ATLANTA
The Face: Matt Clouser, president
The Biz: Active Production and Design
The Scoop: Former rocker Clouser founded Active 15 years ago and has been at its helm ever since, introducing the Atlanta market to new technologies such as High End Systems DL2 digital lighting and new ideas including environmentally friendly, low-energy-consumption production design.
The Buzz: Active attracts clients not just from the event sector but from film, music and broadcast TV, with its “one-stop-shopping” production services: lighting, audio, video, special effects, staging and set design.
The Fans: Clear Channel Worldwide; Atlanta Business Chronicle; Michael Bolton
The Gigs: Jezebel Magazine New Year's Eve celebration; Jane Fonda's birthday bash
The Quote: “Active is more than just a company. We really are a family. We work hard. We play hard. And we always try to represent the family name in the best light possible.” — Matt Clouser
The 411: Active Production and Design
1300 Logan Circle N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30318
877/206-1168
www.activeproductionanddesign.com
The Place: Atlanta Event Center @ Opera
The Scoop: Housed in a 1920s-era building, this opulent venue, which reopened in June after a $2.5 million renovation, boasts both historical cachet and a state-of-the-art technical infrastructure.
The Buzz: Corporate clients take advantage of the venue's two distinct environments — the main lounge and elegant outdoor cabana — for events with guest counts up to 1,000. Smaller groups can limit their space use to a single setting, making the site perfect for sophisticated social soirees.
The Goods: Plasma screens, projection screens, Wi-Fi and an enhanced intelligent lighting system, plus old-school charms including red-velvet-draped opera boxes, chandeliers and grand staircases.
The Fans: Coca-Cola; BlackBerry; Jane Fonda
The Gigs: The Special Event 2008 VIP after-party; MPI Georgia Chapter “Indulgence” event
The Quote: “What makes us like no one else is that we have this beautiful historical building in a fabulous location in the heart of midtown and an amazing outdoor space that holds up to 400 people … It's rare to have both in one venue.” — Michelle Dauble, events director
The 411: Atlanta Event Center @ Opera
1150 B Peachtree St. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
404/874-0428
www.atlantaeventcenter.com
The Face(s): Alison Lueker and Max LeBlanc
The Biz: Sun in My Belly
The Scoop: Lueker, who discovered a love of cooking while studying art in Turin, Italy, named her catering company in homage to Picasso, who, when asked what moved him to create, famously replied, “The sun in my belly.” LeBlanc joined forces with Lueker as executive director 10 years ago, bringing a background in business analysis, operations and management.
The Buzz: Clients crave the boutique catering firm's contemporary takes on comfort-food classics — among them, truffled mac 'n cheese and miniature crab cakes topped with ancho chile aioli.
The Fans: Cartoon Network; Georgia Tech; Bruce Springsteen
The Gigs: Earth Share of Georgia cocktail party and seated breakfast for 300.
The Quote: “Beauty is in every detail, from the type of lighting to the arrangement of flower petals on a dessert plate.” — Max LeBlanc
The 411: Sun in My Belly 2161 College Ave. Atlanta, GA 30317 404/370-0856 www.suninmybelly.com
NEW IN TOWN
The brand-spanking-new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre has a 10,000-square-foot ballroom and high ceilings with tons of rigging points.
770/916-2800
www.cobbenergyperformingartscentre.com
Tabletoppers' elegant Streamers table cap, featuring copper piping over champagne cortina, debuts at The Special Event's Leadership Lunch at the Fox Theatre.
404/355-5593
www.tabletoppersinc.com
Sleek, chic and versatile, the pure-white OZ sectional sofa from Cort — also debuting at The Special Event — has an adjustable split back and a matching ottoman.
404/815-8488
www.cortevents.com
