Who Ever Thought? Red in the Crystal Would Look So Good?

A new trend in annual fundraisers is to add an educational/professional development element to the event prior to the main event. This client did so in complete fashion. Seen below was such an interesting panel that the interactive discussion went over by 30 minutes but it was well worth it! 

Once we closed the workshop portion of the event we began into the reception... Announcing doors open was our Taiko Drummers. They are always fantastic! Since our client represents all Asian cultures it was really cool to highlight various cultures via entertainment throughout the evening.

This was the most interesting factor! We wanted to use red to celebrate the Asian culture, the organization's brand, but were very concerned with it looking too Chinese or not great in the Millennium Biltmore's famed Crystal Ballroom! It actually looked fantastic with the silver accents and white patterned lighting.We continued to brand the event on the Red drape with the organizations Leo stamp.

On a budget to keep with the red accents we only ended up renting red napkins. We used house linens and rented chiavaris. It looked great.

Seen below were the Gamelan Burat Wangi and our famed vertical banners were now in place too. We helped the client with producing three vertical banners "eco-friendly" that are made from cloth and bamboo cases that they can used over and over again. For this event alone, we used them as the stage backdrop for the education sessions, push them close together for the step & repeat photos upon arrival, and then moved them to the stage to finish up the look. The highlight though in this photo are the amazing dancers!

Another very nice place to spend money when on a budget to make the most impact when hosting an event is to have your board or staff members where corsages or boutonnieres. In this case below, we have two board members (Rich Drobnick & Thomas McLain) with honoree (Sidney Rittenberg) on stage for the award photo opp.

Low Budget High Class! Annual Dinner Event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel

March has been a fantastic month for us and we are thrilled to post about our Low Budget High Class which really means a happier client with a higher Net! As always, the Millenium Biltmore was gorgeous so, just a splash of color and we were set. We had a bit larger than expected silent auction, but it was fantastic to present attendees with the items upon entrance into the ballroom. Since we wanted to give our guests more time in front of the silent auction in addition to a closer proximity to each other we combined the reception and ballroom space. We simply placed rope and stanchions and cleared once we were ready to invite guests to be seated. We went with all hotel linens to save on budget but spent a few hundred on purple napkins, along side the centerpieces and accent purple lighting. We were able to bring enough "polish" to the space to make it seem produced above your standard in house event (not that the Biltmore isn't already glam!)

It was also a pleasure working with all of our honorees, but it was fun working with the Good News Foundation! It's really nice seeing strong and successful women giving back to the community. This was the case with all of the event's honorees - Evon Gotlieb, Yolie Flores, and Wells Fargo for their corporate leadership.

We are very much looking forward to next year's event! Remember - Make sure to take part in civic leadership, register to vote, and make democracy work! Follow our client on Twitter at @LWVLosAngelesEF

It's Time For Holiday Parties! @Point Moorea - Wilshire Grand Hotel

No doubt about it: with the holidays, come holiday parties! SME's last event for 2011 just happened to be one of our client's holiday party. The Wilshire Grand's Point Moorea was filled with our client's guests all eager to celebrate the holidays and the new year.

It was hard to decide between what the room had more of: guests or food stations. The evening's guests got to sample fares from all over the world, food stations included: fresh sushi, Korean BBQ, a craving station, fresh fruit and of course a dessert corner complete with gingerbread men and candy cane shaped cookies.

 

Here are a couple of shots of Joella, Jennifer M and Jennifer K enjoying the evening as well!

As always the evening couldn't have gone smoothly with the help of our staff and the event's host. We would like to thank the evening's sponsors: US Bank, BNSF Railway, Chevron, Millennium Biltmore LosAngeles, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., Turner, Xyvest and the Wilshire Grand.

 

Happy Holidays!

Annual Awards Dinner at the Millennium Biltmore on a Budget and Gorgeous!

On June 7th our team transformed the Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel for the Asia Society's Annual Awards Dinner. Even on an extreme budget we were able to create a gorgeous event. Many non-profit organizations across the nation are facing the same question - how do we create the same quality event on a smaller budget. Catering costs haven't come down and clients still want more... As a planner it is our job to be creative and help the client pull a fabulous event! Below we showcase a few items of the elements we focused on to create a gorgeous event on an extreme budget. The ballroom was decked out in yellows and oranges, the colors associated with the non-profit organization, and the beautiful Asian inspired centerpieces were created by Doyle at My Flower Guy. We knew we had little in the budget for "fancy" linens so we paid close attention to lighting and threw patterns across the tables to create warmth and texture. It is also important to leverage your relationships with your vendor partners to pull rabbits out of a hat! To close the reception, guests were alerted to the ballroom doors opening with a Dhol drummer leading the way... What other way than to have drums announce a change in pace - in celebrating the organization - Asia Society - we used two different types of drums - an Indian Dhol Drummer and Japanese Taiko Drummers. For those stragglers that wanted to linger in the reception and not find their way into the main event space, we "politely" moved them along when the Japanese Taiko drummers began. It was actually great because as people started to find their seats we could hear the drummers, but it was not overpowering. They also set the stage for the rest of the program which included a panel presentation on the Economic Outlook of Asia.
We branded the event using their "Leo" as an accent through out the event from the chocolate chips on everyone's dessert to almost all event signage and gobos! It was an easy way to tie all of the elements together. A lot of bang for the buck!We were thrilled to see Billy Zane supporting the event and it's cause. Joella and Jennifer got a quick moment to take a shot with him!Thanks to Jorge of J & M Entertainment Event Production (pictured above), Chivari Chair Rentals, Luminaire images, and all of our team members who collaborated to make this such a successful event!

