Creative ideas include a robotic bartender that mixes a custom drink based on the guest’s choice of song. Photo Credit: iStock/cienpies
Human behavior, emotional resonance and the desire for memorable, shareable moments are encouraging planners and their clients to inject more creativity into events.
M&C Asia asked planners about creative ways art and music are being woven into events, and here’s what they shared:
Music-powered cocktails
Music-powered cocktails blend personalisation, emotion, and sensory design.
Companies such as Mixly, a music and drinks experience provider for events, offers delegates the chance to experience their favourite songs as a drink.
It uses artificial intelligence to blend music and beverages together. Attendees search for their favourite song on Spotify, select the song and the machine/robotic bartender offers different ingredient choices and ‘mixes’ a custom drink that fits the song’s acoustic notes.
“It’s extremely creative and engages audiences in new ways as every drink produced is different,” says Global DMC’s president and CEO Catherine Chaulet.
Edible art
For a culinary class with a difference, guests can collaborate with a chef to create edible artwork using natural pigments.
“Edible artwork creates an interactive, sensory-rich experience that aligns with our emphasis on designing moments that spark connection,” says Mindy Hanzlik, senior director, experience & engagement at The Collective by BCD Meetings & Events.
“Creating edible art allows attendees to collaborate, play and express themselves while engaging taste, color, and texture. It also naturally encourages conversation, making it both an activity and a networking tool.” And delegates can enjoy a snack too!
Swap and save
While the creativity of edible art is directly experienced by the attendees, sometimes, the ingenuity of event art is best appreciated from behind the scenes.
Global DMC’s Chaulet gives the example of a ‘centrepiece swap’ initiated by a client.
“The client had to deal with a mandate to reduce their decor cost, and at the same time increase meeting sustainability goals,” she says.
“They discovered an association was hosting a high-end gala in the same ballroom the evening prior to their awards event and saw an opportunity for collaboration. They approached the group to repurpose their 22 luxury floral centrepieces, which otherwise would likely have been discarded and made a US$200 donation to the association’s charity of choice in exchange for the florals.”
Picture this
Austria-based DMC IMS recently arranged a vernissage, a private preview of an art exhibition, for a group visiting the destination.
Before the event, local art students received photos of all the delegates and transformed these photos into portraits as part of a surprise private exhibition.
Attendees ‘discovered’ the surprise gallery during an exclusive museum evening; all the artists were also present and met with their respective models.
Music and art can be more than event gimmicks as planners increasingly tie sensory experiences with engagement pay-offs such as curiosity and memory.
As Hanzlik says: “Music can set an emotional tone, scent can anchor memory, lighting can guide energy flow and tactile elements can spark curiosity. When these layers are designed with purpose, they create an environment where people feel more relaxed, more open and more willing to connect in meaningful ways.”