Fitting It All In

Antsy guests combined with lots of awards required an organized and action-packed evening at the NFL Players\' gala.

May 21, 2007

When preparing for the NFL Players gala on April 12, NFL Players assistant vice president of special events Felice Jones knew she had a lot to accomplish—in little time. “The goal is to create a stage program that allows us to fit dinner in but doesn’t allow for too much downtime,” she said, noting that in Washington, guests don’t tolerate events running late: “It’s a really hard balance.” Jones only had a few hours to tell the stories of all 10 NFL player nominees (nominated by their teammates for their contributions to their communities) and to spotlight the mission of the Special Olympics, in addition to hosting two fund-raising auctions and serving dinner to 1,300 guests.

Held at the Hilton Washington, the evening kicked off with a silent auction from 5 to 6:15 p.m., where attendees could bid on NFL memorabilia like signed jerseys, with the proceeds benefiting Special Olympics D.C. Dinner started at 6:30 and featured appearances by M.C.s James Brown of CBS’s The NFL Today and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, as well as a performance by Dem Boyz, a step team featured in the film Stomp the Yard.

Jones ran videos of past award winners and footage from an NFL-Special Olympics football clinic as a way to keep the audience focused while the stage was being set again for the live auction; items up for bid included a V.I.P. Super Bowl package containing airline tickets to the 2008 championship, game tickets, and more. And at the end of the closing statements, Jones gave guests the choice of calling it a night or heading upstairs for dessert and mingling.

Sky-blue lighting accented the NFL Players gala.

Photo: BizBash

The bidding started at $350 for a TonyRomo-autographed replica jersey, one of many sports items up for auction.Guests could also bid on less macho items, like a Marc Jacobs purse, vacationpackages, and jewelry.

Photo: BizBash

Photo: BizBash

The 130 tables were covered with black tablecloths. Centerpieces were arranged in high and low vases, each filled with white calla lilies, roses, and grapevines floating in water, with a layer of blue stones at the bottom.

Photo: BizBash

Blue water effects enhanced the stage’s uplitcolumns.

Photo: BizBash

NFL Players assistant vice president FeliceJones and Meeting Architects vice president of production and operation DonAdams chose sky-blue lighting to signify spring, renewal, and rebirth—and toprovide a neutral color to run alongside sponsors’ logos.

Photo: BizBash