James Auerbach Named Finalist for Event Producer of the Year Award

January 12th, 2010
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RALEIGH - Event Solutions magazine, Conference and Tradeshow recently announced that local event professional - James Auerbach from Showtime Events has been named as a finalist in the 2010 Spotlight Awards in the category of EVENT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR !

The 139 finalists were selected from a field of more than 600 nominations based on their entry profile that speaks to their body of work. They represent some of the top event professionals not just in the United States, but internationally. The prestigious Spotlight Awards, the event industry’s most comprehensive awards program began in 1998 and have grown to a 20 category event.

Finalists were published in the December issue of Event Solutions magazine and appear on the voting site:  event-solutions.com until January 31, 2010.  Recipients of the award will be presented March 8, 2010 in Las Vegas, as the signature event of the Event Solutions Conference and Tradeshow. Event Industry luminaries, colleagues, friends and family will be included in the event audience, to applaud and honor the finalists and recipients of the award.

To vote for James Auerbach please visit:  http://www.event-solutions.com/spotlight/vote/ before January 31, 2010

Capital City Club Celebrates It’s 30th Year

November 11th, 2009

Raleigh, N.C.’s Capital City Club celebrated its 30th Anniversary October 30, 2009 with a 70’s themed birthday party! Guests were dressed in their poly-synthetic best and enjoyed heavy hor d’ourves, beer, wine and much more!

LED Bar

LED Bar

Showtime Events helped turn the ballroom into a disco with creative and fitting light effects, including a 21 foot Acrylic LED Bar, 4 Acrylic LED high boy cocktail tables, and additional perimeter up-lighting.

Bar Tables

Bar Tables

Platform shoes and double-knit pantsuits abounded as guests “shook their tail feathers” to disco music artistically compiled by a Touch of Class DJ. Fun was had by all as people danced and celebrated late into the night. We were honored to work with the team at the Capital City Club again and look forward to another great 30 years to come!

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“Wicked” Bat Mitzvah Raises The Bar For Halloween!

November 9th, 2009

Wicked Table Setting

Wicked Table Setting

Raleigh, N.C.’s biggest party this October 31, 2009 was the “Wicked” themed bat mitzvah at the Renaissance  Marriott at North Hills.  Performers from N.C. Theater’s hit musical “Wicked” entertained guests in an elaborately festive green, purple and blue setting.

Showtime Events handled all the lighting, creating a truly incredible atmosphere befitting All Hallows Eve.  This included dance floor lighting, spotlighting and LED up-lighting throughout the room, as well as additional room wash lighting.  LED lights on each table illuminated the elaborate (and amazing!) centerpieces created by English Garden Florals.    In addition all 200+ people in attendance wore custom designed “Wicked” acrylic party pass necklaces that were each illuminated with a personal LED.  This was the first bar or bat mitzvah in the area to have these at the event!

An Incredible Cake!

An Incredible Cake!

Swank Cakes created an amazing “Wicked” theme cake that really blew away everyone in attendance.  It was nothing short of cake artwork!  Evan Pike of Andrew Bryant Photography took spectacular photos during the night.

Showtime Events also provided a 21 foot, curving acrylic LED bar for the massive main bar in the room and a fun, multi-tiered acrylic LED candy bar station.  Both were big hits with guests as the lighting in the room widely varied in predetermined patterns and color morphs during the night! Above the bar and candy table  Showtime Events projected 2 full color gobos that matched the “Wicked” party theme of the event.

This bat mitzvah was one of the grandest events the Triangle has ever seen, and one that will not soon be forgotten.  We were honored to be part of the planning and execution of this incredible production.

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Gobo

Wicked Full Color Gobo Over The 21 Foot LED Bar!

Multi-Tiered Candy Table

Multi-Tiered Candy Table

“Scream for the Arts” Raises Funds for Fine Arts Program!

October 30th, 2009
Showtime Events worked on a terrifying haunted house fundraiser held exclusively at The Wharf. The weather man has no explanation for the chill in the air this October!

