At Penta, we agree that an inexpensive and fun event is always a few creative ideas away. We have compiled several ways to plan a great event for friends and family that won’t break the bank.

• Potluck and BYOB: Have your guests bring a food item or beverage (alcoholic or not) large enough to share with others. Set up a buffet and allow everyone to get a taste of everything.  Your guests will also get a chance to show off their cooking skills.
• Theme Parties: A theme can be displayed in the selection of décor, food, drink and music.  Some theme ideas:
  • Around the World Party: Guests choose a country and bring items based on that specific culture. Once set up, label each with the country and name of the dish or specialty drink. You can serve a hearty Hungarian Goulash Soup beside an all American Apple Pie.
  • Dessert Decorating Party: Decorating cookies is not just for children.  Cookies are easy to make in any shape or size.  Each guest can then decorate the dessert to match their personality.
  • Wine and Cheese Party: Guests bring a bottle of their favorite wine and accompanying cheese.  It’s a perfect way to indulge in a taste test.
  • Dress Up: Plan an event where guests have to dress up.  For example, host a Mad Men themed party where guests dress in a 1960s look.
  • Color Theme: Host a party based on a color.  You can purchase    inexpensive colored light bulbs to replace throughout your home and use food coloring to color your snacks and drinks.
• Soup Night: Perfect for the cold season. Almost everyone likes soup and everyone has their favorite. Think beyond cream of tomato and chicken noodle and get creative.  Make a large pot of soup to enjoy by a fire or with a great movie with guests.
• Use A Public Location: NYC has many beautiful parks – Central Park, Bryant Park and the often forgotten Prospect Park (designed by the creator of Central Park). Each has unique features, from “Great Lawns” to BBQ grills, and the best part is that they are free. Choose a meeting point that is easily accessible, and close to the restrooms. In certain areas, picnic benches and tables are available and sometimes you can even find a roof to provide shelter from bad weather.
• Use A Donated Location: Many office buildings have conference rooms with great views.  Ask around your group of family and friends to see if they have an available workspace that can host a classy event.

Events do not have to be expensive to be memorable.  Combine great friends, good food and a little creativity and you will have a successful and unforgettable event!

1.  Reduce Stress

Planning your own event can be a stressful affair.  By hiring an event planner, you can describe your vision for an event and the event planner creates it without the stress of phone calls, emails and countless questions from vendors and guests.  Event planners are paid to be organized and focused on your event.  Where work, family, and friends are your first priority; your event is our first priority.

2.  Cost Effective

Because event planners are continually planning events, we have many strong relationships with vendors.  We provide vendors who work well with your budget, theme and needs.  Because we work with vendors that we know and trust, we can negotiate the best rate for your event.  At the same time, these vendors enjoy working with us, so their prices are dramatically lower than if a client cold-called the vendor.

3.  Creativity

It is part of an event planners job to stay on top of the latest trends in the event planning industry.  We have to brainstorm daily to create the best events for our clients.  You may have different ideas about your event in mind, but cannot find a way to create a cohesive theme.  Event planners are creative professionals who address situations like these.  Rather than get frustrated with a theme, hire an event planner to turn your ideas into a successful event.

4.  On-Site Coordination

Event planners save a lot of time and frustration during your event and days before.  After all, it is your event, you should enjoy it.  If you are planning an event in a different state or city from where you are located, the event planner is responsible for on-site event coordination with the venue.  This saves you a lot of travel time and meaningless visits to an event site.

5.  Insurance

Event planners act as insurance for your event.  Hiring an event planner is a great way to guarantee that the event will be a huge success.  We are hired to keep clients on budget, on schedule and on task.  We make sure all guests are having a great time and keep any potential event problems out of sight to you and your guests.

6.  Time Saver

Why waste your time in front of the computer searching for the best venues, centerpieces, linen rental, etc. when you could hire an event planner who has all of these connections.  Rather than over-booking your already busy schedule, event planners schedule appointments, gather directions, take notes and stay organized.  Hiring an event planner will minimize the amount of time spent on creating a spectacular event.

7.  Buffer

Planning an event can be an emotional whirlwind.  Vendors may argue, guests may be grumpy and pressure to make the event a grand success might drive you to drink.  Event planners act as a buffer to all complaints and unhappy moments.  Also, we are the willing scapegoats who accept blame for any and all instances.  Since an event planner is an unbiased party, when an agreement cannot be made, event planners step in with their professional opinion to provide a simple solution.

8.  Experience

Event planners have seen it all.  In all our years of experience, we can confidently handle anything and everything thrown our way.  We are well prepared to handle any issue that may arise.  By hiring a professional event planner, you can guarantee that your event is exactly what you envisioned.  From last minute cancellations, to over booking the guest list; event planners are prepared to solve each issue with grace and professionalism.

9.  Maintain Budget

It can be easy to go over budget when vendors know you are inexperienced with planning pricing.  An experienced event planner will maintain the budget to make sure all money is spent wisely and will create the best event possible.

10.  Contract Negotiation

Negotiating contracts can be arduous task but is very beneficial when working with a specific budget and requests.  Event planners have a lot of experience negotiating with vendors to get the best possible rate for the client.

The Changing The Face Of Diabetes Gala was an elegant Masquerade Ball that offered guests an evening of cocktails, dinner, awards and dancing in a unique, multi-sensory setting.  Fire performers and costumed dancers provided entertainment for the evening and the DJ played popular  music that had everyone on the dance floor. The night was emceed by WNBC’s David Ushery and LXTV’s Sara Gore.  From creating invitations to establishing partnerships to barters with vendors, Penta was in charge of the execution of this  event.  Penta played an important part in the gala’s design, theme development, and venue layout.  Not only did Penta oversee the plans for the event but Penta’s President and Owner Michele Verdino Ostler, serves as a member of the leadership board.

Accretive LLC contracted Penta to plan a holiday dinner at Fiamma in Soho.  Fiamma features authentic Italian cuisine in an intimate private event space.

Penta Dynamic Solutions played an integral part in planning the Swing Into The Good Life Gala, the American Diabetes Association’s annual event.  This elegant occasion was a formal five course dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria, accompanied by local swing band music and performances by professional swing dancers.  From invitations to establishing partnerships and barters with vendors, Penta was in charge of the execution of the event from start to finish.  Penta played an important part in the gala’s design, theme development, venue layout, and raising funds through ticket sales and journal ads.  Not only did Penta oversee the plans for the event but Penta’s President and Owner Michele Verdino Ostler, serves as a member of the Community Leadership Board of Greater New York.