enhance the look of the event. Everyone was thrilled with what was done.

The fourth time I went to pull my little trick, the palms wouldn’t budge from their settings. I asked my contact at the hotel what had happened. He told me that they got tired of having to move the palm trees back after I had used them so they anchored them to the floor.

It had never entered my mind to tell my crew to put them back after the event was over. I inadvertently outsmarted myself by not considering the hotel’s needs.

I learned a great lesson. Always treat all people that work on your job as a member of your own team. Their tasks should always be considered and should always be respected. You want them to cooperate with you, so you should set the tone and cooperate with them. Since then, teamwork has been an important feature of each and every event that I have executed.

by Paul Garner, Vice President

Getting Your Feet Wet

How do I get into the event planning business? There are lots of ways. But the BEST possible way is:
- Get an internship and work your tail off for someone else for free so you can get your feet wet.

It worked for me.

“When you know… you just know…”

It didn’t even take one day before I knew event planning was exactly what I wanted to do. Stepping foot into Gala I just knew this place would be my new home. Coming in with the mentality that my job would be so glamorous, I was in for a rude awakening.
I never thought that this industry would be so hard, hard, HARD!

It is safe to say that in this industry there is never a dull moment. From the minute you step foot through the door, there is always something to do, a challenge to endure and accomplish.

Finding what you love to do is the key to success…

by Tala Farr, Event Planner

A Little Girl Realizing Her Dreams

The “powers that be” at Gala have requested that I submit a blog for the company website. So, much like it was in school, I find myself up late on a Sunday night frantically preparing a paper – of which I know nothing about – that is due in the morning. Will I be graded on this assignment? What happens if I fail? Will there be any extra credit I can apply towards my final score? Being my first attempt at blogging, I would ask that the “powers that be” show mercy on me.

Let me see, where to begin? I grew up a poor coal miner’s daughter. Times were tough for a young girl working in the mines. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of getting away someday. Like other little girls, I would dream of a world with high society parties, debutant balls, and beautiful “Gala” events. But - as many of us know - life sometimes has its own plan. So I find myself many years later a grown man – don’t ask , it’s a long drawn out story involving a sheman, a unicorn, and a game of Kings – helping produce, rather than attend, these high society parties for “Gala Events” - and much to my surprise - I really enjoy it! (not the part about being a man-I knew that all along. I mean I do enjoy being a man- I was surprised about enjoying the event production process.) There is a great satisfaction in taking an idea from a brainstorming session, putting it to paper, and then making it happen. Seeing an idea come to life – that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! There’s a lot of planning and preparation that goes into a party however- not to mention the occasional stress (oh -and the building of furniture- lots of furniture building!)-But once the party is completely set up – it’s truly amazing! I always look forward to seeing what we’ll do next at Gala. I would like to thank the “powers that be” at Gala – you know who you are – for helping a little girl to realize her dreams. Now – has anyone seen my tape measure?

by Russell Einhorn, Master Carpenter

Party, Party, Party!!!

Is it a Wedding? A Bar Mitzvah? A Sweet Sixteen,
a 40th , a 50th or even an Anniversary?
Maybe it’s for work or it is the Holidays…

Parties really matter!! Good moral makes life feel good...

Is it about the music, is it about the food, or is it the atmosphere?

There are so many facets to what makes a great party.
Gala knows how to make that happen…

Parties can be understated or make a statement.
Parties can have set budgets or endless budgets.

We should never feel we can’t have our perfect party!
Gala can make it happen!