Sppoky Tree with Highlight

ENTER IF YOU DARE!

Our event specialists have created a spooky setting making this event truly haunting! Lighting effects enhance the eerie atmosphere, creating simply hair-raising effects. Talented actors from the Gulf Coast High School  and Orange Beach Elementary Drama Clubs bring the space alive with ghouls, goblins, and blood thirsty creatures!

Ghoul: DO NOT DISTURB!

Ghoul: DO NOT DISTURB!

Locked up for eleven months of the year, this month you can only wish the spirits of the night were just the ones found in a glass! The time  draws  near for the veil to the mortal realm to become thin

There’s still time to take a trip through our Haunted House into the bayous and beyond! Experience what really happens to the pirates and scoundrels after scorning  the light to exist in the shadows!

All proceeds benefit the Gulf Coast High School Fine Arts Program. Help us bring imagination, culture, and excitement to the children!

Where: The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama
When: October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 & 31
6:00pm - 8:00pm Spooky Family Fun (All Ages)
8:00pm - 10:00pm Spine Tingling Scary (Not for small children)
Admission - $4
Tickets can be purchased at the Ferris Wheel Ticket Office

Watch out for sneaky pirates!

Watch out for sneaky pirates!


Raleigh Wide Open Celebrates the New Downtown City Plaza

October 26th, 2009

Downtown Raleigh, NC  celebrated the completion of Fayetteville St. ’s renovation Saturday, October 24th with the fourth annual Raleigh Wide Open event!  The long-awaited renovations culminated in the unveiling of the new City Plaza.3

Showtime Events was thrilled to be involved in this annual event and was hired to provide our signature Ice Magic acrylic LED bars for the VIP invite only party held inside (and outside on the decks) the Raleigh Convention Center. The goal was to wow all the guests in attendance  with our custom lit bar and table options !

A parade opened the festivities, which included hundreds of food and art vendors, beer/wine tents, street performers, a kids zone, fireworks, and over twenty musical artists.  A great time was had by all!

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Stunning 60th Birthday Party!

October 23rd, 2009

showtime60bday1Showtime Events was thrilled to help produce a special 60th birthday party on October 17th at the Marriott Convention Center in Durham, North Carolina. Over a month of planning went into the special event that featured a national band, multiple vendors, and many regional VIP guests.

The main ballroom was stunning with a variety of IceMagic tables, white spandex chair covers, additional LED up-lighting, three foot floral centerpieces, a long central seating area featuring plush white leather couches and ottomans, and much more! A light show that includes multiple fixtures, locations, and design created the ultimate lounge feel that the client desired. The room felt “comfortable” and not “cavernous” for the over 250 guests in attendance. Attendees of all ages either lounged in one of the multiple lounge seating areas or sat at the more traditional dining tables. The layout drew people to the middle of the room, the dance floor, and the stage with the band.  The colors throughout the room morphed and changed multiple times during the night creating an unmatched atmosphere!

showtime60bday5The nationally known band The Embers entertained the crowd all night long with a DJ spinning dance music during the breaks. There was always a festive and upbeat feeling to the night.  Guests celebrated and enjoyed a varied display of food including heavy hors d’oeuvres, specialty hot dogs (a favorite of the hosts), sliders, pasta, sushi, and prime rib.

IceMagic acrylic LED cocktail tables surrounded the dance floor, providing the perfect location for fatigued dancers to catch their breath without wandering too far from the excitement. Several admirers pulled the guest of honor onto the dance floor and everyone danced the night away!

With multiple scheduled light changes the entire night the guests were dazzled by the entire production. A great time was had by all.  A special thank you for letting Showtime Events be part of such a truly spectacular event.

showtime60bday32showtime60bday42Central Seating Area

Event Management Intern Learns Varied Skills At NC Office

October 21st, 2009

Marcellina Burch is an intern at our North Carolina office. She comes to us from North Carolina State University where this fall she will complete her Communications degree. Marcellina’s interest in event management began in her teens when she was part of planning both of her sister’s weddings. Around the same time she also organized several youth conferences for the Unitarian Church of Charlotte.

