Category:
Best Corporate or Nonprofit
Event Planning:
Budget $40,000-$100,000
Sales representatives who had successfully met their goals were treated to dinner in the desert outside Tucson, Arizona, at the end of a week-long training and incentive trip to the area. Jeeps transported attendees to a tent situated between the mountains and the saguaro cacti—a location suggested by a local destination management company.
Dinner was served in a tent decorated with the colors of the desert and guests enjoyed performances by strolling violinists, the Tucson Boys Choir, and Harp Fusion—an ensemble group of 12 harpists. Local amateur astronomers provided telescopes so guests could peer into the night sky.
Guests were told to wear western clothing, but had minimal information about the event and its location. They were greeted by music, passed hors d’oeuvres, and specialty drinks at an outdoor reception. Naturalists led a short hike to nearby Native American petroglyphs.
The path to the tent was lined with lanterns hung from wrought iron shepherd hooks. Lanterns also were hung from the nearby mesquite trees and on the neighboring hills.
The poles and hardware of the clear-top tent were covered using black velour drape, accented with copper ties and fabric. Large floral arrangements at the bottom of the tent anchors helped disguise the ropes and keep guests from inadvertently walking into them. The tables were all draped with copper satin linen and guests sat on black chiavari chairs.
The
main course, filet of buffalo in a madiera sauce, was
served alongside grilled
Chilean sea bass in a raspberry chipotle sauce
and traditional polenta with a
roasted pepper coulis. For dessert: a
rich chocolate and orange mousse served
inside a hollowed out orange
and topped with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh
mint.
Other Nominees:
Missy Francisco-Carlson, SDMC Health Systems
Marcial McKinney, D'Amico Catering
