Company Event

Be among the few to stand in front of the secret bookcase and say the magic words: "Open Sesame." And poof! The Magic Castle, an elusive LA attraction, will reveal itself as one of the most coveted venues in Los Angeles.

It's not an illusion! World-class entertainment in Los Angeles unfolds right in front of your eyes as you enter this four-story Victorian castle smack-dab in the middle of Hollywood. It holds up to 360 people for meetings and special events.

Combined with the most exciting group dining Los Angeles has to offer and the convenience of a hip hotel right on the property, the Magic Castle is a triple threat. Successful Los Angeles corporate event planning includes a creative conference site or diverse banquet hall, and the Magic Castle holds the cards.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Put an ace in your pocket! Befriend a magical member to harness your full Los Angeles event planning potential.

To find more unique Los Angeles venues, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Branding should be at the forefront of every event planner's mind as they coordinate an event from start to finish. The event invitation emails, website, collateral—it should all have a consistent, polished look. Quality event branding not only makes your event look more professional, it also makes it easier to tie your event into other marketing strategies.

Cvent does its best to help event planners with their event branding efforts. One unique feature we offer is branded URLs for your events.

Brand URLs offer several benefits to planners. For example, they:

• Make it easier for attendees to remember your web address

• Improve your event websites rank in search engines

• Establish consistency between your event and company or association

Event planners can create branded URLs in Cvent that include the company name or even the title of the event itself. For more information on branded URLs and Cvent's branding package, contact Customer Care.

More than 100 years after its original opening, The Edison still shines brightly. Conveniently located near the LA convention center, it is set in one of the first private power plants in California. The historic Edison is truly one of the most unique venues in Los Angeles.

A tribute to the sultry bygone era of industry, science and innovation, this LA party venue explodes with provocative history and tantalizing treats. Depression-inspired comfort food, decadent nostalgic design, and glamorous live entertainment are what makes this locale a top LA attraction and "one of the best new bars in America," according to Esquire magazine.

If you are looking for electrifying entertainment, this LA restaurant is sure to spark your interest. It has a lofty open floor plan, making it perfect for accommodating intimate groups of 10 people to grand gatherings of 300 guests.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Receive glowing reviews from your clients this holiday season by booking this rare Los Angeles corporate event space.

View more information about The Edison on the Cvent Supplier Network

You want big? Want trendy? Want everything at your fingertips? How about the Angelika Theater at Mockingbird Station in Dallas?

A theater, you ask? A theater. But not just any theater. The Angelika is one of Dallas's most beloved, most stylish film centers and is notorious for showing under the radar, Oscar-worthy films. Celebrities have been known to frequent the venue for premieres and hardened movie critics come for the atmosphere alone. This place is new world hip, with old world charm.

It's also perfect for any Dallas event! Whether you're looking for something different for the company meeting or you're planning a sassy soiree, the Angelika has the Dallas meeting space and expertise to make any event a success. From the wall-to-wall screens in the auditoriums with Dolby Digital Surround Sound, to the sophisticated lobby and cafe space with traditional movie snacks, to the endless catering options, this unique Dallas venue is sure to please even the pickiest client!

Aside from the obvious theater space, this Dallas hotspot sits atop one of the trendiest rail stops in the city where everything is, literally, a hop, skip, and a jump away. The luxurious Palomar Hotel is right across the street. Numerous restaurants and bars are within walking distance, such as Trinity Hall, an upscale Irish restaurant and bar where you can see everything from A-list celebs to World Cup Soccer matches to local Irish bands performances. It also offers easy, easy highway and airport access to Dallas Love Field.

Additionally, some of Dallas's biggest companies are within five miles in any direction of The Angelika. And one of Dallas's, and the country's, most prestigious law, business, and art schools, Southern Methodist University, is less than a quarter of a mile away.

This place has it all! Here is a list of notable features:

• 8 auditoriums with a variety of seating
• Available lobby and/or cafe reception space
• State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 35mm, 16mm, or digital projection
• Outside catering (bonus!)
• Personal attention from an Event Director
• Courteous and professional staff

During the last week of October, Chicago celebrates Halloween with spooky events all across the city. From a midnight circus to a pooch parade, Chicago knows how to give a good scare! 

Chronicles of the Cursed

This haunted house is the largest in the city of Chicago. Located on Grand Avenue, the 20,000-square-foot facility is filled with monsters, ghouls and zombies who will scare you with a bone-chilling experience you will never forget!

