Archive for category: Celebrations & Occasions

Spotlight: MindBody at Piedmont Park

With its signature mix of natural aesthetics, historic beauty, and modern interiors, Piedmont Park’s Greystone was the perfect setting for MindBody and their 2019 Regional Sales Kick Off. The wellness-focused tech company learned about Piedmont Park’s Conservancy venues from their marketing team and were quick to secure their winter date.

This was a big meeting for MindBody. The event would both recap the East Coast Sales team on 2018 accomplishments, as well as showcase goals and upcoming changes for 2019. Tina Palmer, West Coast Sales Administrative Assistant, lead the planning and coordination. She needed a venue that could go the extra mile to help her host a successful event from out of state.

“Chelsea Dahl was my favorite! Planning events from across the country is extremely difficult, but Chelsea made it seemingly easy. Since I had never seen or used the venue before, she was my eyes and ears. Throughout the entire event planning process, she was helpful and accommodating and was able to adapt our many changes before and during our event!”

- Tina Palmer

The event went off without a hitch! Golf cart shuttles began early in the morning, bringing visitors on a short ride through the Park to the venue. Upon arrival, guests enjoyed breakfast fare by Carlyle’s Catering and sipped coffee while admiring the views of Lake Clara Meer from Greystone’s waterfront terrace.

“The views were GORGEOUS, and the building was unique and historical! The Piedmont Park Conservancy staff was extremely helpful and easy to work with,” says Palmer. “My team LOVED Piedmont Park! They were very impressed with the views and history behind the venue.”

MindBody normally hosts sales-related events such as kickoffs, company training sessions, team building activities, and happy hours. When asked if they would return to Piedmont Park for an event, Palmer replied “Yes, I would love to come back! The Piedmont Park Conservancy was very easy to work with and made destination planning very easy.”

To begin planning your event at Piedmont Park, contact Chelsea Dahl at cdahl@piedmontpark.org or call (404) 537-2831. Also, visit our the corporate event webpage at https://piedmontpark.org/corporate/

All the Reasons You Can’t Miss Splish Splash Doggie Bash

Mark your calendars because on October 6 and 7, the Piedmont Park Conservancy is letting the dogs out, literally! Come celebrate the annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash with your pup and get your fill of selfies, fun, and puppy love. Hundreds of dogs leave this event every year with a smile on their face and a wagging tail, don’t let your dog miss out!

  1. Think about the photo ops! Your Instagram followers will be eating up that slow-mo video of your pup jumping in the pool, or the adorable moment when they make a friend, definitely not an opportunity you want to miss.
  2. The bar. Have a cold drink and mingle with fellow dog lovers while your dog explores and takes in all the excitement.
  3. THE GIVEAWAYS!! The Piedmont Park Conservancy has lots of friends in the dog community, and many of them will be giving away free swag.
  4. The proceeds help fund Piedmont Park Dog Parks. Want your dog to have a blast at the dog pool party of the year, and help maintain their favorite park? Bring them to Splish Splash!
  5. Last but definitely not least, the joy you’ll bring your pups by bringing them to Splish Splash. The Piedmont Park Conservancy pulls out all the stops for this event, and help bring your dog’s dream day to life!

Tickets are on sale now at piedmontpark.org/splishsplash. Get your tickets for the session that works best for you, but get them quick before they sell out!

Author: Olivia Gage

Party for Piedmont Park was a Benefit Bash

A silent auction that was far from quiet.

At the end of the night, it’s safe to assume guests had fun when you can still hear them singing “Purple Rain” as they make their way home. While Party for Piedmont Park is one of the most important events benefitting the Piedmont Park Conservancy, it is also a joyful celebration of the life of Piedmont Park. Great food, drinks, music, and auction items all contributed to a wonderful evening of support.

On Thursday, September 6, over 400 guests arrived at Greystone, a gorgeous venue hall with original granite walls overlooking the pool and Lake Clara Meer. A look into the crowd showed the beautiful diversity of Piedmont Park’s community. The Park exists for all Atlantans to enjoy, so it was no surprise to see people from many ages and walks of life showing up to support their favorite park.

