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583 PARK AVENUE has had the privilege of kicking off 2016 with some truly memorable events. From milestone birthday celebrations to diversity awareness gatherings, 583 PARK AVENUE has started off the New Year with a bang. Below is a list of select highlights covering the first few months of 2016: (more…)

583 PARK AVENUE has had the privilege of kicking off 2016 with some truly memorable events. From milestone birthday celebrations to diversity awareness gatherings, 583 PARK AVENUE has started off the New Year with a bang. Below is a list of select highlights covering the first few months of 2016: Continue reading →

WHAT MAKES ONE NEW YORK EVENT BETTER THAN THE NEXT, PART 4: Timing

Whether it’s a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner or Wedding in New York, there are certain elements that ensure that your event will stand out from the rest. Herbert Rose has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues, and is now Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. Over the next few weeks the patriarch of The Rose Family will share his commentary on the factors that make an event stand out from the crowd. This week: Timing

When timing out your event in Manhattan, the first thing to bear in mind is that the amount of time you have for your event is finite. You will have a short number of hours and that’s it. This period of time is often LESS than the number of hours you have contracted for. Few of your guests will be able or willing to stay for the entire length of your event. Be cognizant of time restraints and plan accordingly.

Before we discuss the event itself, let’s address set up time. Most organizers believe they need more time than is actually essential, and most venues want to provide less set up time than a client should be allowed. Ideally, a party planner would like to have a venue all to themself on event day. Unfortunately that is not always economically feasible. You may encounter a scenario where there is a lunch scheduled before your dinner, a breakfast before your lunch or, worst of all, a meeting that goes until 5pm when your reception starts at 6. These sorts of time restraints are primarily found in hotels that are obligated to maximize revenue at any cost. I worked under these conditions for 40 years and be assured it CAN be done. The best event venues are able to perform seamless resets in moments; just be sure to bring a Valium with you. At 583 Park Avenue and Guastavino’s we allow a full day for set ups to provide all party planners with peace of mind.

In general, the amount of set up time necessary for a New York event will look something like this:

·       Two hours for a standard breakfast or luncheon

·       Three hours for a reception and dinner, with or without dancing

·       All day, essential, for a Wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah or an extremely elaborate ball

Naturally, the time line for an actual event will vary based on dozens of factors I’m not going to attempt to dissect every possibility for you, but instead share some general advice:

1.     Do not prolong the pre-dinner reception for more than one hour, beyond that it can be torture.  Not everyone can or should be seated and over an hour is too long to stand. By hosting an extended cocktail hour you are encouraging your guests to drink too much and, if food is served, stuff themselves before the meal is served.

2.     Allow 15 minutes for your guests to find their seats after the cocktail hour before starting a program. Avoid preset 1st courses, as they are rarely served properly and usually disgusting.

3.     Keep programs as short as possible while still including everything that you want your audience to hear. If you choose to split your program, make sure the second part is after dessert and coffee have been served or you might as well not serve them at all.

4.     Keep the time between courses as short as possible and don’t wait until the last guest has taken his last bite before starting to clear. Time is of the essence. Many guests do not want to stay longer than is absolutely necessary.

5.     If you have dancing between the courses, keep the sets short. There will be plenty of time for unlimited dancing after dessert and coffee are served.

6.     For midweek dinners, plan on ending your program, with dessert and coffee served, by 9pm. After that, people will start to leave regardless of what is happening.

7.     In the case of gala dinner dances, have service completed by 11pm and conclude the dancing no later than midnight. For weddings, midnight is the witching hour. Guests will start leaving at 12 whether dessert has been served or not. There are exceptions, of course. Twenty-somethings will often go past midnight and South Americans of all ages will stay until dawn.  No matter what your event may be, consider planning an after party should the mood strike.

The next area that I will address is music. If service and food are the body of the dog, décor the tail, and timing is the head, then music is the heart. More on that next time.

Herbert Rose is Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. He has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues. Future commentaries will include temperature, music, and party planning.

Have a question for Herbert? CONTACT US today and he will be happy to address it in a future post.

Whether it’s a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner or Wedding in New York, there are certain elements that ensure that your event will stand out from the rest. Herbert Rose has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues, and is now Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. Over the next few weeks the patriarch of The Rose Family will share his commentary on the factors that make an event stand out from the crowd. This week: Timing

When timing out your event in Manhattan, the first thing to bear in mind is that the amount of time you have for your event is finite. You will have a short number of hours and that’s it. This period of time is often LESS than the number of hours you have contracted for. Few of your guests will be able or willing to stay for the entire length of your event. Be cognizant of time restraints and plan accordingly.

