AOO

Find out what David Merrell and other events profs are forecasting for 2022 events!

Event Style: We are (Still) Living in a Virtual World - https://mailchi.mp/a/event-style-from-david-merrell-4938930 David's September newsletter explores how to up level your virtual and hybrid events.

Question for @davidmerrell, designer of the totally virtual @ilealiveconference that included a SEARCH fund-raising event, general sessions, breakout rooms and culminated in the ILEA Esprit Awards shown here. What are the steps you take in your virtual creative process "It’s the same process for live events. I ask a ton of questions about purpose, agenda, attendee demographics, intended outcomes, etc. Then we review their branding guidelines to see what will and won’t wo...rk in representing who they are. I usually go into the event space and sit in there, in many different angles and spots, to get the feel of the space and have it talk to me about how to lay it out for maximum efficiency. In laying things out, I consider the most important elements first. For virtual it's about where the guests will "land" as they enter. That sets the tone. From there it's about pulling through that design, or elements of it (especially the vibe) for the general session stages, breakout rooms, sponsor experiences, branding opportunities and networking opportunities." See more

If you are lucky in life and events you will always have many "firsts." We were thrilled to have produced the ILEA-The International Live Events Association Esprit Awards for the first time on the @allseated exVo platform. Designed by our CEO, David Merrell. Congratulations to all the winners who produced award-winning work in a very challenging year!

Starting the week with a pop of color and pep in our step! A simple healthy lunch next to an iconic Jeff Koons sculpture reminds us that art is part of the healing process. Thank you to Good Gracious! Events for creating an artful food and wine pairing. #teamaoo

When the vibe is health and "wellth," a farmer's market spread and a food and wine pairing luncheon is what the doctor orders. Cheers to Good Gracious! Events for a perfect menu and Team AOO featuring design by David Merrell and production by Kelly Melo.

Day Two of ILEA-The International Live Events Association is underway! The three-day online conference features a stellar lineup of event industry speakers held in this virtual space designed by our Creative Director, David Merrell.

Congratulations @allseated! Well-deserved recognition.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT Inspiration is not an easy spirit to capture. As #eventdesigners-now-turned-virtual-event-producers, our inspiration is far from nature like this. We have to look deep into ourselves now to translate 3D beauty into 2D for our audiences. We still take cues from nature as do many other industries, such as interior design. This week we are inspired by Front Design furniture line inspired by Swedish forests. The new collection replicates natural texture...s with furniture. As we get more into virtual design, we find that replicating nature on these virtual platforms is important to the user experience. Last week our Creative Director, unveiled virtual pine trees complete with freshly fallen snow that took hours to create at Forward Together 2021. At that virtual event, they added a human element, which is so important to any type of event. What are you adding to your online events and meetings to give them the human touch? We'd love to know.

A GOLDEN LEGACY Some projects involve more tenacity and patience than others. Wrapping the Pont Neuf bridge in golden fabric took the environmental artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude Official 10 years from idea to completion. Planning began in 1979 but in 1982, Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac rejected the project. An aide to the mayor snuck the permit approval into a pile of the mayor's papers, which he signed inadvertently in August 1984. In September 1985, the artists wrapped... the bridge and its 44 street lamps in a golden-hued fabric. The two-week installation attracted three million visitors. Although Christo passed away in 2009, the artists' legacy lives on through Jean-Claude. Plans are going forward on a September 2021 to wrap the L'Arc de Triomphe for 16 days. How can we make the work we do live on? By creating legacies. We believe in legacy at AOO through developing mentorships, empowering our team and always finding a (right) way around those permits!

LIFE LESSONS OF A LIFELONG ENTREPRENEUR In business, we have to be leaders in every sense of the word. Leading by example, making sure we never let them see us sweat, asking questions, involving the team, understanding, listening, fixing and motivating. And while your years in business might be intimidating, deflate fears by deflating ego. Let them know you are there not only as a boss, but as a mentor. I know what you are thinking. You are too young to be a mentor. It's not about age. It's NEVER about age! It is all about what you know and how you light their way. This is Life Lesson #9 of our own leader, David Merrell. He will be presenting all Life Lessons in a talk called The Business of Being Creative at different association conferences this year. Stay tuned. Until then, shine on you crazy diamond!

Thank You BizBash for not one but TWO nominations in the 2020 Event Style Awards for our work as producer and designer of the Fundraiser for Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC, Rebels With a Cause. The event has been named a finalist for Best Event Decor and Best Nonprofit Event Concept-Budget Over $250,000 (respectively) under Live Events & Experiences in the 2020 BizBash Event Style Awards. The BizBash Event Style Awards Virtual Event & Winners... will be announced on the MeetingPlay virtual platform Wednesday, February 17 at 1pm ET/10am PT. See you there!!

Our Creative Director, and producer of last month's virtual event, Forward Together, with Allseated shares his thoughts and the work behind the virtual event and the new platform, ExVo. #eventprofs #virtualevents

TAKING A MOMENT OF GRATITUDE It was so good to see you at AllSeated's #exVo launch event and reconnect in a groundbreaking 3D setting. We are very proud of what our team accomplished and know that our renewed friendship with innovation will continue to push us forward. Until we see each other again, keep looking up! -@davidmerrell

This week our CEO David Merrell was a guest on Liese Gardner's Conversations with Creatives. They talked about David's creative process as it pertains to two of his favorite live post-Covid events and showed images from them. Lots of inspiration and information for you. Enjoy! #eventprofs

Congrats to our CEO @davidemerrell for making The BizBash 500: Must-Know Event Pros in the U.S. #bizbash #top500 #eventprofessionals #mustknow

As we get back to business and figuring out the new norm, our team is taking extra precaution for your next event. We now have an on staff COVID compliance officer to ensure the health and safety for all your guest. Message us today to see how we can start planning your next event safely. #covidsafe #eventproduction #liveevents #wemeanbusiness #bringbackevents #inpersonsafely

The process wasn’t easy but it finally came together. Check out our blog in our profile to learn more about this marketing activation for @patron #marketingactivation #branding #patron #ledinstall #hideawaystyles #influencerevent

We are staying creative and busy during COVID, with safety being our main priority. New blog coming soon! #designer #colortheory #marketingactivation #customdesigns #production

Looking for a creative way to engage your audience, clients, team or raise donations for your charity? We can help! #virtualengagement #hybridevents #marketing #branding

What does engagement look like in a COVID environment? Delivering 160+ swag boxes and fresh ingredients nationwide for a live cooking demo! #virtualevents #livecookingdemo #virtualengagement #corporateevents

David Merrell and Zohe Felici discuss the art of producing a virtual wedding on the latest episode of Santa Barbara Weddings podcast.

A throwback to a summer ending event for ABC’s Stumptown. Sunflowers are just the perfect simple touch for that feel of summer, wouldn’t you agree! #corporateevents #eventdesign #marketing #tbthursday #floraldesign

Want to get more out of your virtual events? Here are five great tips on how to enhance your engagement from David Merrell!

Capture every moment from the morning love notes to the I do virtually with all your loved ones. #virtualweddings #wedding #virtualengagement #designerwedding #details

Join us as we take another stand to make our voices heard! #wemakeevents #goingred #saveeventindustry

These hot days have us reminiscing about this Al Fresco dining experience in Palm Springs. #eventdesign #alfrescodining #palmsprings #eventproduction

A little Monday morning tease of something we are working on! #interiordesign #marketinginstall #branding #custombuild #designerfinishes #brandpartnerships