Details March 31
As someone who plans a lot of events I am impressed when, at another event, the planners take care of the little details.
What I have come across is that all corporate events have some sort of theme attached. Now, sometimes its glaringly obvious, sometimes its not noticeable at all, but if you get it right, its those little details that make your guests go “aahhh….I get it.” This is a very difficult task without being too tacky.
Such a specific example occured at the CPRS Hamilton Pinnacle Awards. This was the 2nd year I have been in attendance and I went for the social aspect [I wasn't up for any awards if thats what you were thinking ;)]
This year’s theme was titled “Passport to Communications Excellence,” a fitting theme considering the global impact and speed at which communications occur (those of us that blog can identify with this concept only too well).
However, it wasn’t the food or the booze that made me remember this night; it was the program. As I was flipping through it the intricate designs on the borders of the page caught my eye - it was all looking very familiar - then it hit me: This program is designed to look like a passport!
I turn back to the cover and immediately the pieces come together - the dark blue cover, the ‘embossed’ stamp, the inside even had fake stamps from other countries. Except instead of country names or “approved”, the words were the titles of the awards. Even the background of the page looked like it had those funky design security features on it.
As someone who designs A LOT of programs I was impressed. It is all about the details. And, funny thing, it made me realize that this was first time I was disappointed that my name wasn’t written on the inside.
p.s. I want to make an honorable mention of a gentleman named Charles* who sat at my table. He came up with a genius scheme to score more wine at function with limited table service. Make sure that there is at least one empty seat at your table. Then, with your glass of wine, pour a tiny bit in the bottom of the empty wine glass. The next time the server rolls around, they will assume that this person has gone to the bathroom and will fill up their glass. Voila! You have an extra glass of wine.
*names have been changed to protect the innocent. Unless ‘Charles’ reads this; then feel free to take credit 
Mike Apr 2
“Protect the innocent”!?? Never actually been referred to as “innocent” before…or a “gentleman”.
And of all the names, you come up with “Charles”??? C’mon, a Dirk or perhaps Thor would have been much better.
There is also a rule, that if there is only one glass and you’re at Mike/Charles/Dirk/Thor’s table, it belongs to me. My scheme, my wine…
I thought the event was great too, and it was my first time attending the Pinnacles.
Was also great to meet you in person.
Zoe Apr 3
I actually considered using your real name anyway. I probably should have.
And you can’t make up rules after the fact. I go by the “call it” rule. Whoever calls it first gets it. So there.