More than six hundred top event industry professionals recently traveled from as close as Midtown to as far as Paris to celebrate and learn with PartySlate in NYC. The two-day gathering featured an exclusive guest list of premium PartySlate members. Attendees enjoyed a sleek welcome cocktail party, a day of industry education and insights, as well as an epic New York-themed celebration called simplyTHEPARTY.
The visionary duo at the head of jesGORDON / properFUN — Jes Gordon and Joe Wickes — led every element of the gathering (their third partnering with PartySlate), from the chic branding to every memorable moment.
A Glimpse of the Event to Come
Guests were invited to PartySlate’s premium member event via a luxe digital invitation, custom-designed for the gathering by Ceci New York. The invitation drew inspiration from New York City in the fall. It featured a stylistic silver cityscape overlaid with colorful falling leaves — setting the scene for the perfect seasonal affair.
The Welcome Party
Jes Gordon, Owner and Creative Director of jesGORDON / properFUN, says, “The Welcome Party is a place where people get to see each other for the first time and really get to talk and connect, so we wanted the environment to lend to this and not create too much distraction from the reasons while they were all there together!”
And the cocktail party did not disappoint — with photo spots and networking opportunities galore. For the first night of the two-day event, guests gathered in Manhattan at Lavan 641 Midtown, a luxurious space that offers 145-degrees of seamless projection mapping.
Gordon says of hosting the event in the high-tech space, “We wanted to celebrate the amount of technology that is available to us in our industry these days. It’s so very important to embrace these new mediums while consistently holding onto an ambiance of warmth and celebratory moments.” Lavan’s projection mapping allowed guests to be immersed in an ever-changing surround, including the iconic NYC skyline — even though the event was inside on the ground floor on a chilly evening.
Gordon continues, “We love that Jen Gould and her team at Jen Gould Event Design really specialize in creating one-of-a-kind set pieces and thought that was the best way to create many different photo and branded moments while harmonizing with the venue’s wealth of visual technology and accents.”
Jen Gould, Owner and Creative Director of Jen Gould Event Design, says of her design in PartySlate’s core colors, “Jes said the theme was black and white and to ‘think fashion.’ To me, the essence of PartySlate is black and white. I was tasked with how to take a space and translate the brand in a sophisticated, edgy way. That is the story I wanted to tell, from the moment you entered the room through the tunnel to getting a drink at the bar (which was the central focal point of the room) and all the way to the NYC PartySlate photo backdrop. I wanted everything to read sleek and luxe.”
Gould shared that her love of symmetry and PartySlate’s clean, linear logo was a major inspiration. She wanted to bring the logo to life and accentuate the essence of the brand. She says, “PartySlate is cool and current.” Her team created three memorable focal points for the welcome event: a tunnel entrance, the bar, and an NYC photo op.
She says of the epic black and white tunnel entrance, “Everyone has to come into the event — so creating an immersive experience for them to pass through was like having them ‘walk through the logo.’ It was as if each guest was immersed into the brand as they passed into the main space.”
Once in the space, guests enjoyed cocktails like a ginger swizz or royal velvet from Events by RHC — served at the branded bar. Gould says, “The bar is always the most visited location of any event. Generally, the food is passed. It is brought to you, but you must go to the bar to get your drink. You must engage.
“I wanted to create a modern bar that really connected to the essence of PartySlate. The bar itself was fabricated with sharp black and white geometric lines that emulated the look of the logo; elevated above the bar was the actual branding, illuminated from within. The challenge with branding is to design in such a way that it is a seamless part of the décor. It should just look like it belongs. You want your guests to walk away feeling that they were privileged to be part of your celebration — in this case, a celebration that honors each premium member. I wanted them to feel as I felt: elevated and appreciated.”
The space was filled with chic graphics, designed by Ceci New York and brought to larger-than-life reality by Bombshell Graphics.
Guests enjoyed delectable — and photo-worthy — tray-passed bites from Events by RHC that include savory options like hoisin glazed duck breast in a crispy wonton cone, smoked salmon croque madame, and sweets including pumpkin spice mousse tartlets and more. Party Rental LTD. elevated their service with luxe catering rentals. Partygoers enjoyed bites and sips while lounging on chic sets and at cocktail tables from RentQuest.
Every great networking event needs the perfect ambiance — which means music that is just the right amount of engaging without overpowering the conversations — and Jordan Kahn Music Company provided just that with an experienced DJ curating the perfect mix. Additionally, the team created levity with costumed dancers and models-as-décor. Guests loved discoing in the entrance tunnel and snapping pics at the branded backdrop with the performers.
