Tonights the Night- The 2011 Landlink Annual Awards

Hi all,

So tonights the night! The event I have been working towards all semester is finally here- The 2011 Landlink Annual Awards. What a crazy week it has been, with last minute updates and all the final touches.

Early on in the week, when everything seemed to be going according to plan, we were faced with a bit of extra unexpected work. A couple of Real Estate agencies changed their minds and decided they did want to attend the event and enter their staff in the various award categories. This meant that we had to enter in the additional finalist, re-arrange seating plans and also change the winners of some of the top categories. Luckily enough, we got it done, and the final winners were sent off to the trophy and certificate stores, for final printing.

In terms of the seating plan, this did take a little time, and a lot of correspondence with the event manager at Burswood. We decided to host a 'widdishins dinner' this year, which meant after each course every second person would move three spots to the left. This setting would allow for the attendees to network and mingle with different people throughout the night (rather than just sticking to the people from their office). We also decided to set up the tables in a U shape format, which meant we had to be careful how we placed everyone so that they could move easily and could all see the stage easily. We also had to keep in mind that those with special dietary requirements did not move, so that the catering staff could easily locate them through the night. Finally, by Friday afternoon, we had finally got the seating plan sorted. Who knew it took so much thought!

Friday was an extremely busy day. Not only did we finalise the seating plan but we also had to make place cards for all 90 guests, pick up the trophies and certificates and triple check them to ensure they were correct, and place everything in the correct order, as per the commentary that we had sent to our MC earlier in the week. Veronica (my boss) and I worked together to ensure these tasks were done efficiently and precisely. We certainly did not want to get to the night with the wrong award for the wrong person (what a disaster that would be).

After a long day Friday, it meant that all we had left to do on Saturday was set up. We arrived at the Burswood at 3.00pm, with all the tables, chairs, cutlery, stage and so on already set up by the Burswood staff. We placed all the place cards in the correct spot, as well as the programs for the evening and made sure everything was set up correctly. We then put the seating plan up on two pin up boards at the front of the ballroom, to ensure everyone knew where they were sitting. Shortly after our arrival, the team from Flamingo Suprise (the table decorators) showed up, and finished the tables with beautiful crystal vases, tea candles and white sashes around the black covered chairs. Of course I knew what we had arranged, but I didn't imagine it would look so amazing. Both Veronica and I were very pleased with the final results.

So now all is left is to get frocked up and return to the venue for final checkings, before all 90 of our guests arrive. I will have to make sure all of the people involved, including the MC, photographer, band etc understand the structure of the night and that everyone knows the timing for each scheduled task. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan!

Wish me luck,

Jayne Pendal

13969194