Producing an Association Monthly Membership Meeting at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. was at the Millennium Biltmore this past month producing a monthly meeting for one of our association clients. This monthly meeting was an Architect's Panel and Exhibit. The panel featured five of Los Angeles' top architects and showcased 15 different firms for the exhibit relating to the architecture community.

With keeping the budget in mind, we present a "U" shaped headtable on stage for our panelists. This helped them to see each other when they were presenting their power points and answering discussion questions from the audience.

Special thanks to the team at the Biltmore - Kathy, Sara and Mohammed! They are always fantastic!

Photos taken by Gary Leonard.

Simply Mumtaz produces 5th Annual Hospital Hero Awards at Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Southern California hospital are always in the news. We are constantly reminded of the impact hospitals have on our communities. Healthcare is a critical part of our infrastructure and effects every person, at every level in our community. The luncheon event honors the outstanding commitments and achievements of healthcare professionals; the women and men who work tirelessly to ensure the needs of our communities are met. Hospitals are the front line of care within our society and are committed to providing life-savings services to millions people of every day. The Hospital Hero Awards honors these outstanding achievements and share with the public these extraordinary events.

Take a look! It was a fabulous day! Ric Romero from ABC7 was our master of ceremonies and did a fantastic job! We look forward to having him back out next year.

Congratulations to all of our hospital hero nominees and winners. You all are amazing! Photos taken by Dmitry - Photography by Alexander. Special thanks goes out to the Simply Mumtaz Events team for doing a fantastic job, again!

Simply Mumtaz Events celebrates their 5th Anniversary

Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. celebrated its Fifth Year Anniversary this June! Friends, clients and event colleagues joined together at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on June 8th. Simply Mumtaz President, Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP gave a heart felt speech while thanking all of the attendees for the relationships they've created because it is because of those relationships that Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc has gotten to where it is now... And, we say that to you - our reader THANK YOU! It's been an amazing five years and we're excited to look forward to our next five years.

As part of the celebration, we displayed two table tops. It was a Hot Pink / Gold / Exotic theme. Table Linen was provided by (Pink - Tangier Fuchsia and Purple - Chiffon Velvet Wine) Wildflower Linens, Glassware / Chivairis by Classic Party Rentals and the florals were provided by Angelic Floral Studio. The second was an Elegant Purple and Silver. The "purple" table was stunning, the chair covers were outstanding as well. Check out the link here to see additional photos.

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP with Lauren Klausen, VP of Business Development at the Central City Association. LOL! It's been an amazing few years and after my 8 with CCA - I have to say - you are great at what you do! Thank you for being supportive and such a fantastic partner in producing some great meetings and events. I look forward to many more...

Alison Bruesehoff, Executive Director of the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum with Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP. Thank you for being such an amazing client! It's wonderful to love the people you work with...

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP with Cecilia Mota, President of the National Latina Business Women Association and the Manny Mota Foundation. A proud and sincere Thank You to Cecilia for being a leader - it takes some guts and you have'em! We are proud to support you and the NLBWA.

Jahel Lara, Simply Mumtaz Graphic Designer with Joella and Adam Khalil, Image Security Services. Special thanks to Jahel for a lot of long nights producing numerous Tribute Journals after the next... I owe you a big margarita and much more one of these days!

Event Hall of Famer Bob Estrin with Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP. Bob has been an outstanding member of the team! He has also been an incredible source of advice. Thank you for your guidance and support of these past years! I'm thrilled you are back on your feet - you look very handsome and we love you very much!

The fantastic Jorge Lopez, President of J&M Entertainment with Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP. Special Thanks go out to Jorge for helping Simply Mumtaz produce this celebration! And, another personal thank you to Jorge and his team for always being there - a wonderful colleague who we can always bounce new ideas off of, for his ability to listen and to advise. You are really an amazing business partner and now familia.

I'm also thrilled to have had a chance to pose with Hal Bastian from the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. Hal has been a long time supporter and we will always be thankful for his advice. Thank you.

We were able to grab photos with all of our favorite people - but a special thanks also to the incomparable Sara Cameron, Director of Catering and Convention Services at the Biltmore. You've been an amazing pillar of support since the LAWAC days... I can't say much more, but Thank You for every single detail and most of all hug along the way.

Simply Mumtaz would also like to thank Exhibit Graphics - Mike & Mario. Always perfect and always on time, even when I'm not. Thanks for our step & repeat! Thank You Aaron - Angelic Floral Studio. Bryan Phelps - Classic Party Rentals: You are just fantastic... always a gentlemen and always on top of your game. You and your team are really great, you have a client for life. Mark Iles - the phenomenal Mark from Mark Anthony Printing Service. You outshine yourself every time we work together. Thank you for always making it work. Your print jobs always come back to me in pristine condition - we can't ask for more!

A special thank you to Tyrone Washington our event photographer! Thanks for the great shots!

And, to everyone else - Thank You! It's been an honor and a privilege to service, know and be in business with you.

Jennifer Kim, CMP / Michelle Bernard / Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP /

Jahel Lara / Angie Cortez / Jennifer Minzey

Simply Mumtaz Events produces 4th Annual Hospital Hero Awards

Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. is very proud to produce such a heart warming event - the Hospital Hero Awards! This event highlights the unsung heroes of the health care industry and hospitals in general... miracles happen everyday that get no attention in the general media. This event is all about that... bringing a positive light to the wonderful work that health care professionals perform on an every day basis!

We held the event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel's famous Crystal Ballroom. With a full house our Mistress of Ceremonies, Suzanne Rico, CBS2 News Anchor presented our honorees. And, the best news is that in the current ecomony this year's fundraiser raised more than any other year!

Please check out our photos below!!

And, Joella got a shot with Suzanne before she had to leave for the afternoon. Thanks Suzanne! You always do such an amazing job!