CORT Events won three awards at the 12th annual Arizona Chapter of the International Live Events Association (ILEA) Zonie Awards Gala (pictured above) for providing both inspiration and execution of incredible events for its clients. CORT Events won Best Event Logistics & Support, Best Social Event and Best Event Collaboration all for events with a budget of over $50,000. CORT Events accepted these awards at the gala held on Sept. 14, at Monterra at West World in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The winning venues were three separate spaces at the Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament:
- The Loge at 16, one of the most exclusive and unique experiences at the tournament and on the PGA tour, was awarded Best Event Logistics & Support. The goal was to create an upscale, fan-friendly experience at the heart of the tournament that also brought fans the warmth of being at home. CORT Events equipped each private suite with stylish furniture, TVs, front row seating to the most famous hole on the PGA tour,
charging stations and bottle service. Other amenities included three custom lounge bars, seating throughout the lounge, a look-out deck to view the 15th green, Michelin-star-worthy catered buffets and a first-hand look at where the NBC Golf Channel broadcasts live at the tournament.
- The Greenskeeper, an exciting party-atmosphere just off the fairway, won Best Event Collaboration. Throughout seven days, more than 15,000 rowdy guests enjoyed the colossal grass and lakeside venue that offered a luxurious modern Arizona design and fan-friendly environment at the heart of the tournament. With a custom shade structure, beautiful bars, custom graphics, eye-catching cacti, stunning floral, a back of house created with hedges and the music pumping, CORT Events created a space that swiftly drew guests into the experience. Once there was a drink in hand, patrons were able to explore the rest of the grounds, including a custom-designed arch-m clear span structure, several high-end catered buffets, a DJ platform, lakeside seating, daily liquor tastings and several satellite bars.
- The Bay Club, just off the 17th green, was awarded Best Social Event. This 48-suite, dual double-decker hospitality structure offered catered meals, top shelf liquor and flowing champagne to every guest. Inspired by the membership-only SOHO House locations in Malibu, Miami and New York, each suite in the Bay Club featured stylish lounge furniture, TVs, front-row seating to the tournament, charging stations, daily farm-to-table menus and bottle service. Other amenities included a social gathering area around the main lounge bar, a look-out deck to view the 10th green, an espresso bar, a traditional deli, daily liqueur tastings, a Bloody Mary bar and a morning brunch buffet cooked personally by the chef right in front of the guests.
The Zonies acknowledge and honor Arizona event industry professionals and their finest examples of creativity, planning, strategic management, resourcefulness and successful solutions throughout the year. The awards offer multiple categories that represent the different disciplines within the events industry.
Not only did CORT Events receive high accolades at the awards ceremony, but it also furnished the event. The black-tie gala’s theme was The Greatest Showman and CORT Events products were styled to create a carnival atmosphere with rich reds, paired with black and white furniture, and accented with metallic gold. CORT Events used its luxe drapery collection to create the drama of the stage and provided a theatrical backdrop for the black-tie affair. The after party included surprise circus performances, as well as carnival rides and games for guests to enjoy.
Kelsey Rausch, district account executive for CORT Events in Arizona and New Mexico and president of ILEA Arizona, said of the gala, “Winning a coveted Zonie Award sets CORT Events apart as an exceptional, creative and professional event service, speaking to the quality of work that CORT Events provides.” adding, “I understand the influence that ILEA has on the industry and CORT’s recognition at the Zonies is a true testament to the industry-leading service, creativity and dependability we provide to every client.”
CORT Events is the leading nationwide provider of rental furnishings for the exhibit and events industry. From high-profile special events to corporate meetings to weddings, CORT provides the rental furnishings that make exhibitions and events possible. CORT also provides rental furniture to the majority of tradeshows and conferences in the nation, including shows and events in Canada. For more info, visit www.CORTevents.com.
CORT, a part of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, is the nation’s leading provider of transition services, including furniture rental for home and office, event furnishings, destination services, apartment locating, touring and other services. With more than 100 offices, showrooms and clearance centers across the U.S., operations in the United Kingdom and partners in more than 80 countries around the world, no other furniture rental company can match CORT’s breadth of services and company-wide commitment to making a house a home, an office a great place to work and an event a memorable celebration. For more info, visit www.cort.com.
