Monday Mashups: Gear to #Goals - The Latest Event Decor Trend

Last week, the National and American Leagues battled each other in the M.L.B. All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington. In the spirit of the star-studded event, here's a look at some recent sporting events including the U.S. Open, the World Cup, and last week’s All-Star Game, as well as others, which turned sports gear like tennis balls, baseball bats, and hoops into event decor #goals!

Baseball Bats and Billets

M.L.B. Assembly was an inaugural multi-day pop-up event that showcased designers, artists, musicians, and athletes in an exhibit curated by the league and advertising agency DMA United. The event took place from July 13 to 16 at District Pier at the Wharf in Washington during M.L.B. All-Star Week. Field by Snarkitecture, an interactive architectural installation made of baseball bats and wooden billets, was on display outside the venue.

Golf Tees

During the 118th U.S. Open Championship, which took place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, in June, U.S.G.A. partner American Express built its first-ever American Express Card Member Club on site. Located at the 10th hole green, the club offered card members and fans lounge seating, along with food and beverage items for purchase. The space was an extension of the brand’s marketing campaign called “Powerful Backing: Don’t Do Business / Don’t Live Life Without It;” some of the clubhouse's wall decor featured the messaging with the words “live life” spelled out in golf tees.

Golf Balls

Inside the club, guests were able to grab essentials like binoculars and radios, play Golden Tee arcade games, and sign golf balls, which were included in an ever-evolving wall display.

Soccer Balls

During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which took place in June and July, Visa, the official payment services provider of FIFA, set up two lounges for clients and guests, one of which featured a wall with rows of soccer balls.

Taking Nets to New Heights

Throughout that same weekend, American Express hosted a free, open-to-the-public pop-up on South Hope Street, a few blocks from L.A. Live. The multi-sensory activation, dubbed the American Express Experience, featured several interactive rooms and installations. The main room included 18 crystal chandeliers crafted from basketball hoops. Design studio the Other Half used more than 9,000 crystals for the installation.

Create a Racquet

In November 2014, RJ Whyte Event Production produced the grand re-opening celebration, titled “Tennis Shoes, Ties, and After 5,” for the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. The event was held in the 48,000-square-foot tennis center in Washington. Decor by Design Foundry included flying arches of tennis balls from hanging tennis racquets that bounced off of centerpieces of artfully stacked books. Large tennis balls were also stacked on glass vases to complement the high ceilings in the facility.

Take some gear to #goals at your next event and devour the details of this latest trend!