IHG Reel Summer Event – Free Hotel Night!!

A few weeks ago, I received an email from IHG inviting me, as a Chase IHG Credit Card holder, to a special event.  The email said:

IHG® Rewards Club “Reel Summer” Screening: New York City Member Event Request

As one of our valued IHG® Rewards Club members, you and a guest are invited to join us for an exclusive rooftop screening of the Academy Award®-winning film “Gravity” hosted by Actor Josh Lucas.

Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 Doors open at: 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm Screening begins at dusk

Location: Center 548 Rooftop 548 West 22nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenue) New York City, 10011

Attire: Dressy Casual

Evening festivities will feature theater-themed hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and fun surprises. Can’t wait to see you there.

It sounded interesting, and I am not one to pass up a good event, so I RSVP’ed immediately!

Well, the event was Tuesday night and I am so happy that I went! Can I just say WOW?! The Reel Summer promotion is a multi-faceted promotion, including contests, sweepstakes and extra points for hotel stays.  I think of it as a Big Win with a Hollywood summer twist!

Even the floor had stars!

The space was a  huge loft-like room.  The color was white-wash, with pink lights for emphasis.

One area was set up with food and a bar. There were two large tables of food – one with all sorts of cheeses, salamis, tapenades and breads, and the other with an assortment of movie-house themed candies and popcorns. There were also hors d’oeuvres being served by waiters.

Another area of the room was set up for the movie screening.

There was also a photo booth set up for guests to record their own 15-second film and enter same in the IHG Reel Summer contest.  The photo booth was great, and participants were offered all sorts of props – such as funny glasses, hats and boa wraps. Won’t Run and I went for a Great Gatsby type of look. We had fun, making our own 15-second “Reel Summer Movie Moment.” I don’t think we’ll be winning any awards, but it was a hoot.

Finally,  there was a “red carpet” photo area – I had my photo taken with both Won’t Run and with Josh Lucas, the celebrity sponsor for IHG’s Reel Summer Promotion. I didn’t know who he was at first, but once I was told he was a star in the film Sweet Home Alabama, I knew immediately.  Sweet Home Alabama is one of those movies that I must have watched 25 times!

Josh and me…

From start to finish, the event was amazing.   It was also a lot of fun!  Guests were encouraged to post on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to @IHGRewardsClub using the hashtag #ReelSummer for a prize of 150,000 IHG points. If you look at my twitter page, you’ll see that I got very into this contest, and frankly, I think I should win!

I also had the opportunity to speak with many of the people from the IHG team – what a great group of dedicated, enthusiastic, friendly people.

After an hour and a half of mingling and cocktails, guests were asked to sit down for the feature presentation, an introduction to IHG the Reel Summer promotion followed by a screening of  the film Gravity. This was supposed to take place on the rooftop, but due to rain, had been moved inside.  IHG showed a short film introducing their Reel Summer promotion, and then discussed IHG’s philosophy and accomplishments. They also discussed their newest hotel brand, the first hotel brand designed for wellness and fitness – EVEN.

After the movie, which was quite intense, the festivities ended and each couple was handed on small IHG shopping bag. In it was a bottle of water, some promotional materials and a card with a code for 10,000 IHG points.

But wait! There was also a piece of parchment rolled up. What did it say? I was flabbergasted when I opened it – it was a certificate for a free night at one of the new EVEN hotels!

Wow, thank you IHG!!

I am not sure if this was IHG’s only Reel Summer event, or if they are planning more events around the country.  All I can say is, if you receive an invitation – GO!

I ‘m attaching some photos from the evening- credit for the good photos goes to Won’t Run, who may not run, but often takes better photos than I do!