Marcellina Burch

Unaware of the career opportunities available planning events Marcellina entered NCSU and pursued a public relations major. Her sophomore year she took a DJ role with WKNC-FM The Revolution also located in Raleigh, NC. As her role grew she shifted to a Promotions Management position. Many new connections were made with local media and music venues that continue to this day and Marcellina was again involved in the  special events industry.

As an avid lover of music, it was an initial dream for her to manage bands. After working as a booking assistant for Big Entertainment, and interning with Clear Channel Communications and Deep South Artist Management, Marcellina realized her real interest was in the detailed planning, budgeting, and creativity utilized in event planning. She went on to work for Blatant Mischief Promotions booking national musical talent paired with popular local acts to create profitable, phenomenal shows. A highlight while there was the Raleigh Undercover weekend to benefit the Bee Hive Collective that generated over $7,000 in donations.

An internship with a top event management firm being the logical next step, Marcellina began interning for Showtime Events in August of 2009. As an all-inclusive event management company, Showtime offered her a chance to experience everything from planning and budgeting, creating original and unique theme décor, and working in multiple different event venues.

“Working so closely with James Auerbach has really shown me the multiple facets involved in this business,” said Marcellina, “It is a challenge to stay on top of the ever changing details that each event has and I am learning the best ways to accomplish this through this experience with Showtime Events”.

Marcellina has also been able to be involved in and seen first hand the benefit of ongoing and constant industry networking. She has helped oversee and expand the company’s online social networking efforts and a variety of related promotional efforts.

Marcellina Burch

Marcellina Burch

Marcellina’s interests include anything outdoors (hiking, camping, canoeing), dancing, reading, fireworks, costumes and traveling. She is passionate about personal development and enjoys constantly learning.

Her future career pursuits include working for a destination weddings company, a large conference center, a museum, or an individual venue. Her future goals include taking her mother to Italy and starting a nonprofit company dedicated to increasing the self-esteem and financial literacy of teenagers. Future plans include a trip across the country as a graduation present to herself.

Annual NACE Charity Event Is A “Wicked” Success

October 2nd, 2009
aerial view of silent auction table

The Triangles area’s catering elite joined forces Tuesday, September 22nd to fight hunger at NACE Triangle Chapter’s annual community fundraiser.  The 5th annual Top of the Table Competition used the Broadway musical Wicked as a  theme and benefited the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.

Over two hundred people  enjoyed incredible food, live  entertainment, an amazing silent auction, raffles, and much more! In addition, the attendees were able to view and vote for their favorite tabletop designs  created by some of the regions best known event industry professionals!

Multiple vendors  raised funds by  sponsoring tables and donating prizes for a silent auction.  The incredible prizes ranged from Calvin Klein suits, overnight stays at luxury area hotels, dinners at the Angus Barn (and many other dining establishments, colorful handmade quilts, and much more!

Wicked Witch Presides Over Auction Prizes

Wicked Witch Presides Over Auction Prizes

Showtime Events provided the acrylic LED IceMagic tables to extravagantly display the silent auction prizes.   The 30+ foot long long tables exploded with a vivid green color that matched the event’s Wicked theme. It was hard to miss the silent auction items, which was the main purpose of using the lit tables. Topping off the silent auction tables, the Wicked Witch herself was situated in the center, charmingly bathed in a very witchy green featuring a 20 foot cape that flowed to the second level of the fabulous Bay 7 event space in Durham, NC.

The tabletop designs were amazing, sparkling with rubies and emeralds or draped in imposing charcoals and red roses.  It was definitely hard to choose a winner from such astounding talent and the incredible variety displayed.

