Quietly nestled along Mississippi's beautiful Gulf Coast sits Island View Casino in Gulfport. Thousands of guests visit each year for gaming, dining, and entertainment, and I'd like to think that just as many come to see the two towering 20-foot Christmas trees that are transformed again and again to reflect the changing seasons.
When my father sold his business last summer, this was the one account I hoped to continue working with when it became a question. It wasn't because of the size of the project or the amount of work involved—it was because Island View has come to feel like a home away from home.
I've spent years decorating this property and have known our main point of contact, Steve, for even longer. After so many installations, seasonal changeovers, and holiday nights spent working together, walking through the casino feels more like catching up with old friends than arriving at another job site.
One of my favorite parts of every visit is hearing guests recognize us.
"Oh look, it's the decorating crew!" someone will say from a nearby slot machine.
"You guys do such a great job!" another guest will shout as we pass by.
It's become part of the experience.
And then there's the comment we can count on hearing every single time we visit:
"Can you come do my house when you're finished?"
It's usually shouted from the terrace above as guests lean over the railing watching us work before heading down the escalator. We always laugh because if we had a dollar for every time we've heard that question, we'd absolutely be retired by now.
We joke about how many people's vacation photos accidentally include us somewhere in the background. Whether we're halfway up a ladder, buried inside the branches fluffing them out, or frozen in some awkward position while half hanging on to the ladder and half hanging on to the ornaments in our hands, someone is almost certainly snapping a picture. No matter what part of the un-decorating or re-decorating process the trees are in, the Island View Casino guests are absolutely going to stop and take a photo in front of them.
With all laughs aside, that is exactly why these displays matter.
Rather than leaving Christmas trees standing year-round with the same décor, Island View chose to make them part of the guest experience every season. Throughout the year, we completely reinvent both 20-foot trees to celebrate everything from Mardi Gras and spring to patriotic holidays, summer, football season, fall, and Christmas.
Each transformation requires careful planning, custom design work, and a full installation to make the displays feel fresh while still complementing the casino's atmosphere. Although the structure of the trees never changes, each season tells a completely different story.
For us, that's what great commercial decorating is all about. It's creating moments that guests remember, backgrounds for countless family photos, and an environment that feels exciting every time someone walks through the doors.
After all these years, Island View Casino is still one of my favorite places to decorate—not because it's one of the largest projects we do, but because it's one of the few places that truly feels like family.
We can't wait to see what the Fall season brings next.