Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/753330
152 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM Want to throw an out-of-the-box bash? Try themed rooms, says PartySlate founder Julie Novack, which make for "more of an experience—and that's what people really appreciate." PHOTOGRAPHY BY YANNI DESIGN STUDIO (TOP LEFT); SHERI WHITKO PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT); JAI GIRARD PHOTOGRAPHY (BOTTOM RIGHT); ROSE YUEN (NOVACK) With PartySlate, Julie Novack (LEFT) is providing Pinterest-level inspiration for Chicagoans looking to plan everything from intimate soirées to blowout bashes. PARTY CENTRAL CHICAGO-BASED EVENT SPECIALIST PARTYSLATE AIMS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY SHINDIG THE BLOWOUT BASH OF THE YEAR. BY KIERA KOSCIOLEK Julie Novack describes herself as a "digital marketing geek," but her event-planning biz PartySlate—a curated site of thousands of images with links to event professionals plus vendor search options—indicates other- wise. "I was on a couple of boards here in Chicago… and I saw there was a gap in the market for people planning larger-scale parties," Novack says. Here, she tells Michigan Avenue what it takes to throw your best holiday party yet. Get on your feet: "I'm against the sit-down dinner for holiday parties," Novack says. "Food stations can be really creative and also more social." It's the little things: The party doesn't stop at a great playlist and delicious nibbles, Novack says. "Think through the timing of the night and the details such as guests' experience when they come in (and) are first greeted." Think outside the office: "Anything you can do to incorpo- rate your employees into an event is important," says Novack, referencing a holiday party where employees put together a band and performed live. partyslate.com . SPACE SPOTLIGHT