The auction items were as diverse as the crowd. With artwork, furniture, sports paraphernalia, experience packages and more, there was something for everyone to get excited about bidding on. There aren’t many silent auctions where you can leave with a signed Matt Ryan jersey in one hand and gardening supplies in the other! Winning guests had a lot to boast over as they collected their items at the end of the night.

On top of the auction, guests enjoyed a plethora of lavish small bites from local establishments, including beverages and sushi by Park Tavern. The food stations lined the outside of the wing with the auction displays, so guests could pop over and try a new food before viewing the next bidding option.

Thank you to all who made the night so memorable, whether you were chilling by the pool, checking out the electric vehicle demonstration, getting silly at the photobooth, or dancing the night away!

For all you dog lovers out there, check out Splish Splash Doggie Bash on October 6 and 7! Piedmont Park’s pool will open up for your pup to swim and play. Register online before it fills up!

Author: William Lange


Ryan and Sammi: A Dockside Proposal

Ryan and Sammi met as law students at the University of Florida. Friends at first, they grew closer when they both ended up moving to Orlando to begin their careers. Soon after, Ryan realized Sammi was the “one!”

With an engagement now on the horizon, Ryan set out to look for the perfect place to ask Sammi to marry him. He decided Atlanta would be an excellent option, a unique choice considering neither of them live in the city.

He scoured the net for the perfect place to propose, eventually deciding on Piedmont Park. Nestled in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, the Park offered a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ryan wanted someplace that offered an air of seclusion, but wasn’t too much of a departure from typical outings in Atlanta’s midtown area.

Where in Piedmont Park did the proposal take place?

Ryan decided to propose to Sammi at Dockside, a lakeside location surrounded by a gorgeous array of trees.

“Aside from its undeniable beauty, the Dockside gave us an opportunity to have a fairly private moment in an outdoor setting,” he said.

The area was closed off and decorated with romantic standing flower bouquets and lit candles.

Sammi couldn’t believe how well Ryan had done at choosing a place that allowed them to feel like they were in their own little world.

“I’m still a little in shock at what a great job Ryan did at planning the proposal and what a gorgeous location he picked.  It was fairly private in that when we walked down the steps and onto the dock, the trees surrounding the water hid all the other people in the park.  It really felt like our own private moment.  And then when I said yes and Ryan stood back up, everyone who could see us through the trees clapped and yelled congratulations.  It was adorable!”

How did the Piedmont Park Conservancy help?

Jane Rollo, Director of Facility Rentals at the Piedmont Park Conservancy, was instrumental in helping to realize Ryan’s dream proposal. She directed him to Courtney Surber Paz, an Atlanta-area event planner, who assisted in coordinating the details.

“She helped me visualize the proposal setting, select and utilize the right florist to create a romantic proposal setting (and have the flowers moved back to our hotel room after the proposal itself), procure a driver, a violinist, and, of course, a photographer,” Ryan said.

Sammi was positively thrilled with the way the day turned out.

“Honestly, everything about it was amazing.  I was so surprised and overwhelmed in the best way possible, and the beauty of the park definitely contributed to that. It was the perfect proposal location.”

Final Verdict?

“We’re going to make a point of coming back to Atlanta, probably annually at least, to celebrate our special moment there. I cannot speak highly enough of my experience with the Park. From start to finish, the Conservancy staff helped Sammi and I have a wonderful experience in a wonderful setting. I trusted them with one of the most important moments of my life, and I was right to do so.”

If you are interested in renting out Dockside or another venue for your special day, or if you would like to tour wedding venues please visit: piedmontpark.org/weddings

 

Guest Post by Aliya Seymour

Lauren and Martin’s Piedmont Park Wedding

After meeting in college, Atlanta couple Lauren and Martin Avery got engaged and set out on a journey to find the perfect Atlanta wedding venue!

Without a recommendation from a catering company, the young couple would have never known that Piedmont Park is home to a variety of unique wedding venues. “The park is beautiful and presents so many opportunities for great pictures. I loved the flexibility of the venue,” said Lauren after seeing what Piedmont Park had to offer.

The Park was a memorable place for the couple, and they decided to hold their ceremony at Greystone. Lauren explained why Greystone was the perfect venue for her, “Greystone has so much character, you don’t have to go all out with decorations because its stone walls and high ceilings are so unique.”

