On September 6, the Smithsonian Young Benefactors—an arm of the Smithsonian Associates, targeting professionals ages 20 to 45—kicks off its second annual Polo Cup at the National Mall's West Potomac Park. Opening at noon, the cup is expecting some 450 attendees and 25 volunteers. With tickets starting at $150, the event will feature Argentine player (and Ralph Lauren model) Nacho Figueras and America's Most Wanted host John Walsh on the field.
Six sponsors, including Capitol File, Harper's Bazaar, and Veuve Clicquot, are hosting teams, while the Mandarin Oriental is setting up the official after-party for 200 Cup guests. We talked to Smithsonian Associates program manager Brigitte Blachere about last-minute preparations, this year’s Miami-themed decor, and navigating the National Park Service.
The second annual Smithsonian Young Benefactors Polo Cup is less than a week away. What are you working on now?
We’re finalizing the volunteers and any last-minute coordinations. We're working with the National Park Service to confirm the schedule and to make sure officers are in place to babysit everything for about four nights while we’re not on the field. We’re also finalizing last-minute details on the lunch menu with Ridgewells.
How closely do you work with the Park Service?
They have strict rules and regulations that we have to follow. Signage is one of them. There is a "one-third to two-thirds" rule for all signage. That means the name of the event has to be two-thirds the size of the paper you’re printing it on, and any additional logos and brands have to be one-third the size of the event's name. They even pull out rulers. They also don’t allow for certain things to be sold and require waivers for alcohol. But they have worked with us to get all that stuff approved accordingly.
Have you made any changes to this year's cup?
Last year we had three sections—a main tent, a gold tent, and a V.I.P. tent. We've simplified the setup and got rid of the gold section. Now we can open up that main tent, which allows for a lot more spaciousness. We're also incorporating a very white, Miami kind of look for the V.I.P. area with furniture from Room Service.
How are the sponsors involved in the Cup?
There are rules that you can’t have sponsors selling or setting up booths on the Mall, but we do have recognition in our program and on a small poster that has been approved.
This year we also have some new sponsorships. One is with Maserati, so we’ll have a few of their cars on site, and Ralph Lauren is also on board. Ralph Lauren is sponsoring the Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras and donating the jerseys for the players.
What's planned for the Cup's after-party?
After the main event on the polo field, at 6 p.m., some 200 V.I.P. guests will join us at the Miami-themed after-party at the Mandarin Oriental. It gives us a chance to have an event without the fields and the horses. It’s also a chance for the players to relax, have something to eat, and socialize with the attendees.
