Most of New Times' events go wholly unnoticed by the adult population, but in the middle of the summer there isn't a whole lot going on, so this Sept 13th event draws more interest than others. It's a pretty big event, which doesn't really mean all that much. You're going to spend a lot of time waiting on line; you're not going to be getting 30 food samples. Last time we attended they ran out of wine early and by 8:30 half of the vendors were folding up shop, so don't expect to blow in at 8pm and not be completely disappointed.
Vendor Lineup
A lot of restaurants are participating this year, and I can't imagine why. Most of the attendees are probably New Times freebies: employees, friends and family, so it's not like you're reaching many real new potential customers. I mean who is going to pay $50 for sips of wine and scraps from chafing dishes?
Change of Location
One of the things that was cool about Pairings is that it was held at the Broward Performing Arts Center, a nice outdoor venue which is usually pretty delightful in Mid September. But they're under construction this year, so they're having it at the Broward Convention Center instead. The only positive is that it will be indoors, so you don't have to worry about rain. But the BCC is more like, well, a convention than any sort of nice event. Make sure you bring your ID, because the convention center shares parking with the Port, so security is substantial. Parking is $6 for up to 5 hours.
Not Worth the Money
If you're a pure value investor, there is no way this event is worth $50. It wasn't worth $40 two years ago, so why is it worth 25% more this year? If you really hustle, you might get 3 or 4 glasses of wine, but it's wine they're pushing, not something you'd order if you went out. So maybe the wine is worth $5 a glass.
They try to trick you with their advertising; telling you there's a "Brunello" pairing. Sure, if you're a VIP you might get a swig of that, but if you think they have 4 cases of Brunello to give away to the GA peons then I have some property in Eastern Idaho that might interest you also. You're mostly drinking cheap wine; the kind of wine they sell by the glass as local restaurants at the low end.
They also continue to use the same BS every year, calling this a "sophisticated event". Who are they kidding? Packed rooms with tables lining the walls, and kids playing drums as live entertainment.
There's nothing sophisticated about waiting in line and eating food from chafing dishes on paper plates. The false premise that wine is sophisticated requires more than a plastic glass and bad, off-brand wine.
As for the food, it's pretty much the same food that you get at every other event. I'm often surprised by these events; restaurants pay to participate, and then they serve cheap food that doesn't represent anything they serve at the restaurant. They might as well just slap up a banner if they're only interested in branding. If you spend the entire time waiting on line, you might get $20 worth of food. Sliders, a bit of pasta; some caribbean fritters. Are you really going to convince someone to spend $100 at 3030 Ocean with a shot glass of soup?
The big problem with this event is that you feel like a chump if you pay $50 for it. I'll guess that at least half of the people at this event will be attending for free. The entire New Times staff and their families and friends, every bartender in town. In 2010, if you knew someone who knew someone who knew Lindsey's Mom; you had tickets. When you see the collection of slugs at this place; you know that they didn't all pay $50. Or you can pay $90 as a VIP so you can be sure to get your $50 worth.
The Murky "Charity" Connection
The Riverwalk Trust has mastered the art of attaching charities to their events to get people to pay a lot more than they're worth. This event is using Jack and Jill's Children Center; certainly a worthy charity. But they just say that pairings "also benefits" Jack and Jill. How about committing to a number? Is $10 from each ticket going to charity, or 50 cents? It's obviously not a generous portion, or they'd tell you how much it is. I'd bet that Jack and Jill would get more if they put a big jar at the door and people dropped in a contribution as they walked in. Don't go because you think you're helping Jack and Jill. Write them a check for $10 and go out to eat and you'll be helping them more.
Conclusion
I wouldn't go to this event with general admission again, even for free. And I can't see spending $180 on a couple of VIP tickets, because there's zero chance that I'll get my money's worth, particularly with this vendor lineup. Coverage of the event isn't worth much; as soon as it's over nobody cares. Not that anyone cares now.