The Brief

When one of our biggest clients to date asked us to organise their annual conference and awards gala dinner dance we jumped at the chance. Always looking for a challenge we knew it was never going to be easy. The client needed a venue for their conference during the day for 600 people as well as somewhere that could host up to 550. With branches all over the UK and abroad we also needed to provide accommodation and transportation for those not based in London

The Venue

Right from the outset our client made it clear that they would need two separate venues to break the day up for their guests; one for the conference during the day, and one for the party and awards ceremony in the evening. For the conference during the day we were quite limited due to the high numbers and location. However, never say never! We came up with the perfect location, Lords Cricket Ground. Centrally located and fully loaded with all the technology needed for such an operation, it was exactly what was needed and several of the delegates were cricket fans so such an historic venue was a great bonus.

For the evening awards and dinner dance several venues were viewed and rejected. We needed something totally different and with the ‘Wow’ factor guaranteed to dazzle all the guests from the secretaries right up to the company director who had flown in especially from America. The Riverbank Park Plaza overlooking the Thames is definitely one of those venues. With stunning views over the river and London skyline from its Thames room, and superb ballroom fully decked out with intelligent lighting and amazing in house catering, we knew we were on to a winner!

As the two venues are situated on either side of the Thames, Uptown Events laid on transport to and from both venues in the form of luxury coaches. We had already booked in over 500 hotel rooms on behalf of the client, so the coaches were the link between the two events for the guests.

The Party

All the work for this particular event actually started in the morning before anything had taken place with last minute hotel bookings being sorted for several guests in need of last minute accommodation! Uptown Events had booked up two hotels in London for the ‘out of towners’ attending the party. Once everyone who needed to had checked in, they were transported over to Lords in luxury coaches for the annual conference. This went without a hitch, although perhaps the after party held more allure for some people as the guests certainly departed the conference quicker than they had arrived for it! Once again the small fleet of coaches booked for our client’s use were spurred into action, dropping everyone off at their relevant hotels for a quick change before heading straight back out ot the Riverbank Park Plaza.

Upon arrival at the venue the guests were ushered upstairs into the spectacular Thames room with its floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the river and general hustle and bustle of London town. Having arranged an all inclusive drinks package for our client we had a feeling that the party would be in full swing straight away and our guests did not disappoint! Once all the guests were ready and dinner was called the guests were guided downstairs into the ballroom. Uptown Events had taken the company’s logo and made it into special lighting gobos which were on display as they entered. Dinner was served shortly after and all dietary requirements were seen to as with such large numbers there were all kinds of allergies, preferences and requests to be dealt with. As soon as dinner was served the awards were handed out to much applause and crowd participation and then the party really started!

Our Uptown Events DJ played a great selection of party tunes, keeping the dance floor packed all night. He catered for all tastes and took requests all night. The party lasted till the early hours with the final coach journey back to the hotels for those whose rooms Uptown Events had booked on their behalf. As the last guests departed still full of excitement and merriment we could see that once again we’d set the standard for next year!

< Back