A few special touches took PartySlate’s welcome party to the next level. If clean sophistication has a scent, ScentEx found it. They infused the space with a custom scent that added to the mood. Meanwhile, Hit + Run brought an interactive experience with an on-site custom creation of branded tote bags. Guests were able to choose between designs and hues for a unique take-home tote. And Vincenzo Salvatore Cakes provided something sweet for partygoers to put into their totes in the form of yummy chocolate chip cookies from their bakery.
The Educational Sessions
On day two of PartySlate’s premium member event, guests gathered for panels and keynote speeches designed to help them grow their businesses. They enjoyed learning about everything from branding and building a team to digital marketing — as well as about the exciting new PartySlate site developments that will make connecting with each other and curating their brand content easier than ever.
Guests were welcomed to The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York by costumed performers from Jordan Kahn Music Company. The models, dressed in chic twenties-style attire, directed attendees and took photos with them against branded backdrops. The iconic hotel also offered a full breakfast spread to fuel attendees throughout the morning.
The Grand Ballroom at The Pierre featured elegant columns, soaring ceilings, and state-of-the-art a/v options for a clean, yet glamorous, aesthetic. RentQuest added cream and brass armchairs and side tables for the panel participants, as well as the DJ booth that acted as the base of operations for the event. Jordan Kahn’s team provided musical transitions and an MC that gave the educational sessions a cohesive flow and kept things moving.
jesGORDON | properFUN produced PartySlate’s entire event, including the educational day. Gordon shares of the space and of planning the experience, “Room flow and positioning were key here. The Pierre, King Cole (their skilled in-house a/v team) and Frost Productions truly know their house! The stage was smack dab in the middle of everyone, and, for any blocked sightlines, we had them provide extracurricular screens that could be viewed from every angle in the room.”
Gordon continues, “The newly renovated space lent a crisp pristine vibe along with the NYC-centric printed materials that we had produced by Bombshell Graphics, with artwork created by Ceci New York and her team. If you had to guess which city we were celebrating, then you weren’t there! Again, we didn’t wish to ‘give away’ the finale celebration that evening, so we kept the colors strictly to the PartySlate brand: black and white with gradients of those colors, including hues of gray.”
The day’s sessions included top event professionals sharing their experiences and insights:
The Future of PartySlate with Co-Founders Julie Roth Novack and John Haro
Fireside Chat: Generational Perspectives on Balance & Managing Client Expectations
- Victoria Dubin, Victoria Dubin Events
- Amanda Dubin, Victoria Dubin Events
Panel: Identifying, Building & Investing in Your Unique Brand
- Jen Gould, Jen Gould Event Design
- Marc Wilson, The Style Marc
- Nirjary Desai, KIS(cubed) Events
- Eddie Zaratsian, Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle and Events
- Caitlin Fulton Kuchemba, Fulton Events
Keynote: Josh Spiegel, Birch Event Design
Panel: Recognizing Your Strengths & Hiring for Your Weaknesses
- Jordan Kahn, Jordan Kahn Music Company
- Liron David, Eventique
- Jes Gordon, jesGORDON/properFUN
- Jeffrey Selden, Marcia Selden Catering & Events
J Fink Beauty ensured that speakers and panelists looked their best with makeup on-site at The Pierre. Additionally, ScentEx once again filled the space with a signature scent.
THEPARTY
PartySlate’s two-day premium member gathering ended with an epic party, aptly named THEPARTY. Hundreds of guests arrived via THEPARTY-branded revolving doors for an evening inspired by New York in the fall. Hall des Lumières was the perfect setting — a historic venue with thoroughly modern a/v capabilities. In addition to soaring ceilings, period columns, and truly wow-worthy stained glass domes, the space provided cutting-edge projection mapping technology that made for an immersive experience with towering city imagery that morphed and kept attention rapt.
Upon entering, guests were immediately immersed in a stylish take on the season in all five senses. ScentEx provided a custom autumnal scent that conjured cinnamon apples, cloves, citrus, and cozy, smoky fires. Partygoers went on to be visually delighted by the stunning design, audibly with engaging music, and culinarily with a creative, seasonal menu.
Gordon of jesGORDON | properFUN says of her team’s vision for the event, “Since we are true New Yorkers, we wanted the national guests to truly experience the parts of the city that they may not naturally encounter. Everyone has seen Central Park in the fall, and it’s magical; but do they also get to go downtown to a hip-hop club on the same day? New York is the melting pot of the world — it is diverse, colorful, magical, and runs on every rhythm at once! Having the two floors of Hall des Lumières to play with was a designer’s/producer’s dream, as we could transport everyone everywhere all at once.”
