If anyone can find a positive in this COVID-19 challenge, a creative event producer can!
Create rooms within rooms for smaller groups - Note: entrances, exits, bathrooms and catering may also need to be separated….
With the event industry currently on pause, we are all wondering what the future might bring. Reflecting on times past, we could be offered a glimmer of hope that the thrill of the live event will eventually return with a vengeance. The end of the Spanish Flu pandemic led directly into the roaring 20’s with all its hedonistic social cohesion and fun.
Here are our ideas for future gala events with a buzz…
1) little vs. BIG (focus on scale)
With restrictions on numbers the reality for a while, this concept is both practical and surprising. Normally event venue sourcing requires a space to be of a scale appropriate to the number of guests attending. There are various mathematical equations to assist with the calculation of the required meterage whether it’s a corporate dinner, a gala awards night, a cocktail party or a conference.
But why not consider hiring a large venue for a small group? This offers a lot of scope for creative event ideas…
1) Move the guests around the event venue through a variety of zones to give them a series of changing experiences.
2) Create the drama of contrast with a cosy, intimate event space setup within a large external void.
3) Use lounge style seating spaced according to social distancing requirements for a presentation or show and deliver meals on airline style trolleys.
An intimate 75th birthday dinner for 120 guests hosted in the Royal Hall of Industries which has been known to seat up to 2500 pax.
2) Comfy Cosy vs. Best Bling (alternate name - Lazy vs. Luxe)
During COVID, it’s been all about lounge wear… a step up from pj’s but not quite ‘smart casual’. For some this has been like heaven, for others it’s been a stark reminder of the lack of occasion whilst their fine threads hang at the rear of the wardrobe.
Celebrating the individual, this gala event theme invites guests to either dress down, yes tracksuit and T or up… cocktail dress and black tie.
Invitations or menus could be printed on cardboard takeaway boxes filled with a mix of Lindt balls and Cadbury Favourites chocolates.
Table centres might be a crystal style vase of roses sitting on a plinth of cardboard pizza boxes. Custom table cloth overlays could be made from panels of sequinned fabric contrasted with cotton flannel check.
A relaxed lounge area could feature plasmas screening high fashion catwalk footage or a feature of the night could be a catwalk show with models in hybrid outfits… think tiered ball gown combined with ugg boots. The ‘Bed Band’ would feature on the night… a covers band kitted out in pyjamas!
A CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) angle could be worked into this event with each guest invited to bring one ‘work wear’ outfit to be donated to a charity such as Dress For Success to support those seeking employment. With many employees working partially from home on an ongoing basis, their need for a wardrobe full of corporate attire is likely to be reduced.
A theme for dressing up is always an energy booster and talking point at events.
3) ‘Come fly with me’ or ‘Out of this world’
Yes, tongue in cheek because no real flying is involved!
An invitation could be designed like an airline safety card to incorporate event details along with illustrations highlighting Covod-19 safety requirements for the event. Check in at the event could be done through freestanding touch screens and online registration.
Large scale wrapped projections of the sky (sunrise, drifting clouds, night time stars) around the event venue would transition through the duration of the evening. Alternatively the imagery could take the guests to space with projections and suspended planets.
Venue styling could include a themed bar incorporating an airplane fuselage, glowing world globes might feature as table centrepieces and menus could be printed onto custom folded paper origami planes or rockets… an opportunity for some fun play later in the evening.
Wait staff dressed as flight attendants in smart uniforms branded with the client’s logo would serve drinks and food from trolleys.
Entertainment might include a welcome party of white, haloed singing angels greeting guests on arrival (and assisting with registrations/directions), the MC or CEO might make a daring entry via a flying fox, a Frank Sinatra inspired ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ stage show could entertain guests through dinner before a dynamic covers band with international hit capabilities has the oversized dancefloor pumping… essential to a gala event!
Interactive entertainment could include a green screen photo set enabling guests to become a ‘flying’ superhero or guests could take a virtual ‘flight’ in a VR booth.
Taking guests to another world or universe… no real flights involved!
4) The Call of the Outback
This inventive theme idea, ‘The Call of the Outback’, is a road trip like no other.
As guests arrive, a soundtrack of Australian native birds would be played and stilted performers in elaborate bird costumes would create a perfect photo opportunity. Large desert scene murals would hang in the venue and long guest tables would feature a runner made of regional maps and signposted ‘towns’ to indicate seating sections.
Stage talent, Trevor Ashley, dressed in an elaborate ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ drag costume could take on the MC roll with elements of fun contrasted with glamour. The opening act, an outback choir, could be projected onto screens in a moving tribute to community spirit.
Australia’s most celebrated and renowned indigenous chef, Mark Olive from Black Olive Catering would present a cooking demo in his charismatic style during the gala dinner. Trevor, the event MC would interact in the stage kitchen in a comic but also informative Q&A style.
Indigenous performers from NAISDA dance college could perform a series of pieces starting from traditional pieces with live indigenous musicians to more contemporary urban fusion, potentially incorporating key hits from the Priscilla Queen of the Desert sound track.
Multi award winning performer, Casey Donovan could call attention to her amazing singing talent with a punchy spot show to complete the event.
Performers in elaborate costumes would greet guests on arrival.
5) Who’s behind the ‘ZOOM’
Many people are all ‘zoomed’ out after back to back online meetings but what if meeting someone online had an element of surprise?
This would be ideal for a gala awards night, ‘Who’s behind the Zoom’ would feature a series of surprise guest appearances from celebrities/performers from various locations around the world.
A live MC on stage, perhaps one of the ‘The Voice’ or ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ hosts would throw to a celebrity presenter on screen who would announce the winner of a specific award. The winner would be congratulated live by the celebrity and presented with a gift (personally signed CD/book etc) as a prize (these would need to be prearranged and sent to the event location). If the celebrity was a performer, it would be an added feature if they were to perform a song on screen before the award reveal.
The stage set could feature a series of screens in a grid format reminiscent of the online meeting. A fun opener for the evening could be an edit of a selection of Zoom bloopers.
The buzz of the awards being presented by celebrities would be memorable for all attending. A red carpet area featuring life size cut outs of the featured celebrities could also be a fun interactive photo opportunity area for all guests.
Incorporate a celebrity for a live online spot show and presentation of awards.
‘Covidity = creativity’
So, as we transition out of the COVID-19 phase, why not acknowledge it and use it as a positive force to come up with some creative event ideas. Who would have thought a global pandemic would be the instigator of a series of unique new event solutions?
By Alexandra Cowie, Senior Event Producer, Workshop Events
Workshop Events can assist with your creative event solutions - www.workshopevents.com.au