Time has passed so quickly since we launched Unique 20 years ago and there have been many highlights in what is basically my second career (I worked in the entertainment and music business in front of the camera for as long again).

The launch of the Jordan F1 car at the Royal Albert Hall. We were given just 21 days to pull together this spectacular event (over Christmas) by our client Gallaher – Benson & Hedges. The car was hidden in the ceiling of the venue and following a slick press launch hosted by Steve Ryder and featuring Damon Hill, Ralph Shumaker and Eddie Jordan amongst others, the amazing Cirque Du Soleil performed for the audience and we lowered the car during the finale. I fondly remember Eddie asking me if we were going to drop his car……….I have never rushed home so fast to watch the launch on TV national news channels every hour for the rest of the day. This is probably my favorite career production. Image to be sent asap

Proud to be British……….Having created a wonderful dinner environment in a luxury marquee on the banks of the lake at Leeds Castle, Kent for guests of Coca – Cola the finale was truly inspiring. The audience was led to the lake by a drum corps from the Guards and on cue the massed bands from The Guards Regiments marched in from both sides of the horizon to perform a display of synchronized marching and playing. On their final number a firework display was thrown up over the lake for the stirring finale.

Beam me up Mr Spock…………We have produced so many successful conferences that it’s difficult to define my favorites but the day we dressed the entire audience of 600 IBM IT sales people in white “space suits” created a great buzz. The set was a creative version of the bridge of a space ship and all presenters entered into the spirit with full costume and a completely interactive dialogue presenting content through an extensive themed script which took me literally months to finally nail! All sorts of entertainment was integrated into the event including a host robot, a singing spaceman and the girls from the client Marketing Department rounding up with a fully choreographed version of Time Warp. Who says conferences are boring?

Making News…….This is probably the most effective conference we have written and our client RBS Insurance ran it across several of their business divisions during a 4 month period. All of the classic conference mechanics were written into a dynamic newsroom environment with the delegates feeding back via VT on regular news bulletins. The content was interactive throughout the day and we constructed a brilliant team activity which required delegates to create their own news and design a broadsheet paper. Our client generously suggested that we enter this concept for an industry award based upon its effectiveness in live communication.

Love on a Roller Coaster…………….Sometimes it’s just fun to see the families of hundreds of work colleagues having fun as a reward for the support of their loved ones in a busy job. Our client Mars Confectionery invited every associate and their families to Thorpe Park over a series of three dates for a fun and entertainment packed exclusive event. The rides were unlimited and various street entertainers were located around the park. Food was plentiful and the finale was breathtaking. A marching band from the Guards Regiments marched the entire crowd around the park accompanied by all the entertainers in a procession leading to the lake. A huge multi colored laser show followed with fast moving musical video projected onto a leading edge screen of water blown up from the lake. A great time was had by all.

And the winner is………We have produced many great awards shows and I particularly enjoy these events because they bring together all the technical and theatrical disciplines that we stand for. Awards shows have given me the opportunity to work with many of the best presenters and personalities in the business and to renew some old acquaintances too. There is one instance however that I would probably prefer to forget. Our client Reed International gave us a Motor industry awards show at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The set was one of my all time fave’s and the show was one of the last awards the very lovely Jill Dando was to present. The evening was going well, great in fact but then we came to cabaret time. In an effort to ramp up the entertainment for what was a annual sell out show we had flown in an American Soul Diva (who shall remain nameless) with her band. The rehearsal was fabulous and we all looked forward to the real thing. Unfortunately I was called back stage by our Stage Manager during dinner who felt there was real risk our star would not make it on stage. I was met by a disorientated, rambling singer rocking backwards and forwards in her chair like a demented female Stevie Wonder. I suppose my previous music career has exposed me to many strange experiences and I was eventually able to help regain some focus and the show as they say “went on” I hasten to point out this was not an issue of illegal substances or alcohol but more likely exhaustion and stress ( not all of it hers!)

Taxi………….I do still like to travel albeit I barely unpacked my suitcase in my previous life. We have produced events all over the place but probably my most enjoyable show was quite recently in Bangkok. Not just the city but a great venue at the Shangri La Hotel, amazing local and cultural entertainment and great spectacle within our 3 day event

Let’s party…………It’s amazing how much production skill can go into a real party and we have created some truly amazing venues over the years. We have turned restaurants into space ships, warehouses into gangster dens and an aircraft hanger into a full on 1940’s Ball with an orchestra on the back of a tank transporter, the disco in a troop lorry and a full song and dance show from the era. It’s amazing what can be done with a lorry load of camouflage netting, parachutes and flags and of course plentiful plastic table cloths.

Mind the Gap…………………It’s Red Nose Day. One of the most satisfying activities ever was the day we transported 300 delegates across town from the conference venue to an old town hall in East London which was accommodating many charity support and counseling groups. The venue was receiving some funding from Comic Relief and in line with one of our clients products Comic Relief sponsorships we tied in the activity just before the annual Red Nose Day. The huge venue was badly in need of a face lift and in true “Changing Rooms” style we decorated and re furbished it in just 4 hours (it’s amazing what 300 focused workers can do in a short time) This event required detailed logistical expertise and a great deal of tenacity in begging a private (Red Nosed) tube train from London Transport to gallons of paint from Dulux, furniture from MFI and materials from Homebase. The local Police provided 4 outriders from the tube station to the venue, blue lights and all, and the local council found volunteers to take care of the ceilings prior to our arrival. The delegates all agreed that it was a very worthwhile exercise benefitting the local community whilst providing a great team building challenge.

What a blast…….Whilst producing a Blitz Ball for the Association of Advertising Agencies in Scotland, which required the theming of an entire hotel ballroom and featured big band and cabaret, we created a spectacular air raid sequence. A dazzling array of lighting, sound effects and pyrotechnics wowed the audience until that is, the fire alarms went off, the fire brigade arrived and the entire hotel including our 500 guests were evacuated. Apparently although the ballroom was isolated from the alarms some smoke drifted through into the kitchen and then all hell broke loose. The fire brigade wasn’t best pleased and we feared the client might think our war time theming just a bit too realistic. The next day however we made the front pages of all the local papers and featured in the national daily papers too – the client was ecstatic!

One Voice………….As an ex professional musician there is one show that I will always remember with pride. An IT client now part of IBM was merging with another company of similar size. We were asked to create a social event with a message to help smooth the way for cultural integration. We wrote “One Voice” a musical extravaganza and Ball featuring the National Philharmonic Orchestra. There were approx 300 people in the audience and a massive 48 musicians on stage. A themed script was written for the welcome and it led seamlessly into the most amazing version of Barry Manilow’s “One Voice” which literally made my hair stand on end. Following dinner the Orchestra performed our very own version of the Last Night at the Proms and everyone sang their hearts out