Before we discuss the event itself, let’s address set up time. Most organizers believe they need more time than is actually essential, and most venues want to provide less set up time than a client should be allowed. Ideally, a party planner would like to have a venue all to themself on event day. Unfortunately that is not always economically feasible. You may encounter a scenario where there is a lunch scheduled before your dinner, a breakfast before your lunch or, worst of all, a meeting that goes until 5pm when your reception starts at 6. These sorts of time restraints are primarily found in hotels that are obligated to maximize revenue at any cost. I worked under these conditions for 40 years and be assured it CAN be done. The best event venues are able to perform seamless resets in moments; just be sure to bring a Valium with you. At 583 Park Avenue and Guastavino’s we allow a full day for set ups to provide all party planners with peace of mind.

In general, the amount of set up time necessary for a New York event will look something like this:

·       Two hours for a standard breakfast or luncheon

·       Three hours for a reception and dinner, with or without dancing

·       All day, essential, for a Wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah or an extremely elaborate ball

Naturally, the time line for an actual event will vary based on dozens of factors I’m not going to attempt to dissect every possibility for you, but instead share some general advice:

1.     Do not prolong the pre-dinner reception for more than one hour, beyond that it can be torture.  Not everyone can or should be seated and over an hour is too long to stand. By hosting an extended cocktail hour you are encouraging your guests to drink too much and, if food is served, stuff themselves before the meal is served.

2.     Allow 15 minutes for your guests to find their seats after the cocktail hour before starting a program. Avoid preset 1st courses, as they are rarely served properly and usually disgusting.

3.     Keep programs as short as possible while still including everything that you want your audience to hear. If you choose to split your program, make sure the second part is after dessert and coffee have been served or you might as well not serve them at all.

4.     Keep the time between courses as short as possible and don’t wait until the last guest has taken his last bite before starting to clear. Time is of the essence. Many guests do not want to stay longer than is absolutely necessary.

5.     If you have dancing between the courses, keep the sets short. There will be plenty of time for unlimited dancing after dessert and coffee are served.

6.     For midweek dinners, plan on ending your program, with dessert and coffee served, by 9pm. After that, people will start to leave regardless of what is happening.

7.     In the case of gala dinner dances, have service completed by 11pm and conclude the dancing no later than midnight. For weddings, midnight is the witching hour. Guests will start leaving at 12 whether dessert has been served or not. There are exceptions, of course. Twenty-somethings will often go past midnight and South Americans of all ages will stay until dawn.  No matter what your event may be, consider planning an after party should the mood strike.

The next area that I will address is music. If service and food are the body of the dog, décor the tail, and timing is the head, then music is the heart. More on that next time.

Herbert Rose is Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. He has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues. Future commentaries will include temperature, music, and party planning.

Have a question for Herbert? CONTACT US today and he will be happy to address it in a future post.

WHAT MAKES ONE NEW YORK EVENT BETTER THAN THE NEXT, PART 3: Décor

Whether it’s a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner or Wedding in New York, there are certain elements that ensure that your event will stand out from the rest. Herbert Rose has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues, and is now Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. Over the next few weeks the patriarch of The Rose Family will share his commentary on the factors that make an event stand out from the crowd. This week: Décor

To many event hosts, décor and decoration take precedence over all of the other elements of event planning. Many will commit more of their financial resources to decorating the party than all other facets combined. This is particularly true of weddings, Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and other large social gatherings. Of course, this is a mistake unless:

1. Money means nothing to you

2. The venue or site you’ve selected is so homely or so barren that you have no choice.

Assuming you are working with a reasonable budget and a top New York event venue, here are some guidelines to follow on the topic of event décor:

Décor can be a way of personalizing a space and differentiating it from other events your guests may have attended in the same venue. It can also be a way to demonstrate your wealth and to what lengths you are willing to go to impress your friends and relatives. That’s all for the good, but over-the-top décor will not necessarily enhance the quality of your party beyond the first impression. While you should not ignore decorating, use it as a tool to highlight the architecture and décor of the space you have selected. There is no need to try to reinvent a classic venue like Guastavino’s or 583 Park Avenue. Enhance the space with your personality and style, but also allow for the venue to breathe and speak for itself.

There is a popular New York floral decorator whose hallmark is plastering the ladies’ and men’s washrooms with heaps of flowers, for an extra fee, of course. Some people are awed by it, but many find it vulgar and foolish, regarding it as excess for the sake of excess. The point is, those extra thousands of dollars spent don’t make your party any better than one without greenhouse toilets.

If you have your heart set on a particular venue, but their décor will require a major overhaul, my suggestion is to move on. There are simply more effective ways to go about hosting your event.

