On one hand, there are event planners who throw ‘nice parties’… and on the other hand there is Craig Goldstein.  The young founder of E Squared Concepts is developing quite a reputation for transporting guests to a completely different world when they step into one of his (usually exclusive) fêtes. With a penchant for all things fabulous, Craig is pushing the limits of standard event production. His style is an incredibly funky mashup of design, production and entertainment; and his innate ability to merge all three seamlessly guarantees that the results will be nothing short of pure and genius theatre!

The fantastic Mr. Goldstein took a little time out of his hectic schedule to answer RP Report’s “Favorite Five Questions” for us. Take a look!

 

 

RP Report: What is your favorite current trend in our industry?

Craig Goldstein: I think my favorite trend, which allowed me to open shop, is the desire to be innovative, to think outside of the box. People want cutting edge. They want funky. They are tired of the old formula: the 10 top round with a linen cloth and a floral arrangement in the middle… a dance floor and a 10 piece band. It’s all about lounge seating now. It’s all about walking into a room and not seeing everything the party or event has to offer at first glance. It’s about having cozy nooks and areas hidden around corners, it’s about creative spatial design. With entertainment it’s about the wow factor & having exciting "reveals" throughout the evening that keep your guests/clients guessing, coming back and wanting more.

RP Report: What trend do you wish would go away?

Craig Goldstein: Live zoo animals. I mean Barton G put it to rest. It is old and played out. Not to mention, the animals smell and leave, well you know what, everywhere.

RP Report:  I agree with that! Next question! What do you think will be the next ‘big thing’ in special events (does not need to be in your area of the event industry, but it can be)?

Craig Goldstein: When my company reveals it your readers will be first to know!!!

RP Report: Good answer!   What is your favorite event that you have ever worked on, and why?

 

Craig Goldstein: The 11th Annual Miami Fashion Week VIP Kickoff Event. It was for the celebrity designers, featured designers, international media and the VIP buyers. We launched the famed Eden Roc’s new $200,000,000 tower's new ballroom. The theme was “Rock n’ Roll Versailles” or as I like to call it, Marie Antoinette on crack! It looked like a lingerie draw exploded. The rooms color pallet was gold lame, hot pink & black lace. We had damask gobos everywhere. The DJ and band were dressed in authentic baroque costumes, similar to something you would imagine King Louis wearing, right down to the powdered face & wigs. But they had black lightning bolts on their eyes like the band KISS. We had roaming female models & drag queens dressed as Marie Antoinette, but with hiked up skirts, black high boots, black chokers, black nail polish & smoky eyes. It was the whole juxtaposition of Versailles and an edgy, modern Rock 'n Roll world that made the event work. It was super hot, super sexy and SO out of the box. Everyone’s reaction was that they had never seen or experienced anything like it. As an event producer I couldn’t have asked for a better response. We had the band on a plexiglass stage that was filled with dry ice & black lights. We had a 16 ft stilt walker with a helium balloon backpack. She looked like something out of a dream and had a crazy headpiece and hands shaped like question marks. Then after she roamed amongst the guests, impressing them by simply being eye candy, she opened her mouth and took their breath away with a beautiful aria. After her soft, feminine, beautiful performance it was time to go to the other end of the spectrum. Remember that was the concept of the theme, the extreme polarity of the two worlds that we were trying to combine. So we brought out the Grinder Girl: a sexy, cutting edge, industrial act. She came out in an LED lit, transparent mad hatter-esque costume to hard core rock music. She took off her jacket to reveal a sexy chrome corset. After dancing provocatively and peeking the interest of the guests, she took out a hot pink electric saw complete with a hot pink cord (of course), and started to actually grind and saw her chrome corset causing sparks to fly off of her body. Granted, this entertainment isn’t exactly for the traditional corporate event. Nor would I present this wild material at a conservative political affair, like a party for the Republican National Convention! But this was Miami Fashion Week, where anything goes! The guests had a blast all night long, and NEVER knew what was coming next.

RP Report:  In the spirit of community, if you had to recommend one vendor or venue who you think does fabulous work, who would that vendor/venue be, and why?

Craig Goldstein: I would recommend A Joy Wallace Catering in Miami. They have a gorgeous young staff that brings eye candy to the party. Their food & presentation is hands down the best in the business. Joy put together a team of hard working, honest, seasoned veterans that understand the business and their clients, from social to corporate. When you hire them, you know you are in good hands. And like my company, they are a one stop shop.

As far as venue I would recommend the newly renovated Eden Roc property. It has a rich history of South Beach Glam from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Now that they fall under the management of the Renaissance properties, they are a force to be reckoned with. Bringing the Glam back to the Beach. . . FINALLY!!!! One of their top executives & leaders, David Siguaw, truly understands how to bring the VIP, celebrity, high profile events to the beach. For example, fashion shows, Maxim Magazine Parties, etc. He understands how to appeal to the local socialites and business leaders, making the place a hot spot, while still allowing it to be a hotel that welcomes anyone that wants to come be apart of the "Miami scene." They offer a variety of ballrooms and outdoor spaces with breath taking views. If your company or organization wants to have the quintessential South Beach experience the Eden Roc is certainly the place to do it!

 

Thanks to Craig Goldstein of E Squared Concepts! Check out their website http://www.e2concepts.com/

 

Note: Although E Squared Concepts has their home base in Miami, they also have showrooms and warehouses in Orlando, Atlanta and New York City, and plan events internationally.