Fall Fireworks Dinner Cruises

Many of Chicago's event venues on the water are hosting fall fireworks dinner cruises. The Odyssey, Mystic Blue and Spirit of Chicago are all welcoming guests aboard for a Halloween party unlike any other. Along with the beautiful fall fireworks display hosted by the city, these vessels will be decorated with cobwebs, ghosts and delicious food for guests to enjoy. Like what you see? All of these ships are available for private rentals for Chicago corporate events and social functions.

Franken Plaza

This year marks the 13th annual Franken Plaza Halloween celebration! On-site events hosted by the Special Events Department of Chicago (the hosts of the live taping of Oprah on Michigan Avenue) will include a midnight circus of "high flying aerial entertainers," Pyrotechniq—a show combined with dance, theater and fire—pumpkin decorating, and a farmers' market with fresh fall goodies. Don't forget the best part—it's free!

Seadog Haunted Tours

Experience the lights and freights of Chicago on this specialized city tour. While cruising down the river and viewing some of the most gorgeous architecture in the country, a professional docent will enlighten guests with stories of supernatural occurrences in some of Chicago's oldest structures, including the Fort Dearborn Massacre and the Eastland Disaster. During the regular season, Seadog hosts many types of tours for visitors. From river to lake cruises, Seadog is sure to get your adrenaline running on their clean and fast fleet!

Spooky Pooch Parade

The Chicago Botanic Garden opens its doors to the Chicago canine population on Halloween. Dogs from all over the city are invited to dress up in their scariest costumes and walk in a parade to celebrate the season. In addition to the parade, activities include a costume contest and a barking awards ceremony. 

Don't forget to check the Chicago events calendar before planning your meeting and events in Chicago. The city sponsors great events that are sure to get guests out of the meeting rooms and into the spirit!

Got a sweet tooth? Luckily, Halloween is not the only holiday for sweet treats. There are plenty of holidays that call for celebrating. What about: Got A Promotion Day, Aced That Final Exam Day, or I Need some Chocolate in my Life day. Whatever the need for celebration (real or fantasy) may be, Atlantans have the secret recipe for successful celebratory events: the Chocolate Pink Cafe.

Located amongst many of downtown Atlanta special event venues, this cafe attracts the inner child in all of us. From the colorful pastry display case to the trendy urban design of the cafe's dining area, it's also a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Chocolate Pink's menu is a decadent array of gourmet chocolates, cookies, cakes and tarts, as well as beverages to complement each treat. Special favorites include the White Choc Raspberry Layer Cake, the Pink Lemonade Cupcake and the Apple Frangipane Tart.

The cozy event room at this unique Atlanta venue seats 32 of your closest friends and family for special occasions. Many brides, future moms and even little "divas" have been spotted sampling the "always dessert" menu. In fact, one recent patron was the ever-so-popular Bravo TV reality Real Housewives of Atlanta show star Kim Zolciak, who held her daughter Brielle's birthday party at the cafe last season.

Catering options are available for off-site Atlanta events. Executive chefs can tailor a delicious menu for your next Atlanta wedding, corporate meeting or even private in-home function. No matter whether you're taking a break from lunch or even from your diet, the Chocolate Pink Cafe in Atlanta is the premier choice for pastry delight.

View more information on Chocolate Pink Cafe, along with other Atlanta special event facilities, on the Cvent Supplier Network

The Hearty Restaurant in Chicago is a small storefront space located in the neighborhood of Lakeview, just north of bustling downtown. Partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh are no strangers to the food service industry. You may recognize them from their Food Network television series "The Party Line with The Hearty Boys," from the front of their cookbook Talk with Your Mouth Full, or from seeing them in person at one of their restaurants or at their catering facility in Chicago.

These food experts have mastered the design of mid-century American comfort food in their new 60-seat venue. The space is decorated with sea glass subway tiles, a hand-crafted mahogany bar, walls of exposed brick as well as modern stainless steal kitchen tables and stools. The walls are a burnt orange color with accents of a toned down lime green, which sets off a wall mounted fireplace as well as bespoke stained glass art.

Their upscale menu includes a house dish of macaroni and cheese, a rabbit corn dog, foil-wrapped fish grilled over hot coals, and Southern fried chicken. Beverages at this Chicago restaurant staple include American vintage classics such as The Brown Derby and The Aviation, as well as a few different brilliant twists on the standard Bloody Mary. Also available is a wine list comprised of selections from domestic vineyards in Georgia and Texas.

Not only have The Hearty Boys conquered television, books and restaurants, but they have also been a top Chicago catering company for the last 10 years. Their ample and delicious sample menus are just a start when planning a wedding or corporate event in Chicago.

