A Hoe Down for the Holidays!

For this annual holiday event, we took over an entire conference center on campus. Seven areas were transformed into a family friendly western Hoe Down theme! Guests entered to a Camp-Out, and found their way through the County Fair, grabbed some BBQ in the Barn Dance, played cards in The Saloon, little ones colored in the children's Cowpoke Roundup, snapped a shot with a Covered Wagon photo-op, and lastly got their game on in the Abandoned Gold Mine Arcade!

Camp-Out Entry
A 10’ tall by 15’ deep real canvas tent welcomed guests first thing as they entered the Hoe Down event. The tent was open on both ends for guests to walk through. Sections of split-rail fencing, barrels, wagon wheels, a life-size sheep and other western décor embellished the camp-out!


The Country Road
The hallways were transformed into a good ol' country road that took guests from one destination to another. Smaller vignettes with life-size cutouts of cows and horses behind hay-bales & more split-rail fencing lined the halls. Lots of antique pieces such as Stetson hats and handkerchiefs gave the entire event an authentic look. A covered wagon was on display as the ultimate western photo-op! It featured a roaring fire pit, and everything a pioneer would need out on the trail!


Country Fair
A festive Country Fair hoopla was carrying on during the event in one of the larger rooms. Patriotic bunting greeted guests in a grand archway, while the massive room was completely draped in stripes of red, white, and blue! A folk band preformed in front of an old red barn backdrop, and buffets and activities could be found in front of a a backdrop of fair rides! Pennant flags covered the ceiling, and an antique arcade riding horse was on display for smaller kids to enjoy.


Honky Tonk Barn Dance
A hard-set wooden barn facade with a hitch-up horse invited guests to enter the Honky Tonk Barn Dance! The room was fully draped in brown satin with backdrops of barn interiors on each far end. The room was kept dark, setting the mood for classic BBQ and dancing! Festoon lighting lit up the dance floor where guests could learn all sorts of moves from instructors.


Cowpoke Roundup
Little ones entered past a white picket fence and mail box to a bustling farm backdrop giving the feeling of a sunny day down on the ranch. A small red barn facade and happy little chickens set a playful environment for children to color and play on the green lawn.


Wagon Wheel Saloon
Catering to an older crowd, the Wagon Wheel Saloon was open for business! Out front guests entered the Saloon through a set of wild west swinging saloon doors held in place by a pair of cedar plank panels. Antique rocking chairs on "the porch" invited folks to kick back and relax. Inside, a hand painted up-lit backdrop of a saloon interior and felt poker table toppers set the mood.


Abandoned Gold Mine Arcade
For the teens, an Abandoned Gold Mine was the cool place to be... complete with a full arcade! Passing by old mining carts & wagon wheels, teens entered the abandoned old western gold mine town! The entry was decorated with boulders, tumbleweeds, old dynamite boxes, and of course… a few large lumps of GOLD! As you first entered the room, you were in the abandoned town with a 40’ wide backdrop. The side walls of the town arcade were draped in shinny black satin and up-lit with gold LED lighting. The far end of the room was the gold mine with another 40’ wide backdrop. Bags of Gold Mine bubble gum even embellished the tables!


And on the way out...
Exiting the event the same way they came in through the camp-out tent tunnel, guests were in for another laugh with a subtle cow derrière, happy holidays!

Bollywood Holiday Gala

This annual holiday gala at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott takes on a new theme every year. From Disco, to Wonka - this year is was all about Bollywood!

Grand Entry
Transporting guests into a Bollywood world right from the start, a vibrant archway of pink satin with sheer iridescent orange drapery was the first bright thing they saw! Gold tassels and carved wooden screen accented the lush entry.


Cocktail Reception
A triple canopy in sheer iridescent orange drapery flowed through the reception, and was centered with the entry into the ballroom. Two lounges sat underneath featuring rattan seating with embroidered pillows.

The room was draped floor to ceiling in apple green dupioni with pullbacks revealing stripes of pink, plum, yellow, and orange satin drapery.

Cocktail tables were dressed in bright fuchsia crush linens with marigold underlays. Assorted glass and metal lanterns illuminated every surface with loose floral.


Dinning Room
At 7:30 a musical trio began to play and the drapes were pulled back to reveal the dinning room extravaganza!

The ballroom was draped in stripes of pink, plum, yellow, and orange satin drapery. The stage was highlighted with a grand display of green iridescent arches with gold tassels. The green drapery also accented the exits and service entrances of the room.

Tables were adorned in alternating linen combos of orange crush over marigold underlays with gold chair covers and fuchsia embroidered ties, or lime green crush linens over marigold underlays with gold chair covers and teal embroidered ties.

Centerpieces were collections of Indian lanterns on mirror trays with mercury glass votives, or on wrought iron stands for height. Scatterings of rose petals, purple orchids, and orange marigold style carnations embellished the bases.

Custom programs were designed by PJ Hummel & Company with a delightful Indian flair. Long skinny cards were wrapped in shorted orange cards and tied with gold tassels!

Completing the the night, a photo-op with a baby elephant was set in the foyer for guests to remember the evening!

It's a Snow Day - Holiday Installation

This winter a blizzard has blown through The Commons giving everyone a Snow-Day!! This Winter Wonderland will stay up the entire month of December for families to enjoy.

Thank you Amanda T. for your support and the opportunity!

Upon entering the reception, guests found themselves in a winter wonderland, awash in disco ball snowflakes with up-lit glittering trees and mounds of twinkling snow adding ambiance. In the center of the Reception Area, guests can gather under two large, icicle trimmed canopies made from snowy white sheer fabric. A charming cluster of large tissue pom-poms & icicles hang over a frosty, glittering tree near the entrance window.



Accented with a glittery tree, guests will find another stunning, snowy white canopy over the stair landing.



Dripping in icicles, the banister is encased in glowing white garland decorated with ribbon & balls in icy shades of blue.



Under the stair, a fun backyard vignette set in twinkling snow drifts showcases a white picket fence and a frosty snowman surrounded by oversized snowflakes.



The banister is encased in glowing white garland decorated with ribbon & balls in icy shades of blue.



A blizzard has blown through the halls, leaving in its snowy path a lane of beautiful over-sized snowflakes.



Surrounded by a banister encased in icicles and white snowy garland, the On Stage area becomes an enchanted Ice Palace! A glittery, icy tree marks the entrance steps. The green tiled wall is hidden behind a drape of white satin and strings of crystal, shimmering and twinkling in up-lighting. This becomes a frozen backdrop for a photo op. Guests will enjoy sitting in a large throne of ice, surrounded by an ice wall, glowing snow drifts and a glittery tree.



A playful trio of polar bears has gathered beneath the mid stairwell for some fun! Surrounded by glittery walls of up-lit ice and a floor of fluffy twinkling snow, the bears have piles of snowballs assembled and are ready for a grand snowball throw!



A dreamy icy aviary will be assembled under the 3rd stairwell. A collection of Victorian style bird cages set in drifts of shimmering snow are decorated with

glittery tree branches and classic architectural elements. Snowy white birds and a statuesque peacock sit perched on top the beautiful cages.

The upper level photo op has the look and feel of a snowy mountain retreat. Families may gather under the icy arbor for a beautiful wintery photograph. A snowy, up-lit Mt Rainer serves as a backdrop complete with glowing snow drifts, a white picket fence and groupings of up-lit glittery trees.

Topped with snowy garland, dripping in icicles and over-sized tissue snowballs the arbor rests on a white fur rug. Under the arbor guests can pose, seated on a white lounge decorated with white fur pillows.