The Smart Mart at Loews Atlanta Hotel
Smart Meetings magazine celebrated its 10th anniversary with a party at the Smart Mart in the Loews Atlanta Hotel on April 12. Smart Meetings’ second year in Atlanta saw many familiar faces at our celebration, as well as some new friends for us to meet.
Let’s Get This Party Started
The welcome reception was hosted in the Overlook space, decorated with vibrant balloon columns and colorful spring flowers provided by Let’s Celebrate. AFR Event Furnishings also revamped the room with purple lounge furniture and custom-made lime green pillows. While lounging on the sofas, corporate planners and suppliers enjoyed mouthwatering cuisine: watermelon, lump crab meat, cantaloupe Jell-O and mini skirt-steak tacos with scallions in smoky barbecue sauce.
Lethal Rhythms Entertainment mixed beats to encourage the attendees to network, while in the corner of the room, Liquid Sky Productions sponsored aerial performers who turned upside down, swinging on a rig over the mesmerized crowd below.
Education, Networking & Presents
Lisa Ford, CSP, CPAE, spoke to the group about customer service—a popular topic in today’s meetings industry. Her session focused on creating partnerships that encourage customers to keep coming back. “Customer retention must be a key strategy for your business. Keeping customers means increased profits,” Ford noted.
Next, the one-on-one appointments began in the Ellington Salon. Planners speedily talked to suppliers about their space needs and the visions they had for their upcoming meetings.
After eight appointments, Smart Meetings gave planners amazing raffle “presents” provided by attending suppliers. The “Celebrate” refreshment break started off with The Imperial Opa stilt walkers, who greeted guests in the Ellington prefunction space. The room was filled with petal balloons from Let’s Celebrate to keep everyone in the party mood. Cathy from Psychic Solutions gave attendees readings, while others noshed on artisan cheeses and antipasto.
Celebrate Good Times
After another round of appointments (15 total), Smart Meetings gave out more presents, including a $500 American Express card, in honor of our 10th anniversary. Networking continued at dinner in the Overlook room, where Let’s Celebrate had placed a six-foot cake that featured Smart Meetings’ anniversary issue on the top. The company also created centerpieces made to look like large presents wrapped in our anniversary issue.
Guests feasted on Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, shrimp scampi flambe, oysters Rockefeller and beef tenderloin, while Liquid Sky Productions’ aerial performers continued to enthrall onlookers. As the evening came to a close, attendees also bonded with new friends, taking snapshots in the onsite photo booth, which created memorable, lasting connections.
It was an event to remember: After all, it’s not that often that you turn 10. Thanks to all our Atlanta friends for helping us celebrate; join us June 28 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, for the next one.
Thank You, Smart Mart Sponsors
–Access Pass & Design
–AFR Event Furnishings
–Brandini Toffee
–Certain Software
–Creative Coverings
–Ghirardelli
–Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
–The Imperial Opa
–Justin’s
–Keppler Speakers
–Let’s Celebrate
–Lethal Rhythms Entertainment
–Liquid Sky Productions
–Loews Atlanta Hotel
–M3 Imagery Photography and Design – The Guy in The Hawaiian Shirt
–The Majestic Photobooth Co.
–Peach Tree Tents and Events
–PSAV Presentation Services
–Psychic Solutions
–San Diego CVB
