It’s a lifestyle baby. East Cobb and other affluent neighborhoods outside the perimeter are home to a sizable number of Ferrari owners. In fact, the only official Ferrari Dealership (Ferrari of Atlanta) is in neighboring Roswell and has enjoyed success in the area for more than 30 years. As a result, it was no surprise that Ferrari brought their newest car to town for a dramatic unveiling.
The past, present and future converged at Historic Naylor Hall for the epic event to introduce Ferrari’s NEW 296 GTS convertible. Ferrari Marketing Director Jacqueline Johnson assembled her own high-performance team to realize her vision for the two-day event headed by Atlanta’s award-winning Events of a Lifetime Productions. “We chose Naylor Hall because it’s a beautiful space, close to the dealership, dripping with history and true Southern charm, both of which we admire and wanted to incorporate,” explains Johnson. Indeed, it was quite the sight to see two cherry-red 296 GTB Ferraris parked where the horses would have been tied up back in the 1840s when the elegant house was originally built. Test rides in the GTBs were available by appointment to guests who traveled from as far away as Nashville to attend the event.
Thanks to the creative design of Gillian Marto and Debra Hull of ELP, the historic home became a beautiful backdrop for Ferrari’s signature, sleek style - successfully blending the past and present for the evening event that culminated in the unveiling of the 296 GTS. Guests were welcomed at a branded champagne wall. The graceful ballroom boasted contemporary black and red leather seating areas. Guests enjoyed delicious bites, cocktails and Angel’s Envy tasting at a lighted, branded bar. The vibe was enhanced by a custom cigar roller and the smooth musical stylings of a DJ with live saxophone.
At 8 p.m. guests were ushered thru glass doors into a tent beautifully draped entirely in black silk. The spot-lighted focal point was the 296 GTS resting on a sparkling LED floor under the opulence of a Ferrari-emblazoned red silk cover. The cover became the train of a stunning model’s red gown. After remarks by Ferrari of Atlanta GM Craig Forbes and dealership owner, Webb Collums, a drum roll echoed thru the room and the model walked forward unveiling the sleek car to the flashes of a multitude of cell phone cameras!
At the end of the evening, in a historic setting that has triumphed over time, dealership owner Webb Collums spoke of Ferrari’s history. “Our heritage was born over three decades ago. Much has changed since then, but the three main values we continue to uphold remain the same: Passion, Quality, and Integrity in everything that we do.”
