Award-Winning Event: With Love From Paris
Objective: Create an event that provides an immersive guest experience
Result: Award-winning event, inspired by Paris – The City of Love ✨
Photos: Click here
What does it take to create an award winning event?
For this case study, we have focused on our Award-Winning Event: With Love From Paris. However, your event can follow any theme; it does not have to be French-inspired.
What we will cover:
- The event planning process of an award-winning event
- Key management decisions
- What differentiates it from other events
It all started from a spark.
“Crafting a standout event concept doesn’t always come easily, and it’s all too tempting to follow the latest trends. And we get it; every idea has potential, and every event can be enjoyable and well-executed. But the real question is: will it be unforgettable enough to win an award?”
Step one on planning an Award-Winning Event!
“It all begins with a brainstorming session. For With Love From Paris—in case the theme isn’t immediately apparent—we set out to capture the true essence of French culture. We drew inspiration from iconic symbols that are unmistakably French or instantly recognizable: landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, charming café-lined boulevards, classic dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and lamb au pistou, and of course, no Parisian-inspired event would be complete without a thoughtfully curated selection of fine wines.”
“When developing your award-winning event theme, start with a clean slate. Choose a single word and use the sun diagram method to ignite inspiration, much like those free-spirited brainstorming sessions from childhood. Let your ideas flow freely and jot down every word, image, or association that comes to mind, no matter how unexpected.
Remember: the first hour is often the hardest. But once the creative spark hits, everything starts to fall into place.
And a gentle reminder from us—don’t rely on old sparks to fuel new ideas. That matchbox still holds plenty of fresh matches, just waiting to be struck.”
Step ✌
Once you’ve settled on a theme, the next step is to ask yourself: how can I make it truly unforgettable? What’s missing? Picture a little parrot on your shoulder, constantly chirping, “What else? What else?”—until you hit that eureka moment, or at least an inspired “aha!” For us, that meant blending the magic of Christmas, the charm of falling snow, and one unexpected twist: our very own casino night. Now that’s what we call a starry night on the streets of Paris!
👉 Étape Trois
Make it happen. It all begins with the blueprint for something immersive and travel-inspired.
You can start by setting clear expectations. While we’d all love to dream without limits, defining budget parameters is essential. Beyond simply allocating funds, it’s important to remember the ultimate goal: creating joy. This means designing an experience that reconnects people, especially those who felt isolated during the pandemic. It reignites the camaraderie that keeps teams thriving, just like they did in the pre-COVID days.
And that is not an easy task.
Even in the post-pandemic era, many remained cautious about close contact, so why not embrace that reality with intention? Opt for a spacious venue that offers both atmosphere and assurance. Imagine 20,000 square feet of a historic train station—rich in character, yet expansive enough to ensure comfort. It’s the perfect backdrop for guests to feel safe, welcomed, and fully immersed in an unforgettable experience.
That brings us to the importance of selecting the right venue. For With Love From Paris, having such an expansive space gave us the creative freedom to incorporate a wide range of elements and décor, fully bringing the vision to life, perhaps even contributing to our award nomination. But that wasn’t the only reason.
The point is, the venue plays a critical role in shaping the award-winning event experience. Whether working with an existing space or starting with a blank canvas, the location should align with your vision and enhance the story you want to tell.
For the record: many venues with built-in décor might help you save on costs, but they can also limit your creative freedom. It’s all about striking the right balance between budget and imagination.
Quatrième Étage 🪜
Timing is everything. Planning should begin six to twelve months before a successful, stress-free, award-winning event. In a perfect world, you could make a few calls and deliver everything the next day—but reality tells a different story.
Many elements require advanced booking and well-thought-out contingency plans. Vendors and suppliers often need ample lead time to source materials, prepare custom elements, and coordinate logistics. And that’s before even factoring in staff recruitment, training, and team coordination. In many ways, it’s like jumping through hoops behind the scenes—so the final experience feels effortless.
And of course, we can’t overlook the power of the in-person experience. For With Love From Paris, we took it to the next level by bringing in live, on-site actors to add that extra va-va-voom. Think immersive theatre meets elegant soirée. Have you seen Marie Antoinette?
Now imagine her mingling with your guests—oui, c’est magnifique! ✨
🏁 Final Touches for an Award-Winning Event
Once the ideas, venue, budget, and entertainment are secured—not to mention the logistics, permits, licenses, safety protocols, and risk assessments—you’re nearly at the finish line. While these may seem like minor details, they’re the very elements that elevate an event from simply good to truly unforgettable, award-winning.
✨ The Winning Formula of an Award-Winning Event
Inspiration + décor + timing + entertainment + great food = award-winning event
A journey that Louis III of France would have enjoyed – definitely.
Conclusion
From Vision to Victory
This case study is a testament to what’s possible when strategy fuels creativity. With Love From Paris wasn’t just a themed event—it was a meticulously crafted experience that demonstrated how thoughtful planning, clear purpose, and bold passion can set a new benchmark in the industry.