Couples looking for a beautiful wedding venue, surrounded by nature, in the middle of busy Atlanta: Piedmont Park is the perfect spot. “If you want a memorable venue, you should look into getting married at the Park…you’re not just getting the venue; you’re getting the Park and its beauty,” says Lauren.

Consider Piedmont Park for your wedding and check out some of the Piedmont Park Conservancy’s venues – https://piedmontpark.org/weddings

Lauren and Martin’s Love Story:

It was a beautiful day in downtown Atlanta on the campus of Georgia State University. Lauren found herself on a street she never took at that time of day, as she walked back from missing her teacher during her office hours. On her way to the library, she saw a handsome young man she had never seen before named Martin, who was on his way to class. Catching each other’s eye, Martin and Lauren passed one another, walking in different directions. However, Martin came back and introduced himself. And three years later, Martin surprised Lauren, with the help of his family and her parents; he proposed on Thanksgiving in November of 2015.

Working with the Piedmont Park Conservancy Staff and Vendors:

It was very easy to work with the Piedmont Park Conservancy staff and the vendors. They were easy to reach by email and phone. Jane is very competent, accommodating and fun to work with.  It’s obvious the staff and vendors want you to have a memorable experience.

Favorite Part of Wedding:

The ceremony was my favorite part of the wedding. It was the prettiest day, perfect for an outside wedding. I was able to see all of our friends and family gathered to see us exchange our vows and marry each other.

Experience the Doggie Dash & 5K

Celebrating its 5th year anniversary, dogs and humans alike are getting excited for Piedmont Park’s famous Doggie Dash & 5K. Tails are wagging and tongues are out as dogs all over Atlanta eagerly prepare for the big event!

This year, the Piedmont Park Conservancy expects to see pups of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels, as they are adding a shorter one-mile dash to the event.

Imagine.

Dogs tugging on their leashes and owners warming up beside them.

The horn blows and the race for top dog begins!

As the feet and paws of the runners flash by, people watch anxiously from the outside to find out who will come in first!

People with their four-legged friends will enjoy park and lakeside views before the dog (or human) drags their partner past the finish line.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Dogs can be seen everywhere picking up treats and toys from the participating businesses and vendors, making new friends, or laying out on the grass.

Finally, the top dog is announced! The top dog gets their name displayed on the Top Dog bone at the Piedmont Park Dog Parks. Winners will also be announced for those without dogs.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Sign up for the Doggie Dash & 5K with your furry friend! The event benefits the Piedmont Park Dog Parks and is hosted by the Piedmont Park Conservancy. The race is open for humans with or without dogs.

Make sure to register by March 8th for the early registration discount:  Doggie Dash Website

Guest Post by Alexandra Anton

Top Things You Need to Know about Splish Splash Doggie Bash

On the first week of October, Atlanta’s pups are going to be wet and wild! The Piedmont Park Conservancy will be hosting Splish Splash Doggie Bash on October 7 and 8, a sell-out dog pool party that makes for great headlines and pictures. Come join the fun with hundreds of other pooches and people this fall. Here are the top things you can be excited about for this year’s bash.

  1. This is the ONLY weekend that dogs get to “take a dip” in Piedmont Park’s pool!
  2. We have supporters and sponsors giving away a ton of FREE dog-related swag, treats and toys.
  3. People can enjoy adult beverages at a cash bar while their four-legged friends practice their dog paddle. (Exception: We cannot sell alcohol on Sundays prior to 12:30pm.)
  4. Meet Ponce – Piedmont Park’s Dog of the Year- and her owners at some of our sessions.
  5. Don’t have a dog but want to join the fun? This is the first year that we have audience viewing tickets that do not require a canine.

Wondering if your dog is suitable for the event?

  • Swimming or not, dogs can have a great time at this event. Dogs that are comfortable with jumping in will have plenty of opportunities. Also, less comfortable dogs can use the zero entry area, or sit poolside bathing in the sun.
  • Lastly, don’t think that the size of your dog will determine his or her boldness to play along! We have seen Olympic-courage from small dogs and giant dogs that prefer the shallow end.

Tickets go on sale to the public on September 1. Are you a member of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, or want to join? Members get early registration from August 28 through August 31.

Link for more information and registration: https://piedmontpark.org/splishsplash/