There are exceptions to this rule. Years ago, I did a wedding for a mother who hated the look of my past employer’s ballroom, but loved the location and attached hotel. She had very definite tastes, and though the ballroom was beautiful, it just did not fit her ideal for the perfect wedding venue. As the wife of one of New York’s great industrialists of the second half of the last century, money was no object. She hired Mel Atlas, the greatest floral decorator of that age, to redecorate our ballroom to her liking. He covered the room in Wild Smilax in such an elegant fashion that the theme later became one of the hallmarks of the hotel’s ballroom.

When it comes to venue décor, pick a site you like. Personalize it, beautify it, but know when to stop. Décor is but one element of your party’s success. Décor is the tail while service, food and music are the dog. Remember which elements are most important and the rest will fall into place.

Herbert Rose is Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. He has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues. Future commentaries will include temperature, music, and timeline.

Have a question for Herbert? CONTACT US today and he will be happy to address it in a future post.

Whether it’s a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner or Wedding in New York, there are certain elements that ensure that your event will stand out from the rest. Herbert Rose has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues, and is now Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. Over the next few weeks the patriarch of The Rose Family will share his commentary on the factors that make an event stand out from the crowd. This week: Décor

To many event hosts, décor and decoration take precedence over all of the other elements of event planning. Many will commit more of their financial resources to decorating the party than all other facets combined. This is particularly true of weddings, Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and other large social gatherings. Of course, this is a mistake unless:

1. Money means nothing to you

2. The venue or site you’ve selected is so homely or so barren that you have no choice.

Assuming you are working with a reasonable budget and a top New York event venue, here are some guidelines to follow on the topic of event décor:

Décor can be a way of personalizing a space and differentiating it from other events your guests may have attended in the same venue. It can also be a way to demonstrate your wealth and to what lengths you are willing to go to impress your friends and relatives. That’s all for the good, but over-the-top décor will not necessarily enhance the quality of your party beyond the first impression. While you should not ignore decorating, use it as a tool to highlight the architecture and décor of the space you have selected. There is no need to try to reinvent a classic venue like Guastavino’s or 583 Park Avenue. Enhance the space with your personality and style, but also allow for the venue to breathe and speak for itself.

There is a popular New York floral decorator whose hallmark is plastering the ladies’ and men’s washrooms with heaps of flowers, for an extra fee, of course. Some people are awed by it, but many find it vulgar and foolish, regarding it as excess for the sake of excess. The point is, those extra thousands of dollars spent don’t make your party any better than one without greenhouse toilets.

If you have your heart set on a particular venue, but their décor will require a major overhaul, my suggestion is to move on. There are simply more effective ways to go about hosting your event.

There are exceptions to this rule. Years ago, I did a wedding for a mother who hated the look of my past employer’s ballroom, but loved the location and attached hotel. She had very definite tastes, and though the ballroom was beautiful, it just did not fit her ideal for the perfect wedding venue. As the wife of one of New York’s great industrialists of the second half of the last century, money was no object. She hired Mel Atlas, the greatest floral decorator of that age, to redecorate our ballroom to her liking. He covered the room in Wild Smilax in such an elegant fashion that the theme later became one of the hallmarks of the hotel’s ballroom.

When it comes to venue décor, pick a site you like. Personalize it, beautify it, but know when to stop. Décor is but one element of your party’s success. Décor is the tail while service, food and music are the dog. Remember which elements are most important and the rest will fall into place.

Herbert Rose is Director Emeritus at GUASTAVINO’S and 583 Park Avenue. He has over 40 years of experience as Director of Catering at New York’s finest venues. Future commentaries will include temperature, music, and timeline.

Have a question for Herbert? CONTACT US today and he will be happy to address it in a future post.

Creating a VIP Experience at Your New York Nonprofit Event

The key to a successful New York fundraiser is to provide your guests with an experience that they will never forget. Are you ready to go above and beyond to impress your VIP guests and top donors?

Read 583 Park Avenue’s Guide to Creating a VIP Experience at Your New York Nonprofit Event.

Use Donors’ Time Wisely

Whether your donor is a busy executive or a full-time philanthropist, time is of the essence; No one likes to wait. When creating a VIP experience efficiency is a must. Every transition must be quick and seamless.

For example, finding parking for a nonprofit event on the Upper East Side can be difficult. Providing valet service will save your guests the time and frustration of looking for a parking spot. Better yet, you could hire a car service to drive them directly to your event and bring them home at the end of the evening.

583 Park Avenue offers the top staff-to-guest ratio on the Upper East Side ensuring that from the moment they arrive your VIP guests will never have to wait for a single moment. Remember, the goal is to have them thinking about your organization, not about how long they’ve been waiting for a drink.

