Leadership Conference, Finance, Birmingham 2011
W&O was briefed by a finance client to organise their Leadership Conference for 250 UK senior staff, following an internal integration process.
The Challenge
Finding a functional central England venue which can hold 250 delegates cabaret style with a set and back projection can be challenging in itself.
Nonetheless, less of a logistical nature and more of a corporate culture nature, the challenge was to break the mould of classic conferences, achieve participation, engagement and fusion of the previously two separate company arms which reflected different structures, cultures and operating procedures. This was the event where ‘them’ and ‘us’ had to become ‘one team’. And to house this event, our comprehensive venue search led us to Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Our Solution
Since many of the delegates did not know each other, networking was an essential feature in the event structure. W&O applied creative flair and, instead of a conventional gala dinner, produced a “Street Party” themed dinner where delegates were encouraged to leave their seats, interact and explore different areas of the event – a great ice-breaker idea.
Once the business meeting concluded, all delegates were treated to champagne and busker music in the background. The surprise came when the busker led the group across the hotel to the Street Party area where when the doors opened, a new world was revealed. One with bunting, zebra crossings and street signage to the different areas such as: roulette tables with play money, more buskers, caricaturists, magicians and Covent Garden still statues, rodeo and Nintendo Wii stations. There was even a mini football village with a referee to mitigate those heated winning spirits!
Basket food and various drinks were served while comedians and street dance acts provided the entertainment.
The Communication
W&O provided full event management services from the initial venue sourcing to the delegate registration using W&O’s state of the art on-line delegate registration tool and the final reconciliation of accounts. Furthermore, our team contributed with event tagline recommendations, logo and slide design – all which contributed to the idea of strength in unity and unity of purpose.
The Highlight
The surprise of the Street Party was certainly a great highlight for all delegates, a creative idea so successful that we will be using again in the future.
