HuffPost Live's Ahmed Shihab-Eldin checked in with Arianna and event planner Bryan Rafanelli to discuss The Huffington Post’s Oasis center at the Republican National Convention Monday.
The Oasis, Arianna tells Ahmed, is a place of refuge where “delegates, elected officials and members of the media can take a little time to unplug and recharge.” The purpose of The Oasis is not simply to pamper (though there’s plenty of that); the yoga classes, massages, healthy foods and facials are provided to recharge convention attendees, so they can “go back into the craziness of the convention renewed and much more effective.”
Rafanelli and his team transformed this space -- previously a night club -- into a tranquil and relaxing haven. “We really brought warmth, beauty and a sense of refueling and recharging into the space,” he says.
Rafanelli is no rookie in planning political events; he’s worked with the Clintons (to plan Chelsea’s wedding, no less) and the Obamas (most recently, he put together the Kids’ State Dinner for the First Lady). Now added to his lengthy list of accomplishments is HuffPost’s Oasis.
Check out the video above for more from Arianna, Bryan and Achmed.
Related
Before You Go