Partygoers got to experience disparate New York elements together in one space — from crafted cocktails that you’d find in the swankiest club and elegant fare befitting the best restaurants to old school hip-hop tunes and a fabricated subway car, complete with graffiti. Every one of the event’s partners found creative ways to convey the theme.
Of course, Ceci New York was on hand to carry the fall foliage motif, along with the skyscraper design, to everything from the signage to the digital assets for the main night.
To further the design vision, American Foliage & Design Group brought fall flair with leaves perfectly poised on towering trees, softening the aesthetic and infusing color into the scene. Bolsius Candles lent to the dreamy seasonal vibe with flickering candlelight throughout the venue, evoking fall bonfires. Luxe Event Rentals added cream upholstered and bleached wood seating and tables to the top floor, creating soft spaces for guests to gather. And, for the subterranean-themed downstairs, the rentals team provided clear acrylic furniture in interesting shapes.
Gordon shares, “We loved that Gino of Dolce & Gelato & Catering Inc. truly embraced the essence of Little Italy. In fact, each vendor was able to take their strengths and express them with a New York accent via all five senses. It makes us think that even those who were in from out of town felt right at home.”
Part of building a multi-layered NYC experience was entertainment befitting the big city. Jordan Kahn Music Company brought their signature style and a variety of acts and performers to the affair. Sam Riseborough from Jordan Kahn says, “The perfect entertainment can bring a theme to life — by matching color palette/textures in the floral/decor, as well as dancers and musicians that accurately convey the era and vibe.
“We love to provide over-the-top immersive greeters and engaging, high-energy dance and musical performances that have guests pulling out their phones in amazement. Sprinkling the feature moments throughout the night, and keeping them short and sweet, is key. Getting the timing just right is crucial to keeping the energy up in the room.
“And, of course, we love a good surprise performance! Keeping guests on their toes with varied immersive performances and surprise musicians creates such a fun energy in the room. No one knows what’s going to come next! At PartySlate, we featured surprise rappers, beatboxers, dancers, and immersive greeters.”
Of course, none of those wow moments are possible without support. Power Posse Productions stepped in to create the right sound dimensions, while Gala Productions provided memorable a/v, lighting, power, and staging.
In between dancing and networking, guests enjoyed creative fare from CxRA. Passed bites included elevated, NYC-inspired cuisine like pretzel bites with cheddar ale dipping sauce and everything bagel pigs in a blanket. They also curated two perfectly autumnal stations.
Jordan Bortnick of CxRA shares, “There is something innately special about this time of year, so creating a menu and feel that reflects a New York City fall fairytale was so fun! The CxRA team tapped into all those warm flavors to create a beautifully curated seasonal menu featuring our Honeynut Squash Lentil Ragout in a pumpkin with a backdrop of chic autumnal colors and tones. From the passionate epicure to the design aficionado, there was something for everyone.”
Dolce & Gelato Catering, in addition to their signature gelato cart, also created a visual experience with fresh mozzarella being hand-pulled in front of guests. They offered the Italian cheese with thinly sliced prosciutto.
Meanwhile, Ichiban Catering’s station, perfectly positioned near the downstairs dance floor, featured sushi chefs hand-rolling maki — including one they named “PartySlate Maki — and an array of the freshest sushi and sashimi. Additionally, they offered vegetarian options like vegetable rolls and sweet potato tempura and served bubble tea, which we happen to think is the perfect cool-down complement to a dance-all-night party.
The Cup Bearer mixologists served up cocktails with their signature style. Guests enjoyed custom, themed sips like “The Party,” “The Central Park,” and “The Skyscraper” — with each featuring fine ingredients, housemade mixers, and spirits, provided by the talented team at CxRA. Mixed drinks got a boost with custom ice cubes from OKAMOTO STUDIO Custom Ice etched with fall leaves. Additionally, the OKAMOTO team created a stunning ice sculpture that depicted the city skyline inlaid with PartySlate’s logo, all circled by a whimsical and colorful array of fall leaves frozen mid-air.
Party Rental LTD. rounded out the memorable, enticing fare and bar with chic catering rentals. And, because every event needs a sweet ending, Vincenzo Salvatore Cakes provided mini cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and pies in creative — and delectable — flavors befitting the season, like cinnamon espresso, white chocolate pecan, and pumpkin pie.