Parties can be for religious celebrations or my very favorite parties can be “just because”…

In hard times at what ever level we all need to feel good-

Celebrate everyday –
Let Gala help you make your next party happen!

by Nancy Radin - Senior Event Planner

Everything in its right place

Imagine you are standing at the top of a staircase in a city, surrounded by your customary life. You have your cell phone, and wallet in your pocket. You hear and feel the rush of cars bolting past you and the drone of their horns. As you carefully dodge sidewalk traffic, you are distracted by a fleeting thought I have an appointment at 1:30. You are a figment of society. Take a few steps down that staircase. The drone of the car horns begins to dim. The sunlight is no longer so blinding. You turn and notice the brick walls to your sides and the cement steps beneath your feet. You are curious.
You take another couple steps down. You turn around and sense you are invisible from the street and have been separated from your previous anxiety. You have lost track of your belongings. Instead, you notice the heat of the day, the humidity, the sticky brick walls. Your curiosity draws you to descend further. You feel the sweat on your palms. As you hold the railing you feel the metal getting cooler as you continue to descend away from the sunlight. With each step you notice the outside world is beginning to fade. The horns become increasingly faint and you no longer have to squint from the sunlight. As you put one foot in front of the other, progressing down the steps, you realize your surroundings have muted your ordinary existence. You sit down on the next step and reflect.
After a few moments peering into the darkness, you think, what is down here? That thought quickly turns into, what am I doing here? Now that you have been stripped of your societal attachments, you are left alone with yourself to focus--a strange feeling considering you are constantly preoccupied with quotidian tasks. With each step you have eliminated a component of what you experience daily and it is only through experiencing this elimination that you can see what is missing; your daily existence consists of a network of influences that you haven’t realized until this moment. Care to take a walk further down the stairwell?
That unusual feeling--the one you get when you are finally alone--summons a part of your consciousness you have likely forgotten about. You perceive the most unexpected details and, for a good reason, they strike you differently. The textures, the lighting, the color combinations, the sounds- these are all things that often go unnoticed or simply blend in. Since becoming an event planner the world looks very different to me. I find I must notice all the little things…the details are so important and it is often in the little details that I find my inspiration and creative design ideas. It’s amazing how much more you see if you slow down and examine what you once thought to be regular or ordinary. Playing off of Andy Warhol’s concept of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, it’s the littlest details that make the difference in the event business. It’s all about how you can then put your own spin on that little detail or how you made the ordinary pop!
I often imagine I’m still sitting on that staircase, still extracted from the view of city that I am accustomed to. My cell phone and wallet are unimportant in relation to my new possession--awareness. Pleased with myself, I stand. The hustle and bustle of the city begins to emerge as I climb back up the stairs. My ears are pleased--back to reality. I check my watch and parade boldly onto the street. It is one thirty. Better get to that appointment!

by Julie Pike, Event Planner

Gala Team Building

“I’ve never been camping or tubing before!” – Tala Farr, before the 1st (annual?) Gala Camping and Tubing Team-Building Excursion

I never thought that directly after getting back from a week of vacation in Florida, I would be in for even more fun in a “work” environment. But that’s exactly what happened. After a week of travelling around the southeastern US with various stops for good times along the way, I met up with a group of Gala team members near sundown at a campground in western MD. There were 10 of us in all and we camped out, Gala-style (which means we had everything we could possibly need for a party and then some - including a hydrangea centerpiece!).
We played games, sang songs, and had s’mores, of course. And we bonded. Oh, did we ever bond! With such a diverse group, it was fun to have us all be able to let loose and enjoy ourselves in such an atypical setting for us all. I mean, most of us had been camping (not Tala, but she really took to it) but this was definitely not our natural environment. So, while we had a couple non-native English speakers and some who were not enthused about life without a hair dryer, we all came together and had a great time in the woods (too great, according to the night caretaker).
The next morning, after a fantastic breakfast at local greasy spoon, Cindy Dee’s, we headed to the tubing outfit. An interesting West Virginia local drove us upriver and dropped us off to head out. Luckily, it was a beautiful day and the water was cool enough to refresh, but warm enough to relax. Plus there were even some rapids that got us wet (and flipped a few of us!).
The best part was that we just got to all relax and enjoy the day together - a Monday no less. Many people, when I told them about how the company I work for was taking us on a retreat for some team building, were astonished that in this economy, we would take time away from the office. I responded to them that in order to keep morale up, build a stronger, more supportive team, and keep everyone fresh and interested, taking a little time off on a Monday was a small price to pay. We shared experiences and memories that will keep us laughing and close-knit for a long time to come. And Tala not only camped and tubed for the first time, but overcame her fear of drowning! I can’t wait for next time!


