3.24.2009

Great New Event Sites!!! (That you Might Not Even Know About Yet)

I have come into a few really incredible new locations that I'd love to share with everyone in the industry! I can't believe the gems that are springing up!

1034 Divisidero Street San Francisco
The first is a glorious Victorian home in San Francisco that is impeccably decorated in a warm modern design. It is owned by real estate professionals (really great guys) and is available for events as well as a vacation home. I attended a wine tasting there and it was drop-dead gorgeous. You can contact owner John Martin john@homeinsf.com for more info: 415.509.3555 Click on the link to this place NOW and look at the fantastic photos. You'll be dialing their number before you even get to their fabulous patio/jacuzzi photos!




The next is The Thomas Estate in Pleasanton (near Alamo/Blackhawk). I went on a site tour with fabulous Barbara Llewellyn and was in heaven! The setting is gorgeous, you feel like you're in the middle of the wine country! It's sprawling country and even features its own chapel. No kidding! Stained glass windows and all. Plus a pool, and parking for 150!

Barbara did a beautiful event there and had part of the yard tented with a beautiful Zephyr Tent.
There's a slide show on their homepage.





And last, but certainly not least is the Craneway Pavilion. It's set on the waterfront in Richmond and although I haven't visited YET, the photos make me want to throw a party there now! Maybe I should start planning one???

I met the owners/developers and managers of this site and they are in love with it! Who wouldn't be? I plan on sailing over there from the Berkeley Marina/OCSC some day. How romantic...



Here's a little history:

Once a Ford Model A factory, the just-renovated Craneway Pavillion features a soaring, industrial-chic interior, breathtaking waterfront views of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The Craneway is located in the heart of the East Bay, minutes from Marin and Berkeley, and features a private wharf for short ferry rides from San Francisco.

The Craneway can accommodate up to 2,100 guests for seated events and up to 5,000 guests for receptions.

Location:
1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond Marina District

Accommodates:
Up to 2,100 seated, 5,000 standing

3.13.2009

Fantastic New Friends of Entire Productions!

We have had an incredible couple of weeks, thanks to my new director of sales & marketing Jacqueline Stolte! This woman is a mover AND a shaker!



We have met with so many wonderfully talented and kind people. Anna Williams of McCall's is delightful and welcomed us to their offices in Potrero hill. Later that day we sat down for a lovely lunch at Kuletto's with Cody Hoyer of Larkspur Hotels, and Rafael Galliano of At Home in SF. You should see Rafael's totally hip shades... we all took turns wearing them!

Cody, Rafael, Jacqueline (w/Rafael's bug glasses)



On Friday we stopped by the swanky new offices of PRA and chatted with Heather, Lindsay, and Stephanie. These girls have it goin' on!

Then, Laura Fraenza came by our office on California St. to tell us all about her new business. She has the sleek, modern Bose tower PA systems that will class up any event. No more bulky speakers on tri-pod stands!

Jacqueline met with Nadia Chan of the SF Chamber of Commerce of which we're proud members. We hope to be working with them on music for their upcoming events!

Jacqueline made the trek to Walnut Creek to visit with Bob Gonas and staff of Image Three Events. These guys have an incredible history in the event production world. Intriguing!

Tyler attended the MPI conference and made a lot of new friends and invaluable contacts. That was THE place to be... and I missed it!



Jacqueline and I braved the downpour of rain to meet with the INCREDIBLY creative and energetic producers from InVision in Walnut Creek. We received a "sitting" ovation with thundering applause. My friend Amy Tolbert made us feel very welcome, and Rod Mickels (partner) gave us the grand tour. Check out their new website!

We had a nice chat with Carla of Wolfgang Puck Catering and ISES fame. We look forward to seeing her at future ISES events.

THEN... we headed over to check out the Roe Restaurant which has 3 floors of hip/modern/edgy event space. Danny Phelen welcomed us, and I taught him how to tie the "never will come untied double knot" on his kicks.

Later that evening I was a guest at a Barbara Llewellyn tasting at her catering kitchen in Oakland. It was wonderful, of course. I had the honor of meeting some really great people, and learning about the new event space in Richmond called the CranewayPavilion. I can't wait to get some music going in there! It's a beautiful spot!

On Monday, Jacqueline took me to see her old college roommate who just happens to run Trademark Events (think Lucas Film, Google, ILM). Elle is a pistol, and a creative visionary!

Later that afternoon we cozied up in the Hotel Vitale lobby with event planner extraordinaire Duncan Reyes. Now, that was fun! He is so funny, and great person to spend time with. Never a dull moment or lack of conversation with this guy! He has proclaimed us a "preferred vendor" which we humbly/gleefully accepted.



The next day I drove over the Park Street bridge from Alameda to Jingletown where I was taken on a tour of Event Magic's HUGE warehouse of props, linens (they make them on site) and sound/lighting studio. They have everything you can think of... old video games, the Eiffel Tower, custom painted backdrops...

Later that day Amy from WJAgency paid us a visit. This full-service PR/Marketing/Events company is based in LA and Los Vegas, but has a satellite office here in San Francisco. It was Amy's birthday (we didn't ask how old she was) and she was off to celebrate by continuing a 30 day Yoga commitment. Go, Amy go!

We attended a new networking group at the City Club on Wed morning. I'm thinking about becoming a member of this historic social club. It's quite lovely, and just 2 blocks from our office.

And finally, we ended up at the Hotel Rex to kick it for a while with Greek Event Goddess Constance of Organized Chaos. She was fantastic, so much fun and WAY more energy that I could ever conjure up. She's been in the business for, well... many years. And knows everything and everyone! It was so much fun, and I can't wait to see her again. Thankfully, her car wasn't towed from the loading zone:)

That just about covers the last couple weeks. Needless to say I'm invigorated and exhausted by all of the energetic and creative people we've met. I need a solid 8 hours of sleep just to keep up!

One last and VERY exciting thing... I'm sponsoring [with music, of course] a beautiful event produced by Crystal LeQuang of Amazae Special Events and Nicole Ha Designs. It's called Una Bella Sera, and will take place on April 5th at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. If you'd like to attend, please register here as space is limited.



Natasha Miller/Founder

Natasha Miller/Founder
Natasha Miller/Creative Director