Casey Mellan knew that a straightforward announcement wouldn't deliver the impact she wanted, so she chose to add a visual element to the unveiling of the United Way's record-breaking 2007 fund-raising total on Thursday. Mellan, an event planner with the United Way of Greater Toronto, worked with CCR Solutions to create a custom screen for the big reveal at the organization's annual celebration dinner, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The fund-raising total of $108.1 million splashed across a screen made of Octanorm light boxes using "Watchout" technology when the announcement was made before the 1,650 guests in attendance. Mellan kept her approach to the award dinner—which serves as a thank-you to the organization’s supporters—simple. “We stripped everything down,” she said, adding that organizing the stage production was one of the biggest challenges. “CCR was a huge help with that.”The 165 tables, laid out in the convention centre’s recently renovated Constitution Hall, were draped in white linens and featured simple hydrangea centerpieces that tied in with the evening's theme of dreams and dreaming. Individuals from the United Way's 200 member agencies provided quotes about their dreams for 2008, and Mellan included the whimsical notes in the floral arrangements.
The convention centre catered the event, featuring a meal of butternut squash bisque followed by stone-mustard-and-thyme-crusted chicken, with a dessert of white chocolate mousse cake. Entertainment included performances by the Gregory Campbell Trio, Zero Gravity Circus, and Plasma recording artist Belinda Brady.
The fund-raising total of $108.1 million splashed across a screen made of Octanorm light boxes using "Watchout" technology when the announcement was made before the 1,650 guests in attendance. Mellan kept her approach to the award dinner—which serves as a thank-you to the organization’s supporters—simple. “We stripped everything down,” she said, adding that organizing the stage production was one of the biggest challenges. “CCR was a huge help with that.”The 165 tables, laid out in the convention centre’s recently renovated Constitution Hall, were draped in white linens and featured simple hydrangea centerpieces that tied in with the evening's theme of dreams and dreaming. Individuals from the United Way's 200 member agencies provided quotes about their dreams for 2008, and Mellan included the whimsical notes in the floral arrangements.
The convention centre catered the event, featuring a meal of butternut squash bisque followed by stone-mustard-and-thyme-crusted chicken, with a dessert of white chocolate mousse cake. Entertainment included performances by the Gregory Campbell Trio, Zero Gravity Circus, and Plasma recording artist Belinda Brady.
Custom light boxes created a screen onstage.
Photo: Henry Lin
The organization's fund-raising total was revealed on a screen created with custom Octanorm light boxes featuring "Watchout" technology.
Photo: Henry Lin
Small floral arrangements featuring hydrangeas and a quote about dreaming topped each table.
Photo: Henry Lin
The recently renovated Constitution Hall provided the setting for the United Way's 1,650 guests.
Photo: Henry Lin
A projection of the United Way logo decked a wall in the reception area.
Photo: Henry Lin
