Clarks Annual Meeting Earns Standing Ovation With Somersaulting Kids, DJ Beats

Clarks, a Boston-based shoe company, hosted two weeks of events surrounding the launch of its spring 2013 collection in June. Kicking off in New York with a presentation to retailers, the annual meeting went on to include the Clarks Foundation outing at the PineHills Golf Club in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There, some 200 players raised $150,000 for the company's scholarship program and "many vendors supported our cause and came out in full force," said senior director of corporate events and community relations Jane Feigenson.

From there, it was onto a sales meeting at the Royal Sonesta hotel in Cambridge and finally, the event designed to be the showstopper: a dinner, fashion show, and award ceremony at the Park Plaza Castle. "Clarks launched its new line to the entire company at the historic [venue]," said Feigenson. "Over 500 people from all over the world attended a magical and inspiring evening."

Taking cues from the host venue's palatial features, Feigenson aimed to bring a "global castle-like feel" to the space and commissioned PBD Events to handle decor. Alternating round and rectangular tables were covered with Table Toppers of Newton's jewel-toned velvet and silk linens, and The Catered Affair's specialty prosecco cocktail was called the "Royal Splash."

Living up to the evening's official title of "company feast," the hearty dinner menu included family-style portions of farmer's market salad, homemade gnocchi, hangar steak, and orange-cured salmon; dessert was the famously elaborate dish baked Alaska served with salted caramel ice cream and flourless chocolate cake with berries.

The 15-minute fashion show, produced by TESstylist, offered a carefully choreographed display of spring footwear trends with elaborate lighting from Advanced Lighting & Production Services and videos. At the back of the stage was a round, 30-foot dome meant to represent Clarks' new global direction. As the models walked, DJ Deja spun contemporary and classic hits. "The show raised the roof," Feigenson said. "People jumped to their feet when children came dancing down the runway sporting flips and somersaults."