Dubbed the Queen of Summer 2017 by The Daily Beast, Rihanna seems to be particularly popular right now, and a lot of that can be attributed to her ability to make classic events, movies and songs cool again.
Meeting planners should take note from these three recent examples of how RiRi reinvented classic pop culture hits as inspiration for future events.
Wearing Show-Stopping Fashion at the Met Gala
Rihanna’s summer started off right at the Met Gala. A traditional New York affair, Rihanna turned heads on the red carpet, following the evening’s avant-garde dress code with a show-stopping sculptural outfit made by Comme des Garcons. Planners, too, can transform a traditional event by going back to the basics with an innovative theme. The importance of fashion and color should also not be overlooked.
Creating New Twists for Old Characters in “Bates Motel”
Rihanna reprised the role of Marion Crane, the infamous stabbing victim from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” in the final season of the “Bates Motel” television series. Instead of playing the cliché damsel in distress, Rihanna’s character escapes the hotel with money she stole to start a new life. Meetings, similarly, tell a story, and it’s important for meeting planners to remember that they don’t always have to have the same ending. Just because an annual event always ends with an awards dinner doesn’t mean it has to be that way the year you plan it.
Refreshing Santana’s “Maria Maria” Hit Song
Even Rihanna’s musical endeavors this summer brought back Santana’s famous “Maria Maria” song as background to her summer hit “Wild Thoughts” produced by DJ Khaled. Planners, too, shouldn’t be afraid to refresh or repurpose content from past events. If a specific speaker or menu worked in the past, find ways to make them new again without taking away from what made them great in the first place.
