OVERVIEW
A holiday trip around the world in a single evening? It seems impossible, but Bright Ideas’ imagination, experience, and creativity made it happen with Christmas Around The World. We transported guests to Cuba, Italy, Russia, and even the North Pole, for an event that was much more than a typical holiday party; delivering on the client’s request for something unique and in keeping with their business. Christmas Around The World was an ideal combination of seasonal celebration, travel-themed food and entertainment, and participatory activities – the perfect reflection of the ‘You’re Good to Go’ motto of our client.
DESCRIPTION
Four rooms. Four countries. A taste of nations on the rooftop of the Hyatt. Cuisine for every palate… and a palette of creative entertainment. At Christmas Around the World guests stamped their passports to share holiday spirit and a global journey.
From the Santa’s village in the North Pole to sunny Cuba. From Russia’s winter palace to a classic Italian Garden. Christmas Around the World delivered a unique, customized theme that was a perfect match for the client’s business and branding. Through cuisine, music, activities, and décor, guests traveled around the world, celebrated the holiday season, and had a chance to flex their creative muscles.
Anticipation
The fun began long before the event, as guests received a tantalizing E-Ticket, promising an evening of global travel and entertainment. That promise was realized as soon as guests exited the elevator to the 34th rooftop floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Vancouver.
Departure
Greeted by the ‘The Captain’ and his flight attendants, guests were welcomed on a journey to visit four different destinations – Cuba, Russia, Italy, and Santa’s village at theNorth Pole. With boarding pass in hand guests began their trip.
CUBA
For many guests, the first stop was Cuba, where a beautiful senorita offered a buffet of tropical dishes in a unique fashion, as the table doubled as part of her costume and theme decor. Candy cigars or real Cuban stogie? Both were an option at this stop on the global tour, as was the shoeshine stand – a familiar sight to anyone who has visited this island nation.
The yellow stucco walls, fresh flowers, vintage car buffet and wrought iron street furniture only added to the illusion of an evening spent on the colourful streets of Havana.
RUSSIA
Mother Russia was the next stop on our holiday trip around the world, offering a frosty counterpoint to the tropical Cuban setting. Bright Ideas transformed one section of the venue into a setting worthy of Dr. Zhivago. Cocktails took an icy ride down a unique martini luge, while Russian seafood delicacies such as smoked sturgeon made it one of the most popular catering stations. At the photo booth, guests could bundle up in vintage furs like aristocrats of yesteryear and take home a photo for posterity.
Décor included creative use of blue and white table linens, beautiful ice sculptures for vases and candleholders, and white birch trees. Colourful Russian stacking dolls and performances by traditional singers and dancers enhanced the feel of a winter’s evening in St. Petersburg.
ITALY
Art and music were fitting themes for our Italian room, complete with a wall to wall Tuscan valley backdrop. The smooth and sophisticated music of Lou Marocco provided a soundtrack to creativity, as guests unleashed their inner Michelangelo. Picking up paintbrushes to add to the ‘community canvas’ painting, each painter contributed the image they felt best embodied their experiences of the evening. The results – a large mural that far exceeded the client’s expectations. In fact, they were so pleased with the outcome that the painting will find a new home in the head office!
Of course, food is life in Italy, so naturally guests delighted in the tasty offerings of our Italian buffet and the sommelier giving expert advice on food and wine pairings. The showstopper was a statue come to life, delighting guests with tasty morsels and a fully-functioning water fountain. Wow factor!
NORTH POLE
Some far-off lands are places of imagination. This event took guests to the distant North Pole, into the cozy living room of Mr. & Mrs. Claus, complete with fireplace and stockings hung with care. The elves were on hand for last-minute gift requests and every one had a chance to sit on Santa’s knee for the customary photo opp. From the old-time Christmas carolers to the gingerbread decorating, this room truly captured the spirit of the season, right down to the old saying, “it’s better to give than receive.”
Two spirit of giving trees, offered an opportunity to make a donation to Dixon Transition Society a local organization that serves women and children survivors of domestic violence by providing a safe haven through their Transition House, a heart-warming gesture many were eager to make.
MAGICAL JOURNEY
But the activities and entertainment didn’t stop there. A digital caricaturist offered guests the opportunity to star in their very own cartoon drawing. The hip-swaying sounds of Caribbean music had guests showing off their best salsa dance moves. Gift baskets were raffled off to everyone who had entered their boarding pass ticket stubs for prize baskets. No matter which room you were in, there was something captivating to do or see, something delicious to eat or drink.
Christmas Around the World was truly a global celebration… and a great way to stage a staff appreciation event that stepped outside the constraints of a typical ‘Christmas’ party. Bright Ideas delivered on the client’s biggest request – creating a world of holiday cheer for a most memorable evening journey!
Documentation:
Photos: https://brightideasevents.com/project/christmas-around-the-world/
Case Study: https://brightideasevents.com/news/case-studies/event-adaptation/
