It wasn't exactly upbeat, but it was a memorable celebration nonetheless. Having announced plans to close its Canadian factory, Kodak Canada hosted a breakfast and lunch event for 1,300 past and current staffers.
Kodak' s director of corporate communications Bruce Horsburgh worked with ByPeterandPauls.com's director of special events Laurie Bernardi and special events coordinator Beth Kawecki to plan the event. Kawecki said the biggest challenge was deciding how to coordinate two meals for such a large group. After studying the layout of the factory, which was to serve as the venue, the organizers opted for two separate buffet dining areas—one for breakfast and the other for lunch—in the massive shipping dock. White trellis and greenery were used to separate the two spaces.
To enter the factory guests followed a red carpet through a curtain made from strips of film and compact discs. A free-flowing juice fountain from caterer Tabletalk supplied beverages. Every place setting, in keeping with the farewell theme, had a keepsake wineglass with the words "Thanks for the Memories" printed on it. Breakfast included fresh omelettes available at serving stations and a plated selection of sandwiches such as chopped egg and smoked bacon. A choice of made-to-order fruit smoothies was provided by Espresso Uno.
For lunch there was a variety of international dishes, including vegetable chow mein, fajitas, beef samosas, and salmon in puff pastry with spinach. Yellow footprints were placed on the floor in front of the food stations to provide helpful traffic directions.
During the event Kodak officials made presentations commemorating the company's employees, and videos depicting 100 years of the plant's history were shown on video screens from S4 Sound Sensation Show Solutions.
—Robyn Small
Kodak' s director of corporate communications Bruce Horsburgh worked with ByPeterandPauls.com's director of special events Laurie Bernardi and special events coordinator Beth Kawecki to plan the event. Kawecki said the biggest challenge was deciding how to coordinate two meals for such a large group. After studying the layout of the factory, which was to serve as the venue, the organizers opted for two separate buffet dining areas—one for breakfast and the other for lunch—in the massive shipping dock. White trellis and greenery were used to separate the two spaces.
To enter the factory guests followed a red carpet through a curtain made from strips of film and compact discs. A free-flowing juice fountain from caterer Tabletalk supplied beverages. Every place setting, in keeping with the farewell theme, had a keepsake wineglass with the words "Thanks for the Memories" printed on it. Breakfast included fresh omelettes available at serving stations and a plated selection of sandwiches such as chopped egg and smoked bacon. A choice of made-to-order fruit smoothies was provided by Espresso Uno.
For lunch there was a variety of international dishes, including vegetable chow mein, fajitas, beef samosas, and salmon in puff pastry with spinach. Yellow footprints were placed on the floor in front of the food stations to provide helpful traffic directions.
During the event Kodak officials made presentations commemorating the company's employees, and videos depicting 100 years of the plant's history were shown on video screens from S4 Sound Sensation Show Solutions.
—Robyn Small