Of Bathrooms, Botanicals, and Breathtaking Backdrops - This Week's Dispatches from the Infinite Beyond

Issue No. 5 - Greetings, event enthusiasts! Welcome to the fifth installment of "The Event Horizon," where we're tapping into all five human senses – and possibly inventing a sixth – just to keep up with our own sense of event planning innovation. Just like the human hand has five fingers, this fifth issue grabs onto the most thrilling and tactile trends in the event world, giving you a high-five in creative inspiration. So, let’s tickle your event-planning taste buds and give your eyes something worth seeing, because in this edition, we’re blending insight and madness with the precision of a master chef crafting a five-course meal for your brain! Ready, then? Grab your party hats and sensory headsets – we're about to dive headfirst into a nuclear powered spin art wheel of event sorcery that makes our previous issues look like a quiet night in.

Ready? Let's get into it!

Part 1: Pushing the Limits

Each week, this section is a tribute to daring innovators who see a void and envision a sensory symphony, creating realms where "immersed" might just mean "accidentally stepping into an alternate reality," and where engineers turn mundane into magical. From the concrete jungles outmaneuvering virtual realms to bathrooms designed with neuroscience, this week's cohort of limit pushers explores how real-world architecture and design are staging a comeback against the digital domain, proving reality is still the best show in town.

Let's See Your App Do This

In an age where where our eyeballs are glued to screens so much that we might as well have them surgically attached and the most immersive experience many of us get is a 360-degree view on Google Maps, it turns out the most powerful experiences aren't digital—they're actually those big, static things called buildings. Yes, in the era of virtual reality and augmented everything, architects are playing the ultimate trump card: reality. Who knew? While we're all busy strapping screens to our faces, architects are out there crafting buildings that actually make you feel something beyond the mild nausea of virtual reality. It's like a rebellion against our screen-addicted brains, with architects as the unlikely heroes armed with concrete, glass, and wild imagination. Imagine walking into a museum and actually feeling things—no batteries or Wi-Fi required. In this brave new world, buildings are the new headsets, but instead of pixels, you get bricks, and instead of lag, you get... well, actual spatial disorientation. So, next time you're lost in a museum, remember, it's not a bug, it's a feature—welcome to architecture's answer to the screen age. Arch Daily (4 minutes)

Where Bathrooms Meet Brain Science

The Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024 is essentially a grand carnival of design, complete with a David Lynch installation that's more confusing than a montage of his movies set to live meteorological conditions and a kitchen design section that's greener than your last cleanse smoothie. This is a world where bathrooms are designed using neuroscience, and books are picked for a library like it's a wine tasting. And just when you thought it couldn't get more Milanese, they're monitoring your heart rate at the fair to check if your pulse can keep up with the latest in eco-friendly décor. Stir World (5 minutes)

Sleepless in Kyoto

Takashi Murakami, the art world’s delightful enigma, has just pulled off what most of us wish we could at work: getting applauded for the things we haven’t finished yet. His latest show in Kyoto is a vibrant kaleidoscope of over 170 pieces, many still in the creative oven. It’s like he’s the master chef of the art world, giving us a taste test of brilliance in the making – as if to say who needs the full course when the amuse-bouche is this delicious? SCMP (5 minutes)

D'Orsay's Attendance 'Goghs' Through the Roof

In a bold move that might have van Gogh himself saying, "I didn't sign up for this," the Musée d'Orsay is breaking visitor records by letting art enthusiasts gab with a digital version of the post-impressionist painter, proving correct the alarmists who forewarned AI would one day displace art historians. In all seriousness, though, nothing says "immersive experience" quite like asking an AI why it decided to cut off its ear. The exhibit's VR headsets let you dive into van Gogh's world, which is either an art lover's dream or the start of a very avant-garde video game. And, in case you're worried about authenticity, they've color-matched his last palette, allowing you to see the hues as Vincent saw them—minus the absinthe-induced visions, of course. Smithsonian (4 minutes)

When Trees Talk

In the ever shifting landscape of immersive experiences, there's a refreshing trend shift from high-octane tech spectacles to purpose-driven adventures. It's a broad evolution, touching everything from climate advocacy to social causes, demonstrating how, sometimes, the heart beats the motherboard. Scott Cullather and the team at INVNT? provides us with a case in point: the Tree of Life, a digital-art-producing arboreal wonder, making a bigger impact with its eco-conscious messages than any VR headset could dream of.

Fashion Meets Firmware

At New York Fashion Week, Adobe and Christian Cowan unveiled the world's first dress that probably requires a software update, dazzling the runway with what can only be described as a walking, shimmering tech demo. The Primrose dress, a marvel of flexible circuit boards and color-changing "petals", could shift from silver to ivory, effectively making wardrobe malfunctions a thing of past—or a matter of a wrong button click. Cowan, inspired by childhood stargazing and sustainability, showcases this garment that's one part high fashion, one part high tech, and entirely ready to crash right in the middle of your gala if it encounters an unexpected error. Fast Company (2 minutes)

Lumens, Pixels and Pollen

In what seems like a crossover episode between "Art History 101" and "Tech Geek Weekly", Panasonic decided to give Monet's classic impressionist paintings a digital facelift, making them so lively you'd half expect the water lilies to start tweeting. FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen GmbH and Temple Live Entertainment, in a bid to prove that projectors aren't just for boring office presentations, used a whopping 37 Panasonic PT-RZ120 Series laser projectors, transformed Monet's tranquil garden into a 360-degree tech-infused wonderland, where visitors could practically splash in the digital lily pond. And in a feat of engineering prowess, these lightweight projectors were set up quicker than you can say "Impression, Sunrise," proving that even in the world of high art, a good remote control and a skylift can still steal the show.

Part 2: Looking for Inspo?

Like a brainstorming session on a case of PRIME , "Looking for Inspo?" is where imagination runs wild, showcasing visionary artists and designers whose ideas seek to outshine even the most outrageous event spectacles. These tales take you from a floral fantasia inspired by a legendary pen pal exchange, through a Broadway show where you're the hero, to a Vegas attraction that turns tourists into action stars, all painting cities as larger-than-life art canvases.

Floral Fanfiction

In a world where tech and flashy displays often steal the show, it's a breath of fresh, pollen-infused air to see the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens host an exhibition that's less about blinding lights and more about the blooming relationship between two art icons, Georgia O’Keeffe and Yayoi Kusama. It's like historical fanfiction come to life, with Kusama's fan mail to O’Keeffe sparking an unlikely mentorship that's now been transformed into an art exhibit, probably because someone realized that emails just don't have the same flair. Imagine Kusama and O’Keeffe, both renowned for their plant-inspired art, wandering these gardens – it's like bringing a historical WhatsApp group chat to life, but with more flowers and fewer emojis. Forbes (5 minutes)

Broadway's Latest Roll of the Dice

#dungeonsanddragons isn't just for basement gaming sessions anymore – its stepping off the tabletop and onto the New York stage with "The Twenty-Sided Tavern." This interactive show, born from a whimsical union between Matt Proulx and the amazing team at Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, and some theatrical sages, will transform theatergoers from passive viewers into active dungeon masters casting spells and battling goblins. Promising a different adventure every night—featuring everything from trivia to "Fantasy Beer Pong" — it's like playing D&D with that one friend who always changes the rules, except now it's on Broadway. Blooloop (2 minutes)

Wanted: Tourists for John Wick's Las Vegas Adventure

In Las Vegas, where the odds are already against you, the new John Wick tourist attraction promises to take your experience from bad to assassin-level dangerous. Where else but at Winston Fisher & Co's AREA15 can you stroll into the Continental, get mixed up in underworld dramas, and still make it back in time for the Mirage's buffet? It is being described (by me) as a blend of immersive theater and thematic mayhem where you can live out your assassin fantasies without the pesky inconvenience of actual mortal peril. I mean, who doesn't like sipping strong cocktails at a themed bar where every other patron could be a hired killer? It's like Yelp review battles, but with more bullets. The Hollywood Reporter (2 minutes)

Cities Become the Canvas

In these times when half of all travelers are apparently in search of the artsy and the Instagrammable, cities are dishing out immersive art experiences like free samples at Costco. These aren't your grandmother's art shows... they're full-blown techno-fests, with buildings doubling as canvases and projectors cranking out enough lumens to make the sun blush, all in a noble quest to spice up local economies and give traditional museums a run for their Monets. From the streets of New York to the alleyways of San Francisco, local artists are using more watts than a Tesla coil to turn cityscapes into a backdrop for the kind of visual storytelling that could make even the most jaded teenager look up from their phone. Commercial Integrator (4 minutes)

Hakkasan's Fashion-Forward Feast

In the world of Hakkasan Group, where dragons and dumplings coexist, Kunal Rawal’s collaboration turns dining into a theatrical experience. Surrounded by dragon-inspired decor, each dish is meant as a stop on a flavorful adventure, blending fashion, folklore, and food into a sensory experience. It’s a like a runway show of Lunar New Year chic dumplings. Harpers Bazaar (3 minutes)

Romance is Dead, Literally

This Valentine's Day, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group gave Houston's lovebirds the chance to ditch the cliché candlelit dinners for a chance to scream in terror together. "Love Bites: A Valentine’s Haunted House" was like a regular date, but instead of worrying about awkward silences, you were dodging undead creatures and possibly questioning your partner's choice of entertainment. This 80's themed haunt brought the decade of decadence back with a bloodsucking vengeance, but with more vampires and less big hair. It was an evening of romance and fright, where the biggest challenge was deciding what's more terrifying: commitment or bloodthirsty undead in neon lights. cw39 (2 minutes)

Part 3: Current Events

Here's where we're dishing out a buffet of some of the most buzzworthy happenings, a smorgasbord of the most talked-about, eye-popping brand activations and events that are setting the world on fire (metaphorically, of course, sometimes). From quarterback projections rivaling ancient wonders and snack-inspired weddings in Vegas to digital butterflies transforming New York storefronts into animated wonderlands, and Coca-Cola's global culinary landmarks paired with AI celebrities, these stories are a wild ride through the latest in event marketing.

Fantasy Football

At Super Bowl LVIII in Vegas, brands turned the Strip into a flashy, football-themed wonderland, where Caesar's Palace sported a quarterback projection so big it could make the actual Colosseum jealous. The Frito-Lay Chip Strip took snacking to a new, possibly existential level, with Chester Cheetah officiating marriages in Cheetos-themed chapel. This raised all sorts of important questions, like "Is this legally binding?" and "Do you promise to cherish each other in puffiness and crunchiness?" and "Can I marry my snack?" Finally, in a culinary twist, Tostitos opened a pop-up restaurant. The highlight? Tostitos Ice Cream Tacos - a dish that answers the question no one asked. Event Marketer (13 minutes)

Champagne Dreams and Digital Butterflies

Lamenting how murals weren't eye-catching enough, Jeff Cohen thought why not throw in some projection-mapped animations for good measure? And so inspried, Perrier-Jou?t, SA, in a bid to make their champagne pop, had Inwindow Outdoor and muralist BKFOXX turn their storefront at Hudson Yards New York into a digital Neverland complete with a deep blue sky, whimsical critters, dragons and depth-sensing cameras to make butterflies follow you like you're some sort of Disney princess. It's like street art met a tech conference and they had a beautiful, slightly tipsy baby, proving that the best way to grab New Yorkers' attention is to make something shiny and move.

Sip, Savor, Scene

In a creative combination of nostalgia, carbonation, and a splash of global flair, Katherine Twells and the amazing The Coca-Cola Company team along with Time Out Magazine are launching the #Foodmarks campaign. This gastronomic odyssey features "food landmarks" inspired by everything from movies to historical moments, all centered around enjoying a meal with a Coke. Their first event is a 1950s-themed shindig in NYC, complete with an AI Marilyn Monroe, because apparently, we've run out of living celebrities to endorse products. With more activations planned globally, from a rock restaurant in Rio to a techy street fair in Bangkok, it's clear they're sparing no expense to ensure you can't escape Coca-Cola, even if you travel to the ends of the Earth. Event Marketer (2 minutes)

Streaming Gets Sentimental

Spotify is wondering whether any of us remember albums? They were cool, right? To find out, they've launched "Spotify Classics," a hub where you can relive the glory days of whole albums instead of just shuffling singles. The hub features everything from Rihanna's "Anti" to Beyoncé's "Lemonade," making you question whether an algorithm really understands what a "classic" is, or if it's just trying to be hip (which devolves into a recursive hanging loop over whether hip is hip). And with a list curated by actual humans (gasp! these sapients could put AIs out of work), Spotify's making sure you know they've got taste – or at least, a really good guess at what you might like to argue about. Variety (2 minutes)

Punks Not Dead, Just Having High Tea

In London, a city where even the pigeons are proper, #DecoloniseFest turns up the volume on the punk scene, giving a whole new meaning to “The Clash.” It’s not just a festival, it’s a revolution with electric guitars, standing up to cultural imperialism like a mohawked David against a Goliath in a bowler hat. Who needs another double-decker bus tour when you can have an “authentic travel experience” like headbanging with a purpose? Get Tix

The Sole of London

In news that must have sandals quaking in their non-existent boots, BIRKENSTOCK has launched a swanky new community studio in London. It’s not just a place, it's a "creative hub," because Birkenstock doesn't actually sell shoes... it sells experiences, right? Complete with events that are as free as your toes in those airy Birks, this studio is less about the sole and more about the soul, showcasing Birkenstock’s DNA - which apparently includes a flair for streetwear and a deep love for contoured footbeds. Hypebeast (1 minute)

Part 4: Alchemy of Awesome

Think of the "Alchemy of Awesome" as a masterclass in event alchemy, where the pros reveal how to spin mundane straw into golden engagement, turning even the mundane into memory magnets that could upstage the most festive Pride Parade. Spanning from Instagram-inspired menu must-haves and AI's takeover to the enduring power of in-person interactions and futuristic tech, these articles paint a vivid picture of the ever-changing landscape of event and brand marketing.

Stuffed, Spiced, and Socially-Powered

In 2024, the culinary world is taking its cues from social media, because apparently, we can't decide what to eat unless it's trending on Instagram. The National Restaurant Association 's "What's Hot Culinary Forecast" suggests that your next event menu might just be a hit if it includes global chicken wings, grilled cheese with a gourmet twist, and hot honey breakfast sandwiches – basically, comfort food that's fancy enough to brag about online. And for the drink menu? Botanical cocktails and hard coffees, because why choose between staying awake and getting buzzed? Event Marketer (2 minutes)

AI Sharks Circling Marketing Rafts

In the glitzy, unpredictable world of event marketing, CEOs are riding the tech wave like surfer dudes with business degrees. David Sudjian of Sparks is all in on generative AI, betting it can spice up corporate events better than an open bar, hoping for bespoke experiences without the awkward tailor chats. On the flip side, Jeff Stelmach , the Zen master of Spiro , treats uncertainty like his morning coffee - a necessary evil to kickstart innovation, aiming to create brand experiences that stick like gum under a school desk, uniting people in a world more confusing than a plot twist in a soap opera. TSNN (4 minutes)

Selling Like It's 2019

In the thrilling world of event marketing, where brands battle like gladiators over consumer attention, it turns out slapping your logo on a conference booth is actually pretty effective. Who knew? 89% of professionals swear by the old-fashioned charm of face-to-face interactions, probably while nostalgically reminiscing about the pre-pandemic handshake. Meanwhile, 85% of companies claim their sales skyrocketed after live events, suggesting that nothing sells products quite like trapping potential customers in a room with enthusiastic brand ambassadors. And for the tech-savvy, 41.5% of marketing maestros are willing to drop a cool $5,000 on the latest virtual event gadgets, probably to avoid real people while reaching the same sales goals. Enterprise Apps Today (4 minutes)

From Yawn to Yay

It seems nowadays even your toaster is trying to sell you something. This article dives into the whirlwind of brand activation, which is basically a fancy term for making your brand as unforgettable as that one catchy song you can't get out of your head. It's like throwing a party for your brand where everyone's invited, but instead of cake, you get experiential marketing, digital campaigns, and guerrilla tactics that are cooler than your average flash mob. So, if you're tired of traditional marketing that's as exciting as watching paint dry, these ideas are like a double shot of espresso to your brand's visibility—just don't spill it on your keyboard. Fabrik (12 minutes)

Meeting Face-to-Interface

In the festive world of event marketing, where buzzwords like "innovation" and "disruption" are thrown around like confetti, perhaps 2024 will shape up to be the year where XR headsets might just replace wine glasses at corporate events. Apparently, the future of networking involves dodging virtual zombies instead of awkward small talk, and blockchain is the new bouncer at the door, keeping ticket scalpers at bay. And let's not forget AI (as if, at this point, we could), playing matchmaker by guiding you to the least boring booth at the trade show, because who needs human judgment when you have a robot? Forbes (5 minutes)

B2B Bonding

In the mystical realm of B2B marketing, the ancient art of community-building has found its holy grail in - wait for it - business events. (Were you thinking Facebook groups and neighborhood BBQs? Cvent says you're wrong.) Here, amidst the clinking of coffee cups and the rustling of name badges, marketers are discovering that nothing forges customer loyalty quite like a well-timed PowerPoint and a snazzy interactive booth. And more so, nothing fosters "community" like a branded goodie bag and a VR experience that leaves you questioning reality. So remember, the key to everlasting customer loyalty is not just luring them to your event with the promise of free pens but also bombarding them with bespoke event apps and post-event emails until they can't remember life before your brand, because who doesn't want to relive the magic of a corporate conference from the comfort of their own phone? Campaign Live (4 minutes)

Corporate Event Makeover

In the corporate world, where events were once as thrilling as staring at a blank wall, technology has swooped in like a superhero. Now, these gatherings are less about awkward small talk over bland canapés and more about AR games and VR walkthroughs, making team-building feel like a trip to the arcade. And let's not forget the smart venues - because nothing says "successful event" like having the room temperature adjust itself like magic, preventing your guests from melting or freezing, all while they're dazzled by interactive food stations that are more high-tech than a CERN Hadron Collider. The Inscribe Mag (3 minutes)

Part 5: Plus This

Our section, "Plus This," serves as a mirror reflecting the quirky and unpredictable journey of Non Plus Ultra, where we spill the beans on our adventures, and occasional missteps, in a world where event planning can often feel like navigating a sci-fi movie set.

Lightsabers and Lace

"The Empire Strips Back," where Star Wars meets less clothing than a Tatooine summer, has landed in Denver at NPU's Brighton venue to the probable delight of both sci-fi and burlesque fans. Imagine your favorite Star Wars characters shimmying in ways that would make even Jabba blush, complete with toe-tapping music and costumes that are, let's say, "space efficient." It's the kind of show that's been captivating audiences from Australia to Alderaan, proving that the Force is strong with this one, especially in the wardrobe department. Tickets

Survival Revival: The Initiations' Terrifying Comeback

Into The Dark -- an immersive theater company birthed from the macabre minds of Peaches Christ, David Flower Productions, and Non Plus Ultra -- is bringing back "The Initiation" for a limited run in the Bay Area at NPU's Old San Francisco Mint, immersing guests in a chilling mix of theater, 4D effects, and haunted mazes. "The Initiation" is a journey into the heart of "Insight," a cult offering a twisted path to enlightenment, where true consciousness means confronting the darkest of horrors - a spine-tingling experience not all are guaranteed to survive. Get your tickets here.

A Faerie Noir Adventure

Our Old Mint venue has been transformed into a portal to the past and the peculiar with 13th Floor's “The Lost Inn: Immersive Dark Faerie Noir.” Think of it as a delightful collision between a gritty 1930s detective story and an enchanting faerie tale. It's the only place in town where where you might bump into a detective looking for a mythical item or a faerie sipping a martini. So, grab your magnifying glass and fairy dust! The run was extended to March 2 and quickly sold out once more! Hold tight, stay close, we will be announcing new dates soon. Or you can visit here and keep hitting refresh.

Let's Talk!

And that's a wrap on this edition of "The Event Horizon," brought to you by the ever-curious minds at Non Plus Ultra. This newsletter is our way of sifting through the chaos of events, innovations, and 'aha' moments that collide like bumper cars at a carnival. But remember, this isn't just about our takes and insights – it's a collaborative journey.

We're on a relentless quest for the wild, the uncharted, and the stuff that flips the script on ordinary. Have you stumbled upon something that makes your heart race – a cutting-edge event concept, a breakthrough in experiential technology, or a tale so engaging it practically shakes hands with you? Or maybe you're just itching to dissect the latest trends in our dynamic industry. Whatever it is, we're all ears and ready for a chat.

And speaking of collaboration, how can we amplify your event's voice in our community? If you're in the throes of planning a special event and are on the lookout for a venue with as much character and spirit as your vision, consider our portfolio of venues that blend rich cultural heritage with vibrant artistic spirit, all wrapped up in a functional, grand setting. But hey, even if our spots don't quite match your groove, we're still here to lend a hand – be it recommending other venues, navigating the maze of permits, brainstorming immersive event designs, operations, or just connecting you with the right folks in the community. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are not just in the business of renting out spaces. We are in the long game of building relationships and making event magic happen.

So why stay on the sidelines? Dive in and join the conversation! Reach out to us, share your thoughts, your dreams, or your next big idea. Let's embark on this journey of discovery together. Send us a message and let’s see where our collective curiosity leads us. We can't wait to hear from you – until then, keep pushing the limits!