CS+TSE Spotlight: Let's Talk TrendsCS+TSE Spotlight: Let's Talk Trends

Presented by David Merrell (CEO/Creative Director, AOO Events, Inc.) & Anil Pacheco  (Creative Director, AOO Events | AOO Floral)

Location: Floridian B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

If you attend one seminar at CS + TSE, this is it! We need to know that in a post-covid world, new rules apply. Trends in design are no longer a one-size-fits-all model. Events are influenced by what is going on in our world, but because life is different for each of us, memorable celebrations can look different too. As event pros, it is our job to design experiences that are unparalleled for our clients, and successful events can be defined in so many ways.

Come hear David Merrell and Anil Pacheco speak because no matter what, we all want to stay ahead of the competition. This session will provide new tools and inspiration to do so.

Presented by Nettie Frank (Chef, Chef Nettie Frank)

Location: Grand Ballroom B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Join Chef Nettie as she teaches you social media content trends, from lighting, to camera, to styling, all from a chef's POV.

Presented by Sebastien Centner (Founder and Creative Director, Eatertainment Events & Catering)

Location: Grand Ballroom B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Join Sebastien Centner, Founder & Creative Director of Eatertainment, for a forward-looking discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the events and catering industry in 2025. Sebastien will share his insights on upcoming trends, potential obstacles, and strategic planning to navigate the future landscape. This session will provide valuable guidance for companies aiming to thrive in the evolving market. Bring your questions, there's a lot to unpack!

Presented by Ron Ben-Israel  (Owner, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes)

Location: Floridian B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

The definition of a "trend" is simply “what’s hip or popular at this point in time.” While a unique, original concept can set a designer apart and define their brand, trends can quickly become oversaturated, leading once-innovative ideas to feel commonplace.

In this session, Ron will explore popular cake trends that were once considered "hot" but have since fallen out of favor. We’ll take a look at the current and emerging styles in wedding cakes, and discuss the balance between maintaining a strong brand identity and adapting to customer preferences.

Presented by Stavros (VP of Biz Development, M Culinary Concepts)

Location: Grand Ballroom B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 p

Excitement abounds in the catering world! Join Stavros for his yearly deep dive into the latest food, beverage, presentation, and service trends. From global inspirations to regional interpretations, he will explore all the new things, cleverly reinvented classics, and WOW-factor surprises that will keep your clients and their guests excited and delighted.

Presented by Robin Selden (Managing Partner & Executive Chef, Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering) & Jeffrey Selden  (Managing Partner, Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering)

Location: Floridian B

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Join the Robin Selden and Jeff Selden for an exciting class that will showcase their annual love-themed party, and the "behind the scenes" as they share their experience and tips on creating these over-the-top trendy marketing events! This class will equip you with six innovative ways to create unique and captivating events.

Culinary Creativity: Discover how to infuse love into every bite with innovative food ideas. From aphrodisiac-inspired menus to interactive DIY dessert stations, they'll explore tantalizing options that are sure to leave your guests craving for more.

Beverage Bliss: Craft mixology takes center stage as they teach you the art of crafting love-themed cocktails and mocktails that not only taste divine but also look stunning. They'll delve into unique presentation ideas to make your drinks the center of attention.

Styled Staff: Elevate your event with staff members who are not only skilled but also styled to perfection, matching your theme flawlessly. They'll provide insights on how to create a cohesive and visually appealing look for your event staff, ensuring they become part of the decor.

Designing Love: Dive into the world of romantic event design. Explore creative tablescapes, lighting, and decor concepts that set the perfect mood for your love-themed party. From whimsical to glamorous, they have design ideas that will make your event shine.

Entertainment Extravaganza: Keep your guests entertained with fresh and exciting ideas. From live music and dance performances to experiential performances, they'll share entertainment options that will keep the love flowing throughout the night.

Instagram-Worthy Moments: In the age of social media, they'll show you how to curate those picture-perfect moments that will not only be memorable but also shareable. From custom photo booths to interactive installations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your themed events and celebrate love year-round. Join them for this Lovefest as you don’t want to miss this one!

Presented by Kevin Dennis (Owner, Fantasy Sound Event Services)

Location: Grand Ballroom C

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

No matter where you hang your hat in the event industry, we professionals know that lighting and decor for an event can either be the talk of the town, or be the reason that people leave early. Guests want to be surprised and entertained, and oftentimes, your reputation and portfolio will speak for itself when it comes to attracting potential clients (or scoring a referral). So, how can you create a welcoming environment with on-trend decor and ambient lighting to set the mood? Join Kevin Dennis as he walks us through the latest trends and how to strategically integrate them into your offerings to delight clients and guests alike.