Whether on-site at the restaurant or at a catered Chicago meeting, The Hearty Boys are sure to please your palate!

Planning an event in Orlando doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be full of cartoons and theme parks. The Orlando metropolitan area is a cornucopia of unique and under-commercialized spaces that can fit your specific needs.

In all reality, Orlando has so much to choose from that it can be overwhelming if you don't have an idea of who your target is. In my experience, I've found that working with generalized groupings of the Orlando area can help when determining where to hold your special function.

The city can be broken into four quadrants that contain four entirely different demographics. Understanding these regions makes planning for specific audiences a lot easier, especially for those unfamiliar with the area.

These four sections are:

• The University Area. This is where to go if your demographic is the college and university set. It's the bargain area, where the less expensive venues and some inexpensive accommodations are located.

• The Downtown Area. If you are looking to attract corporate clients, or want your event to appeal to the young, hip professional, the downtown area offers a surplus of unique venues in a very compact, walkable zone. By looking into one of over 100 Orlando restaurants, bars, or clubs, as well as the Citrus Bowl and Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, an event planner can easily find a space to fit any theme or size criteria. There are nicer hotels and restaurants in this area that are more than willing to discount based on party size and patronage of their industry partners.

• The Winter Park Area. Winter Park is a micro-center of socially and financially influential people in Orlando. If a philanthropic or fund-raising opportunity should strike, this along, with certain parts of the downtown area, is your prime location.

• The Tourist Area. If you are in need of a great corporate event space in Orlando, don't pass up the opportunity to look into what Disney, International Drive, Universal and some of the lesser-known tourist attractions have to offer. With some of the most convention footage in the world and different, over-the top themed venues lining the streets, there is something for everyone. The parks are fantastic at incorporating business and pleasure for whatever purpose you may have; they are also incredibly skilled at co-branding. Not only that, but if an event takes place in the off-season, these tourist area venues in Orlando are more than willing to negotiate!

Remember your excitement at the first time you saw a lion up close, or when you first heard a rattlesnake's tail jiggle? A trip to the zoo has always been thought of as a child's playground, a place to see the animals that you'd only known from television or the encyclopedia. Now, you can offer your event guests a renewed sense of childhood bliss at Zoo Atlanta.

This unique downtown Atlanta venue has some of the most intriguing amenities offered with an entrance ticket. Between the live shows, petting zoo and giant panda exhibit, there will be plenty of options for your attendees, whether they consider the zoo an Atlanta corporate event venue, banquet hall, or even Atlanta wedding venue.

The multipurpose function space at Zoo Atlanta is quite extensive, capable of accommodating for 20 to 5,000 guests. Check out the Chinese Plaza & Panda Veranda in which you can enjoy a meal with 100 of your closest friends amidst the panda's natural habitat. For presentations or seminars, the Coca-Cola World Studio is an excellent selection with theater seating for over 250 guests.

Packages include, if your guests are brave enough, an animal encounter (with trainer of course) with demonstrations to educate and entertain. Catering is provided by on-site caterers Culinary Sol, which serves up savory dishes including brie en croute, chilled smoked salmon and an array of dishes from around the world.

So for your next event encourage your guests to join you on an exploration of the world's finest animal treasures at Zoo Atlanta.

View more information about booking Zoo Atlanta as your next Atlanta event facility on the Cvent Supplier Network

With the economy taking a large hit, unemployment on the rise and tight budgets, companies are facing scrutiny for every dollar they spend toward their meetings and events. Impact 4 Good has come up with a solution that promotes corporate social responsibility while helping companies avoid inquiry on every event they plan. Impact 4 Good operates with the support of a wide network of community service organizations to create activities for corporate groups, helping them benefit from a learning experience that gives back to communities in need.

Over the past few months, corporate planners have been facing a "perception issue." The media has been highlighting how large companies are spending corporate dollars on so-called "extravagant expenses," most of which include meetings and events. Other challenges include narrowing down current planned events agendas, allowing attendees very little time to get out of their hotels and banquet facilities as well as tight budget constraints.

Community service team building organized by Impact 4 Good can be incorporated to shed some positive light on meetings and events as well as on the company that is participating. These types of events are used to motivate staff to work as a team for the benefit of giving back to the community in programs such as Literacy Builders, Go GREEN Racing, Poverty: Beehive Building, and Children: Bike Build for Charity.

