A night to remember

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property 2017 Gala Dinner

Fast facts

Event: International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) 2017 Gala Dinner
Date: October 2017
Venue: Luna Park, Sydney
Attendees: 1,000+ guests

Big Top tent dinner design

Challenges

AIPPI organisers wanted to mark the end of their four-day congress with an unforgettable gala event that would give guests a reason to let their hair down. It involved the creation of the entire event which would require out-of-the-box creativity and precision planning; from developing the creative concept, to all theming and décor, venue and supplier liaison, project management and event logistics on the night. A particular challenge was with most guests due to attend an event at Big Top in Luna Park just one week prior to the event; it was important this Gala event stood out and blew attendees away.

Solutions

To create an unforgettable night required thorough planning, boundless creativity and consideration of all elements. Here were just some of the ways this was achieved:

• Attendee journey: Instead of using just the one venue, why not use the entire theme park? A progressive event was designed using multiple venues and a variety of experiences. Guests were transported across Sydney Harbour by private boat transfers, before a red carpet arrival with roving entertainers, flash mob dance performances, fireworks, awe-inspiring seated dinner and more.
• Supplier Management: The production of this significant event required the input of more than 15 external companies; from venue Luna Park to AV requirements with Micro Hire, an array of entertainment agencies such as Foti Fireworks, transport company Captain Cook Cruises and more. All suppliers collaborated to create the evening.
• Event Branding: A “Night at the Fair” theme was built into the entire event, from the themed diner to the custom-designed tickets styled as a traditional circus ticket.

Outcomes

The evening was so successful organisers and attendees immediately labelled one of the Congress’s best ever gala dinners. All suppliers collaborated to create the evening, which ran seamlessly from the first boat transfer to the last dance at 1am – at which point most attendees were still on the dancefloor!

quote The closing dinner… will go down as one of the greatest closing dinners, given the transport to Luna Park, the rides being open, the flash mob and the fireworks. In addition, the impression you received on entering the big top was awesome. Overall, the closing dinner couldn’t have been better.”

Andrew Massie – Partner, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, Organising Committee