Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Coverage, May 2007--EVIE AWARD WINNER BEST CORPORATE EVENT

When a corporate group wanted to produce a themed event for their annual sales conference, they had a few specifics in mind. First, the event should be festive. The event was part of an incentive weekend for the company’s top sales managers, and they had earned the chance to have an absolute blast. Second, the event was to engage the attendees and keep them interested from beginning to end. Finally, the event would need to have a theme that would enable the top executives to dress in costume and perform a skit. This tradition had started three years prior and was always a hit at the sales conference. 

The chance to play Harrison Ford’s famous character was too great for one of the senior vice presidents to pass up, so the three-part event was produced with the popular Indiana Jones movies as inspiration. The evening included an outdoor cocktail reception, a seated dinner, and a hot after-party. 
           
The event began with an outdoor cocktail reception. Cocktail tables were topped with wheat Pintuck linens and paisley printed shawls laced with gold-flecked thread.  A professional airbrush artist (dressed in Arabian costume) provided guests with elegant airbrush designs and body jewel art. 

I played on the open-air architectural details to bring out the theme of an Arabian marketplace. A backdrop was selected to fit the theme and tables were set with coffee-colored linens as a base for the colorful glass lantern centerpieces that were used throughout. Mosaic tile and large palm plants completed the look. Glass lanterns in multiple colors were utilized throughout the space. When lit with votive candles, the colors danced on the walls in jewel-toned shades.  The existing fountain in the hotel’s atrium was lit with green accent lighting and draped with lifelike snakes…much to Indiana Jones’ dismay. The fountain was filled with dry ice with flowed out onto the mosaic tile, creating an eerie effect.

Rattan chargers and flatware with bamboo handles were selected for the plated dinner settings. The menu cards were handmade to resemble the tattered scrap of fabric used in the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom movie. The dinner menu was printed on rustic-looking fabric, cut into small squares, and then frayed on all four sides. The menu itself was designed especially for the theme and featured dishes that were somewhat exotic, but that would still appeal to the majority of the 220 guests. 

As the dinner began, the lights went down and four plasma televisions located in the four corners of the room came to life with a custom video trailer featuring scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. At its conclusion, the sound of symbols drew guests’ attention to a side door. Four belly dancers emerged along with four male models carrying the senior vice president (aka Indiana Jones) on a throne. The harem paraded around the entire perimeter of the room, ultimately delivering Dr. Jones to the stage amid cheers from the crowd. The skit began with Indiana’s first line: “Now that’s making an entrance!” Two of the company’s other execs also played a role, one as Marion and the other as Belloq from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Costumes were specially selected for each alter ego, and the script included humor that kept the crowd rolling. 

After the first course, the plasma screens came to life again with the belly dancer scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The live belly dancers then returned to perform authentic routines on stage and amidst the dining tables. 

The male models (after making their all-important delivery) returned to the dinner with feathered fans which they used to fan guests as they dined. Many guests took advantage of this special treat, and there was no shortage of photos being taken with the hot hunks.
   
Perhaps the most unexpected element of the dinner came during dessert. After the entrees were cleared, the plasma TVs came to life showing the famous “monkey brains” scene from Temple of Doom. To the guests’ amazement, the banquet staff then entered the room carrying trays of chocolate molds in the shape of monkey heads. The heads were filled with vanilla bean panna cotta topped with tropical fruits and toasted shaved coconut. The plates were garnished with gummy worms and candy in the shape of bugs. 

As dessert ended, the after-party immediately began. Nightclub music was selected and was pumped from the ballroom adjacent to the dinner location. The belly dancers and male models led guests to the after-party which was decked out with a hot Arabian Nights theme. The perimeter of the room was highlighted with lush colored lighting. Custom gobos were projected overhead and fresh greenery was thick throughout the space. High-peak tents were draped with sheer voile fabric in various colors. Soft seating was placed under the tent, and chandeliers hung overhead. Silk pillows, vases, and votive candles were used to accent the color scheme.  
      
The focal point in the room was a raised platform upon which a contortionist performed throughout the night. The platform was specially designed for the event with an 8-foot diameter base that would allow for guest seating. The top of the platform was reinforced to support the performer. The entire piece took on an Arabian feel with patterned pillows and beaded trim. 

The platform was flanked by turret-shaped spandex columns and two risers upon which Arabian dance enhancers performed. As they danced to exciting beats and rhythms, they spun LED light strands, creating fantastic images and a nightclub feel in the semi-dark room.  A 6’2” giant in Arabian attire mingled throughout the party, breathing fire and swallowing swords. Dessert displays featured candy bugs displayed on specially designed leaf-shaped chocolate platters. Bar service continued with red mojitos and sangria. 
 

Photos by Stephanie Drew and Janet Fulcher Photography