The longest-running special event conference and trade show--The Special Event--celebrated its 30th anniversary in style in Anaheim, Calif., with an exhibition that ran Jan. 6-8, 2015. All photos by Special Events.
The show, which made its debut in 1985 in San Diego, took place at the Anaheim Convention Center. As always, it featured a wide range of education sessions, exhibits and exciting showcasing events.
Day 1 brought the debut of the Food Truck Festival, where hungry attendees chowed down on street food.
Also on Day 1, guests attended the Opening Night Party at Anaheim Garden Walk, which featured open bars, appetizers and signature Southern California entertainment such as a double halfpipe exhbition (above) and a photo-opp ready red carpet.
Day 2 at The Special Event 2015
Day 2 brought the Opening General Session featuring Show Ambassadors Janet Elkins of EventWorks (left) and David Merrell of AOO Events.
Also on Day 2, guests visited the Wedding Event--overseen by Zynger Event Designs, Brown Hot Events and Good Gracious Events--which treated attendees to a live band, elegant bars, a seated dinner and a fashion show. Closing out the day, the SEARCH Cabaret raised funding for event professionals in need.
Day 3 at The Special Event 2015
On the final day of the show, Michael Cerbelli took the stage for his annual "Hot List" presentation of great event acts and tools.
Among the Hot List acts, Bollywood Alive (above), a lively fusion of Indian tradition and Western style. (Click image for video link.)
Longtime event producer Andrea Michaels (right) of Extraordinary Events, Sherman Oaks, Calif., is honored with the Steve Kemble Leadership Foundation Award, held at The Ranch in Anaeheim. Sharing the moment are Debbie Meyers-Shock, CSEP, of Bravo Entertainment, Dallas, who has underwritten the foundation, and Steve Kemble, Steve Kemble Event Design, Dallas.
The day closed with the annual Gala Awards ceremony, honoring outstanding event work from around the world. Here, Hello Florida Destination Management accepts the Gala Award for Best Event Entertainment Concept.
The event closed with guests dancing to the music of the Red Hot Band till the wee hours at the Anaheim Marriott.
The Special Event 2016 will take place in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 12-14.
