Do you have an accent? Special Events is preparing an article on how well-chosen accents and details make for great event decor. You are welcome to share your designs with us for possible coverage—tell us more by clicking here.

Going Places
The GREENBRIER in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., has named CASEY LAVIN vice president of food and beverage and RICH ROSENDALE, CEC, executive chef. Call 800/624-6070 …

Chef JOSÉ ANDRÉS of THINK FOOD GROUP and RIDGEWELLS CATERING, both in Washington, have partnered to launch JOSÉ ANDRÉS CATERING WITH RIDGEWELLS. Call 301/652-1515 …

SUE COOK has joined Los Angeles-based LOS ANGELES PARTY DESIGNS as an event producer. Call 310/410-2650 …

DARREN KERR has joined the Hong Kong office of German event agency UNIPLAN as director of events. Call 852 2757 96 28 …

JANE HOLLAND has been appointed group services sales director of CITY BEACH, based in Fremont, Calif. Call 510/651-2500 …

RYAN McINTYRE has been named executive chef for Long Beach, Calif.-based CHOURA VENUE SERVICES. Call 562/685-8198 …

KELLY CRAWFORD and REBECCA THOMPSON have joined the Las Vegas office of Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.-based MC2 as account executives. Call 800/607-4267 …

MARY ANN (M.A.) REILLY, CMP, has joined SOIREES EVENT PLANNERS AND CATERERS in Las Vegas with responsibility for marketing. Call 702/364-0065 …

Do you have business news to share? Send information to us by clicking here. Thank you!

Venue News


Forty 1 Degree North Offers Event Space
Forty 1 Degree North, in Newport, R.I., has waived its site fee for private special events through the end of 2009, management says. The venue offers 9,000 square feet of private event space in three outdoor environments: a lounge, a bar pavilion/patio and a garden courtyard. Also available are two indoor event spaces, both with outdoor private decks. The venue is positioned on a fixed pier directly above the water.

Marbella Debuts in L.A.
New club Marbella in Los Angeles has taken over the former Montmarte Cafe space to offer a Spanish-theme venue with a 4,000-square-foot patio and a tapas menu. The four-level venue includes private cabana tents; total occupancy is 900 guests. Special features include dramatic wrought iron accents. Celebrities recently spotted at the venue include actress Christina Applegate, management says.

Rome Hotel Completes Ballroom Renovation
The Rome Cavalieri hotel in Rome has completed a three-month, $10 million renovation of its grand ballroom, the Salone dei Cavalieri. The 17,000-square-foot ballroom—one of the largest in Europe, management says—can accommodate up to 2,100 guests in one grand space or four separate rooms. It offers 89 aerial rigging points and its own separate entrance for VIP arrivals. The ballroom is part of the hotel's 93,000-square-foot convention center.

Product Gallery
Concept Design Offers 2-for-1 Set Deal
Scenic design firm Concept Design Productions has launched a program to help events keep going during the recession, management says. The company has launched its Set Stimulus Package, which gives event and meeting producers one-to-one credit for every dollar they spend on set and exhibit rentals. Using modular components, clients can mix and match elements to create their own unique look to fit their brand. Entry for the program is automatic, the company says, and there is no limit to how much credit can be earned.
For more information, check the box for Reader Service Card No. 101 at www.freeproductinfo.net/se.

Microflake Ice Shaver Produces Icy Treats
The Echols Microflake ice shaver from C. Cretors and Co. is designed to shave ice "as fine as snow," the manufacturer says. The unit has an easily adjustable blade angle for fine or extremely fine ice, and comes equipped with an electric foot control for user-friendly, hands-free operation. The blade is made from 440A stainless steel and can shave either commercial or homemade frozen ice cubes. Shaved ice can be topped with special Hawaiian-style formulated syrups, the manufacturer says, that bond to the shaved ice rather than settle to the bottom of the cup.
For more information, check the box for Reader Service Card No. 102 at www.freeproductinfo.net/se.

LED Holiday Lights Available
EnvironmentalLights.Com offers a line of high-quality, energy-efficient holiday lights, the company says. The company's line of Christmas lights features eight functions including steady burn, flashing, chasing and twinkle. The bulbs have a lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours, the manufacturer says, compared with 1,500 hours for incandescent bulbs. The bulbs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
For more information, check the box for Reader Service Card No. 103 at www.freeproductinfo.net/se.

Note: Act fast--information on these products is available online only through Sept. 29.

Click here to send a Product Gallery idea to us.