The Captain has turned off the seatbelt sign. Feel free to move about the elevated event venue.
Warehouses, galleries, studios and garages have always been popular event venues for the creatively inspired. Transforming raw spaces into chic fetes, colorful circuses and urban bashes stretches the imagination and is usually preferable over hotel ballrooms or thematically adorned halls. But if the opportunity exists, or the opportunity can be pursued, choose an aeronautical site to generate the sensation of flight.
Exposed brick, floating walls, steal beams — buzz words that excite the buyer while shopping for real estate… as well as event venues. These characteristics are found in many art galleries and studios and, yes, they have provided the canvas for many stunning occasions. Airports present different prospects. Event Architects has designed events in stark white airplane hangars and has even tackled logistics for a fundraiser built on a runway at one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare International Airport.
In
September 2008, Event Architects helped coordinate the intense logistics surrounding the After School Matters Gala held in a three-part tent atop Runway 9 Left/27 Right. The chosen event venue was built to commemorate the O’Hare Modernization Program, one of Mayor Richard Daley’s cherished projects. After School Matters is an after school teen program led by Mayor Daley’s wife, Maggie Daley. After 1,000 plus event staffers filled out a one-page security document and passed security checks, the work could begin within a short timeframe — because it had to. A fundraiser for 2,300 guests can seem a challenge already, but the EA team had to graciously check-in every guest through a security check point, load individuals onto trolleys and then transport them through the gates via the airplane taxiways at O’Hare Airport and finally to the event tent on the new runway.
This all-white hangar with steel beams and poured concrete floors was the perfect blank canvas for the After School Matters gala.
Guests arrived at the event tents, transported from the security check-in via trolleys.
As night fell, the fundraising gala kept the O'Hare runway vibrant.
Like most “raw” spaces, a hangar is usually an enormous open room, sometimes with support beams lining the ceiling and walls. Seek out all-white hangars with poured concrete floors that reflect the planes housed inside. These all-white venues are extremely fun to conceptually convert into the perfect party. Leaving an airplane or two or twelve along the perimeter of the hangar or outside the hangar for guest interaction establishes authenticity in the space.
Tips for airport events:
- It’s nice to have airport connections (in this case):
Airplane hangars and runways aren’t accessible to most civilians. If you’re hoping to operate at a private airport, you must receive granted permission from the owner of the hangar. If you’re looking at a public airspace, let’s just say you’ll obviously need more political connections.
- Security:
No joke. Security measures are just as strict and serious as if you were about to board a plane for Figi. Make sure staff and guests are prepared with proper forms of ID. It is common knowledge that traveling via private jet can be much more comfortable and less of a hassle; the same goes for private airports.
- Black Tie Portable Toilets:
Restroom access for guests and staff will be limited. Set Black Tie Portable Toilets outside the hangar or tent.
- Invest in a dance floor:
No one wants to dance the night away on a hard concrete floor. You won’t last long.
- Take it to the limit:
Have fun with the “Come Fly with Me” ambience — mail boarding passes instead of invitations; create an event inspired by vintage travel; dress the band in flight suits.
- Pass on the gas:
A hangar may smell of jet fuel. Leave ample time for the fumes to vent from space well before the event starts.
Airport hangar before, and after: