Travel, Tourism, Attractions, Culinary
Carnival Cruise Lines
Introduced more than 500 members of media, travel agents and other travel-related individuals to the MS Carnival Destiny, the largest cruise ship in the world at the time. Individuals spent overnights on board the ship while she was docked on the Hudson River. Arranged all cocktail receptions, dinner and evening entertainment as well as complete tours of the cruise ship and day cruises.
Aloha Pacific Cruise Line
Created the first ever exclusively “dry dock” media introduction for the new $100 million S.S. Monterey. At the last minute, the U.S. Coast Guard prevented the ship from sailing on its maiden voyage because of technical problems. More than 100 members of consumer and trade media had been steered to Baltimore to attend a shipboard party cruise. Though management planned to cancel the event, we convinced them to hold the party anyway in dry dock, expand the itinerary to include a complete tour of Baltimore, its restaurants and attractions. Our last-minute efforts paid off – members of media truly enjoyed the unique experience, wrote about the new ship in newspapers and magazines nationwide focusing on a “first” in their cruise line experience.
Universal Studios Florida
Helped create and promote Halloween Horror Nights in which the entire theme park was transformed in to a huge “house of horrors” for a weekend celebration resulting in sellout crowds for three consecutive weekends each year.
In addition, we did a classified ad/casting call for “Rat Lady,” a woman entombed in a coffin with live rats which received hundreds of applications and media coverage state and nationwide.
Similar new Halloween themed events/media moments were created annually.
Jaws “Landshark”
Traveled Jaws “Landshark” – a huge all-terrain vehicle built in the shape of a great white shark to Eastern Seaboard and Midwest cities as well as the UK to promote Universal’s “Jaws” attraction. The Landshark was designed to include a mobile radio station from which a deejay and two guests could broadcast talk shows and provide uplinks to local radio and television stations. Media parties were staged in each key market city to await the arrival of the Great White accompanied by the frightening theme music from the movie. The New York event alone attracted more than 200 members of media in attendance.
Grand openings of “Jaws,” “Terminator II, 3D,” “A Day in the Park With Barney,” “Men in Black,” “Twister,” among others, at the original park.
Sea World
Helped open Sea World of Texas – an award-winning campaign featuring many mini-events – done Texas-style. Celebrated the births of three killer whales at Sea World of Florida, opened the park’s Penguin Encounter – resulting in the National Travel Marketing Award presented by the Travel Industry of America – and many other aquatic exhibits. Arranged all media and vip functions associated with these events in key market cities in the Northeast.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Created the first media survival party/dinner for editors covering balloon inflations for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in conjunction with Sea World’s participation in the parade. More than 300 members of media attended that evening’s event by the Museum of Natural History and 150 more participated on Thanksgiving Day to view the famous parade in a private Sea World suite at the Marriott Marquis, overlooking the parade route.
Stouffer Hotels
Created and implemented a nationwide corporate campaign. Included arranging many media events in New York City to introduce new properties, packages, etc., at such prestigious locations as “21,” Tavern on the Green, The Pierre, The Plaza, the Hyatt, The Hilton, among many others. Similar functions were held in venues in other key market cities.
One unusual event took place on the Hudson River on one of Arthur Imperatore’s NY Waterway ferries. We launched a poor man’s presidential campaign featuring perennial candidate, Pat Paulsen, a rinky-dink band, balloons, etc. to introduce a national savings bond promotional program.
Also, developed the concept of Chefs’ Kitchens at the various properties, in which celebrities and other vips got to observe and cook with the chain’s master chefs in four star restaurant settings.
Stouffer Orlando Resort
Implemented “The Big Chill” event – a late summer event. The resort was transformed into a winter wonderland – the coolest place to be – during a summer heat wave. Elements included winter decorations including 30 tons of real snow; ice carving competitions; ice skating, real penguins; a snowball fight for local media; appropriate winter “culinary fare,” a Friendly’s ice cream competition and a press trip for New York writers and editors.
Utilized resort’s “largest hotel atrium in the world” — for events including a football field-long Sunday Brunch; visits from Jim Fowler of “Today” and Mutual of Omaha for eagle fly-overs; black tie events for local charities – Give Kids the World, Starlight Foundation, Dreamflight, Make A Wish, Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau, etc.
Also made all arrangements to host National Meeting Planners International Convention at the resort.
Created an annual “Honeymoon From Hell” contest resulting in thousands of entries and coverage in newspapers and in broadcast media nationwide. People were invited to submit their horrible experiences “the first time around.” Winners received all-expense-paid trips to the resort which included side-trips to area attractions and other VIP treatment.
Introduced George DuBoeuff’s vintage Beaujolais wine to 1,000 civic leaders, guests and other dignitaries in Stouffer Orlando Resort’s signature largest hotel atrium in the world. The festivities were headed by the Consul de France. Included arranging the delivery of the wine by hot air balloon and horse-drawn carriage, working with area chefs to develop complimentary dining experiences for the introduction of the new vintage and all publicity surrounding the event.
Olive Garden
”Opened” its flagship restaurant in New York City’s Times Square and offered media support for other metropolitan area properties.
Willie Mays Grilled and Roasted Chicken
Opened Willie Mays Grilled and Roasted Chicken in the Menlo Park Mall.
Steelite Corporation, a manufacturer of fine tableware
Arranged New York mini media events focusing on setting the right table for holidays and other special occasions for restaurateurs and consumers.
National Tastemaker Awards Presentation
Honors renowned chefs and their cookbooks. New York event.