PricewaterhouseCoopers marked the its 10th anniversary (Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand merged in 1998) at a fire-and-ice themed holiday party for 3,900 employees at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Saturday. Roni Feldman & Associates Inc. planned the event in conjunction with Kathryn Clark, the firm's senior manager of travel and event management services. “They came up with fire and ice. All we had were those words and we went from there,” Roni Feldman said.
Models dressed in parkas and the sound of the howling wind greeted guests as they walked through a tunnel of white fabric into the ice-themed cocktail reception. A massive ice sculpture by Iceculture sat atop a white structure in the centre of the room. Silver and white bars and lounge furniture from Contemporary Furniture Rentals filled the space. Iceculture also created an ice bar for the event. “We did an ice bar [for PWC’s winter wonderland party] in 2003 and they still talk about it,” Feldman said.
A Brazilian martial arts troupe signaled the start of the dinner with a performance welcoming guests into the fire-inspired dining area. Feldman topped the 390 tables in bright pink and orange linens and called on Liteworks to create a fire effect on the walls. “With a room this size, lighting and imagery are key. The decor becomes the environment,” Feldman said.
M.C. Steve Patterson interacted with guests, wandering through the venue to conduct interviews with employees during the dinner. The Philosopher Kings performed before guests returned to the reception room, which had a new ice lounge area for the post-dinner cocktail party and buffet. “Every time they walk into a room, something different happens, which is really exciting,” Feldman said of the decor changes throughout the night.
“Every five years the company brings everyone [in the Toronto area] together,” said Feldman, who produced the firm’s last major corporate party in 2003. “We had a challenge in the fact it was very successful in 2003 and we’ve got to top that mark.”
The event team had a detailed production schedule. “The whole process to me is as important as the end result,” she said. “The production schedule was 28 pages long, and every single moment is accounted for. Because that is done so far in advance, we’ve done all our work.”
