8.22.2009

An Extraordinary Breakfast Event in the Exhibit Hall-by Lenny Talarico, CSEP

With the current media attention painting a bleak picture of the convention/exhibit business throughout the nation, there’s no need to look further than Las Vegas to witness how industry leaders have beaten the odds to do what they do best, confidently sell their unique meeting and exhibit space.

The Convention Sales Team at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas rank among the best in the industry when it comes to getting the message out to their customers, and rightfully so.  The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is the fifth largest in the US and the largest meeting facility on the strip. It encompasses 1.7 million sq. ft. of meeting space.  The Mandalay Bay Events Center has the capability to seat 12,000 attendees in a full arena setting.  Additionally, there are four pillarless, high-ceiling ballrooms ranging from 31,000 to 100,000 square feet, the latter designated as the largest 'mega-ballroom' in the nation. Breakout space can accommodate more than 75 simultaneous meetings. 

With specifications like these, the sales team has an advantageous position of being able to offer amazing value propositions to customers.  However, as the saying goes, you cannot sell what you do not show.

Recently, MGM MIRAGE Events partnered with the convention sales, services and catering teams in hosting a group of top industry expo clients on a tour to experience the extraordinary Mandalay Bay offerings.

The finale of this exclusive, 2-day presentation was a breakfast in the Shoreline Exhibit Hall. There were a few ground rules set down at the beginning of the planning process.  

  • The 7:00AM breakfast was to be set for 100 invited guests as an island in the middle of the 358,000 sq. ft. exhibition space.
  • The room was to remain open and empty so attendees could experience the vastness of the space.
  • It was to be a spectacular setting designed to highlight not only the space, but also the superior food, hotel service, and the capabilities of MGM MIRAGE Events.           

When I think of breakfast, the first thing that comes to my mind is orange juice direct from the grove.  Not sure why, as I was born in South Philly and I can assure you we did not have orange groves anywhere near my neighborhood. I do recall childhood memories of family trips to Florida and stops at roadside stands where we would pull off to sample fresh-squeezed juice, which was always exciting for “city folk”. I would be remiss if I did not admit that Bing Crosby pitching juice on TV is among my early memories..."Minute Maid, there's no doubt about it".    For these reasons, the inspiration for the breakfast revolved around the color orange. I thought it the perfect bright and cheery 7:00 AM wake-up call.

The space was designed to work as a buffet flow, and we designated approximately 12K sq. ft. (of the total 358K sq. ft.) on which to float an island of pure white carpeting, provided thru Freeman Exhibit Services.    

Our custom-designed LED credenza buffets juxtaposed among curving, 8-foot tall vertical serving units featured omelet stations as well as imported fish stations’ offering varied selections of cream cheese spreads.  As a special treat to provide a sense of home for many of the invited guests, bagels were shipped directly from NYC courtesy of HH Bagels  


 

A distinctive focal point which anchored the space was a 32’ wide by 16’ tall wall unit complete with recessed display shelves, accent lighting, and a custom graphic design depicting orange groves and blossoms.  To create an open perimeter for the environment, we positioned 20-foot tall aluminum towers adorned with white Manzanita branches accented with fresh oranges. Avocado drape flanked the structures. Oversized lanterns illuminated the environment with distinctive lighting designed by Encore Productions 


Breakfast tables topped with Fire Orange Olympus Linens punctuated the space and were surrounded by White Leather Chairs courtesy of Lounge 22


Utilizing the resources of Mayesh floral wholesalers, the MGM MIRAGE Events floral team created stunning centerpieces. The design incorporated fresh oranges, with green hydrangeas, chocolate roses, peonies and gerbera daisy, accented with green amaranthus. Stainless steel spheres added interest into the design with a hi-tech flair. 


 

 

A dramatic and utilitarian focal point was created in the center of the space by way of a freestanding floating buffet and ice curtain.  Shelves suspended among strands of ice blocks provided the ideal setting for Mandalay Bay Executive Chef Sean Dicicco and his amazing team to display selections of yogurt shooters, and fresh berry parfaits. Ice Occasions facilitated the installation of this eye catching element.  

The Mandalay Bay Catering team arranged an executive coffee station by Espresso Amore, which served imported blends and provided guests the opportunity to sample gourmet cappuccinos and lattes.

 

As guests dined, they were treated to the divine talents of Alizma, a sister act of triplet violinists as seen on NBC's hit television show Americas' Got Talent.    

The primary goal of this exclusive breakfast event was to experience the vastness of the space and capabilities of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  To ensure guests received that message in a unique way, special arrangements were made to transport them by deluxe motor coaches provided by AWG Inc.   


As a surprise to the guests, the busses drove directly into the building circling the vast exhibition space allowing attendees’ to experience this amazing facility. Once the circle thru the facility was completed, guests exited the motor coaches into the stunning breakfast environment, and were cheerfully greeted with a fresh glass of Orange Juice…naturally.   


Photography by Kelly McKeon