Ed Morse Automotive Group held its 19th annual Cash Bash, an incentive award night for its finance and insurance managers and sales team, on Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. Janet Dauro, executive assistant to the company's C.O.O., took the lead in planning this year’s surprise Treasure Island-style party, whose pirate theme remained a secret until the 225 guests arrived.
“We go a step further [with the award night] and make it an extravagant event where they can win cash and prizes, and the theme is a surprise. It’s all a great incentive to keep them motivated,” said Dauro, who said previous themes included a casino night and a street carnival.
Dauro worked with A Hot Party to bring the pirate-riddled atmosphere to life. Costumed entertainers served as greeters and provided guests with treasure maps of the night’s games, which could be played for a chance to open one of six treasure chests holding prizes. About a hour after arrivals, singing pirates signaled the opening of the main ballroom and beginning of the dinner service provided by the hotel.
Inside the main ballroom, a pirate ship backdrop from Backdrops Fantastic served as the main focal point behind the stage. A Hot Party enhanced the space with rum barrels, gold coins, skeletons and skulls, and treasure chests around the room. All of the tables had been draped in black and red linens and topped with gold-painted ships' masts with red sails.
Following dinner, employees who had qualified during a special three-month sales push got their chance to win cash and gifts from a prize game on the main stage. The interactive games at the back of the room opened for the rest of the night. Depending on attendees’ performance at each of the games, they earned chances to open one of the six treasure chests, each with a Best Buy gift card for an amount ranging from $500 to $1,500.
