Photos Courtesy of Harold Hutchinson Photography, HHclick

On Saturday, June 8^th, 40 plus event planners and hospitality professionals from around the nation visited the Oregon Zoo as a potential travel destination as part of an Oregon Zoo and Travel Portland effort to increase tourism in the area through the Elevate Your Experience tour. The tour featured different locations and attractions in the area to host industry professionals, and highlight what Portland has to offer as a destination.

“The Zoo was looking to position their facilities as a unique, creative, and flexible venue for corporate gatherings to show it’s versatility” said April Severson, event planner and CEO of April Severson Events, of the Zoo’s intention to attract visitors to the site as an optimal venue with expansive potential.

A West Coast client for over ten years, Severson has trusted WCEP to help ensure her client’s vision is perfectly executed and inspired. Severson’s recent event with frequent client, the Oregon Zoo, was no exception.

Severson, along with West Coast Event Production’s account managers and designers Joe Garcia, Elizabeth Garcia, and Megan Davis, helped to develop an event theme to compliment the Oregon Zoo’s goal of creating a unique image of the site that integrated the raw nature and beauty of the wild outdoors, while planting the seed that the zoo was capable of sophistication. With the goal in mind, Severson, devised the theme of “glamping”—a hot button term used to describe glamorous camping. Seldom associated, glamorous camping served as the perfect theme to showcase the zoo as a unique and diverse site, as not often do people consider the zoo as a destination aside from youth and family focused activities.

Severson and West Coast accomplished the “glamping” theme by striking the right balance of incorporating elegant and sophisticated detail with elements of nature. West Coast Event Productions provided various aspects to convey Severson’s “glamping” concept, including a 40 by 40 foot white tent, with chiffon room dividers and plush lounge seating areas where event and hospitality professionals relaxed and enjoyed local Northwest inspired cuisine prepared by Chef Paul Bosch. Each course was paired with a specialty salt from The Meadows—a gourmet sea salt, chocolate, and specialty shop.

Shades of purple and indigo peppered the tent area as an accent to enhance the natural colors of the outdoor space. West Coast Event Productions created custom centerpieces that encapsulated the theme with natural greenery amongst purple meadow flowers—helping bring the décor down to earth among the luxurious chiffon and plush seating that put the “glam” in “glamping”. Severson also made use of WCEP’s natural wood bar. Originally made for the 2012 Olympic tryouts at the University of Oregon, the natural wood bar is popular among many clients for a range of occasions from elegant galas to casual outdoor events.

With the creativity and experience of April Severson Events and West Coast Event Productions, The Oregon Zoo certainly made an impression, as the zoo has already experienced further interest from event planners and industry professionals who went “glamping” at the exotic locale.

“Our clients were completely knocked out by the event” said Severson, “It (the “Glamping” event) surpassed their expectations.”

Severson brings unmatched energy, spirit, creativity and expertise to each and every event Severson produces, which is largely why West Coast Event Productions values collaboration with Severson and as always, enjoyed working with April Severson Events to glamorize this camping experience at the Oregon Zoo.

The concept of “glamping” can translate into any event, and is great theme for an upscale outdoor event, that simultaneously strives for a casual vibe that captures the beauty of a natural environment. Consider inviting your wedding, corporate, or any guest to go “glamping” at your event, and see what glamorous and earthy additions West Coast has to offer.

Find additional inspiration from Biz Bash: 12 Chic Summer Event Idea Inspired by “Glamping”

Optimism and pride filled the 26,000 square foot white tent at the Ninety-ninth Annual Commencement at Reed College. Identified as one of the most academically rigorous colleges in the nation, graduates and guests had much to be proud of. West Coast Event Productions is proud to have been part of the production and design of the prestigious ceremony for the past nine years. With various tents of all dimensions, extensive staging, set design, audio visual necessary for 12k image magnification, and a state of the art sound system necessary to ensure impeccable sound quality for the delivery of speeches that may forever be remembered, the ceremony is a grand production, which WCEP has continuously delivered. Beth Martin, Director of Conference and Events at Reed, described the head event production and Account Manager, DJ Smith, as a “rock star!” West Coast and Reed College have established a positive and efficient partnership for nearly a decade, as the majority of WCEP staff assisting with the event have been involved since 2005, when Reed first began trusting WCEP to execute the University’s commencement.

“It has been a pleasure working so closely with every member of the planning team at Reed College.  Reed’s full team is solidly grounded in supporting successful events – from the office of public affairs and president’s office, to the grounds crew and campus security detail team; everyone is a partner to each other in communicating event knowledge necessary to pull off the multi-faceted, multi-day, multi-location events we help produce at Reed College, like the commencement ceremony. This open discussion and collaboration between Reed’s different departments and West Coast, combined with a culture of creating a partnership rather than servitude, has allowed us to continually improve the coordination, design, management and execution of successful events together over the years. With each event, West Coast  and Reed College search for ways to better plan and execute in the future–ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship of growth to successfully serve Reed as an appreciated client. I look forward to working with the team at Reed College for years to come” said Smith about his experience with Reed.

On Monday, May 20th, students marched into the ceremony to the sound of bag pipes before receiving an inspiring message from the University president that could be heard articulately well beyond the tent—reaching students casually sunning themselves across campus.

Post ceremony, students and loved ones gathered on the opposite side of campus to enjoy celebratory champagne and lunch, while shaded beneath several tents custom-fit between buildings, trees and lamp-posts. Reed’s signature school color, Burgundy,  provided a decorative touch overhead, as the West Coast décor team installed multiple swags of fabric treatment for an added elegant touch in the 9200’ square feet of dinner tents, designed to accommodate up to 900 guests. The ceiling swagging helped ignite school spirit among the newly graduated alumni and guests. Adding fabric swagging is a great option for enhancing the decor element of any tent.

West Coast Event Productions would like to congratulate all the 2013 graduates from Reed College, and also offer some critical advice for their future endeavors; when planning an event in the Pacific Northwest, trust not the forecast, but West Coast Event Productions to supply a fabulous tent and full production.

It’s not as easy as “ABC, one, two, three” for many low-income students to attend higher education, which is why PCC Portland hosted a Motown themed benefit this past Saturday, May 18th, at the Portland Marriot Hotel.  The annual “Evening for Opportunity Gala Benefit” poses an opportunity for guests to bid on silent auction items and enjoy a fabulous evening, while providing low-income students in Oregon with the opportunity to further their education. This Motown gala was particularly special, as the event also honored the University’s retiring President, Preston Pulliams’, for his dedication to the cause, and PCC’s mission. Pulliams’ commitment to helping students achieve their dreams was returned with the selection Motown as the annual gala’s theme, as the president had always dreamed of joining the iconic Motown group, The Temptations!

Motown is a popular event theme that emulates the funk and soul music recorded at the Motown label in Detroit in the 1960’s. The 650 guests registered in the lobby among custom lit Motown signs before entering the ballroom to face 650 red stretch covered seats waiting to be filled. WCEP created various custom pieces to capture a groovy vibe for the event, including a Motown designed backdrop bar stationed in the prefunction room for the silent auction, and four additional custom bars that served guests hip cocktails—inspiring some original moves witnessed on the dance floor.

Naturally, incorporating music is a must for Motown events. WCEP created a custom Motown style glass DJ Booth, complete with gold records, and 8″x 10″ framed photos of various famous Motown artists. Every element was groovy, down to the three original glam centerpieces adorned with crystals and records. Crystals covered the stage as well, with a ceiling to floor crystal beaded backdrop that shimmered and emulated the star power of Motown musicians. It’s safe to say; Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson would have felt right at home there in the Portland Marriot!