As though the logistics around a 700-person family-focused corporate retreat located 1.5 hours away from home, packed with nearly 50 customized activities in a 43-hour timespan, sprawling across 1,300 acres of golf courses and wilderness, weren’t daunting enough, toss in an abbreviated 8-week lead-time for planning, a complete rebranding of the event, a reimagining of the guest experience, no vendors contracted yet (beyond the resort), a depletion of local vendor resources (COVID-19 times), and just when we thought we had it all perfectly lined up – a surprise severe thunderstorm barreling towards us compromising the most complex and exciting part of the weekend… With unpredicted strong winds and heavy rains rapidly headed our way, we quickly called a meeting with our client to assure we would still reach the event goals while ensuring a successful but safe signature event — an outdoor street festival with class stage acts built from the ground up. We were able to open our curated indoor Game Room early and push all the soft furniture under the tent outside while forceful weather came through. Before we invited guests down the to airport runway for the festival concert, our team was all hands in putting this event back together and removing any damaged equipment. With an incredible team of staff and vendors, we were able to say the journey was frantic, yet epic!
As for the weekend overview, we kicked things off with a relaxing Welcome Reception on the grassy hillside completed with an acoustic duo, fire pits, lawn games, a delicious dinner menu, and bar with a signature cocktail and mocktail. Guests spent the next morning enjoying their activities of choice before they went over to the private Street Festival inspired concert on a Private Airport Runway. Closing down the airport runway and bringing in 10 Food Trucks, a carnival area with inflatables and games, an SL250 stage with rotating bands, building an oversized tent with lounge seating, cooling stations, custom lighting, and great food gave something for everyone. To top off the weekend, guests were able to head over to the game room for a custom arcade and Live Band Karaoke!
