Archive for September, 2016

Tips for Attending the UDMA Shows

September 30th, 2016

This weekend is the kickoff of the United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) shows. These shows are ideal for dance studio owners and dance teachers to look at the latest trends, choose costumes, and plan their upcoming recitals. We’re super excited for the shows to commence in Worcester, MA. This year there will be four shows – Massachusetts, Georgia, New Jersey, and Illinois. Check out our tips for attending these fun dance shows!

udma 2016 show dates

Grab your friends & colleagues

These shows are best when you come with your fellow dance teachers and studio owners. Expect costumes galore, dance accessories a plenty, and everyone passionate about the dance industry. You’ll not only be having a lot of fun, but learning about exciting costume trends, new dance recital themes, and meeting interesting dance vendors.

Plan Ahead!

The UDMA shows are only held once a year, so there’s an emphasis on preparation. Talk with your studio owner and dance teachers about your plan for the upcoming year. A few things to consider:

  • Are you planning a Winter Recital? A Spring Recital?
  • Are you going to have a theme for your recital(s)?
  • Do you have a color scheme you’d like to keep in mind when looking for costumes?

With so many vendors and options, it’s good to come in with a clear mindset of what you’re looking for and what you need inspiration for. We definitely think it would be best to bring:

  • Stickers with your information or business cards. This is by far the easiest way to give your information to companies and to enter to win any raffles. (pssst. at our booth, we’ll be offering awesome discounts and a FREE backdrop rental – so you have to stop by!).
  • Rolling suitcase or shopping cart. This is a move used by the experienced attendee and is definitely recommended. You will pick up so much information from vendors that something that rolls should be the only option you are thinking of bringing. Your back will thank us.
  • Notepad. You’ll need somewhere to take notes – either a physical notepad if you like to write things down (like us) or use your phone. Either way, it will come in handy after the show to look back on.
  • Snacks & Water. These shows are a marathon. You will look through costumes and walk around the show floor, which can be exhausting. Bring snacks, water and cash if you want to buy a snack at the show. It’s the easiest way to keep yourself fueled for the rest of the show without having to leave.

Fantasy Castle backdrop - udma show

Stop by our Booth & Say Hi to our Team!

We are excited be offering AMAZING discounts at our booth, giving away FREE selfie sticks (who doesn’t love a selfie?), & you can enter to win a FREE backdrop rental!

Mystic Forest Wagon Backdrop - udma 2015

Enjoy the Show & Have Fun!

At the end of the day, these shows are meant to be a lot of fun. You’ll learn a lot, get to chat to other dance teachers and vendors, discuss new and upcoming trends, and create / finalize your plan for the upcoming year. We are so excited for it all to begin. Will you be there? Comment below and let us know which show you’ll be attending! We can’t wait to see you there.

Dance Splash backdrop - udma 2016

Posted in Backdrops In Action, dance, Tradeshows, Welcome | No Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,

Backdrops as Photo Booth Décor

September 27th, 2016

Who doesn’t love to have fun? That’s why we’re always excited to be the background to exciting and entertaining event ideas. The San Diego Museum of Art hosts their popular sundown series Culture & Cocktails. This series invites their members and attendees to sip on exotic cocktails, dance to the DJ’s beats, and check out the amazing artwork. Last week, the event was all about their Venetian Views Exhibit. This incredible event took the attendees to the one of a kind city of Venice, showcasing the artists that have been inspired by the city.

Gondola Bridge Backdrop - Photo booth

Venice is the city that has been known as the city with many names. The City of Water, the City of Canals, the Floating City, the City of Bridges, the City of Masks. The list could go on. The breathtaking canals, the romantic bridges, and the water flowing through the city makes it feel majestic. This atmosphere was part of the Cocktails & Culture event last week. All of our Venetian inspired backdrops can transform your event into a magical Italian affair. We featured our Gondola Bridge backdrop, which highlighted a gondola, a bridge, and those majestic canals. A 10′ x 10′  backdrop is the ideal size for a photo booth featuring a handful of people. This awesome photo booth was courtesy of CEG Interactive. The result of their photo booth were some seriously amazing pictures and GIFs.

Gondola Bridge 2 Backdrop - Photo booth

As much as we  love our large backdrops because they’re perfect for plays, dance recitals, large auditoriums, and covering that pesky wall in that banquet hall. We also have an affinity for our smaller backdrops. Those that fit perfectly in a home, as a background to a dessert table, under a small tent, or even the scenery for a photo booth. We love how our backdrop enhanced these incredible images and really brought their theme to life.

Gondola Bridge Backdrop - Photo booth

 

Posted in Backdrops In Action, Events, Welcome | No Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,

Tips for Planning a Bar / Bat Mitzvah

September 23rd, 2016

Want to plan an incredible Bar or Bat Mitzvah? We’ve rounded up advice on how to make your event memorable, unique and fun for all of the kids. Over the weekend, we were inspired at our BESA Boogie event. So many amazing vendors and awesome companies came together to put on a fabulous mock Bar Mitzvah.

1. Select a Location / Venue

Think about the how many people you’re expecting, the style you’re going for, and the convenience of the location to the synagogue. These are all important factors to assess when choosing the perfect place to host your event.

Bar or Bat Mitzvah - Lights Camera Action Backdrop

2. Choose A Theme or Style of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah

This is one of the most important elements. When thinking about planning such a simcha, we believe it’s important to think about the theme or style of the event. Does the Bar or Bat Mitzvah have any special interests, hobbies, or movie/ TV show that they love? You want the theme and style to align with the specific interests of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah to showcase their love for whatever it may be. This Bar Mitzvah below showcased his love for skateboarding and his passion for the arts by using our Graffiti Skateboard backdrop. We have thousands of backdrops in so many different scenes and themes that are perfect to bring your theme to life!

Bar or Bat Mitzvah - Skateboard Graffiti Backdrop

3. Book your Vendors

Research is key to book your vendors. Find the right photographers and videographers to capture your special moment. Decide if you need a Florist or Event Planner depending on the size of your event. Decorate your venue with beautiful backdrops that will transform your space into an extravagant themed event! A live band or a DJ is perfect if you’re looking to entertain a dancing crowd. Looking to go above and beyond? Look into caricaturists,magicians, live artists, or a speciality food vendor! The options are truly endless.

Bar or Bat Mitzvah - Alice in Wonderland

 

3. Rent (or buy) your décor

Decide on the décor elements you want to use for your event. Will you use them again? If the answer is no, we definitely recommend to rent your decor items. Trying to convey a theme for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Renting a hand-painted backdrop is an effortless way to transform your space into whatever you desire.

Bat Mitzvah - Candyland Backdrop

5. Invite your Loved Ones!

Make sure that all of your loved ones are there. Your friends, family, congregational members, and colleagues. Send Save the Dates and Formal Invitations to ensure you’ll have an accurate headcount for your event. This is a wonderful, joyous occasion that should be celebrated by your community.

Posted in Backdrops In Action, Events, Tradeshows, Welcome | No Comments »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

New Backdrops | September 2016

September 14th, 2016

What do you get when you have creative designers, amazing artists, and passionate clients that all collaborate together? Incredibly unique and beautiful new backdrops. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites today to show you what we’ve been up to. Check these new backdrops out below and let us know what you think!

New Backdrops - Ice Castle 5 Twilight

Our Ice Castle Twilight backdrop features a beautiful harmonious blend of pastel colors. The gorgeous pink and orange sunset sets the scene for the ice castle. The stunning stars and wispy clouds add a unique romanticism to the sky. The snow-capped mountains provides the perfect background for the majestic ice castle. What an incredible fantastical piece of art and one of our most favored new backdrops.
New Backdrops - Candyland 11

Our Candyland backdrop is the newest addition to our ever-growing Candyland and Nutcracker inventory. We have so many exciting scenes that are perfect to enhance your next Nutcracker performance. My personal favorites are the Land of Sweets backdrops. There’s something so fun and delicious about them! We’re so excited about this new addition. It features a candy-adorned castle, candy coated mountains, and fudge and lollipops galore! If this doesn’t make you have a sweet tooth, nothing will.

New Backdrops - Mansion View 17 Drapes

Our Mansion View Drapes backdrop demonstrates the warmth and feeling of home while peering out on the snow filled village outside. The beautiful winter trees are covered with snow and the lights inside the homes are vibrant. The red and gold drapes enhance the elegant look of the mansion interior. Who wouldn’t want to be inside this gorgeous home?

These new backdrops are setting the stage for the Winter season! We’re so excited to see them enhance your next event, performance, or recital! We love working closely with all of our clients and loyal customers as we know that you are the trendsetters. Always developing the most unique ideas and predicting the next best trend! Check back to see what new backdrops our designers and artists have created next month!

Posted in dance, Events, New Backdrops, Welcome | No Comments »

Tags: , , , , , , ,