This past weekend Nashville had the honor of hosting one of the biggest hockey events in the sports world, the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend. The warm weather, friendly locals, and Winter-Park set up in the middle of downtown welcomed guests from both different states and countries. Snyder Entertainment was fortunate to be a part of the experience, joining other local businesses that were able to showcase their work, creativity, and hometown pride. Our planning stages began last summer and leading up to the event it came down to teamwork, detailed emails, phone calls, and countless amount of hours preparing to deliver the ultimate entertainment package for our biggest client ever, the National Hockey League.
We assisted in the production of entertainment at NHL Fan Fair by providing the MC hosts for the bubble-hockey tournament. Fan Fair was open to all hockey fans from January 28-31 outside of Bridgestone Arena which included tournaments, live music, and more. We also produced several entertainment elements for the NHL After Party on Saturday night at the Music City Center. The after party was an event for players, their significant others + family members, coaches, team executives, sponsors, and a select few local residents and fans. The theme of the party was set-up to represent Nashville through the years, past and present. The top of the Music City Center in the Grand Ballroom was completely decked out in gorgeous decor, cool lighting, interactive entertainment, great music, various food and bar stations; all designed for guests to enjoy and get a real Nashville experience. Snyder Entertainment provided photobooths, step and repeat photography, the retro videogame arcade, large screen Guitar Hero and Rockband gaming stations, celebrity impersonators, professional line-dance instructors, and multiple Nashville inspired recording booths.
(To see more pictures from the night, click here.)
The ballroom was split in half to represent the past and present Nashville themes of the evening. One half of the ballroom represented the past, vintage Nashville atmosphere including a custom-made vintage record chandelier hanging above the entrance to the George Jones lounge. A wooden 'Hot Chicken' food stand with an old fashioned bar serving Tennessee whiskey, which was a big hit for guests who are not used to our unique flavors of spicy. Antique love-seats and chairs, wooden rocking chairs, and picnic style tables were designed around all of the different interactive stations for guests including a photobooth with a barn-wood backdrop, and a replicated Nashville recording booth that included some country classic songs also provided by Snyder Entertainment.
The other side of the ballroom represented a more present, modern Nashville atmosphere including a red carpet with Step and Repeat photography. On the red carpet were celebrity impersonators that kept the fun and flow going, also provided by Snyder Entertainment. Hip lounge areas were modeled after of some of the recent trendiest spots downtown for guests to relax, and enjoy their drink and food choices. A Tennessee inspired BBQ food station accompanied multiple bars serving craft cocktails and Yazoo brews with market street lighting hanging overhead. Made First provided a very mod all-white photobooth and backdrop with fun props. A replicated Nashville recording booth was also a part of the modern side which included some current country hits, and this was also all provided by Snyder Entertainment.
In the middle of the room a historic Nashville hot-spot replicated the world famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. This alone drew in crowds all night long, providing signature drinks, a classic bar top and chairs, cocktail tables, and additional seating. Also in the middle to add to the interactive atmosphere, Snyder Entertainment provided a retro video arcade games for guests to play and enjoy. The stage was set-up in the back of the room with a dance floor and customized lighting to enhance the vibe. Snyder Entertainment provided professional line-dancers there to get the party started and bring more energy to the crowd. To kick off the evening, guests enjoyed music from The Downtown Band, which got guests singing along to both past and present hit songs. To end the night, KC and the Sunshine Band brought the funk in true style, playing some of their biggest hits to a excited crowd. I guess you can say they had on their, their, their, their, their boogie shoes.
Again, Snyder Entertainment was, and still is, so excited that we were a part of such an incredible weekend in Nashville. We want to extend a special thanks to MadeFirst, Bright Event Productions, Liberty Party Rental, Visual Elements/Quest Drapes, and Two Vintage Monkeys for supplying all of the decor, furniture, lighting, and more. Another special thanks to our team members in Nolensville that worked the interactive entertainment booths.
““The hospitality and experience for the fans of Nashville was second to none. It really delivered a great event for the fans here, and they seemed to have great time. Well deserved .. In the end, people walked away and had a great weekend of hockey and tipped their hats to Nashville.””