banquet for US Insurance Company
Gala banquet for US Insurance Company
Challenge
To create a spectacular Gala Banquet to rival the highly rated customer events of previous years but without the budget to access name brand entertainment
Solution
“Mystery and Magic: A Celtic Journey in Story and Song”.
The previous programme in Australia culminated with a private performance by Olivia Newton John at the Sydney Opera House. Participant expectations, therefore, were understandably high for Ireland with U2, Van Morrison and The Corrs being touted! However, the budget for 2005 did not extend to such name brand talent so another solution was required.
Rob Allidine, Events Director at Ovation worked with Pádraic Gilligan, Marketing Director and the US based customer to create a customised theatrical event entitled “Mystery and Magic: A Celtic Journey in Story and Song”.
Participants entered the venue to the haunting sounds of Enya and encountered a unique, almost mythical place. The stage was set with huge mono-lithical columns, up-lit in blue-green, with Celtic spirals inscribed on them. Dry ice added to the mysterious effect and the pin-spotted tables, dressed in sumptuous linens and magnificent florals, looked like they were floating in mid air.
Once dessert was set and coffee poured the setting in the room changed. The dark stage gradually revealed a pin-spotted druidic figure who welcomed guests in Gaelic. A hair tingling soprano voice could then be heard and suddenly the darkened room was populated by stunningly beautiful young girls in flowing gowns holding lighted candles and gradually converging on the stage. There they were joined by a similar number of young men and they performed for 15 mins. Known as Anuna, this celtic chamber choir toured with the world famous “Riverdance” for 3 years. As the final, mesmerising notes of Anuna were fading, the narrator introduced the next stage in this journey through Ireland’s musical history.
The single notes of an accordion was accompanied by other instruments and soon the stage exploded in a rush of sound and colour, courtesy of Liam O Connor, virtuoso instrumentalist with “Lord of the Dance”, the hit Las Vegas dance show.
This was followed by The Celtic Tenors whose performance ran the full gamut of emotions from unbridled joy to deep emotion. By the mid point of their performancer guests were already on their feet in a heartfelt ovation.
Finally the narrator returned and, pointing to the celtic stone columns, commented on how the intricate motifs of celtic art are now reflected in the dance patterns of traditional Irish dancing. A dance showcase then commenced with an ethereal soft shoe performance by the lead female and ending in a climactic crescendo of high energy moves involving over 20 performers.
Result:
Customer described the Gala as “an evening to be forever cherished”
Participants gave three standing ovations to the entertainers
Nobody mentioned Van Morrison or U2!
The Customer Said:
The Gala Evening was “the highlight and pinnacle of the programme ... with a phenomenal combination of mysticism, high energy and deep emotion”
Paul C. Eder, Vice President, Meetings & Incentives with Protective Life Insurance Company