Specsavers Variety Performance

Objectives

The biennial ball is a big thank you for all Specsavers staff and their partners to gather together to celebrate the successes of the previous years, as well as look forward to the year ahead.

Format

On arrival at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, 1,000 guests enjoyed a champagne reception in the venue’s glass atrium, which overlooks the River Mersey.

Attendees then walked through a specially constructed star-clothed tunnel which led into the halls.

The halls were transformed into a Royal Variety themed spaced, featuring aerial silks, a stage, banqueting area and dancefloor.

Production was provided in-house by the ACC Liverpool production team who won a competitive tender process to provide full services earlier this year.  The team developed detailed plans, designs and visuals to demonstrate options and additions to enhance and develop the production offer in response to the client brief.

Full production elements included lighting, sound, AV, show calling, content creation, auto cue, artist liaison and stage management.  The team also provided technical support for a talent show for staff, working with participants and ensuring the required AV was in place. 

TV presenter Stephen Mulhern hosted the show and entertainment was provided by the FlameOz Fire Show and band The Sparks.  Guests dined on a four-course meal provided by ACC Liverpool caterers Centerplate which included blackened asparagus for starters followed by a contra fillet of beef then sharing platters for dessert featuring upside down banana and sugared peanut cheesecake with Oreo crumbs. Popcorn and doughnut stations were available for guests later in the evening.

Challenges

Guest numbers increased prior to the event so the decision was taken between the client, the ACC Liverpool production and events team to completely change the layout one month before.  However thanks to the flexibility, skills and knowledge of the ACC Liverpool team, the changes were carried out smoothly and effectively and the team delivered a very successful event with positive client and attendee feedback.

Verdict

Alex Costen, Specsavers senior events manager – public relations departments said: “The venue in Liverpool provided a perfect space for our celebratory event and with the help of the production team guests were really wowed when they first entered the hall through an impressive star clothed tunnel. Entertainment, production and the meal were top notch and feedback from guests was really positive.”