Impact 4 Good's programs not only enhance the image of good corporate citizens, but they also exemplify their commitment to their employees and customers. With most programs lasting two hours or fewer and having the capability of hosting from 10 attendees to 10,000 or more, Impact 4 Good is a great option for companies who are trying to make a difference.

Visit Impact 4 Good for more information and details on hosting a team building activity for your next event.

Ever wondered where the oldest buildings in Atlanta are? Or maybe you've pondered where did that can of Diet Coke you're drinking first came from? You can find all the answers to these questions and more in just one weekend in Atlanta. If you're having a company meeting, special event or seminar, now is the best time to check out the historic and entertaining venues in Atlanta on one of several outdoor excursions.

Unlike San Francisco's trolleys or New York City's doubledecker buses, Atlanta has a fun and interesting way for its visitors to see the city: on a segway. City Segway Tours has partnered with many cities to give its visitors a unique touring option, though Atlanta is the only Southern city to offer this mode of transportation.

A typical three-hour tour will allow you plenty of photo ops of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park onto the State Capitol. Private segway tours are also available for corporate and special events in Atlanta, for which you can select sites related to your event theme.

If segways aren't your thing, consider the Ghosts of Atlanta walking tour, perfect for this upcoming Halloween season. Offering visitors a peek into the dark side of Atlanta, the tour makes stops at haunted schools, theaters and even the haunted Winecoff Hotel, devastated by fire in 1946. This hotel is currently the site of the newly renovated Ellis Hotel (however, the ghosts, I mean guests, have had no complaints).

Since the introduction of the turntables, iPods and surround stereo systems, we have somehow forgotten how to appreciate live band music. A concert ticket to your favorite singer or band can cost you anywhere from $50 to your car payment. However, at your next event in Atlanta you can give your guests a front row seat at a show they will never forget.

The selection of a performance band is crucial to the success of your function. Be sure to request a sample CD, listen to online audio clips, and check out the web for any online reviews. The cost for a live band can run you anywhere from $1,000 and up. But if the budget is an issue there are ways to save some funds and still have a live performance.

Student performers from Georgia State University's melodic ensembles are a great solution to your event entertainment budget woes. Their inexpensive but nothing but raw talented. Or, use Myspace or YouTube to find local bands or performers looking to promote themselves in the area, and thus save you a pretty penny. Just remember to try to coordinate your live music according to your theme. For example, a Spanish event lends itself to a Mariachi band, a corporate function to a jazz ensemble, and a wedding reception to a live band complete with the "We are Family" rendition.

So once you've hired a band, now what? Almost every Atlanta event facility and hotel has a dance floor and a stage available for your event, so why not utilize this service to the fullest? If the event venue does not provided adequate dance area, then you can rent a dance floor from most event rental companies. TLC Rents, a downtown Atlanta event rental company, offers various "YMCA" dancing floor options. These include indoor and outdoor easy to assemble panels.

Make sure to check out more options for Atlanta event entertainment and rentals on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Are you in need of a quick getaway for a group of employees? Need a fun, easy, inexpensive option for a team outing? Or maybe you're simply looking for something a little different than the norm for your next Dallas business meeting? Consider Group Dynamix in Addison! If you've not yet discovered this excellent Dallas event venue, now's the time.

Owner and "Head Coach" Stephen Mackintosh, aka Coach Mack, has turned his love of team spirit and supportive play into one of the largest, most popular indoor team building centers in the country. His team focuses on group performance and reflection through unique and fun-filled activities that encourage 100 percent participation, 100 percent of the time.

When it comes to interactive team building in Dallas, these guys are pros. They will customize and facilitate events to your company's desired theme, timing, and scale. Whether you have 15 IT guys for half a day or 100 PR reps for an all-day rally, they have the space and means to keep any group entertained. Considering a group upwards of 500 people? No worries. There is 18,000 square feet of usable Dallas event space complete with a ropes course, laser tag, or beach balls ready to pump up and motivate even the most passive participant.

Located in the heart of Addison, close to one of Dallas' most notorious shopping, dining, and entertainment districts, Group Dynamix is easily accessible to several well known full-service and select-service hotels. The facility can accommodate simple team outings or full-fledged corporate events with packages that include use of on-site audio-visual equipment, including wireless microphone, video capabilities with screen (check out the 20-foot-by-20-foot movie wall!), and much more. Snacks and beverages can be provided, but outside catering is allowed and encouraged, so you to work within your budget with any Dallas caterer or restaurant—a rare find for Dallas venues these days.