Personalize The Donor Experience

While it may be impossible to personalize an event for every single guest, if you have a few top donors that could make a huge impact on your fundraising it’s certainly worth your time to find out what would really make their night special:

·      Does your top donor have a favorite food? Do your best to have it on hand, even if that means ordering it from a vendor who isn’t your hired caterer.

·      Is your donor a big New York sports fan? Is it possible to arrange an experience or            appearance by a favorite player?

·      What about a favorite song or musical act?

Most importantly, make sure that every donor receives a handwritten thank you note following the event. A little extra effort to personalize their experience will go a long way.

Give VIP Guests a Moment to Shine

Many event planning experts recommend a roped off “VIP” area for donors and guests who are truly VIPs. While this is a good idea for celebrity guests who may not want to be overly friendly with fans in attendance, in general we do not recommend setting up a special VIP section. You want guests to donate because they believe in your cause and feel a strong connection to the community, not because they’re envious of a velvet rope.

Rather than hiding your guest of honor, let them mingle amongst the crowd. Then, when the time is right, briefly focus the crowd’s attention on your VIP’s achievements and generosity. It doesn’t have to be much. It only takes a few words to say thank you and let everyone know what a donor’s efforts have meant to the organization.

When in Doubt, Go Above and Beyond

This is what Disney Word calls “plussing”. When it comes to your VIP guests, think of the best possible experience they could have and then take the extra step to make it even better. A small add on can make a huge difference

While many nonprofits are faced with strict budget restrictions, there is always more that can be done to make donors feel special. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just personal and from the heart. mini sex doll Be creative and you will be able give each of your donors a night and an experience that they will never forget.

Would you like more details about hosting your GALA, NONPROFIT EVENT or FUNDRAISER IN NEW YORK at 583 Park Avenue? Contact Us today to find out what makes 583 Park Avenue the best fundraiser event space on the upper east side. One of our event coordinators will be in touch with you shortly.

 

The key to a successful New York fundraiser is to provide your guests with an experience that they will never forget. Are you ready to go above and beyond to impress your VIP guests and top donors?

Read 583 Park Avenue’s Guide to Creating a VIP Experience at Your New York Nonprofit Event.

Use Donors’ Time Wisely

Whether your donor is a busy executive or a full-time philanthropist, time is of the essence; No one likes to wait. When creating a VIP experience efficiency is a must. Every transition must be quick and seamless.

For example, finding parking for a nonprofit event on the Upper East Side can be difficult. Providing valet service will save your guests the time and frustration of looking for a parking spot. Better yet, you could hire a car service to drive them directly to your event and bring them home at the end of the evening.

583 Park Avenue offers the top staff-to-guest ratio on the Upper East Side ensuring that from the moment they arrive your VIP guests will never have to wait for a single moment. Remember, the goal is to have them thinking about your organization, not about how long they’ve been waiting for a drink.

Personalize The Donor Experience

While it may be impossible to personalize an event for every single guest, if you have a few top donors that could make a huge impact on your fundraising it’s certainly worth your time to find out what would really make their night special:

·      Does your top donor have a favorite food? Do your best to have it on hand, even if that means ordering it from a vendor who isn’t your hired caterer.

·      Is your donor a big New York sports fan? Is it possible to arrange an experience or            appearance by a favorite player?

·      What about a favorite song or musical act?

Most importantly, make sure that every donor receives a handwritten thank you note following the event. A little extra effort to personalize their experience will go a long way.

Give VIP Guests a Moment to Shine

Many event planning experts recommend a roped off “VIP” area for donors and guests who are truly VIPs. While this is a good idea for celebrity guests who may not want to be overly friendly with fans in attendance, in general we do not recommend setting up a special VIP section. You want guests to donate because they believe in your cause and feel a strong connection to the community, not because they’re envious of a velvet rope.

Rather than hiding your guest of honor, let them mingle amongst the crowd. Then, when the time is right, briefly focus the crowd’s attention on your VIP’s achievements and generosity. It doesn’t have to be much. It only takes a few words to say thank you and let everyone know what a donor’s efforts have meant to the organization.

When in Doubt, Go Above and Beyond

This is what Disney Word calls “plussing”. When it comes to your VIP guests, think of the best possible experience they could have and then take the extra step to make it even better. A small add on can make a huge difference

While many nonprofits are faced with strict budget restrictions, there is always more that can be done to make donors feel special. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just personal and from the heart. mini sex doll Be creative and you will be able give each of your donors a night and an experience that they will never forget.

Would you like more details about hosting your GALA, NONPROFIT EVENT or FUNDRAISER IN NEW YORK at 583 Park Avenue? Contact Us today to find out what makes 583 Park Avenue the best fundraiser event space on the upper east side. One of our event coordinators will be in touch with you shortly.

 

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