Front Row, kneeling (left to right): Milton, Christian, Omar
Ladies, crouching: Jaime, Tala, Laura
Back Row, standing: Russell, Howard, Tom
Back Row, sort of standing, sort of crouching, awkwardly posing: Me!

~Noah Steurer, Director of Operations

There is No I in Gala

Together our parts are stronger then any of us individually. That is the true “team concept” and that is exactly what you get when you work with Gala Events, Inc. Simply put, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

We bring more than twenty-five years of our ownerships experience; our master carpenters skill and craftsmanship are second to none. Trends in floral design, fashion and colors arrive in our design center long before they are anywhere else. When you make Gala Events a part of your next corporate or social occasion you are not working with one event planner or one décor specialist you are working with a dedicated team with one goal in mind, a coordinated effort to produce flawless events.

~ Howard Radis, Event Planner

Custom Logos

Working as the senior designer at Gala Events for several years, I’ve seen numerous special events come together, from petite and intimate to large and lavish. The event designers at Gala are experts at helping to create a cohesive look to any and all events, regardless of budget. One major facet that I’ve found helps draw the event together, whether it be a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, sweet sixteen or even a corporate party, is having a logo that reflects the event and the individual or company that is hosting it. Not only can this logo can be placed on décor, custom signage, dance floors, projected on walls, etc. during the actual event, but it can also be included on invitations and mementos like custom clothing.

I’ve designed countless custom logos for our clients, from sleek and elegant monograms to graffiti-inspired skater style logos. Often times, if the logo is for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the child’s name will be a very prominent feature on the logo, followed by the date of the event. The font, style, and surrounding graphics reflect the child’s personality and theme of the event. The color scheme of the party will also be incorporated so that the logo is both easily readable and highly artistic. The final product is, in essence, a brand that is created for the child and the party. Adding an element of personalization setting that event apart from the rest!

by Bryan Fox, Senior Graphic Designer

Green Space in a Chaotic Place

I recently visited New York City’s High Line Park, originally a 1.45 mile-long elevated steel train track built in the 1930s whose structure still stands in New York’s Meat Packing District and has been transformed into an attractive and interesting public space. The park opened one section in June 2009 and the other sections are still under construction.



I was not entirely sure what to expect before visiting the park – it sounded interesting but I wasn’t sure how actual train tracks could be transformed into a scenic landscape. After walking up the stairs to enter High Line, I knew I was in for a treat. I couldn’t get enough – from the beautiful view of the skyline to the integrated concrete pathways and plantings – I had never seen anything like it! I’ve always been fascinated by gardens and parks in large cities and love how they add a feeling of serenity and peace to the chaotic lifestyle of any city. High Line Park does just that…and more. You aren’t just surrounded by grass and trees the way walking through Central Park might be, you are literally situated above the city on a green oasis, looking down at the rest of the city passing by. It is difficult to recreate that feeling in a typical
city park or garden.



I’ve only spent a couple months at Gala, however, in that short amount of time I’ve learned a great deal about the ins and outs of event planning. I find venue choice really interesting because there are different ways of looking at it. For example: 1) your event planner & team can drastically transform any venue OR 2) the venue can drastically transform your event. Obviously these aren’t the only things to consider when choosing a venue, however, I am fascinated by the way almost any outdoor venue (especially one in a city) can really enhance your event.



A city landscape like the High Line Park would be an unforgettable venue for an event. As soon as you enter the park, you feel as though you are experiencing New York at a slower pace than everyone else in the city and I think people need to experience that once in a while. There is nothing that can replicate its modern design and quaint elegance situated in the midst of New York City’s chaos. When the entire project is finished, it will be an incredible addition to the city.



Spending time at Gala has transformed the way I perceive design and décor in a very positive way. Prior to working with event planners and designers, I wouldn’t have thought twice about High Line Park as an exciting event venue. I have acquired the ability to be more critical and observant – and I owe it all to Gala!

submitted by Anna Pike