Event Planners have options when selecting a company to design their decor. Whether it is a large project, such as providing decor for a popular but plain event space in the business district, or a simple task of flower arrangements for a conference break session, Chicago event decor pros have shown their talent in events all over the city! The three companies below are some of the most prestigious decor companies, sure to create a unique design that will grab your guests attention.

• Ivan Carlson & Associates is a full service event and design company that has worked with everything from small entrepreneurial groups to fortune 500 companies. They specialize in targeting their clients' business insights and combining creative thinking to communicate these insights to the guests of the event. Ivan Carlson is housed in a 40,000-square-foot design warehouse with lots of inventory from their past 30 years experience. This company has a solid reputation for delivering flawless design and event production services in Chicago.

• Heffernan Morgan is another leading design company in the city. They are known for their fresh design concepts that are diligently delivered for their clients. They have mastered both traditional and contemporary designs with a steady and fine-tuned service quality. From floral designs to lighting schemes, Heffernan Morgan is sure to bring distinguished ideas to the table. 

• Frost is an event design company that grew out of a lighting company about 30 years ago. Since then it has grown into a national event design company in Chicago, Florida, New York and Washington, DC. Providing a balance between function and style, Frost's production solutions are delivered by their experienced event staff with an uncompromising level of service and attention.

To find more event decor companies in Chicago, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Think out of the box, better yet think out of the office. Managers of corporations worldwide rely on meetings in order to maintain communication and disburse information to their staff. Thus causing employees to dread the inevitable lunchroom meeting in the conference room. In hopes of creating new energy and positive feelings, third-party planners should encourage clients to hold meetings off site.

For smaller meetings, Roam Atlanta invites members to utilize their low cost hotel alternative meeting space for whatever your needs might be. Whether your team requires a place for brainstorming, business development, or just extra office space, this Atlanta event venue has rooms available to service your needs. Roam Atlanta also invites frequent visitors to join the monthly payment membership program to guarantee meeting space availability. With eight varying sized Atlanta meeting rooms, on-site restaurant Roam Cafe, and a spacious patio and lounge area, this is the perfect location for off-site gatherings.

If your event budget allows for hotel accommodations, then by all means try to secure a location that has both lodging and meeting facilities for your guests. Atlanta meeting venues extend to each end of the perimeter, giving various options for site selection. Since opening its doors in 1995, the Emory Conference Center Hotel has been the premier conference center in Atlanta. New renovations were completed this year, boosting its inventory to 26 meeting rooms of about 35,000 square feet with an additional 6,000 square feet of meeting space.

As a bonus, in lieu of the usual lunchtime chatter around the water fountain, your attendees can check out the conference center's six lane bowling alley complete with a full bar and game room. So the next time you are challenged with the task of planning the next company meeting, be sure to prepare your out-of-the office reply message and leave the building!

Are you using social media to promote your association's cause? Or maybe a charity fundraiser you're hosting? What just about a corporate event? If so, I just came across a great idea for free event promotion on Twitter.

It's called a Twibbon. Basically, it's a service that overlays a small icon onto Twitter profile images of your supporters. For example, supporters of breast cancer research can sign up to suppor the cause by having a small pink ribbon placed in the corner of Twitter profile pictures.

Non-profit event planners can easily create Twibbons for either your cause or your specifc event. All you have to do is create a Twibbon image with design software such as Paint.NET or Pixlr (both free), upload it, and add a brief description. Check out the full instructions for creating a Twibbon here.

Twibbons aren't just for non-profits and charitable causes, though. I've seen them for sport teams, celebrities, TV shows and more. Meeting planners in all markets could use them to promote their upcoming events. Just consider a few of the event-related twibbons I found in use for events of all sizes and types:







What's really cool about Twibbons is that once you create one for your meeting, it's logged in the Twibbon database. People can search for your Twibbon and find information about your cause or event, who is supporting it and more.

If you're looking to promote your event or meeting on Twitter, Twibbons are a great option. They're easy, free and fun!

"I had a great time." "I learned so much." "I wonder what they will have planned next year." These are the responses that should be heard after your next annual company meeting. Take your clients from the dreaded and mundane conferences to an educational retreat that will exceed their expectations.

The city of Atlanta is an awesome host city for your next company meeting, offering both indoor and outdoor special event facilities within city limits. For indoor meetings, consider the Atlanta conference center, The Loudermilk Center, complete with 17 multipurpose meeting rooms encompassing 15,000 square feet, in addition to a ballroom, an executive boardroom and an amphitheater.

