Walking the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival is exhilarating. But it takes more than copious stylists and a great pair of Jimmy Choo shoes to survive TIFF's whirl of galas, parties, photo ops and press conferences.
"Surviving festival week isn't easy. By day three most celebrities are tired, eating poorly and feeling short on steam," says Natasha Koifman, president of the Canadian public relations and marketing firm NKPR Inc.
To combat that burn-out, the IT Lounge gifting suite at The Windsor Arms Hotel is dishing up a celebrity swag bag fill with energizing survival essentials.
From Fila's "F-Word Collection" of organic tees to Teva's eco-friendly walking shoes, Ripzone and Powder Room's snowboard jackets and tuques, Olay's new Definity Night Anti-Spot Treatment, guilt-free packs of soothing Maxwell House Maxiccino drinks and on-site tips from Dr. Penny Kendall-Reid (author of the "No Crave Diet") to avoid TIFF weight gain, stars get the right kind of festival fuel in these grab bags.
"Even if it's just for an hour, stars can put on our cozy Fila track suits, sip a cappuccino and wind down between appearances," says Koifman.
The IT Lounge also introduces the Grand & Toy Media Centre: a survival room dedicated exclusively to festival media. Featuring eco-friendly pens, note pads, energy-wise computers and enough Fiji Water and candy to revive any tired journalist, Koifman says, "We've built a modern oasis to keep TIFF's media going."
Partnering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto, the IT Lounge will also give A-listers the chance to donate their swag bags to the charity. They'll also ask visiting celebs to sign a Wall of Heroes and share their stories about their personal heroes. "Last year's TIFF stars helped raise the awareness about this great Toronto organization," says Koifman. "We hope to do even better in 2008."
What: The IT Lounge
Where: The Windsor Arms Hotel
When: September 4-10, 2008
