From zero to an international multi-award event-of-the-year! This holiday event, With Love From Paris, an idea so small, transformed into an experience that will be talked about for years. So, what was the “secret sauce” for our little trip to Paris? Let us dive into the behind-the-scenes of it!
With Love From Paris was not just another holiday event. It was the fresh breath of air we all desperately needed right after the end of the pandemic. People were itching to travel.
This award-winning holiday event was the solution to the disconnect between employees in the corporate world. And what better way to mimic travel, which we all knew was impossible at the time, than by bringing Paris to the home base?
Although we were not physically in France, everything felt like we were and this was evident on the faces of our guests. They felt like we transported them to Paris and this was a massive success for everyone!
The concept of having a Parisian-themed holiday helped reignite what had burned out, lighting up again through the magic of the City of Light during the holidays and with the use of the 5 W’s, With Love From Paris was born.
Dig Deeper in Holiday Event Planning: From Concept to Creation
Never rely solely on a good concept; even the best ideas can fail if not carefully executed. How bad could it get? Imagine messing up a Parisian theme by including the Leaning Tower of Pisa instead of the iconic Eiffel Tower! The example may be exaggerated, but in event planning, with busy schedules and tight timelines, mistakes can easily happen. We do not want that! Unless the client specifically requests it, make sure the vision is aligned and agreed upon. In our case, the original idea was to showcase “Christmas Around the World” with four different countries; however, this evolved into a more focused Parisian night, blending the warmth, art, and culture of Paris with the family spirit of Christmas.
The Blueprint for an Iconic Holiday Event
After solidifying the concept, visualize the venue’s potential to create a “wow” factor. For With Love From Paris, we utilized a 20,000-square-foot train station, transforming it into a magical Paris street at night. Early planning allowed us to perfect every detail, making the space feel truly immersive, with set-builders crafting elements like a mini Eiffel Tower and an Arc de Triomphe.
Also, keep in mind that this event took place just as we were getting back into routine, so supply chain delays and staffing shortages meant we were fighting the impossible by adjusting timelines, budgets, and logistics. This required flexibility and communication at the highest level.
Bringing Paris to Life
Enough about themes and buildings. Aside from décor, there are other ways to elevate the event to a whole new level. For instance, incorporating warm lighting with hints of blue can mimic the night and warmth of Paris, or adding snow can evoke the feel of winter. And who can forget about the food culture? Themed cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots were created, and of course, the food stations were integrated into the décor, offering guests authentic French cuisine. After all, it is the little details that count.
Challenges in Execution
It would be too easy to plan an event without any challenges, which in our case included a tight two-day installation of the most iconic elements: the Eiffel Tower and the dancefloor. Despite their sizes, it only took a short time to get everything done thanks to a great team!
A Holiday Event to Remember
Aside from focusing on winning an event category, the real focus should be on the clients and their guests’ impressions. You can have the best elements, but if you fail to make the clients’ dream event come true during execution, can you truly consider it a success story?
To collaborate on your next event, you know who to book.