Entry for Top of Table Design Competition

Entry for Top of Table Design Competition

The tabletop design competition was fierce, but so was the silent auction bidding.   The silent auction team of Amy Greene, Valerie Ward, Linda Giglio, David Casteel, and James Auerbach from Showtime Events (and interns Marcellina Burch, and Andrea Siracuse also from Showtime Events) worked hard to make sure the spread of prizes was flamboyantly showcased.   It was awesome seeing so many professionals donating their time, money, and efforts to a good cause. Many people in attendance walked away with some highly sought-after auction items!

Presentations went on throughout the night with great door prizes/raffles being given away. Prizes includes 2 tickets to see David Copperfield at the new DPAC in Durham, a hot air balloon ride for 2, cash, and more.

Representatives from the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle also spoke providing information about the great charity and why everyone had gathered for the event. On the big screen the movie The Wizard of Oz was shown all night long adding to the atmosphere and theme for the event.

It will be hard to top this year’s NACE Top of the Table charity event and Showtime Events was PROUD to be one of the sponsors! Below is a great picture of the Silent Auction Committee Team!

Silent Auction Team

Silent Auction Team

A special thanks to Scott Faber and Brian Mullins for the fantastic photos of a spectacular evening!

Meet Our Newest Event Producer!

September 9th, 2009

Welcome Mike Merritt to our Florida office! mmerrittfacefl

Mike comes to us from the restaurant industry, bringing varied management skills and a great understanding of hospitality’s every aspect!  He loves new challenges and likes the opportunity to work on many different business dimensions at once.  Event management’s ever-changing and entertaining nature  appealed to Mike’s fluid personality.

Mike is a longtime Pensacola, FL resident.  He is very interested in media, especially reading and listening to music.   He also enjoys Charles Dickens, but The Great Gatsby is one of his favorite books.  The Beatles have heavily influenced Mike’s music interests.  He looks forward to attending a David Gray concert in Philadelphia this Fall and recently took his son to a FooFighters concert.  One of his favorite bands is Death Cab for Cutie.  Definitely someone to talk to about a new band.

Mike will be working at our Santa Rosa Beach office and will be directly involved in producing great events with the Showtime Events team!

Southern Bridal Expo!

September 4th, 2009

Sunday, August 3oth was a BIG day in Birmingham, Alabama as the long-awaited Southern Bridal Expo  (produced by Elite Events) energized the entire region! The exclusive event featured Showtime Events as one of 70-80 companies with booths exhibiting at the show. Over 700 brides had preregistered to attend.

Showtime Events BoothWith only 2 wedding shows a year in the region the excitement shared by all in attendance (vendors and guests) was high! Approx. 2,000 brides, grooms, and helpers eagerly walked the show floor meeting with vendors, taking pictures, and gathering everything for their upcoming weddings.

Booth representatives were eager to discuss gowns, catering, photography, lighting, decor and venues with the happy brides. In addition major department stores  Belk and JCPenney’s were on site to assist in  gift registry.

The stimulated crowd  swarmed Showtime’s booth which featured stunning light displays and an elegant Austrian swag backdrop.  An Airstar balloon was raised high above the booth and could be seen from all corners of the Expo. On the balloon was The Wharf logo. The Wharf is the Gulf Coast’s most exciting and new hot spot for spectacular weddings, as well as other social and corporate events. With multiple indoor and outdoor locations for events (including a brand new state of the art convention center), The Wharf is an unmatched special events location!

Showtime Events booth also featured an Ice Magic acrylic LED bar, acrylic LED cocktail and sweetheart tables, and incredible place settings. The Showtime Events staff gave away a gift basket filled with gift certificates and products  from Wharf merchants. A special thank you to the donating organizations: Sand Dollar Lifestyles, Sassy Britches, Go Fish Clothing and Jewelry Company, Shucker’s Oyster Bar, Villagio Grille, RumRunners, Rafter’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, The Dock Store at the Wharf, and Showtime Events.

A fashion show held at the end of the expo filled the crowd with enthusiasm and purpose. It was a fantastic show!

weddingshow3Gift Basket and Destination Information