Corporate Dinners

A performance as the prelude for the opening speech

A dinner event is often a perfect setting to share your vision. Speeches are often indispensable and a great way of welcoming your guests, connecting on a personal level and setting the stage for your message. In order for this message to resonate in its highest possible form, orchestrating the mood is of utmost importance. Entertainment is a great way of doing so. But we believe that setting the tone and introducing the topics at hand by infusing performance with communication is an even more impactful way of brining your message across.

Every corporate dinner has a different raison d’être. Whether is a way to celebrate success, share a vision for change or showcase gratitude, there is always an underlying motivation for the organisation of a culinary get together.

For a valued client, we where asked to create a concept for an opening show that would underline respect and gratitude towards the country of Japan as a long-term partner. By proposing a three dimensional version of the Japanese flag with a red globe at its core build out of blossom petals, we connected with the idea to bring an ode to Japan. Accompanied by an orchestra, this scenographic highlight would fall during apotheosis of the opening show, introducing Ayako Ishikawa for a wonderful solo and the grand finale of this performance.

“This opening was followed up by the speech of the CEO, referring to the show as their way to showcase respect”.

Speeches are opportunities for remarkability and impact

What is the reason for giving a speech? Obliging to etiquette, highlighting niceties, offering structure in terms of the program and of course, sharing information. And it is often the latter where the ROI of the event is found. Whether it is sharing information to inspire action, to showcase gratitude for acquired milestones or to promote collaboration, the speech communicates the reason for organising the dinner party in the first place.

So how to make sure the delivery of the message is truly impactful and worthy of remembrance? By adding some creative spice to the mix. Delivering a speech is storytelling. And the story should be the starting point for the design of the speech. At a Board of Directors dinners, for which we have had the privilege of creating the concept and experience design, the mission was to create a genuine connection between the organising country, and their partners in The Netherlands. The decision was made to focus on five values to create common ground and a better understanding of one another. We decided to invite the top of the Dutch classical music scene, and ask them to each speak about their interpretation of on of the values. 

Janine Jansen spoke about passion. The Jussen Brothers on partnership, Amsterdam Sinfonietta represented collaboration and Lavinia Meijer spoke on innovation, based on her development of new harp strokes which enabled her to play the musical compositions of Philip Glass. An original way to deliver a message. A different angle, original, yet impactful.

On another occasion, at the Rijksmuseum’s Gallery of Honers, we invited a art curator who would reference to paintings of the grand masters, such as Jan Asselijn’s ‘Threatened Swan’, and Rachel Ruysch’ ‘Still even met Bloemen’ to communicate the concept ‘The Art of Connection’.

Connect on values, mission and culture to bridge the divide

Formulating a core communication message for a corporate dinner event is of utmost important. We call this ‘the rationale’ of the concept. The rationale gives s conceptual direction and connecting with values or the mission is often a good choice. Another way to connect with the audience, is by staging culture. Showcasing local music culture and even bringing them together in one musical composition is a great way to bridge the gab. In an abstract way, this communicates often precisely what the goal of the event actually is: connecting on an emotional level in order to grow together.

“ Recognition is more
than a compliment.

It’s an emotional experience. ”

Recognising culture and staging a platform to showcase the connection between different worlds facilitates the thought of coming together. But mind you, this is not an easy task. The Arab tone system and the western tone system for example, can be amazingly complementary to one another, yet this is quite a puzzle to do right and orchestrate emotions with. It is not simply brining instruments together. We are still aiming for goosebumps, not only showcasing rarities.

The chosen instruments must be complementary in tone, in sound and in pushing the story forward. Something that can be greatly enlarged when combined with video, highlighting the journey of cultures, and brining them together in visuals and sound. Not every corporate dinner is in need of bridging cultures. However we do believe that every corporate dinner is in need of communicating its raison-d’être. And music and performance is a great way to do so.

Designing every detail: we are makers, specialists & co-creators

Our specialists in the realms of (internal) communication, artistic direction, music compositions, stage design, technical production and more, understand that we are designing a live version of your brand. This means that we are set on co-creation, as no one understands your brand better than you. As soon as the rationale is set, we start setting the stage for that what is required from us. A full event concept, stage design, speaker coaching, opening and or closing show, side entertainment or entertainment that manages crowd control, we are an extension of your in-house event team or work together with an event agency.
As a creative studio, we are looking forward to creating a meaningful memory with you.