Outdoor exercises and excursions can be held at some landmark Atlanta attractions such as Centennial Olympic Park and Piedmont Park, both of which are home to various concerts, festivals and, eventually, your next seminar or meeting.

Chateau Elan has the luxury of both well-equipped, modern Atlanta meeting space and a picturesque setting. With over 3,000 acres of business and pleasure space, this resort is the premier choice for planners who want variety.

In between the lectures, annual report reviews and breakout sessions, great events should also have a time for team building exercises in the agenda. Retire the ol’ "ice breakers" and "catch me when I fall into the crowd" drills in favor of new and innovative sessions that will keep employees learning.

No idea where to begin? That’s alright. Companies such as Atlanta Team Building Training & Events have expert facilitators on hand who are ready to cultivate a plan tailored to your client's corporate culture. From adventurous rope climbing to team survival workshops, the employees will leave you Atlanta events with a rejuvenated sense of camaraderie.

For more great options for your company retreats, make sure to visit Cvent's Atlanta venue guide.

Need to think outside the box? Planning on bringing a group of forward thinking, art loving, funky music grooving professionals to Dallas for meetings? Bring them to the always eclectic Deep Ellum neighborhood!

This revitalized warehouse district is known as one of Dallas' trendiest spots and is just a quick three-block jaunt east of downtown. It is home to some of Dallas' favorite bands, bars, and brick ovens. But don't let this take away from some very beautiful, very flexible historic meeting space. Deep Ellum is a fully functional urban community full of thriving businesses, state of the art residential living, and an abundance of unique shops.

Take, for example, Gallery 2910, located at 2910 Commerce Street. A relatively new fine art gallery, this gem is filled with original works from an eclectic selection of talented career artists. The gallery has limited hours to the public and makes an excellent option for corporate events, fundraisers, or cocktail affairs from 50 to 100 people, depending on room set-up.

A quick walk down Commerce takes you to a cute urban loft called Leroy Studios. This studio offers 2,000 square feet of unique space and is most commonly used for photo shoots, casting calls, tastings, and the like—perfect for smaller gatherings or business meetings in Dallas.

Another spot to definitely keep on the list is Space Studios, located at 2814 Main Street. This historic Dallas special event facility hosts everything from yoga classes (bikram yoga, no less) to CD release parties to Dallas weddings, and much more. There is plenty of open space for your corporate affair or launch party and a fully-equipped staff ready to help pull off even the most exclusive event. Top notch!

For more information on Dallas wedding venues, corporate facilities, conference centers and more, visit Cvent's Dallas venue directory.

Every year since 1931, the New York's Rockefeller Center becomes home to the National Christmas Tree. By day, this massive piece of greenery—reaching upwards of 90 feet—is quite impressive. However, there's a reason millions of people tune into its annual lighting ceremony. Just compare the daytime tree to its lighted counterpart. The lights make all the difference, and the same idea applies to your events.

Whether you start with a clean slate or the most richly-decorated venue, lighting can really make or break the backdrop of your event. But luckily, it can also be one of the most inexpensive ways to transform your event decor.

Below are the 3 most popular elements of decor lighting. Talk to your event lighting specialist about them for your next gathering!

Gobos. Gobos can create patterns with light and shadow, making them great for projecting images and logos for corporate events and theatrical performances. Wedding planners, for example, may project the couple's names or initials on the dance floor, while companies may use a custom gobo to project their image on the speaker podium at a reception.

Themed parties also benefit from standard gobo images, such as a Christmas tree at the holiday party or pumpkins at the fall fete.

Pin spots. Pin spots are ideal for calling attention to certain areas or items of your event decor. Usually, event planners and lighting specialists use them to cast light over centerpieces and floral arrangements. Corporate events can benefit from using pin spot lighting on a company logo or plaque.

Customizable to your event, pin spots can be used with colored gels and lenses, which can be paired together to create a unique look.

Up lights. As the name implies, these event lighting fixtures illuminate from the ground up. They're great for adding color to an otherwise blank wall canvas, and can also highlight fixtures (like columns and archways) that exist in the venue.

Planners looking for unique venues in Atlanta will not have much trouble finding stunning meeting spaces full of charm and character. From university conference centers to zoos, check out some of the following posts when considering booking an Atlanta special event facility:

• Host A+ Events in Atlanta at University Conference Centers

• Got Culture? Atlanta Event Venues Do

• Go Wild with Events at Zoo Atlanta!

• Top 10 Corporate Event Venues in Atlanta

• Hit a Home Run with the 755 Club at Turner Field

What are your suggestions for great Atlanta special event venues?