Guests enjoyed the bites, sips, and tunes against a creative New York tableau. Jen Gould Event Design once again made magic by bringing a little bit of gritty NYC into the chic space by constructing a full-size subway car, complete with graffiti. Jordan Kahn dancers performed in and around the car and posed with guests for unique pics.
Gould says, “The mission was to make a fun, experiential moment that was more than just a photo booth; it was an immersive photo experience. I can honestly say that a subway car wouldn’t be exciting to see in a subway tunnel — but taken out of context and brought into an event, it takes on a whole new meaning. It is the essence of New York.”
Her innovative team created graphics for the subway utilizing AI design tools. She says, “We knew we couldn’t turn the partySlate logo into graffiti, so we decided to make the graffiti into art: black and white art to continue the brand identity.” She notes that the design was more of an artistic translation of graffiti. And when her team couldn’t find subway seats? They made them. Gould adds, “Just watching how people engaged and enjoyed the immersive and interactive experience was so gratifying.”
In addition to the subway photo op, partygoers enjoyed the portrait photo booth from Illuminate – by Theo Milo. Guests enjoyed striking a pose against the colorful, graphic backdrop in an all-mirror room inside their “vault.”
Bombshell Graphics provided on-theme signage and wraps to direct guests, honor partners, and further the autumn theming. Meanwhile, Keep Interacting placed tablets on tabletops to engage guests with tributes to our vendor team and more information on our PartySlate platform.
As PartySlate’s first two-day premium member event came to a close, our valued guests left feeling enriched — having made new friends and learned a few things. We left feeling grateful for the supportive event community that we serve and the partners who helped us pull off this epic, memorable event.
Special Thanks
We’d like to extend a special thank you to Major Food Group’s Dirty French for hosting our exclusive speaker dinner. Their creative menu wowed our guests.
PartySlate’s first two-day premium member event was definitely worth remembering, and we are grateful that Afrik Armando was on hand to beautifully capture it. He shot gorgeous candid pictures of guests having fun, as well as photos of every city-set design detail and delectable dish. Meanwhile, Kenneth Cooper Films captured moving images that told the story — from the welcome night to the closing party — with an engaging video that takes us right back to every moment. We have partnered with both teams on multiple occasions, because we know that they never miss an important or touching moment and will reliably create art from our celebrations.
Lastly, we’d like to thank LM Media Worldwide and LLC / Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks for procuring hotel blocks for the hundreds of guests we had fly in from across the country — and even around the world.
The Welcome Party team:
photographer: Afrik Armando
planning & creative design: jesGORDON | properFUN
décor: Jen Gould Event Design
venue & beverage: Lavan 641 Midtown
caterer: Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, Events by RHC
entertainment: Jordan Kahn Music Company
invitation & graphics: Ceci New York
furniture rentals: RentQuest
videographer: Kenneth Cooper Films
signage & printing: Bombshell Graphics
catering rentals: Party Rental LTD.
custom scent: ScentEx
custom tote bags: Hit + Run
takeaway cookies: Vincenzo Salvatore Cakes
The Educational Day team:
photographer: Afrik Armando
planning & creative design: jesGORDON | properFUN
venue, a/v & catering: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
entertainment: Jordan Kahn Music Company
invitation & graphics: Ceci New York
videography: Kenneth Cooper Films
signage & printing: Bombshell Graphics
custom scent: ScentEx
rentals: RentQuest
makeup: J Fink Beauty
lighting: Frost Productions
THEPARTY team:
photography: Afrik Armando
planning & creative design: jesGORDON | properFUN
décor rentals: Jen Gould Event Design
venue: Hall des Lumières
catering & bar: CxRA
entertainment: Jordan Kahn Music Company
invitation & graphics: Ceci New York
a/v, lighting, power & staging: Gala Productions
sound for band: Power Posse Productions
furniture rentals: Luxe Event Rentals
caterers: Dolce & Gelato & Catering Inc. & Ichiban Catering
catering rentals: Party Rental LTD.
videography: Kenneth Cooper Films
mixologists: The Cup Bearer
supplemental décor: American Foliage & Design Group
signage & printing: Bombshell Graphics
portrait photo booth: Illuminate – by Theo Milo
desserts: Vincenzo Salvatore Cakes
custom ice cubes & photo op: OKAMOTO STUDIO Custom Ice
custom scent: ScentEx
interactive tablets: Keep Interacting
candles: Bolsius Candles
hotel blocks: LM Media Worldwide, LLC / Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks