Removing one element from the elaborate design equation of our events can subtly or strikingly upset the entire balance. The same is true of our team–each of the various roles involved in bringing visions to realities is equally instrumental to the final success. Our events need each of us, and we all need each other.
While every division of our team exists behind the scenes, some of the roles are far more conspicuous than others: of course you can’t design an event without a designer or construct a wooden bar without a carpenter. But there are also the contributions that are less conspicuous and equally crucial. Today we explore the well-oiled machine that is our Purchasing Division. Without it, not a single one of our capabilities would be possible.
Shopping around: a sampling of goods procured daily by Purchasing.
BUY ALL MEANS
Amanda Filsinger, HMR’s Logistics and Purchasing Manager
At the inception and epicenter of every event, the Purchasing team, led by Amanda Filsinger, may be the only team that interacts with nearly every other person in the building during any given week. This is due to the fact that they procure every single event-related item.
Even if you’ve seen our events, the full extent of this statement still might not be clear.
So just what is on their shopping lists?
1) All flowers, plants and floral supplies.
This is a feat in and of itself: one event can call for floral from over half a dozen different vendors, and if the product is not up to HMR par, Amanda must quickly find alternate blooms or sellers.
Floral is ordered from all over the world and arrives daily in our studio.A sea of floral awaits production in the floral studio.A plethora of varieties make up a focal wall at the Four Seasons. Kent Drake PhotographyFloral design for one wedding alone can require floral from multiple vendors. Kent Drake Photography.
2) All fabric, rugs, carpet and furniture.
Make yourself at home: exclusive furniture & decor pieces from our inventory. Coordination: Birch Design Studio / Kent Drake PhotographyOur unique furniture inventory includes custom pieces such as these lamps fashioned from zippers. Fandl Photography.
3) All non custom props and supplies for custom props.
(things such as vases, birds nests, confetti, spiderwebs, silks, picture frames, disco balls, beads, lanterns and foam bananas–to name a few!)
Having a ball: an army of disco balls clustered onto the ceiling of the Four Seasons for an afterparty.Citrus infusion: paper lanterns galore for a refreshing summer wedding (below). Photos by Kent Drake Photography.Complementary: wonderfully vibrant props and accents for a one of a kind celebration. Coordination by Paulette Wolf Events / Kent Drake Photography.
4) All paint, foam core, large-format printing materials, vinyl, art supplies and raw materials for the woodshop.
Strands of crystal were used to create a stunning ceiling focal, pictured below, to hang above the dancefloor, made of vinyl.Floor-to-ceiling-fabulous at Four Seasons Chicago. Kent Drake Photography.Paper, foam and custom tools aided the Art Team in the creation of these fashion-inspired centerpieces. Fandl Photography
CHECKING & BALANCING ACT
Amanda and her team spend their time doing more than just spending money. They must keep stringent track of our impressive inventory–an eclectic, ever-growing collection of original decor pieces, furniture, and lighting options, as well as custom made props (each crafted out of material procured by Purchasing, of course!). It’s these exacting measures that afford our sales and design team the ability to choose the whats, how manys and whens.
Amanda spent nearly 6 months sourcing and procuring product for this radiant, orchid drenched affair. Kent Drake Photography.
There is also a good bit of research involved for Amanda and company: taking designers’ visions and sourcing items through phone calls, internet searches and catalogue perusal, all while applying a keen eye for seasonality and quality, and all of this within the allotted budget. The trust that the design team puts into Purchasing comes from their comprehensive knowledge of the big picture, and their consistent ability to accommodate all of these factors.
One of Amanda’s favorite purchasing endeavors resulted in this highly custom, holiday-chic celebration. Coordination by Parties Etc. / Kent Drake Photography.Down to the last delightful detail: Amanda adores the unique touches of this winter wonder. Coordination by Parties Etc. / Kent Drake Photography.
Amanda notes that anyone doing her job must be both incredibly organized and exceedingly fastidious. Combing through each event’s extensive paperwork involves assessing the details with a considerable knowledge of our inventory–and the calm patience to accommodate the multiple revisions to every event due to table count changes, shifts in design, and additions or deletions.
The shopping list for this artistic gala included lucite and apples for centerpieces and foam core and cotton for custom table and cloud creation. Kent Drake Photography
In the end, we all share the same goal: extraordinary events and ecstatic clients. And it’s the impressive talents of each person behind each element that allow us to take such pride in what we create together.
Many thanks to Amanda for her contributions, to her and her team for being so awesome at what they do, and to all of our vendor partners.