Presented by Michelle Howard (Founder & CReative Director, Flora Couture) & Matthew Crowe  (Sr Designer and Sales Manager, Hilton Norfolk The Main)

Location: Palm A

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Ready to revolutionize your floral and event designs? Join two industry experts for an engaging session that blends creativity, strategy, and insider tips. Designed for florists, event designers, caterers, and conference service professionals, this session dives into flowers, the latest trends and timeless strategies to elevate your events.

Trends from floral to buffets – how to enhance your look. Discover how to transform "simple" into show-stopping, create impactful designs for buffets, and bridge the gap between floral and catering teams for seamless collaboration. Watch as we bring concepts to life with a live demo—taking an ordinary buffet design and turning it into an extraordinary display before your eyes.

This fun and interactive session is packed with years of experience, live demonstrations, and actionable insights. Whether you're creating understated elegance or over-the-top extravagance, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and the confidence to design events that WOW!

Presented by Liza Roeser (CEO, FiftyFlowers) & Darin Bahl  (Owner/Creative Director, Tailored Twig)

Location: Grand Ballroom A

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Join Liza Roeser, founder and CEO of FiftyFlowers.com, for an inspiring session on the floral trends predicted to dominate in 2025. Attendees will gain insight into the most desired color palettes, cutting-edge design innovations, and smart sourcing strategies for wholesale flowers. This presentation will equip florists, event planners, caterers, and floral enthusiasts with the knowledge and tools needed to stay ahead in the industry, ensuring every arrangement they create is captivating and memorable.

Presented by Deborah Elias (President, Elias Events)

Location: Grand Ballroom A

Date: Tuesday, February 25

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Incorporating technology and current trends into your events can take them from ordinary to extraordinary. Discover how to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression by utilizing innovative approaches and the latest event industry trends. From interactive experiences to cutting-edge tech solutions, learn how to infuse the WOW factor into your events and make them truly unforgettable. This engaging session showcases various products, emerging trends, valuable apps, and creative ideas. It strongly emphasizes the latest and most exciting developments in the tech world, offering fresh and inspiring concepts that can elevate your events to new heights. Take advantage of the opportunity to stay at the forefront of event technology and innovation.

Presented by Joann Roth Oseary  (President, Someone's in the Kitchen)

Location: Floridian B

Date: Wednesday, February 26

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Trends and more trends! We all want to know what's new, what's interactive, and what keeps them coming back for more? What is the new "it" food? How do we keep the plant based peeps happy? Where are the new "diet" trends and how about "I can't believe it's kosher!" Come to this session and learn about it all. You have my promise that you will take home something of value that you can put to use as soon as you get home. We all need to increase our profit centers and know how to answer, "what's new?"

Presented by Kate Calderon (Vice President, National Director of Creative, Hello Destination Management) & Cameron Rust, CSEP  (National Director, Brand Activation, Hello! Destination Management)

Location: Grand Ballroom G

Date: Thursday, February 27

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

To us, the term "Wow!" has been tossed around flagrantly for far too long, and we're ready to reclaim our exclamation. We believe "Wow!" is more than a buzzword, it's how we speak your language. In a session focused on those "wow!" moments, we look at both big ideas and tiny details so that live events have the power to turn points of connection into moments of Wow! Whether it's a point in time worth celebrating or a future goal to point your team toward, it's that glorious moment when they connect the dots and they feel all the love you've put in for them to finally get the point.

Presented by Suzanne Morrell (Founder and Sustainability Consultant, Creating Environments)

Location: 303B

Date: Thursday, February 27

Time: 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm

Is event sustainability trendy and overexposed? We know about recycling, composting, and counting carbon; we just want to make wonderful events.
In our race to be spectacular, events became more sophisticated and excessive, adding negative impacts.
"Everything old is new again." We've all heard it said.
In this session, we'll step back in time to explore how the past can inspire and guide organizing gatherings that leave a positive impact on our environment and contribute toward a more sustainable future.
Sustainable event trends are often described as revolutionary, innovative, and pioneering. With a closer look, we discover some "new" trends aren't new after all.
Nostalgia is also fashionable. In a fast-paced 24/7, on-demand world, embracing the wisdom of past traditions to create a more sustainable future is an emerging approach. Sometimes a less-complicated throwback concept can invigorate otherwise tired, unimaginative habits.
Examining historical practices provides insights into maximizing resources, thereby creating more sustainable events today and, in the future. What's more, you can save while simultaneously providing practical and refreshing alternatives.
We'll look back to predict event sustainability trends to be future ready.
Whatever road you head down, remember important lessons from the past to get there. "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads."

Registration is still open to join us for Catersource + The Special Event!

Coming to Ft. Lauderdale, FL February 24-27, 2025, we promise a showstopping event with knowledgeable speakers, education sessions, networking with the catering and event planning industry peers, and cutting-edge suppliers—all in the Broward County Convention Center.

We are so excited to see you again in Ft. Lauderdale!

REGISTER NOW