Showing posts with label Perfect Settings Rental Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Perfect Settings Rental Company. Show all posts

Monday, November 21, 2011

United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative Global Roundtable Gala Dinner

Photo by Kieta Mall Skoglund
I was honored when the United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) asked me to produce their Gala Dinner on Night 1 of their international Global Roundtable.  Held at the spectacular National Building Museum, I knew I'd have to bring my A-team to ensure an A-game! 

In order for an event to look spectacular at the NBM, you need to have top notch lighting, so I enlisted the help of John Farr Lighting Design.  Years ago, it was John who informed me about LED lighting and not only how it can transform a room because you can easily change the colors of the lights, but how it is truly green because it uses less energy than traditional lighting.  It is also safer because the lights are cool to the touch. 

Next up was Main Event Caterers -- the greenest caterer in town (in my mind at least)!  Awarded Catering Magazine's Caterer of the Year in 2010,they recycle 95% of all glass, plastic, metal cardboard and office paper.  Disposables are 100% compostable and food matter is composted vs. being thrown in the landfill.  Furthermore, they are 100% wind powered and they use bio diesel fuel in their vehicles.  But that is just the tip of the iceberg.  When I ask them that I want food that is local and organic and seafood that is sustainably sourced, they don't flinch.  When I ask for locally sourced wine and beer and organic beverages instead of sodas, they don't blink an eye because they get it.  They truly get it.  Read more about their green initiatives. 

Instead of spending money -- and using lots of fabric -- to separate our cocktail reception in the East Court from the dinner in the Center Court, we asked Dale Harmon at Plants Alive! to select plants that could be placed between the large arches to serve as natural barriers. 

And finally, Perfect Settings provided the rentals, including linens and bamboo chairs, and votives powered by battery operated LED lights.  A very sustainable party rental company, they rent recycle bins and take back all the recycling from your event, reuse linen hangers and actually bale the plastic that the linens come in.  Because of this, I will ALWAYS be a devoted client! 








2nd Annual Bethesda Green Gala

For the second year in a row, I worked with Bethesda Green to produce the 2nd Annual Bethesda Green Gala which raises funds for Bethesda Green and presents Bethesda Magazine’s Green Awards to local businesses, organizations and individuals.  

No surprise, the Gala featured numerous green initiatives, many of which are featured and pictured below. Special thanks to balance photography for serving as our event photographer that evening. 
 
Held at Round House Theatre, the entrance was decked out with gorgeous seasonal flowering plants and trees from American Plant.         
The registration consoles and bars were made with AGL recycled plastic grass provided by Perfect Settings rental company which also provided table linens and metal cocktail tables, as well as dishware, glassware and flatware so that we could avoid using disposables.
Our name badge inserts were made of 100% recycled paper, the holders were made of recycled content, and the lanyards were made of recycled soda cans.  After the event, inserts were recycled and holders and lanyards were reused for future events.  
Honest Tea provided bottles of their tea and Honest Ade.
Honest Tea TEO (Tea Executive Officer) Seth Goldman wore a little bling in honor of the gala. 
Local winery Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards provided red and white wine.

Travelling Bean served cappucino and espresso made with coffee beans from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company, a local roaster of organic, fair trade coffee beans.

Baklava Couture, which make baklava with local, farm fresh ingredients and nothing artificial, provided dessert.          
 

Cast of Thousands Entertainment provided trees on stilts which thoroughly entertained the crowd. 


The silent auction featured sustainable gifts and services.  77% of the auction items had an environmental component. 
That's me with Nathaniel Corn of balance photography celebrating a successful evening.